Common Auto-shop lingos in Nigeria

Driving in Nigeria is extreme sport, what is more extreme is trying to understand the street terminologies used by the mechanics that fix our cars for tools and parts. Sometimes it’s really funny some other times it just makes buying replacement parts very tiresome. Here you are being a sharp person having used Google to give yourself a clue of what may be wrong with your vehicle hoping that it’ll correlate with what the mechanic would tell you when you analyze the symptoms to him and boom he comes at you with a part that does not in any way sound like all you read online, it takes patience and a lot of arguments before you guys can eventually reach an agreement about what needs to be replaced on the vehicle.

Over the years having been around workshops and mechanics for long, I have compiled a list of slangs and lingos used by our beloved technicians in Nigeria, this slangs are in no particular order as they are just basic languages in the workshop.

·         Boris (Bearing) - a part of a machine that allows one part to rotate or move in contact with another part with as little friction as possible.

·         Aksofa(Damper) - A friction device sometimes called a shock absorber . Used for controlling and damping spring oscillations.

·         Indomie (catalytic converter) - A catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device that converts toxic gases and pollutants in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine into less-toxic pollutants by catalyzing a redox reaction (an oxidation and a reduction reaction).

·         L & K (Allen key) - a tool used to drive bolts and screws with hexagonal sockets in their heads.

·         V4 (straight engine or I4) – Engine configuration based on cylinder arrangement most 4 cylinder engines have their cylinders arranged in a straight line some BMW arrange 6 cylinder engines on a straight but it is most common to see 6-8 cylinder engines arranged in a V-shaped configuration.

·         Sensors – A sensor is a device, module, or subsystem whose purpose is to detect events or changes in its environment and send the information to other electronics, frequently a computer processor. You must understand however that all sensors no matter their functions are called sensor by our mechanics, to get the specific name for the sensor he is referring tto might be rocket science.

There are lot more street lingos used by our beloved mechanics, so next time you are in a workshop, take time to pay attention to all that is being said and discussed, they would crack your ribs as well as educate you on their understanding of parts and tool. BE MOTOSMART.

common car maintenance errors.

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. Being aware of these 12 common car maintenance mistakes will help you in the long run.

Ignoring 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.

Not checking your tyre pressure

It is a common mistake to forget to check the air pressure in one’s tyres because, from the looks of it, the tyres are properly inflated. Looks can be deceiving. Even when tyres appear to be properly inflated, they could be low on air. While the tyres may not blow out, low tyre pressure could lead to poor fuel economy, so your wallet could still be affected. It is also easy for tyres to lose air pressure – as easy as running over a pothole. The weather outside has a big effect on your tyre pressure. Tyres lose 1 to 2 lbs. of air pressure for every 10 degrees the temperature drops outside. Therefore, it is best to check your tyre pressure regularly because you never know when it might be low. After all, the last thing you want is a flat tyre and/or poor gas mileage.

Ignoring your TPMS light

If your Tyre Pressure Monitoring System light activates, check your tyre pressure. Your TPMS light serves as a warning system informing you when one or more of your tyres are deflated beyond what is considered safe by your vehicle’s manufacturer. If this light comes on while you are driving, pull over somewhere safe, preferably your closest open gas station, and verify whether your tyre is losing air. If applicable, add air. Occasionally your TPMS sensor may require replacement. If your TPMS is indicating a loss of air pressure, but when you check your tyre, all is well, consider TMPS sensor replacement. In addition to the aforementioned benefits of checking your tyre pressure, balanced tyres promote even tyre wear, resulting in a longer tyre life and better fuel economy.

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 miles – the average oil change interval is around 7,800 miles 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.

Neglecting fluid checks

It is a common misconception that motor oil is the only fluid in the car that needs to be 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’s manufacturer. Doing this helps to avoid leaks and keep your vehicle operating properly.

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.

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.

Not inspecting the brakes

It is 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 are 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.

Not rotating tyres/neglecting to get a wheel alignment

This can be a simple thing to overlook because you can drive for quite a while without getting an alignment or rotating your tyres. Although it might seem like everything is fine, having misaligned wheels can result in real issues. There is only one way to be positive that your tyres are properly aligned and that is to have your vehicle’s alignment checked. If a wheel alignment is recommended, it is in your best interest to have it performed. As for tyre rotation, most manufacturers recommend that tyres be rotated every 5,000 to 10,000 miles; but check your owner’s manual to make sure.

