Kobe Motor Blog

The Toyota Harrier ACU30: A Popular Choice in Tanzania and Beyond

Subaru Forester SH5 vs. Toyota RAV4 ACA36: A Comprehensive Comparison

Spring Car Maintenance Checklist: Keep Your Vehicle Running Smoothly March 11, 2024
As the weather warms up and flowers bloom, it’s the perfect time to give your car some much-needed attention. Here’s a comprehensive checklist to ensure your vehicle is ready to hit the road this spring: Inspect Your Tires: Check tire pressure, tread depth, and overall condition. Properly inflated tires improve fuel efficiency and enhance safety on the road. Replace Wiper Blades: Winter weather can take a toll on wiper blades, leading to streaks and reduced visibility. Replace them to ensure clear visibility during spring showers. Check Fluid Levels: Ensure all fluids, including oil, coolant, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid, are at the appropriate levels. Top them up or replace them as needed to keep your car running smoothly. Inspect Belts and Hoses: Cold temperatures can cause belts and hoses to become brittle and prone to cracking. Inspect them for signs of wear and tear, and replace if necessary to prevent breakdowns. Test the Battery: Cold weather can weaken car batteries. Test the battery’s charge and clean the terminals to ensure a strong connection. Inspect Brakes: Spring is an ideal time to inspect brake pads and rotors for wear. Squeaking or grinding noises when braking may indicate the need for replacements. Check Air Filters: Replace dirty air filters to improve engine performance and fuel efficiency. Clean cabin air filters to maintain interior air quality. Examine Exterior Lights: Ensure all headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals are functioning properly. Replace any burnt-out bulbs for optimal visibility on the road. Clean and Wax: Give your car a thorough wash and wax to remove winter grime and protect the paint from spring elements. Don’t forget to clean the undercarriage to remove salt and debris. Inspect Suspension and Alignment: Winter potholes can take a toll on your car’s suspension and alignment. Have them inspected and adjusted if necessary to ensure a smooth ride. Check Air Conditioning System: Test the air conditioning system to ensure it’s cooling effectively. If the air feels warmer than usual or there are strange odors, it may indicate a need for refrigerant recharge or system repairs. Inspect Oil Level and Quality: Check the engine oil level and condition. If the oil appears dark or gritty, it’s time for an oil change. Fresh oil helps lubricate engine components and maintain optimal performance during warmer temperatures. By following this spring car maintenance checklist, you’ll not only prolong the life of your vehicle but also enjoy safer and more enjoyable drives. Happy driving!
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The Future of Electric Vehicles July 19, 2023
Electric vehicles (EVs) are quickly becoming the future of transportation. They offer a number of advantages over traditional gasoline-powered cars, including lower emissions, lower operating costs, and the potential for greater performance. The future of electric vehicles is bright. With their many advantages, EVs are poised to become the dominant form of transportation in the years to come. As the technology continues to improve and the infrastructure expands, EVs will become more affordable and accessible to everyone. Here are some of the advantages of electric vehicles: Lower emissions: Electric vehicles produce zero emissions, which helps to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Lower operating costs: Electric vehicles are typically less expensive to operate than gasoline-powered cars, thanks to their lower fuel costs and lower maintenance costs. Greater performance: Electric vehicles can offer greater performance than gasoline-powered cars, thanks to their instant torque and lack of moving parts. The future of electric vehicles is bright. As the technology continues to improve and the infrastructure expands, EVs will become more affordable and accessible to everyone. This will lead to a cleaner, more sustainable future for transportation. Highlighting the new BMW i7 Full Electric car The BMW i7 is a new full-electric luxury sedan that was recently unveiled. It is one of the most anticipated EVs of 2023, and it is expected to set a new standard for luxury and performance in the EV market. The i7 features a long-range battery that can deliver up to 400 miles of driving on a single charge. It also has a powerful electric motor that produces 536 horsepower and 549 lb-ft of torque. This allows the i7 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. In addition to its performance and range, the i7 also offers a luxurious interior with a spacious cabin and a variety of high-tech features. The car comes standard with a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display. It also offers a variety of advanced driver assistance features, such as adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. New electric vehicle permit in Sri Lanka The Sri Lankan government has recently announced a new permit system for electric vehicles. The permit will be required for all electric vehicles that are imported into the country. The permit will cost $100, and it will be valid for three years. The purpose of the permit is to regulate the import of electric vehicles and to ensure that they meet certain safety and emissions standards. The permit will also help the government to track the number of electric vehicles in the country and to plan for the future development of the EV infrastructure. More information will be added about the new Electric Vehicle Permit in Sri Lanka, Link to the article to be posted soon!
