Malaysiaminilover

Author: Angelina Soul

How to Change Gears in an Automatic Car

When it comes to car buying, most people prefer to buy an automatic transmission car over a manual transmission car. This is because automatic transmission car does not require the driver to operate the transmission for every gear. Whether you are driving uphill, downhill, or overtaking another car, automatic car will do everything for you as long as you place the gear to “D” and step on the accelerator. It is easier to be driven compared to manual transmissions therefore it is very attractive to new drivers. As for experienced drivers, they will also prefer automatic transmission cars especially people who live in the city with heavy traffic jam. No one prefers to drive manual cars especially when they stuck in traffic jam.

Understanding Automatic Car

It is important to understand how an automatic transmission car operates before you learn how to change the gears. While you are learning to drive an automatic car, you will see P, R, N, and D in an automatic transmission car. These are what the general automatic car has although there are different types of automatic transmission pattern.

P (Parking) – This gear locks the transmission and it should be engaged when the car is stationary. A car that comes with high security requires the driver to step on the brake pedal before they are able to change the gear to R, N, or D.

R (Reverse) – Obviously, this is the gear when you need to reverse the car.

N (Neutral) – When the gear knob is in this position, there is no gear engaged. The car can be pull forward or backward if the e-brake is not engaged. Never leave your car with N when it is not in use.

D (Drive) – Put D when you want to drive the car. The D include everything no matter your car comes with 4, 5, 6, or 7 gears. That is the advantage of driving an automatic car.

You need to know the Driving safety tips even you know how to drive: Car dashboard symbols

How to Change Gears in an Automatic Car

A driver is only allowed to change gears in an automatic car if the shift pattern come with 1, 2, 3, D1, D2, D3, D4, S, +, -, or anything other than D. An automatic car that comes with 4 gears in its transmission will usually have this shift pattern.

P, R, N, and D work exactly like other automatic car. In order to change gears in this kind of automatic shift pattern, you will have to shift the gear from D to D3, from D3 to 2, from 2 to 1, from D2 to D3, or any way you want. Changing gear from D to D3 means you change from 4^th gear to 3^rd gear. On the other hand, you can change gears in an automatic car by stepping the accelerator as hard as you need when going uphill. As for downhill, ease off the accelerator to allow the automatic transmission to shift to a lower gear and slow down the car.

So, how to rev up the engine and drive off with an automatic car? First of all, step on the brake and start the car. Change the gear to 1 and drive it off. Change it to 2 when you see the RPM reaches 3000 or above. Again, change it to D3 when the RPM reaches 3000 – 4000 and then D. This is how you can play around with the automatic transmission car.

New to driving? Learn also: How to drive a car, How to parallel park a car, learning to drive standard cars, and learning to drive a car.

Change Gears in Automatic Car ONLY When Needed

There are many people wanting to know how to change gears in an automatic car. The above mentioned is a good way to change gears in an automatic car but it is highly recommended a drive to do so when it is really needed. For example, change the gear to D3 or 2 if you feel the car is hardly go uphill or it is going downhill in high speed. Do not shift the automatic gear from D to 1 quickly. This will damage the gearbox. Transmission is one of the most important parts in a car. It will cost you a big fortune if it is giving problem. The key to drive an automatic car is “Shift ONLY when it is really needed”.

What is not good? Driving barefoot and Texting while driving! Both of these are very bad habits.

For manual car lovers, you might want to see these articles: learning to drive manual cars, learning to drive a manual transmission car, and teach me how to drive a manual car.

September 30, 2014
Rover Mini SPi Engine Misfire and Fuel Problem
For those who are driving a Rover Mini Cooper, Rover Mini Mayfair, or any Mini made between 1992 to 1997 (MK VI and early MK VII) with SPi engine, you should read this article if you are having problem with the SPi engine. There are many possibilities with the SPi and MPi engine and that leads to frustration and most Mini owners replace the injection with carburetor system. It is not really hard to maintain a SPi engine if you have the right mechanic and knowledge. Below here is an experience shared by a Mini lover and it should be very useful to all our readers who own a Mini.

