Driving Back Home for Chinese New Year? Here Is a Quick Checklist before Your Journey!

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Car Tips
Driving Back Home for Chinese New Year? Here Is a Quick Checklist...

By

Carsome Author

Whether it is daily driving to work or during the festive season, it is always paramount to foster safe and defensive driving. If you are travelling home by car this Chinese New Year, we have prepared a quick checklist below for you to take note before your long drive.

Tire check and vehicle service

This first tip is compulsory for all vehicles. Sending in your car for a service is not only crucial before your long journey, but also helps in extending the lifespan and health of your vehicle.

Tires

Your tires are the only connection your car has with the road. Tire grip is the most critical element when it comes to an emergency. Check your tires according to the wear indicator and ensure that your tire pressure is at its optimum at least once a fortnight. The best time to top up with air is in the early morning or at night when the tire’s temperature is cooler. Also, don’t forget to check your spare in the trunk!

Brakes

Brake pads are not the only component that is involved in stopping your car. Do also check your brake fluid and make sure it is at its recommended levels.

Engine Oil

It is a standard procedure that your engine oil change happens according to your scheduled service. If you have recently sent in your car for service, you can also carry out checks on your own. The easiest way to do so is with the oil dipstick which commonly has a yellow or orange handle. Do remember to perform the inspection after your car has settled for several hours to get a more accurate reading.

Wipers

Most windscreen wipers lose their consistency after a year due to wear and from the heat and sunlight we get all year round. If your wipers are skipping, scraping or show signs of cracking,
it is time to change
. For compatibility, do note the size and hook type on your wipers before you purchase.

Lights

The lights on your car are most essential for night driving. Perform a full check on your headlamps, high beams, rear lights, brake lights, third brake lights, your turn signals and even the hazard lights.

Battery

Depending on what vehicle you drive, the lifespan of a standard car battery lasts an average of two years. Early signs of a weak battery are when the engine struggles slightly during a start. To
prevent getting stuc
k
 with a dead battery
, you should get it checked at any service center or use an analog or digital multi-meter to test the battery’s charge level.

Get enough rest and plan your journey

If you are the designated driver, do remember to get enough sleep before your road trip. Even so, do exercise caution when it comes to driving in the afternoon after a meal, as you could also doze off at the wheel. If you start to feel tired, do not force yourself to continue, get the next driver to take over. You can plan your journey via navigation apps such as Waze or Google Maps.

Top up your Touch ‘n Go card

Do remember to have enough credit in your Touch ‘n Go card. More so, you could
link your card with PayDirect via Touch ‘n Go’s eWallet app
 or use
RFID
 if you have that installed.

Phone charger and powerbank

If you rely on your cellphone for navigation, do ensure it is fully charged the night before your journey. To be safe, do bring along a car charger or a power bank just in case. You never know when you need one for emergencies.

Practice patience and prudence on the road

If you are traveling with your loved ones, do remember that everyone else on the road has their destinations as well. Practice patience, courtesy and defensive driving when heading home this Chinese New Year.

Read below for more stories!

Are you looking for passenger car tires with shorter wet braking distance when worn?
Michelin’s XM2 Plus tires
 are the answer.

Did you know that from 1 January 2020, it is mandatory to strap your children into child car seats?
Click here

for more on the ruling, certified labels and how to select the right car seat for your child.

Some modern car safety features could save you from serious accidents. Find out which
features you should have in your next new car
.

Upgrade your ride for a prosperous Chinese New Year journey and sell your car to Carsome today!

Carsome Author


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Car Tips
How to Stay Safe when Driving in the Rain

By

Haziq Asyraf

It’s the last month of the year which means the rainy season is upon us! For those who are not so familiar with the weather in Malaysia, we have two seasons – Hot Sun and Cool Rain, and towards the end of the year, we get more rain than usual because of the monsoon season. For those who drive, the heavy downpours can be quite tricky to maneuver, due to low visibility to slippery roads. Here are some important safety tips when driving in the rain!

7 Tips to Keep You Safe

Check your Tires and Windshield Wipers

It’s always a good idea to just double check your
tires
 and wipers before you drive off into the rain. Your tires ideally should not be bald as the treads on the tires should have a depth of at least 2 mm because anything lower than this can cause your car to aquaplane as the tires lose the right traction and ability to grip on the road.

The windshield wipers’ condition should be checked every 6 months to ensure they are able to wipe the water off your screen so that your view of the road is clear. The sun and the dry weather can cause them to dry out and crack so checking them is really important.

Speeding = Absolute NO

GIF source: Giphy.com

This comes without saying because no matter what the circumstances are, you don’t want to speed during a heavy downpour and put yourself and others in jeopardy. You should always lower your speed when it rains, and the road is wet. If you need to be somewhere at a certain time, you can always leave earlier than usual to give yourself ample time on the road so that you don’t feel any need to rush if it rains.

Turn on your Headlights

Even if it rains during the day, it can affect the visibility on the road, which is when you should turn on your
headlights
 immediately. Not only will you be able to see the road better, but it also gives an indication to other drivers that your car is there and moving. But no matter how heavy the rain in, if your car is moving, the emergency light should NOT be on! For those who might not know this, emergency light is turned on when your car is at a complete stop to alert other drivers.

Two Hands on the Wheel

You are taught to drive with both hands on the wheel with a reason, so that you have total control of your car! This comes in especially handy when you are driving in the rain with strong wind. You need to grip your steering wheel firmly with two hands so that you can avoid your car from drifting off the road as it is really easy when the road is slippery.

Keep a Safe Distance

Remember the 9 seconds rule that you were taught when you were taking your driver’s examination? To refresh your mind, the 9 seconds rule refers to the distance between your car and the car in front of you. Why 9 seconds you ask? Because if the car hits the brakes suddenly, you will have ample time to react and stop your car before anything happens. Like we said, the risk of accidents happening during a heavy downpour is way higher so you should always stay at a safe distance when you are driving.

Avoid using Cruise Control

This is a great feature that should only be used when the weather is dry as it increases the risk of losing control of your car in wet conditions. Cruise Control allows your car to drive at a constant speed, so when it rains, it will be really difficult for you to slow down which will only make things worse. Your car will also speed up if you aquaplane when you have the Cruise Control turned on.

Keep Calm if Aquaplaning Occurs

Aquaplane is when a layer of water builds up between the tires of your car and the road which leads to you losing control of your car. You can usually tell if you are aquaplaning, your steering wheel will feel light and unresponsive and you will be able to hear displaced water roaring against the inside of the car’s wheel arches. So if this were to happen, you need to keep calm and try your best not to hit on the brakes as it will only cause your car to skid. What you should do is gently remove your foot from the gas pedal and allow your car to slow itself until the tires are back in contact with the road. You can then brake gently and correct your trajectory.

Now, these are just a few tips to stay safe when driving in the rain. The ultimate tip is to always stay vigilant on the road, no matter rain or shine. We at
Carsome
 want you to stay focused when you drive so that you can reach your destination safe and sound. #CarsomeCares.

Haziq Asyraf
A self-proclaimed foodie and gamer whose passion for food and games has recently extended to cars.


Types of Driving License in Malaysia & How to Get Your Own License

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Law & Procedures
Types of Driving License in Malaysia & How to Get Your Own...

By

Haziq Asyraf

Having a driving license in Malaysia is a necessity for many as driving your own vehicle is still the most reliable mode of transportation we have. There are multiple classes of driving licenses from class B2 for mopeds or
kapcais
 all the way to class I license for tractors. Your driving license shows that you’re a qualified driver so you need to carry it whenever you’re driving.

If you’re planning to get a driving license in Malaysia soon, here’s a handy guide on the latest car and motorbike license fees, steps to get a driver’s license, and other license-related info.

Table of Contents

When Can You Get a Driver’s License

Types of Driving Licenses in Malaysia

Malaysia Driving License Classes

How to Get a Driving License in Malaysia

How Much Does a Driving License Cost in Malaysia?

How to Apply for an International Driving License in Malaysia

How to Renew Your Driving License

Get Quality Cars with CARSOME

When Can You Get a Driver’s License

In Malaysia, the minimum age to obtain a full class A, B2, B or C motorcycle license is 16. Meanwhile, the age qualifications for class D or DA car licenses are aged 17 and above. You must also be 21 years old and above and have a valid CDL license if you want to apply for a Class E to I driving license. The prerequisite terms for someone to get a driver’s license is – be physically fit, not color blind, and have good vision (can see up to a distance of 23 meters).

Candidates with disabilities need to get a health examination and a confirmation of eligibility to drive a car or ride a bike from any government clinics or hospital and an approval from any of the
nearest JPJ branches
. For non-Malaysians or permanent resident applicants, candidates must have a valid passport and visitor pass/visa for a period of at least 1 month to qualify for a driver’s license.

Types of Driving Licenses in Malaysia

Driving licenses in Malaysia are divided into several categories as follows:

Learner’s Driving License (LDL):
 Also known as an L license, it allows you to learn to drive according to the prescribed classes such as B, B2, D, and E under the supervision of an experienced coach from the driving institute. The L license needs to be renewed every 3 to 6 months if you have not taken/passed the JPJ driving test. The validity period of the L license is for 2 years.

Probationary Driving License (PDL):
 Also known as a P license, it’s given to new drivers who have passed the practical driving test at a Driving Institute. All new drivers have to go through a two-year probationary period before getting their competent driving license.

Competent Driving License (CDL):
 Refers to a valid driving license issued by JPJ to an individual after the expiration of the two-year probationary period. This license replaces your P license.

Vocational Driving License (VDL) or Commercial Driving License:
 A special driving license for commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses. This license is issued jointly by JPJ and LPKP (Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board).

International Driving Permit (IDP):
 An international driving license that allows Malaysians to drive in different countries. Application for this permit can be made at any JPJ office.

