₦airaland Forum

@Gazzuzz. Exactly. That's y Toyota recommends hybrids should only be towed as specified in one of the photos posted in the article.

INTRODUCTION
A lot of people, still wonder if hybrid cars can be used for long journeys, as against their conventional counterparts(full petrol powered cars), considering the myths, associated with.

SOME OF SUCH MYTHS:

* Insufficient technical-know-how

*Those cars aren't reliable,

*Maintenance cost is high, and can cost a fortune trying to fix them.

*Might stall unexpectedly on a journey; and if you've got no knowledge of what's going on, you'd be frustrated.

Such myths doesn't hold water.

Achieving the best out of hybrid car, depends on a whole lots of factors, ranging from your driveability pattern; adhering to regular/scheduled maintenance regimen; understand the operational dynamics of a hybrid car, etc.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR HYBRID CAR STALLS WHILE IN A JOURNEY?

One of the myths people have with hybrid cars is that they've heard people say, the car would someday stall when you're driving.

Hybrid cars, won't just stall suddenly, without giving the vehicle operator, some salient warning signs, such as the CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. In some instances, such lights may not lit on the dashboard.

Trouble codes displayed on a car's dashboard and computer system(ECU), are usually not taken seriously on this part of the world.

Some car owners, prefer driving the car, with such trouble codes (faults), not minding the consequences of their actions. They would rather prefer to vehicle breakdown, and a diagnostic tool required for scanning, before they take action.

OK! Enough of all this talk Joseph (I'm talking to myself here now. Sorry, I'm just kidding.)

This is what you'd do in such an instant you stacked somewhere around Lagos-Ibadan Express Way, or somewhere along Maiduguri-Kano Road.

1. If the car suddenly stalls on the highway, or you're stack in the middle of the road, try with help from people around, to get it off the road. That singular act, first and foremost, protects your LIFE, and your safeguards your precious hybrid car.

2. Try starting the car, if it's a stop button Prius, or Camry. This you achieve, by pressing the START BUTTON twice.
This is what you see displayed on the dashboard:


¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶
"READY" Light
¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶

CASES

#. READY light comes ON. Suggests the hybrid system is already activated, and the vehicle can be driven.

#. READY light doesn't come ON. Suggest the hybrid system isn't activated yet; and sometimes, when the READY light comes on, it BLINKS, before going off, depicting a fault in the hybrid system (hybrid battery, inverter/converter assembly, service plug, any of the hybrid system relays, frame wires and insulations, etc).


YOUR TEMPORARY FIX

Remember, I said "your temporary fix". This is just a remedy, to take you away from an area you might consider a security risk, and straight to where proper attention could be given to the car, in terms of FIX.

∆∆∆ REMOVE THE (-ve) 12Volts battery terminal.

Removing the terminal, and allowing the car's hybrid ECU (computer) to reset itself, temporarily fix the issue.
The vehicle can be driven, depending on the severity of the fault, before the conditions upon which the fault is triggered is met.

For instance, if the fault comes on only when the car reaches a certain operating condition such as 2475RPM, the car can be driven before that revolution is reached to a safe area for repairs.

Remember the VW software defeat cheat device scandal last year?
Your actions while removing one of the battery terminals depicts that.
Sorry guys, I'm not going to charge any of you to court, for your actions, as has being done to VW some days ago.
They were fined about $2.5billion for designing softwares that cheated on emissions testing.
This story is by the way though. Apologies, please.


2. Tow the car. Hybrid cars have a special way of being towed.
Below are some of the proper ways to tow your hybrid car, just in case you weren't able to start up the car.

The proper way of towing a hybrid car is shown in the figure below.
(Sourced from Camry Toyota manual, pages: 318-819)

PERMANENT FIX
Get the car inspected by a competent dealership, or an independent shop.

If you're someone good with tools, get the car scanned yourself, and move on with the repairs from there.



CONCLUSION
Driving a hybrid vehicle car, is much fun and exciting. But without its owner understanding the basics of the car, and following a regular/scheduled maintenance, and what to do if the car stalls on a highway, would easily turn the excitement in to a sour taste.


PS: Do not try a your hybrid car, with the CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM light ON.
Do not tow the car with all FOUR WHEELS on the floor(ground).
Towing it this way, would damage the hybrid system. Instead, ensure the towing van, lifts the front end of the hybrid car, while towing it.





