₦airaland Forum

oweniwe:
says who? I do with it auto jor.

If am low on fuel, i rev up my sienna, take foot off the accelerator and shift the gear to Neutral...... When the car slows down, i shift it back to D, rev up, back to Neutral again.

Don't try this on a busy road o....

na wah ooooo........Nigerians!!Am sure there are more tricks ti find out

9icetoo:
U forgot to add "turning off ignition on slopes to save fuel".

thats a classic example which manual car owners enjoy!noted.

As confirmed by several individuals I have engaged that reside outside Nigeria, our roads hold a real potential for a new niche which should be rightly termed as ‘road tourism’. There is hardly ever a dull moment whilst driving on Nigerian roads as you would be kept amazed by several stunning road acts. However, beyond these unusual motoring behavior collectively, there are a few underpinning funny acts and thought processes that are truly behind motoring trends in Nigeria.

Below are some funny and unfunny motoring acts which are significantly aimed at driving costs down and spending less by Nigerian motorists.

Studying police, VIO, FRSC and LASTMA movements and modus operandi: Ojota exit after 7up, Ogunnisi road (after grammar school bus-top Ojodu berger), Ojodu-berger bus-stop, Anthony bus-stop (close to Oshodi exit), the list goes on and on; rings a bell? Some Lagosians literally have in their heads the map of Lagos with markings of VIO,FRSC and LASTMA hot-spots; rather than invest in complete vehicle documents they will rather study the trends of the law enforcement officers. Some even make it a habit to leave early for work and return late at night to beat these law enforcement officers at their own game.

Buying ‘Tokunbo’ tyres: this one beats me! Tyres take up road induced stresses and are subject to wear and tear, yet people go ahead to spend monies on non-retreaded used tyres. This particular funny act is not entirely funny as many lives can be as stake, but yet people still patronize these kind of tyre sellers. I don’t know who to blame; SON (standard organization of Nigeria) or the motoring mass?

Complaining bitterly; yet sticking with economic mechanics and their sickening ideas: you know it is wrong to even try managing that vehicle component due for replacement, but you just seek that cunny backing from these guys whom you know very well are desperate to sniff out the littlest Naira notes from your pocket. Like I keep saying, Nigerians are largely responsible for the type of mechanics we have today because instead of encouraging these guys to think progressively, we fuel their economizing thoughts which come with consequences like poor service quality.

Buying ‘Tokunbo’ cars and spare-parts with the notion that these cars and components are stronger: unfortunately most Nigerians have grown accustomed to the notion that imported 2nd hand products generally come with relatively better quality standards. This is hardly true in recent times, as some ‘fresh Tokunbo’ cars you will find today are freshly baked in Nigerian car spraying ovens; ever wondered why you see lots of imported and unregistered scraps being driven around Lagos roads especially at night? Also, car parts may be extracted from locally used vehicles or may be locally re-manufactured with no standards. Why not invest in new parts and cars with warranties after your exhaustive research?

Living in low-budget areas with bad roads and buying expensive cars: [/b]the line of thinking of individuals like this may just be captured thus, ‘I don’t drive my home around with me’. Imagine owning a 2013 Toyota Camry and living in an area that frustrates even Mack trucks during intense rainfall?!

[b]Reducing fan speed to minimize fuel consumption during A/C(air-conditioner) operation: Once your A/C is on, your compressor is engaged and engine load is increased. It is this increment in engine load that leads to the higher fuel consumption you may experience. Altering fan-speed in no way affects fuel consumption; it may speed up use of your refrigerant by a little fraction, but it doesn’t affect fuel consumption.

Picking up officers to avoid penalties: I was in a danfo bus a few months ago and right in the front seat was a F.R.S.C official who sat beside a driver that was busy climbing all the pavements, driving on all possible road shoulders and literally flaunting the fundamental rules of sensible driving. Clearly because the official who was tagged as a ‘staff’ didn’t pay the fare for the trip; hence, wasn’t obliged or in a position to take punitive actions against the danfo driver. The funny irony here is a few months down the line if the same official is on duty along the road, he will chase the same driver for the same offence he overlooked right under his nose.

Are you guilty of committing any of these funny acts? Share your thoughts and stop clowning!
http://autobaseafrica.com/funny-things-nigerian-motorist-do-to-save-money/

bimbor:
You got mail.

Just replied.

bimbor:
Thanks for the advice, handy they are I must say.
But let me ask, are you an automobile engineer? Where is you workshop located? Can you drop your contact details for ease of reach?
Can you scan vehicles and fix the error codes?
Which cars do you specialise in?

@bimbor, thanks for your feedback. By training i am an automotive engineer but i don't own a workshop or get directly involved in fixing cars, however, by virtue of being an automobile writer and researcher, i get involved in a lot of vehicle maintenance and fixing activities in Nigeria. If you own an automobile business and you require professional business services like business development, business planning etc, i can help. As for real car maintenance for a few brands i can give you referrals that can deliver. email:info@penandcrank.com or call 07035010529. Hope this helps, thanks.

