Monthly Archives: April 2012
When to start with DIY work
Like me, a lot of my friends are seasoned do-it-yourselfers, and drove beater cars through college, making repairs themselves when they broke down. Eventually, many of them moved on to brand new cars. Still, they like to handle at least some of the work themselves. The question, then, is what to do and when.b
While a newer car is under warranty, it really is often best to let the dealership handle the work. I advise people to obtain a copy of the car’s factory maintenance schedule. The maintenance schedule will tell you what your car needs and when, and is the best way to get to know a new machine. Cars are a lot more reliable these days. You’re extremely unlikely to need to do anything aside from basic maintenance while the car is still under warranty. Start simple – monitor fluid levels. If you need to top off a fluid, be sure to check with the dealership first and see if your car needs anything specific. You can probably handle an oil change on your own, but once again, make sure you have the right oil and filter.
It’s unlikely that you’ll need belts and hoses so soon, but if you do, those are good DIY items. However, people are holding on to their cars longer these days and doing a lot more driving than they used to, so often the factory warranty runs out after a few years. Still – CHECK WITH THE DEALERSHIP FIRST. I’m not trying to discourage DIY work, but you’d be surprised how many times something is covered by a recall, and you can get your car fixed for free, or at a discounted rate.
That being said – once you’re ready to start working on the car yourself, get a repair manua. You don’t want to guess at essential torque values or other vital specifications. My philosophy is to handle simple items first, and move up in complexity as a car gets older. With a newer car, I’d be comfortable replacing fluids and bolt-on items, such as an alternator. Brake pads and rotors also fall into this category. Items such as CV axles and wheel bearings might come into play later. Depending on the make and model, these may not be a DIY item. Finally, for big items such as engine or transmission replacement, I make sure the car’s warranty is a distant memory. As repairs get more complex, the odds increase that I might not succeed. As such, my philosophy for larger items is to utilize used parts when possible and to make sure that I’m not going to potentially ruin a car that still has a significant book value.
As with all DIY work, the most important thing to do is to make sure you’re comfortable making the repair yourself. Read up on the repair in advance. If you think you can handle it, give it a try.
Basics to Keep in the Car
Nobody likes being stuck on the side of the road. Sometimes it’s the result of a catastrophic breakdown. Other times, it’s because of something relatively simple. It would be nice to avoid that situation. With this simple and handy list, you might be able to get yourself moving again. For a complete basics kit, you need to think in four categories: parts, tools, materials, and chemicals.
In terms of parts, there isn’t too much you can carry preemptively, but there are a few to keep in mind. I like to travel with a few spare belts and hoses when possible. I don’t carry a spare timing belt, for obvious reasons, but I do travel with at least a spare alternator belt. Whenever I do a belt replacement, if the old one still seems a bit serviceable, I toss it in the trunk, as a just-in-case item. The same goes for radiator hoses. If it’s too good to throw away, it becomes a temporary spare. I also like to travel with a couple of essential light bulbs, especially for the headlights.
In terms of tools, you don’t need much – the basics will go a long way. A portable DC air compressor and a set of tire plugs have gotten me away from a few roadside flats. Often it only takes a moment longer to fix a basic puncture than it would take to simply throw the spare on. A basic flathead and Philips screwdriver, a simple assortment of sockets and ratchet, and an adjustable wrench will handle most roadside repairs. Don’t forget to toss in a few pairs of disposable rubber gloves to keep your hands clean.
There are a few essential materials I swear by. I bring along a roll of stretch-and-seal silicone tape. You can find this at your local hardware store or auto parts store, sometimes labeled as a hose bandage. Although this isn’t a permanent fix, it can sometimes patch up a hose enough to get you off the road. Similarly, I like to keep a tube of plastic epoxy putty handy. It mixes with minimal mess and sets up quickly. I patched a cracked expansion tank with this once and was able to complete my trip without incident. Later, I fixed it with a proper replacement tank. A roll of electrical tape can also help with unexpected frayed wire connections.
Last, you’ll want to keep a few basic chemicals on hand. I like to keep a quart or two of oil handy, a bottle of pre-mixed coolant, and a bottle of brake fluid. Sometimes, a little is all you need just to get you to the nearest gas station or parts store.