Regards,
Joseph
08066643532(WhatsApp/call)

@paulavon. Hey brother! You French? Well, by the way, if it was working before as you said, probably the relay that controls the engine fan is faulty; or take a look at the circuitry at the fuse box panel at the hood(bonnet). You might an open circuit somewhere.

NB: The pic displayed was that of a Chevrolet Trans Sport we did fix.

@paulavon. You've for to tell your electrician to revert back to its factory status. He may argue and tell you, "Oga our weather de hot here, and oyibo own de cold. Keane am like that". Tell him, you just want it the way it was before. Shikenan.

PS: If I get you correctly, that means your car's cooling fans only comes on when the Ac system is switched ON. If you don't put it on, it means your engine might(overheats)? That means the fan's being controlled manually by you.?

@symbianDON. You're funny.

@sakalisis. Men, I like that name. How you enjoy the Christmas na?

@sunnymoore. You're right o! Gradually "killing" that car.

@paulavon. paulavon :

Should the radiator fan(s) be automatically be connected to the ignition system, such away that it comes on when the ignition system is ON? NO

Please I want you to explain the effect of this point,An Auto electrician did this in my car since then the sound changed and the fuel consumption became high. I drive a Toyota corolla sport.
No.

This is the reason y the sound changed. I want to believe you meant the sound of the engine(or fan?).
If its the fan, the fan is supposed to have a radiator fan ECU, or regulator, ....that works in consonance with the fan relays, engine coolant temperature sensor, and the engine thermostat.
When the operating temperatures of the engine exceeds a certain threshold, the ECU, in liaison with the engine coolant temperature sensor, commands the engine thermostat to open, thereby allowing in exchange of cold coolant from the outside, and the fan immediately comes on, intermittently. So, if your electrician has bypasses that protocol, there must be some issues along the circuit (electrical now), and not the fluid circuitry.

Effects of that bypass.

* increased noise, because the RPM of the Dan, has being increased, without any regulation, whatsoever.

* shorten fan lifespan. since the fan runs almost immediately the ignition. is turned to the ON position, the fan's bearings, undergo speedy rate of wearing. And that's the reason, you keep replacing fan(s) frequently.
The conservative cost of fan(s) is approximately 5k. So, do the math. If in a year, you replace that fan, you'll have spend 60k already. That's the price of an engine for some 2000s cars.
PS: You might be hearing a groaning kind of noise(maybe that's the noise you'd be referring to, I don't know), signaling the fan's bearing is about failing.

* excess fuel consumption. This is the dynamics.
Part of the reasons automakers endure those fans work or comes on, only when the engine temperature has gotten to a certain temperature, is to help conserve fuel, or simply put, like the Americans would say, ratchet up the fuel economy, is that at those times when the fan doesn't come in, and the temperature of the engine is at minimum, THERE ISN'T EXTRA LOAD PLACED on the ENGINE, and the ECU(car's computer), isn't commanding the injection system to supply in more fuel to compensate for the unusually high demand(load, from frequent fan running). If that system has being compromised, you already have EXTRA LOADS COMING FROM THE FREQUENT RUNNING OF THE FANS, AND THE CONSEQUENT GROANING NOISE FROM THEM, WHEN THE BEARINGS ARE ABOUT FAILING; the end result, would be POOR FUEL ECONOMY.

Hope this answers your questions.


@sulamanalex. Wasalam! What sort of car you looking to buy?

@daniska3yaro. Kai mallam! Na gode. Yaya wiki ne wai? Hope you understood what have just said "yaro"?

@AK47young. " beware!?" No shoot me o! hehehe


@unclezuma! I thought you even traveled to uncle's place? Emmmm, Pres Jacob Zuma na.

@ olaolulazo. Yes it does. If you know the history of that car already, and ... Basically, if you know the car's history, and maybe the operational dynamics of the previous owners.

@SymbianDON. Longest time. How's being the holiday? I hope you allowed the "spark"!, to ignite the celebration's combustion chamber(s)? Its an analogy though.

@Gazzuzz. I think the range is from 170...200k(inverter); battery pack 200K+

INTRODUCTION
The aim of this writeup is to help ratchet up the increased fuel economy, and the almost non existent maintenance cost associated with hybrid cars.
Hybrid cars, are generally known to reduce emissions, increased fuel savings, and a proportional reduction in maintenance costs.