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Car Dashboard Warning lights April 1, 2022
Driving a car seems exciting. You probably find yourself holding the wheel and cruising on a pleasurable trail. But while at it, you must take a look at your car dashboard warning lights. Knowing the meaning of these signs will go a long way to ensure your car performs optimally and that you have a safe drive. So, here’s a list of warning signs you could come across on your car’s dashboard. Car Dashboard Symbols and their Meanings 1. Oil Pressure Light The oil pump that induces oil to circulate within the engine can go faulty and trigger a warning light. This light comes in red as it is severe. This warning light comes when a faulty pump, oil shortage, and even when oil is overfilled. It is important to never ignore this warning lightly and act quickly to check your car. Whenever you see this light, check the oil level, find out if it’s from oil shortage and add more to make it go out. If the light persists, go for a proper car checkup, as it may be from more adverse problems. If you don’t act quickly, it leads to expensive repairs. 2. Engine Warning Light Even when you feel your car is normal for a drive, don’t ignore it if this light pops up. Check your car as it may come from an unexpected or future problem with the engine. It could be a faulty sensor or any issue. Check it immediately or go to a garage for proper investigation. 3. Battery Charge Level Warning Light When your battery is at a low charge, this light indicates it. It is better to charge up the battery immediately or risk being stranded when on a drive. 4. Brake System Warning Light This warning is red and requires serious action. It may appear when the brake fluid level is low and needs topping up, or faulty brake pad wears sensor. It can be from a more serious issue with the braking system. If the warning light appears when on a drive, go for an immediate checkup. 5. Temperature warning light This warning light shows that the engine is running too hot or inadequate antifreeze in the system. There are lots of reasons this pops up. It could be a leaky radiator or a blocked or broken one. The light can also show when the water pump is faulty. It can be adverse if the issue is a blown head gasket, which will show a cloud of smoke in the exhaust as evidence. Notwithstanding, some cars may also have another one of these lights, but blue, signifying engine is cold. If you see this red light, stop the car or visit the garage for a checkup as it may lead to engine failure. 6. Battery charge warning light This light relates to the battery and charging system. It’s important to act when you see the light, leading to headlights failure. Power steering or the engine itself may stop working. 7. Seatbelt warning light This light indicates when passengers haven’t got their seatbelts fastened or weight on without using a seatbelt. It is for Cars that use pressure sensors in the seats and seatbelts. 8. Door, boot, and bonnet warning lights This warning light illuminates to show that a door, boot, or bonnet is open or not properly shut. 9. Low-fuel warning light This warning light gives you earning that you should top your fuel or find a fuel station. It pops when you’ve got around 50-70 miles of range and when the amount of fuel in your tank has passed a certain level. 10. Glow plug warning light (diesel only) This indication means that there’s something wrong with the glow plug of a diesel-powered vehicle. These plugs turn up the heat, and issues associated with it can bring both early and late combustion- this is usually called knocking. This disrupts the engine by making it sound rough. It can also deprive you of having a smooth drive, and you shouldn’t neglect it. 11. Tyre-pressure sensor warning (TPMS) TPMS monitors the amount of air in the tires. It provides an indication when it observes a decrease. Check up your car when you’re in this warning light because low tire pressures affect braking or go into high speed. The important thing to do is check and inflate the tire or change the wheel when it concerns a puncture. 12. Traction-control warning light A car’s traction-control warning light shows when the wheels lose grip, this is common during rain or snow period. 13. Hybrid and electric vehicle warning lights Below is the list of warning lights for electric and hybrid cars. Take note of these warning lights if you own an electrified car: 14. Pedestrian Alert System Warning Light The pedestrian alert system is conformed to electric or hybrid cars to make sounds to alert pedestrians of a coming car. If you own this type of car and this light shows, the system is faulty. Act quickly to find out the issue. 15. Ready to drive warning light This is also for a hybrid or electric vehicle, which, unlike others, is silent when starting up. It simply informs you that your car is ready to be driven. 16. Limited power warning light Sometimes, vehicles run on limited power. Once this warning light shows, the vehicle is running on lack of power. There are several reasons it might happen, so ensure to perform a proper diagnosis when you see this light. Final Thoughts These warning signs are important for your safety and efficient car operation. Acquaint yourself with the list above to identify them on your car and know their meaning. This way, you’ll know what to do when any of these signs pop up.