Read More:
Organizations Responsible for Roads & Road Users
 in Malaysia

Malaysia Driving License Classes

Class

Vehicle Types

A

Vehicles for disabled persons not more than 450kg

B

Motorcycles (all displacements) – more than 500cc. Also known as a B-Full license

B1

Motorcycles not exceeding 500cc

B2

Motorcycles not exceeding 250cc

C

Motorized tricycles

D

Manual transmission cars with unloaded weight not exceeding 3500kg

DA

Automatic transmission cars with unloaded weight not exceeding 3500kg

E

Trucks of all classes, including with unloaded weight exceeding 7500kg. The class E license is
merged with class E1 and E2
 from 1 March 2022.

F

Tractors/light motorized machines (wheeled) with unloaded weight not exceeding 5000kg

G

Tractors/light motorized machines (chained) with unloaded weight not exceeding 5000kg

H

Tractors/heavy motorized machines (wheeled) with unloaded weight exceeding 5000kg

I

Tractors/heavy motorized machines (chained) with unloaded weight exceeding 5000kg

M

A license is labeled as ‘M’ if you have a court conviction. Your license may be restricted for a period of time if it gets an ‘M’ status.

Read More:
Traffic Summon/Compound Rates in Malaysia

How to Get a Driving License in Malaysia

Image source:
The Star

Obtaining a motorcycle or car driving license in Malaysia is fairly straightforward and involves similar steps. From starting with an L license all the way to obtaining your CDL license, here’s what you have to do.

Register for a driving course

Contact the driving institute of your choice. The admin officer at the institute will explain the fees required to get a driving license, and the course structure, and help you schedule your first class.

2. Attend the KPP01 Theoretical Course

The  KPP01 is a theoretical classroom course that will teach you about road signs and laws, driving etiquette, defensive driving, and more. The class takes 6 hours on a single day. You are advised to dress neatly when attending this course.

3, Law Theory Computer Test

After attending the KPP01 course, you need to sit for a law theory computer test which takes 45 minutes. The minimum passing score for this test is 42/50. You’ll need to sit for a repeat test if he/she fails.

4. Collect Your L License

Within a week after passing the computer test, you can collect your L (Learner Driving License) license. Oftentimes, you can also have your assigned instructor deliver it to you. With an L license, you can only
drive cars displaying the L plate owned by driving schools under the supervision of a driving school instructor.

5. Attend the KPP02 and KPP03 Practical Driving Course

Once you have obtained your L License, your driving instructor will coach you to drive on the course at the driving institute (KPP02) and on the road (KPP03). If you are applying for the D license (manual car), you will learn how to drive a manual car and how to change gears with a clutch. Alternatively, you can also opt for the DA class license (automatic car), where you will learn how to drive an automatic transmission vehicle.

Once the driving instructor is confident that you are capable of completing the road test, they will schedule your test. Your driving test will include a slope test, a 3-point turn, reverse parking, parallel parking, and driving on the open road. If you’re applying for a motorcycle license, you’ll also have to attend the KPP02 and KPP03 classes on a dedicated motorcycle riding course.

6. Attend the JPJ Practical Test

Next, you have to sit for the JPJ Practical Test. The test involves two stages – driving on the circuit while being observed by JPJ officers stationed at the test stations, and an on-the-road driving test accompanied by a JPJ officer in the passenger seat. If you pass the JPJ Practical Test, you will be eligible for a P driving license. Otherwise, you will have to re-sit the test.

7. Collect Your P License

After you’ve passed the practical test, you’ll be awarded a P license (PDL). You’ll need to drive with this license for two years before being able to upgrade it to a CDL or a ‘full license’. Just make sure you don’t get into trouble and rack up demerit points or you’ll risk losing your P license. If that happens you’ll have to go through the whole process again.

There are no special rules for P license holders other than you also need to display the P sticker on the top left front windscreen and top right rear windscreen of your car. Once the two-year probationary period is over, you can upgrade to a CDL license at any JPJ office.

How Much Does a Driving License Cost in Malaysia?

The cost of a driving license varies by state and location of the driving institute. However, the Licensing Committee of Driving Institutes (JKPIM) under the management of JPJ has set the maximum amount for tuition and practical driving training fees for all driving institutes.

This ensures the price of driving licenses in Malaysia has a maximum cap and is consistent in each state. It also ensures that everybody can afford to obtain a driving license. Below are the prices of driving licenses available in Malaysia. The total course price may vary between driving institutes depending on their fees and services provided.

License

Class

License Price

Total Course Price

Motorcycle License

B2

RM350 – RM450

RM700 – RM900

B

RM900 – RM1,100

RM1,100 – RM1,500

Manual Car License

D

RM1,150 – RM1,300

RM1,400 – RM2,000

Automatic Car License

DA

RM1,250 – RM1,500

RM1,600 – RM2,500

How to Apply for an International Driving License in Malaysia

If you plan to go on vacation or will be working overseas and want to have an international driving license (also called an international driving permit or IDP), you can visit any JPJ office to apply for it. The IDP only has a one-year validity and has to be renewed yearly if you still need it. Here are the documents you need to apply for an IDP:

Original and photocopy of identity card (both sides)

Original and photocopy of a valid driving license (only CDL)

A passport-sized photograph with a white background

Completed Form JPJ L1 (driving license application form)

RM150 payment for an IDP valid for one year

To be eligible to apply for an IDP, you must satisfy these requirements:

Have a Competent Driving License with more than one year of validity

You are not blacklisted by JPJ or PDRM

How to Renew Your Driving License

You can renew your driving license at any post office, JPJ office, and online on
MyEG’s website
. This can be done in yearly increments with the minimum renewal period being one year. Just announced in 2023, Malaysians can now renew their driving license up to a maximum validity of 10 years. Additionally, if you renew for 10 years, you’ll only need to pay for nine years of renewal – that’s a 10-percent discount on your license. You can learn all about renewing your driving license
here
.

Get Quality Cars with CARSOME

Now that you know the ins and outs of getting a driving license in Malaysia, you’ll be able to improve your mobility and travel wherever and whenever you need to. If you need a quality vehicle to drive around, do check out
CARSOME
!

All our pre-owned cars have passed a stringent 175-point inspection to rule out major accident, flood, and fire damage. They also come with the promise of a fixed price with no hidden fees – that means the price on the listing already includes all the fees including ownership transfer and Puspakom fees and is exactly what you need to pay.

Visit
CARSOME
 to find your dream car or
download our app
 today!

This content was originally published on 3/3/2021. It has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.


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Cara Mengelakkan Ditipu Semasa Membeli atau Menjual Kereta

By

Haziq Asyraf

Pasaran kereta terpakai boleh menjadi sebuah tempat yang penuh dengan perangkap bagi pelanggan yang tidak berhati-hati. Sama ada anda ingin
membeli
 atau
menjual
 kereta, akan ada pihak yang tidak bertanggung jawab yang akan cuba untuk menipu dan mengikis wang anda semasa dalam proses
jual beli kereta
.

Walaupun
financial

scam
 atau penipuan kewangan berkaitan dengan kereta dapat dielakkan dengan menggunakan logik akal, adalah lebih sukar untuk mengelak daripada ditipu apabila berurusan dengan kereta yang berada di depan mata.

Kadang kala, kekurangan pengetahuan mekanikal juga akan menyukarkan lagi perjalanan anda dalam usaha membeli atau menjual kereta. Dengan sedikit pengetahuan asas berkenaan kereta, anda boleh mengelak daripada ditipu oleh orang lain.

Dengan ilmu yang mencukupi, anda boleh tawar-menawar dengan yakin dan juga boleh mengelak dari terjebak dengan penipuan. Berikut merupakan perkara-perkara yang boleh anda lakukan untuk melindungi diri anda dari ditipu dan juga perkara-perkara yang perlu diperhatikan, untuk pembeli dan penjual.

Semasa Membeli Kereta

Ketahui Nilai Kereta

Sebelum anda melihat kereta terpakai yang hendak dibeli, and perlu mengetahui harga yang perlu dibayar untuknya. Anda boleh semak nilai pasaran kereta berdasarkan pengedar, model, dan juga tahun buatan. Syarikat insurans selalu berbuat demikian untuk menetapkan harga premium, dan ia merupakan tempat yang baik untuk bermula.

Nilai sebenar kereta akan berbeza berdasarkan pelbagai faktor seperti
mileage
, keadaan kereta, dan juga warna. Dengan anggaran harga pasaran sebagai panduan, anda boleh mengelak dari membayar terlalu banyak atau ditipu dengan tawaran yang terlalu murah.

Semak Dokumentasi Kereta

Perkara pertama yang perlu disemak apabila berurusan dengan kereta terpakai adalah dokumentasi yang berkaitan – laporan pemeriksaan, rekod servis, dan lain-lain lagi. Kereta terpakai yang elok seharusnya mempunyai dokumen-dokumen tersebut. Ia dapat membuktikan bahawa pemilik sebelumnya telah menjaga dan menyelenggara kereta tersebut dengan baik.

Perkara lain yang perlu anda periksa adalah nombor casis dan nombor enjin supaya ia sama dengan nombor yang tertera pada geran. Jika ianya tidak sama, anda mungkin akan membeli kereta yang telah dicuri dan/atau kereta yang telah dibaiki secara semberono.

Periksa Kereta

Pemeriksaan kenderaan bermotor mungkin memerlukan kemahiran teknikal tertentu, tetapi anda juga boleh melakukan beberapa langkah pemeriksaan yang ringkas untuk memastikan bahawa anda tidak ditipu, tanpa memerlukan pengetahuan mekanikal yang mendalam.

Salah satu langkah pemeriksaan yang ringkas tetapi penting yang boleh anda lakukan ialah kerosakan pada bahagian casis kereta. Periksa sama ada panel badan kereta sejajar antara satu sama lain pada bahagian kiri dan kanan kereta. Periksa juga jika warna cat adalah sama.

Menyelaraskan, mengimpal, dan mengecat kembali casis yang telah kemek akibat kemalangan merupakan kerja pembaikan yang sangat sukar. Kesan pembaikan yang melibatkan kemalangan besar biasanya dapat dilihat melalui jurang yang tidak konsisten dan warna cat yang tidak sepadan antara bahagian pintu dan fender kereta.

