Home Breed Kayaba Racing Shocks

Sport shocks are meant for spirited driving. It's pointless to use sport shocks if you prefer cruising in comfort or you're driving a 3-tonne lorry. Kayaba's infamous RS-1 shocks are one of the option you can get in the market for the sport type. It's a short-stroke and the lowest shocks in the market. By default, RS-1 series are stiffer than average gas-charged absorber, but not to the extend of racing/track usage as the manufacturer's sticker suggested. RS-1 still deliver the bit of comfort which is opposite to the 'real' racing shock characteristic. But, there are few things one should know before buying this shock.

First of all, make sure you are not using anything bigger than 15" wheel with 50-series tyre. Even the seller/retailer didn't notice about this. The spring plate or base or whatever you may call it sits way low, infact it almost touches the tyre. I had to give away my 55-series front tyre because of this. Not a pleasant surprise if you asked me. Another thing is the shock was 'designed' to be paired with OEM spring or else you're going to have trouble with tyre clearance issues. You call this Racing Shocks? Overall, I rated this shocks at 3.5/5. It's kinda overated as well. If you drive your car 'like-you-stole-it', this shocks isn't up to that par. You better of with other brand or get a decent coil over suspension.

Ice Cool Fluid

Generally, coolant is a half-and-half mixture of a form of glycol and water. The glycol represents the antifreeze element of the mix, guaranteeing that the fluid doesn't turn into ice under extreme cold environment and also prevents the coolant from reaching the boiling point in hot-as-hell-alike area. Interestingly, pure water actually transfers heat better than coolant (that's why you'll see or hear some bogus mechanic say use only water). However, coolant/antifreeze includes additional additives that prevent rust and corrosion in the radiator and engine. That's why you will see the water is like teh tarik-when draining from a coolant-less radiator.

Coolant also isn't a lifetime performer. You need to change it roughly once around two or three years max. Almost like engine oil, draining out the coolant removes dirt and rust particles that can clog up the cooling system. You really don't want that kinda of crap keeps messing inside your cooling system. Keep in mind: Antifreeze particularly ethylene glycol has a sweet aroma and taste, which pets and sometime people find it particularly appealing. As little as a half teaspoon of the stuff can kill an average-size cat, and a cup of it might kill an adult. So, please be extra carefull when draining/pouring coolant fluid. Keep it away from pets and retards.

Usually manufacturer recommended a 50/50 ratio of water/coolant. You may go lower to a 70/30 of water/coolant or a higher 30/70 of water/coolant mixture BUT don't go any lower or exceed that ratios. Anything less, the coolant effectiveness is just as bad running straight water and too much of it, the heat transfer for the cooling system isn't efficient at all. General of thumb, if your system required 6-liters of fluid, than use 3-liters coolant with 3-liters of water for a 50/50 mix ratio.

Don't forget to burb the system to eliminate the air pockets that might trapped inside the radiator. Basically, run the engine while the cap is off until the thermostat has opened (the fan will start spinning). Air pockets can cause overheating because it will block coolant fluid in the cooling system from transfering heat; as air isn't a good heat conductor. Check for any visible leak. It took me around 40 minutes to drain, flushed with water, drain the flushed water and put in some coolant with water. It also saved me the ridiculous labour cost nowadays.

Check for any rising temperature issues everytime
after coolant replacement

Achtung Alarm

­It crossed to me from HowStuffWorks, the first documented case of car theft was in 1896, only a decade after gas-powered cars were first introduced. Can you imagine those crappy cars with wooden wheels which travels at jogging-pace got the interest of the thieves; imagine the car nowadays. Fully air conditioned, more ergonomic, systematic, aerodynamic with sportish mimic and so on, those thieves able to speed off your car faster than what they used to 100 years ago. Since I did the engine convertion 4 years ago, I'm was using the same and lame factory alarm; which actually went 'dead' last year. So I've opted for a new basic car alarm system which I hope able to discourage thieves from breaking or stealing my car.

I rated this China made alarm as 'better-than-none'. It has the function of arm/disarm, mute arm/disarm, trunk releaser (but need extra gadget for that), shock sensor, auto central door lock/unlock, rather complicated but not so functioning Code Hopping/PIN feature for the transmitter and some other else. Owh, it also came with Voice Command. Enable it and you'll get some lady voice saying "Arm" or "Disarm" kinda thing. Kinda cool if they come with a louder siren as it is quite slow or rather not loud at all. Installtion took almost 3 hours and the installer did a good job indeed.

The Downfall Hazard

Switching hazard lights on while raining. It ain't new thing though. Some say it's dangerous because it may confuse and mislead the other driver and some stated that they actually gives good visibility to the others. I stand under the againts-hazard-lights-when-it's-rain camp. In my opinion, when you think the rain pours heavily, instead of switching on the hazard lights and keep on driving, why don't you just stop at the roadside? You're still able to hold your "Downfall Hazard" philosophy intact :P and not bugging the other driver. After all, you shouldn't drive when the visibility is poor. Below are several posts I've gathered from the net concerning this matter.

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• Hazard lights suppose to be used for stopped vehicle, this is the standard. But Malaysian road user practice is to turn on the hazard light in the rain BUT still moving vehicle. So now cannot tell the difference between stopped vehicle and moving vehicle. So wat happens when someone car stall in the middle of the road in heavy rain. Hazard light is ON, but because many malaysian think hazard light turn on normal in heavy rain, someone gonna get bang from behind.

• I think that many motorists who switch on their hazard lights while in motion believe that, as you suggest, their car will be more obvious in the bad visibility. Secondly, they may also feel that the presence of hazard lights means that everyone should exercise more caution. In fact, when a motorist sees hazard lights at any time, he should already be decelerating and ready to stop if necessary because there must be some hazard ahead.

• It is not that people hate it. You are posing a danger to other people by turning on your hazard lights. There is a reason why it is called a HAZARD light. Look up the dictionary to find out what it means if you don't know.

• The problem is, that car was moving for the past few miles with the hazard light on.......so you begin to assume there is no hazard and will then start to ignore it. What I am saying is, you should not use the hazard light too liberally. And having it on and driving for miles is one of the no-no, even in heavy rain UNLESS it’s a REAL emergency like stalling on the road.

• Pure stupidity and inconsiderate to use hazard light but still moving. The powers that maybe must catch the blokes and have their driving licences impounded for many years. They must be banned from driving whatever vehicle. Period!

• What is wrong is that some drivers switch on the hazard lights driving in the rain from Ipoh all the way back to KL and give you that "hey stupid, why isn't your hazards on?"-look when you pass them. It is wrong to use the hazard lights continuosly. They are to be switched on when a car or an object pose a hazard to other road-users. Its applicable wherever you drive.

• Regarding when to use the hazard lights, what is JPJ doing about this? I am surprised it's always the rakyat having to depend on each other to come up with solutions and answers, what is the role of JPJ? Surely after all this years issues like use of hazard lights, right of way for pedestrian / zebra crossings should have been taught and examined during driving test. Still got kopi duit issue meh? Now I know the meaning of bolehland....anything goes!

• Just a thought... what if you are sending your pregnant wife (about to deliver) to the hospital or some form of medical emergency... is it ok to drive with the hazard light on? I think some horning and flashing of lights come in play here as well... :p...and how would you give signal when turning in to the hospital ??ooops, totally forgot, this is not neccessary :p - those tiny yellow lights on each corner of the car are made for rainy day only :D
  
  

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Content were derived from usj.com.my, motortrader.com.my & lowyat.net