Happy New Year 2012

It been quite some time since I last updated my blog, as 2011 is approaching the end soon, so I thought it might be a good time to update my blog.
Time really fly past fast and 2011 is coming to an end and 2012 is approaching, with the new year arriving, I realised I have many things which I have not accomplish yet. So I guess I got to bring forward to next year!

31 Dec is a good day for celebration but somehow, I have no programs in my mind. So I guess I will be at home to watch the countdown show.

2012 is a new year and I think I should reflect my new year resolutions here:
> I have yet to finish revising my CCNA, I hope I would have the time to study for it and pass it.
> I be starting my new job soon, I hope I will have an enjoyable time in this new company.
> My website is still under development, I hope to publish it by year 2012.
> Got so many xbox 360 games to complete, please give me more time.
> Will be giving a serious consideration on whether should I sell my car.

I hope to do more in 2012 and to accomplish my tasks soon.

Taking this opportunity to wish myself, my friends, my cousins and my colleagues a happy new year 2012! May the new year be a better year...  ^_^



Bendix Metal King Brake Pad

Since my last servicing done @ Stamford tyres, the mechanics informed me that my current brake pads is less than 50%. As the one he recommend is too expensive, I decide to source on my own...

It is about a month and I had been looking at the prices, even @ Autobacs or stockist, they are selling around $150 to $180. So I divert my attention to mycarforum.com and happen to see this offer from a guy which he is selling some automotive parts. The Bendix Metal King which he selling is $70. So add labour (which I have to find my own workshop) is about $100 plus. Quite a good deal so contact the guy and pick up the pads today. He only meet up @ Bishan so I got to drive all the way there! He is also selling stuffs like engine oil, aircon filter, oil filter, spark plugs, etc....

See below pictures for the Bendix Metal King brake pads:

In original box

The specification say this is suitable for passenger cars. Have performance type too but unavailabe for my car because performance pads is only for those sports car.

Unpack and it is wrapped in a plastic.

So I got to find a workshop to change it one of these days. And by the way, after my last servicing using Mobil 1 5W30 oil, the fuel comsumption improved! Now I am getting about 530km for a full tank, great!



50k servicing @ Stamford Tyres (Lok Yang branch)

Today I sent my car for 50k servicing. I had been sourcing around for good workshop but mostly are almost the same. The package is either $118 or $138, depending on the oil used.


A couple of weeks ago, I went to Autobacs, Stamford Tyres, Sparks motosports, Star workshop, Shell autoserv & Esso lubricant workshop. After comparing the prices, decides to buy my own engine oil and pay the labour charge.


I happen to pass by Giant last week and saw they are selling Mobil 1 5W30 for $10.99 per litre. Good buy, so I grab 4 bottles, total only $43.96 for 4 litres!

So today I went to Stamford Tyres and do the 50k servicing. They will minus off $40 from the $118 package. So $78 for labour, quite expensive! I told them I also bring my own oil filter and washer, but no way to minus off.

The servicing is quite fast, less than 1 hour and it is done. When they rotate all my 4 wheels, they blow all the 4 brakes, oh my, so much dust! The mechanic supervisor advise me to change my front brake pads as the remaining is less than 50%. They quote me $210 for the Project u brand and I ask if got discount. He say the most he can offer is $180! Very expensive. So he quote me another so call "no brand" one, which is $110 for a pair. Think I rather go do at another place.



A close up view of the brake, less than 50% left

After the servicing is done, the supervisor drive my car for a road test. He says all is good except the brake pads. The spark plugs are also good to last till next servicing.

I paid $78 and left the store. I can feel the car is more responsive now. Will see if the FC is better.

Below are the invoice, service form and battery test result.

Hope to find another better workshop for my next 60K servicing.

My total cost for this servicing is:

1) Mobil 5W30 engine oil: $43.96

2) Honda original oil filter: $12

3) Honda original washer: $1

4) Labour charge: $78

Total: $134.96

Save quite alot, it definitely beats going back to agent, which they charge $200 plus!

Petrol consumption going up!

Today on my way back after work, I was cruisng on AYE when I suddenly caught the low fuel indicator light up on the panel. I am abit shocked and quickly look for the nearest petrol station. See picture below...

I was cruising @ 80km/h and took this picture, luckily no traffic police.

When I am near to the petrol station (Esso), I took another picture to show the total mileage...

The reading is around 456km, not that fuel efficent anymore.

Last time, it use to hit 550km per tank, now it is always about 450km per tank before the next petrol top up. But guess due to me caught in traffic jam everyday and stop & go @ traffic lights. Last time used to travel on highway and that explain why it can hit a higher mileage. Nevertheless, it is still acceptable and Honda city fuel consumption is still better than alot of car models!

 

3M fuel cleaner package

Last week, I happen to be @ East area, so decide to visit Autobacs Ubi. It been a long time since I last went there. There is much changes to the staffs there, all new faces! I walk around and look at the fuel addictives available, there are lot of them, no idea which one to choose...

