EXHAUST SMOKES OVERVIEW

 EXHAUST SMOKES OVERVIEW

1. Types of car exhaust smoke

- White smoke: indicates coolant is burning due to a head gasket leak, cracked engine block, or a damaged cylinder head.

- Blue smoke: suggests oil is being burnt due to worn valve seals, piston rings, or a damaged PCV valve.

- Black smoke: indicates an excessively rich fuel mixture or incomplete combustion due to clogged air filters, malfunctioning fuel injectors, or faulty sensors.

2. Causes and remedies of white smoke

- Causes: head gasket leak, cracked engine block, or a damaged cylinder head.

- Remedies: repair or replace the head gasket, engine block, or cylinder head.

3. Causes and remedies of blue smoke

- Causes: worn valve seals, piston rings, or a damaged PCV valve.

- Remedies: replace the worn seals, rings, or valve, or rebuild the engine.

4. Causes and remedies of black smoke

- Causes: clogged air filters, malfunctioning fuel injectors, or faulty sensors.

- Remedies: replace the air filter, clean or replace the fuel injectors, or replace the faulty sensor.

5. Other possible causes of exhaust smoke

- Overfilled engine oil level

- Faulty turbocharger or intercooler

- Incorrect fuel octane rating

- Malfunctioning EGR valve

- Damaged catalytic converter

6. Precautions and maintenance tips

- Regular engine oil changes and filter replacements

- Check coolant levels and perform regular engine maintenance

- Use the correct fuel octane rating and avoid overloading the vehicle

- Check the EGR valve and catalytic converter for damage or clogging.

Managing Driving Fatigue To Reduce Road Crashes

 Managing Driving Fatigue To Reduce Road Crashes

Fatigue

The consequence of cumulative sleep debts, caused by extended mental and bodily activities

Signs

1. Micro sleep

2. Drowsy

3. Tiredness

Reasons For Drivers Fatigue

1. Strenuous activity

2. Sleeping disorders

3. Alcohol abus

4. Medication

5. Exhaustion

6. Dietary deficiencies

7. Depression

8. Diabetes

9. Anaemia

10. Thyroid problems

The three sure solutions to fatigue is what?

REST, REST and REST...

TRAFFIC SIGNS

 

TRAFFIC SIGNS

Know the various Traffic Signs

NARROW BRIDGE AHEAD

NO LEFT TURN

NO PARKING

NO PEDESTRIAN

NO RIGHT TURN

NO U-TURN

SLIPPERY ROAD AHEAD

STOP SIGN

BICYCLE PROHIBITED

BROKEN LINE

BUMPY ROAD AHEAD

CAUTION CLIFF AHEAD

DANGEROUS BEND AHEAD

DEDICATED LINE

EDGE LINE

GIVE WAY

HAND SIGNAL

MEN AT WORK

MOTORBIKE PROHIBITED

NARROW BRIDGE AHEAD

NARROW BRIDGE AHEAD

PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ALLOWED

PEDESTRIAN PROHIBITED

NARROW BRIDGE AHEAD

SCHOOL CHILDREN AHEAD

SOLID LINE

STEEP HILL 20% UPWARD AHEAD

STEEP HILL AHEAD

T-JUNCTION AHEAD

TRAFFIC LIGHT AHEAD

TRAFFIC QUEUES LIKELY AHEAD

TRAFFIC LIGHT

RED - STOP

AMBER - GET READY

GREEN - GO, IF SAVE

ZEBRA CROSSING AHEAD

ZEBRA CROSSING LINE

WORN TYRES, HEAT, & TYRE BURSTS - ACCIDENTS IN HOT SEASONS*

 

WORN TYRES, HEAT, & TYRE BURSTS - ACCIDENTS IN HOT SEASONS

Driving produces friction on tyres - as the tyres rub against the asphalt (road). Friction creates heat, too much heat causes tyre bursts. 

*Important Factors to Remember*

Friction – Rubbing of tyre against road causes heat buildup.

Hot Molecules – Compressed air vibrates intensely to expand causing increase in tyre pressure (General rule 10 degrees’ Celsius change results in 0.1 PSI). Change may seem small but will causes over inflation that distorts vehicle braking and cornering. In simple terms a car fails to brake on time or make turn after steering.

*Dangers Posed by Worn out tyres in Summer*

Finished tyres doubles heat buildup.

Finished grooves (treads) – Grooves channel air in between tyres to cool them off, bald tyres don’t allow this so heat easily build up. 

