Gaurav

Yesterday SMS from my insurance (Dar Al Takaful) warning me to not to drive in deep water. Quite funny to see such message stating the obvious fact, but more surprising to hear car insurance approach toward such claims. I hope I am covered with "storm and flood" as stated in the policy.

I may be able to clear some facts and misunderstanding here. I own 1999 model Pajero SWB with 3.5 engine and used extensively for off-road since last 5 years. In my honest opinion Pajero is a good off-roader if you mod them properly. Dakar Pajero and consumer models are POLES APART, Mitsubishi doesn't even put a fraction of that performance in consumer models. Pajero's are not good for aggressive off-road, I put that to test 3 years back and fried up my engine with all the possible years of off-road experience and knowledge I had. Pajero's design after 2003 model is more appealing to on-road drivers than off-road drivers due to fancy low hanging front and rear bumpers. Every off-road drive I did with post 2003 stock pajero will scoop out tons of sand and eventually on 2-3 drive bumper will fall apart. Few of my friends have done some good modification for adding the custom metal plate behind bumpers to reinforce the installation and prevent sand scooping. Post 2003 model Pajero approach and exit angles are horrible for sand dunes if you go serious dune bashing it will break the bumper in couple of attempts made above 60-80 kmph without 2 inch lift installed. Go to bidayer, faya, wagan or liwa and witness not more than 5% cars are Pajero, rest all is LC, patrol, FJC, Xterra and wranglers. You may find few in pink rock and tawi nizwa (beginner areas). Having said all the above if person really want to build a Pajero with custom lift, wider tires, bumper reinforcement, skid plates, additional electric fan as they heat up little bit very fast on slightest push, then they do perform good. Pajero engine is not actually underpower atleast in my case, however I felt Nissan Patrol SWB 2006 model quite underpower for 4.5 liter. I was not able to climb faya from front side with patrol, but I could do same with my Pajero. Pajero sport is the mix of outlander and older Pajero design that offers good ground clearance in stock shape. Sorry husain1 for so much thread jacking, but I think it's a good knowledge exchange here.

I had a crush on Mustang since I was in school and that's why when I got bored of trying all 4x4's I switch to pony league and Mustang was my first obvious choice to try. I am driving 2012 Mustang GT V8 5.0 since a year and love it's throttle response and grunt among all the cars that I have ever owned. The only disappointment I find is little less leg room for driver as my right knee always hit the console and while high speed cornering it irritates even more. Second, it's stability could have been done better, although I am using slightly wider tires and still loose control on extra hard throttle occasionally. Although its a sports car and still able to seat 4 adults perfectly for an occasional ride. Rear bucket seats is not bad compare to many other 2 door sports car, it gives just enough space to fit any reasonable size of adult (not too big and not too tall). Just that if you drive with four adult and high speed uneven road bump can squeak the suspension sometime, but that's fine for once a month kind of joy ride moments. From styling, it's so awesomely designed that every time my wife drives this car at 80 km/h in 4th lane, people chase her and flash to race. Design and styling has been done so appropriately by Ford design team that they have kept the legend alive after 50 years and still manage to breath new life in designing this true pony car.

Finally, just came across a real good news for car owners in the UAE, that car dealer service is no longer mandatory for retaining their car warranties. Ministry is planning to rate car services provider in 1 - 4 star category and warranty will be retained with top star workshops, which will be certified and fully integrated to the dealer system to honor the car warranty. Real good move. Thanks a lot. http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/uae-car-owners-relief-compulsory-maintenance-at-agency-abolished-2016-02-09-1.620419 Cost and timing will be very big benefit for the car owners in the UAE, as majority of dealer service has a waiting over a week and cost exorbitant amount. I remember getting my Porsche Cayenne minor oil change service for 2300 Dhs after 2 week appointment to retain my warranty. On second attempt I found an A Class Porsche specialist in Sharjah who costed me 600 Dhs for same minor service with Mobil 1 fully synthetic oil in less than 2 hours without any prior appointment.

