Are You A Car Owner? These Tips Will Help Save You From Undue Stress

Owning a car in Nigeria can come with mixed feelings, for those who can afford the brand new type, they have little or no stress to worry about as the car comes with a warranty for a specific mileage which the company can shoulder on, but for those who buy the Tokunbo (second-hand) type, they are likely to encounter some issues and have a regular and standby mechanic at hand.

Being a car owner entails a lot of responsibility. You need to be responsible not only while driving but in ensuring that your car is in good running condition to minimize the risks of a vehicular accident. Thereby, the tips below will surely be helpful for every car owner.

Know your vehicle’s fluids

There are several car fluids such as your engine oil, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid among others. Check all your vehicle fluids to ensure that your car will be running smoothly. For instance, regularly check your engine oil because it is designed to lubricate, cool, and clean your engine. Without sufficient engine oil, your car can experience thermal degradation, oxidation, and compressive heating.

Read: Top 12 Most Common Car Problems and Issues

Monitor your tire pressure

The pressure of the tires of your car is one of the most significant safety features of your vehicle. When your tire pressure is too low, there is greater friction between the tires and the ground, causing your tires to wear out faster. This can also lead to overheating and tread separation. On the contrary, when your tire pressure is too high, it causes less traction and the ride is bumpier for everyone in the car. Check your vehicle’s manual for the recommended tire pressure. There are already several tire pressure monitors that can give you an accurate overview of your tire pressure even while you are driving.

In addition to this, make sure that you have a spare tire in your trunk. Most vehicles already come with a spare tire pumped in the recommended pressure. Your spare tire is a sigh of relief when one of your tires decides to give up on you, or when you experience a flat tire. Thus, it is also essential to familiarize yourself with how to change a flat tire, together with the tools that you need in doing so.

For one, you need to loosen the wheel bolts before raising your vehicle with a car jack. You can then proceed in removing your tire and replacing it with a new one. Lower your car before tightening the wheel bolts, and you are done.

Check your windshield

Life hacks: repair small windshield cracks with clear nail polish. This will help prevent the cracks from spreading and will buy you some more time to have your windshield repaired. But keep in mind that this is only a temporary patch and you still need to get your windshield fixed. Apart from your windshield, regularly check your wiper blades. It will really be frustrating to drive under the rain and find out that your wipers are not working. A general rule of thumb is to have your wiper blades replaced every six months, but it is best to refer to your vehicle’s manual.

Related: How To Detect Unbalanced Tires In Your Car

Make sure to have an emergency roadside kit

There is really no way of telling when a mishap can happen. Apart from knowing how cars work in general to know how to deal with things that may happen when your car breaks down, you also need to be equipped with an emergency roadside kit. Your kit can include reflective warning triangles, a tire gauge, jumper cables, utility tools, and a flashlight. It will also help to have a fire extinguisher, foam tire sealant, extra batteries, gloves, rags, duct tape, and tow ropes. For your own use, include a first aid kit, drinking water, and a warm blanket.

Religiously keep up with your car maintenance

Generally, your car maintenance schedule depends on the mileage of your vehicle. You can refer to your vehicle manual for the ideal service intervals necessary. Your vehicle’s shocks and struts will be checked during this maintenance to know whether these are already worn out. If these parts are worn out, you may already experience your car rocking back and forth from time to time as well as hear some rattling whenever you pass over a bump.

Your car’s engine will also be checked together with your air filters. It is important to change your car’s air filters every six months because when your engine gets dirty, the dirt tends to clog up these filters. Aside from your car’s engine, the headlights and taillights of your vehicle will also be inspected. As a general rule of thumb, both your headlights and taillights need to be replaced yearly.

Other miscellaneous life hacks

There are several life hacks that can make your life easier in terms of maintaining your car. For instance, you can use a plunger to pull a dent in your car in its original shape. You can also put indicators in your garage to know when to stop when you are parking your car. For instance, you can hang a tennis ball and use it as an indicator or put a squeaking plush toy as a marker. A hand sanitizer is also a great tool to meltdown a frozen car, but you can prevent your car doors from freezing by using a cooking spray. You just need to spray on the inside of your doors and this will keep your doors from freezing.

You can also clean cloudy headlights with toothpaste. Just apply a pea-sized amount on a microfiber rag and wipe your headlights in circular motions. Coffee filters are also great for cleaning your dashboard instead of using a rug. You can apply your traditional cleaning material in the coffee filter and proceed in cleaning your dashboard as usual. Alternatively, if you keep on forgetting where you parked your car, it will help to take a picture of it before you leave it for an easier recall on where you parked your vehicle.

While driving your own car can prove to be more convenient compared to riding public transport, it also entails a whole lot of responsibility. Aside from knowing the driving rules and regulations by heart, a car owner is also responsible for his vehicle’s upkeep. Ensuring these will greatly minimize the risk of car crashes and road accidents.


