₦airaland Forum

HumbleNdMoist:
Just got the Acura 2007 mdx as my first car, put it off for so long lol. I was very impressed by the thread bizzie2 did upgrading his 2008, although I thought some were overkill, the ones that impressed me and I plan to do before driving it were the internal and external lighting upgrades, lifting the height and widening the tires, upgrading the exterior obviously to 2013, and the media unit upgrade to touch screen with the reverse camera upgrade too.

Already picked up to change trasmission fluid, brake fluid, steering fluid, to check the timing and fan belt and to get a small scanner from scrolling here


Any advice generally by the experts in the house? What I shouldn’t do, what I should, maintenance tips, upgrades that may help me use it better? Any such thing would be appreciated

Do not buy transmission fluid in just about any shop or market.

That transmission hates fake fluids.
If you can't afford the original fluid from certified shops, leave the one in there alone for now.

Don't tamper with the height of the car. You will mess the handling of that car up and it's the handling that is it's key selling point.

While you are on the transmission fluid change, consider changing the differential and the transfer case fluids as well.

They are equally as important.

Whatever you do, do not clean the throttle body if you don't ha e a scanner that can zero the throttle position or angle sensor.

If you need any more tips on the mdx, you can reach out.

Enjoy the ride.

ksmart027:
Thanks boss, i for buy you beer, but you no dey abuloma again

. Thanks man.

ksmart027:
This is quite educative, thank you for these. I think i will need to buy my own gauge because these vulcanizers own is not always accurate. One will gauge your tyre 40psi and another gauge will show 45psi which is very confusing. Please you also mentioned alignment, how often do you think i should do alignment? Thanks.

This depends on how often you traverse bad roads.

I'd say once a year or anytime you work on your front suspension.

valarinz:
Naija men no go kill person sha

Person dey ask advise for cars meant for made men and someone is bringing his 2007 corolla second hand value input to the discussion

Next time you see someone pricing G63, inform him that Lexus Highlander has better second hand value😂

Be calming down na.

ksmart027:
I like your analysis boss, but if i may ask, what causes tyre to bend? And how can we prevent it? I will like to know, thanks.

1. Over inflation
2. Sudden impact with potholes
3. Tyres that have been left standing out in the elements at a spot for too long before being recovered and sold.
4. Age. Very old tyres that have developed dry rot or have become brittle will bend or bulge when inflated and subjected to loads.

There are fibres and metallic cords that run all around the circumference of the tyre. If Amy of the three issues I highlighted above impacts them negatively, your tyre will bend or go out of round


However, overinflation is usually the primary cause.

Seen it too many times. Overinflation will impact very old tyres more than newer tyres.

Alfabest07:
I've decided what to do & it's not suing. But don't let irregularities in Nigeria limit your knowledge. A public space like that is supposed to have signs regardless if individuals have common sense or not.

I'd be paid for damages if the country had a working justice system except they show where they have the signs & it's then obvious I was blind to it.

Go ask better lawyer what I'm saying.

If you'd call it an accident when it's a child, what will you call it differently as it's a car?

Things you suggested:
1. Broaden my knowledge....
2. Ask a better lawyer.....

What you will do:
1. Replace your glass
2. Respond to me again (if you wish).

Things you shouldn't do again:
1. Park under coconut trees
2. Ask if you can sue if the coconut tree decided to break your glass.

chevchenko:
Hello everyone,

Please I have a 2009 Toyota Verso Diesel engine, it has started smoking even though it moves very well, can anyone recommend a good diesel engine mechanic please?

Thanks

What colour is the smoke?

When does it smoke?

First start, during acceleration, all the time?

CNG has been in use in vehicles in countries hotter than Nigeria. It is not about weather or climate.

It also has nothing to do with a car not originally being designed to run on CNG. CNG is a fuel just like LPG, PMS, AGO, Alcohol and other flammable fuels.

It all has to do with the following
1. Use of kits that meet design, engineering and testing standards. Even the petrol tank in your vehicle is tested.
2. Use of trained and certified installation technicians
3. Regular and periodic maintenance of the CNG system and testing where and when required.

It is required that kits and tanks that have gone past their use by dates are either replaced or decommissioned.

It is tempting to reuse or retain such systems but that is what leads to such incidents.

The public should never buy locally fabricated cylinders or kits that have not been certified by approved organisation. This will prevent accidents or incidents as experienced recently in Benin.