While this list won’t help with more complex breakdowns, it can get you moving again after a simple malfunction. However, it’s always a good idea to have a charged cell phone handy and the phone number for your roadside assistance company, if you subscribe to one.
Datsun is back
All good things must come to an end. Sometimes they come back, too. This past week, Nissan’s CEO, Carlos Ghosn announced that the Datsun brand would be returning, following more than three decades of absence from the global marketplace. Don’t get too excited, though – you won’t be able to run down to your local Nissan dealership and pick up a new 240Z. This isn’t the same Datsun you remember.
The Datsun brand is bring introduced into developing markets. Following in the footsteps of manufacturers such as Tata, which brought the ultra-low-priced Nano to market a few years back, Datsun is going to go after up-and-coming markets. The target consumer is the youthful first-time car buyer, and the first cars will go on sale in 2014 in India, Indonesia and Russia.
Detailed specifications and pricing aren’t available yet, but these won’t be high-performance sports cars. Much like all cars going after this market, these cars will likely be low on power and features in comparison to Nissans available in the US and other mature markets. These cars will be built to be affordable and serve as a stepping stone for the first-time car buyer, who will eventually move on to bigger and better cars. Nissan isn’t aiming to build these as throwaway cars, though. They’re not just selling cars, but also the idea of a car. Nissan intends to build these cars as modern and reliable, if a bit de-contented by Western tastes. According to Nissan, the proposed product line is something that both Nissan as well as the end buyer will be proud to own.
The move isn’t unprecedented. Nissan is, as of now, the top Japanese brand in China, and plans to bring Datsun in, aiming for market leadership in India, Indonesia, Russia and Brazil. They haven’t released exact figures, but expect to price these new cars aggressively as determined by individual markets. In Indonesia, the new Datsuns will likely be sold at under $10,000. In India, the pricing will be more likely in the $4000 range.
In 1981, the Datsun name was phased out in order to pave the way for the Nissan nameplate on a worldwide scale. Datsun was a stepping stone to something newer and better. Once again, Datsun will be that for these emerging markets, and for a new generation of buyers who are just beginning to discover what car ownership can mean to them.
Advanced oil change theory
So, it’s time to change your oil. You drain the oil, change the filter, and fill the crankcase with fresh oil, right? Yes, but there’s actually a lot of science behind what’s going on in your engine to keep it running for the long haul.
Above all, there’s the oil itself. These days, most, if not all motor oils the average user will use are multi-grade oils. In short, as motor oil heats up, it thins out. If the oil in a hot engine gets too thin, oil pressure drops and engine damage will eventually occur. Multi-grade oil includes substances known as viscosity index improvers. These allow a motor oil to retain thickness, or viscosity, at higher temperatures.
Motor oil isn’t all derived from petroleum, either. Many oils commonly available now are fully synthetic. These synthetic oils have proven to last longer and provide an engine better protection. Whatever oil you choose use, make sure that it matches your car’s manufacturer’s recommendations in regard to viscosity (there may be different options, based on the environmental conditions of where you live, and the season), API classification, and oil change interval. Some modern cars don’t even have a recommended oil change interval, but rather monitor the condition of the engine oil via the on board computer and alert you when the oil needs to be changed. Even if your car doesn’t have this technology, don’t rely on the old 3,000 mile rule of thumb for changing your oil. The correct interval is that recommended by the car’s manufacturer, and is often higher than 3,000 miles. In effect, paying attention to the manufacturer’s recommendations here will save you time and money.
In some cases, as with some European cars, engines have such high requirements for lubrication that certain manufacturers have needed to develop their own specifications and their own oil blends. There may be aftermarket oils that meet those requirements, but be sure to make sure the oil meets those requirements, or once again, you may cause engine damage by using the wrong oil.
In addition to synthetics, there are now recycled oils available. As an engine uses oil, the oil picks up dirt and contaminants. But, contrary to popular belief, the base oil actually does not degrade or break down. Now, used oil is being reclaimed, the contaminants being filtered out, and sometimes blended with new base oils before being resold.
The motor oil industry is constantly changing, developing, and engineering new products. On top of recycled options, the industry is constantly researching and experimenting with developing oil from new sources. One possible future product is engine oil derived from recycled plastic. But, given what’s available even today, it’s hard to say what you’ll be putting in your engine tomorrow.