Credit:
CFJ

Check Out Lists of Transportation Fares Across Lagos

Lagos is the commercial nerve of Nigeria, home to about 20million people from different tribes, tongues and nationality make Lagos a home. Lagos has its challenges in the area of transportation, even with the recent new BRT buses that the state government rolled out recently, transportation seems to be a never-ending issue that all have to deal with. Due to lack of adequate transportation in Lagos, the populace is at the mercy of the commercial buses popularly called "Danfo". The danfos are the semi-gods, they wave the magic wand as they please especially when it rains or there is traffic around the metropolis.

We will be taking a look at the cost of transportation around major areas in Lagos for those working in Island and living in the Mainland, we will be calculating how much the working class spend going to and fro around Lagos and how much it costs yearly. We believe most Lagosians spend the same amount on transport and rent every year.

Our calculation would be the cost of transport and total working days, it would be total cost in a day that is to and fro, we have a total of 261 working days in 2019

NOTE: 

Some of this prices fluctuate due to rain (sounds funny right) when rain falls in Lagos forget it the transport fare will always be high, in fact sometimes you won't see buses, which make some people trek or enter bike to their destinations or if there is so much crowd that means so much money for Danfo buses( yellow buses). Equally from Obalende or CMS, people usually would want to go to locations inside Victoria island or Ikoyi you would need to enter buses to go around, do you know from Obalende to Bonny camp starts from ₦100 or National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) or Ikeja where you have to take Keke to Opebi, Oregun or any place in Ikeja starts from ₦100.

We will start our destinations from places like Iyana Ipaja, Ikotun and end at the workplace locations like Yaba, Obalende/CMS, Lekki/Ajah, Ikeja. We excluded places like Abule Egba because the cost of transportation from those places are very high compared to Iyana Ipaja as more people enter transport from Iyana Ipaja.

We are putting the average salary of the Lagos Working Class at ₦70,000 Monthly, we will be using this to

We will be using the yellow buses (Danfo) as examples, as BRT don’t function in some route example Ikotun to Oshodi or Egbeda to Obalende. You cant see BRT routes here

Lets roll

Private Car Owners Spend at least ₦1,500 daily on fuel x 261 working days

Total Cost in a Year = ₦391,500
Ikotun to Ikeja = ₦250 X 261 working days

Ikeja to Ikotun = ₦300 X 261 working days

Total Cost in a year = ₦143,500
Ikotun – Obalende = ₦750 x 261 working days

Obalende to Ikotun = ₦500 x 261 working days (sometimes fare can be ₦700 based on timing)

Total Cost in a year = ₦326,250

Ikotun to Oshodi = ₦200 x 261 working days

Oshodi to Ikotun = ₦250 x 261 working days

Total Cost in a year = ₦117,450

Egbeda to Oshodi = ₦250 x 261 working days

Oshodi to Egbeda = ₦200 x 261 working days

Total Cost in a year = ₦117,450

Egbeda to Ikeja = ₦150 x 261 working days (sometimes its ₦200 depending on traffic or crowd i.e if Danfo drivers see a large crowd waiting for buses the higher the money)

Ikeja to Egbeda = ₦200 x 261 working days (sometimes ₦150 or ₦250 due to the timing or rain )

Total Cost in a year = ₦91,350
Iyana-Ipaja – Yaba = ₦300 x 261 working days

Yaba to Iyana-Ipaja = ₦350 x 261 working days

Total Cost in a year = ₦169,650

Iyana Ipaja to Ikeja = ₦200 x 261 working days (sometimes 250)

Ikeja to Iyana Ipaja = ₦200 x 261 working days

Total Cost in a year = ₦104,400

Iyana Ipaja to Oshodi = ₦250 x 261 working days (sometimes 300)

Oshodi to Iyana Ipaja = ₦250 x 261 working days

Total Cost in a year= ₦130,500

Iyana Ipaja to Lekki/Ajah = ₦700 x 261 working days

Lekki/Ajah to Iyana-Ipaja = ₦700 x 261 working days

Total Cost in a year = ₦365,400

Ikeja (Maryland) to Yaba = ₦250 x 261 working days

Yaba to Ikeja = ₦200 x 261 working days

Total Cost in a year = ₦117,450

Ikeja to Oshodi = ₦100 x 261 working days (sometimes 150)

Oshodi to Ikeja = ₦100 x 261 working days

Total Cost in a year = ₦52,200

Ikeja to Obalende/CMS = ₦300 x 261 working days

Obalende/CMS – Ikeja = ₦250 x 261 working days

Total Cost in a year = ₦143,550

Oshodi to Obalende/CMS = ₦250 x 261 working days(sometimes changes)

Obalende to Oshodi = ₦200 x 261 working days

Total Cost in a year = ₦117,450

Oshodi to Ikorodu = ₦250 x 261 working days

Ikorodu to Oshodi = ₦250 x 261 working days

Total Cost in a year = ₦130,500

Oshodi to Lekki/Ajah = ₦500 x 261 working days

Lekki/Ajah to Oshodi = ₦500 x 261 working days

Total Cost in a year = ₦261,000

Ketu/Ojota – Oshodi = ₦150 x 261 working days

Oshodi – Ketu/Ojota = ₦100 x 261 working days

Total Cost in a year = ₦65,250

There are places which are known for traffic,  we didn’t add places like Agege, Ikorodu, Mushin (most people living in Mushin do actually come to Oshodi which usually costs ₦50 to board bus to the Island like Lekki, Ajah, Obalende, CMS etc. Oshodi is the Link between Lagos Island and Lagos Mainland other places include Ojota, Ogudu bus stop, 7up etc.