Several factors have being attributed to poor fuel economy, and increased maintenance costs on hybrid and conventional cars. Factors such as battery deterioration, faulty engine management systems, driver driving habits, and tyre capacity pressures are but a few.

Below are some of the ways you could improve your car's fuel economy, and reduce maintenance cost.

1. Tire inflation.
Inflating your car's tires to the proper tire pressures, is key to achieving a better fuel economy. Knowing the proper tire pressure inflation capacity can be checked from your car's manual, or on the driver door panel(its stamped on it); or the tire pressure can be found on the sidewall of the tire. Some auto makers, recommend using same tire pressures on the front and rear tires.
An uninflated tire, would cause the tires to wear and tear, at at faster rate. This process, contributes to excess fuel consumption, and subsequently, would lead to the replacement of such tires. Safety is also at stake here.

2. Unnecessary loads/weights.
Adding unnecessary weights on a car, would definitely impact negatively on the fuel economy of the car.
Most car owners are fun of carrying unnecessary loads in their cars, such as old replaced car parts, that aren't useful any longer. Drop all replaced spare parts at your garage, or sale them as scrap.

Place or balance weights equally in the car's booth(you're trying to maintain equilibrium, in order to save fuel cost).

Excessive loads, puts more load on the hybrid system, causing greater fuel consumption.

3. Aggressive driving.
Hybrid cars aren't meant for aggressive kind of driving. They are mild vehicles, made for mild driving, and not jackrabbit approach.
Driving aggressively, exerts sudden strain on the hybrid system.
Practice to accelerate slowly and smoothly.

4. Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down.
Driving methods like that, wastes fuel.

5. Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking.
Try as much as possible to maintain a steady pace. That you can do, by timing the traffic signals so that you'll need to stop, as little as possible. Another way you could achieve this result is to look for alternative routes through streets, to avoid traffic lights, it gridlocks. Such driving pattern, would present prevent frequent braking, and this would reduce wear on the brakes.

6.Properly park the car.
When parking the car, ensure the transmission is in the P position, rather the N position. Allowing the car in the N position, even if the engine is running, the hybrid battery would be discharged, requiring that the hybrid battery would have to be running longer periods to recharge the battery.

7. Don't rest your foot on the brake pedal.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal, causes premature brake wear, overheating, and a poor fuel economy.

8. Avoid heavy traffics, if possible.

9. Maintain moderate speed on highways. Hybrids aren't driven like a conventional car, vis-à-vis heavy acceleration. The faster you drive the car, the greater the engine requests for more fuel consumption. By reducing your speed at a moderate speed, you'll cut down on fuel consumption.

10. Ensure the front wheels are in proper alignment.
Avoid entering potholes with speed. Slow down on potholes. Potholes, cause alignment problems, which in turn causes tires to wear faster, and also puts an extra load on the hybrid system, which correspondingly wastes fuel.

11. Ensure the Bottom of the car is free from mud. A mud free bottom, not only lessens weight, but also prevents corrosion.
Preventing corrosion is another benefits that saves you money on painting the car.

12. Adhere to preventive and scheduled maintenance regime.
If you want to increase fuel economy, and reduce maintenance costs, air filters, dirty spark plugs, improper valve clearance, brakes not adjusted, etc, should be given top priority. Managing replacement parts, would get you the desired fuel economy and maintenance cost reductions.


CONCLUSION
Achieving any of the targets above, and a lower operating costs, ensure all maintenance schedules are kept, and if you're driving in a severely dusty environment, see that your car receives more frequent maintenance checks and repair.




Regards,
Joseph
08066643532(WhatsApp/call)
Twitter: dw_nig

INTRODUCTION
Considering the economic situation globally, individuals and corporations, have opted for used cars(what Nigerians, call "Tokunbo", as a substitute for new ones. Though new cars, would afford you tremendous maintenance cost savings, and even ratchet up your status in the society, these benefits usually accrue to the owner, in the first 2-4years. After that, the car(s), becomes a frequent visitor to the workshop(its depreciation rate increases, the first day the car left the car lot). Because of the attendant costs of maintenance, and the embarrassment such cars would cause when they breakdown, individuals, and corporations dispose of these vehicles, before they gulp a " hole" in their financial savings.

In a bid to cash in to salvaging these kinds of vehicles, it would behoove you to note that some of these used cars, cone with almost the benefits attached to the new ones.
So, getting a used car, shouldn't be demeaning, if proper maintenance schedules are followed.

