If you gradually notice any sort of looseness or rattling noises as you drive along, then it’s time to consider the possibility that your suspension has finally started to give up. Taking the car to the service center can be quite a hassle in both time and money, and as you take a first look at the disheartening receipt, you’ll promise yourself that you’ll take better care of your suspension this time around.

The responsibility can be a bit of a chore for sedan owners, but there is nothing here that’s too complicated for your average driver. You too can learn how to extend the life of your sedan’s suspension by following a few simple principles.

First of all, you’re most likely using coil spring suspension, unless you have one of those old ones with leaf springs, which is just an indication that you may have to buy a new car or look for ways to take care of leaf spring suspension. In the case of coil spring suspension, it does enjoy a lot of advantages over leaf springs, including better shock absorption, independent suspension for each wheel, and better performance and durability in adverse conditions and varying temperatures.

Of all the car’s vital parts, the suspension is perhaps the part that is most prone to the brutality of thermal expansion, which is brought on by changing temperatures. Just like how you shouldn’t drink anything cold for a while after having sipped some hot soup, the same can be said for your suspension. Make sure that you have the right type of suspension for your car in your particular region.

If you live in a tropical climate, then it shouldn’t be as hard to figure out since it’s only subject to hot or cold conditions. However, in temperate and arctic conditions, you’ll need a suspension that can function properly despite of a consistent icy weather.

The way you drive and your usual destinations can also affect your suspension. Sedans are usually not built for off-roading, so avoid any terrain that may present significant bumps and potholes that challenge your suspension to a death match, since it will most likely not survive long. Also, driving too fast even on the flattest of roads can impose some abuse on the coils, especially since (1) there’s no such thing as a real flat road and (2) speeding over a pothole is not very conducive to suspension care.

Have your suspension checked every once in a while so you can be sure that it isn’t cracked, misaligned, or warped. Any little crack can spread dangerously over time, which can lead to catastrophic incidents on the road. While quality suspension may have massive tolerances and can take a whole lot of abuse, they can only go so far if you drive like a madman every time. Taking care of your leaf spring means being a sensible motorist, which also carries over to other things on and off the road.

These are just a few things that you can do to make sure that your sedan’s spring suspension lasts as long as it ever can. You may find out more in the future, but always remember that sensible driving and regular maintenance checks are the foundation of good suspension care.

Ever thought about buying a used car? Or have you ever had the impulse of self-decorating the exterior of your car just for the fun of it? If you said yes to both or one of the questions, then chances are, you have encountered adhesive stickers.

The removal of adhesive stickers can be a real pain if not done the right way. Without the proper knowledge and instructions, engaging in the process of detaching adhesive stickers can result in unwanted scratches, ruined paint jobs, and costly repair bills. Not good. Should you just risk the scratches or just leave the stickers as they are? Neither, because here are tested steps on how to remove adhesive stickers without leaving traces.

First of all, you need to purchase an adhesive remover from the nearest hardware store. This shouldn’t be a problem for you since it’s a standard item in such stores. Now, with an all-purpose cleaner, begin to moisten the adhesive that you want to remove. Using a clean cloth, rub the sticker in a circular motion.

Apply the adhesive remover on the entire sticker surface. Leave the sticker undisturbed for about half an hour. During this period, the product will melt the glue that is right under the adhesive. Once the half hour has passed, take a small putty knife or a plastic scraper and carefully remove the adhesive, making sure not to scratch the body of your car.

Now, this may not be a one-shot deal. So if at the end of the process you still notice some leftover glue attached to your car, apply the adhesive remover once more and simply repeat the last step after another half hour. When the surface of your is free of all glue, just remove the remaining residue with your all purpose cleaner.

If, by any chance whatsoever, your car still has glue residue after several repeats of the process above, utilize the powers of an abrasive paste or polish. This should put an end to the glue’s reign over your precious car.

Another element that you can use, if your are not comfortable with the methods mentioned above, is heat. You can take a sponge and immerse it in hot water, then apply it several times to soften the sticker glue. You can even use a hair dryer to further heat those pesky stickers. Once the dryer has done its job, use a spatula to make the removal of the stickers safer and easier. As soon as the sticker has finally been removed, carefully clean the area with a soft cloth soaked in alcohol.

So there you have it! Easy steps on how to remove unwanted adhesive sticker without hurting your car’s exterior. As far as the adhesive removal product is concerned, there are many brands out there that are well-known to work wonders. Just ask for assistance from your local hardware sales clerk regarding the ones that will work best for you and your car.