Courtesy:

HaliTraffik

Here Are Reasons Why Your Car Paint Fades

Many times we noticed that slowly the paint on our car begins to fade despite taking adequate measures in terms of cleaning, scrubbing and lots more. Most times we noticed that the black coat suddenly starts to peel at times we have to wax all over again to bring out some shininess. We need to understand that our car is a reflection of our outward appearance and in some cases, it's not about how much efforts we put but its all about results.

Your car’s appearance matters, because it somehow reflects the owner’s personality just like how one’s home does the same. If you own a car, you may notice that your car starts to fade as the years go by. AutoReportNG got some few tips on how your car paintings are fading

4 Most Common Causes of Fading Car Paint

Have a look at what is harming your car’s exterior paint and what you can do to avoid continuity fading of the car’s color.

Sunlight

Areas like Lagos, Abuja and some major parts of Nigeria experience sunlight. Sunlight in Nigeria is rated as 12 hours, 17 minutes that is from 06:40am – 18:57pm.
Exposure to the elements and in particular the sun is a major contributor to the paint on your car fading in color. The car usually loses its shine if it’s left standing for quite some time in the sun. This is because of the reaction between the paint and the UV radiation from the sun. Living in sunny climates can wreak havoc on your car, causing oxidation and premature fading of its paint. When you think about it, it’s not much different than how too much sun exposure can and does harm our skin.

Going through the right car maintenance routine can keep your old car looking like it just rolled out of the dealership with all its shine and glory. But, how?

- Washing: Wash your car often to help keep its shine. Getting rid of dirt, mud and grime are the first step to take. When washing your car with special cleaning products, make sure you do so away from the sunlight. Acidic and basic compounds can etch into the paint causing bubbling, peeling, and cracking, so it goes without saying, your car needs to be regularly cleaned.

Read: Checkout The Massive RailWorks Ongoing At Oshodi, Palmgroove In Lagos - Photos

- Drying: Dry the car well after you’ve washed it instead of letting it air dry. When you dry it, you’re actually protecting your car’s paint from minerals left behind by water evaporation.

- Waxing: Waxing your car helps to prevent further fading of color. When you don’t wax your car, grime left on your car can damage the paint job. Waxing can also reduce the effects of the sun’s UV radiation. Depending on where you live and drive, it’s advisable to wax your car after every third or fourth wash.

You Use The Wrong Car Wash

All in the bid to save money, we use different types of a car wash, some go as far as using detergent such as Klin, Omo etc which are wrong and can damage the car coat. There are different types of car washes, but all of them use strong detergent to strip away dirt and grease.  These detergents also strip away any protective wax and sealant on the car. Also, note that if the bristles on the brushes are harsh, it may not be too good on the car as well. Your best shot is to clean with a sponge or a foam.

You’re Scrubbing

Scrubbing your car to remove bugs or stuck on elements is not the best idea. The paint of your car has been just too delicate to withstand a scrub. You can purchase sprays or gloves like a mitt to gently remove bugs or other sticky substances on your car.

Businesses, Arts Inspired By The Lagos Transport System - AutoReportNG

You Leave The Car Uncovered

With the type of sun we have in Nigeria, it will be unwise to leave your cars in the open, you can construct a car shade or better still get a car cover which costs beween 2000-4000 naira. If location is the catchphrase of real estate, then cover is the catchphrase of car paint. Parking in the shade helps, but that’s still not enough protection. Whenever logistically possible, cover your car. A breathable car cover, easy to put on and remove can be a cheap investment compared to the cost of repainting a vehicle.

Your Rights When Dealing With A FRSC Official In Nigeria

FRSC stands for Federal Road Safety Corps. Their mandate is to prevent or minimize accidents on the highway; clear obstructions on any part of the highways; and educate drivers, motorists and other members of the public generally on the proper use of the highways. They are also charged with the management of drivers’ licenses and vehicle number plates.

