Tag Archives: car

NEWS

5 car technologies adapted from aviation world

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We should be grateful because the cars we can buy today come with various advanced technologies. Most of these technologies are designed to facilitate driving and improve safety.

However, did you know that many of the technologies present in today’s cars actually come from the aviation and aerospace world? We will share the top five main technologies.

1. Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

The anti-lock braking system or commonly known as ABS was first used in the aviation industry since the 1950s. Aircraft at that time were equipped with anti-lock brakes called Decelostat to enhance stability during landing on slippery and rough surfaces.

Some of the early aircraft equipped with anti-lock brakes were the Avro Vulcan, de Havilland Comet 2c, Hawker Siddeley Trident, and Dutch Fokker F27.

ABS began to appear in luxury cars in the 1980s. Now, ABS brakes have become a mandatory and essential feature for modern cars.

2. Head-Up Display (HUD)

The Head-Up Display (HUD) is a clear display in the aircraft cockpit positioned at the pilot’s line of sight in the front mirror. It displays important flight information such as airspeed, altitude, horizon line, and other indicators. Pilots can access this information without diverting their gaze from the front mirror, thereby enhancing flight safety.

Today, HUD has emerged in the automotive world, displaying information such as speed, speed limits, music, and even navigation directions. Its purpose remains the same, to prevent drivers from shifting their attention away from the front. However, HUD is still considered a premium feature for cars.

3. Autopilot

As the name suggests, autopilot is a feature where the aircraft can fly itself steadily. However, it is not engaged throughout the flight. Autopilot is usually activated when the aircraft is at a steady altitude, constant speed, and fixed direction. This can reduce the pilot’s workload for long-haul flights, which would otherwise be exhausting for the pilot to control manually throughout the journey.

The first aircraft equipped with autopilot was the Sperry Corporation in 1912. Autopilot was mechanically linked to the aircraft’s control system. Today, in the aviation world, the autopilot feature is highly advanced with various automatic and electronic controls.

In the automotive world, autopilot uses special radar and cameras to read the road, signs, and lane markings, allowing the car to be driven automatically while maintaining speed and distance from the vehicles ahead.

4. Carbon fiber

Carbon fiber has been developed for 150 years to achieve a high strength-to-weight ratio. It produces a very hard yet lightweight material, making it highly suitable for the aviation industry. A lightweight aircraft not only improves fuel efficiency but also enhances flight performance.

The process of producing carbon fiber today is slightly different from 100 years ago, but its goal and properties remain the same.

For aircraft, carbon fiber is used in the aircraft body and jet engine components. In the automotive world, carbon fiber was first used in racing cars due to its suitability for racing needs – lightweight and strong.

Now, carbon fiber is increasingly found in everyday cars. The most common components made of carbon fiber are spoilers, skirts, and interior car panels.

5. Turbocharger

The turbocharger is powered by a turbine that introduces more air into the combustion engine to enable it to produce more power. It is very suitable for the aviation industry because aircraft engine sizes can be compact or small but still produce sufficient power for flight performance.

As expected, turbochargers later entered the automotive world, initially in racing.

Today, turbocharged engines are very common not only in high-performance cars but also in everyday cars for tasks such as school runs.

Turbocharging in cars is no longer just for performance, but also for fuel savings and improving engine efficiency

NEWS

What could go wrong if you put car engine oil in a motorcycle engine?

The idea of filling car engine lubricant oil into motorcycle engines is not new. Sometimes when we send our cars for service, the workshop returns the excess new lubricant oil in a bottle, and we think that maybe it can be used for motorcycles at home.

The grade of the lubricating oil for both is the same, for example, our car uses grade 10W-30 oil, and our motorcycle uses the same.

The viscosity at cold and hot temperatures (according to SAE standards) is the same, so we can pour both into the engine. Can we?

The simple answer is no.

Different tasks and functions

The main reason why it cannot be done is because of the tasks. Car and motorcycle lubricant oils have very different tasks. For cars, the lubricant oil’s task is solely to lubricate the two surfaces within the engine that come into contact, to prevent components from scratching and getting damaged.

If you notice, modern cars now use low viscosity oil. For example, the Perodua Bezza uses 0W-20 grade oil, which is considered thin oil.

The reason is that modern cars are tuned to save fuel and reduce air pollution. Thin oil makes it easier for components to move, and the engine temperature is not as high as high-performance cars. Therefore, it is fine for daily driving. The oil will not become too hot or thin even with its low viscosity.

Different oils for different systems

Furthermore, cars have other oils, such as transmission or gearbox oil, which are very different from engine oil. In addition, there is also a different fluid in the cooling system, namely coolant.

Different systems in cars will use specific different fluids. Engine lubricant oil cannot be used in the transmission, and vice versa.

Oil is more critical for motorcycles

For motorcycles, especially those with small cc, the engine oil is designed for more than one task. This oil lubricates and protects the engine, is also used in the transmission, and to cool the engine.

Motorcycles also usually rev at higher levels. The engine is hotter, so it needs a higher grade. In short, motorcycle lubricant oil is more critical, and the task is tougher.

The engine size is also smaller, so the space for oil passage is narrower. That’s why you’ll notice that the requirements or qualifications for car and motorcycle engine lubricant oils are quite different. Because of the specific functions and tasks, the formulas are also different.