First of all, SPi means Single Point Injection whereby there is one single jet that feeds all four cylinders. It is basically an electronic carburetor. The last generation of classic Mini built from mid 1997 to 2000 comes with MPi which is Multipoint Injection that has its own feed for each cylinder. See a 1998 Rover Mini Mayfair that runs on MPi engine.

Rover Mini Engine Misfire

It was a sunny day and I was on a Mini touring trip traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. As usual, I fill the maximum fuel in the tank before the journey started. Well, the Mini that runs on SPi engine is really fun to drive and I couldn’t stop myself from driving the car up to 150 km/h (approx 93 mph). The entire journey is 300 km and my Mini was running good until I have traveled 280 km. I feel the engine misfiring and it feels like the fuel is lost even my right foot is stepped on the accelerator. I immediately stopped at a layby and have a quick check on the engine bay, management relay, all the fuses, and plugs. Everything looks good and the car is able to start like normal. Thus, I try to drive it again.

The car runs again but the symptoms keep coming. It feels like the fuel is gone for a second and then back again. I was forced to drive in this condition to the nearest mechanic and have him check the car for me. This is the symptom when I try to start the car and give it a hard sudden rev.

This is the list of what my mechanic replaced for me:
1. Fuel Pump – My mechanic checked and sees the motor is running and he said it is working.
2. Fuel filter – It has to be replaced once awhile because the debris reduces the fuel that can flow. The fuel pump is unable to provide enough volume to the injectors if the filter restricts too much fuel. Inadequate fuel volume will reduce power and may cause the engine misfire, hesitate, and stall.
3. Spark Plug
4. Spark Plug Wires (Spark Plug Cables)
5. Ignition Coil
6. Lambda (Oxygen) Sensor
7. Fuel Trap
8. All the vacuum pipe – The black (with green label) one from ECU to Fuel Trap; The black (with white label) one from Inlet Manifold to Fuel Trap; The red one from Throttle Body to Spi Air Box; The yellow one from Air Box Underside to Air Box Upperside hot air temperature control valve.
It has cost me a fortune to replace all the above-mentioned parts but the problem is still exists. Therefore, I asked for help from some of the experienced Mini drivers, owners, mechanic, and friends from MOGM (Mini Owners Group Malaysia). These are some of the suggestion I get.

Sam Daud: It could be the fuel pump or the fuel filter or the relay at the brake servo. Just give these a check.

Relay – Mini SPi Engine Bay

This is the relay which located near to the brake servo. Sam says it controls the fuel. He also mentioned that the only way to check this is to loan a workable unit and replace the old one.

Sam Daud: How’s the smoke at the exhaust??

Sam Daud: May be the fuel injector is blocked.

Mini SPi Engine Bay

The injector is located at number 14 in the image above. You will need to use L length key to open it up then you will see the injector (BOSCH brand in green color). There will be two pin, one is positive (+ve) and another is negative (-ve). Remember the position of both pins. The easiest way is to take a photo so that you will know how to put it back. Use a long nose plier with a clean rag to pull it out. Make sure you do it carefully as the injector is a fragile item. Use a carburetor or injection cleaner to spray the area around. You can also use an air gun to blow the injector but please make sure you use a minimum power otherwise you will spoil the injector. Restore everything once it is clean.

Well, the problem is still exists after all the above work is done. The symptoms? As shown in the video, the RPM goes up until 2500-3000 then the fuel lost. Sometimes it goes up to 4000 then fuel lost again. It is uncertain especially when I try to drive the car. Here comes another suggestion from Abang Rare where he mentioned that the temperature pressure compensator SPI TPC could be faulty. It is located under the throttle body. Here is the image of it.

Temperature Pressure Compensator for SPi engine

It is a very small round disc that compensates pressure temperature on throttle body on Spi and MPi engine. It costs nearly a 100 GBP and I decide to check on some other thing before checking on this item. However, the temperature pressure compensator can be tested using a multimeter. Nobody is going to replace it before they confirm it is 100% faulty. The members from MOGM are really warm, another member suggested me to check on the wires at the bulkhead behind the air filter. There are a lot of fuses and wires and it takes nearly an hour for my mechanic to check on that.

See also: 1999 Mini 40^th Anniversary

The Real Problem

The problem is still exists after so many things have been done to the car. My mechanic took out the fuel pump and check on it again. The motor runs and it works normal. However, he noticed that the rubber seal (circle in red) is loosened.

