Motor Queries

format_quote Originally Posted by ~Zaria~

Wa'alaikumsalam Wa rahmatullahi Wa barakatuh

1. How often does one need to check water/ oil levels?
(In some (newer) cars, the water/ oil is filled at the last service......and I was told that I do not need to bother until the next service. Is this true?)

The best is you check everyday. It's just take few minutes. If you sure your car condition is good, check water/oil levels every few days is still OK. You must also watch the garage floor. If you see oil and/or water, better you check your car to repair station.

2. My car was serviced a few months ago.
Since then, I have been receiving many speeding fines (Im not sure how many, cos I don't actually go to pick them up from the post office ......hoping they would disappear somehow.....)

Is it possible, that the speedometer is not reading correctly after my service?
Sometimes I feel that I am driving quite fast, but my speed is not registering as the same......?

We don't know how fast or how slow we drive if we only use our feeling. Road condition and traffic situation can deceive us. Drive 80 km/h in one road will make us feel we drive very fast. But 80 km/h in another road make us feel we drive slow enough.

Speedometer is directly connected to the wheel by cable. In routine service, mechanic do not touch it.

3. I hit a curb a weeks ago , and since then the front arch (the panel in front of my right hand tyre) has moved inwards (i.e. the distance between the tyre and panel is smaller).
I havent noticed any other problems when driving. Is it safe to ignore this (or will it worsen with time)?

Which is moved?. If that's because the fender (panel) moved to back, is still OK to ignore it. But if that's because the wheel moved to front, you need to adjust your wheel again in repair station.

You can ask someone who know about car to see, which is moved, the panel or the wheel.

Wa'alaikumsalam Wa rahmatullahi Wa barakatuh,

1. For most new vehicles, after an initial check you shouldn't need to check anything except the wiper/windshield/screen washing fluid, unless you're going on a trip or notice spots on the ground after overnight parking.

2. Besides the previous response, usually the only way the speedometer readings would be off is if you change the tire/rim size or make other modifications to the vehicle.

3. Sometimes a hard impact will change the “toe-in” on the tie-rod(s). This has to be checked by a reputable shop.

1. After 5 years/ 50,000 miles/80,000 or so K. most warranties end and things start to break down however, as long as all of the scheduled maintenance has been done on-time/properly it should be okay if the vehicle has been treated properly.
   
2. The garage should have filled out your maintenance book, stating exactly what had been done and what parts (if any) were replaced.
3. I didn't quite understand this one, but I would be skeptical of a shop that wants to modify the vehicle (by drilling) without first offering to replace the damaged parts with original ones. (Unless money was a mentioned issue).

It really depends on how much you use it; if you drive hundreds of k. a day, then I would say daily, if you use it only occasionally than less often.
Some recommend checking the fluids every-time you fill the fuel tank; it's a safe time frame. Also, don't forget to check the tire pressure.

Sure,

1. That's a good way to tell. There's usually metal clips on the pad plate itself and when the lining wears down to a certain point, every time you brake they start touching the rotor making the noise you hear. For the rotors, one of the most common indicators is if the brake pedal pulsates when you apply the brakes, its probably time for them to be turned at a machine shop.

2. With your car being 5 years old, I wouldn't use it. Modern car engines don't need the lead and prolonged use would have negative effects on the emission sensors and exhaust system components of a vehicle not designed to use it. Older (pre-1976 or so) car engines required it to help with knocking and extend the life of some engine components.

format_quote Originally Posted by ~Zaria~

Since then, I have been receiving many speeding fines (Im not sure how many, cos I don't actually go to pick them up from the post office ......hoping they would disappear somehow.....)

Is it possible, that the speedometer is not reading correctly after my service?

Mechanical speedometers can malfunction due to improper calibration. Sometimes it can be due to weak soldering on the control board/head unit.

As far as checking oil and coolant levels, some people just check them when while they are filling petrol (note: open the hood before you start filling petrol; don't go inside the car as soon as you start filling since the static build up can ignite the petrol fumes).

It's okay to check once a month. It's fine as long as you don't see droplets of oil under the car, see thick plumes of white smoke coming out of the tail pipe (may indicate bad head gasket), or see dripping antifreeze (has a 'sweet' smell; toxic to cat and dogs).