Dengan cara ini, anda boleh memastikan bahawa anda tidak ditipu supaya membeli kenderaan yang telah terlibat dalam kemalangan.

Artikel berkaitan:
Tips Kenal Pasti, Cara Semak Kereta Pernah Kemalangan

Pandu Uji Kereta

Sebelum anda membeli kereta, sangat penting untuk anda memandu ujinya terlebih dahulu. Jika penjual kelihatan ragu-ragu untuk membenarkan anda memandu uji, ini menunjukkan bahawa mungkin terdapat masalah dengan kereta itu.

Inilah sebabnya CARSOME sentiasa mengalu-alukan anda untuk membuat tempahan sesi pandu uji – cuma pilih kereta yang anda minat dan jadualkan sesi pandu uji anda secara dalam talian dengan kami.

Jangan lepaskan peluang untuk pandu uji kereta. Dengan berbuat demikian, anda boleh mengetahui sendiri sebarang kerosakan mekanikal yang ada pada kereta tersebut. Seperti biasa, anda perlu pastikan bahawa kereta tersebut berjalan dengan baik, gear bertukar dengan lancar, dan semua komponen elektronik berfungsi dengan baik.

Anda juga boleh menggunakan pengalaman pandu uji tersebut sebagai kelebihan untuk anda – sebarang kerosakan kecil boleh digunakan sebagai alasan untuk menurunkan harga kereta.

Berhati-hati Dengan Bayaran Tersembunyi

Akhir sekali, anda mungkin akan menerima kejutan yang tidak diingini berkaitan dengan bayaran tersembunyi sebaik sahaja anda bersetuju untuk membeli kereta. Kadang-kala, perbezaan harga yang diiklankan dan harga
on-the-road
 boleh mencecah sehingga ribuan ringgit.

“Bayaran” ini termasuk bayaran insurans dan bayaran pengendalian kertas kerja untuk anda. Sebenarnya, menyelesaikan kertas kerja semasa membeli kereta adalah sangat memenatkan jika ia merupakan kali pertama anda melakukannya. Tetapi masa dan usaha yang dilibatkan mungkin tidak berbaloi dengan harga yang diberikan oleh penjual yang tidak jujur.

Ingat, selagi anda masih belum menandatangani sebarang dokumen, anda berhak untuk menarik diri daripada proses jual beli tersebut.

Apabila Menjual Kereta

Ketahui Nilai Kereta Anda

Mengetahui berapa nilai jualan kereta anda dapat melancarkan lagi proses menjual kereta. Sama seperti menjual kereta, anda boleh menyemak nilai pasaran kereta anda dengan merujuk penilaian oleh syarikat insurans.

Dengan cara ini, anda boleh mengelak dari menerima tawaran yang terlalu rendah atau ditipu untuk menerima tawaran yang tidak masuk akal.

Selain daripada itu, anda boleh menempah sesi pemeriksaan dengan CARSOME, di mana pemeriksa terlatih kami akan mengendalikan pemeriksaan 175-titik ke atas kereta anda sebelum menawarkan harga pasaran untuk kereta anda.

Artikel Berkaitan:
Nak Jual Kereta? 17.5 Perkara untuk Naikkan Nilai Kereta Anda

Ketahui Keadaan Kereta Anda

Oleh kerana kereta anda dipandu secara harian, kadang kala ia akan menghadapi masalah yang tidak dapat dilihat. Masalah yang biasa timbul termasuk sistem suspensi yang telah haus, kerosakan pada komponen enjin, atau pada kotak gear.

Oleh itu, sebelum menjual kereta anda, menghantar kereta anda untuk diperiksa oleh pemeriksa kenderaan yang dipercayai seperti pemeriksa profesional dari CARSOME adalah idea yang baik. Pemeriksaan dengan CARSOME juga percuma.

Tambahan pula, CARSOME akan menawarkan untuk membeli kereta anda dengan segera, bermakna anda tidak perlu membuang masa untuk mengiklankannya sendiri. Walau bagaimanapun, jika anda pergi ke kedai lain untuk melakukan pemeriksaan, ia mungkin akan menelan belanja sebanyak beberapa ratus ringgit.

Apa yang penting, dengan mengetahui keadaan kereta anda, anda dapat mengelak daripada ditipu oleh pembeli yang mungkin menipu anda tentang kerosakan yang tidak wujud untuk menurunkan harga kereta.

Berhati-hati Semasa Pandu Uji

Kita sering mendengar berita tentang kecurian kereta yang berlaku kepada penjual. Dengan mengambil langkah keselamatan yang ringkas, anda boleh mengurangkan kemungkinan berlakunya kejadian ini secara drastik.

Langkah yang boleh anda lakukan termasuklah berada di dalam kereta semasa sesi pandu uji, bukan sahaja untuk keselamatan, tetapi juga untuk menjawab sebarang pertanyaan daripada pembeli.

Sebaik-baiknya, bawa juga ahli keluarga atau rakan yang boleh dipercayai untuk sesi pandu uji. Lebih ramai, lebih selamat. Untuk langkah keselamatan tambahan, anda boleh menyimpan kad pengenalan atau lesen memandu pembeli sebagai langkah berjaga-jaga.

Jual & Beli Kereta Dengan CARSOME Untuk Ketenangan Fikiran

Pengalaman Membeli Yang Sangat Mudah

Bagi mereka yang tidak biasa membeli atau menjual kereta, ia boleh menjadi pengalaman yang menakutkan. Oleh itu, membeli kereta secara dalam talian melalui CARSOME menjadikan proses itu telus, lancar, dan semudah yang mungkin.

Apabila membeli kereta melalui CARSOME , tiada sebarang bayaran tersembunyi dikenakan. Harga yang anda lihat di laman web kami, itulah harga penuh yang anda perlu bayar untuk membeli kereta tersebut. Anda juga tidak perlu hadir secara fizikal untuk memeriksa kereta kerana kereta yang disenaraikan oleh CARSOME telah disertakan dengan laporan pemeriksaan yang terperinci bersama dengan gambar yang jelas.

Selain itu, semua kereta CARSOME Certified didatangkan dengan CARSOME Promise yang memberikan anda ketenangan fikiran dengan pembelian anda.

Inilah CARSOME Promise kami:

Pemeriksaan professional:
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Bilakah Masa Terbaik untuk Trade In, Jual atau Beli Kereta Terpakai?


Are Electric Motorcycles Here to Stay? Here’s All You Need to Know about the Top E-bikes in Malaysia

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Are Electric Motorcycles Here to Stay? Here’s All You Need to Know...

By

Carsome Author

As electric vehicles are gaining popularity and becoming more mainstream, many are opting to own one thanks to its numerous benefits. Electric vehicles like cars, motorcycles, scooters, and buses are not only environmentally friendly but are also cheaper in the long run. The electricity
cost
 to power them is generally low, especially in Malaysia, and they are cheaper to maintain since they don’t have a combustion engine with hundreds of moving parts. Not only that, but you also get to enjoy a quieter, more enjoyable driving experience.

With two-wheelers being a popular mode of transportation in Malaysia, we’re also seeing more electric scooters and motorcycles on our roads. Here are the advantages of owning an electric motorcycle or e-motorcycle in Malaysia, and the top two-wheeled EVs available to us now.

Table of Contents

E-Scooters: Making Commuting Easy

Why Electric Motorcycles are Better than Conventional Ones

Instant Torque & Power

Provides More Comfort

Tuning & Updates

Convenient to Run & Maintain

Electric Motorcycle Road Tax Rate in Malaysia

Electric Motorcycles in Malaysia Right Now

Blueshark R1 & R1 Lite

Sur-Ron Light Bee X

BMW CE 04

Ebixon TailG

E-Scooters: Making Commuting Easy

As Malaysia moves toward greater mobility for all, different transportation modes are cropping up, offering commuters more options to help get them to where they need to be. One of them is the electric scooter (e-scooter), often available via scooter-sharing apps such as Beam.

You will be able to find these e-scooters all around town, especially near public train and bus stations around commercial areas, and even famous tourist spots. Increasingly, someone on a scooter will cruise past you on the pavement. To access one of these scooters, all you need to do is download the app, find the designated parking spots for these scooters, and scan the QR code on it to unlock and ride it.

Electric scooters or e-scooters are mainly used for commuting, especially in Klang Valley. They connect people from one station to another, from home to your workplace, and also help tourists who wish to see everything Kuala Lumpur has to offer. As traffic can be terrible during rush hours and weekends in Kuala Lumpur, these scooters are the faster, better alternative to motorcycle taxis, taxis, and cars.

Note: e-scooters are not allowed to be used on public roads as it is dangerous and could cause accidents. Violators caught riding one on public roads or highways can be fined RM300 for the first offense and RM1,000 or three months jail for subsequent offenses. If you have to use an e-scooter on public roads, you will need to apply for a special license from JPJ. You are still allowed to ride in gazetted areas such as playgrounds and permitted areas around shopping centers.

Read More:
Ora Good Cat: Why It’s One of the Most Important EVs in Malaysia

Why Electric Motorcycles are Better than Conventional Ones

Instant Torque & Power

While gas-powered engines take longer to power up and reach peak torque, requiring the engine to be spinning at high rpm (revolutions per minute), electric motors can output their peak power and torque instantly from 0 rpm and maintain consistent power and torque through the entire rpm range too. In the real world, that means electric motorcycles have better acceleration which is useful when overtaking and climbing a hill, especially in heavy traffic.

Read More:
All the EV Charging Station Apps For A Greener Road Trip

Provides More Comfort

Compared to conventional ones, electric motorcycles don’t vibrate or shake while riding or when you are stopped at a red light. Yes, there are many gas engines that provide additional counter-balances that reduce vibrations, but that adds complexity and cost without totally eliminating the vibration. You also don’t have to worry about accidentally burning yourself on the hot exhaust header.