Do you know your driving and maintenance basics well? You don’t need to be an encyclopedia of all the technical jargons with regards to automobiles for you to adequately take care of your car. All you really need are basic details to forestall vehicle breakdown and significantly cut down expenses in the course of owning a vehicle. This e-book is a very handy tool in accomplishing a good level of comprehension of why cars are made the way they are and also the right way to drive and maintain them.

Before you dig deeper into specific vehicle brands or your car make, you need a holistic overview of what cars are really about; this e-book series will help you do just that. Representation of basic and complex details couldn’t come easier than in A, B, C………

Read on and stay glued to our automotive-IQ series; one e-book for every month!

Follow this link to download :http://autobaseafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/motoring-essentials-e-book.pdf

Do you know your driving and maintenance basics well? You don’t need to be an encyclopedia of all the technical jargons with regards to automobiles for you to adequately take care of your car. All you really need are basic details to forestall vehicle breakdown and significantly cut down expenses in the course of owning a vehicle. This e-book is a very handy tool in accomplishing a good level of comprehension of why cars are made the way they are and also the right way to drive and maintain them.

Before you dig deeper into specific vehicle brands or your car make, you need a holistic overview of what cars are really about; this e-book series will help you do just that. Representation of basic and complex details couldn’t come easier than in A, B, C………

Read on and stay glued to our automotive-IQ series; one e-book for every month!

Follow this link to download : [url]http://ow.ly/CUHrz [/url]

oblo:
When we say German machines are the best some go dey throw used oil ..i dey come..





.m....

you can say that again and again.

How good is your engine and gearbox? That’s always the first question that springs up in ascertaining the current state of any vehicle, because replacing vehicle engines or gearboxes are relatively expensive and tasking procedures. Selection of the best auto-technician for such a complex activity isn’t merely about how experienced a mechanic might be, as one has to consider several other factors before taking the next step to cash-in on these replacement automobile systems.

If you find yourself in this dilemma, the earlier you work/walk your way out of the situation the better for you and your vehicle. In doing this you need to keep an open mind in considering various options or alternatives because fixing the vehicle may not always be the right decision, just as trading in your vehicle without any fix may just be ill-advised. However the case may be, ensure you digest these spelt out rules which I have coined from my years of involvement in several engine and gearbox swaps.

Establish the need: A faulty or improperly matched spark plug for instance, can frustrate a vehicle owner to the point that he/she will rather hit the road to get by with public transportation. Such a seemingly minute engine anomaly is enough to trigger thoughts of swapping your engine especially if your current mechanic isn’t helping out in correctly diagnosing the real problem- making the possibility of your engine’s revival seem hopeless. Bottom-line, if it ever gets to the point where all fingers point in the direction of changing relatively expensive engines or gearboxes, endeavor to carry-out an independent verification process. In doing this be on the look-out for very specific problem areas and/or faulty components which form part of your entire engine or gearbox. Also ensure exhaustive analysis and tests our carried out with the right tools and methodologies in arriving at these conclusions.

Identify the cause of component failure: after confirming the faulty engine or gearbox component that necessitates a total engine or gearbox swap, you have to find out and understand what first led to this component(s) damage. There are several reasons why this is necessary; however the most important reason you need this information handy is to ensure you don’t find yourself back in the same situation a few months down the line. The commonest reason most mechanics recommend an engine swap is because of damaged engine blocks while in the case of automatic gearboxes, bad internal gears tops the list of defects capable of damaging the entire system. In these cases mentioned above, the underlying cause of failure is most likely plain neglect or age-related issues. So beneath all the mechanic jargons, you need to understand your actions or inactions that may have led to the damage of such a significant vehicle system.

Asides gathering relevant information to forestall a reoccurrence, you need this piece if information for the next step.

Do the math: should I fix the vehicle or sell it off?

[Average market value of your car (Nigerian used) – True value of your car] = X

If the cost of fixing this vehicle or carrying out the capital replacement is close to or is more than the derived value of X, it is advisable to sell off the vehicle the way it is to salvage as much as you can. The only reason you should go ahead to fix is only if there is a slight chance of you selling the vehicle off at a fair price with all systems functional or if you need the vehicle for keeps.

Research and carry out independent price comparison: don’t just rely on the pricing from one dealer or mechanic even if you have made up your mind about who to buy from (because you trust their products or have a strong referral), having this information helps in bargaining the final price of the engine or gearbox. So don’t hesitate to head to the market.

Trust your chosen mechanic/dealer (you have no choice): don’t make the grave mistake of buying from A and fixing with mechanic B. If you buy from dealer A, ask for him to suggest a trusted hand for you. But if u choose to go through a mechanic, simply don’t concern yourself about where and how he gets the engine or gearbox.

Negotiate well: try to get some form of guarantee for the post-fix condition of your vehicle. Some mechanics/dealers give between a 2week to a 6month guarantee. Also try and establish the mechanisms by which such guarantees will hold.

After the fix test EXTENSIVELY!!!

Re-schedule/plan your vehicle maintenance: after all the tests, if your vehicle is certified okay, proceed to planning your vehicle maintenance; get your mechanic involved in this planning as much as possible.

