My Personal Mechanic in Stockholm.

07/09/2016

From Africa with Love😍😉

Esther Mahlangu has now, for the second time, joined forces with BMW and refined a BMW 7 Series, in collaboration with the BMW Individual Manufaktur

22/08/2016

BE AWARE OF THIS TOP 10 COMMON CAR MAINTENENCE MISTAKES, WILL HELP YOU IN THE LONG RUN. 😎

In order to work optimally, vehicles require regular preventative maintenance. While not all maintenance schedules are the same, all vehicles require maintenance to help ensure a long life.

However, it isn’t always easy to have preventative maintenance measures performed regularly. Besides the obvious cost implications, we have life obligations that can sometimes prevent us from having time to maintain our vehicles as stated in our owners manuals.

To help you prioritize and plan here is a list, in no particular order, of the top 12 car maintenance mistakes a person can make and what you can do to avoid them.

1. STILL DRIVING WHEN THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING.

Even automotive experts have admitted to being guilty of this. They also say that this is not the wisest thing to do. An engine, by nature, gets extremely hot when it runs, requiring a cooling system to avoid overheating.

When that system fails (and it can happen to anyone), the vehicle needs to be stopped immediately. In this situation, the best idea is to turn the car off and call for a tow.

2. IGNORING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT

It can be easy to ignore the Check Engine light. The light comes on and your car seems to be operating as it normally would and you might figure, “Well, everything seems fine, I’ll take care of it soon.”

But other things come up, it gets put off, and one day your car could breakdown. As difficult as it might be to find the time to have your vehicle seen by a mechanic when that dashboard light first comes on, it really is best to have it seen as soon as possible because the longer you wait, the higher the costs could be for repairs. In other words, a little time spent having it fixed right away could save you a lot of money in the long run.

3. NOT INSPECTING THE BRAKES

It’s easy to ignore that squealing noise that comes from worn-down brakes. It is easy to convince yourself that the noise is coming from another car or that there is time to spare before you check.

The truth is that the brakes are one of the most important components of your car. If they are worn down or not working properly, your vehicle becomes unsafe for you and your passengers

So if you hear a squealing or grinding noise when you brake, have your brake system evaluated as soon as possible

4. SKIPPING OIL CHANGES

Motor oil and car engine technology has advanced so much over the years that, depending on the recommendations of your vehicle’s manufacturers, it may no longer be necessary to get an oil change every 3,000-3500KMs – the average oil change interval is around 10,000KMs for today’s cars.

This is great news because it means less time and money spent taking your vehicle for an oil Change. However, this does not mean that oil changes can be skipped. Your vehicle’s engine needs motor oil to operate properly and without it, the engine seizes up and dies.

In order for motor oil to keep your engine running, it can’t be too old. Case in point: if motor oil is left in an engine for too long, the oil begins to break down, which can lead to nasty deposits of sludge in your engine. Instead of lubricating and cooling the engine parts, the oil sludge can damage the parts, which is something you want to avoid at all costs. Getting regular oil changes will help to ensure a long engine life.

5. NOT CHECKING YOUR TIRE PRESSURE

It is a common mistake to forget to check the air pressure in ones tires because, from the looks of it, the tires are properly inflated. Looks can be deceiving.

Even when tires appear to be properly inflated, they could be low on air. While the tires may not blow out, low tire pressure could lead to poor fuel economy so your wallet could still be affected. It is also easy for tires to lose air pressure – as easy as running over a pothole.

The weather outside has a big effect on your tire pressure. Tires lose 1 to 2 lbs. of air pressure for every 10° the temperature drops outside. Therefore, it is best to check your tire pressure regularly because you never know when it might be low. After all, the last thing you want is a flat tire and/or poor gas mileage.

6. NEGLECTING FLUID CHECKS

It’s a common misconception that motor oil is the only fluid in the car that needs to be checked= "checked" and changed.

It’s true that motor oil is one of the more critical fluids in your vehicle but there are many other fluids in the car that should be checked, exchanged, and/or topped off.

