Go baby, go

After months of trial and error, and lots of manual data logging, I have come to the following conclusion about my car's fuel consumption. It can get up to 16.5km/l. It can be as bad as 12.5km/l.

Here's a summary of my findings:

1. Automax does work. At worst, it will improve efficiency from 11.5km/l to about 12.5-13.5km/l. 13.5km/l is typical for jams in KL.
2. Driving on highways yields better mileage, butt here's a catch. Driving at 100km/h is the best. It can give me up to 17.5km/l. That's the best I've recorded. Typically, it would be about 15.5km/l.
3. Driving at 130km/l reduces efficiency to about 14.0km/l. That's a big difference.
4. Following a large vehicle - say a big bus - at 100km/l saves petrol too. But to keep a safe distance and understand the risk involve.
5. Shell Fully Synthetic oil gives a smooth ride, but it is expensive. I have noticed that they are good for about 9oookm per oil change.
6. As such, I have tried a TOTAL 3litre for Kancil. It has a SAE of 5W. This is good. About the same as Shell Fully Synthetic, needs to be changed at 5000km and a lot cheaper. 3L is more than enough (about the minimum mark) for my Proton car. This also eliminates the need to store excess engine oil.
7. The air filter plays a major role in fuel consumption. I use a filter that cost about RM 12. It must be change every 6000 to 7000 km. That's all it is good for. More than that, consumption goes up. Cleaning a used filter with compress air doesn't do the job. After all, why not spend RM 12, and get about 10% more from a tank full. If a tank full is RM 60, two tank fulls, we have recovered cost (ROI). After that, it is sheer savings.
8. Spark plugs. I am back to NGK plugs. They last a bit longer of about 20000 km. Notice I have to change them often - else, consumption goes up.
9. As for fuel, I favour Caltex, BHP and Shell - in that order. RON 95 is good enough. I use RON 97 or Shell VPower occasionally to clean my engine. RON 97 burns hotter than RON 95 (according to my US friend), so that helps get rid of carbon in the engine.

In conclusion, the best efficiency is when my engine oil is new (say Total SAE 5W), new air filter, new spark plugs, Automax at 1ml per 20L of fuel using Caltex Tetron 95, driving down a highway behind a bus at 100km/l. I drive twice a month to JB from KL - so, I do get enough of reliable data.

Automax

Stumbled across this product call Automax by H2Oil, USA. It is suppose to be a fuel additive, but not sure if it is just a scam. Sold by Causeway at a cheap price - about RM 15 per 150ml when it is on discount. (Hell no, I am not a member of any MLM). Got it on eBay for RM 16 per bottle. Not bad at all.

Tested it twice. First time, I noticed the milage was up a bit, from my usual 12 or 13km/l to about 14.5 km/l. Drove from KL to Skudai for this test. In any case, my engine oil is filthy (12,000 km already). On the way back from Skudai to KL, I got only about 13.5km/l. In short - test not conclusive.

Last week, I didn't put in any Automax in the tank, but there must be about 100ppm (recommended 200ppm - or 1ml to 5litres of petrol). Guess what - I got 15.5km/l, driving around KL! Wow. But that could be due to two reasons - it is either Automax or PRIMAX95. So for this week, no more additive into PRIMAX95. My dad complains hell alot about PRIMAX95. Says his car is worse off with more vibrations.

So, this is at best not conclusive. Wondering what the actual results would be... anyone tested this product well?

Pigs behind Wheels

The saying goes, if pigs can fly. I would say, if only pigs can drive. When it comes to creative parking, it is surely Malaysia Boleh!

Parking right next to a round-about appears to be perfectly normal for this lady. Heck, she even finds the time to chat.

Picture is taken outside a Chinese school, USJ 1. She appears to be picking up a young gal, after school at about 6.30pm.

Hmmm. Is this the example we wish to set for our children.

Another view of the pig in question. The number plate is WQG 9125. Wonder if it will show up as first price in the 4D draw tomorrow.

This was photographed outside a biscuit shop in Ipoh. The yellow line marks a bus stop. What the heck. This is not a quick dash down to grab something from the shop. This joker is here all day long. The owner even has stuff left on the car to sun.

Yes, Chinese area too. You know, some Chinese in Malaysia can be so racist. Saying that the Malays think that the whole country belongs to the Malays - just because the park by the mosque every Friday.

To me, when it comes to parking, it is equal opportunity for all. Everyone can park where ever they want. So, it is indeed the pot calling the kettle black. Hmmm.

Number plate: AFR 2211

WKR 4017 - hmmm. I wonder what goes on in her mind. She double parks. But do note the empty lots on the opposite site of the road. What the eff.

Is it that difficult to just park properly? Surely it cannot be that difficult. Lawlessness. Once again, this is for all. Regardless of race.

Another view of jokers stopping anywhere they like. Some say, it's the police's fault. Law enforcement is not strict. What idiots.

This is a scence from USJ 1, next to a tuition centre. Hey. Great example to the kids eh?

Some of them have such nice cars, but alas, money can buy style but cannot buy taste. It looks good, but it stops there. Gosh. This is just terrible.

From Hero to Zero

I own two cars, one Waja and a Wira. I use the Wira frequently and trust me, it is no hero. Some say that we must support the national car. Some say maintenance is cheap. Well, I think it is bloody expensive. Let's look at the string of problems I've faced. I service my car every 5000km, oil change is every 10,000km - I use fully synthetic Shell engine oil.