In conclusion, this is one situation no one would love to be in- unless you are an automobile enthusiast who loves reviving old vehicles. This stamps the need to invest time and efforts into proper vehicle maintenance.

http://autobaseafrica.com/8-rules-for-replacing-engines-or-gearboxes-in-nigeria/

still waiting for other diverse views on this matter #hornfreeday

it is rather unfortunate that instead of the Lagos state government to focus its energies to address other key issues surrounding vehicle pollution, they would rather spend resources on shallow campaigns that have little developmental effects.

So much rave has surrounded this remarkable German machine as it hits a tremendous milestone of undiluted class and ruggedness. Mercedes-Benz is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the rugged G-Class wagon with a limited-edition model dubbed 35 Edition. The unveiling of this new stunner comes just a few days after Gunther Holtorf –a former manager at Lufthansa-wrapped up his world-wide adventure which began in 1988 with the same G-Wagon and the same engine which reads 890,000km. This feat will go down in history as his vehicle will be displayed in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.

According to leftlanenews.com, 2014 35 Edition G-wagon will be offered exclusively in black, white or gray with gloss black bumpers on both ends, blacked out headlights and five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels. Also, all models will come.

Other mouthwatering features will include a four-spoke AMG sport multi-function steering wheel, black Nappa leather on seats (also on door panels and the dashboard), Mercedes COMAND infotainment system and a standard Chrome Package.

Options for what you can get under the hood are the 3.0-liter diesel-burning V6 G350 BlueTEC which churns out 211 horsepower and 398 lb-ft. of torque or the more powerful G500 which packs a 5.5-liter V8 tuned powerhouse with top speed of 255km/hr capable of producing 387 hp and 390 lb-ft. torque. The diesel powered V6 engine is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and is capable of hitting 100km/hr in 9.1seconds.

The G350 BlueTEC will cost €101,031 (approximately $130,000) and the G500 will retail for €112,812 (roughly $145,000).

http://autobaseafrica.com/benz-celebrates-35th-anniversary-of-the-g-wagon-as-gunther-holtorf-completes-a-26year-world-tour-with-the-same-g-wagon/

According to several news reports and publicity efforts of the Lagos state ministry of information and strategy, today, October 15th has been set aside as ‘horn free day’. An effort aimed at sensitizing Lagosians on the need to reduce noise pollution from blaring of vehicle horns, as well as improving lane discipline (while driving) and fundamentally, drawing motorists’ attention to the importance of road discipline and mutual respect for other road users.

This is a highly welcome move to address an apparent issue Lagos faces owing to its high population of over 20million people and its reoccurring vehicular congestion along major roads across the city. But from a more holistic stand-point, this is an untidy effort to address just one of the few issues that has resulted from the root cause of noise pollution, which is a fusion of several societal problems and the failure of a few existing institutions and regulatory systems.

The irony of noise pollution in Lagos: Have you sat down at the last row of the popular ‘Danfo’ bus in motion? If you have, you will agree with me that blaring horns is hardly the crux of the matter when it comes to noise pollution by vehicles. Industrial and domestic generators are also more profound sources of noise pollution than vehicles. But how can we truly ascertain this when our regulatory bodies do little in actively and accurately capturing environmental pollution (by vehicles) data in Nigeria? Where there is no clear and fool-proof mechanism to capture key vehicle use data it seems very much misplaced to try spearheading a campaign to curb noise just from vehicle horns, when in reality more noise is generated from dozens of poorly maintained vehicle engines that contribute to air and noise pollution in Lagos.

Also, If only adequate measures are taken to monitor and control the kind of drivers that find their way unto Nigerian roads, maybe horn blaring would not have been too much of an issue in the first instance. This further elevates the need for the driver licensure system to be re-addressed and improved on.

Emissions (owing to burning fossil fuels) and solid waste mismanagement are the real threats not noise: as poor waste management (especially having clogged drainage paths) affects the quality and life span of roads. When you have horrendous traffic conditions owing to light showers earlier in the day, it’s only natural and very humanly to let some steam off by exerting the remaining energy in you on your steering wheel at the slightest provocation- hence, why road rage in Lagos is quite a normal occurrence. Not to mention the current wave of floods in Asia and Europe which shows how badly hit economies can be if averting flood isn't made a priority.

What the Lagos state government should however be commended for is spearheading an annual initiative, which amongst other things has gotten writers like myself to research and make meaningful suggestions based on the reality in Lagos and what the masses rightly expect of the government. Based on the challenges the state government clearly faces in managing the various forms of pollution owing to vehicle use, rather than spending resources on the campaign for reduction of noise pollution from vehicle horns ,other campaigns worth considering that will have far-reaching effects are:

-Clear your car error codes/check engine notification day

-Vehicle emission control day

-Don’t Lither Lagos roads campaign day

Basically, we should be a lot more creative in seeking lasting solutions and supporting campaigns of these kind with the necessary legislations and feasible plans with profound private sector participation. A remarkable example of this is the successfully implemented and fairly sustained BRT bus system in Lagos which clearly in several ways has reduced the number of vehicles on Lagos roads; hence the pollution (noise and air) levels from vehicles collectively.