 What Are Their Powers?
- Arrest any person suspected of having committed an offence
- Remove and detain any illegally parked vehicle
- Endorse your driving licence if found guilty of offence;
- Seize the driver’s licence of any person suspected to have committed an offence and/or the documents or particulars in respect of the vehicles
- Impound a vehicle suspected to have been stolen where the driver fails to produce the particulars of the vehicle
- Declare an offender as wanted when he fails to report to answer the charge against him

Your Rights
If an FRSC official, arrests you for allegedly contravening a road traffic offence; you can either:

- Accept liability and pay the summary fine, or
- Contest the charge and ask for a trial by a court of competent jurisdiction

Making A Complaint
If you have a complaint about the conduct or activities of an FRSC official during the exercise of his/her functions, these are the steps you are to follow:

- Take note of the FRSC official’s name, it is written boldly on their uniform
- Note down the date, time and place of commission of the issue you are complaining about
- Write a covering letter detailing the nature of your complaint and what transpired
- If you have witnesses to the act complained about, have the witness write a statement as well
- Put all your contact information (and those of the witness if any) on the correspondence
- Include any additional information like pictures, videos, or documents to buttress your complaint.
- Send it through email at info@frsc.gov.ng, complaints@frsc.gov.ng, or frscsocialpages@frsc.gov.ng
- Deliver in person or by post at – Federal Road Safety Corps, National Headquarters, 3 Maputo Street., Zone 3, Wuse, Abuja, Nigeria.
- Ensure you get confirmation of receipt of your complaint
- If you do not get a response or you receive an unsatisfactory response, you may contact a lawyer and instruct them to take the matter further

Credit:
LawPadi

First Time Driving In Lagos? These 25 Lagos Driving Rules Will Help You

Lagos, the center of aquatic splendor is full of its bubbles, opportunities, and vibes, it's a city its residents refer to as a city that never sleeps. Lagos, being a developing megacity has its ups and downs and one of its down moment is the traffic. A popular comedian says Lagosians sleep and lives in traffic, we only visit our homes to change clothes.

For someone who is new in Lagos and new in Nigeria, may find driving in Lagos to be very weird especially seeing tankers, trailers, okadas and danfos on Lagos roads. In Lagos, we idolize these folks, without them, we all will be trekking in fact within 2 weeks, the children of Israelites will look fresher than us.

A Yankee based Nigerian was in Lagos some years back and this time, he decided to drive himself across the city of Lagos but he was amazed that all the driving skills that he learned abroad are not applicable to Lagos. According to him, he said " I consider myself a decent and polite driver; however, when I got behind the wheels in Lagos, I felt my driving style completely mutate into something I couldn’t recognize… but I knew I needed it to survive. Here are some tips I picked up as a driver and passenger."

* The lines demarcating the lanes are recommendations; at best suggestions. Actually, they are opinions. It’s acceptable to ignore them. Just ignore them. If you see an opening, go for it, that’s your lane. In Lagos, you can create your own lane.

* The roads are so bad in many areas that the sight of good roads could make you want to accelerate. Go ahead and accelerate. Enjoy it while it last.

* Traffic lights are also suggestions. Red means go. Green means go. Yellow means go. Basically, just go. It’s always a pleasant surprise when a driver adheres to the traffic light.

* Try not to make awkwardly long eye contact with any of the street vendors unless your intention is to purchase something. By the way, you can buy just about anything from those vendors…even a new car!

* Signaling with your hand is more effective than using your signal light.

* The majority of traffic jams are caused by drivers slowing down to avoid multiple potholes on busy roads. #fixthebadroads

* Everyone is always in a hurry and impatient because their time is apparently more important than yours. Deal with it.

* When you cut someone off just stare them down as you do it. They will respect your audacity. And it will also make you feel like the “OGA ON TOP” of the road.

* It’s safe to assume other drivers do not have insurance. In the words of one of the taxi drivers that gave me a lift: “Wetin be insurance?”

* Be advised that the yellow taxi buses can stop anytime and anywhere so don’t follow too closely unless you have brand new brake pads and comprehensive auto insurance.

* Expect pedestrians to cross the busy highways and freeways. Watch out for them.

* It doesn’t matter where you are going just know that there will be traffic.

* If you’re involved in a fender bender with a yellow bus taxi driver he would more than likely beg you to forgive him by lying flat on the ground. Forgive him and move on, it’s not worth the argument back and forth.

* Keep one hand on the steering wheel and the other hand next to the horn.

* Honking your horn is part of the driving culture in Lagos. It’s just a convenient way to let other drivers know that you do not trust their decision-making skills.

* The only person to trust on the road is you. Remind other drivers and pedestrians you don’t trust them by honking your horn loud and proud.

* Expect to get into screaming battles with pedestrians trying to cross the busy roads. Be careful because they may put juju on you.

* If you have any paraphernalia related to the Nigerian Police, Army, Air Force, or Military, then make sure it is displayed visibly for others to see. It will help you bypass those random police checkpoints.

* There is nothing random about a random check by the police. The police officers are skilled at sizing you up as you pull up. If you do get pulled over, make sure you have some loose cash (you know why) or a lot of time to spend arguing back and forth with them about random things like showing your permit for tinted windows.

* Non-injury accidents are taken care of at the scene of the accident. In essence, there is no veering off the road. Both drivers would more than likely step out of their vehicles and engage in a screaming match in the middle of traffic.

