Both expensive and everlasting: ceramic brake discs
A space ship entering the earth atmosphere experiences intensive air resistance. That is why space capsules and shuttles have heat shielding capable to withstand high temperatures. These ceramic tiles have found their way into...
Hot potato: brake conversion – swapping a drum brake for a disc!
The drum brake is a relic of car brake technology. Until far into the 70ies it was standard for all cars. Nevertheless, a great deal of serious accidents of these cylinder capacity giants can...
Wrapping or painting? Fresh colour – fresh car: everything about paint and foil!
Nothing upgrades a car more than an attractive colour. A freshly painted, shiny car suggests a considerably higher value than a dull, scratched, dented and rusty vehicle. The traditional craft of car painting has...
When is it appropriate to grind a brake disc?
A stuttering, jerky brake can be due to ripple wear of the brake discs. This does not necessarily call for a new set of brake discs. Under certain circumstances brake discs can be made...
Quiet driving – squeaky brakes troubleshooting solutions!
Nothing can be more irritating than a permanent, silent "squeak-squeak-squeak" coming from the wheel arches. The most common reason for this sound is the squeaky brakes. The good news: with a bit of expertise...
Staying alert: stains or puddles under the car
Stains or puddles under the car should never be ignored. It always signifies some kind of leakage. Sometimes this is totally harmless or even a technical necessity. Nevertheless, most leakages are the result of...
The James Bond experience with head-up display!
The head-up display (HUD) is a transparent display presenting data on a screen within the driver's visual range. This type of display was originally invented for military use. Essential operational data have been displayed...
New car radio doesn’t function – what now?
It all sounds so simple: car radios are equipped with standardised connections enabling them to connect with loudspeakers and the car's power supply. In case of incompatibility a suitable adapter enables the connection, at...
Engine cleaning: Higher selling value, better appearance and easy troubleshooting
Normally, the car engine is hidden under the bonnet. Why should you take the trouble of cleaning it? After all, in the pure mechanical or electric sense you run the risk of doing more...
Always have a clear view? What’s to be done with a damaged windscreen!
The windscreen is the most important window for the driver. Without a clear, unhindered view of the road safe driving is impossible. Therefore, the law is particularly severe with respect to a windscreen's condition....
Car doesn’t start – Possible causes and their solutions
A car refusing to start or the engine simply stalling during driving is a real nuisance although there is no immediate reason for panic. It is more than likely that a minor defect is...
Car engine damage – Keep your engine healthy & fit!
Car engine damage is an expensive business. The drive is a complex construction consisting of hundreds of parts which must be exactly tuned. Modern engines last hundreds of thousands of kilometres. A condition for...
Engine coolant in the car – maintenance and replacement tips!
Modern cars need water cooling. High-performance engines couldn't otherwise be kept at an optimal working temperature. Defects of the cooling system quickly result in serious engine damage. But also the wrong coolant can damage...
Fighting underbody corrosion with underseal
A car's bodywork may be beautiful, the underbody shouldn't be ignored. Even if the car is shining with polish, the underbody could still be irreparably lost. A corroded underbody is a knock-out criterion at...
How to upgrade an auxiliary heater: make your car more economic and comfortable!
An auxiliary heater is a comfortable feature and therefore some people ask themselves why it is still not standard equipment. When following this question, the first surprise is soon to be seen: modern diesel...
Wheels and tyres – never save on car tyres!
Tyres are the contact point between the engine and the road and have a considerable significance with respect to safety. Car tyres can be quite expensive, making it tempting to save on them. Making...
Smoking and smelly exhaust – how to recognise exhaust colour?
Smoke coming from the exhaust of the car is quite normal. After all, combustion engines produce exhaust gases and they need to go somewhere. Normally however, whatever comes from the exhaust is barely visible....
Washing the car – tips for optimum car maintenance!
Owning a car means more than just being able to comfortably travel from A to B. Every car requires servicing and maintenance, including cleaning or washing, and more specifically: washing the car on the...
How to apply and remove car stickers – DIY guide!
From "baby on board", or "XXXX is my passenger" to racing strips, the chequered flag or flames on the side: all car stickers have one thing in common: their removal is often a lot...
How to jump-start a car with a jump lead! – Step-by-step guide
A car may function impeccably in all weather without any starting trouble for years. Then suddenly it gives up the ghost. Read in this guide what to do to start a car with a...