[b]On a final note, [/b]I am not trying to stamp the impression that noise pollution isn't an issue that needs to be addressed; rather the glaring point made here is that government really should participate in campaigns aimed at addressing what affects the larger chunk of the masses the most; such that can truly make a change. Also in question here are the mechanisms for coming up with public campaigns of these kind and why government should desist from shallow efforts all to make Lagos Metropolis seem more like a global and modern city.

http://autobaseafrica.com/why-the-october-15th-horn-free-day-in-lagos-may-not-be-memorable/

Nigeria is one country that hugely depends on imported spare-parts (more than 95% of automobile spare-parts are imported according to the Standard organization of Nigeria, SON), hence the volume of locally manufactured car parts is almost negligible owing(partly) to the highly vibrant automobile retail market here in this West-African business hub. The Nigerian automobile spare-part market could be categorized into 6 firm sub-divisions which comprises of O.E.M (Original equipment manufacturer) parts, Fake O.E.M parts, Original After-market parts, Fake After-market parts, Foreign-used/salvaged parts and locally(illegally)re-manufactured parts.

This broad categorization of the automobile spare-part sub-set of the Nigerian automobile industry is the regrettable condition which local motorists find themselves today which not only is a bane to the automobile industry but also to the Nigerian government at large.

But on a deeper thought, the demand for these products and the sustainability of this poorly structured spare-parts retail industry sub-set is a direct evidence of common economics of demand and supply; meaning the importation or re-manufacturing of the parts must have been prompted by a clear demand or a summation of factors which makes it profitable business for these ugly classes of spare-parts dealers and even more difficult for honest dealers that do business the right way.

The options we have today didn’t just spring up overnight! It took years to evolve to becoming the complex industry as we have today; but who is to blame? As expected we know it is the responsibility of the government and its agencies to combat this type of menace and to put in place proper moderation of this vibrant industry, but let’s not shy away from the root cause of the problem which is the demand for sub-standard car products by a substantial chunk of the Nigerian motoring populace. This points back to you and me, as we must have knowingly or unknowingly instigated an ugly norm which will take years to fix; but for the time being, how have you been part of the problem? Below are how you may have been part of the problem especially in relation to mechanics.

Ripping off mechanics: many motorists fail to recognize that these hard-working individuals depend on their daily income from getting under the hood, getting dirty under sun, tinkering with complex mechanisms or providing timely solutions etc, to feed their families and stay in business. So when you fail to pay them what they feel they rightly deserve, it’s only natural for them to come up with fraudulent means of raking in their money. One easy way they achieve this is by charging you a marked-up value of the estimated price(s) of original spare-parts and eventually buying the sub-standard product(s)-meaning they end up making money from the mark-up and the balance from the purchased fake part. A dissatisfied mechanic can go to any length to get his money back so be wise and considerate when bargaining.

Unrealistic economy:which leads to under-budgeting for certain procedures to be carried out on your car. An example is budgeting #50,000 for the complete replacement of your tyre set (4pieces) and expecting good tyres at the end of the day or blaming the mechanic for being a rip-off 12months down-the-line. The number 7 nugget will further elaborate on the importance of prior investigation before carrying out car maintenance procedures.

Outright suggestions: some of us are masters when it comes to cutting to the chase. A typical Nigerian mechanic village is one funny place where you will find weird operations like ‘welding drive-shafts’ or ‘welding broken suspension components’; if in doubt why not ask a road-side mechanic for a quick fix on any car issue and see the many overwhelming options he/she will come up with-but that I wouldn't advice, just saying! Some motorist have their wonder mechanics which they came about via their friendship network, so when a problem comes up is an issue of suggesting to the mechanic to simply ‘do with he did to Andrew’s car’.

Not following up claims: most of us are too busy to pay attention to details that concern our cars. A speed-thirsty friend of mine surprisingly changed the way he drives and maintained moderate speeds on this particular short-trip. This prompted me asking why he switched his driving style, in response he said, ‘when you get a bill of #24,000 for replacement of shock-absorbers one just has to pipe-low’. I went further to ask him if he got a new or used set of shock-absorbers, and to my amazement he said he couldn't tell; but then I remembered its Christmas! Most Nigerians can be overly trusting, lazy and laid-back, this makes it easy for them to be ripped off. If mechanics know for sure that their clients don’t double-check, it means its business as usual and they can purchase any type of spare-parts and fix it.

No prior investigation: very few take out time to investigate the true prices of quality spare-parts, the right vendors, the expected life-span of spare-parts and other associated factors which could help avert buying the wrong products or paying high for fake products. Most of us don't even know when we have been cheated months down the line, but the truth is when motorist take out time to be informed, they make it difficult for fraudulent retailers to thrive and this will definitely discourage this awful trend.

No or little Vehicle knowledge: it may come as a surprise but some city dwellers feel it’s normal to swap brake-pads on a monthly basis. The need for enough motoring knowledge can never be overemphasized as this serves as the basis for choosing the right mechanic, selecting the correct spare-parts to use and how best to extend the useful lives of our car parts(also easily identifying a fake part). Having fair vehicle knowledge hugely depends on your level of interest about cars.