Tuning & Updates

One of the best parts about owning an electric motorcycle is it’s easier to customize its performance to suit your needs. Some bikes have an inbuilt performance profile customizer where you can adjust the power and behavior of the motor. Then there are also electric motorcycles that can be tuned by plugging them into a laptop. Compared to petrol-powered motorcycles, there are no carburetors to mess with, and no engine timing or injector profiles to adjust.

Most electric motorcycles also receive regular over-the-air (OTA) updates bringing new features, improved rideability, safety, and other goodies, similar to how you’d update your smartphone. That way, your bike can stay relevant for longer and continuously improve itself.

Read More:
H
ybrid Cars in Malaysia: Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Convenient to Run & Maintain

With an electric motorcycle, you don’t have to worry about running out of fuel. You can easily use your own charging station in your house or garage to charge your bike’s batteries. And since electric motorcycle batteries are much smaller than those in electric cars, they take a shorter time to charge, often three to five hours depending on the battery capacity.

Some electric motorcycles in Malaysia, like the Blueshark R1 even have compact, removable batteries that you can swap with a fresh battery at a battery swapping station. Maintaining an electric motorcycle is generally easier and cheaper than a conventional one since there are fewer parts to maintain. And that can offset the higher price of electric motorcycles in Malaysia.

Electric Motorcycle Road Tax Rate in Malaysia

There’s a boom of EVs in Malaysia including motorcycles, as evident with the increasing availability of electric motorcycles here. Other than the advantages of riding an EV motorcycle, the Malaysian government has provided tax incentives and free
road tax
 for all EVs – motorcycles and cars included.

All electric motorcycles in Malaysia currently enjoy free road tax until the end of 2025. After that, their road tax will be charged according to their motor output in watts (W) as displayed below.

Electric Motorcycle Motor Output*

Road Tax Rate

Up to 7,500 W

RM2

7,501 W – 10,000 W

RM9

10,001 W – 12,500 W

RM12

12,501 W – 25,000 W

RM30

25,001 W – 40,000 W

RM40

Over 40,000 W

RM42

* 1,000 W equals to 1 kW or 1.36 PS.

Electric Motorcycles in Malaysia Right Now

Whether you call them electric motorcycles, e-motorcycles, or e-bikes, there’s no denying their appeal and advantages over petrol-powered ones. Here are some of the most exciting electric motorcycles currently available or coming soon to Malaysia.

1. Blueshark R1 & R1 Lite

The Blueshark R1 and R1 Lite are full-sized electric scooters that you can legally ride on the road with a standard B2 motorcycle license. They both have identical technical specifications such as below:

Power:
 5 kW

Torque:
201 Nm

Top speed:
 80 km/h

Battery capacity:
Two removable batteries rated at 1.44 kWh each – 2.88 kWh in total

Maximum range:
 110 km

They have two battery slots that can house two removable batteries so you can easily charge them in your living room or swap them at Blueshark’s battery swapping station. The Blueshark R1 is equipped with a 10.4-inch full-color HD display, onboard video recorder, and the ArkRide proprietary operating system (OS) with Bluetooth connectivity, GPS, navigation, media playback, and OTA updates.

The R1 Lite, on the other hand, has a monochrome LCD display and omits the ArkRide OS and video recorder. The price of the Blueshark R1 in Malaysia starts from RM9,390 while the R1 Lite is priced from RM7,190.

Read More:
Hydrogen Cars: Pros, Cons, & Everything You Need to Know

2. Sur-Ron Light Bee X

The Sur-Ron Light Bee is a lightweight electric dirt bike that’s been available in Malaysia for several years and has been making waves among dirt bike enthusiasts. Here are the specifications of the Light Bee X:

Weight:
56 kg

Power:
 6 kW

Torque:
250 Nm

Top speed:
 75 km/h

Battery capacity:
2.28 kWh

Maximum range:
 100 km

Combine those figures with a ground clearance of 270 mm and climbing angle of over 45 degrees gives you a powerful, agile little bike that’s capable of lots of fun when you hit your favorite dirt road or motocross track.

It’s also practical and can be charged in three hours with fast charging. This bike is priced at around RM19,500, which is a good deal if you want a fun dirt bike that’s easy to maintain.

3. BMW CE 04

BMW is no stranger to the electric motorcycle scene. It first introduced the C evolution scooter to the world in 2016, and launched its latest e-scooter in Malaysia just in May 2023 – the BMW CE 04. Here are its figures:

Power:
 32 kW at 4,900 rpm

Torque:
62 Nm at 1,500 rpm

Top speed:
 120 km//h

Battery capacity:
8.9 kWh

Maximum range:
 130 km

Being a BMW, this scooter is well equipped in the tech department with a 10.25-inch color display that can be connected to the BMW Motorrad Connected App providing features like GPS navigation with turn-by-turn navigation, and vehicle statistics and status. It also charges fairly quickly with a regular 2.3 kW charger – in just four hours and 20 minutes. The BMW CE 04 is priced at RM59,500.

4. Ebixon TailG

The Ebixon TailG Bold

Locally assembled by Ni Hsin EV Tech (NHEV) since early 2023, the Ebixon TailG are a duo of electric scooters. Both TailG scooters have a more basic LCD instrument display compared to other bikes on this list along with a USB charging port to keep your phone charged on the road.

Out of the duo, the TailG Bold is the entry-level scooter suited for city commuting. It’s priced at RM9,000. Here are its technical figures:

Power:
 1.5 kW

Torque:
 35 Nm

Top speed:
 65 km/h

Battery capacity:
 Two removable batteries rated at 1.58 kWh each – 3.16 kWh in total

Maximum range:
 120 km

The Ebixon TailG Torq

The TailG Torq is the bigger, more powerful variant of the lineup with bigger batteries and a more powerful motor enabling it to hold its own on the highway. The price of the TailG Torq starts at RM14,999.

Power:
 5 kW

Torque:
 74 Nm

Top speed:
 90 km/h

Battery capacity:
 Two removable batteries rated at 3.6 kWh – 7.2 kWh in total

Maximum range:
 200 km

What do you think about the electric motorcycles available in Malaysia right now? Do you think it’s a good time to invest in one, or do you think that the current price and performance are still not as competitive as regular motorcycles? Let us know what you think.

For other car-related topics, guides, and information, check out our other articles on the
CARSOME blog
.

If you’re looking for an affordable, used car while waiting for better EVs, browse
CARSOME
 today or
download our app
.

This content was originally published on 29/1/2021. It has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.

Carsome Author


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Will Electric Self-Driving Cars Be Feasible in Malaysia?

By

Brian Wong

Electric Vehicles
 (EVs) are beginning to flood the Asian market. Every weekend, there seems to be a brand new EV released either from China or in Malaysia. The current state of the automotive industry has been drastically shifting itself to a camaraderie of an electrical lineup. As of January 2022,
Paultan.org reports
 that only 274 EVs have been sold in Malaysia despite having tax incentives and exemptions offered by the government which you can
read more about here
.

One current feature pioneered by EVs in all of their cars is the
self-driving feature
. For the uninitiated, Self-Driving or Autopilot, similar to the ones used in big airplanes, is software installed to autonomously assist the driver in getting from Point A to B based on the location provided. This feature was first pioneered by Tesla in their models and sequentially, other manufacturers like Kia, Mercedes, and Volvo started following suit too. EVs and Electric Self-Driving Cars are soon going to be the norm. However, is Malaysia really prepared to embrace EVs yet? Let’s take a look at this one incident that happened in the country a while back.

Setting the Stage for Electric Self-Driving Cars

Earlier in March this year when the Malaysia/Singapore Border recently opened up, a couple from Singapore recorded their entire road trip from
Singapore all the way to Penang
, with their Tesla on Autopilot. The dealbreaker for this whole event is the driver did not have their hands on the steering wheel as depicted in the photo. This was not the first isolated case around the world. Electric Self-Driving Cars have been making waves due to people abusing the feature be it for
convenience
, or for
nefarious purposes
.

Although we do not have laws to regulate Electric Self-Driving Cars, the couple was still under investigation by the police as quoted by Bukit Aman Chief Assistant Director of Traffic Investigations and Enforcement (JSPT) Superintendent Dr. Bakri Zainal Abidin according to
Guangming Daily.
 He further stressed that the Land Traffic Act 1959 insists that drivers must drive well, be careful and concentrate. Thus, a driver must be of sound mind, while having their hands on the steering wheel for the whole journey.

While there are no laws that govern autonomous driving, Superintendent Dr. Bakri Zainal told the reporters at Guangming Daily that hands-free driving can make the driver and occupants completely oblivious to their surroundings. Furthermore, he added that Tesla’s Autopilot system is not completely foolproof. He also quoted an incident where a couple from California was killed in a car crash when the autopilot system failed.

Electric Self Driving Cars still remain
a novelty
 among Malaysian drivers due to their relatively new introduction onto Malaysian roads. However, a new debate arises on electric self-driving cars, how well would they fare on our roads? First off, let’s start by discussing the driving habits most Malaysian drivers exhibit.

Malaysian Driving Habits Make it Difficult to Adopt Self-Driving Cars

If there’s one thing Malaysia is famous for, it’s our driving habits. Time and time again, Malaysia has been ranked globally by firms and research institutions as one of the top 10 most dangerous countries to drive in. I mean, have you driven in Klang or Penang before?

1. Malaysia ranks as the eighth most dangerous country to drive in, according to a study conducted by driver’s education firm Zutobi.

The study, which analysed 52 countries, gave Malaysia an overall safety score of only 5.63 out of 10.
https://t.co/GregaEQuze

pic.twitter.com/m6aE6Fsnlz

— BFM News (@NewsBFM)
May 14, 2022

The
Ministry of Transport reports
 that on average, 18 people are killed in road accidents daily. This can be backed by looking no further than the number of accidents captured by dashcam videos that surface on Malaysian Facebook daily. In addition, Malaysian Daily recently reported that at least
42% of our drivers do not feel safe
 on the road. Let’s be honest, how many drivers are still seen with a phone in their hand and speeding despite all the harsh warnings and
punishments
? Or better yet, how many motorcyclists are still
riding carefreely
 on the road?

