1. Tampering with body to ground distance of your vehicle: This is a common practice in Nigeria where a mechanic will suggest you lift the body to ground suspension to prevent your vehicle from occasionally touching the ground when fully loaded or on bad roads not taking into consideration the effect altering the original ground to body design will have.
Result: wavering discomfort at top speed due to excess airflow under the vehicle which acts against its stability.


2.Fitting tyre size other than manufacturers recomended size: Every manufacturer clearly specifies tyre size to be used on every manufactured vehicle not as fashion but in compliance to the size and design of such vehicle in maintaining safety standards. But mechanics will always convince people to replace 14 or 15 rim tyres with 17 rim size thereby altering the original design and balance attributed to such vehicles design.

Result: Tyre to body or fender contact during turning or while driving on an undulating road.


3.Fitting different engine other than manufacturer fitted engine: It is a common practice yet again with our Nigerian mechanics to advise people to fit a land rover discovery mini SUV with a 96 camry engine or the popular danfo bus with santana or golf engine and others too numerous to mention. Not putting into consideration the braking effect it would have on the said vehicle which can result to brake failure as the engine assisted braking device found in the santana or golf will no more function as designed. And that is when u see them blocking pipes and valves here and there telling you it not necessary.

Result: Engines maximum output will never be utilized.

4. Not taking into consideration maximum load capacity a vehicle should carry which affects braking distance: the weight a vehicle carries should be commensurate with the suspension so as to maintain optimum braking distance and stability when applied.
Result: Several visits to the mechanic workshop due to brake issues.

5.Converting injector driven engine to caburator driven engine: This is yet another dangerous practice which can sometimes result in an engine fire if not properly done. But personally I still don't support such as it will have an adverse effect on the vehicles performance.

Result:Engine malfunction.


A word they say is enough for the wise. Please adhere to manufacturer standard as much as you can to avoid any of these listed above for your safety and for the love and safety of those who depend on you. Drive safely into the ember months.

A wise is enough for the word!! Nigerians always cutting corners.
Good job bro!

feemi:
A wise is enough for the word!! Nigerians always cutting corners.

Good job bro!

Just doing our job of safety on wheels. Thanks

Read all about it!






Its Merrywheels Autos advising you for safety.

Safety tips for free!

Nice one merry wheels! I have always warned. My friends about no. 1 point.

Save a life today mods!

No 1 is very common.

1. Tampering with body to ground distance of your vehicle: This is a common practice in Nigeria where a mechanic will suggest you lift the body to ground suspension to prevent your vehicle from occasionally touching the ground when fully loaded or on bad roads not taking into consideration the effect altering the original ground to body design will have.

Very very common.
Especially with those public transport vehicles.

When they can't find a replacement part, some mechanics be like, make I commot am_ e no dey work anything.

6. Radiator change and thermostat removal aka Tropicalisation.

I've learnt someting

i nefa bai moto

Okay

I just did number one last week after Benin bad roads finished my bumper. Now I can easily drive thru undulating roads without fear of scattering my bumper

Op, you are correct.

In one sentence: leave the vehicle as its creators made it!

[quote author=merrywheels post=50318375]Just doing our job of safety on wheels. Thanks[/quote
Whats the effect of removing thermostat to tropicalise the vehicle

Nice

I'm guilty of number 2.

obontami:
I've learnt someting

U also need deliverance for your desire in ur signature down here. Go to Rev Kings.

Everyone now be forming they own a car!

Can I use water only instead of coolant? Since we can't have freezing conditon in this part of the world and I think coolant = water + antifreeze

d

Ill never overload
I picked up a full load of ppl in the back of my hilux n the car was just swaying anyhow (like 15 ppl)
I had to beg them to come down n be trwkking to their destination that me i dont want to die or spoil my shock absorbers

Thanks op


people have been advising me to lift my Nissan Quest cos it too close to the ground

awon werey!!!


op u forget to add removing of Thermostat?

Akeem mechanic will surely tell u this exp if your car is overheating

Guilty of no. 2 , rim 15 to 17

merrywheels:
3.Fitting different engine other than manufacturer fitted engine: It is a common practice yet again with our Nigerian mechanics to advise people to fit a land rover discovery mini SUV with a 96 camry engine or the popular danfo bus with santana or golf engine and others too numerous to mention. Not putting into consideration the braking effect it would have on the said vehicle which can result to brake failure as the engine assisted braking device found in the santana or golf will no more function as designed. And that is when u see them blocking pipes and valves here and there telling you it not necessary.

I fell victim for this particular practice and i must tell you guys. I've never enjoyed the car since then.

[quote author=merrywheels post=50308197]1. Tampering with body to ground distance of your vehicle: This is a common practice in Nigeria where a mechanic will suggest you lift the body to ground suspension to prevent your vehicle from occasionally touching the ground when fully loaded or on bad roads not taking into consideration the effect altering the original ground to body design will have.
Result: wavering discomfort at top speed due to excess airflow under the vehicle which acts against its stability.


2.Fitting tyre size other than manufacturers recomended size: Every manufacturer clearly specifies tyre size to be used on every manufactured vehicle not as fashion but in compliance to the size and design of such vehicle in maintaining safety standards. But mechanics will always convince people to replace 14 or 15 rim tyres with 17 rim size thereby altering the original design and balance attributed to such vehicles design.

Result: Tyre to body or fender contact during turning or while driving on an undulating road.


3.Fitting different engine other than manufacturer fitted engine: It is a common practice yet again with our Nigerian mechanics to advise people to fit a land rover discovery mini SUV with a 96 camry engine or the popular danfo bus with santana or golf engine and others too numerous to mention. Not putting into consideration the braking effect it would have on the said vehicle which can result to brake failure as the engine assisted braking device found in the santana or golf will no more function as designed. And that is when u see them blocking pipes and valves here and there telling you it not necessary.

Result: Engines maximum output will never be utilized.

4. Not taking into consideration maximum load capacity a vehicle should carry which affects braking distance: the weight a vehicle carries should be commensurate with the suspension so as to maintain optimum braking distance and stability when applied.
Result: Several visits to the mechanic workshop due to brake issues.


@Op, many thanks for this enlightenment. Pls Help: my Ac mechanic has advised me to change my Ac compressor from Automatic compressor to manual compressor. Is that ok?

I disagree with you on points 1,2 and 3. Our roads are very bad and not all places are paved unlike what obtains in foreign lands.

So we need to raise our vehicles at times to reduce damage caused by bump, pot holes, reduce corrosion caused by floods and mud.

There's nothing wrong with raising your car up a few centimeters after all some vehicles have air suspension .

Changing tyres to a higher spec is also necessary in bad roads.

My jetta originally uses tyres spec 185/R14 60 and changed to 185/R14 65 to give me some clearance cos the profile was low.

It hasnt affected the handling as the tyres were new and replaced at the same time.

Making modification to a vehicle is a specialist job, you have to do your research and know the limits of what you can or cant do.

Same goes for engine replacement, some people fit an jetta mk3 engine on an mk4 , the due to the trouble some nature of the mk4 engine, the bad thing they do is that they use carburetor because they lack the tools to tune the ECU.

Just what I need! Thank you OP.
But there's a problem. My VW Bora is very low at the front such that when I try to drive by some roads it hits the stones... this has caused a log of damage to tray holding my oil and I had to change it. So it is bad if I just raise it a little or I should leave it judging from the fact that I attain maximum speed while driving around town and while I'm travelling?