Virtual Mechanic

From time to time it’s a good idea to perform a driveway safety check to make sure your vehicle is safe to drive.
It does not matter whether you drive a nice looking Porsche or 20 year old Holden, the standards are the same.

You might be thinking hang on that’s what I pay my mechanic or service centre to do.
STOP right there who is checking your vehicle between services ?
If you have a private servant Mechanic that performs a weekly check then you don’t really need to read on.

If you are the average person in that requires your vehicle to be operating in a safe mode then I suggest the following checks to maintain a reliable transportation for you and your family

Note the following items are all important

Tyres make sure they are all with the correct pressure including the spare, YES the spare tyre now when checking the spare make sure its free of water and rubbish where the spare wheel is stored. On some vehicles in the BMW series the dash will let you know if the tyres are low in presure

Engine oil
For some reason most people think oil will last between services, and in most cases this is true but what if it decreases in level and then the engine will develop premature wear, its not hard for most people, as you may not be aware oil at the correct level acts as a cooling effect not to mention lubrication.

Drive belts
Check that they are not cracked or loose

Lighting
Check high beam low beam, brake lights and tail lights, how you ever driven behind another vehicle without brake lights, the first thing you want to do is overtake the vehicle to prevent an accident.

Battery
The battery is the most important item when it comes to safety and reliability, you need to make sure the battery is secure and clamped down to prevent movement, the simple reason to prevent movement is to prevent a potential fire under the bonnet.
Check that the battery terminals are free from acid and that the terminals are firm on the battery poles.
If the battery is a wet cell meaning that you are able to fill the battery with water then fill only to above the cells and no higher.
Batteries don’t last very long these days due to a number of factors  

Warning lamps
If you see a warning light appear it’s a sign to DO SOMETHING NOW before you breakdown on the side of the road

More to come on this subject
Written By Darren Gow-Brown WWW.Virtualmechanic.com.au

Recently I decided to get some quotes on car insurance and was quite surprised
I rang the following Insurance companies
The quotes were based on a 45-year-old male driver with no license cancellations
No insurance cancellation.
I made the point this car would be garaged during the week.
The vehicle that was quoted is the following
Holden Commodore sedan 2005 acclaim with no modifications accept a tow bar.
I must say that the call centers seem to have changed with excellent customer service.
The insurance companies were the following

AAMI  $644.00 with $550 Eccess add another $50 for Windscreen
Note AAMI other a discount if you apply online

YOUI  $660.00 with $600 Eccess add another $50 for windscreen
Note this was based with car parked at home during the week, and garaged
Special note I applied online about 3 months ago but no reply, so I called this time..

Budget Direct $381.00 with the condition no one under 40 will drive the vehicle
With an Eccess of $500.00

RACV  $787.00 agreed value of $15500 or $685 if the market value is $14100
With an Eccess of $550.00 I didn’t bother asking about the windscreen as you can see the “RACV WAS THE HIGHEST QUOTE”.

Well someone has to pay for the TV commercials, and the buildings not to mention executives fees, directives fees, must I go on……………..
Let me add, have you ever had to deal with making a claim, I have an its not so amicable. I was forced to elevate my claim to court, is was only at this level the RACV decided to resolve the issue, out of court. I encourage you to do the same.

“Who ever the company”

.SUNCORP $570.00 with $500 Eccess  as with most you may choose your own repairer but AAMI need to check who you choose just to make sure they have had no negative dealings in the past.

When it comes to insurance it really pays to shop around but the most preferred option is to avoid an accident as much as possible with the winter  coming up, and those rainy days, so do your self a favour check your tyres to prevent an accident.
Also check that both rear stop and tail lights are operating.

Written by Darren Gow-Brown, WWW.Virtualmechanic.com.au, in the interests of motor vehicle safety.

Attention if you read this first addition I have corrected the structure

This by far is the most  interesting because many people are not involved with the automotive trade and therefore lack understanding and even lack trust to some level due to the fact that not all work on motor vehicles is necessary “that’s right” not all repairs are required but this is limited to the automotive trade.
Let’s explore a small snapshot of our world, here in Australia we have three levels of government managing a total population of 22 million people, but we have approx 1 million people inter related to our Australian government system.
If I want to build a fence I need no less than 3 certificates at a cost of around $1000 now this to me is not right but that’s the system so we develop a lack of trust as we try to hold on to our money as much as possible. We buy a car but we need it serviced and maintained but we a reluctant to pay for this service its something we can’t see the real benefits, its not a nice suit, or a trip to the hair dresses, its something that prevents us from breaking down on the side of the road or even worse its something that prevents an accident due to mechanical failure.