However, this goes both ways for Electric Self-Driving Cars too. There are numerous fatalities reported from
Tesla’s Autopilot System crashing
 and killing two people in the United States. As of this year, the Washington Post reports 273 fatalities were caused by Tesla’s Autopilot system. Clearly, our current technology isn’t as perfect as we thought it would be. Now picture a malfunctioning Tesla Autopilot meeting a bad driver together on our roads. Like Mentos in a bottle of coke, it’ll spell a recipe for disaster.

Read More:
Peculiar and Dangerous Driving Habits in Malaysia

Endless Potholes like No Tomorrow

It’s also no secret that Malaysian roads have more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese. Occasionally, these potholes can
claim fatalities
 from unsuspecting motorcyclists. Unless you’re someone of
important status
 who suffers an injury from tripping over one, don’t expect them to be fixed anytime soon. To make matters worse, as of 2020,
The Star reported
 that there are more than 50,000 potholes reported by Waze users in Selangor alone! Given that this was two years ago, it’s safe to say those numbers have increased by now.

For Electric Self-Driving Cars, Tesla recently just rolled out a software update on their cars to detect potholes and adapt to them. With its Active Suspension System, Tesla states that the car will automatically adjust its ride height if it detects rough road conditions ahead. Note that this feature is only available to models with Adaptive Suspension installed like the
new Model S and Model X.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lixk_x5AVyQ

Self-driving cars don’t even
try to avoid potholes
; they just drive slowly over them.

What is the future for Electric Self-Driving Cars in Malaysia?

Will Electric Self-Driving Cars be fully utilized in Malaysia? We really can’t tell from these challenges. When the stars align, autonomous cars
can
 be beneficial to soothe our daily communing blues, like sleeping in your self-driving car while letting
Jesus take the wheel
. However, with the current state of our roads and the regular habits of Malaysian drivers, it’s hard to say whether Electric Self-Driving Cars can ever be feasible for the foreseeable future. We’ll let you be the judge.

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Brian Wong


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EMCO in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor 3-16 July 2021

By

Haziq Asyraf

Following the rapid increase in the daily number of Covid cases in Klang Valley, the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) has been enforced on most of Selangor and 15 localities in Kuala Lumpur for two weeks starting 3 July 2021. This is the first time the EMCO has been enforced on such a huge area in the Klang Valley since the pandemic started in March last year.

Table of Contents

Districts Under EMCO in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur

EMCO SOPs to Take Note Of

Roadblock Locations During Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on EMCO in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur

Districts Under EMCO in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur

This decision was made after a discussion involving a risk assessment by the Health Ministry as well as suggestions by various agencies following the massive increase in the number of Covid-19 cases reported in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor over the past few weeks. Here are the districts that are placed under the EMCO.

State

District

Location

Selangor

Petaling

Petaling

Damansara

Sungai Buloh

Bukit Raja

Hulu Langat

Hulu Langat

Ampang

Cheras

Kajang

Semenyih

Beranang

Sepang

Dengkil

Labu

Sepang

Gombak

Batu

Rawang

Setapak

Hulu Kelang

Kuang

Kuala Langat

Tanjung 12 (1)

Tanjung 12 (2)

Teluk Panglima Garang

Morib

Bandar

Jugra

Batu

Klang

Kapar

Klang

Kuala Selangor

Ijok

Bestari Jaya

Jeram

Hulu Selangor

Serendah

Rasa

Ulu Yam

Batang Kali

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur

Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) Sri Semarak

Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) Batu Muda

Flat Seksyen 2 Wangsa Maju

Flat Seksyen 1 Wangsa Maju

Kampung Padang Balang

Taman Koperasi Polis (Fasa 1 & 2)

Flat Sri Sabah

Kampung Puah

Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) Kampung Baru Air Panas

Flat Desa Pandan (termasuk Baiduri & Delima)

Kampung Batu Muda

Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) Kerinchi

Bandar Baru Sentul

Taman Ikan Emas

EMCO SOPs to Take Note Of

Since this is the first time EMCO has been enforced so widely in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, here are some restrictions that have been put in place for those in the affected locations.

Transportation

Public transportations including taxi and e-hailing rides are allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity.

Only one passenger is allowed in cars, taxis, e-hailing rides.

Individuals are only allowed to travel within a 10-kilometer radius from your residential area.

Economic Activities

Restaurants, food trucks, and food stalls are allowed to operate without dine-in from 8 am to 8 pm.

Groceries and convenience stores are allowed to operate while supermarkets and hypermarkets will be limited to the food, drinks, and essential supplies sections only. Both are allowed to operate from 8 am to 8 pm.

Public markets and permanent farmer’s markets are allowed to operate from 6 am to 2 pm while daily markets, night markets, and bazaars are not allowed.

Wholesale markets are allowed to operate from 12 midnight to 6 am.

Essential Economy

Hospitals, clinics, and medical laboratories are allowed to operate as usual while pharmacies, herbal medicine shops, veterinarians, pet food stores are allowed to operate from 8 am to 8 pm.

Petrol stations are allowed to operate from 6 am to 8 pm except for those on the highways that are allowed to operate for 24 hours.

Essential Services

Civil servants and the workforce in essential services are limited to 20 percent capacity. This does not include frontlines, security, and defense personnel.

As for civil servants in non-essential services, all are required to work from home.

the number of workers under the private sectors providing essential services is limited to 60 percent capacity (inclusive of operations and management).

According to Datuk Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, all entries and exits for areas under the EMCO will also be closed during this period. In fact, any movement outside after 8 pm is also not allowed except for emergency purposes.

Also Read:
SOPs for MCO 3.0 in Malaysia

Roadblock Locations During Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO)

The SOPs between the districts in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur are slightly different. According to the Kuala Lumpur Police Chief, the installation of barb wires will not be placed in the affected areas in Selangor as the focus is to increase the number of police roadblocks in Selangor.

According to a
news source
, as many as 120 to 140 roadblocks are placed in Selangor including mobile roadblocks or ‘snap checks’. In Kuala Lumpur on the other hand, roadblocks and barbed wires are placed in the affected areas to control movement. You can also check the
full list of roadblocks across Malaysia
 for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on EMCO in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur

There are many who are confused about what they can and cannot do during this EMCO. We hope these answers will be able to give you a clearer picture of what can/cannot be done during EMCO.

1. If my residential area is under EMCO, can I get my Covid-19 vaccine outside the district/state?

Movement across district and state for the purpose of covid-19 vaccinations at any Vaccine Administration Centers outside your residential areas is allowed. You will only need to show the vaccination appointment details on the MySejahtera mobile application if you are stopped at a roadblock.

2. Are courier services and food deliveries such as Grab Food and Food Panda allowed in EMCO affected areas?

Food deliveries such as Food Panda and Grab Food and courier services such as Poslaju, J&T Express, and GDEX are allowed in EMCO affected areas.

3. How many people are allowed in a car for areas affected by EMCO?

Only one person is allowed in a car at a time but for medical and vaccination purposes, up to three people are allowed at a time. For emergency cases such as death, the maximum number of people allowed in a car will be based on the situation.

The number of cases in Malaysia will continue to rise to an alarming state every day unless we do something! We all have our parts to play in order to flatten the Covid-19 case. We can do this!

Read also:
How To Maintain Your Car Engine and others during MCO

For any other used car services and news, do check Carsome out! You can
sell your used car
 at Carsome for the best price, fast payment, and no paperwork hassle. Check the website today to know more.

Haziq Asyraf
A self-proclaimed foodie and gamer whose passion for food and games has recently extended to cars.


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Engine Oil Additives: Do They Really Work?

By

Amarnath

Reducing Friction in the Engine

A little friction can go a long way depending on the intention. Friction between your car’s tyres and the road? That’s a good thing. Without it, your car wouldn’t be able to move or come to a halt.

Of course, friction isn’t required everywhere in a vehicle. A case in point would be the engine. Friction between the piston and the cylinder wall isn’t a good thing. It produces excessive heat and doesn’t allow the engine to run smoothly.

This is precisely why
engine oil
 is necessary. It reduces the frictional forces between the engine’s internal parts and allows them to move smoothly. Less wear and reduced heat from friction mean a happy engine.

In addition to engine oil, you might have read online about engine oil additives that, as the name suggests, is mixed together with the oil to complement its function and raise performance.

However, the jury is still out on whether engine oil additives are necessary and actually bring benefits or are they just automotive snake oil. Here, we’ll take a look at the types of engine oil additives on the market as well as the pros and cons.

Read More:

How to Check the 6 Essential Car Oils & Fluids

Purpose of Oil Additives

The general consensus is that engine oil itself already contains all the necessary chemical compounds to perform its intended duty. Therefore, the question arises – why the need for engine oil additives?

Simply put, we don’t believe that the branded engine oil additives in the market are actually bad for your engine or cause harm. However, the benefits, if any, are difficult to distinguish and could come at a cost in other areas of the oil’s performance.

Bear in mind though that oil additives aren’t regulated in the same manner that engine oils are.

Oil additives are purported to augment the engine oil’s formula and improve a particular aspect of the engine’s performance such as improving fuel consumption or providing better wear protection.

You might be wondering why a new engine might need this and you’d be right to question that. This brings us to the part about selecting the right additive if you’re going down that route.

Before that, let’s take a look at the most common types of additives in the market.

Types of Additives

1. Viscosity Index Improvers

As the name suggests, this additive will chemically alter the oil’s viscosity to maintain more consistency. Cold and hot temperatures can cause the oil’s viscosity to vary and the additive’s purpose here is to try and maintain said viscosity within the stated performance range.

2. Anti-wear Additives

Here, the engine oil additive will form a protective coating on the surface of the engine’s internals to reduce wear and tear. The anti-wear agents are usually zinc and phosphorus. Besides providing anti-wear protection, it also neutralizes acids and prevents condensation and oxidation that further reduces the oil’s ability to lubricate.

