MANG TOM'S
Here at TACP, Mang TOMS is our resident know-all (well, almost!)
when it comes to maintaining our Toyotas in tip-top shape. We also tried
pestering him about lending us money for our Saturday gimik...but, he
would rather give us some advice on how to keep our reliable Toyotas
running (nice try though). He also neither confirms nor
denies if TOMS is shorthand for "TOMador". (Make sure you have
a designated driver before trying his killer Gin-Pom...)!
Mang TOMS will try to answer your
car-related questions in this column. You may also register
at the TACP Lobby to ask more and know about your Toyota, or apply to
be a member of TACP (and share your knowledge as well).
You can write Mang TOMs at
mangtoms@toyotaclubphil.com.
Ogie Gallardo from Quezon
City writes:
Q: I
have a 1994 Corolla XE, and drive it from my home to school. Recently,
I noticed that it emits thicker white smoke, especially
when I start it up in the morning. The smoke remains when I rev it up
in neutral or in first gear, even when the engine is already warm. And
yet, I don't notice the smoke anymore when I use second gear or
higher. What could be the problem?
A: Your
car should be more than 10 years old by now. Although it's a Toyota,
by now it may have seen better days (assuming that you drive it everyday). Let's
presume that your car is well-tuned and you change your oil regularly.
Based on your descriptions, you may be looking at a blown
piston ring, or you already be in need of a top overhaul. Ask
someone to rev the motor while you check your exhaust. If you
can smell burning oil or you can feel oil at the tip of your exhaust,
you're indeed due for either one of the two, or both. To solve
this, you have two main options: 1) have the piston ring(s)
replaced and/or buy a top overhaul kit (which costs about P3,000
for your 2-E engine plus labor); or 2) if you've been planning to
upgrade your engine, this might be the right time to do so--a 20-valve
4-AGE "Silvertop" (surplus engine costs about P28,000 plus labor)
offers good fuel mileage with a generous 160hp of power. That's
Bang for the Buck! -- Mang TOMS
HOW TO?
TURNING Japanese
(etc.)
by JET-777
Have you seen the various "versions"
of Corollas on the road? JET-7, whose award-winning white AE92 is
one of the best-known examples of Japanese-version (JDM) AE92s, writes
about these in his article and tips on TURNING
JAPANESE.
To see some other articles by
JET-7, click below:
TRAFFIC UPDATES & ROAD SIDE TIPS
QUEZON CITY (Mar. 05) - Ongoing road
digging right at the corner of 20th Avenue and Boni Serrano
(Santolan) in Murphy/Cubao area occupies about the
entire corner. Traffic bottlenecking is observed at almost all times
of the day, especially as this area is used as a turning intersection
by jeeps plying the Cubao route. Special caution is advised for those
who are driving long or large vehicles and are making a turn at the
said intersection.
QUEZON CITY (Feb. 28) - The narrow bypass
road beside Katipunan-Aurora Flyover (southbound) has become
even narrower as there is an ongoing waterworks construction right infront
of Craving's/CCA and just past McDonald's. Severe bottlenecking is experienced
especially during school rush hours as a lot of traffic tries to squeeze
its way through what has now become a 1-lane passageway. The road becomes
a two-lane affair again right before approaching Pan de Manila. There
have been reports of fender-benders and bumper dings at this area so
it is highly recommended that motorists take the detours by turning
right at Shakey's or going straight up the flyover.
MARIKINA CITY (Feb. 24) - Construction
is in full swing for the auxiliary passageway connecting
what is popularly known as Riverbanks Road (coming from Libis)
to Marcos Highway. The project entails the construction of
a bridge over the Marikina River which will allow motorists to reach
Marcos Highway immediately at around the corner of Santolan--without
passing by IVS Road and the old Marcos Highway bridge. This should
decongest East-bound traffic especially during peak hours.
QUEZON CITY (Feb. 07)- The Underpass at
the Katipunan Ext.-Santolan-Libis Interchange is now open to traffic.
A substantial improvement in traffic flow
has been observed. Motorists are still advised to take caution as certain
portions of the project are still under construction.
MAKATI CITY (Feb. 01) - Makati Ave. from
Ayala to Pasong tamo is CLOSED from 10PM to 6AM. This due to
the construction of the underpass.
C5 road going to kalayaan / further south is heavily congested. Construction
of one lane after the bridge is ongoing. This adds approximately 45
minutes to travel time. All vehicles passing through C5 coming from
Libis going to Ortigas and Makati are affected, especially during morning
rush hour.
QUEZON CITY (Feb. 01) - Construction of the extension of Kalayaan Avenue
(after crossing Kamias road) is almost complete and this is expected
to allow traffic from Elliptical Road/Commonwealth Ave. to travel directly
to Cubao area. This will remove the necessity of passing through the
narrow road along the squatters area. Although official announcements
are yet to be made, watch out for the inauguration of this project shortly.
THE FORT, Taguig/Makati (Feb. 01) - Construction of the Sampaguita west
ramps 1 and 2 and the collector distribution (CD) road have now been
completed. This should alleviate traffic going into and out from Global
City, especially along Mabini Offramp and the C5 Road (southbound).
Metro Manila (Jan. 31) - The Makati Regional Trial Court has issued
a 20-day temporary restraining order (TRO) on MMDA traffic schemes
beginning January 30.
The affected schemes are the following:
1) Organized Bus Route scheme (which includes the Yellow Lane rule on
EDSA)
2) Metropolitan Traffic Ticket (MTT) scheme wherein licenses will not
be confiscated and traffic fines may be paid at any Metrobank branch
(now, licenses WILL BE confiscated and traffic fines will have to be
paid again at MMDA offices or at City Halls)
3) No Contact Traffic Apprehension scheme
Please note the TRO does NOT include the UUVRP scheme (color coding)
which will still be implemented.
MARIKINA (Jan. 12) - Motorists coming down from Maj. Dizon ("Little
Baguio") from Katipunan Ext. going to Marikina could no longer turn
right immediately towards the Marikina River (at the mini-park). However,
traffic from the reverse direction is still allowed to pass through.
The alternative route for the affected direction is to go straight to
Marcos Highway and turn right then turn immediately right again to take
the "offramp" going towards the Marikina River.
QUEZON CITY - Libis/C5-Katipunan-Santolan Interchange now partially
open (effective December 24, 2004). Traffic may now use the flyover
from Katipunan Ext. to E. Rodriguez Jr. (Libis) and vice versa. Southbound
traffic from Katipunan may now turn left towards Libis/C-5. Bottlenecking
is still observed in the peripherals as you approach the intersection.
The underpass is now also open to traffic beginning February 07, 2005.
OSMENA HIGHWAY (Jan. 13) - The stretch between Quirino Avenue and the
Magallanes Overpass-EDSA is still under heavy construction/renovation,
both north and south bound. Expect heavy traffic, especially at peak
times.
SOUTH LUZON EXPRESSWAY (Jan. 13) - The Toll Fee from Alabang to Calamba
has been increased to PhP20. Meanwhile, the Toll Fee for Coastal Road
has also been increased to PhP15 from the previous PhP12.
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