SOME BASIC CHECKS TO PERFORM ON A USED CAR
Despite the myth people have about imported used cars being perfectly in good condition, it should bore in mind that such cars have being used, and would require basic maintenance checks as follows:

1. FLUIDS REPLACEMENT

¶¶¶ Radiator/Inverter Converter System Coolants.
Depending on the mileage of vehicles, imported into the country, coolants in a car's cooling system, degrade with age, and mileage.
Coolants normally are always due for replacement, every two to three years. If they aren't replaced, the additives in them, tend to form sludge responsible for corrosions in radiators, and overheating.

¶¶¶ Transmission system
Transmission fluids in automatic and CVT (continuous variable transmission), helps such transmissions reduce frictional motions, and acts as coolants, in transferring heat from the internal components of the transmission. They reduce or prevent wear and tear, and also enhance fuel efficiency.
A dead, or poor quality transmission fluid in such system, would damage the system, if adequate checks are not carried out. Replacing such fluids saves you the cost of transmission failures and replacement in future.

¶¶¶ Brake system. Your car's brake systems consists of the salvo mechanism/master, pads, discs/drums/brake shoes(linings). Any of these components can be faulty, or might have failed, without the owner of the car realizing. Failure in any of these, could cause fatal accidents.
Ensure such components are checked before driving the car to your destination.

Brake fluids, like any other fluids, degrades also with usage.
Brake fluids not replaced as at when due, would wear out the rubber seals in the brake master, and salvo mechanism.

Perform a brake system flush. This service, flushes out all the old dark coloured brake fluids in the system, and replaces it with a fresh brake fluid. This way, brake application problems are avoided.
Remember, what causes your brake pedal to go straight down during application, are worn out brake master cylinder seals, and or seals in the calipers, or leaks.

2. BELTS REPLACEMENT

¶¶¶ Timing and drive belts. Belts are made from rubber materials, that degrade, with time as a result of usage, or expiry of the nylon materials used.
High mileage cars requires belt replacements. For instance, a worn, or brittle timing belt, as seen in some old modern vehicles, can cause engine damage(bent valves, and lose of power on motion, which could be fatal).
A note of caution in case your case timing belt, suddenly fails, do not crank the engine innumerable times. Request for the services of a tow truck, call a competent auto shop close by.
Timing belts, are normally replaced at 100000miles.
You can know if the timing belt of your used d car has being replaced from abroad.
A sticker is always stamped on the timing belt plastic cover, as seen in the Camry 98' and 2000 models(tiny light; that's what Nigerians call that car).
An unreplaced timing belt is a panacea for engine failure.
Choose preventive maintenance, than an emergency/outright replacement maintenance. That saves a lot of bucks people!

PS: Replacing timing belts are not easy tasks. Its a job that takes 3-6hours, depending on engine configuration, capacity, ergonomics, and skill level of the mechanic.

3. ELECTRICAL

¶¶¶Ensure the HORNS, and headlight bulbs are in working condition. Replace the if defective.

¶¶¶Scan the car for trouble codes, just in case you've got check engine light, and some other lights showing on the dashboard.

Note: Some car's won't display the check engine light on the dashboard, even if the car's ECU, has recorded some fault(s). Reason being, that the bulb, might have been dead.
Never assume if there isn't a check engine light on, the car has a clean bill of health. Just go ahead and scan the car.


4. FILTERS

*AC carbon filters. These filters helps trap dirt and microorganisms from outside environment before the air gets into the car's interior.
Clogged filters, reduces a cars Ac system cooling efficiency, and can cause evaporator and compressor/condenser systems damage.
Most threatening of the impacts of a clogged or dirty filter, is the breeding of bacteria and molds, which studies have shown, are responsible for majority of the respiratory tract infections car owners face daily in their commute to work, etc.

*Mass airflow filter. This filter, filters incoming air from the environment, and sends it straight to the intake manifold, where it's mixed up in the proper fuel/air ratios, to complete the combustion process in an engine. When these filters are blocked, it cuts down the required volume of air needed for the fuel/air mix, thereby causing a rich fuel situation.
Filters gets weak, and expires, reducing its efficiency.
New filters would increase fuel economy drastically.

5. CORROSION PREVENTION.
Almost all cars gave seen come from the USA, are heavily, or mildly corrosion infested. Depending on the level and state of the corrosion, the cost of corrosion treated, would vary.
Methods of corrosion prevented, could be any of painting, application of silicon based grease, coal tar application, and even washing the car and giving it a nice polish.


