1. Tyres

Check your tyre pressure at least once every 2 weks and remove any foreign object embedded in the tread. Tread depth should also be monitored to check for wear and tear.

2. Under The Hood

Check the drive belts and ensure thre is no wear and tear. Also check the levels for transmission fluid, power steering fluid, engine oil and engine coolant to make sure they are not low.

3. Spark Plugs

They should be kept clean to get more mileage out of the car.

4. Battery

Car batteris can fail without any warning so ensure the terminals are tightly secured and look out for corrosion marks. Battery water has to be at correct level and the connection cables tightened.

5. Headlights and Indicators

Make sure the headlights and signal indicators are working.

6. Brakes

If they squeal or you have to press the pedal far down, it would mean the brake pads need to be replaced.

7. Leaks

Look out for them as it means your car is losing essential fluids.

8. Windscreen Wipers

Replace them when they don’t swipe cleanly and smoothly.

9. Regular Maintenance

Adhere to your car maintenance schedule to ensure your vehicle is in working conditions.

Buyers:

If you have limited budget, try a new car. Prices may have risen but not as high as that of new cars.

Keepers:

Renewing your Certificate of Entitlement (COE) is not cheap and you still have to pay the Prevailing Quota Premium (PQP) which depends on the average of the last 6 COE premiums.

Sellers:

If you want to trade in your current car for a new one, shop around before committing to a trade-in price. Consider also the price difference between the resale value of your current car and the price you are looking for.

My wife and I took the following video and we thought it is great to share this little joy. Enjoy the Video:

15mins of anger

15 mins of patchup

15 hrs of hugs

15 days of kisses

15 decades of love

You should change your car’s motor engine oil and oil filter every 5,000km or every three months, whichever comes sooner, says the Automobile Association of Singapore. Getting a mechanic to do it would cost $60 to $200, depending on the type of oil, so learn to do it yourself instead with this simple guide.

WHAT YOU NEED

A new oil filter

New motor engine oil

WHAT TO DO

1. Locate the oil drain plug under your car. Place a container under the plug to collect the old engine oil. Turn the plug counter-clockwise with a wrench to remove it. Be ready to grab the plug as it comes loose.

2. Allow the oil to drain completely into the container. Check the sealing washer on the plug before re-installing it. If the washer is worn or broken, get a new one.

3. Remove the cap from the oil filler hole at the top of your engine. This is usually located around the oil pan of the engine. Unscrew the oil filter by turning it counter-clockwise with a large locking wrench. After removing the oil filter, empty the oil into the oil drain container. Always wear protective gloves and eye wear.

4. Open a new bottle of motor oil. With your fingers, apply a thin layer of oil on the new filter’s gasket. Install the new oil filter by turning it clockwise with your hands, until tight.

5. Add motor engine oil (above) to the oil fill port which is usually located on the valve corner of the engine. Most cars and light trucks will require 4 to 5 quarts of motor oil.

6. To check the engine oil level, replace the fill cap and let the engine run for one minute, then turn it off and let the car stand for two minutes. Remove the oil dipstick level indicator to inspect the oil level. Make sure the oil level is between the specified lines on the indicator or add as needed.

7. Used engine oil is classified as a toxic industrial waste under the Environmental Public Health Regulations and must be taken to licensed industrial waste collectors for proper recycling or disposal. Check the list of licensed Toxic Industrial Waste collectors on NEA’s website at http://app.nea.gov.sg/cms/htdocs/article.asp?pid=1531 .

WHAT YOU NEED

White vinegar

Toilet bowl scrubber

Water

Bucket

Mop

WHAT TO DO

To get rid of toilet bowl stains

1. Pour a cap of undiluted vinegar on the stains.

2. Scrub them.

3. Leave for five minutes so the solution can work on the dirt.

4. Flush, and the result is a clean toilet bowl.

To clean soap scum from bathroom floor tiles

1. Add 1 cup of undiluted vinegar to half a bucket of water. Mix well.

2. Test on a small area to see if there is a chemical reaction with the tiles. If so, stop at once.

3. Mop the floor with the solution. The vinegar in the mix eats away at scum and hard water stains on bath fixtures and tiles.

WHAT YOU NEED

Cloth

A vacuum cleaner

Detergent

WHAT TO DO

1. Always switch off the air-conditioning unit and disconnect the power plug (photo A) before beginning.

2. Gently wipe the exterior casing of the indoor unit with a soft, dry cloth (photo B). Do not use polishing powder, detergent or any cleaning products containing gasoline or benzine. These may damage the unit.

3. Open the unit by lifting the front panel upwards and take out the air filter.

4. Remove dirt from the filter by using a vacuum cleaner or by washing the filter in a lukewarm detergent solution.

5. Allow the filter to dry well in a shaded area before re-installing.

6. Holding only the frame, remove the deodorising filter (the grey sponge) from the unit. Avoid touching the surface of the filter.

7. Soak the filter with its frame in lukewarm water (not more than 50 deg C, photo D) or a detergent solution for about 15 minutes.