This explained everything. My mechanic fill up the fuel tank over the green line and the symptom is gone. The problem exists when the fuel level below the red line because the fuel leak from it even though the fuel pump push the fuel up. This causes the engine misfire, hesitate, bad idling, and stall. The solution? Replace a new fuel pump that cost approximately 120 GBP or you can modify it with other powerful fuel pump such as the one taken from Nissan Skyline.

A modified Mini SPi fuel pump using one from Honda

See also: My Mini engine won’t start

Prevention and SPi Engine Maintenance

I’ve left my Mini for four years. I only start it three times in a year although the fuel pump is relatively new. Always keep your fuel level at half or above all the time to keep the fuel pump in good condition.

Last but not least, if you have experienced any problems related to your Mini or other cars and would like to share it here, please do not hesitate to write the story to us at malaysiaminilover [at] gmail.com or you may use the Contact Us feature in this website.
September 28, 2014
What Does a Speeding Ticket Look Like

Have you ever wonder what does a speeding ticket look like? Does it look square like a piece of Chinese jerky? A speeding ticket in the United States comes with details such as the ticket number, your alleged speed, the maximum allowed speed of where you were watched, and some other important information. A speeding ticket in New York could be different with one you get in Pennsylvania but they are basically almost the same. Whether you are from Louisiana, Connecticut, or some other states in the US, here is some of the basic information you will see in a speeding ticket.

Speeding Ticket (Top Part)

What you will see on top of the speeding is usually the ticket number, the name, and the address of the driver. The ticket number is unique and you can use it as a reference when you call to DMV.

Driver’s Description

In the middle of the speeding ticket, it will be the driver’s license number, state, date of birth, hair, eyes, height, weight, sex, and race. This information is copied by the police officer from your driver’s license.

Description of Vehicle

It is the description of vehicle right after the driver’s details. The vehicle registration number, color, model year, make, state, and body type will be written down on the speeding ticket.

Traffic Violation

The violation date, maximum allowed speed and the alleged speed will be clearly written down too. A valid speeding ticket in the US, UK, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, China, and Japan will come with the exact title and section of the law that a driver violated. It is a must to check the speed before you agree to take the speeding ticket. Otherwise, you can seek an advice from a lawyer in your state and have grounds for dismissal.

The Information of Police Officer

This is a section where the police officer writes down his name, troop number, and department. Make sure all the details are there otherwise your lawyer might not be able to talk to the police department in case there is a need.

Speeding ticket

Speeding Ticket by Speed Camera

Other than a police officer pointing a speed gun at your vehicle at the side of the road, you might also get caught by a speed camera. A speeding ticket produce by speed camera look a bit different with the one you get from a police officer. It has almost everything mentioned above but without the information of a police officer. In some area, the speeding ticket caught by a speed camera will come with a photo of the vehicle. In the UK, a speeding ticket is known as Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP).

You might be interested in: Speeding ticket jokes – Three Police Jokes for the day, How much per mile does it cost to drive a car.

What to do if you get a speeding ticket?

It is a must to response to the speeding ticket once you have got one. There are many convenient ways where you can pay it immediately online. The payment methods and description are usually written at the back of the speeding ticket. It is advisable to turn the ticket over and read it carefully. Now you have know what does a speeding ticket look like, do response to it if you found one in your letter box, mail box or if you get one from a police officer in your state.

September 8, 2014
1998 Rover Mini Mayfair

Coffee, tea, or Mini? The meal we are putting on the table today is a 1998 Rover Mini Mayfair running with automatic transmission. This is one of the most standard Mini models in the Mini MK7 generation compared to 1998 Mini Paul Smith LE, 1999 Mini 40^th Anniversary, 2000 Mini Classic Seven, and 2000 Mini Cooper Sport. This Mini Mayfair is painted in light blue. A view from the front, there is not much of modification done to the car. The owner selected twin filament front side indicator lamp with a clear plain plastic lens glass. This type of front indicator lamp comes with chrome trim rim socket so that it looks shinier compared to the original orange glass.

Take a look at the wheel arches, it is painted in light blue to match the body color. What do you think? Do you think it should be painted with sky blue or electric blue? Or it is the best to be like this?

