Better grip and handling

The Kumho Ecsta AST KU25 tyre has a unique V-shape design that provides excellent grip in the wet without compromising dry road performance.Truly an all-season performer, this high-performance tyre features a combination of aggressive and wide tread blocks integrated with multiple sipes to evacuate water.The Ecsta AST KU25, targeted at sports and high-powered premium cars, is said to deliver high-performance grip and handling to tuner enthusiasts.Click here to read more.

Essential to use air pressure gauge

You cannot determine whether a tyre has the correct air pressure just by looking at it. This is especially true with radial tyres. You should check tyre pressure with a good quality air pressure gauge at least every two weeks and before any long trip. Always check the pressure when the tyres are cool (when the vehicle has been driven less than 1.5km). If the car has been driven, allow the tyres to cool for a few hours before checking the pressure.Click here to read more.

Tyre Rotation

The purpose of regular tyre rotation is to achieve more uniform wear for all tyres on a vehicle. Before you rotate your tyres, consult the vehicle owner's manual for the manufacturer's rotation recommendation. If no rotation period is specified, tyres should be rotated every 10,000km. The first rotation is the most important as it will show the current condition of your tyres. If there is uneven wear, ask a serviceman to check and correct any misalignment, imbalance or other mechanical problems before rotation.Click here to read more.

When the rubber hits the road

Tyres are one of the most important components of a car, yet many drivers tend to overlook its importance. The vehicle’s weight, plus turning and braking forces, are all transmitted to the road through a patch the size of a man’s palm. Since tyres are exposed to the elements and are subjected to a multitude of stresses, it is important to inspect your tyres at least once a month, and before any long distance travel.Click here to read more.

Goodyear Care

To increase the life span of your tyres, you must avoid bad driving habits. Aggressive driving (jack rabbit start, screeching stops and squealing turns) leads to abrasive treadwear and generates additional stress in tyre sidewalls and shoulders, which can lead to premature wear out or failure of the tyres. Road hazards are a leading cause of premature tyre removal. Driving over road debris and obstacles or hitting curbs can cause tyre damage. Visible cuts or tears in the sidewall or tread as well as hidden internal damage may cause problems later.Click here to read more.

Long Lasting Tyres

The Goodyear DuraPlus passenger car tyres can achieve a mileage of up to 100,000km (as tested in Thailand on size 185/65 R14).Touted as providing an 80 per cent longer life span than rival passenger car tyres, DuraPlus tyres set a new Goodyear standard for tread life in this segment.DuraPlus tyres have TredLife Technology, and is said to deliver longer tyre mileage without sacrificing safety and performance.TredLife Technology includes tyre design innovations such as an advanced carbon-based tread compound for the tyre to gain a higher resistance to frictional wear.Click here to read more.

Tyre Tips

Tyre wear can be a useful guide on checking whether it needs to be corrected.You can easily read the early warning signs by looking for:* A sawtooth appearance on the edgesThis is usually caused by erratic scrubbing against the road when a tyre is in need of a toe-in or toe-out alignment correction.* Faster wear on the outer edges than in the middleThis is caused by under inflated tyres. More of its contact with the road is on the outer or the shoulder. Thus, these areas wear faster than the middle.Click here to read more.

All About Camber

Camber is the tilt of the top of a wheel inward (toward the vehicle) or outward (away from the vehicle).Proper camber, in combination with toe and caster, ensures that that the tyre is as flat against the road as possible under all driving conditions.An inward tilt is called negative camber. Too much negative camber causes accelerated wear on the inside edge of the tyres.An outward tilt is called positive camber. Too much positive camber causes accelerated wear on the outside edge of the tyre.Click here to read more.

Engine oil dilemma

I USED to service my Sorento at a Kia authorised dealer, using Petronas Motolub engine oil CS3-CI4. During my last two services at 30,000 and 40,000km, I went to a different Kia service centre which used Petronas Syntium 3000. Checking the Petronas website recently, I am surprised to learn that the recommended first choice engine oil for the Sorento diesel engine is Motolub CS3 and the recommended second choice is Syntium 1000, not 3000 as used by the latter service centre. Click here to read more.

Cylinder block

WITH reference to your comments on the skimming of cylinder heads, I noticed that you have put in a picture of a cylinder block, rather than the head. - N.W. Siew Reply:Sorry, the printer’s devil struck again. It was a picture of an engine block and anyone who knows engines would have noticed it! Click here to read more.