Not double-checking referrals: some of us stick with mechanics or spare-part vendors because we got the link from our trusted friends or colleague. It’s no news that depending solely on referrals isn't fool-proof when it comes to avoiding rip-offs. Ensure you use the information you gather from your prior (independent) investigations to serve as a basis for the assessment of the set of individuals you intend entrusting your vehicle to.

To wrap up this article, take note of the fact that it took a misguided collective effort to get to where we are today; hence the only way forward to reverse this imbalance is to collectively tackle the root problem by changing the way we take care of our cars and deal with issues concerning our cars.

http://autobaseafrica.com/how-nigerians-encourage-sub-standard-car-spare-parts/

The luxury battle in the U.S. has always been between BMW, Lexus, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Up until 2011, Lexus was the top selling luxury brand in the U.S before being displaced by BMW. However, according to recent sales data, Mercedes’ U.S. sales increased by as much as 14% representing a total of 312,534 units in 2013 beating BMW to first place by as much as 3,254 units.

From all indications this trend is here to stay for a while as Mercedes-Benz has not been relenting in their efforts to clinch substantial market share by introducing completely new vehicle models like the all-new A-Class, CLA Class, GLA Class etc, with relatively lower price tags and more appeal to younger buyers. In addition to the recent strategic moves by Mercedes-Benz, we are still expecting the all-new 2015 C-Class this year and also the impressive sales record of the all-new entry-level CLA sedan which racked up a respectable 12,000 units during its four months in the market are clear indicators.

According to leftlanenews.com, the President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA affirmed that 2013 was an incredible year for Mercedes-Benz in every way and he went further to add that, ”we saw record sales, flexed our muscles across the entire product line from top to bottom and brought the customer experience to an all-time high. With the help of our dealer partners and the entire organization behind us, we expect this beautifully choreographed series of product debuts to lead us to another phenomenal year in 2014.”

Other sales data include; Toyota’s Lexus brand selling 273,847units and Audi hitting 158,061 vehicles in 2013.

http://autobaseafrica.com/mercedes-benz-is-winning-the-luxury-battle/

Its either not bathing with the right soap to extract enough dirt from your body or d moist of the towel which attracts dust&dirt.

I secretly hope this marks the end of ASUU.Every political element seriously needs to be exhumed from these our dead institutions;Autonomy and active private participation is the only way forward.Government and universities need to be sincere for this to happen.

Ever been stranded on the road with a flat tyre just because you couldn’t unscrew your wheel nuts? An assured way to prevent your wheel nuts from stiffening is to rotate your tyres periodically. It sounds strange but it happens all the time and at such moments even muscles and abs can’t save you. But truly there are other reasons you need to rotate your tyres in the first place, as one thing is for sure; you can’t totally control the wearing pattern of the grooves on your tyres.

Wheel rotation simply involves alternating the position of your tyres on a periodic basis to avoid abnormal wearing pattern of tyres. Wheel rotation is a perfect do-it-yourself activity that affords you the opportunity to even visually examine components like brakes, suspension and hubs which lie beneath the car. Below is just a sample of a wheel rotation pattern.

But don’t rotate your wheels with the expectation that it’s all that is required for you to avoid abnormal tyre wear. Other supplementary means of achieving this are:

1)Maintaining proper wheel geometry by aligning your wheels when due-which largely depends on the state of steering and suspension components.

2)In addition to maintaining proper wheel geometry, you also need to balance each tyre when due to minimize avoidable vibrations and high rolling resistance of tyres.

3) Maintaining proper tyre inflation pressure

4)The other way around this is your driving habit which includes the frequency of harsh braking, manner of negotiating corners and how and where you park your car.

In précis correct wheel geometry cuts down the chances of your tyres wearing too differently and abnormally; tyre rotation can be said to be the icing on the cake as it equalizes wear across the entire set of wheels. So do this according to your car manufacturer’s specifications –likely within 7,000km to 24,000km range-and have a sweet ride.

Just like you have to reset your trip meter after oil change, some cars might require you to reset a special tire-rotation timer to a prior state to help your car’s system notify you when next your tyres are due for rotation.
http://autobaseafrica.com/hidden-benefits-of-wheel-rotation/

With a base price pinned at $218,500, the 2014 Bentley Continental GTC is clearly for the heavy pockets and for those that don’t mind just a little more attention than usual. This exquisitely built convertible comes powered with a 12cylinder (VV12) engine capable of producing 567 horsepower at 6,000 rpm with its 6litres capacity. Another engine option is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 (cylinder deactivation is also available as the Continental GT V8 S).

But that’s just a scratch in describing this wholly customizable Bentley; as the ZF-built eight-speed automatic transmission is mated to a permanent all-wheel-drive system which makes it possible to hit the 100km/hr mark in 4.4secs.

As every modern car, this Bentley comes with LED lighting rings around the headlamps which serves as both an aesthetic and functional feature. This adds to the famous styling and distinct curves of this GTC-especially the front and rear fender extensions off the body. Other peculiar features are underbody panels and acoustic glass which blocks off extraneous outside noise as much as possible.

The interior, expectedly made of class comes with a weather-treated fabric and the seats are equipped with a Shiatsu massaging function. Other interior effects like the entertainment make-up include; a butstandard audio system with 30 GB of storage space and an eight-inch touchscreen display. This interior rides on four-link double wishbones and this suspension make-up has self-leveling dampers for ride quality control which can be varied to comfort or sport modes. A 21-inch wheel is responsible for moving this GTC.