3. Detergents

As the oil runs within your engine, it will absorb impurities and acids that will form solid deposits on the surface of the internal parts. This is never a good thing and it creates rough surfaces between the moving parts. The additive here serves to make the impurities soluble so they don’t stick to the affected surfaces.

4. Lubricating Additives

The majority of the wear in an engine happens during a cold start. As the oil isn’t up to operating temperature yet, it wouldn’t be able to properly coat the surfaces and hence, additional wear is incurred. This additive clings to the surface of the internals and reduces friction as well as wear during a cold start.

Read More:
Things to Check When You Service Your Car

Does My Car Really Need an Engine Oil Additive?

New cars with modern oils will likely not require an additive. However, using the right one could help increase the engine’s lifespan as well as reduce wear and tear in the long run.

On older vehicles that have likely surpassed the six-figure mark in terms of mileage, there’s likely a drop in performance and an increase in fuel consumption. While an additive won’t turn back time, it could slow down the clock and drop the rate of damage so your engine will run a little longer before requiring any major work. It’s no cure but more of a band-aid solution at this point.

Therefore, if you’re using an older vehicle with plenty of kilometers on the clock, you can consider an engine oil additive if a certain aspect of your engine’s performance is lacking.

Which Oil Additive Is Right for My Car?

First things first, using an oil additive doesn’t mean you can stretch the period between scheduled oil changes as recommended by the manufacturer. Furthermore, you also shouldn’t switch to a lesser oil with the mindset that the additive will improve its performance to match a much more premium option and save some Ringgit.

With that out of the way, you can consider an additive if your older vehicle is showing signs of wear and tear. As we mentioned earlier, it might help stretch the engine’s lifespan a little longer at most.

Bear in mind though that the long-term side effects aren’t fully documented. For instance, if you pick one of the four types of additives detailed above, it might alter other aspects of the oil and reduce performance in some of those segments.

Again, we’re not saying that all additives do that but results are few and far between for anything to be set in stone.

Conclusion

To sum it up, the majority of engine oil additives aren’t damaging to your engine but given the lack of tangible evidence that they bring benefits, it’s probably best to just keep away from them.

Instead, spend that money on getting a more premium oil in the first place that should get the job done just fine. Cheap oils will lack some of the chemicals that function in the same manner as adding in the additive so a proper, premium oil will have all the right chemicals and characteristics to protect your engine.

Amarnath


Engine Oil Maintenance Tips by Bosch

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Car Tips
Engine Oil Maintenance Tips by Bosch

Engine Oil Maintenance Tips by Bosch

By

Carsome Author

    Do you know how important engine oil is, to the functioning of a car’s engine? If you didn’t, it is important to learn up. Engine oil lubricates the engine’s moving parts so that it reduces the effects of heat, and wear and tear of an engine’s parts. Of course it also protects the engine against corrosion and rusting, cools the engine’s operating temperature and helps remove contaminants such as impurities from fuel and soot from incomplete combustion.

    While this may be common knowledge, a recent survey by Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Malaysia that polled 1,036 Malaysian drivers found that 60 per cent of them do not keep a regular schedule for engine oil maintenance.

    Pang Yoon Kong, Country Manager of Bosch AA Malaysia mentions that following to the routine oil change is vital for both the performance and health of your vehicle. If not, this could pose a long term problem, with the most common being engine overheating and worse, a very costly engine replacement. “The standard interval for oil change is every 8,000 km or six months whichever comes first for fully synthetic, and 5,000 km or six months for all other types of oils and older vehicles. Ultimately, we strongly advise following the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended service interval and engine oil specifications,” said Pang.

    “If you notice significant engine clanking noises, higher engine oil consumption than usual, or that the colour of the engine oil has turned black during a dipstick check despite the oil level still being high, please get your car inspected immediately. These are tell-tale signs of engine problems that may be caused by multiple factors aside from a simple leaky gasket,” he added.

    There are three types of engine oils – mineral, semi-synthetic, and fully-synthetic. Mineral oils are generally derived from refined crude oil, while fully-synthetic oils are man-made in the lab; semi-synthetic oils are a blend of the two. Every engine is different; therefore, it is important to use the appropriate grade of engine oil based on the car engine’s specifications as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

    How can you avoid disruptions to your travel plans when on the road? Bosch insists on having Malaysians check their engine oil levels regularly with a service schedule on their oil change. Bosch AA offers a range of engine oils for all passenger cars that is specifically designed to optimize engine protection over a wide temperature range, and with high oxidation stability that is ideal for tropical climates such as Malaysia’s. The full range of
Bosch engine oils is available on Lazada here
.

Bosch Quick Tip: Engine oil maintenance for car owners

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things you didn't know that damages your car
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!

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Home
Car Tips
How ESC Saves Lives & Why Your Next Car Should Have It

By

Devan S

I had a
near-life-threatening
 accident a few years ago in a car that did not have
Electronic Stability Control

(ESC)
 and how I wish it did as it could have helped prevent my car from losing control.
ESC
in cars
is a safety system that
helps prevent the car from skidding
 and
helps the driver to regain control of their car
. It also reduces the risk of a rollover (when the car overturns) – which has a higher rate of fatality than any other type of crashes.

A car can skid in a few circumstances such as a sudden change in direction to avoid an accident, when it rains and the road conditions are slippery, or when your
tires are poorly maintained
. In this day and age,
four airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and traction control
 just won’t cut it anymore. That is why more manufacturers are fitting their vehicles with
Advanced Driver-Assistance System (ADAS)
, which includes many advanced, semi-autonomous safety features that you can read more about
here
.

It’s worth mentioning that different manufacturers may use different names for
ESC
 in cars
 – Perodua calls it Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Mazda calls it Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Honda calls it Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA). Nevertheless, it all refers to
Electronic Stability Control
.

How Does It Work?

ESC
 in cars works by monitoring the steering wheel activity and the speed sensors on each wheel. When it detects that the driver has lost steering control, the system kicks in and controls the braking of individual wheels and suppresses the engine output so you can regain control of the car. It also helps you to steer the car into the right direction. Nonetheless, the outcome of
ESC
 in cars may vary depending on individual circumstances.

How to Tell If a Car Is Fitted with ESC?

You can tell if a car is fitted with
ESC
 just by looking for the
ESC
“
OFF
” button usually located at the control panel on the right side of the steering wheel, below the driver’s side air-condition vent.

ESC “OFF” button

Here Are Popular Used Cars Under RM50k Equipped with ESC

Perodua Bezza (2016-present)

Perodua Bezza listings on CARSOME

Perodua Myvi (2018-present)

Perodua MYVI listings on CARSOME

Proton Saga Premium variant (2016-present)

Proton SAGA listings on CARSOME

Proton Preve (2013-present)

A 2016 Proton PREVE CVT 1.6 on CARSOME

Kia Picanto (2016-present)

A 2018 Kia PICANTO EX 1.2 on CARSOME

Kia Cerato (2013-2015)

A 2014 Kia CERATO YD 1.6 on CARSOME

Volkswagen Jetta (2014-present)

A 2014 Volkswagen JETTA TSI 1.4 on CARSOME

Check out the cars available on CARSOME with
ESC
 under
RM50k
here
.

You Can’t Put a Price on Safety

As mentioned in the beginning, I had a
near
 life-threatening accident as I was trying to avoid another accident, which involved four cars. One being a Perodua Viva that had lost control, and did not have
ESC
. However, I was lucky enough to regain control of my car. With that being said, how many road users can depend on luck when their car loses control? To put things into perspective –
road accidents are amongst the main causes of death in Malaysia with an average of 4,769 lives lost each year
. Therefore, having an extra safety feature like
ESC
 in your car
 is worth it even if it’s going to cost a couple of thousands more.

Buy CARSOME Certified for Peace of Mind

Here at CARSOME, we believe in creating an end-to-end buying journey to eliminate the concerns common in a traditional used car buying experience.
CARSOME Certified
 is the new standard of buying pre-owned cars backed up by our
175-point inspection
 together with our
CARSOME Certified Refurbishment Process
. By creating a trusted used car ecosystem, CARSOME Certified guarantees trust, transparency, and choice.

Check out our CARSOME Certified Cars
here
.

Devan S
Devan believes written content is here to stay despite our depleting attention span and the rise of short videos. He loves four and two-wheeled vehicles, and movies of all makes and models.


Nak Beli Kereta Second Hand? 10 Tips Beli Kereta Terpakai yang Perlu Anda Tahu

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BM
Nak Beli Kereta Second Hand? 10 Tips Beli Kereta Terpakai yang Perlu...

By

Ahmad Azwadie Azman

Pemilikan kereta sendiri kini tidak lagi dianggap sebagai suatu kehendak tetapi lebih kepada keperluan terutama sekali bagi mereka yang tidak mempunyai akses kepada sistem pengangkutan awam yang baik. Namun begitu, pemilikan kereta baharu merupakan satu perbelanjaan yang besar. Oleh sebab itu, ramai dalam kalangan generasi muda hari ini mempertimbangkan pembelian kereta terpakai sebagai pilihan berbanding pembelian kereta baharu. Namun begitu, jika tersilap langkah atau tanpa tips beli kereta terpakai yang betul, ia boleh menyebabkan anda terikat dengan liabiliti hutang jangka masa panjang.

Banyak perkara yang difikirkan sebelum membeli kereta antaranya kos penyelenggaraan, komitmen bulanan, kos minyak dan sebagainya. Namun begitu, membeli kereta terpakai tidaklah semudah yang disangka lebih-lebih lagi jika tiada pengetahuan yang betul. Carsome membantu anda dengan menyenaraikan 10 tips beli kereta terpakai yang boleh anda ikuti.