6. Never wash your car with a harsh detergent. That would damage the paint. Instead, a mild liquid soap would do. When you wash the car, wash it mildly with smooth towel, or foam.

7. INTERIORS
Proper detailing of the car should be considered.
Cars that have spent years parked at the car lot, have got bacteria and all kinds of molds ganging on the car's interiors, such as the chairs, Ac system vents, seat belts, and underneath the carpets. Use only appropriate leather cleaning agents on leather seats. These would keep the seats shining crisp.
An antibacterial cleaning service against these bacteria and molds are readily available at sine automotive shops around. This sort of service, would keep you healthy, and save you some bucks, replacing Ac system parts.

∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆

* Should the car's thermostat be removed? NO

* Should the radiator fan(s) be automatically be connected to the ignition system, such away that it comes on when the ignition system is ON? NO

*Should the singled celled radiator system be replaced because our "climate" is tropical? YES, and NO.

YES, if you've discovered the car overheats; after all troubleshooting has been performed, the culprit's been nailed down to the radiator system.

NO, if there hasn't being any complaints or issues with the radiator system yet.

∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆}



CONCLUSION.
Buying a used car, can still afford you the benefits of a new car. But the key to deriving such continuous benefits lies in adhering to a scheduled maintenance regiment.
Save yourself the costs of repairs, and breakdowns, and you'd enjoy same benefits from your "new" car!





Regards,
Joseph
08066643532(WhatsApp/call)
Twitter: @dw_nig


PSS: In the near future, I'll be carrying reviews on some cars in this platform.


Send your comments, and criticism.

INTRODUCTION
Hi, everyone, its being a long while since the Christmas holiday. Hope you guys had a swell time, enjoying yourselves?

Well, I'm going to talk about one of the most often neglected replacement parts when driveability issues come up.

It's SPARK PLUGS.
Spark plugs are parts of an ignition system, especially petrol based internal combustion engine applications, like your SUVs, and even your generators.
Our focus in this article today, would be on your car.

WHAT DO SPARK PLUGS DO?

You'll never move an inch, if the fuel/air mixture in your car's internal combustion chamber, isn't ignited by a spark.
Spark plugs are the conduit through which sparks are created to burn the fuel/air mixture in your car's engine.

The source of this spark, comes from the ignition coil, or coil on pack system, via the car's ignition module(as seen on some American made cars, such as Chevrolet Ventures, and the likes).

HOW DOES SPARK PLUGS CONTRIBUTE TO MOVING YOUR CAR?
This is how it works.
Thousands of volt are sent to the spark plugs, via the ignition coils or spark plug wires.
In each of the individual combustion chamber, during the compression stage, the compressed fuel/air mix is ignited by the plugs, thereby setting in to motion turbulency in the combustion chamber. Its this turbulency that forces the pistons downward, creating a reciprocating motion, setting the crankshafts in to the final motion, before the driveshafts are driven.
If there isn't spark, there won't be movement.

WHAT SPARK PLUGS SHOULD YOU USE FOR YOUR CAR?
The choice of spark plugs for your cars usage, depends on the application, and the specifications recommended by the manufacturer.

*If for instance the engine has being overhauled, other spark plugs could be used, if modifications have being done on the engine.

If for instance, your car's spark plugs are stock plugs(I mean the ones that came with the car originally), follow the recommendations.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD THE SPARK PLUGS BE CHANGED
Depending on the manufacturers recommendations, all spark plugs aren't the same. Some plugs are special plugs(iridium and platinum), and the normal standard plugs(non iridium and platinum).
Special plugs like platinum and iridium, can serve a car owner up to 100, 000miles. They improve driveability, and fuel economy.
The problem is, they are expensive.
Whilst the normal or standard plugs, are often replaced at approximately 30-45000miles. They're prone to misfires.


WHY CAR MAKERS PREFER SPECIAL PLUGS

*Automakers in a bid to improve fuel economy and emissions, and engine misfires, have opted for special plugs in almost all petrol based applications. This, has significantly increased the sales of spark plugs for these companies, as another source of revenue stream.
These types of plugs have being in the past on V6 and V8 engines in the past. But there seem to have being a progressive review in recent times. New four cylinder engine applications are now incorporated with special plugs, because of the enormous benefits such plugs afford the owner.