This Bentley Continental GTC oozes class and affluence but have it at the back of your mind that you don’t get all these goodies off the shelf.
http://autobaseafrica.com/2014-bentley-continental-gt-convertible/

Holla

Still waiting......holla.....07035010529

good deal, great price call 07035010529

By Akan Inyang.

Nigeria undoubtedly has the potential to be the world’s most vibrant automobile manufacturing hub. The frustrated efforts of the past may have eluded the Nigerian automobile industry from growing at the pace of the global auto-scene; but nonetheless, there are lessons ought to have been learnt from the past. In as much as there is a pressing need to create more jobs through automotive industrialization, what really drives this industry is a ready market (willing buyers of manufactured products) and also for this to be sustained, there has to be fair competition.

Taking our minds back to 1998-2002 or slightly before then, I am very sure a few rugged, yet locally produced set of buses that will come to mind are Mercedes Benz 1414 and 1418 commuter buses produced by ANAMMCO (Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company Limited). According to an old worker of this firm, during the peak periods of active assembly, up to 900 of these buses were produced annually. But unfortunately these buses are now a thing of the past because overtime their body designs were not improved upon and hence couldn’t compete with better options loaded with more passenger comfort packages and larger load compartments. It pains me to see Marcopolo, Irizar, Tata and the rest of them flooding our city and inter-state routes when we had buses we should have improved upon; but this is a clear example of how far government funds can go in pushing a non-competitive product to the open market and creating false jobs in the process. So what is a guaranteed option to make sure the Nigerian automobile industry is sustainable now and in the near future? Starting small!

According to SON (Standard organization of Nigeria) more than 95% of automobile spare-parts are imported and also we still have utility automobiles like mini-garbage dispensers (TATA), tricycles (keke-napep) and motorcycles(okada) still imported and assembled. As it stands now, it’s ill-advised to be looking big by talking about passenger car manufacture because we still have pressing issues with our standards control and price moderation. Starting small has many benefits, one of which is building ‘investors’ character’ and making them adapt to creating highly marketable products primarily based on the core needs of the Nigerian automobile market which is very advanced even with our deficient industry.

Why this approach is necessary is because we don’t want an industry that will be wholly reliant on government funds to cover up avoidable losses overtime. So what am I suggesting categorically? Instead of increasing tariffs on fairly used imported vehicles, why not completely ban the importation of small automobiles- which can easily be manufactured locally based on the industry’s current capacity- and also raise tariffs for imported spare-parts as a sure way to force OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and after-market parts producers to set-up industries for their products that already have a huge demand. Besides it’s much easier checkmating standards of locally produced parts because from the manufacturing processes and quality control in place, one can predict what the final product will look like.

Also we ought to be seeing more strategic tariff regimes like the earlier approved 0% import tariff for CKD (completely knocked down) components of mass transit buses with a minimum capacity of up to 40seats which unfortunately, more than 5years down the line , Ashok Leyland buses (which local assembly began in 2011) used for the BRT (bus rapid transit) scheme in Lagos haven’t really improved to take advantage of such waivers. This makes me wonder how and when they plan to compete and go mainstream.

To take this analysis a little further, here is a more structured breakdown of the many benefits of starting small, growing strong and steadily:

1) It’s easier to get investors: if only the entry barriers are eliminated through enforcing the right policies to support industries manufacturing smaller products which will end up creating more jobs and a sustainable industry. Just like GSM in Nigeria, the operators won’t complain much about power because they are making profit to comfortably offset their operating costs.

2) Strengthening after-sales support delivery in Nigeria: which currently is really poor and can even be a threat to any emerging industry if not well in place. I’d rather buy a locally produced shock-absorber with warranty rather than buy imported KYB shocks with no transferred warranty; that’s if I manage to get the original KYB shocks. This is because there is a locally existing company to hold responsible when things go wrong.

3) Lower entry risks with ready market: [/b]because many fear government policies may not be in their favour when government changes hands. But with the right policies (early) in place, companies can survive even if the subsequent government turns its back on them because they have Nigeria’s teeming market behind them.

4) [b]Don’t forget our neighbours look up to us: like Benin,Togo, Cameroun, Niger etc, are import driven economies which remain a huge market potential; the smart thing to do is to leverage on this market by exporting.

5) Taking out time to set-up more checkmating policies: because Nigeria has peculiar problems and we need to under-study the industry as it grows. For example, who ever imagined years back that accident vehicles from US would be a huge business and problem to Nigeria today? Starting big means having to shoulder bigger problems that will definitely crop up.

6) Creating cheaper future supply chain: which is key for any mass production facility seeking to optimize profits and with this in place, Nigeria will be attractive to more robust investments in the future.

7) More strategic tariff regimes can be rolled-out: partly based on segment performance and other industry indicators as the industry steadily grows instead of making policies based on inaccurate and faulty future projections and analysis.

