A Much Needed Checkup

Recently being busy with my studies, I have been neglecting my car maintenance but I have been having a feeling that something is amiss with the transmission and tire grip. It was then I remembered one person who said to me that my gearbox is not exactly a healthy looking one and I should be careful of it. He was also the one who told me that my ATF is starting to have black spots. I remembered that and wanted to do something about it but was waiting for the time for my scheduled service.

On the ram

It was getting too serious so I had no choice but to go for a checkup. At the mechanic's place, the ATF was let out and it was dark brown close to black in color and far from the original red color. It was only 6000 km in and usually it is only change at 20000 km. By that I knew my gearbox is at a bad shape and just replacing the ATF won't work. So, a flush is in need and I had the filter and gasket replaced as well. The whole process used up 8 bottles of ATF and this time I didn't use the standard Toyota Type-IV and went with Top 1 Formula.

Now I have to run in the transmission and see if it drives the way I know it should. Now on to my second problem, the tires. Ever since the first set of tires (2 Maxspeed in the front 2 Kumho in the back), I got the Falken 915 for all 4. I immediately regretted these tires as the grip was bad and low quality. I have the idea of going back to different sets of tires for the front and the back with the back having negative camber again. All this for better handling and grip. I just have to research for good tires  and until then I have slide on rainy days. Good Training.

Before

Auto Gearbox Naked

New Filter

After

P.S. My one of a kind Foglight was cracked from stone chipping resulted from high speed driving. Damn.

Model Photoshoot

Last Friday, there was a sports related expo held in an exhibition hall and my club has been invited to participate as an attraction. It has been a while since I last met the gang and it is a public holiday so I went there. Knowing the usual style of event that my President always gets, I was not very excited about this event but there was a promise of girl models and a photoshoot session.

The event when according to my predictions and I just parked my car and waited for the photoshoot and left after all cars were done. The only thing I enjoy from this event is seeing some new member and talk about cars. Also this is the first time my precious Celica have models to take photo with. So, it is not entirely a waste of time.

First up are photos of my car with models.

Now some other participant that captured my attention.

Slow Month

It has been a slow month for me in the car department. Partially because my last year of degree studies have started and I am busy. Another reason is that I ran out of small and cheap mods for my car. Being lack of funds, I have to stay away from any big projects like a supercharger kit. My hands are really itchy and I am always thinking about modding any car.

Right now I could only hope I either find something cheap and useful as a project or a big pile of cash drops out from the sky so I can mod my car. Since non of this 2 would happen, I thought of sharing car related articles here. However, I am still busy with my school works. I hope to find some time to write some opinions on some of my favorite cars.

Until then this blog might be very quiet.

New Addition to the Family

I remember years ago when my best friend changed her car to a Hyundai Tucson and I had the review here on this blog. I remember it was a high tech korean SUV that is comfortable and not bad on the looks. I was quite impress with it and who knew that now there is one in my house. My sister has reached the age where she could drive and so as the tradition in my family, my brother gets a new car.
His choice is to get a SUV while my parents choice is the Tucson.

We got the same spec and version as my best friend did. Only the color is gray instead of white and this time I get to drive it more especially when my Celica was in the workshop. I got a sense of how it drives especially on a normal basis instead of just a test drive on a highway. The keyless entry system is my favorite without the need to take out the key whether to enter de car or start the car. However, the one that I don't really like is that the car is really wide. It is hard to go through tight spaces and to maneuver.

It is a fine addition to my house with a large sedan, a MPV, a small sedan and a sports coupe. Comfortable yet functional and the best part is my dad and I can drive it too. It also has the same number with my car.

Reunited

After a week at the workshop, my beloved Celica is back in my driveway again. There is no visible damage on the surface and the new paint is so smooth. I also had my rims to respray as 2 was damaged during this accident and before this. So, I have rims that look like new. I was happy but I need to get the payment from the aunty who did this to my Celica. I called her up and met up with her. I was worried that she would not pay the bill but luckily she paid everything in cash.

I also received the custom spark plug cover from USA. Since my engine bay covers is white, it would be obvious that I have the cover painted white. As for the design, there were many that was made before but I felt in love with the one with the old first generation Celica dragon emblem. So, I got one that is white with a gold dragon. It fits perfectly and is easy to assemble. The shipment also came with another cover with C-ONE design which I sold. Now, the engine bay looks nicer but I have to do something about the Toyota logo and VVTL-i wordings. Overall I am satisfied.

Small Consolation

Although the car is damaged and will be sent to the workshop, the fact that my brakes need new brake pad still stands. Besides, I already ordered the pads. So, I brought the car to the workshop the next morning after the accident. The brake pad is original parts that is made in Japan (or so the box states) and it is cheap as it includes installation. The pads were difficult to find and I am glad that this place could get their hand on it. I was considering to keep a few sets at home just in case.

The mechanics there were puzzled to see the dent on my car as just yesterday morning they saw the car without a scratch. I told them about the accident and how that stupid aunty hit my car. It was a sore sight driving it in bright day light as people can see the damage. However, at night it is ok as no one can see it. Let's move back to the brakes. The new pad gives me a more responsive braking feel and it fell good. This brightens my day after the accident. At least it is a small consolation to me.

Thanks Aunty

I have been experincing some back pain and decided to go look for chinese massage that is quite good but I am unfamiliar with the location. I had just ordered new brake pads for my 4 pot which is hard to get and then went to look for the place. I was driving at 30km/h as I was looking at shop signs. The aunty in a Toyota Corolla Altis reversed her car in my Celica. When I got hit I hit the horn and look at the Corolla.

It was a light gold Corolla and I went down to see the damaged to my Celica. The damage is severe where my rear fender, petrol lid, left door and rear bumper is damaged. The area affected was dented and paint scratched off. I was heartbroken that my baby was this damaged by a careless aunty. I could not careless whether that aunty could be dead or anything. How dare she knock my precious ? I had to deal with her.

After much dealing, I brought the car to be quoted how much the damaged would be. It needs 1 week time and cost RM 1000 (US$ 334). What a heartache and I hope that it drive like it used to. My beloved Celica, I hope you get well soon and that aunty better pay the bill.