Servicing your own vehicle without the proper know-how

The cool thing about cars these days is that they are well computerised. 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 computerised (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.

Not changing your windshield wipers

Windshield wipers degrade over time. They chatter, 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, dew 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.

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

Written by: 'Kunle Shonaike

How you should drive when its raining.

Slow down

While it might be obvious, it’s not usually practiced – but the easiest and safest thing to do while driving in rain is slow down. Not just because visibility is reduced, therefore making it harder to detect hazards, but because stopping, braking and turning in the wet requires more distance due to reduced friction between your tires and the road.

Even with good tires, braking in the wet is about half as effective as in the dry. So, if a child darts out between cars in a residential zone, or a car or pedestrian cuts across your path, a vehicle travelling at 48 km/h will require 37 metres to stop in the wet — about the length of three school buses; that includes the driver’s split-second reaction time, plus the needed distance to halt the vehicle. Reducing that 48 km/h to 32 km/h cuts the stopping distance by more than half, to just 18 metres. Even a little slower is a lot safer. “Speed limits are set for ideal conditions, and since driving in the rain isn’t ideal, drivers need to adjust their speed and brake sooner,” says Scott Marshall 

The art of driving in the rain

Out on the road, keep more distance than normal between other vehicles when it’s raining. Stay well back, or overtake, big trucks and buses so as not to get stuck in their spray. In heavy rain, follow the tracks of the vehicle in front, which will have pushed some of the water away. On roads where heavy truck traffic has left sags in the pavement, keep the left tires closer to the road’s crown, where the chances of standing water are less. Remember, too, that roads get covered in lubricants when dry, and in rain these oils come to the surface of the water on the road, making them especially greasy.

Dry the brakes

Wet roads mean wet brakes, and the four wheel discs on most cars can be coated with water just when you need them most. Some cars automatically touch the pads to the rotors to scrub water, and add heat to the rotor to remove water, but you can do this too by gently touching the brakes after splashing through a wet spot.

Dry the interior

Rainy days bring 100 percent humidity, all of which flows into your interior, easily fogging the inside glass. Turn on your AC to dry the incoming cabin air, and set the airflow to the dash vents, not defrost, which will only make the front glass sweat in warm weather. Avoid using the “re-circ” button unless the AC is on.

Use technology wisely

Today’s cars come with more driver assist functions than ever before, but many can’t adapt to rainy weather. Cruise control, adaptive cruise, lane keep assist and forward collision warning systems can create a false sense of control. If cruise control is engaged and your car starts to hydroplane, there will be no weight transfer to the front wheels as there would be if you lifted off the gas – and adaptive cruise control might not keep the correct distance needed in the rain. ABS systems, however, are excellent in the rain, as are traction control and stability control. Use your car’s technology when it makes sense to do so.

Wash your car!!

Some of us!! Do not wash our cars during the rainy season saying oh well let the rain do the washing. Well there's this shocker that sometimes we have acidic rain, when the residue for acidic rain remains too long on your car, it could ruin the paint on the car as well as cause quicker corrosion to the exposed metal parts of the car.

The same way you wash your car when you come back from a dusty road, you should wash the car after driving in the rain.

Driving quickly through a pond of water

Oh well we all have this temptation of driving quickly through water ponds on the road or a deposit of water, either for the fun of the side flash or for the fear what's in the water.

The best way to drive through a water deposit is slowly, this would prevent water from rushing into the engine bay from beneath the car, increasing the chance of ruining a component, and then there is the risk of deployment of the airbags if the sensors feel too much pressure from the wave of water hitting it. So please guys just drive slowly through that pond.

As tempting as it is to charge through that puddle at high speed, it’s usually a bad idea. Water can shoot up into the engine bay and fault or short-circuit sensitive electronics or processors. It can also cause the steering wheel to pull hard to one side, potentially creating an accident. And if confronted with deep water that looks shallow enough to cross, do not attempt, because if water seeps through the door seals into your interior, it will become a greenhouse for mould and potentially stink forever after. If your car does get submerged, do not attempt to start the vehicle right away as the water could potentially trigger the airbags.

Be safe, be Motosmart.....