8. Do not use a chlorine detergent or scrub the surface of the filter.

9. Allow the filter to dry well in a shaded area before re-installing.

Exercept from Lifestyle Singapore 2 Jan 2009

The typical Windows XP program works fastest with 1GB of memory. There is no point getting more as it does not rev up performance by that much.

WHAT YOU NEED

A laptop, three years or older

A screwdriver suited to your laptop

A new memory module, from an IT shop

WHAT TO DO

1. Check how much memory you have already installed. In Windows XP, Go to Start -> Control Panel -> System. The General tab should say how much RAM (random access memory) you have. Anything with 512 MB and less is suitable for an upgrade.

2. Check your laptop’s brand and model to see the maximum amount of RAM it can take. It may already have all it can handle. To get that info, go to an online notebook parts shop or the manufacturer’s website.

If your machine can take more memory, note the RAM used - what ‘DDR’ type, the speed and so on. If you are unsure of what new memory module to buy, take a photo of the sticker on the RAM module or take the entire model, in a static-proof bag, to the shop.

3. Shut down Windows, unplug the laptop from the mains and remove the battery. Close the lid.

4. Touch a doorknob to discharge static electricity and take a small Philips (or x-tip) screwdriver (if your laptop uses a non-Philips screw then you may need to buy a screwdriver set).

5. On the bottom of the laptop or notebook, there should be a plate which covers the memory slot. Unscrew it. If there is no sticker showing where the plate is, you will have to refer to the manufacturer’s online instruction manual.

6. On some laptops, the slot could be empty.

If the memory module is there, remove it by pushing the two retaining clips outwards to angle it upwards so you can pull it out.

7. Align the new module to the notch, it can only be inserted the correct side up and the notch helps you find this. Push it in until it clicks in place. Push it flat and screw on the cover.

8. Power up the notebook and check that the new memory has been recognised. Note: Some RAM slots are under the keyboard. You will need to follow an instruction manual to access those.

HOW TO… get free software

Instead of paying for pricey office software such as spreadsheets and data storage, check out free online alternatives. The free versions can run faster and take up less space on your hard drive. Most-used features are also easy to access. 

WHAT YOU NEED

A fast broadband connection

500MB of hard-drive space for new programs

A 4GB USB flash drive for portable applications

WHAT TO DO

1. The most frequently used free choice is Open Office, downloaded from openoffice.org, available for Mac or Windows.

2. For portable versions, go to portableapps.com for office software to be installed on a USB drive.

3. Webmasters know it is better not to install anything. They go to Google Docs where everything from e-mail to calendars to spreadsheets can be done inside a web browser such as Firefox or Internet Explorer. Other leaders in web office applications include Numsum.com and Zoho.com. Files created on the web can be shared through e-mail links.

4. If you need more than just office software, free programs almost as good as the paid ones include photo-editing with Gimp or Picasa. If you have good broadband, try an online photo editor such as Picnik.com, PXN8.com and DrPic.com.

HOW TO… get your own website

Sure, you can get a free e-mail address or set up a blog for free. But where is the cool factor of your own customised e-mail name or wow of a personal website? Short of hiring a consultant, here is how to do all that yourself. 

WHAT YOU NEED

Broadband Internet connection

WHAT TO DO

1. Do an online search on ‘Singapore web hosting’ to find a host service that suits you. If you have a small business or just want a personal website, a low-cost provider is fine, but beware of dodgy operators. A provider based here is your best bet for quick helpdesk responses.

2. Go to the website and test the ‘helpfulness’ of its helpdesk. How hard is it to find a phone number on its site? What are its operating hours? Call the number to see how soon it is before you can speak to a human being.

3. Focus on service uptime guarantees - where to get refunds if your e-mail service or website is down for a certain time - flexibility in bandwidth costing, detailed billing and helpdesk effectiveness. Pick what suits your budget and bandwidth needs. Go for a low bandwidth initially. Do not sign a long-term contract, no matter how much savings it dangles.

4. Ask to see the websites of its current customers. Do the designs look good? Do the sites load quickly? Call the clients and ask if the free templates provided by the hosting company are easy to use and if it is hassle-free to update the site with new information.

5. Small business owners can try Google Apps For Domains. This has e-mail hosting and other corporate software tools in free and paid versions. Users can keep existing e-mail addresses.

Exerpt from Lifestyle Singapore 1st Feb 2009

CAPRICORN - The Go-Getter (Dec 22 - Jan 19) Patient and wise. Practical and rigid. Ambitious. Tends to be Good-looking. Humorous and funny.. Can be a bit shy and reserved. Often pessimistic. Capricorns tend to act before they think and can be Unfriendly at times. Hold grudges. Like competition. Get what they Want.

LIBRA - The Harmonizer (Sept 23 - Oct 22)
Nice to everyone they meet. Can’t make up their mind. Have own unique appeal. Creative, energetic, and very social. Hates to be alone. Peaceful, generous. Very loving and beautiful. Flirtatious. Give in too easily. Procrastinators. Very gullible. - The Sweetheart (Jan 20 - Feb 18) Optimistic and honest. Sweet personality. Very independent. Inventive and intelligent. Friendly and loyal. Can seem unemotional. Can be a bit rebellious. Very stubborn, but original and unique. Attractive on the inside and out. Eccentric personality.

PISCES