Earlier this April, the 4^th to 7^th specifically, was yet another heart-attack inducing, breath-taking killer of a show – the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). With over 300 cars on display and thousands of car lovers in attendance, 2013 has stepped it up a notch higher than last year’s event. Whether you’ve attended for the cars, accessories or the ladies, I’m sure the MIAS did not disappoint.

You know that MIAS is just around the corner when you hear blaring music announcing its presence. At the World Trade grounds, you are greeted by a queue of restored Mistubishi Lancers and Mini Coopers – a testament to the diversity of cars that are on display – the new and the old school. Entering the event proper, you see handsome jaw-dropping cars: the Lexus LF-A and a Ferrari (by the way, great car curation by the organizers). After crossing the big red barn doors… the beautiful chaos begins.

The first building is inhabited by the “new” cars. Big players include Maserati, Ford, Subaru, Mini, Jeep, Peugeot, Honda, Mazda and Isuzu. Tagging along were a few other brands like China’s Cherry and Piaggio, who were launching its cute pickup, passenger vehicle, drive-away chassis and delivery van – all great for small businesses.

According to Nathalie Torres of Piaggio Ape, people have been creative with the “Ape”. Some use it as mobile stores, mobile cafes and delivery and service vehicles (even for weddings!) Ford also launched its new pickup, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak while Mazda launched its new Mazda 6 executive sedan and Subaru its kick-ass Forester which drew a lot of commotion.

Proceeding to the next building, over to our right is our proud and not-to-be-outdone-by-imported-brands local supplier the Roberts Automotive and Industrial Parts Manufacturing Cooperation. According to Christine Capuyao, a representative of Roberts AIPMC, “The MIAS is the perfect time to launch and re-introduce the products of Roberts AIPMC because most of the target market is here.”

Indeed, at the MIAS, Roberts AIPMC have successfully launched their brand of Evercool Radiators, which was expanded to three categories the “ALPHA”, “SUPRA” and “ULTIMA” to accommodate compatibility with more motorized vehicles – from regular passenger vehicles to heavily used trucks and buses.

Another proudly Philippine made product that was launched was Roberts’ Tiger Leaf Spring Flexiride. Apart from the regular leaf spring the Flexiride:

• Has a 25-30% softer ride than the original OEM leaf spring
• Maintains vehicle posture even if the leaf spring is softer
• Provides vehicle levelling and stability that guarantees the passenger’s safety
• Strictly follows OEM standard processing parameters in manufacturing quality leaf springs

ROBERTS Evercool Radiator featured at the 2013 Manila International Autoshow

ROBERTS Tiger Leaf Spring featured at the 2013 Manila International Auto Show

These new product launches coupled with a re-introduction of the Soundex Mufflers proved to be a successful 4-day participation at the Manila International Auto Show.

In retrospect, the event was yet another awesome showcase of art and engineering. The car savvies, I’m sure, will continue to support this monumental international event that’s held right here on our own soil.

With all the cars out there, from highways to parking lots, it can be quite difficult to protect a car from those dents and scratches, which are the common nuisances for drivers that continue to become more common as the days go by. No matter how careful one is, his or her car will eventually suffer that unlucky fate, either by his or her own action or by someone else’s.

To have such damages fixed is neither easy nor cheap, although one fair and effective way to resolve them is through availing paintless dent removal services.  IF you consider yourself to be a car enthusiast and a supporter of certain car manufacturing corporations, then maybe you can do perform the remedy on your own. Otherwise, leave the job to the experts.

Before anything, we ought to define this method and determine its pros and cons.   You ready? Good. Let’s begin.

Turning to dent removal services eliminates the need of getting a new paintjob, sparing your car from any kinds of scraping, drilling, filling, and/or retouching.  This method is not the usual “band aid fixes” we have to know about; it is not an uninformed process conjured up by some unprofessional that got passed on from one person to another. In truth, this service was invented by an assembly line personnel of car manufacturers who had to fix a few dings and minor dents before releasing their brand new car to the market.  Eventually, this process was adapted was adapted by auto repair houses and lived happily ever after.

Moving on. What’s the first thing that we should check to help us decide if we should go for dent removal services? The cost. This service is relatively cheaper (and faster) than that of a paint job done by professionals.

The second factor to consider is the warranty, which remains unhampered should you choose to avail of the service. Paint jobs, on the other hand, usually voids the factory paint.  A limitation of this service, however, is that it can only be performed to the metal parts of the car.

To sum it up all up, paintless dent removal services are most applicable against minor dents where the structure of the car is hardly affected. Think about its advantages. Think about the time and money you’ll end up saving. Cool, right? You know what’s even cooler? Not getting your car scratched in the first place.

