Checking Your Tire Pressure

A simple tire pressure gauge

Checking your vehicle’s tire pressure can save both your life and money.

Uneven pressure on the tires causes the vehicle weight to be uneven. This poses the risk of unbalancing the vehicle when running at high speed. However, this is not the only reason you should constantly check your tire pressure. It can also save money.

A perfectly pressure tire allows smooth running. This creates less friction and thus less drag resulting in more mileage per gallon. It also distributes the weight evenly so suspension weight is even.

Ensuring proper tire pressure is a small way to save money and maintain your vehicle.

Now, you can either take your vehicle to a tire service to have the pressure checked and regulated or you can do it yourself, providing you have the right pumping equipment and pressure gauge.

A simple gauge can be purchased at your nearest RH Hypermart. I recently bought a Little Wagon Tire Pressure Gauge at Vision City for K17 and it’s been worth the money. However, you can always buy the electric pump that comes with a gauge – it saves money in the long run.

Little Wagon Tire Pressure Gauge is accurate to +/- 3 PSI and has a maximum limit of 50 PSI.

The Full Cost of Owning a Vehicle

There are many costs associated with owning a car.

Everyone wants to own a vehicle in Port Moresby because it would be very convenient considering the lousy public transport system. However, as I recently found out, owning a car can be a very expensive exercise – not to mention tiring.

When I first imported my 1996 3 door hard top RAV4 AT from Japan I had to have it registered and insured at the Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited (MVIL), I also had to have it inspected for safety by a licensed mechanic. On top of that, fuel is quite expensive.

Now, the issue of fuel is controversial considering PNG has the natural resource and a processing plant in country. Yet, our fuel prices are quite high compared to other countries. Anyway, that’s not the main concern in our post today, the cost of owning a car is.

Another cost is the cleaning of the vehicle. In PNG, Port Moresby in particular, dust is an issue and your car will get dirt and dusty. You can get it cleaned along the roads at places like Sabama or you could go to a professional setup like under the Vision City parking area where 2 Fast Motors have their wash.

Repair is another you have to be mindful of. The roads of Port Moresby are not in the best form so you are bound to hit potholes, humps and all sorts of small debris on the road like cans. This takes a toll on the vehicle and constant maintenance is a must for safety.

This would also include minor service like changing coolant, motor oil, brakes and fluids.

Anyway, the list is quite long but I’m just giving you a basic rundown of the costs. Now, don’t take this as a deterrent for car ownership but as a preparatory education to what will come.

Taking my driving lessons to the hills

If the hills had eyes, they’d bear witness to what I did yesterday. So what did I do? I skipped work and took driving lessons instead, and this time we went to the hills.

My instructor wanted to teach me how park, stop, reverse etc on a slope. He figured that many times people were not thought this which often led to accidents along slopes.

Ssshhh! don’t tell my boss but I skipped work and we ended up at Toaguba Hill to practice on the sloppy roads. Needless to say, I passed with flying colors.

Anyway, today I finally get to drive my vehicle home. My instructor is satisfied that I am capable of going on the road myself.

Supposed to hit the highway today but…

Okay, I was supposed to take my driving lessons to the Magi Highway today. My instructor is keen to see me put the metal to the pedal but things didn't go exactly as planned.

The plan was for me to drive to Gaire and then buy some fresh fish along the way and head back. However, sometimes other things get in the way.  

Fortunately, that plan has been postponed to tomorrow which gives me some time charge my camera. Yep, I’ll be taking some pictures along the way.

If all goes well, I might be applying for a license a soon as next week.

I’ll keep you posted.

Taking a driving lesson at the UPNG campus

Yesterday afternoon, after work, I went for driving lessons with Sebastian at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) campus.

It was an hour of trying to build confidence. My RAV4 has automatic transmission so it’s not as complicated as changing gears etc. However, I lack the confidence to take it to main highway.

Now, I've had a couple of driving lessons with dad but that ended abruptly after I dented dad’s car. It wasn't a big deal but dad stopped me from ever trying to drive his car- hence ending my driving lessons.

After going around the campus for a couple times, I took the car into the Fort Banner; the staff residential area. My, instructor, Sebastian, seeing how fast I had learned asked me to take the vehicle all the way to Gerehu.

Anyway, let’s just say it was not as exhilarating as I had expected. In fact, I was calm and relaxed when I hit the main road – thanks to my number of years as a learn driver.

You know, it also funny because I should be driving on the road now but I missed the opportunity a few years back – when I first got my learner’s permit. I guess I didn't have a reason to learn then.

So the basic rule my instructor kept repeating was to maintain the left side of the road but overall was impressed with my performance. If I keep it up I might just apply for a licence next week.

There are a number of driving schools available in the city. However, the most obvious one that pops to mind is the Salvation Army Driving School, but if you don’t want to part with K300 for 5 hour lessons then find a class six drivers licence holder to be your instructor, get a learner’s permit and you are set to start lessons.     

Me and My RAV4

This is a picture of my RAV4

The missus and I recently became the proud owners of a 1996 Toyota RAV4 we imported from Japan through the website www.tradecarview.com.

It cost us roughly around K17, 000; relatively affordable considering how much mark-up used car dealers in Papua New Guinea charge.

The model is old but that’s how it’s supposed to be with first vehicles like Sam Witwicky and Bumble Bee. Unfortunately, my RAV4 won’t transform into an autobot but I’m planning on pimping it up a bit.

Anyway, I’ll be posting updates about the car and my driving lessons (I’m still not confident enough to take the road solo) in this blog. I’ll also share tips about car care, import procedures, accessories and anything else about the vehicle.