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How to Calculate Tanzania Revenue Authority Car Taxes January 12, 2022
Buying a used car in Tanzania requires a series of processes, which is why you must be adequately informed to avoid mistakes. Firstly, you must learn the import rules and regulations in the country. Also, you need to know how to compute your taxes before making a purchase. This detailed guide contains what you need to know to calculate Tanzania Revenue Authority car taxes. Let’s get to it! How Can I Calculate the Tanzania Revenue Authority Car Import Tax? Calculating the total cost of importing a vehicle in Tanzania can be daunting without all the required information. That’s why we have curated this detailed guide to help you. However, before we begin, you must know that the figures in this post are not specific to any vehicular model. With that in mind, here are the steps to follow when calculating Tanzania Revenue Authority car taxes: Step 1: Collect information on the Vehicle You will need to collect information about your chosen car model, including the car make, car model, year of manufacture, model code, engine size, FOB, and fuel type. Step 2: Record the Car’s Cost Insurance Freight (CIF) The next step is to record the vehicle’s CIF. You can do this by choosing a country of destination or a port of delivery. The popular shipping destinations in Tanzania include Dar Es Salaam, Arusha, Mbeya, Dodoma, Morogoro, Mwanza, Tanga, Tabora, and Zanzibar. Step 3: Convert the price to TZS You will notice that most of the prices online are in US dollars (USD). Exchange rates are constantly changing, so make sure you use a calculator to convert US dollars (USD) to Tanzanian Shillings (TZS). You should also consult your bank representative since you will make payments and transactions via your local bank. They will provide you with all the required information about their current exchange rate. For instance, if 1 USD = 2,000 TZS, the CIF will be 4,000,000 TZS. Step 4: Calculate the Car Import Tax in Tanzania The import fees you will pay for an import vehicle in Tanzaniadepend on age and engine capacity. These car import taxation rules will give you a clearer view of how import taxes are computed in Tanzania: Engine Capacity of 2000 cc and belowEngine Capacity over 2000 ccVehicles 8 years and aboveImport Duty: 25%Value Added Tax (VAT): 20%Cumulatively, 50% of the vehicle’s dutiable valueImport Duty: 25%Value Added Tax (VAT): 20%Excise Duty: 10%Cumulatively, 60% of the vehicle’s dutiable valueUtility Vehicles: 5%Non-Utility Vehicles: 25% Taxation rules do not apply to types of machinery, including earth-moving equipment like the grader, bulldozers, and agricultural equipment that are eight years old and above. However, light cars and trucks beyond this age limit attract an excise tax of 20%. It’s important to know that excise duty depends on the vehicle’s cylinder capacity. For a cylinder capacity of over 2000 cc, you will need to pay 10% excise duty. A vehicle with cylinder capacity above 1000 cc but below 2000 cc attracts 5% excise duty. However, you will be charged 0% excise duty on vehicles with cylinder capacity of 1000 cc and below. Step 5: Calculate the Total Port Costs The total cost you will pay is dependent on the make and model of the vehicle. Step 6: Calculate the Total Expenditures Let us assume that the import tax is 5,000,000, TZS and you have to pay a total port cost of 1,500,000 TZS. Here’s how to compute the overall expenditures: Car Import Tax + CIF + Port Cost = Total Amount of the Imported Vehicle after Taxes 5,000,000 TZS + 4,000,000 + 1,500,000 = 10,500,000 TZS Step 7: Calculate other Fees and Taxes You should know that if you import more than one new or used vehicle from Japan, you must pay taxes and other fees for each vehicle. Here’s how to compute the import declaration fee: FOB (Free on Board) Price x 1.12 + $10 Conclusion Importing a car from Tanzania can be exhausting if you don’t have all the required information. You will need to register with the Tanzania Revenue Authority and pay import taxes. The information we provided will help you compute your Tanzania Revenue Authority car taxes correctly. We hope you have a wonderful experience during your purchase.