Kick-starting recycling and Re-manufactured spare-parts business:because Nigeria-which unfortunately is a third world nation-probably has enough scrap to kick-start an entire auto-industry. Recycling is big business, for example Renault trucks offer REMAN spare-parts as a standard after-sales option and rethreaded tyres are safe to use as well.

I want to use this medium to encourage more investments in the local manufacturing of spare-parts and the provision of standard after-sales support because you can’t go wrong offering quality services for a product there is already a demand for in Nigeria. Also the government of the day should desist from this top-to-bottom approach and ensure a truly sustainable automobile industry via truly favourable policies.

source: http://autobaseafrica.com/nigeria-auto-industry-needs-to-start-small/

Great deal, just cleared from Apapa.

Why you have to buy this Sienna:
-Neat black coloured Sienna ideal for inter-state transport.
- Approximately 112,000 mileage with in built DVD player.
-Equipped with 3.5l V6 engine and fabric interior.
-Clean title
-Just cleared from Lagos port in September,2013
-Smooth drive and non-accident-ed
http://autobaseafrica.com/automobile-center-buy-sell-carsbusesetc/show-ad/48/1999-toyota-sienna-1-25m/lagos/anthony/nigeria/buses-vans/

WHy buy this sweet looking Odyssey?
-Equipped with very powerful yet economical V6 engine
-Very roomy interior
-Clean title with low mileage
-Just cleared from Lagos port in November,2013
-Smooth drive and non-accidented
-Highly durable 1999 Model with new body design

http://autobaseafrica.com/automobile-center-buy-sell-carsbusesetc/show-ad/47/1999-honda-odyssey-1-3m/lagos/anthony/nigeria/buses-vans/

Contact Akan
Phone: 07035010529
Location: Anthony/Ibafo, Nigeria

In reality the true penalty for getting distracted while driving is way beyond a fine of #30,000 when caught (in Lagos, Nigeria); in some fatal cases, it may be too late to argue whether you deliberately got distracted or not. Bottom-line, according to the Highway Code (which is an FRSC publication) the more distracted you get behind the wheel, the lower your thinking time and also your reaction time.

Statistics show that major causes of accidents are linked with drivers’ negligence and over-speeding; without a doubt, distracted driving falls under this unfortunate canopy. Nigeria is a country where the recorded number of road mishaps have led to the death of 64,083 people over 10 years from 2001-2011(FRSC). These alarming figures further point to the fact that vehicle owners/drivers have a huge responsibility and could play a role to abate these gruesome statistics.

So what is SPAMPOLL? A smart acronym which can come very handy to cut down personal driver distraction. Below is a breakdown of each letter which represent a nugget you should take to heart.

Stay focused: when behind the wheel this isn't an option, you just have to be 100% focused on driving your vehicle from your home to your destination and back. Why this point comes before the ‘plan ahead’ nugget is because there is no point planning to drive if you know concretely well that you are not fit to drive. We all go through instances of emotional turmoil or maybe just plain depression and people react differently during times like these; some may take it badly or mildly, which ever the case ensure you are psychologically/mentally fit to drive before even planning your trip ahead.

Plan ahead: for music lovers like myself, even when I am to be driven, I ensure I select the combination of CDs or tracks I plan on listening to a day before to ensure the least possible distraction. The same applies to fueling, necessary daily car checks, route selection etc. Basically align your driving with your set goals you plan achieving for the day or week.

Avail yourself of convenient technology: The very fast era we live in is quite demanding, and as it seems, truly busy folks always need to communicate whether by making calls or by texting most of the time, even whilst driving. However the truth is if you feel you fall into the category of very busy individuals simply get an extra help; which may come in form of a personal driver or a cheaper mobile solution such as a hands-free medium. I feel quite stunned when I see people making/receiving calls using their hands while driving very expensive ‘full option’ cars they most likely paid a fortune for facilities like Bluetooth connectivity they never get to use. The same applies to other very features like seat massaging systems for lower stress levels, driver assist, the use of side mirrors etc.

Maintain your car as required: because without peace of mind you are bound to get distracted. Ensure you keep to maintenance schedules, service your engine when due, check your tyres occasionally and swap your brakes when worn out beyond permissible limits, among other maintenance practices.

Plan your route and know exactly where you are going: starting your trip late may even cause a level of anxiety which can really be a major source of distraction while driving. GPS enabled maps/direction solutions can go a long way to ensure you get around with ease; however, the guaranteed solution- in most cases practical - is trying as much as you can to have a clear idea of where you are headed and how you plan to get there. In congested cities with unpredictable traffic it’s advisable you always bear in mind options, peak traffic periods and traffic prone spots.

Observe: while driving ensure you take note of things happening around you, not forgetting the condition of your car! Is it jerking unusually? Or are the bumps having a harsh effect on you? Remember the earlier you spot a symptom the easier it is to solve the underlying problem and chances are that you have managed to eliminate a potential cause of distraction by getting your car fixed on time. Basically be sensitive!

Love your vehicle interior and keep it clean: because you don’t want to be in a rush to get out of your car. Make your vehicle your safe haven and an ideal comfort zone and you can be sure to keep your distraction levels low.