We guarantee you NEVER see these Minis before

The side mirror is not originally made for the Mini but somehow it looks like the Torpedo type. A view from the back, the owner selected Aston look petrol cap for her car. Yes, “her”. The Mayfair emblem is still remaining on the car boot.

As for the wheels, this light blue Mini Mayfair is running on standard 5×12 Minilite painted in white. Will it look like pimped out cars if we soup it up with a set of Revolution 6×12 wheel? Or 6×13 Sportspack wheel?

Interior wise, it comes with standard beige leather seat. As this is a MK7 for the Japanese market, this Mini Mayfair comes with air-conditioning. Notice there is a SRS airbag fitted to the steering wheel too.

This is not the type of Mini that you like? Check out the hot and spicy chili red Mini Cooper, The Green Mini, and the Morris Mini Cooper S 1275 MK1.

Do you own a Mini and would like to share it here? You may write to us at malaysiaminilover [AT] gmail. Do not own a Mini? Try to get one and drive it. It is never too young to start a Mini love affair.

August 16, 2014
Paul Walker dead at 40: Fast and Furious actor killed in a Porsche Carrera GT

The day of 30 Nov is extremely dark because Paul Walker has left us. It was happened at about 3:30pm in Santa Clarita, California. Paul Walker, a 40-year-old actor who is best known for starring as Brian O’Conner in the famous “Fast & Furious” series was killed in a car crash. Walker was a passenger in a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT and they were on their way to a charity event for Reach Out Worldwide. It was just 30 miles north of Hollywood.

Porsche Carrera GT was manufactured by Porsche between 2004 and 2007. The shape of the car and the power under the hood are the key that make it one of the top sports cars of all time. There is only 1,270 unit were produced over the time. Under the hood, it features a 5.7 L V10 DOHC engine matched with a 6-speed manual transmission. The 612 hp engine has the ability to accelerate from 0 to 62 miles in just 3.9 seconds. According to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, speed was a factor in the accident. The car was completely burned out and the road near the crash was burned with tire thread. It was like someone drifting for a couple minutes.

It is really a sad sad sad news for everyone who loves Paul including Angelina from Malaysia Mini Lover. Let’s see what his Fast & Furious pal tweet about Paul Walker death.

Vin Diesel (Twitter): Brother, I will miss you very much. I am absolutely speechless. Heaven has gained a new angel. Rest in peace.

Ludacris (Twitter): Your humble spirit was felt from the start, wherever you blessed your presence you always left a mark…

Tyrese Gibson (Instagram): My heart is hurting so bad no one can make me believe this is real Father God I pray that you send clarity over this cause I just don’t understand My heart hurts it’s broken no one can convince me that this is real…. Prayer warriors please pray real hard for his only child, his daughter and family…#HeartOfAnAngel13YrsFamilyForeverWeJustCelebreatedYour40thBirthday….. My God… My God… I can’t believe I’m writing this

Sung Kang (Sung Kang Official Facebook): A man with a true passion for life and the heart to match – there is now an empty space in the hearts of all those whose lives you have touched.

Paris Hilton: Just heard the horrible news about Paul Walker. So sad & shocked to hear this. 🙁 My heart goes out to his friends & family.

Adam Shankman (Twitter): Dear Paul… Sleep with the Angels…

Lucy Hale (Twitter): Really hard to find words to say when someone passes too soon. Very heartbreaking about Paul Walker. Sending prayers to his loved ones. RIP.

Dwayne Johnson (Twitter): All my strength, love & faith to the Walker family during this heartbreaking time. We find our strength.. in his light. Love you brother.

Howsen (Twitter): R.I.P Paul Walker. Thanks for everything you gave to us.

P.Diddy (Twitter): Just heard about the sad news. RIP @RealPaulWalker. I will have a Fast & Furious marathon in memory of you.

Angelina Soul (MalaysiaMiniLover): “Speechless, sad, sad, and sad… The god must be jealous you live with us, now there is another good driver in the heaven. R.I.P Paul, my dear.”

If there are Fast and Furious 8, it is definitely going to be different without Paul Walker. Although nobody wants to believe this is true, we must take it with a heavy heart.

Rest In Peace, Paul, we will be missing you.

December 1, 2013