33,700 km - Throttle body needs servicing. If I change gears while going down hill, the engine stalls. My mechanic tells me there is a carbon build up, or some sort of dirt. No idea if he is bullshitting me.

47,000 km - Air-condition expansion valve is dead. Very costly to change this. Cannot believe that the car starts to fall apart. It is only three years old.

47,900km - Tyres are dead. It has started to de-laminate. Tyres were Sime Tyres. They are really bad. Changed to Goodyear tyres. More money spent. Seriously, I expect the tyres to last till at least 60,000 km. The thread is still good but it is way out of shape. Heavy vibration.

50,000 km - Clutch pump leaks. Have to change the darn thing.

59,000 km - Noticed a severe lost of power. Engine starts consuming engine oil. Changed back to full mineral oil. Carbon deposit noted on spark plugs.

61,000km - No more black oil left. Mineral oil did not slow the rate engine oil was being burnt. What a waste. Only 2000km and all the engine oil is gone. Severe power lost. Had to go for a major overhaul. Piston rings are changed. Cost RM 1800, including changing clutch kit, water pump, timing belt, gear oil and overhaul the gasket. Cannot bloody believe that the piston rings will wear out at just 61,000km. They should last till 100,000km. I don't even rev my engine about 4000rpm. And yet, it drops dead. Car is only 4 years old!

Feels that Proton has a terrible quality issue. Quality is not just having a perfect car at production line. The parts are expected to last. Stupid Proton must be putting in cheap parts and now, I am paying for it. Wish I had bought a Honda City instead.

63,500 km - Celaka! The radiator motor died. Can you believe this? What kind of shit problem is this? My grandfather's 30 year old car, with more than 80,000km on it still has the original radiator fan motor. It's a Daihatsu, by the way. Swears never to buy another Proton. Good thing I noticed the temperature rising. Otherwise, I could have busted the entire engine.

71,000km - Front right headlight bulb busted. What the eff.

75,000km - Less than 5 years old, the bloody exhaust leaks. Had to change it.

Really, I think Proton has serious issues with quality. The car is failing a lot faster than it should. My mum's eight year old Iswara is performing a lot better. No radiator fan issue. No worn piston rings. Looks like Proton moves backwards instead of doing things better. The biggest problem I've noted with Honda City is that the number plate tends to have numbers fall of. When it comes to number plates, Proton does well. But sadly, that's about the only thing it does well.

The experiments

With all the free time in the office, I am actively carrying out tonnes of experiments. Uncovering new problems daily. Findings for the day:

Car in shade, windows slightly opened, cloudy: 45 deg C

Car in sun, windows completely closed, sunny: 75 deg C

Car in sun, windows slightly opened, sunny: 61 deg C

I was surprised that the temperature went up to 75 degrees Celsius, measured on the dashboard of my car. By the looks of the data given, the best way to just keep the heat out is to leave the windows opened slightly. I guess that would be better than expensive tints. The downside is, I am not sure if this makes car theft easier.

Working on a few other experiments too. The mosquito trap shall be commissioned soon. Rice stockpile project has started but alot of work is needed in that area. Not easy to keep rice fresh.

A sad tale indeed...

Just read in today's papers, a five year old kid was killed. The kid was sitting on his grandma's lap, travelling in a Toyota Vios along the North South Expressway. Their car was hit from the back by a Camry. Sadly, the grandmother was flung out of the car, killed. The kid suffered serious injuries from the impact, and died. The Camry ended up burnt.

This is really sad. Vios have fairly good safety features, yet two souls were lost. Once must remember, the seat belts are useless until we buckle up. Don't let a child sit on your lap. I have seen this countless times. Airbags are useless if you have a child on your lap. Please travel safe for your loved ones. The seatbelt is the only lifeline when things go wrong.

One good habit I picked up from my 4 years stay in Melbourne - we buckle up even in the back seat. Do it. It's free.

And another note, althought I have some very saucy posts, but not to the point of being explicit, I have safe sex. The only exception is with H. Anyone else, I use a condom. Some guys complain that condoms reduces the sensation. That's true - but the cause of it is, they are using the wrong ones! Condoms have sizes! Go check out the Durex website. They have various designs and the dimensions are clearly stated for each! Find one that fits well. I find Playsafe 003 fits me well, the rest is just way too tight and causes me to loose my erection. More on this later...

Please try to play safe, travel safe. I can only hope the victims can rest in peace.

Rain X

I owe a DS from USA a big thank you, for introducing Rain X to me. While riding in his Jaguar from Montreal to Boston, I could not help but noticed that his windscreen repelled rain. Rain simply beaded up on slide of the windscreen. Vision was amazingly clear.

And that was when I got to know Rain X - a solution to be applied on the windscreen and I think of it as chemically polishing the glass. The glass becomes so smooth that water will no longer stick to it... or at least hug it! I have been using the product for months and it is very good.

Certainly recommend it to others for safety during the typical Malaysian monsoon, if not for anything. No known damage to glass, need to apply once about every 3 months - more often if rain begins to bother you and no, it does not make your wipers squeek. It is also reasonably cheap, it is cheaper in Malaysian than in US.

Actually, come to think about it, DS gave me my first bottle of RainX - so, I had it carried back all the way to Malaysia - only to find it available locally. I suppose I must have seen it around, but brushed it off as a marketing ploy, till a car lover (he owns a Jag!) recommended it to me. Once again...Thanks Dick!