Love yourself: Nigerian spare-part dealers in their defense say that they provide mostly low quality stock because of the immediate market needs which are Nigerian car owners seeking relatively cheap products. The truth here is some car owners can be very outrageous in making cost comparisons in a bid to get the lowest prices in their zestful bargains. If you truly love yourself you should know that quality services and products will definitely come with a higher price tag; just take out time to find the right/genuine source(s) of parts you know you will need and the right mechanics or service centers to deal with.

Cutting down driver distraction is roughly more than 85% of the driver's responsibility, the remaining 15% is dependent on what the road offers. Either way, be adequately prepared and informed before stepping hard on your pedal.

http://autobaseafrica.com/how-to-cut-down-driver-distraction/

Women’s greatest fear behind the wheel may just happen to be the blaring horns of heavy trucks trying to find their way past other motorist, but in reality this should be the least worry of the average lady folk that owns and drives her vehicle. There are several other aspects women need to pay more attention to like swapping those CV-joints when broken to avoid being stranded in the middle of the express (when your front wheel drive is totally disabled) or servicing engines when due. Basically women need to give ears to the concerns of their cars and get actively involved.

This can be achieved by first knowing a few valuable points about your car, how it should be treated and advantages you have as a lady driver. Being a female driver has it perks but women need to understand that a car is a responsibility and a liability. Below are a few pointers to help you become a better female driver.

Have your digital gauge handy: You don’t want to encounter flat tyres, hence, you need to be very consistent in monitoring your tyres. Asides pressure checks endeavour to examine the physical state of your tyres. But if your tyre gets flat along the road, be calm and simply play nice; don’t act as if it’s a taboo for a lady to get a little dirty; if you find a helping hand, assist in every way possible and cheer your hero at that moment.

Your car is your responsibility: take part in documenting, choosing the right mechanic, taking maintenance schedules seriously and most importantly; drive with care.

Get involved or get ripped off: if any mechanic is unco-operative steer clear such; it’s that simple! Auto-mechanics feel women are much easier to take advantage of and unfortunately in most cases they do. The only way out of this is taking out time to choose a good mechanic preferably within your proximity, ask the right questions and seek the best solutions.

Your Car isn't an accessory: so don’t pet it too much! Hit the freeway every once in a while and dare to overtake those intimidating trucks without a care. Driving along expressways with speeds above 100km/hr for an extended time-frame fosters hydrodynamic lubrication which is good for your moving engine parts.

Don’t be on the wrong side of the law: women or lady drivers are generally perceived to be more careful drivers and this singular factor keeps them at the bottom of most law enforcement officers' prey-list. Nonetheless, this shouldn't be an excuse to abuse this privilege.

Be a D-I-Yer: pick up interest in at least one DIY (do-it yourself) automobile practice. In as much as the D-I-Y curve has declined over the years owing to manufacturing complexities, it’s advisable that women find passion in at least an area of taking care of their vehicles. This goes a long way in grooming a sense of responsibility and improved interest in motoring affairs besides, here in Nigeria we have successful female mechanics like Sandra Ekperouh, hence, getting your palms a little greasy isn't an impossible feat. Areas worth considering are wheel rotation, brake pad swapping, detailing/carwash, oil/filter changing etc.

Be extra safety conscious: thieves and robbers perceive women as easy targets-in most cases they are. Be very wary of hawkers especially at night and stay vigilant. Avoid putting yourself in a compromising position and avoid flashing your gadgets even when you are not in the car; this equally applies to the male folks.

Emerge above the mediocre curve: surprise your mechanic with a few auto-vocabulary and you can be sure to earn even a quarter of his/her respect. With that said, women need to embrace their vehicle manual which shouldn't be perceived as yet another boring secondary school textbook you can sure do without.

Give your car a girly touch: much as there might be a few disadvantages making it glaring that your vehicle is a mobile female territory, it’s always worthwhile creating a female-themed interior or choosing girly paint-jobs etc. Some of the perks you are bound to enjoy are; male drivers being more tolerant, having it much easy with law enforcing officers and generally driving with relatively lower stress levels owing to your glaring identity. Being a lady rocks all the time I guess!

Take advantage of the relative higher re-sale value of your car: finally when you have to part ways with your car, announce your presence during the transactions and be involved as much as you can. Here in Nigeria, most salesmen into trading-in and re-selling of locally used cars would gladly lie about the ownership of the vehicles they are trying to sell because of the ease of marketing vehicles used by women which are generally assumed to be neatly and more carefully used.

Take advantage of these few nuggets and become a better female driver.
http://autobaseafrica.com/what-women-need-to-know-about-their-cars/

GSKing:
Mumbo Jumbo!!! What else could you have written anyways? Your thoughts should never ever serve as a basis for conclusions and generalization!

When you're done with proper research, log back in and modify your post... Mr op.

That's the way it is in most cases in Nigeria,most Nigerian guys assume crappy things to justify their personal lack of guts to approach women they admire.So please stop beating yourself up cos nothing about the post will be altered.

Etumgbe: Nairaland don finish. i remember when we joined nairaland, frontpage is always full with educative issues. now it is either tonto dike, beverly osu, oduah and co. anyway i am leaving nairaland now for good.

There is ALWAYS an educating angle for everything that happens around you.Am very sure women and ladies will find this useful.