CNG was introduced in Benin more than 10 years ago. There has not been one recorded incident with the earlier conversions. They were done properly and with approved kits.

sunnymighty:
My initial plan was to buy 2 brand new tires for my car, but the review I am getting online regarding these Chinese tyres aren't encouraging. I am considering buying a well graded Tokunbo tyres, was told some can last even more than these so called brand new Chinese tyres.Brands like Bridgestone Michelin, Kuhmo, Dunlop are way out of the reach of the common man. I was given 35k each for a good Tokunbo (205/65/R15) I have not decided yet but I have between now and month end to make that decision.Btw the way I was asked to come and pay 50k for a brand new tyre (either Joyroad or Arivo) my worry now is there are not brands I am familiar with considering the fact that they are Chinese tyres, but I wouldn't mind a review from those that have used them. I have between now and month end to decide whether to buy a brand new Chinese tyre or to settle for a very good Tokunbo tyres with the expiry date still intact and hasn't been tampered with.

Most Chinese tyres regardless of name come from the same set of manufacturers.

The names are just marketing names chosen by the Nigerian importers.

Joyroad appears okay. Used it personally. What matters more is how you use the tyres.

1. Do not underinflate or overinflate them
2. Do not use them for tasks they aren't suited to
3. Do not overload them
4. Make sure they are balanced before use
5. Make sure you perform alignment regularly to prevent irregular wear
6. Make sure you rotate your tyres periodically usually every 5 to 10k miles or every year
7. Avoid driving into deep potholes while driving at speeds. Slow down or avoid the potholes where possible
8. When stuck, seek for towing assistance. Do not burn out your tyres trying to get the car unstuck.

fineboynl:
How often do you change used tyre compared to new tires?

Most used tires hardly pass 6-7months before going bad. Surprisingly its now above 30k for used old tyre.

6 to 7 months?

U dey do kabu kabu?

Used tyres with good thread depth and rubber can last more than 4 years if used properly.

Alfabest07:
It's a leisure park, i mean, why wouldn't they put up signs for where is safe to be & not. If it was a child standing there nko.
Or even their securities should direct people where not to park to avoid such accidents, since they feel coconuts gives their place a nice aesthetics.

I know I will not loose if i get a good lawyer, but this is Nigeria & if we go by the name, a govt owned property. They will trash the case everly.

Where i keep 85k bros. Knowing better how things are in our dear country - make i go find 85k nau, that's the wisest option for me afterall.

If you do not have 85k for glass, where do you intend to source money for lawyer?

You should have taken note of your surroundings before parking.

If its a child that the coconut fell on, it will be termed an accident and the parents will have to answer why they allowed their ward to play under a coconut tree.

Have you ever seen anyone park his car under a breadfruit tree in the village even when the space under it is free?

Have you ever seen anyone chilling u der a breadfruit tree even when it is free and provides enough shade?

Even goats and sheep know to steer clear of it.

And you have more sense than them.

Do not park under trees whose fruits are as big as or larger than your fists

You do not need a warning sign to know that.

You can sue if you wish.

Alfabest07:
Who here knows how much for toyota corolla 2006 model windscreen, please.

A coconut fell and smashed mine at Lagos Convention Center where i parked at the entrance this Saturday. The fact they don't have signs to make drivers aware & outline safe spots to park, is looking like something to sue for.

Lemme know the price first tho.

You will lose if you sue.

You parked your car there at your own volition and cars are parked at owners risk.

Go and fix your car (it will cost about 85k). How much will a court case cost you again?

whippersnapper:
From the comments above it's safe to say Nigeria is still in stone age. They've left us behind in the grand scheme of things. Just last week i bought a bike that doesn't use fuel for 1.8 million I only get to charge it with light. And someone is baffled on how a generator can operate without fuel.

SMH in disgust

Please tell us how that fuelless generator works.

Does it use solar to generate power?
Does it store energy in batteries and uses an inverter to convert it to AC current for owners use and how is the battery charged? Self charging?

Or is this fuelless gen a perpetual motion machine? The holy grail?

If you are so forward and advanced, disprove the laws of thermodynamics and energy then.
Do it here for all to see.

Hollawayn05:
Greetings great minds,
Just bought a pontiac vibe 2004 Nigerians use from a dealer about a month ago, wanted to change the oil and I tried calling him to ask if he has idea of the oil the former user which is actually the first user uses but said no idea, abeg how do I know the best oil to use?

Start with a known good brand of 20w50 with API rating of SN.
At the next oil change, upgrade to 10W40 with API rating of SN

If there are no adverse changes (blue smoke, sorting oil etc), then you may upgrade to any known good brand of 5w30 oil with an API rating of SN.
It must not be synthetic oil. Your engine does just fine on mineral oil.