*They're are resistant to chemical and electrical corrosions.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR CAR'S ENGINE'S GOT A SPECIAL OR STANDARD SPARK PLUG?

**Special plugs:
∆The centre electrode has a very tiny pointed edge. This pointed edge is usually made of platinum/iridium, or an alloy of both transition metals. That pointed edge, concentrates the spark directly at the fuel/air mixture region, in order to provide spark that won't cause preignition, or detonation.
∆They cost a fortune. But the benefits at the long run, outweighs the initial cost of purchase.

**Standard spark plugs:
∆They're the opposite of the special plugs.
∆They're not much expensive


SHOULD YOU CONSIDER REPLACING YOUR SPARK PLUGS?

The next time you go for an oil change, or a replacement maintenance service for any of your car's component, do ask your mechanic to help check those spark plugs for you.
Yes, you got to replace your spark plugs. They hold the key to your car's driveability and fuel economy efficiency.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR PLUGS AREN'T REPLACED?

¶Poor fuel economy. You'll be a regular visitor to the filing station.

¶Frequent or intermittent engine misfires. This type of misfires occurs as a result of ignition misfires.
Misfires are terrible. They could cause damage to the car's catalytic converter, and opt emissions s level. If you're in a country/state where emissions regulations are in place, you'll never pass the test. States like California in the USA, is an example.

¶Engine overheating. If you suddenly realizes that your car's overheating, and you've carried out basic maintenance checks, it could be that the spark plugs in that car are severely worn out, or has a different heat range.

¶The engine may not start. The engine may not start, no matter the number of times you crank the engine.
There could be the availability of fuel, air, but without spark, from the spark plugs, the engine would never start. Cranking the engine without the necessary spark, would drain the battery of "juice".


¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶

When replacing the spark plugs in your car, always take cognisance of the HEAT RANGE of the stock plugs on that engine.
¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶

WHAT IS A SPARK PLUGS HEAT RANGE?
This simply means the plugs ability to transfer heat from its centre electrode to the cylinder head cooling systems.
The heat range of plugs are usually denoted with numbers, imprinted on the spark plugs. This varies according to spark plug manufacturers.

¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶

Some piece of advice for car owners

***If you drive your car in a go and stop area, like in the Ajah or Lagos Third Mainland bridge traffic gridlocks, this info is for you.

***You drive only short distances within let's say,
daily from the mainland to the island in Lagos state, thus info is also for you.

This is the dynamics.
All spark plugs have a self cleaning ability. This is usually possible, because of the heat range of the plugs. Their operating temperatures are between the range of 350-800°C. At thus temperatures, every carbon deposits on the spark plug centre electrodes are burnt off, providing more sparks for the ignition of the fuel/air mixtures in the individual combustion chambers.

So, let's take an example. Cars driven at a go-and-stop manner, do not tend to get to the operating temperatures of the spark plugs. This, encourages carbon fouling on those plugs, and causes the driveability issues you might experience, such as engine misfires, stallings, etc.
In taking care of a situation like the enumerated above, its recommended, the stock plugs are replaced with a hit ranged spark plugs. This would ensure carbon fouling and engine misfires are prevented, and also dissipated excess heat from the centre electrode of the plugs to the cylinder head cooling system.


CONCLUSION
Spark plugs, though are often neglected, as a necessary replacement part, are one of the culprits responsible for major driveability issues.
Replacing spark plugs shouldn't be something that's tough.
Don't replace a spark plug, without considering it's heat range.


PS: If you've got the means, pls replace your spark plugs with new ones. I don't subscribe to used(Tokunbo) ones. Reason being, you're not sure of the heat range on that plugs, and the plugs lifespan is in question.


Regards,
Joseph
08066643532(WhatsApp/call)
Twitter: @dw_nig

@emassive. same to you Broda! saw your twitter message few days ago, responded. Have not heard from you since then.
We can chat on WhatsApp, if you have got the time.


Regards,
Joseph
08066643532(WhatsApp/call)
Twitter: @dw_nig

@adten2: No

@richmak1: For its concluded na. Have got reasons I used it. You for just follow the one you like na, Richy!

@princedoz. Would try to info you later on.

@codest. Can we transcend our inquiries to WhatsApp? 08066643532

@codest. Would get back to you hopefully later.

@litaninja. I don't understand what you meant by copy and past. you
This writeup, isn't a copy and past. Its just a combination of primary and secondary data sources, and my experiences in the field.
If you remember how projects/seminars are done in tertiary institutions, you'll understand what has transpired here.
How your DJ stuff going?
Hope you de cool?