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9 Bad Driving Habits That Are Killing Your Car November 25, 2021
Being a good driver does not only mean avoiding accidents. That’s the most important part of it. But honestly, it only makes you a safe driver. As a good driver, your responsibility does not end at keeping yourself safe. You must also protect your car from harm. If you want to learn how to do that, start by avoiding these nine bad driving habits. 1. Staying On the Clutch While Driving Uphill Instead of staying on the clutch when driving uphill, it’s better to use the automatic brake hold system. The reason many drivers use the clutch in this situation is to stay still without completely stopping the car. If your vehicle does not have an automatic brake hold system, use the hand brake. When you ride on the clutch too much, it will fail. This failure will result in the inability to switch gears. 2. Resting Your Hand on the Gearstick It is good practice to keep your hands on the wheel at all times, but do you have to rest on the shifter too? Many drivers develop this bad habit that can cause internal wear. Resting your hand on the gearstick puts additional weight on the bushings of the transmission and synchronizers. 3. Revving the Engine before It’s Warm The engine oil needs to warm up before you rev the engine. Cars start from cold, so you must wait for the engine to warm up before setting off. A 10-wait should suffice. 4. Neglecting to Use the Parking Brake If you fail to use the parking brake, you will be putting much pressure on the parking pawl, and this can eventually break it. When this happens, the shifter’s ‘P’ will become useless. 5. Neglecting Warning Lights Always pay attention and investigate warning lights as soon as possible. You may ignore warnings like “bulb gone” or “washer fluid” until you get an opportunity to stop. But for other signs, you must deal with them instantly. Otherwise, your gearbox may damage, and you will need to make premature repairs. 6. Overloading Your Car Avoid overloading your car. If the weight is not required, get rid of it. Too much weight puts a strain on the suspension, brake, and drivetrain. Check your car’s manual for the maximum load weight your vehicle can carry. 7. Keeping the Tank Almost Empty If the oil pump is not submerged in enough fuel, it tends to heat up and increase the friction between the engine parts. It’s better to fill your fuel tank instead of going for one gallon or two every time. This way, you will keep your engine cool and healthy. 8. Keeping the Pressure on the Brake Pedal While Driving Downhill When driving down a steep road, you may feel the urge to keep your foot on the pedal. Going down a hill isn’t easy, and putting pressure on the brake pedal may seem like an excellent way to slow down at short notice. But instead of doing that, you should shift into a lower gear. This way, the vehicle will slow down without putting pressure on the brake pads and rotors. 9. Delaying Regular Maintenance It’s important to maintain your car maintained regularly. If you fail to do so, it may result in a serious problem later and attract expensive repair costs. Final Thoughts You may find it challenging to quit a bad driving habit, especially if you are an experienced driver. But you have to stop so that you don’t ruin your car. Our list of nine bad driving habits will help you prevent exorbitant repair bills. If you are guilty of any of these habits, you should stop them.
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What No One Tells You about Car Battery Life November 20, 2021
Batteries are among the most important components in cars. They provide the current needed for the engine to start and power onboard electrical appliances. Every car owner wants a battery with a healthy lifespan. That’s why we have curated the things you should know about car battery life. Let’s get to it! How to Make Your Battery Last Longer The life of a car battery is fixed, and you can’t extend it beyond the lifespan. However, by learning the factors that negatively affect your car’s battery life, you can prevent the batteries from dying early. 1. Routine inspection You should perform a routine car inspection at least once a month. Without regular maintenance, the terminals will rust over time and destroy the connection between the battery and the car. 2. Don’t go on short rides. Your battery takes a minimum time to get charged entirely and operate in full force. During shorter rides, the power cells work when they’re not entirely functional. This affects the performance of your battery by declining its lifespan. 3. Use a charger When you store your car, the accessories keep drawing energy. You may come back to meet a dead car battery. But a solar or regular charger will help you keep the battery charged even when your car is not running. 4. Turn off accessories when idling. The primary purpose of the car battery is to supply a sudden burst of power to the ignition. If you use it to power accessories for prolonged periods when idle, it will put pressure on the battery, damaging it in the long run. 5. Store your car properly when not in use for extended periods You need to drive your car regularly for the power cells to retain an adequate charge. If stored for long periods, the battery may die due to parasitic draining. Ensure to take precautions to avoid this. You can disconnect the negative cable from the battery and reconnect it when you are ready to drive your vehicle again. Factors That Can Impact Battery Life Here are the factors that can affect your car battery’s lifespan: 1. Bad driving habit Your driving habits can impact your vehicle’s battery life negatively. If you go on a lot of brief trips, your battery hasn’t ever charged fully. This behavior has adverse effects on your car’s battery life. 2. Lack of maintenance If you don’t maintain your lead-acid car battery regularly, its average lifespan will reduce significantly. It’s crucial to maintain your car regularly. If you fail to do so, it may later result in a severe problem and attract expensive repair costs. 3. Extreme temperature The weather condition in your area can also impact your car battery life. Batteries operate best in places with a temperature range of about 19℃ to 32℃. Extreme low temperatures tend to reduce the battery’s overall capacity. When the temperature is too high, the battery’s use cycle may reduce significantly. Always maintain optimal operating temperatures if you want to extend the lifespan of your vehicle batteries. How do you know when to change your Car Battery? When you notice warning signs like flickering headlights, sluggish cranking, or onboard electronic components, it means your battery needs a change. Try to check the battery once in six months for a weird smell or swelling. This usually points to a problem, and you should change the battery. If your car displays a warning light on the dashboard, it will notify you when the battery needs a change. Final Thoughts While it’s not possible to extend the lifespan of your car battery, you can take precautions to prevent the batteries from dying early. Store your vehicle properly when not in use and avoid bad driving habits. Pay attention to warning signs to know when a battery change is due. In all, make sure to maintain your regularly.
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