What tyres would you recommend for my Spacio?

COUTERSY PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • Buying new tyres can be a daunting task, especially if there a range of brands to pick from.
  • Specific engine oils will come with recommended oil drain intervals determined by age, mileage and condition of the engine.
  • Wet brake discs will not delay braking because these discs will splash off or burn dry any water on the disc surface.

Hi Paul, I am a new driver, who has just bought a Toyota Spacio. I need to change all my tyres and install guards. What would you recommend? Mugerwa

Hello Mugerwa, buying new tyres can be a daunting task, especially if there a range of brands to pick from.
They all look the same, will fit on your car but are sold at different prices.
Use simple guide lines to help you buy tyres for your Toyota Spacio. Go for the big brand names.
They have integrity and have invested in modern tyre technology as well as worked with car manufactures to design tyres with a good blend of good efficiency due to low rolling resistance, improved road handling and comfort, low road noise and tread wear. Identify the correct tyres for your car.

Start with the tyre size. Refer to the user manual (download one written in English one from the internet) or driver door pillar where correct tyre size and pressure are provided.
The old tyres can also guide you. Spacio 2003 model uses 185/70 R14 (aspect ratio:width/ply size/Rim size).
Understand structure and purpose of the tyre. Tread design can help you decide if a tyre is suitable for your purpose.
More aggressive tread designs tend to suit off road driving while wider grooves tend to facilitate heat and water evacuation during high speed driving.
There are also summer and winter type tyre treads. For your Spacio you can go for the mixed tyre tread.

Finally ask the tyre sales technician to show you the date of manufacture usually inscribed next to the DOT (Department of Transport) sign and showing week and year of manufacture.
Remember, globally tyre compounds are considered expired after six years from date of manufacture, whether new or old.
The cheapest tyre may not be the best for your car. Avoid used ones.

At what mileage must I change my oil?

Hi Paul, is it true that all car engine oil changes must be done every after 5,000 kilometres? My service bay attendant has told me so although I am not sure if he is saying it from an informed point of view. Samuel Kunihira

Hello Samuel, engine oil drain or service interval is recommended by the car manufacturer according to the engine design and lubrication needs.
The engine oil manufacturers also recommend service or drain intervals based on the oil grade and design as well as the mileage and condition of a specific vehicle engine. Leading car and engine oil manufacturers will sometimes recommend service intervals exceeding 5,000 kilometres with conditions such as use of the synthetic range of oils with SAE grade 05W30, 05W40 or 10W40.
The synthetic range of oils are designed to maintain the required performance or protective functions over the extended service interval or meet specific car manufacturer approval specifications.

Engine oil manufacturers recommend service or drain intervals based on the oil grade and design as well as the mileage and condition of a specific vehicle engine. COUTERSY PHOTO

For example Shell Helix Ultra meets Mercedes Benz approval 229.5 while Shell Helix HX7 meets Mercedes approval 229.3.
The recommended use of synthetic oils for extended oil drain intervals is also limited by the territory and environment where the vehicle operates such as extremely dusty tropical conditions may require more frequent oil drain intervals such as the widely recommended 5,000 kilometre range.
Engine oil manufacturers such as Shell design the different oils with specific viscosity, flow rate and temperature range, pour point or engine type suitability (diesel or petrol) to meet the global petroleum industry standards set by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) or the American Petroleum Institute (API).
These specific engine oils will come with recommended oil drain intervals determined by age, mileage and condition of the engine.
For instance, an aged engine which exceeds 100,000 kilometres but is not leaking or burning oil can use Shell Helix HX5.
On the other hand a leaky engine (worn out piston rings and oil seals) with a mileage before or exceeding 100,000 kilometre should use a monograde mineral oil such as Shell Helix HX3 which is designed with special sealing properties suitable for aged leaky engines.

Why do my brakes delay?

Hi Paul, is it true that brake pads work better when they are warm? Been wondering why my brakes delay to stop the car and I have to apply twice. Is it also true that wet brake discs will cause delayed braking in the rain? Leonard Kasumba

Hello Leonard, it is not true that brake pads work better when warm. It is also not true that wet brake discs will delay braking. Brake pads when applied to frictional discs during braking, morning or afternoon, will generate frictional heat enough to stop the car.

If you have to pump the brake pedal twice or thrice you may have a problem with the brake hydraulic fluid system.
Occasionally the system has a buildup of vacuum in the brake fluid lines which necessitates pumping a couple of times before the brakes work effectively.
You can rectify this by bleeding the vacuum or checking for brake fluid leaks or damaged brake cylinder seals. Wet brake discs will not delay braking because these discs will splash off or burn dry any water on the disc surface.
Instead ask your mechanic to examine the brake pad width, bleed the brake fluid system and test drive.

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