Sometimes, people think that any random cleaning material can suffice for the overall hygienic requirements of their car. This is just plain wrong. Do you know that a number of cleaning products out there that can actually cause more harm than good to your beloved vehicle? A discomforting fact, but it is what it is. Hopefully, this post will give you peace in its goal to list down five cleaning materials that should never come into contact with your car. Let’s begin.

1) Detergent soaps

A lot of people wrongfully assume that detergent soaps are the same as standard car wash products, which is a gentler kind of soap precisely designed for car cleaning. Detergent soap actually removes the wax properties on the surface of the car’s protective exterior. Due to this, it is not advisable to use detergent soap unless one has plans to have his car waxed after.

2) Products that contain petrochemical and bleach

Petrochemicals and bleach in cleaning materials? Sounds good, right? I mean, these elements seem to promise a high level of cleanliness which we all desire for the cleanliness and maintenance of our car’s tires. However, although these cleaning materials can eliminate all the dirt that engulfs your tires, they can actually make the tires age prematurely as well.

3) Alcohol and ammonia-based materials

While alcohol and ammonia-based cleaning materials are said to be effective in removing dirt, it has been found out that they are too harsh on your vehicle, particularly on your car’s interior. Also, they damage parts that are made of plastic.

4) Acid-based cleaners

Though merciless against dirt, the strength of acid-based cleaners can permanently damage your tires. Unless your tires are chrome, never use such products to clean them.

5) Limonene

A colorless hydrocarbon both found in cleaning materials and cosmetic products, limonene is widely used to remove oil and grease in engines. As we all know, cleaning the engine of the car once a year prevents corrosion. And although limonene doesn’t cause damage to the car itself, its use poses several health risks to people who mishandle them.

You simply cannot just use whatever product you find to clean your car. Always be careful in choosing the exact cleaning materials that will come into contact with your vehicle. Read labels. Research products. Seek advice from friends. Care for your car in every way possible.

Being a responsible driver means being knowledgeable about the vehicle you’re driving. Before driving off your garage, it is important to check your BLOW-BAG: Battery, Light, Oil, Water, Brakes, Air, Gas. These are all essential elements of an automobile, but what about other car parts that are just as important? What about our precious car windows?

If you are able to list down the number of times your car windows has protected you from pollution, sunshine, and rainfall, then’d you’d reward it with more credit that what most car owners usually give it. Listed below are 8 ways on how you can properly maintain your car windows.

According to a September 2012 BusinessWeek interview with Paul Harris, regional director of Rolls Royce for Asia Pacific, the automotive giant is looking into expanding to the Indo-China and Philippine areas.  This major business decision is primarily due to the fact that the company earned a good growth of sales in India this year, aside from its consistent market sales in Hong Kong.

This announcement posts a positive mark on our economy. Just as much as our beach hubs and historical landmarks are valued, the emergence of this luxury brand entices more tourists to come visit our country as it resembles both wealth in status and safety in driving.  Aside from its economic value, the arrival of Rolls-Royce to the Philippines shows how diverse the country is to change in the realm of technology and scientific advancements.  Open to new and positive changes, this advancement sets new beginnings and brighter futures for both purchasers and investors.

This innovation will result in a lot of curiosity and research in the thousands of car enthusiasts out there as all of this will soon be included in Top Gear’s car comparison and pricelist. Everything leading up to this event seems to be in perfect timing since there is news to update the plate numbers in our government list.  This update poses an aesthetic challenge for the car makers, and it’s exciting to see what the good people at Rolls-Royce has up their sleeves for this particular trick.

Think about the minor yet significant hype. Who wouldn’t want to own a Rolls-Royce that features the first batch of its brand-new set of plates?

No formal announcement has been released by the company as to where and when they shall build their showroom in the Philippines. In spite of the lack of information, it is still a positive thought that all of this is actually happening.  Our very own president has even met up with the car maker’s chief ranking officials, inviting them to show interest in a couple of investments.  So far so good. In the meantime, let us keep our fingers crossed as we await for the arrival of this crown-jewel.

Gas saver fluids are additives that supposedly changes the fuel’s properties, making it more efficient in a number of ways. For one, petroleum-based fuels do not combust easily in their full liquid form, although they do if aerosolized. Also, higher octane fuels are more efficient in being converted to the energy that make your car run. The two factors mentioned can, in fact, result to a more efficient fuel. However, there are a few reasons as to why they wouldn’t really work.

According to the Law of Thermodynamics, energy can neither be created nor lost. This means that you can’t just conjure up energy like magic without losing something else as a result. In the case of cars, you can’t move it without either burning fuel or burning calories. Ever since the Renaissance era, historical icons like Leonardo da Vinci had already figured out that perpetual motion machines are basically bunk.