Tips, Perkara yang Perlu Anda Tahu Sebelum Beli Kereta Terpakai

Kereta terpakai – tidak kira apa jua jenama, jika kena dan betul caranya boleh menjadi suatu pelaburan jangka panjang yang menguntungkan. Namun begitu, jika tersilap langkah ia boleh menjadi suatu beban kewangan yang mungkin boleh mengganggu aliran kewangan dan merugikan anda:

1. Tetapkan Bajet

Tip yang paling penting sebelum anda membuat keputusan untuk beli kereta
second hand
 atau kereta terpakai ialah dengan menetapkan bajet yang bersesuaian mengikut tahap kewangan dan kemampuan anda. Anda boleh mengetahui jenis model bersesuaian yang boleh dibeli berdasarkan bajet yang anda tetapkan seperti kereta terpakai yang boleh dibeli pada
harga bawah RM100,000
. Atau, anda juga boleh menetapkan had bayaran bulanan pinjaman yang mampu dibayar seperti RM400-RM500 sebulan dengan tempoh bayaran sehingga lima (5) tahun bergantung pada jumlah komitmen bulanan sedia ada anda.

Tips Beli Kereta Terpakai – Formula Gaji Beli Kereta

1. Pastikan harga kereta tidak melebihi gaji tahunan anda. Jika anda bergaji RM2,700 – harga kereta yang boleh dibeli mestilah tidak melebih RM32,400 (RM2,700 X 12 bulan).

2. Ansurans bulanan tidak melebihi 15% daripada gaji bulanan anda. Jika lebih rendah, lebih baik. Dengan gaji RM2,700, ansuran bulanan yang ideal adalah antara RM400-RM500 sebulan.

3. Beli kereta mengikut keperluan, bukan mengikut kehendak.

Selain itu, anda boleh gunakan
 kalkulator pinjaman
 atau
loan calculator
 untuk membantu anda menganggarkan bayaran bulanan mengikut bajet yang ditetapkan.

2. Survei
Online

Dalam zaman yang serba canggih ini, maklumat berkaitan kereta terpakai kini boleh didapati secara dalam talian tanpa perlu ke premis kereta terpakai. Anda boleh layari pelbagai platform dalam talian yang menawarkan urusan
jual beli kereta terpakai
. Anda juga turut disarankan untuk tidak terus menuju ke premis kereta terpakai tanpa melakukan tinjauan secara
online
 terlebih dahulu. Ini kerana,
skill
 atau kemahiran memujuk yang dimiliki oleh penjual kereta terpakai mungkin boleh ‘memukau’ anda tanpa anda sedari sekali gus membuatkan anda membuat keputusan tanpa memikirkan had bajet yang telah ditetapkan.

Selain itu, platform dalam talian juga membolehkan anda menetapkan ‘
filter
’ mengikut kesesuaian dan keperluan anda. Anda hanya perlu masukkan bajet yang anda tetapkan dan sistem akan memaparkan pilihan model kereta terpakai yang berada dalam lingkungan bajet anda sahaja.

3. Tetapkan Usia Kereta

Sama seperti bajet, menetapkan had usia kereta terpakai yang ingin dibeli ialah antara tips beli kereta terpakai yang anda perlu tahu. Misalnya, dengan bajet sebanyak RM20,000, anda akan disajikan dengan pelbagai pilihan kereta terpakai yang boleh anda miliki. Oleh itu, untuk mengelakkan anda daripada rambang mata, kecilkan skop pilihan kereta terpakai dengan menetapkan usia kereta (seperti usia kereta tidak melebihi 5 tahun). Namun begitu, jika tiada model kereta yang dipaparkan yang menepati pilihan anda, sesuaikan carian mengikut keadaan dan pilihan anda. Untuk rekod, 79% kereta yang dijual kepada Carsome berusia antara 6 hingga 8 tahun. Manakala, 6% terdiri daripada kereta terpakai yang berusia antara 3 hingga 5 tahun dan 15% untuk kereta terpakai yang berusia antara 9 hingga 11 tahun.

4. Had Perbatuan/
Mileage

Secara amnya, semakin tinggi nilai perbatuan semakin rendah nilai jualan sesebuah kereta terpakai. Jika anda ingin membeli kereta terpakai, pastikan anda memilih kereta dengan had perbatuan yang rendah atau sederhana. Namun semestinya, had perbatuan ini adalah tertakluk pada bajet dan usia model kereta yang ingin dibeli.

5. Periksa Sejarah Kereta

Pastikan anda periksa sejarah kereta sebelum membuat keputusan untuk membeli mana-mana kereta terpakai. Kebiasaannya, kereta terpakai yang dijual pada harga yang lebih murah berbanding harga pasaran mungkin ada sejarah tersendiri yang tersembunyi. Selidik terlebih dahulu sama ada kereta yang ingin dibeli pernah ditenggelami banjir, banyak kali bertukar pemilik (3-5 orang), pernah terlibat dalam kemalangan besar atau mempunyai had perbatuan terlalu tinggi.

Elakkan diri anda daripada ditipu. Bahagian luaran kereta mungkin tampil cantik dan sempurna, namun ragam sebenar kereta biasanya hanya boleh diketahui selepas beberapa bulan menggunakannya.

6. Dapatkan Jadual Servis

Kereta yang diservis secara konsisten mengikut jadual yang ditetapkan menunjukkan kereta yang ingin dibeli berada dalam jagaan yang baik. Jika boleh, cari pemilik kereta yang setia menggunakan perkhidmatan pusat servis jenama masing-masing. Ini kerana, pusat servis merekodkan sejarah servis menggunakan buku atau sistem tersendiri. Maklumat penyelenggaraan kereta adalah penting untuk mengetahui dengan lebih mendalam mengenai kereta yang ingin dibeli sama ada maklumat berkaitan jenis alat ganti yang pernah ditukar atau rekod kerosakan besar seperti kotak gear atau enjin.

Anda juga boleh meminta pertolongan rakan-rakan (jika ada) yang bekerja di pusat servis untuk memeriksa rekod servis pemilik terdahulu di dalam sistem. Selain itu, anda juga boleh meminta rekod penyelenggaraan atau resit alat ganti daripada pemilik sebagai bukti jika pemilik berurusan di bengkel biasa.

7. Periksa Bahagian Luar dan Dalam Kereta

Membeli kereta terpakai bukanlah seperti membeli sayur-sayuran atau buah-buahan di pasar malam. Anda perlu sedikit cerewet sebelum membuat keputusan. Ini kerana, setelah anda membeli kereta tersebut, tiada lagi yang boleh anda lakukan apatah lagi menyesali keputusan yang telah dibuat. Periksa sama ada terdapat sebarang kerosakan atau kecacatan tidak kira di bahagian dalaman atau luaran kereta yang ingin dibeli.

Cuba untuk berunding bagi mendapatkan diskaun jika anda mengesan sebarang kerosakan dan pemilik tidak ingin mengeluarkan sebarang kos untuk membaikinya – cat semula badan kereta memerlukan kira-kira RM2,000 hingga RM4000 bergantung pada model kereta. Upah ketuk badan kereta untuk membaiki kesan kemek pula boleh memakan kos serendah RM150 dan ke atas mengikut tahap kemek. Manakala, kotoran pada kusyen yang perlu dicuci boleh menelan belanja sehingga RM200.

8. Periksa Kelengkapan dan Peralatan Asas Lain

Pastikan anda periksa kelengkapan dan peralatan asas kereta seperti signal,
wiper
, lampu, soket dan sebagainya berada dalam keadaan baik. Jika anda tidak berpuas hati dengan kualiti kereta terpakai yang ingin dibeli, cari kereta terpakai lain sehinggalah anda menjumpai kereta terpakai yang setanding dan berbaloi dengan harga yang dibayar. Tidak salah untuk lebih berhati-hati dan berkira-kira sebelum membuat keputusan besar terutamanya melibatkan pembelian kereta sebegini. Selain itu, anda juga boleh periksa perkara-perkara berikut sebelum membuat keputusan:

Lampu tinggi dan rendah, lampu kabus, lambu kabin dan lampu amaran (
hazard light
);

Penyaman udara;

Hon kereta;

Radio dan pemain cakera padat (CD) atau skrin sentuh;

Pemegang pintu dan kompartmen hadapan kereta;

Suis
power window
, cermin sisi;

Soket 2.4V atau palam pencucuh;

Picu tangki minyak, bonet dan but kereta;

Tali pinggang keledar dan pelaras tempat duduk;

Tayar simpanan dan kotak alatan;

Indikator pada panel meter menyala dan terpadam (beg udara, enjin, ABS dan sebagainya).

9. Periksa Enjin

Setelah berpuas hati dengan bahagian luaran dah dalaman kereta – periksa enjin. Sekiranya anda kurang berpengetahuan terutamanya melibatkan perkara berkaitan teknikal, minta bantuan rakan anda yang mahir mengenainya atau rakan anda yang bekerja sebagai mekanik kereta untuk mengelakkan anda daripada ditipu. Jika tidak, anda juga boleh ke mana-mana bengkel berdekatan dan minta pertolongan daripada mekanik untuk membantu anda memeriksa kereta yang ingin dibeli (bayaran dikenakan bergantung pada mekanik).

Mekanik kereta mempunyai pengetahuan yang luas mengenai kereta sehinggakan ada di antara mereka yang mendengar bunyi enjin sahaja sudah memadai untuk mengetahui kerosakan yang berlaku pada kereta. Namun begitu, jika anda ingin periksa sendiri kereta anda, perkara-perkara berikut mungkin boleh dijadikan panduan:

Periksa sama ada terdapat kesan minyak bocor;

Radiator berada dalam keadaan baik, buka penutup untuk melihat tahap kekeruhan air radiator;

Tiada kabel sambungan elektrik yang reput atau terputus;

Tiada komponen yang tertanggal, haus atau rosak;

Periksa minyak enjin.

