Car check: Points to ponder after long rains The first light rain after a dry spell is most dangerous, turning dust and rubber into a slick, greasy layer without washing it away.
Night driving: Be bright enough to dim your lights Unless you think only you deserve brighter lights, fitting overly powerful headlight bulbs is antisocial and should be illegal.
Old car? It is okay to cling to the sensible...and the sentimental Your old car is missing quite a lot. But the latest, state-of-the-art alternatives are missing something that is perhaps even more precious.
The revolving door of motor vehicle manufacture Since Peugeot began in 1889, over 200 major car brands—and nearly 1,000 including all variants—have emerged worldwide.
How frequently are EVs hitting the road? China has taken a clear lead in EVs by expanding advanced production, improving efficiency, and offering high quality at lower cost.
Causes and cures of a ‘coked’ engine If you mostly drive in heavy traffic, your exhaust tip may appear dark or black, but a long, high-speed trip can help lighten the colour.
Two-stroke fuel mix in a four-stroke engine? Oil and petrol are miscible. Your 1:50 boat mix is lean in oil. Seagull outboards used 1:10 (smoked a lot and were long-lasting).
How to sit up when you are sitting back Find your own "best possible" driving position, based on the principles of clear vision, precise control and alert comfort.
The ups and downs of 4WD versus street cars In fashion terms, 4WDs are denim, street cars cotton/silk. Pick the best cloth for the job.
Driving protocols on twisty downhills To stay within the speed limit, shift to a lower gear to raise revs without increasing speed, choosing one that maintains a steady pace without braking.
How will autonomous cars cater for people with disability? Ultimately, a fully autonomous car will operate without a human onboard, using thoroughly tested systems to ensure its and its passengers’ safety.
When wheelspin is worse than useless If the rescue car lacks power or grip, having the stuck vehicle assist by engaging its engine and gear may help.
Is open-top game viewing dangerous? Kenya bans fully topless safari vehicles, but many safely operate with rolled-up canvas sides.
PRIME Bazaar, the open-air car market revving through a tough economy Low sales aside, the Jamhuri Car Bazaar remains a vital source of income for many car dealers who faithfully show up every Sunday.
PRIME Does the patent law apply to vehicle manufacturers? In terms of motor car design and technology, manufacturers can't stop others from being alerted and inspired by their designs.
PRIME What makes synthetic oil better than refined oil? The superior lubricating qualities of so-called “synthetic” engine oil are not about any magic added to it. It stems from what they leave out!
PRIME Built-in obsolescence In motoring, these ommissions are driven almost entirely by business imperatives such as costs, demand/sales volumes, margins and competition.
PRIME Road death tolls: Is Kenya’s tally the worst worldwide? While speed can increase the severity of an accident, it is very rarely the root cause of them.
PRIME Here’s the correct order of removing and replacing battery terminals You should always remove the negative terminal first when disconnecting and replace the positive terminal first when reconnecting.
PRIME Do emergency vehicles need extra power for speed? Emergency vehicles speed advantage lies not in engines or gear ratios, but in purpose and urgency.
PRIME Yes, unused engine oil goes bad By all means, keep a stock, but use it and renew it. Rotate the stock...that has done no mileage at all! at least annually.
PRIME Why you shouldn’t let your battery go completely flat Charging and discharging are rarely complete cycles, as the car's alternator activates once the engine starts, continuously replenishing the battery.
PRIME Where did coloured cars disappear to? As Kenya is on the equator, we have fierce sunlight, which generally lighter colours will reflect more and absorb less.
PRIME A checklist for car service The item I most often have to intervene on, right from the start, is one of the most universal tasks: Draining the old oil.
PRIME The autobahn queue protocol When the blockage is cleared, all the parked cars should leave in the order in which they arrived.