As for the changing the chemical properties of the fuel, you may want to reassess your plans once you’ve considered the fact that such processes may require more air and a lot more room than your entire gas tank. Changing your fuel for the better would require some drastic chemical change, which sounds risky in itself. Considering the fact that whatever’s poured into your gas tank will then be burned in your engine’s cylinders, it may not be a good idea to just add something in your tank that you’re not entirely familiar to.

This principle extends to anything that claims to save fuel while still maintaining your car’s performance. While petroleum is the most widely used fuel source that we use due to its availability and ease of use, it’s also rather inefficient. Perhaps there’s something that can help us utilize more of its potential, but these gas saver fluids are certainly not it. There are 2-liter engines that can churn out over 300 brake horsepower nowadays, but this is a result of superior engineering, and not some magical fluid.

Perhaps the best way to save fuel is sensible driving, which involves the practice of never driving too fast. Also, instead of just using your brakes all the time while on the highway, learn how to cruise properly, preparing for everything that’s coming your way. This method of driving lets you make the most of your fuel by maintaining the momentum from the fuel you just burned.

There are many other ways to save gas, but relying on additives may be dangerous for your car. You’d never know what it can do to your engine and even the fuel itself. The risk is not worth the investment, and being sensible is the dependable way to being an economical driver.

The most common form of automobile these days that make use of alternative fuel are those with hybrid engines, which are basically one part conventional engine and one part electric engine that’s powered by batteries. Charging these batteries takes a considerable amount of time while conventional fuels only require a short moment to refill a gas tank. Of course, this hasn’t stop certain establishments, like gasoline stations and even universities, to set up charging stations for these battery-powered cars.

Consider ethanol, a biofuel generated from organic materials. There are a good number of gasoline stations these days that do carry ethanol, which should thrill people who are concerned about taking care of the environment. Ethanol burns more cleanly and produces no harmful exhaust gases that could serve as a serious health hazard. If you have an ethanol-powered car, then these new gasoline stations that carry biofuel are quite valuable indeed.

Another alternative is LPG, or liquefied petroleum gas. Though usually used to power stoves, LPG can be configured for vehicle engines. With an LPG-powered car, you’ll have a cleaner-burning fuel with zero contribution to pollution. There are now a few gasoline stations that carry LPG canisters and offer refill services. Hooking them up does require a bit more time and effort compared to the simple process of topping off a gas tank with conventional fuels. Not much of a sacrifice though if you consider its benefits for Mother Nature.

The thing with the conventional fuels that run our cars is that they are very convenient and less hassle than the alternatives. Of course, you could pour used cooking oil into your diesel engine and get some good mileage and exhaust (that smells like French Fries) if economy and environment are your top priorities. As for the alternatives, they must be considered carefully before given the thumbs up for personal use.

Until we are introduced to cars with better alternatives, those who are concerned about what the car puts out, both in locomotion and in its exhaust, can make use of these alternatives through the new gasoline stations that carry such fuels. A solid number of establishments have already decided that these alternatives are worthy enough to be in the same category as gasoline, diesel, and kerosene. With that in mind, the only thing left to think about is if you are willing to try it out for yourself.

How does it work?

Volvo is coming up with a computerized, self-driving vehicle, which will be installed with high-tech sensors that will take over the car’s steering at times of imminent accidents. It also has the capability of “communicating” with other cars over the airwaves about accidents or congestions ahead, automatically taking avoidance actions along the way. Along with its collision-avoidance features, Volvo’s crash-proof car will also come with a pedestrian and animal detection, which causes the car to involuntarily slow down whenever something is blocking its way.

Here are other significant qualities of Volvo’s very own crash proof car:

• Auto-pilot convoy driving-cars link together automatically to drive themselves in special motorway ‘road trains’.
• External airbags that deploy in the event of collision.
• Automatic braking at junctions.
• Camera on front grille, which helps the driver see ‘round corners’ better.
• Park alignment that automatically controls steering.
• Lane departure warning which steers the car to keep it in the lane if it drifts.
• Blind Spot Radar Alert: motion sensors that warns driver of a vehicle hidden from the driver’s sight.
• Dazzle-free Driving: headlights are automatically to avoid blinding other drivers.
• Adaptive Cruise Control – includes radar that scans distance to the car in front and automatically adjusts speed to maintain the pre-set distance.
• Speed Limit Sign Recognition.
• Automatic alert to emergency services once airbags go off in crash.

Excited for the new technology?

By 2020, this is going to be a full-blown technology that will prevent us all from encountering accidents that may lead to death. Even the most careful drivers may get involved in car accidents, but with this crash proof car, there would be nothing to worry about! This is wonderful news both for car owners and automotive industries alike. Let’s all look forward to this exciting technology that Volvo will bring us!