* Okada drivers always feel they have the right of way even when it’s obvious they don’t.

* Always lock your doors and wind up your windows as you drive, especially when stuck in stop-and-go traffic at night.

* One-ways are more like two or three ways. If the road can fit three cars why restrict it to just one car when three cars can go multiple directions? The unapologetic perpetrators are the Okada and Keke drivers.

* Okadas are like water. They find voids in traffic, unassigned lanes, sidewalks, and just flow through. Watch out for them.

* Many drivers liter. Watch out for trash flying out of vehicles in front of you.

Lastly, avoid anything called trailers, tankers with every bit of skill in you! These guys are called the king of the road, they can bash your car, SUV and heaven won't fall. Want to have a smooth ride? The fear of tankers and trailers is definitely the beginning of wisdom.


Credit:
Ozisco

With These Ideas, You Can Turn Your Old Cars Into Treasures

Irrespective of where we are as a nation, race, and nationality, one thing is evident, greatness abounds in us if only we can turn our mind and think into something positive. A Nigerian named Diseye Tantua seems to be quite different and he is blazing the trend in this regards even though we have others from the international scene.

Cars are seen as an essential part of human lives, they help in moving us from one location to another but another aspect to it is that cars can also serve as amazing masterpiece used in homes and furniture.

Every year, thousands of cars are either sold as scrap to the abokis on the street, destroyed or left to rust. Do you know that old car parts can be turned or molded into beautiful furniture? It just takes nice car parts furniture ideas and some inspiration to make some fantastic things with the car parts.

Bring Your Creativity To Another Level With Car Parts Furniture Ideas

Recycling old things is an ongoing trend; people have been recycling items for many years. So, why not cars? Cars have become an indispensable part of the modern world. They act as a mode of transport for several years. Therefore, people are bound to years of memories with their cars. Besides reading about the maintenance tips, the surefire way to keep the car near you is disassembling the car parts and creating something worth keeping. Here are some fascinating ideas that will give your sweet home a unique, appealing look.

1. Recycle The Old Car As An Office Desk

When a car reaches its end of the life cycle, dismantling becomes quintessential. Instead of selling your car as scrap, you can make an incredible desk. All you will be required to do is take the front part of the vehicle and attach a surface on it.

2. Recycle The Old Car As A Bed

Cars have become as ubiquitous as ever. Interestingly, new ideas are being invented to keep them as close as possible. Many people are turning their cars into campers and beds. Car beds are gaining a lot of attention because they are making it from broken vehicles. If you want to make your own car bed and experience the sleep on it, just take off the roof panel of the car and use the body as a bed frame. Meanwhile, make some changes to the car design, headlights, and the bumper.

3. Recycle The Old Car As A Couch

Making an adorable sofa or a homemade couch from an old car is super easy. To perform this DIY task, separate the front part of your vehicle and then mold it according to your preference. It is one of the car parts furniture ideas, which are famous worldwide.

TIP: Keep the original front lights intact with the car or customize them to give the couch an astonishing look.

Miscellaneous Car Recycling Ideas

One of the numerous ways we can make our old cars useful is by making them into an amazing piece of art and fun place. An old car can be made into a mini bar, a workplace, a mini playground for the kids and lots more.  One of this can be seen in Lagos where a restaurant turn a danfo bus into a restaurant, these and more can be achieved if only we are creative and think outside the box.

The Difference Between Power Brake Booster & Vacuum Brake Booster

According to a post by Yourmechanic.com, If you own a vehicle made after 1968, it’s likely that you have a powerful brake system. While there are several evolutions of this vital vehicle operating system, the basic premise of applying leverage, forcing hydraulic pressure, and friction still remains the fundamental process for slowing and stopping a vehicle. One of the most commonly misunderstood issues is understanding the difference between a power brake booster and a vacuum brake booster.

In all truth — a power brake booster and vacuum brake booster are the same part. Each utilizes vacuum pressure to assist in the application of hydraulic fluid and utilizing friction between the brake rotor and pads. Where confusion exists is calling a Hydro-Boost Power Brake Assist System a power brake booster. A Hydro-Boost system bypasses the need for vacuum and uses direct hydraulic pressure to accomplish the same task.

In order to simplify things, let’s break down how a vacuum-based brake booster works as opposed to a hydraulic-based brake booster, along with a few tests for diagnosing potential problems with both.

How Does the Vacuum Brake Booster Work?
A vacuum-based brake booster receives its power via a vacuum system attached to the engine’s intake manifold. A vacuum is circulated through the brake booster, which applies pressure to the hydraulic brake lines when the brake pedal is pressed. This system is used in a vacuum booster or power brake booster. The vacuum supplied by the engine operates an internal bladder, which supplies the force to the hydraulic brake lines.

There are generally three sources of a vacuum brake booster failure:

No vacuum pressure from the engine.

The inability of the brake booster to absorb or create a vacuum internally.