@codest. What's the model year, pls? 2000?

@richmayak1. Richy!!!. That's a concluded topic for me already. Have moved on to other things na.
Backtracking? NO. Forward tracking, YES, with some other things I'm doing now. Just stick with what works for you na.
How you de na?
No do all the chop chop alone o!
for the chrismati.
Catch ya!


Regards o!

Na Trygo/Joseph

@swhite22. Men, that price is.... I saw your missed call today. Price range is between 180-250.

@dontrapatolli. You're right. No thieve gets access to a car, with the intent of stealing without first gaining access to the car doors.

For the p3000, the sub was 123, while got the p0a08, along side other codes related to the abs/VSC system.

Thanks for the correction, IKEFOR! I mixed the jargons up. I meant to say the battery ECU.

Ikefor. Safety is paramount in thus job o!
No safety=death sentence.

How work na?
Hey, saw you with Mr Patrick Wong. Understand what I'm saying?
Only you and I can decode that PATRICK WONG.

@bimppyola. Yeah, you're right. But that info must go out.

@ikefor. How you doing? Saw your comments. You're right about the Ac system cooling the traction batteries, and the P3000-123.

I do understand the interpretation of the p3000 code, and what should be done, according Alldata and Mitchell softwares.

History of the car
¶¶¶PRIUS 07¶¶¶

Displayed almost all the symptoms of a failing battery(traction). Poor gas mileage, P3000-123, and at times, P0A08.

Below is how that car's problem was fixed:

*erased codes and did some drive cycles, triangle caution sign and codes remained same.

* swapped the battery pack junction completely with a known one, erased the code, and test drove the car, got the same code.
Note: The battery junction I mean is the component that houses the system main relays(1, 2, and 3); battery smart unit; resistor; etc.

* swapped the battery, and returned the car's own battery junction(pls refer to above meaning of the junction). The P3000 code left, but block one on the swapped battery from a donor car, was showing 13.....volts, instead of the uniform voltage of 14.....shown by the other blocks. All these were viewed real time on techstream. So, this has enabled us isolate or narrowed down our troubleshooting, to the battery area itself.

*performed OCV, and LCV tests, discovered 6Nos battery modules out of balance.
Replaces them, with other modules, and discovered other healthy modules could not cope with the load.
Wise decision was to info the customer, it's better we replaced the pack.

PS: Mileage is 275, 900mileages

*the week battery went through a discharge/charge cycle for some hours, to balance up with the other modules in the battery pack.

*pack replaced, and problem solved. Customer gets 50MPGs now, and no driveability issues.


¥¥¥¥This was what I think happened¥¥¥¥

The battery pack's ECU receives signals from the various sensors on that battery pack, and it sends what it has received to the HV ECU at the hood area for processing. If the signal the battery smart unit is receiving is way below reference standard, the HV ECU would go in to safe mode, and set up those codes, at the same time disabling the ABS/VSC system.

I think what I've learnt on that job, was not just to trust Mitchell software as a total fix, but for one to understand how those components in the trouble area pointed out by the scan tool works.


Wan ne! How you doing?



Regards,
Joseph

@dabullit. I got you now. You're saying because of its market value, thieves won't waste their time? You maybe right, ore. They somewhat aren't common. For the other brands, they're hot cakes. Take for example, Toyotas.

How you de na?
Hope you de accelerate the engine of this weekend carefully o! (emmmm, I'm kidding though).

@dabullit. Except the thieves haven't determined to steal whatever kind of car yet.

@dontrapatolli. You were very luck, they weren't able to access that obd connector.

@caioson04. Oga, thanks for the commendations o! Hoping to see you in Akwa Ibom some day.



Regards,
Joseph

@emassive. What sort of Camry is it? Year, mileage, etc. Could you provide those?!

If a good mechanic would steal a car, as someone said on this platform, I think it depends on where the car's parked, and the duration of the operation.
My stake is don't just rely on those security safeguards. You'll be the better safeguard against car theft. Just de security conscious, vigilante, then install them. They'll help prevent that car from being stolen someday.

The article being an Eye-opener to car thieves, well, I'm sorry to reveal such info.
This all boils down to how you invest in the security of your car(s).

@torese. You're right o! Just that some people don't seem to prefer steering wheel/
pedal lock. But in my view, it's still helpful in these times.