Brake fluid, transmission fluid, engine coolant, and power steering fluid should all be checked and serviced as recommended by your Vehicle Mechanic .

Doing this helps to avoid leaks and keep your vehicle operating properly.

7. SERVICING YOUR OWN VEHICLE WITHOUT THE PROPER KNOW-HOW

The cool thing about cars these days is that they’re very computerized. There is a computer that monitors various sensors inside the car and uses those sensors to regulate things like idle speed, spark plugs, and fuel injectors, to name a few.

If something goes wrong, the computer can sense it and will activate your vehicle’s Check Engine light to alert you to the fact that there is an issue.

Since your vehicle is computerized (i.e. complicated), it can be tremendously difficult to fix something yourself if you don’t have the proper tools, knowledge, and diagnostic equipment. As much as it might cost to have a professional technician take a look at your car, you can rest assured that your vehicle will get serviced and/or repaired correctly.

8. NOT CHANGING YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS.

Windshield wipers degrade over time. They chatter, they tear and, as a result, leave a streaky wipe behind. The trick is changing your wipers as soon as they don’t clear the windshield well. As they age, wiper blades will leave behind streaks, indicating that it is time to change them.

Rain, snow, and other precipitation can severely cut down on your ability to see the road and other vehicles clearly so changing your wipers when they wear out is very important. Take the wiper blade challenge to determine whether it’s time to replace your windshield wipers.

9. USING HOME GLASS CLEANER TO CLEAN YOUR REAR WINDSHIELD

This is a big no-no. Most home glass cleaners use ammonia as a chief cleaning agent. Over time, ammonia will break down the heating elements in your rear windshield. The thin red lines you see are actually small wires designed to bring heat to your windshield to assist with defrosting. It is much safer to use window cleaner designed for automotive glass.

10. NOT USING FILTERS AS RECOMMENDED

Filters need to be as clean as possible in order to work optimally. Clean filters keep dirt particles and other contaminants from entering your vehicle’s fuel, engine or air conditioning systems.

Dirty air filters can lead to a host of issues ranging from causing poor gas mileage to making your engine seize or wearing out system components. Have your filters changed as recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer, and you’ll be glad you did.

It’s true – car maintenance can sometimes get in the way of life. However, making sure that your vehicle is properly maintained when it needs to be will help to ensure that you don’t spend precious time stuck on the side of the road when you could be spending it on things you cherish.

Freddynice.
Personal Mechanic.
+467 2010 7450

20/08/2016

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN ENGINE IS OVERFILLED WITH OIL?

So the engine was topped up when it was warm, after getting a faulty dipstick reading, or it had too much oil put in during an oil change. What's the worst that could happen?

The problem with this is that the next time the engine is run, the windage in the crankcase and other pressures generated by the oil pump, etc. place a great strain on the seal on the rear main bearing.

Eventually, often much sooner than the ordinary man in the street might expect, the rear main bearing seal ruptures, and the engine becomes a 'leaker'. With a manual gearbox, this means one thing: this oil goes right onto the flywheel and the face of the clutch disc.

A lubricated clutch is A Bad Thing. If this still goes unnoticed, the front seal is the next to go, and the engine then becomes a 'gusher' (or to be more colourful, it starts pi***ng oil all over the place). As well as smothering the clutch with oil from the rear, the oil now coming from the front leak will be neatly distributed about the engine bay as it hits the front pulley - often propelling it out as far as the brake discs.

At the same time as this Hollywood disaster movie is unfolding outside the engine, things aren't working out any better on the inside. As indicated in the diagram, the correct oil level is really close to the rotating crank. Overfilling will mean the crank dips into the oil and churns it into a froth. Froth is good on certain types of coffee but not good in an engine.

The mixture of aerated oil will be forced into the bearings and in case it wasn't obvious, air is not a lubricant. Typically this means that bearing damage will follow quite rapidly, especially if when driving on a motorway or at high speed.

Drivers will know bearing damage when they get it. The engine smells like a garage mechanic cooking over an open flame and the noise coming from the engine is the sort of thing normally heard in vaudeville plays when a piano is pushed down a flight of stairs.