May I add most mechanics in dealerships and service centres 
take enormous pride in there work they come to work ready for a 
challenge, what most people may not be aware of, is the constant change 
of technology and therefore to keep up to date there is a constant 
effort required for night school.
When you take your car to the workshop you are giving your trust and 
faith into the service centre but I pause here because some time ago I 
took my company vehicle into a ford dealership, and it’s wait on some 
line on the floor until the person behind the computer is ready to 
serve you.

Let me say this type of service does nothing to win my confidence 
even if the technician is great at his or her job
Let’s go further most repairs are under a warranty but try getting a 
filling from a dentist and asking for warranty.
I will add more into this subject to encourage motorist when you drop 
your car off have a little faith that mechanics love the challenge to 
keeping your car on the road.
Now if you think your getting ripped off consider another service centre there are some great workshops and sorry to say there are some poor service centres.

I remember a mechanic started his business several doors from my workshop and was very busy, every day more busy than myself but he was “charging his customers about 50 % more and getting away with it” or so he thought, however there is a thing known by all as Karma and so What ever you give out what ever you will receive.

Getting back the dentist is this workmanship covered under warranty, “No”
I need a repair on knee repair so I see an orthopaedic surgeon do you think I get any warranty “No”
The local Government demanding $1000.00 in certificates is this fare “No” but we must pay it
May I conclude And express that if you have found a good mechanic that you feel is servicing your vehicle at a fare cost then let them know your appreciation at the time opportunity perhaps Christmas with a nice bottle of wine and say thankyou for helping me with my car to which I know nothing about but I trust you and its so nice to fine a company in this day and age that keeps me on the road and that prevents me from breaking down on the side of the road.

A Motor Mechanic is an essential item we may not factor in as so important, as we cannot see what is taking place but let me ensure you there are some very fine technicians’ devoted to the automotive trade inspired to do there very best working on hot engines working under pressure working outside of normal operating hours and when they go home they sit back and think well I did my best and repaired an issue that will benefit the customer even tho the maker was not so helpful with all the required information.

This is what makes a motor mechanic come to work every day.

Written by Darren Gow-Brown, Virtualmechanic.com.au

 

Free motoring tips, by Virtualmechanic.com.au, Melbourne, Australia.

Mitsu Engine 4G63 SOHC timing belt and the benefits.

When  the Sirius 4G63 SOHC engine 1992 a free rotating design it was an engine suitable for many applications. The timing belt with a free rotating component is the perfect solution to increase economy and performance.
Free rotating engine simply means if the timing belt should break it any time no internal mechanical damage is evident to the engine.

Not all engines designed with cam belts are free, in my opinion all engines designed with timing belts should be…

 To utilize a sustainable engine design,  it may help minimize servicing costs to the average motorist worldwide looking at ways to save money anyway possible.

Be careful not to confuse the 4G63 with the 4G64
The 4G64 is an interference motor however the early 8-valve is a non intereference engine.

As part of my research I made contact with Mitsu
This is the type of help I got

Dear Mr Gow-Brown,
Customer Reference: 131675
We acknowledge receipt of your recent correspondence regarding Saturn motors.
Firstly, please accept our apologies for the delay in our response to you.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd (MMAL) do not use Saturn motors in any of our vehicles.
Thank you for your enquiry.

Kind Regards,
Mitsubishi Customer Assistance Centre

Well thankyou for not much help…..

Written by Darren Gow-Brown, author of Virtualmechanic.com.au  
 
Darren Gow-Brown
Motoring Writer
WWW.Virtualmechanic.com.au

In the month of October, author Darren Gow-Brown will be releasing the following titles.
Buying A Car online Video available to download october 2009
Basic Car Maintenance CD Rom available to download october 2009
Other video’s will also become available online in the coming months

This means for the price of a Latte you can learn how not to buy a lemon….

  
Buying a Second Hand Vehicle  

Are you buying your dream car or a financial nightmare?