Broken internal parts, such as the check valve and vacuum hose, inside the brake booster that fail to supply power to the hydraulic lines.

What is a Hydro-Boost Power Assist Service?
The hydro-boost power system works nearly identically to the vacuum-based system, but instead of relying on vacuum pressure, it uses direct hydraulic pressure. It is powered by the power steering pump and will typically fail at the same time as power steering. In fact, that’s typically the first indicator of a hydro-boost power brake failure. However, this system utilizes a series of back-ups to keep the power brakes working for a short period of time in the event of a ruptured power steering hose or broken power steering belt.

Why is a Power Brake Booster Called a Vacuum Brake Booster?
A brake booster is designed to provide power-added assistance to help apply the brakes. It’s mainly due to the job of a brake booster that a vacuum-assisted system is called a power brake booster. It’s also common for a hydraulic-powered brake booster to also be associated with the term power brake booster. The key to knowing which type of brake booster is used on your vehicle is to consult your vehicle owner’s manual.

Most of the time, this question is asked when a problem with your brake system has popped up. A professional mechanic can be quite helpful in diagnosing a problem with your brake system. During a brake system inspection, they’ll complete several diagnostic checks to determine the root source. This includes the power brake booster. If you have a vacuum-based system, or hydraulic, they’ll be able to identify the issue and recommend the best replacement parts and repairs needed to get your car back on the road.

Credit:
YourMechanic

This Machine Can Wash Dangote Trucks, BRT, Luxurious Buses, Trailers in 6mins - Photos & Video

There comes a time when you either to plan the way you spend money on your cars, buses, and vans else you go bankrupt if care is not taken.

Cars, buses, trailers require day to day washing in order to make a statement, now that we are fast approaching the rainy season, the tendency of washing them will be high. One of the major challenges of washing buses, trailers, trucks is that they are very large and so its hard washing and those that are expert ar washing the buses, vans, trucks end up charging in excess. When you visit places like Jibowu and Iddo in Lagos where these luxurious buses are based, you will see the kind of trauma they go through while washing their buses, same can be said the tanker drivers when they are washing their trucks.

A company having studied the difficulties introduced a Wash Bot machines that can wash a luxurious bus, tanker, trailer, school bus in less than 7 minutes.

The Bitimec Wash-Bot allows just one person to soap, wash, and rinse a large vehicle in just 6-8 minutes. It's ideal for vans, trucks, buses, trailers, tankers and more. It is an all stainless steel Tank washing machine. Thus, assuring corrosion free, long structural life (even the powder coated battery skirt and covers are stainless). Four 6Volt High Capacity (320Ah) batteries are connected in series supply to supply 24Volts current. Therefore, making it possible to wash about 30 vehicles on a single charge.

What about we introduce this to the Lagos State Government for the new BRT buses at least no one will have excuse to give why the buses are dirty again, as this can wash 30 buses in less than 2 hours.

Let's do a bit mathematics here, assuming washing a luxurious bus, tanker, a van is 3000 naira, with this machine, you can easily wash 30 vehicles at a stretch in less than 2 hours. That is 3000 x 30 which is cool money of 90,000 naira in 2 hours.

Watch the video below...

These Are Reasons Why There Are Traffic In Lagos Roads

This is Lagos, home to many, a place some see as a land of opportunities, a place where some living outside it so much despise with all passion. Those living in Abuja always see Lagosians as "suffer-head" all thanks to the traffic and bad roads that littered across the state. Irrespective of these challenges, there is always a spirit that lives in Lagos, that's the spirit of hustle. It doesn't matter your class either rich, average or poor, you just want to get on doing something.

A comedian once said, Lagosians live in traffic, we only visit our house to change clothes which is basically true. Traffic in Lagos can frustrate someone reason why Lagosians love to trek! Not that they can't afford the fare but when you calculate the amount of time you will stay in traffic and the number of hours it takes to get home, many people resort to trek and this can be seen in places like Yaba, Ijora Olopa, Ikorodu, Ikeja among others.

Lagos is an amazing city, a state of the aquatic splendor with all the beautiful weather that makes life easy. The number of persons who come to the city daily is a testimony of how wonderful it is. Lagos has one big problem and it is traffic! Even though the state government has done all within its power to curtail this but it seems there is little or no effect at all. So bad that LASTMA, Police, FRSC officers are helpless and resort to fate most times.

AutoReportNG went to town to get some reasons why there are always traffic in the city and these may interest you!

Wrong Way

Wrong Way in Lagos seems to be a norm as virtually everyone is guilty! It's so bad that even the law enforcement officers which are the Police, Soldiers, LASTMA are all guilty of this crime. Everyone in Lagos seems to be in a hurry and ready to move at the same time. Some drivers especially the danfo drivers in Lagos are notorious for driving against traffic especially when their route is slow. As soon as a vehicle takes the first move, other drivers follow suit which usually results in traffic in the lane they are using.