I have driven with dubai4x4, dubai desert club and emarat4x4 in the past. And it all depends on where you get comfortable and get welcome with fellow off-roaders. Most important thing for newbie off-roader is to give more than they take, which creates an impression of a contributor and then everyone start welcoming you. Giving is not only for food and drinks but for effort, planning, drives, recoveries etc. Everyone should remember that these are free clubs and nobody pays for anything, so mutual cooperation is a key to have memorable drives and good weekend outing with like minded enthusiast's. I drove with emarat4x4 for 2-3 years and made amazing friends for life who I trust completely for anything. Mr. Qaiser (club chairman) is a true gentlemen and always welcome members with a big smile and warmth assurance like a good leader and a father. My hands down recommendation for anyone is to drive with Emarat4x4 and you cannot go wrong with your weekend drive choice.

Thanks Treks, this issue has been already resolved last month, by the things that I mentioned earlier. I'll keep your wonderfully detailed advise handy for the next time as I'm sure my this brat is always mischievous than my all other good boys.

If your Range is leaking, which it should be after so many years. Go with semi synthetic oil and not fully synthetic oil as it will leak more due to thin viscosity of the oil. Of course fully is better as explained above, but you need to strike a balance between what says inside the engine vs how good it is. Secondly it's healthy to change every 5k-7k than waiting till 10-15k in the aged model due to frequent change will keep your engine more clean and maintain adequate level of oil inside the engine than on the parking spot.

@arowana I had my range roughly for 3 years and after spending close to 20k AED in fixing the dying suspension, I took the advise of switching to springs that costed me less than 2-3K AED and I never look back at those unexpected beeps in the middle of a road. The point is Range Rover is made with love and that's why we love them back, but after a certain age some area of British engineering does not cooperate very well in this part of the world. So my advice to anyone having Range that is more than 5-7 years of age, on the first balloon or compressor failure: Switch to springs. PERIOD. Your EAS tool as it says that it throws the false beep on bumps, I never experienced it. Every beep that I had, costed me tons of money on chain reaction (Im serious), so I really don't know how much value this 120 bucks tool can add. Having said all above: I still miss my Range Rover, even though I had ML500 and Cayenne after that, but nothing replaces Range luxury and all-around superior viewing angle.

Thanks Mankool, for lovely explanation and very educating write up. I would love to do these stuff myself for feeling and pampering my much loved car, but I am not an expert nor have enough time or tools to do such extensive procedure. Like Kadar (above) I also experience the fake-business who says they will do detailing and polishing and kept the car for few days and gave me the car after detail "cleaning" ONLY. May be there and mine definition does not match. You seem to be quite knowledgeable on paint restoration, I know you are a car enthusiast and not a car business, but do you take other cars for paint restoration and correction as well.....? I am happy to arrange all the shopping list and be with you to assist you while you work. If you accept other cars, please PM me with more details. Thanks.

Sure, you welcome to ride with me in my Mustang to get you tease for your next hot wheel

I am very interested in getting one of my old ride paint correction, if needed bit of re-spray of same color. Can you share some details as how expensive and time consuming this process is for 2 door Mitsubishi Pajero.

Prompt in service and communication only, but not very sound in technical know-how's and trouble shooting. They quoted 3,000 AED estimate for reducing hydrocarbon emission count due to irregular RPM without any guarantee. Same has been fixed by ICV for 650 dhs from habtoor + cleaning the throttle body and sensor by Awir repair workshop for 50 AED.

I have 1999 Mitsubishi Pajero 3.5 SWB very sparingly used and though it's driven very less, it gets spoiled sitting idle and collecting dust. Last week took it for a renewal and RTA failed with 1600+ HC (Hydro Carbon) Count. Ideal should be 400-600 and max 800 for RTA passing in Dubai. Dropped the car with 45 years old experience garage in rashidiya: Cars Clinic aka Salim Ali Bin Haider Garage with the explanation that everything is fine in car except the HC count, hence please advise how to bring it down. Next day got a quote of 3,000 AED for changing many parts and sensors but without a guarantee that this 3K expense will bring the HC down or not. Collected the car today after paying 250 AED for diagnostic services for receiving 3K quote as spending so much w/o any confirmation was a pointless game. Went to Karama Mobil 1 (before sana signal) and got the Oil and filter change and detailed cleaning, went for passing and HC was lower to 1200. ENOC guys in aweer advise that the neighboring garage can clean the throttle body and sensor and that brought down the HC to acceptable range and finally Tasjeel passed the car after a week of hassle. Mitsubishi Oil filter: 33 AEDMobil 1 - 5,000 Oil: 115 AEDFull wash: 45 AEDThrottle body cleaning: 30 AEDTOTAL: 223 AED I like to know from other people experience, what all more I can do to further to reduce the HC count? And how I can avoid similar situation in future for less driven car? I have already order from Habtoor new air filter (100 AED) and throttle body Idle speed control servo kit (800 AED) but both are out of stock. And now with above latest development does it make sense to change these or not...? Please advise.