INTEGRITYA1:
At this point, we are not saying deregulation is not okay even though the effect in term of price increase is not going to be palatable in the short run, no doubt.

But Government have to channel the resources that suppose to go for subsidy towards meaningful and impactful projects across the Nation for the betterment of all and sundry.

Also, Government should encourage and license more private refineries in order to give room for competition that will eventually crash the price just like in Communication sector and to avoid monopoly from Dangote in the long run.

We are watching with Keen interest.

Did you cap this rubbish in 2012 when you occupied ojota.

And he is also wrong about so many other teachings.

Waiting for apologies for those too.

Man is not God.
Until people understand this, they will continue to be fooled.

Read your bible, understand the scriptures, know God and know peace.

olaboyeh:
I'd personally lean more towards elantra than cerato any day

One and the same vehicle.only difference is styling.

Everything under the shell is practically the same.

olumzzz:
I heard the otanator can be problematic, is this true?

Alhaji, let's talk in za oza room.



Alternators on that spec last more than 200k kilometers. They are quite sturdy.

ollykay619:
What do you think think about KIA cerato

If you can find a cerrato without electrical abuse, you'd be fine.

The engine is okay on that model. It's the rio that eats its engines.

The trans on that model is sturdy. Most issues with trans on that model stems from ecu which is now easy to either repair or replace.

It's a good car. Just avoid fender benders cos the body doesn't really look nice after going to panel beaters.
Above is for the 2013 model.
The 010 to 12 model is also good.

Curious346:
I dropped the car for conversion today .will collect it on Monday

Eagerly awaiting your pictures and review.

Curious346:
I just paid 800k 2days ago to convert my car

Where and can you share pictures of the conversion?

Sankabson:
Good evening House,

Can someone please recommend the best and authentic coolant and transmission fluid for Camry 2016. If there's any seller here...

I also noticed the car vibrate whenever I’m accelerating between 30 - 45mphs, while it will later stops around 60 - 70Mphs. And check engine light is not to indicate if there's any problem.

Thanks in advance

Go to any total filling station and buy their coolant.
Leave your transmission fluid alone. Fake full naija
The vibration is likely from your outer cv joint or inner shaft cv.

If its the inner shaft (connected to the transmission), allow only a good workshop that is clean to perform that job.

Why do you want to change your coolant anyway?

Muyesky:
I have a 2008 honda pilot and 2008 acura mdx. The thing is that the fuel consumption of the acura mdx os beginning to have its effect due to the situation in Nigeria. Is it advisable to swap the mdx for a 2008 Toyota camry?

There is another alternative.

It will cost you at least 2m to 3m to trade the acura mdx for a sound 2008-11 camry.

Why not use this 2m to install CNG in your acura and enjoy the best of both worlds.

CNG is cheap

This will work if you live in any of the states where CNG is sold and installed.

Are you in lagos?

Sankabson:
Modified *** 13/09.

We later find out, it’s a leaking heater core, thats causing the soggy floorboard, hot smoke coming out of the AC vent and high temperature in the car.

I was told, they’ll have to remove the the whole dashboard to get it fixed or they can easily bypass it.

Gurus in the house, is the okay to bypass the heater core in a Toyota Camry? And also what are effect of doing that ?

Bypass the heater core.

Don't drop the dashboard.

Sankabson:
My car ( 2016 Camry ) started with foul odor, then after I noticed the AC vent is blowing hot air. I parked immediately. I later realized the there was no coolant inside the radiator again.

While experiencing all that, the temperature Guage didn't raise to indicate Overheating.

I was later advised to change the radiator to a Double Cell, which I did, but I'm still experiencing the same issue.

The car is less than 10days Tokunbo. I was advised to remove the thermostat and connect the fan directly. But I don't want to do that.

I'll appreciate your help. Thanks.

Visit a competent mechanic

Fujiyama:
^^^




^^^
Very, very fair question.

If I didn't know better I would say you had planted spies around me. Believe it or not I am in this particular situation right now: there is something wrong with the filter housing on my vehicle and it was leaking oil slowly. I was unaware of this but a random check 3 days ago (while the engine was cold) saved me from disaster. The dipstick was dry - not a drop of oil on it. This is perhaps the second time this has happened to me in over 30 years of driving...and on both occassions I was fortunate enough to check the engine while cold. So I do agree with you - it definitely is possible to have an oil leak that could prove disatrous if one doesn't check the oil before cranking. But the odds of this happening are relatively low.

I actually do both checks: both cold and warm. Cold checks are actually more convenient but I do warm checks when I want to get a more accurate picture of oil levels.