The Rush Hour

Rush Hour in Lagos is a battle for the fittest and those that have a sharp mouth. These are times you see men in suit behaving like touts and area boys. It is so bad that even our so-called elite and highly educated men and women are caught in this web of game. Rush Hour usually starts from 5am till 8am as this is when work resumes and in the bid to meet up, they cause serious traffic. The traffic reduces during the day but builds up again when people are returning from work. It is almost impossible to use the Third Mainland Bridge to the Island in the morning without experiencing traffic.

Bad Roads

Lagos and bad roads are inseparable in as much as the government refused to repair the bad roads, we will always have this menace daily. Base on our study, bad roads force drivers to slow down their speed as they don't jump into a road that will damage and dent their cars and during this process, other users are forced to wait for them until they are done and the same process starts all over again. The more vehicles that slow down to navigate potholes, the more traffic builds up. When this goes on for a long time, it results in gridlock.

Rain

Finally, the rain is here. Rain is Lagosians nightmare! If there is a way that we can swap rain, trust Lagosians that they will jump at this. Lagosians hate rain but we can't cheat nature, nature will always have its way by reverting back to us. The rainy season in Lagos brings about heavy traffic especially places that have bad roads and drainages. Visibility becomes low and bad roads also contribute to the problem. Drivers during this period are very careful not to jump into drainages or holes which causes massive traffic.

Faulty Vehicles

Shout out to all mechanics in Lagos, they are the reason why some drivers are still driving their cars. Faulty Vehicles are major reasons of traffic jams on the highway, imagine a scenario where a tanker breaks down at Eko Bridge, the effect of the break down will span from there to Obalende of care is not taken.  Lagosians are notorious for not taking their vehicles for servicing and inspection until it develops a fault. Everyone wants to been seen driving a car but we don't take adequate precautions and maintenance of the vehicles.

Accidents

Nobody prayed for accidents but they happen. Either we like it not, if we fail to take necessary measures or we are careless with our cars, roads or other important things, an accident will definitely arise. When an accident occurs, the road will be blocked, cars are forced to slow down, people will want to know what's going on thereby causing a total standstill among others.

Do you have other reasons? Let's hear from you

Never Try To Touch An Officer In An Unfriendly Manner - Police Gives Safety Tips With Policemen

The police have been in the news for a while now from SARS to uniform men demanding for bribes as if it's their right. The internet has been trending with many hashtags such as #ReformPolice, #EndSARS among others. In the wake of recent killings of innocent citizens by unscrupulous policemen and also unprovoked attacks on some policemen by some criminally-minded persons, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, Frank Mba, has provided tips for safe and cordial interaction with the police at different encounters.

Read below..…

Ordinarily, encounters between the citizens and the Police or other law enforcement agents should be reassuring and delightful. In fact, the mere sight of the Police ought to create an instant feeling of relief, safety, and security. This, unfortunately, is not the reality in Nigeria today.

In fact, some encounters in the past had led to embarrassment, injuries, permanent disability and, in extreme cases, death of the citizens. Similarly, some security agents have also suffered molestation and harm from such encounters.

While Police officers are reminded of the need to exercise ‘courageous calm’ and avoid resort to the use of deadly force or lethal weapon at the slightest provocation, members of the public, on the other hand, are expected to avoid actions that could turn simple encounters with security personnel into more serious ones.

It is against this backdrop that we are today providing tips that could help in enhancing a cordial relationship between the Police and the citizenry.

Tips for a safe and cordial relationship at checkpoints

When approaching a security checkpoint or when flagged-down by the Police or other security agencies;

- Endeavor to slow down your vehicle. It shows that you are not reckless. It also douses suspicion that you are a criminal and may want to speed-off.
Turn down the volume of your car stereo. Courtesy demands this. Besides, you are able to hear each other better. This simple act will also help you to win the confidence of the security operative.

- Keep your hands visible to avoid unnecessary suspicion or fear by the officers that you are attempting to bring out a gun or other harmful objects to attack them

- Turn on the inner light of your vehicle while approaching the cops (if at night). It readily sends an unspoken message that you have nothing to hide.

- Be friendly and cheerful. Commend the officers especially when you see them working under very unfriendly weather conditions such as the rains, the harsh harmattan conditions, excessive heat, cold or sunshine. We know it’s their job, but a little kind word from you will do a lot of good. Remember when you smile at the mirror, the mirror smiles back at you. Endeavour to be polite even when answering questions put to you by the officers

- Don’t dare or challenge an armed security man to a duel. Oftentimes, you hear people say things like ‘shoot me if you can!” Note that this is a recipe for disaster! It is very provocative and an unnecessary call for war. So, please play safe, more so, as you do not know the state of mind of the officer concerned.

- Also, don’t go into a physical fight with an armed security officer. He may resort to the use of his weapon (rightly or wrongly) to defend himself.
Avoid unnecessary argument with armed security personnel. There are a thousand and one ways to seek redress where you feel your rights have been infringed upon.

- Never try to touch an officer in an unfriendly manner. He may suspect you of trying to disarm him.