As if that all wasn't bad enough, the excess oil gets thrown up into the piston bores where the piston rings have a hard time coping with the excess oil and pressure. It gets into the combustion chamber and some of it will get out into the exhaust system unburned resulting in a nice patina of oil all over the platinum surfaces of the catalytic converter.

SO WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL?

If the engine is cold (for example it has been parked overnight) the oil level can be checked right away. The oil will have had time to settle back into the sump. Just make sure the car is level. If the engine is warm or hot (after driving) then it is wise to wait for 30 minutes or so to let as much oil as possible drain back into the sump. Checking it first thing the next morning is ideal.

It's worth pointing out that you should double-check your owner's manual too - some cars, like I the '92 Porcshe Carrera, require that the oil is checked while the engine is running and the oil is at temperature.

Freddynice
Authorized Mechanic.
0720107450

19/08/2016

Why is very important to change your engine oil regularly ??

We hear it from our parents when we first get our license. Mechanics reset your service reminder on your dashboard. Over and over we're nagged to get our oil changed.

But why does everyone insist it's important?

This article will hopefully give you those answers and get you onboard with getting your car's oil changed regularly.

What is an oil change for, exactly?

Simply put, oil is used in cars to lubricate the instruments. The lubrication is important to prevent friction, especially since our engines are designed with elements rubbing against each other to create energy.

Because the engine demands so much use from the oil, eventually the chemical construction of the motor oil breaks down and can no longer provide lubrication. Without the lubrication, engine parts are rubbing directly against each other, the results of which can cause severe damage and, ultimately, stop working altogether. Therefore, old, less effective oil needs to be drained and new, fresh oil needs to be added to ensure proper lubrication.

Small money can save big money!

On average, an oil change will cost between 1300 and 1800kr (sometimes less if you find a promotion). This pricing is for conventional oil, not synthetic oil. Synthetic motor oil will most likely be a bit more on price, but that's because it's a higher performing oil.

You can refer to your owner's manual or ask me which type is right for your car, but as long as you are keeping up on your oil changes, conventional oil is generally fine.

For that 1300 to 1800kr spent now, you will be saving your engine from enormously costly repair down the line. Think of it as preventative medicine for your car. Plus, most mechanics will include other life-extending services along with your oil change such as tire pressure checks, hose inspections and transmission fluid top-offs.

The price may go up if during the overall inspection, your mechanic suggestions a new air filter, hose, transmission fluid, etc. At this point you may feel upselling pressure.

Certainly, there are mechanics who are out to make money.

So it's important to find a mechanic you can trust. In most cases it's for the health of your car so you won't be back in a few months time being towed because your hose burst on the highway or your engine stopped because the air filter was too dirty to let air flow through.

One other oil change bonus to save you money: you'll save gas mileage! New oil is slick and will easily allow the movement of engine parts. Older oil gets gummy, causing the engine to work harder to perform. And when the engine works harder, it must burn more fuel.

How often do I change the oil?

There is no absolute answer to that question. The average suggestion is every 3000 and 5000 Kilometers. Factors can alter that estimate. For one, synthetic oil has a longer lifespan than conventional oil (it's chemically engineered to not gum up as quickly, especially in extreme temperatures) allowing more time between oil changes. Also, if you spend a lot of time in heavy stop-and-go city traffic, you are causing more of a strain on your engine and may need an oil change sooner.

Your mechanic should give you their best estimate of when to come back, and will usually reset your service reminder in your dashboard. The reminder will often say to return when you've reached a certain mileage.

Since an oil Change is basically the cost of dinner for two, even if you happen to be returning a bit earlier than your car needs with that estimate, you're only helping the health of your engine in the long run.

Hopefully you've now added to your list of necessary tasks (along with dentist appointments, pet's vaccines and oven cleaning) regular oil changes for your vehicles.

Be proud of yourself for staying ahead of potential costly repairs to your engine. For questions, contact me i can help you with any of your car needs.

Freddynice
Authorized Mechanic.
0720107450