Purchasing a vehicle can be a big investment.
If you purchase a vehicle that has money owing or has been recorded as stolen, you risk the vehicle being repossessed.

VicRoads VSR is designed to provide financial security to potential vehicle buyers and financial lenders.

For just $7.50 you can obtain a VSR certificate which provides legal protection against repossession by a financier.
The certificate will also indicate whether the vehicle has been stolen.
The VSR certificate is only valid if the vehicle is purchased within 24 hours of its issue.

What the VSR can tell you

When you make a VSR enquiry, you are able to check whether:

there is finance recorded against the vehicle; and
whether the vehicle has been reported stolen.
Which vehicles does the VSR include?

Cars
Motorcycles
Trucks & Buses
Trailers & Caravans
Agricultural Machinery & Implements
What information do I need to make a VSR enquiry

Before you make a VSR enquiry, you need to obtain all the following information from the vehicle:

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or chassis number if the vehicle is manufactured before 1989, and
registration rumber and state of registration; and
engine number
It is important that you sight these details from the vehicle and not from any documents that the seller might offer.
If you are having trouble finding these numbers on the vehicle ask at a service station or contact the vehicle manufacturer.

Before calling VSR you should confirm that these numbers match those on the vehicle’s registration certificate.

How do I make a VSR enquiry?

You can request a VSR certificate by –

Calling VicRoads on 13 1171
Visiting maxi on the Internet at www.maxi.com.au
Using a maxi Kiosk situated at various locations across Victoria.
Method of Payment

Payment can be made by using either your VISA Card, Master Card or Bank Card.
Alternatively you can send a cheque or money order made payable to

Vehicle Securities Register, PO Box 2446, KEW VIC 3101.

A VSR Certificate will be mailed to you within two working days.

For further information please telephone VicRoads on 13 11 71 between Monday and Saturday 8:30am to 5:00pm

For Interstate Callers Ring 1800 814 762
If you have any suspicions about the ownership of the car, it may be a good idea to check with the Stolen Vehicles Squad to make sure the car has
not been reported as stolen. The telephone number is (03) 9865 2462.

State Name Telephone No Information Required
Victroria Vehicles Securities Register 13 1171 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or chassis number if the vehicle is manufactured before 1989, and
Registration rumber 
State of registration;
Engine number
 
NSW, ACT &NT Register of Encumbered Vehicles (02) 9600 0022 Registration number,
Engine number,
Chassis number
Make
Model number
 
QLD Register of Encumbered Vehicles (07) 3246 1599 Registration number,
Engine number
Chassis number
 
SA Vehicles Securities Register 131 084 Registration number,
Engine number
 
WA Register of Encumbered Vehicles (09) 222 0711 Registration number,
Engine number
Chassis number
 
TAS Transport Department Motor Registry (03) 62 335201 Registration number

Recently have you noticed that when you shop around at different suppliers or stations that some times you seem to get more per km. Well I have decided to conduct a simple test over the next month. My plan is to choose the major fuel outlets to see if I can get more per km  or if they are all the same. Now don’t let me do all the hard work, if you wish to participate join me and offer your experience.

Buyer beware of the latest scam when buying a vehicle in Australia.

This is how it works.

A person will advertise a vehicle for sale in Melbourne, Sydney, or anywhere in Australia,
they will only use a mobile phone number, but they don’t actually own the vehicle to sell.
They will travel interstate and hire a late model vehicle and re-register the vehicle in the state they are selling the vehicle with new plates, and therefore the vehicle will show no record of any prior ownership, therefore its seems like its impossible to determine a fraudulent sale.

But wait it gets worse, they then hang around for a while to retrieve the vehicle in question and return the vehicle interstate to the hire car company with the original plates.
This makes it almost impossible for the police to locate the vehicle, because the vehicle doesn’t actually exist, in the state it was purchased for cash.

The loser is the person who paid cash, and responded to a cheaper then normal price, as well as ringing a mobile number only.

So you think how would you protect yourself from this activity?

1.Don’t purchase a vehicle from only a mobile phone number
2.Get the name and address with a landline number and ring it the next day
3.Ring the vehicle security register in your state and get that certificate send out
4.Try to pay by bank cheque

Finally its always safer to purchase a vehicle from a dealer, don’t you think.

I was shocked to hear about this but not surprised because not all states are communicating with one another, this it makes it very easy to create such a scam as this one.