- If you are a regular traveler or road user, make sure you have the police emergency phone numbers of the route you operate. You never can tell when an emergency situation could arise and you need the Police to come to your aid.

- Make sure you have all your relevant car papers and desist from actions or inactions that constitute either a criminal or traffic offence. Such infractions of the law provide veritable grounds for possible charges and other forms of adversarial contact with the Police or other law enforcement agencies, including unnecessary arguments.

- Don’t give the impression that you are unhappy to see an officer on his beat or that he is wasting your time. But if you do have an emergency, politely inform the officer. Don’t speed off while still being checked.
Take note of the name tags, Force or Service numbers, personal description, description of weapons or patrol vehicle of the security officer especially where the officers begin to conduct themselves in an unprofessional manner.

- Seek an audience with the most senior police officer at the checkpoint if things are not working out smoothly.

- Politely insist to be taken to the police station if your complaint is not properly addressed.

AUTHORED BY DCP FRANK MBA

Top 3 Reasons Engine Oil Gets in the Air Filter

The air filter is designed to capture debris, dirt, and other contaminants — but not oil. Occasionally, when a local service mechanic replaces an air filter, the technician will indicate that engine oil has been found; either inside the air filter housing or embedded inside the used filter. While oil finding its way into the air filter is not typically a sign of catastrophic engine failure, it should definitely not be neglected. Let’s examine the top 3 reasons oil finds its way into the air filter in the first place.

1. A Clogged Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve
The PCV valve is connected to an air intake housing via an often-rubber vacuum hose used to provide a vacuum release inside the engine’s crankcase. This component is typically installed on top of a cylinder head valve cover, where pressure flows from the engine’s bottom half, through the cylinder heads, and exits into the air intake. The PCV valve is similar to an engine oil filter in that it eventually becomes clogged with excessive debris (in this case — engine oil) and should be replaced as recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer. If the PCV valve is not replaced as recommended, excessive oil will blow through the PCV valve and enter the air intake system.

What’s the solution? 

If it is determined that a clogged PCV valve is the source of engine oil inside your air filter or air intake system, it should be replaced, the air intake should be cleaned, and a new air filter should be installed.

2. Worn Piston Rings
A second potential source of engine oil leaking into the air filter housing is due to worn piston rings. The piston rings are installed on the outer edge of the pistons inside the combustion chamber. The rings are intended to create a combustion ratio and permit small amounts of engine oil to continue lubricating the inner combustion chamber during each piston stroke. When rings wear out, they loosen and can cause oil ‘blow-by’ — usually displayed by blue smoke coming from the car’s tailpipe while driving. In the early stages of worn piston rings, excessive oil blow-by can cause excessive pressure to build inside the crankcase, which sends more oil through the PCV valve and eventually into the air intake, as stated above.

What’s the solution? 

If you notice engine oil in the air filter or intake housing, a professional mechanic might recommend a compression test. This is where a mechanic will install a compression gauge on each individual spark plug hole to check the compression of each cylinder. If the compression is lower than it should be, worn piston rings are usually the culprit. Unfortunately, this repair is not as easy as replacing a PCV valve. If worn piston rings are determined as the source, it might be a good idea to start searching for a replacement vehicle, as replacing pistons and rings will likely cost more than the value of the vehicle.

3. Clogged Oil Passages
The final possible reason engine oil will find its way into the air intake system and eventually clog the air filter is due to clogged oil passages. This symptom usually occurs when the engine oil and filter have not been replaced as recommended. It is caused by excessive carbon deposits or engine sludge developing inside the crankcase. When the oil does not flow efficiently, excessive engine oil pressure will be created and cause extra oil to push through the PCV valve and into the air intake.

What’s the solution? 

In this instance, sometimes changing the engine oil, filter, PCV valve, and replacing the dirty air filter is good enough. However, if clogged oil galleys are discovered, it is usually recommended to flush the engine oil and replace the oil filter at least twice within the first 1,000 miles to ensure the engine’s oil galleys are clear of debris.

What is the Job of the Air Filter?
The air filter on most modern combustion engines is located inside an air intake housing, which is installed on the top of the engine. It is attached to the fuel injection system (or a turbocharger) and designed to efficiently transport air (oxygen) into the fuel system to be mixed with fuel before it enters the combustion chamber. The main duty of the air filter is to remove dirt particles, dust, debris, and other impurities before the air mixes with liquid gasoline (or diesel) to become a vapor. When the air filter becomes clogged with debris, it can cause the engine’s fuel efficiency and power output to decrease. If the oil is found inside the air filter, it can also significantly impact the engine’s performance.

If you are completing routine service on your car, truck or SUV, and discover engine oil inside your air filter or air intake housing, it’s probably a good idea to have a professional mechanic come to your location to complete an onsite inspection. Properly identifying the root source may save you a tremendous amount of money in major repairs or even replacing your car before it’s time.

Credit:

YourMechanic.com