Loss of air pressure – Hot temperatures promote quick loss of pressure, worn tyres lose pressure at a faster rate than new tyres. Underinflated tyre overflex during rotation to promote massive heat buildup.

Treads also acts to resist tyre bursts by acting as cushion to prevent certain punctures.

*SAFETY in Hot Season*

i. Replace worn out tyres.

ii. Always check tyre pressure before a journey

iii. Do not over speed especially when its hot.

iv. Avoid overloading 

v. Pull over to cool down your tyres

Don't depend on Tyre Pressure Monitors (TPMS) as they only monitor under-inflation not over-inflation.

 

*Driver tiredness and fatigue*

You should not drive while tired or fatigued. Research has shown that tired drivers are a major road safety risk, both to themselves and to others.

If you are tired and fighting sleep, you are likely to experience ‘micro sleeps’.

These episodes can last up to 10 seconds and can be experienced even when your eyes are open.

During a micro-sleep of even 4 seconds, your car can travel 100 metres (more than the length of a football pitch) without you being in control of your vehicle.

Do not be tempted to keep driving when you are tired because you are only minutes from your destination. Many tiredness-related collisions occur within a few minutes of the driver’s destination as the body begins to relax.

REMEMBER

If you are suffering from a serious lack of sleep, the only cure is sleep.

BREAKDOWN

 

BREAKDOWN

*BREAKDOWN*

A vehicle breakdown is a mechanical or electrical failure of a motor vehicle in such a way that the underlying problem prevents the vehicle from being operated or impedes the vehicle's operation so significantly that it is very difficult, nearly impossible, or else dangerous to operate. Vehicle breakdowns have various causes. Depending on the nature of the problem, the vehicle may or may not need to be towed to an automobile repair shop.

If you have a breakdown, think first of all other road users and -

a) Get your vehicle off the road if possible;

b) Warn other traffic by using your hazard warning lights if your vehicle is causing

an obstruction.;

c) Put a retro reflective warning triangle on the straight road at least 50 metres, on sharp bends almost 100 metres behind and in front and 50 meters in residential area of your broken down vehicle on the same side of the road or use other permitted warning devices if you have them. Never forget the danger from passing traffic;

d) Keep your side lights on if it is dark or visibility is poor;

e) Do not stand(or let anybody else stand) between your vehicle and oncoming traffic;

f) At night or in poor visibility do not stand where you will prevent other road usersseeing your lights; and

g) At night or in poor visibility, put on bright or reflective clothing.

 

*EIGHT (8) Smart Skills For Driving An SUV*

1. Practice Makes Perfect

Get comfortable in your SUV before taking it out on the road. Practice driving in a large, open space (such as an empty parking lot) and in different weather conditions to get used to the handling and braking.

2. Keep It Light

Any cargo—including passengers—raises an SUV’s center of gravity, which increases the chance of a rollover. So be mindful of packing heavy stuff, especially when you have passengers, and avoid using the roof rack unless absolutely necessary. Be aware, too, that overloading can cause brake wear and tear, tires to overheat, and can increase the risk of a blowout.

3. Go Slower

An SUV handles differently than a lower-bodied sedan; it isn’t designed to make quick, sharp turns. Take corners easy, and slow down on curved roads. Drive especially carefully in snow and rain.

4. Leave Lots Of Space

While your driving position in an SUV gives you good road visibility, it can be hard for drivers of smaller cars to see around you. Those behind you, for example, may not have much of a warning that you’re going to stop. Increasing your following distance can result in less-sudden stops, which may in turn help prevent cars from rear-ending you.

5. Hit The Brakes Sooner

SUVs require greater braking distance from most other cars, especially in bad weather. “Because SUVs weigh more than smaller vehicles, they need more time to come to a complete stop,” Solomon says. “Four-wheel drive does not mean four-wheel stop.”

6. Mind Your Mirrors

Minimize blind spots on either side, which may require positioning mirrors farther out than you would for a sedan. Be aware that since you’re sitting higher, it may be harder to see things lower to the ground; when backing up, be especially careful that nothing and no one is behind you.

7. Avoid Sudden Movements

Drivers can help guard against the threat of rollover crashes by not overcorrecting with the steering wheel. In an emergency, try to steer as smoothly as possible.

8. Think Before You Tow

Even if your SUV is equipped with a trailer hitch, that doesn’t necessarily mean it has the engine power, stability or braking capacity to handle a loaded trailer. Refer to your owner’s manual before attempting to trailer anything, and know that the handling and stability changes greatly when adding a trailer to an SUV. Also, be aware that SUV factory mirrors are usually not sufficient for trailering.