Archive for Automotive

Driving Directions to Klang for Cheap Tyres

It is now probably well known that Klang sells the cheapest tyres anywhere in Malaysia. Not many people know why Klang tyre shops are able to sell their goods so cheaply. From what I’ve heard, it’s probably because of the close proximity to Port Klang where tyres are offloaded from ships and immediately end up in their store. That cuts out the middleman and transportation cost – therefore, the much cheaper tyres.

How much cheaper, you ask. Take an example of my tyres. I bought the Michelin XM1 205/65/R15 at RM228 each. Compared the the same tyre in Kuala Lumpur or Petaling Jaya, it can be anywhere between RM260 and RM280. The price difference of changing just one piece of tyre justifies the trip down to Klang. Since I change my tyres in either Hing Leong a.k.a Hin Leong and Hock Li, I’ll provide the driving directions there.

  1. Start off at Federal Highway driving towards Subang, Shah Alam or Klang
  2. You will come to a toll that costs you RM1.10. Pay it and don’t ask for a discount.
  3. Drive on and you will reach another toll that costs RM1.00
  4. After paying the toll, you can see a flyover in front of you. Don’t take that flyover. Keep left and ease off the road. You will come to a junction with a set of traffic lights.
  5. Turn right at the traffic light junction and drive on. You will notice Jaya Jusco on your left.
  6. You will come to a third toll. Pay the attendant RM0.60
  7. After the toll, keep right and drive towards Kapar. Drive on until you reach a junction with traffic lights.
  8. Turn left at the traffic lights and look out for Caltex petrol station on your left.
  9. Turn left into the row of shops just after Caltex.
  10. You are now in front of Hing Leong and Hock Li is just beside. With 2 shops next to each other, it’ll probably bring down the prices more.

Comments (3)

How to Reset Your W210 ECU

Mercedes Benz W210 ECUDo you know that you can breathe life into your W210s again, for free? Try this out on your car now to give it a shot.

  1. Turn the ignition key to the “ON” (not start) position
  2. Press the gas pedal to the floor and hold for five seconds
  3. Turn the ignition key to the “OFF” position (do not remove the key), then release the gas pedal
  4. Wait for at least two minutes for your ECU (Electronic Control Unit) to reset

After you have performed the above, start your car and drive around for a bit. You will notice any or all of the following:

  • Less effort need to get your car on the move (extra power)
  • Smoother upshift and downshift
  • Better fuel consumption

How is that possible? The above procedure resets or erases the ECU’s memory on the adaptive transmission and throttle settings. When you drive over a period of time, your car remembers your driving style and adapts to it. When you perform the reset procedures, that’s akin to breathing new life to it.

Have a go and let me know if this works for you.

Comments (8)

On the Hunt for a Second Car

Jeep CherokeeIt has come to a point where me and my wife finally agreed that we should have 2 cars for our household. With both of us juggling our jobs, careers and family, it is not always that we are able to commute to and from work together. Over the last 2 weeks, there were much negotiation between us before we decided that my wife will be using our current ride and I get to shop for my brand new pre-owned car. 😀

I have been searching around and am torn between car makes and models. Since I’m looking for pre-owns, there are plenty to choose from. I’m staying away from Japanese makes as their prices then to be steep even in the used car market.

For the past few weeks, I have been searching high and low for some good bargains. Like I said, I stayed away from Japanese makes and looked for European and American makes. Initially, I was more or less fixed on the Mercedes Benz W124 models; either the 230E or the 260E will do. I’ve met up with many car dealers and numerous owners — all of them having a mind that a Mercedes Benz though pre-owned are to be sold at a premium. Prices quoted by both owners and dealers did not seem fair to me and off I went, looking for another make and model.

One of the many cars that my wife and I love is the Volvo V40; which is no longer in production. Prices are very reasonable and there are some lovely cars in the market ready for my possession. I asked around my friend who owns Volvo and all of them commented that fuel consumption seems to be acceptable and affordable but spare parts are generally expensive. Last thing I wanted was for my car to breakdown and the spare parts would cost more than my car. Poof! The dream of owning a V40 disappeared.

I am now at a lost. I don’t know what other makes of car that should shop for. Right now, I’m thinking of a MPV or SUV. Something like the Jeep Cherokee which looks very steady and safe. Well, I’ll be off shopping again; looking for a Jeep garage to chit chat with the mechanic (as some say, to get insider information) and hopefully the Jeep parts will not prove to be a turn off like the Volvo V40.

Comments (1)

« Previous entries Next Page » Next Page »

 Subscribe to AmosWong.com

Buy Amos A Cup of Coffee

 
Locations of visitors to this page