^^^
Fair argument.

But you do know you could check your oil while cold, everythings fine and you go about your business...only for your engine to spring a leak later in the day and the worst happens...

But I get your general point.

Cold checks for me all day regardless of what manufacturer says.

If it so happens while I am driving, then there is nothing cold or hot would have done about it.

Leaking seals, ruptured seals, leaking oil cooler or leaking oil cooler lines are more common than you think.

Many have started their engines without any oil (probably didn't notice the oil leaks).

I will be so mad with myself if I wrecked am engine because I wanted to a warm check when a cold check would ha e saved me the grief.

Cheers.

Fujiyama:
^^^

Toyota corolla 2007 (1ZZ FE)
Toyota camry 2011 (2AR FE)

Apparently the logic behind it is that if the engine is warmed up (before switching off and sitting for 5 minutes or more) the oil circulates through the entire engine...and this gives a true picture of the oil level.

I'll look for the page and upload it if I can get my hands on the manual.

Waiting fir the page.

But let me ask you an innocent question.

What if you spring an oil leak while driving (has happened to folks), and the car gets home without drama. Then, the remaining oil leaks out overnight through the sump where the leak is.
Would it not be smarter to check the oil before you ruin the engine than to ruin the engine and check the oil later?


Apparently you are right according the owners manual I just read for the csmry but that is some bulkshit.

No engine has ever been harmed for checking oil before startup.
Many engines have harned for not checking oil and running without oil after startup.

Check your engine oil on a cold engine with the car parked on level ground.

The difference in volume when warm vs when cold is negligible

The difference in damage when run without oil is a new engine.

Thank you.

Fujiyama:
^^^
How do you mean?

The protocol I mentioned for checking oil is straight out of the owners manual for 2 different vehicles...

Which vehicle if I may ask? Model, make and year would be grand.

Cos I do not see the difference between checking your oil on a cold engine vs running it before checking it.

Anyway, to each his own.

Fujiyama:
^^^
I thought the correct method is to warm or use the vehicle, shut down, wait 5 minutes or more and then check the dipstick?

This makes me question your opinion in your second post.

pimplucious:
Like I said I did the reset myself. Doing the reset is not rocket science anybody should be able to do actually.

On the Mobile 1 container, it says “protects for 20,000 miles guaranteed” and I only did just above 3k kilometers. It doesn’t add up.

I switched to Hardex based on expert advice. He said adulterated Mobile 1 is common. So chances I get adulterated Hardex is slim when compared.

Anyways, thanks.

Regardless of what Mobil 1 says, use your manufacturers recommended Oil Change Interval.

That 20,000 miles has a caveat. It usually applies to vehicles with large oil sumps (the types that take between 8 to 10 liters during service). Yours uses 5 liters max during service.

Again, you are still insinuating that your vehicle gave you a prompt for oil change due to oil quality.

How it assessed that quality is strange.

But what do I know?

Did I idle your vehicle a lot during this period?

Were you in heavy stop and go traffic?

pimplucious:
I did set the maintenance minder myself. What we arrived at is the Mobil 1 I got is likely adulterated as a lot of adulterated Mobil 1 is common in the market so I switched to Hardex 0W 20 so I’m observing it.

Your car does not measure oil quality.

Read what I wrote again.

Your car does not measure oil quality.

You are going from Mobil 1 (fake according to you) to hardex (who told you it's original) and you think you are better off?

Again, do the oil minder reset properly yourself next time or ensure whoever is doing it, did it properly.

Good luck.

pimplucious:
I’m driving a 2012 Honda Crosstour, after servicing it on the 25th of June this year with a Mobil 1 engine oil I bought for 48k, I thought I won’t be bothered with servicing for at least 6months or 10k kilometers whichever comes first.

But to my surprise, just after 1,067km and a bit more than a month, the oil change monitor shows on the cluster board the oil quality has dropped to 10%.

I bought the Mobil 1 engine oil from a Mobil station after assuring me it is genuine.


Is there anyone here using Honda crosstour? Do you experience this same issue using Mobil 1 engine oil?


Pic 1: Date oil was changed and mileage before oil change. Mileage on car before oil change: 181,567

Pic 2: current mileage on car: 182,634

Pic 3: Oil life % reading

Pic 4: Mobil 1 container containing the Mobil 1 oil used.

You did not reset the maintenance minder.

It is as simple as that.

The maintenance minder measures oil life using two parameters; distance driven and time.

The 2012 crosstour does not measure oil quality and quantity.

Next time, make sure the mechanic resets the maintenance minder in your presence or you do it yourself.