For example, even though the viscosity is the same, car engine lubricant oil contains friction modifiers. If poured into a motorcycle engine, the clutch can slip, causing inefficient driving. Worse still, it can damage motorcycle transmission components.

Now you understand why car and motorcycle lubricant oils are different and why they cannot be poured around casually. Let’s not risk our engines just to save a little.

The easiest thing to do is to refer to our car or motorcycle manual. Do you still have it? The manual provides the most accurate guidance for our machines.

For motorcycles, there are usually more specific specifications that are not found in cars. For example, 4T for four-stroke engines, JASO MA for wet clutch systems, or JASO MB for scooters.

We hope this article is helpful! If you are discussing this topic with friends at a coffee shop, share this article for better understanding.

NEWS

Production and sales of cars in Malaysia for 2024 have decreased compared to 2023

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The production and sales of vehicles in Malaysia have generally decreased for both the passenger and commercial vehicle segments.

Passenger vehicles

According to a report released by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) today, the production of passenger vehicles for the month of March 2024 was 63,778 units, a decrease of 11 percent compared to 71,731 units in the same month last year.

Meanwhile, the sales of passenger vehicles in March 2024 were 64,760 units, down from 70,940 units in March 2023, representing a nine percent decrease.

The year-to-date production for 2024 has reached 199,199 units, a seven percent increase compared to 186,237 units from January to March 2023.

Overall year-to-date sales of passenger vehicles have also increased by seven percent, reaching 184,994 units compared to 171,964 units.

Commercial vehicles

On the other hand, in the commercial vehicle category, the production in March 2024 was only 3,145 units, a 28 percent decrease from 4,338 units in the same month in 2023.

Sales also decreased by 21 percent, with 6,292 units in March 2024 compared to 7,941 units in March 2023.

The year-to-date production of commercial vehicles has decreased by eight percent, with 11,232 units for the first three months of 2024 compared to 12,157 units in the previous year.

First quarter sales for 2024 have also decreased by 16 percent, with 17,251 units compared to 20,651 in 2023. MAA stated that the total industry volume (TIV) for March 2024 increased by 10 percent compared to February 2024.

This is attributed to manufacturers rushing to close their financial year by March 31, 2024, as well as promotional campaigns in conjunction with Hari Raya. MAA expects vehicle sales in April 2024 to be lower due to fewer working days as a result of the holiday season.

TIPS

Warming up engines: Do you perform it correctly?

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THE issue of engine warm-up has been debated for a long time, from casual conversations at coffee shops, hanging out at TT gatherings, to discussions in internet forums and Facebook groups.

Why is it necessary to warm up the engine? Is it just a fad, or does it serve a real purpose? We will attempt to explain this with an easy-to-understand explanation and relate it to several common situations we encounter.

Warming up the engine has been a practice since 30 to 40 years ago, when carburetor engines used a choke to mix air and petrol for combustion. In cold weather, petrol doesn’t vaporize, and since the carburetor doesn’t have a temperature sensor, it cannot adjust combustion efficiently and effectively. More fuel is used during this time. Therefore, the engine needs to be warmed up before driving.

For most modern cars that we drive today, their engines are equipped with sensors to precisely calculate the air-fuel mixture ratio. This ratio is also adjusted based on the temperature.

Therefore, in cold weather, engines with electronic fuel injection systems will inject more fuel (burning rich) to ensure proper combustion until the engine reaches the ideal temperature. This process is much faster compared to older engines with carburetor systems.

How long should you wait before driving?

The simple answer is to start the engine, wait just a little while, and then drive immediately. You actually don’t need to wait 15 or 20 minutes to warm up the engine. It’s just a waste of fuel.

Do you have deep pockets and don’t care about the cost of fuel? Well, a mechanical engineer from the Argonne National Laboratory reported that fuel is a solvent and can thin the engine oil on the cylinder walls if the engine is left idling for a long period.

As you may understand, if there is less oil on the cylinder walls, there will be more friction, and various components can be damaged or have their lifespan shortened if we warm up the engine for too long.

According to a representative from Volvo who conducted cold weather tests in the Arctic, they stated that new cars do not need to have their engines warmed up. “It’s best to start the engine for a short time to build fuel pressure, and then drive as usual,” they said.

But don’t start the engine and immediately press the accelerator hard. After about 20 or 30 seconds of starting the engine in the morning, you can slowly drive out of the housing estate, then a few turns before accelerating on the main road.

What about a car that’s been left unused for a long time?

There are times when we leave a car unused for a long period, regardless of the reason. This also raises the issue of warming up the engine, which means starting the engine briefly before leaving the car again.

But what is the correct way to warm up the engine, start and let it idle for 10 minutes? The answer is that the above method is not correct. If you have a car that is rarely driven, the best way to warm up the engine occasionally is to start the engine, drive it out of the house, and drive slowly in the surrounding area. There’s no need to do it for a long time. 10 or 15 minutes is enough.

This method is better because not only does the engine components move, but the fluid and oil in the transmission system also move around the entire area, as well as the tires and axles, everything moves. So, the grit and lubricating oil can be spread evenly.

To revisit the initial point of the article, merely warming up the engine by idling in place is less effective and can even jeopardize some components.