Then the 3M package caught my eyes and this is not new to me. Had heard of this addictive before but never tried before. So decide to give it a try since every morning I am stuck in traffic jam and now my city fuel consumption is increasing, I had read this article before, this is due to the incomplete combustion and the sludge would remain on the fuel injector.

So today I decide to pour in this addictive and hope to see a better result. Hope it will clean the fuel system...

This is the 3M package, consist of fuel injector cleaner & fuel system cleaner

Pour in the fuel injector cleaner first...

Next, pour in the fuel system cleaner.

After this, I top up to full tank as per instruction on the bottle. Hope the result is good....

Respray of side mirror

Today I made my way to AMK Auto point to have my side mirror respray due to a long scratch... haiz must be those lorry driver who anyhow open their door! I discovered this scratch on Monday morning (21/02/2011) before I went to work. I did try to use a paint polisher to see if it can be polish away but no luck as the scratch is too deep.


So I use a paint touch up pen to try to cover the scratch but oh no, the end result is not good although it can cover the damage area. Below is a screenshot of the scratch after touch up:

Notice the touch up paintwork, not a nice job done by myself...

So I decides to call up Aha auto image. They provides mobile services like windscreen stone chips, cracks, polishing, body paintwork chips, etc... I had approach them before last time for my windscreen stone chips. After my explanation, the person advised me to respray the whole mirror and it can be done in about 2 hours. So I quickly made appointment with him and hope to restore my paintwork soon...

Today when I reached there, I was quite excited to see so many workshops in this AMK Auto Point.. even saw Revol and RDY autocare... hmm, next time then find time to explore...

I reached the 4th level and look out for Aha paint workshop (#04-03). Found it and quickly ask them to take a look at my mirror. The guy inspect it and say he can complete it in 1.5 hour! So I waited there and witness the whole process.

Firstly, they check my colour code and start mixing the paint for the correct one.

Secondly, he wrap up the area for those area that don't require spraying.

Thirdly, he would sand out the uneven area and putty it.

Fourthly, he would spray the whole mirror and give another coat to ensure the paint is shiny.

The guy getting ready to spray the mirror and almost half of my car is wrapped up!

After waiting for about 20 minutes, the paint is dried up and the guy use a paint polisher to give it a final shine. He handed the key to me and I inspected it. Good job, the damage area is gone and the paintwork is 100% same as before. Wonder how he manage to mix the paint to be exactly the same as my body colour.

I paid him $40 and left as a happy man. Below is a screenshot of the end result:

Notice the scratch area is gone, finally!

I have to buy a mirror protector soon to protect the mirrors. Thanks to the ignorant lorry drivers...

Car battery replacement - Amaron Battery

My car is giving me sign of weak battery since last month, my current battery is Yuasa and bought from Kah motor in Aug 2009. It is only 1 year 3 months and there is sign of weak battery... okay the price I bought is at a reasonable price, $80.

So my friend recommend me this lobang for Amaron battery. I had been checking around for this car battery price, everywhere selling high price, from $150 to $160. With this recommendation, I got mine for $95, very good price and include installation.

On this day, I made appointment to replace my car battery. If not one day if cannot start, then will be in deep trouble. Below are some photos for the battery replacement sequences:

My "Yuasa" battery, note that the date installed is Aug 2009.

The guy did a battery check test and connect the battery terminals for a fast reading. And the result really show a low reading. He told me anything below 300 CCA is considered a low reading. And if reach 200, then the battery will be dead! My reading is as shown below, 216 CCA, near to 200, so it will die anytime. Lucky I decide to change it within these few days, if not who can come to my rescue if it fail to start?

My weak battery reading of 216 CCA.

The Amaron battery in the original box.

The battery removed from the box.

Ok, after unpacking, the guy connect a backup battery to my battery terminal. If not, all my audio will be reset to default settings if the current battery is disconnected. Actually I thought is start the car then he will remove the old battery and install the new one. But he say this method works too. So I let him try it out.

The close up view on the box, it read 35AH, not sure of the rest of the reading. This is the smallest size, but Honda City is this size so have to use the same size.





The guy proceed to dismantle the old battery and install the new one, not easy job, have to remove the bracket and remove the external cover. He also sweat alot, guess not an easy task replacing battery. And soon my new battery is installed and I start it for the first time. It start without much difficulty but abit of slight delay. He told me it is normal as the battery is still new and need to charge...

 

Good reading of 330 CCA, above 300 CCA is a strong battery!



My new battery reading of 12.4V, although abit low, but the guy assure me new battery will have some discharge, just need to drive around to let it charge and it will be as good!

Finally everything done and I paid the guy for his hardwork. Good and friendly service he have. For those of you who want his contact, here it goes:

Quik Mobile Services, Mr Lee K B, Mobile: 9765 7734

I had got his permission to advertise his contact, if in doubt, pls quote you got his contact through my recommendation or call him to check for prices. No regret for his good service!

Okay, till then, stay posted for next post...