10. Pandu Uji

Tidak kira sama anda anda berunding terus dengan pemilik atau penjual kereta terpakai, anda mempunyai hak untuk memandu uji kenderaan yang ingin dibeli. Minta kebenaran pihak penjual untuk pandu uji kereta yang ingin dibeli untuk memberikan anda kepuasan dan keyakinan sebelum membuat keputusan:

Uji brek kereta secara perlahan dan lakukan brek kecemasan. Kenal pasti jika ada sebarang bunyi pelik semasa membrek;

Uji stereng semasa selekoh (selekoh tajam atau selekoh biasa). Kenal pasti sama ada terdapat sebarang bunyi semasa membelok atau memutar stereng;

Pandu uji di kawasan yang tidak rata. Ia bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti sebarang bunyi seperti pada bahagian kompartmen dan sebagainya;

Pandu dalam pelbagai kelajuan untuk menguji bunyi angin, gegaran enjin atau stereng dan sistem suspensi kereta;

Uji gear kereta – jika transmisi manual (gear 1-5/6), manakala jika transmisi automatik –masukkan gear D4, D3 atau D2 termasuk R. Pastikan gear bergerak lancar dan tidak tersekat-sekat.

Kami berharap perkongsian tips beli kereta terpakai ini dapat membantu anda untuk membuat keputusan dan memudahkan urusan pembelian kereta terpakai anda. Namun begitu, jika anda ingin
membeli kereta terpakai

dengan mudah, layari laman web
 Carsome
untuk info lanjut. Carsome merupakan
platform jual beli kereta terpakai

dalam talian yang menawarkan perkhidmatan jual beli kereta yang pantas, cekap dan dipercayai.

Ahmad Azwadie Azman


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Lifestyle
8 Common Causes of Car Accidents in Malaysia

By

carsomeadministrator

Accidents on the road can involve a range of scenarios. This could be from vehicle to vehicle, cars with pedestrians, trucks with motorcycles and much more. Off late, there have been many recorded accidents in Malaysia with the latest news as a tragedy that has shocked the nation. These are accidents that could have been avoided, as many are caused by human error and the complete lack of responsibility on affected parties.

What are the main causes for car accidents? Read on to agree.

Speeding & Speeding in The Rain

Any motorway in Malaysia is not a licensed race track for anyone to drive over the limit on, even more so when it rains and visibility is low. Speed limit is 110km/h on expressways and 90km/h on federal roads and could be at 50 or 60km/h on various other roads. You can be fined up to RM300 for going over 40km/h on top of any speed limit, and risk accumulating demerit points which can see your license revoked up to six months on your first offence or your license revoked at a third offence. Worse yet, if your license is suspended and you attempt to drive and get pulled over, you will incur a RM1,000 fine or a six-month prison sentence. Remember, you’re not on the set of the next Fast and Furious movie. Speeding not only kills, but it also affects families on both parties. Remember the Myvi-Pajero accident?

Driving Drunk or Under the Influence

We probably don’t have to tell you why this is important. When you’re intoxicated, you shouldn’t operate machinery – whether it be an electric saw or a car. And when we say that many drive and ride drunk after hours, it is so common until the inevitable happens. Should you incur a breathalyser test and found to be over the prescribed limit of 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath, it is RM1,000 or up to RM6,000 and jail of up to 12 months. You’d probably be wondering how much is 35 microgrammes or more? It is approximately about a little over two cans of beer or two glasses of wine. This also depends on the physique of the individual and alcohol tolerance. Take a taxi or get someone to drive you. It’s not worth it. Also remember that effective 1 December 2017, the legal age limit for alcohol has been raised to 21.

Using the Phone While Driving

This one comes almost as a no brainer. Why? Because using the phone while driving is one of two things. The first is that it distracts the driver from paying full attention on the road, and secondly is because it takes one hand off the wheel. In fact, an experimental test by the Mythbusters themselves proved that using the phone while driving came out worse than driving under the influence because of the main two reasons above. Your calls and texts can wait. Oh and also using your mobile phone while waiting at the traffic lights is also a no-no.

Beating the Red Light

The Amber light is not an indicator to speed up as many drivers are used to. It’s for drivers to slow down. A well-publicised accident a few years ago in Singapore involving a Ferrari that crashed into a taxi took the lives of three people is one that saddens us. And when you realise that almost half a million summonses were issued in 2015 for beating the red light in KL, you start to realise how common the offence is. The risks aren’t worth it seriously.

Changing Lanes without Signalling

The reason why all vehicles have built in signals is not for show. It’s to provide the vehicles around you an indication on where you are intending to move to. Think of it, would you rather get into an accident when the only cause was not using that turn signal?

Driving an Unmaintained Vehicle

Credit: aamcocolorado

This is more of the lack of vehicle maintenance which could in turn cause an accident. Cars are machines that need to be upkept to ensure they’re at their best. If your tyres are balding, get them replaced. Check your brake fluid, turn signals and the works especially if your vehicle is equipped with the latest in tech as all these could fail over time.

Irresponsible Pedestrians

Shortcuts causes accidents. Only cross the road when there’s a pedestrian crossing available and prevent yourself from jaywalking. It doesn’t end well when a moving car meets pedestrian. Seriously.

Driving Without Good Judgment

Being a defensive driver will most probably prevent you from getting into accidents in the first place. Always be alert to anticipate accidents – whether it be a child running across the street, an oncoming vehicle beating the red light, or even vehicles at blind spots and corners.

We at Carsome believe in road safety and responsible driving always.

Just as being a defensive driver important, improving your visibility on the road is just the same.
Click here
 to find out 7 Simple Ways To Improve Your Visibility On The Road.

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Driving
Tips

carsomeadministrator


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Car Tips
All the EV Charging Station Apps For A Greener Road Trip

By

Brian Wong

Owning an Electric Vehicle (EV) is the next big thing in the auto industry. It may seem cool and all but once you have to drive through rural areas, that’s where
range anxiety
 kicks in.

Our EV charging station infrastructure is arguably still in its infancy stage with a lack of proper development. However, this seems to be changing. More charging stations are being built as part of the government’s initiative to encourage
EV ownership
 in Malaysia.

Luckily for EV owners, there are several apps available in Malaysia that can help make your
balik kampung
 journey smooth and
stress-free
. Here are all the EV charging station apps available to help you find EV chargers on your journey home.

Read More:
Ora Good Cat: Why It’s One of the Most Important EVs in Malaysia

Plugshare

Built around a community-based app, Plugshare allows user-generated input to build up a database of EV charging stations around the world. With its expansion to Malaysia, EV owners can now plan their trips around the country, especially for
balik kampung
 trips to rural areas. Plugshare allows users to locate nearby charging stations, and charging availability. It also allows users to check in/out and leave a review on the charging station.

Being a community-driven EV charging station app, you may come across power sockets located in someone’s home if they’re inclined to share them. But nevertheless, the ability to update the app with the precise location of the charging station is a huge bonus. For example, someone has left precise instructions on where to locate the EV charging station at our headquarters office for convenience.

As of to date, there is no payment feature available on the app yet. Users will have to pay directly at the charging stations with their cards or via ChargeEV; another app.

A Better Route Planner (ABRP)

A Better Route Planner (ABRP) is a free trip-planning, EV charging station app that works just like Google Maps available on IOS and Android. The amount of user-friendly customization allows personalized input based on your vehicle’s make and model even down to your
battery charge
.

This writer is too broke to afford a Tesla Model 3 so let’s just pretend I drive one here…

How it works is if you leave your home with an 86% charge on a Tesla Model S, the app would estimate you will arrive at your destination with a 67% battery capacity. This will be beneficial to plan for your trip.

The charger locating feature can be unresponsive at times. I find using the desktop version of the app is much better.

ABRP also provides real-time information about rates and charger availability to let you plan your trip efficiently. If you have other EVs in the family, a premium subscription plan is available to register multiple EVs and save your trips for convenience.

Read More:
The Cost of Owning & Driving an EV in Malaysia

JomCharge

JomCharge is a home-developed EV charging app that lets you locate and pay to recharge your vehicle. Similarly to ABRP, JomCharge has all your make and models of EVs. With its in-app map, it’s easy to locate a charging station and the app will take you there via Google Maps or Waze. It also has a QR scan function synced up to your card of choice and lets you know which station down to the socket is occupied for your convenience.

JomCharge also offers a loyalty program that rewards users with points for every charging session, which can be redeemed for discounts or free charging sessions in the future. The app is available for free on both iOS and Android devices.

Read More:
Will Electric Self-Driving Cars Be Feasible in Malaysia?

ChargeEV

ChargeEV is another popular EV charging station app in Malaysia that offers a wide network of charging stations across the country. It allows users to search for charging stations, check availability, and pay for charging sessions directly through the app just like JomCharge.

ChargeEV also offers a subscription-based membership program that provides additional benefits such as discounted charging rates and priority access to charging stations. The app is available for free on both iOS and Android devices.

Read More:
Why It’s Important to Service Your Car Before a Long Road Trip

ParkEasy

ParkEasy is an oddball on this list because it’s a parking app that also lets you reserve EV charging stations. It allows users to reserve parking spots with charging facilities in advance, ensuring that a charging station will be available upon arrival. ParkEasy also provides real-time information on charging station availability and pricing, making it easy for EV owners to plan their trips during Hari Raya. The app is available for free on both iOS and Android devices, with options to pay for parking and charging sessions directly through the app.

Now you can hog parking slots “legally”!

However, the caveat of this app is it’s only useful around cities and metropolitan areas. Do use this with caution if you’re taking a road trip to rural areas.

Honorable Mention

Setel

Setel used to offer their app as a cashless method to pay for your fuel but recently they added a feature that locates EV Charging stations due to high demand. Just like any other EV Charging app, it tells you of the station and charger’s occupancy. It also uses a built-in map feature that guides you to the nearest station via Google Maps (no Waze integration, sadly).

What makes Setel stand out from other apps is you can still pay for the charge in advance while it is occupied. You can do this for any EV charging station as long as it’s part of the
Gentari EV
 network in Malaysia.

Everyone is excited to see their families safe and sound, with comfort in their hearts knowing that their children arrive safely back home. Please remember to obey traffic rules, and keep in mind that road accidents tend to surge during festive seasons.

Conversely, if you’re not ready for the EV lifestyle, there’s always a wide variety of petrol cars from
CARSOME
! In case of any emergency, it’s always to have a reliable petrol car on standby.

All
CARSOME
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Brian Wong