Yes Kasim, Camaro is hot wheels definitely. Any sports car is welcome on this drive and moreover any car owner thinks his ride is hot wheel is also welcome. There is no contest here, its just a casual meet and drive to socialize with other car enthusiasts here in UAE.

As the awesome weather arrives, how about let's meet and drive with your sports car (Hot Wheels). Nothing special in mind, just an easy drive around Dubai or outside Dubai to meet with other sports car owners and share your side of stories over coffee or karak chai. Just a casual meet up and drive. I have 2012 Mustang GT bought few months back and haven't truly explored it's capabilities due to busy schedule. Now getting bit time off to drive and enjoy. Hope to see more car enthusiast's and learn something new from your experiences. Date: 27 Nov 2015, Friday Time: 13:00 Hrs. Where: Drive to Al Ain - Jebal Hafeet or anywhere close by.

I have experienced big issue with EU spec Lexus GS430 in the past when car shut down in the middle of the road without any warning or issues. It took me weeks thru Lexus Japan emails and calls to request Al Futtaim to diagnose the problem and then Al futtaim took additional time to source EU specs wiring diagrams. In the end it was a minor short circuit in anti-theft device that locked down the whole car and costed me 1000 AED to by pass that device. Bottom line, you might or might not face any big challenge with non-gcc specs car based on your good luck but if you require any specialize hand from car dealers in UAE they will simply won't support non-gcc specs as per their business policies and knowledge + experience.

I think I am the only one to vote for 1-2 years here, lol. I change car every year, if car is too good then max 2 years.

Thanks Guys, that's quiet a handful info you gave. Let me check with service adviser and come back if Ford still honor the warranty as my car has just finished the warranty last month.

I got my 2012 model Ford Mustang serviced from Al Tayer 2 months back in warranty and after the service is completed, my service adviser advised that the battery might be dying shortly as he has seen some greenish color buildup (may be called corrosion) on the black side battery terminal. Last month my car battery died and that service adviser prophecy came true. Got the new battery changed with slightly more amp as I couldn't get the same amp battery. Today under my office while helping another Mustang to jump start his car I have seen same greenish buildup on the black terminal again. Im curious to understand why this is happening with 1 month old battery or may be something else is wrong with my car electrical system. Any help is highly appreciated. Thanks.

I would still say try to jump start the car and see if it starts. Lights and stereo working doesn't signify that battery has a full cranking amp, as dead or weak battery can run all stuff except crank the engine. It's worth testing the jump start imho.

It's an insanely stunning design with a real beefed up horsepower. Good going for a true legend for years to come.

With above shape and design Pajero has definitely come a long way in superior design, elegant looks, detailing and above all awesome ground clearance, which is expected from any capable offroad SUV. Have you checked with Habtoor lately if they start receiving this, as in Aug-Oct all dealers get the inventory for next year models and start dispatching them before year-end. I would love to know it's availability and price tag.

Cayenne has 4 shock absorbers installed: 2 big ones for lift gate and two small for rear glass door. The day same happened to me I realize that I can open the rear glass door separately without opening the tailgate (Porsche loves to surprise). For checking which part need replacement just lift the glass door and see if it stays fine, then you just need to replace two for lift gate only which is slightly expensive than the glass ones. If glass door also sags then you need to change all four. You can get original parts from Porsche and get it changed from outside workshop as there is no brainer involved and you will save lot of waiting time with the dealer for such a small job.

Hmm, I hear what you saying but blaming Nabooda is not quite right. As I had Cayenne turbo in the past and Nabooda was excellent with me, they even banged my car in service bay on driver fender side and repaired it with original part and paint for free. Off course having Porsche was expensive like 2300 dhs for minor service and 8-10 k for major but in return they always offered me five star service with first class waiting area and courteous service advisers.

Not every EAS beep tells that balloon has been failed. It could be compressor failing (in process) or it's taking long time to fill up than normal, compressor overheated, some height sensor freaked out of some new leak develop in the air hose, and off course air ballon failed (most typical) one. Considering two months install - very less likely chance for that, but there is a slight possibility.