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Popular but Wrong 2: Differences Between 4x4 and AWD To start with, there is no Mercedes Car model called Mercedes 4matic. This is another popular but wrong impression that is so common to be ignored. 4matic is Mercedes' trademark name for its All Wheel Drive(AWD) Technology that comes as an option across several of its car brands from the C class through S class to SUVs and crossovers. Now, what is All Wheel Drive (AWD), and how does it differ from  Four Wheel Drive (4WD) and Four by Fours (4x4). 2015 Toyota Camry - Befitting redesign for a flagship 2015 Another revision of Toyota's large size sedan, the Camry is here, and I'll like to say its a complete and impressive make over. Unlike the 2012 facelift. I personally didn't like the 2012 facelift as it made the Camry look so cheap as something from the other sides of ... continue reading THE 2014 COROLLA, welcoming Toyota on-boad    Redesigned Corolla The redesigned Toyota Corolla i

2015 Another revision of Toyota's large size sedan, the Camry is here, and I'll like to say its a complete and impressive make over. Unlike the 2012 facelift. I personally didn't like the 2012 facelift as it made the Camry look so cheap as something from the other sides of Asia. 2015 Camry front-side 2015 Toyota Camry In year 2015, the camry got a complete make over. A more premium look than the last iteration. It gained some of the muscular curves that made the 2007 model famous, hence its popular alias, 'Camry Muscle'. These curves were totally dished for sharp and straight edges in the 2012 facelift. And the grill and front view got a dramatic redesign that gives a more welcoming approach view.  2012 Facelift   The 2012 facelift made the Camry look emaciated as it lost its bold corners. shiny and cheap looking tail lights only made situations worse. I personally prefers Honda Accords corresponding face list to the Camry's. But

Redesigned Corolla The redesigned Toyota Corolla is a bold ‘game on’ statement from Toyota Motors to all major competitors especially Hyundai and Honda. Toyota before now is known for putting little efforts into how cool their Toyota branded cars look both from the outside and inside. This, Honda and very recently Hyundai and even Kia has capatalised on greatly to become great threats to Toyota cars in some markets. Realizing this, Toyota in the past five or so years started some real visual upgrade and redesign with emphasis on aesthetics. Though not all the redesigns and face-lifts has come out well (case in point, the 2013 Camry face-lift), the recent corolla redesign is definitely a big thumbs up. Came out way better than the Civic , Elantra and … what. 2014 civic 2014 Elantra Though the looks of the last Hyundai Elantra may be a point to ague compared to that of the Corolla, I still mentain that there is something very grown-up about the Corolla looks thats not t

On ‘popular but wrong’, I will be bringing you a few popular opinions on car tech with explanations why they are wrong. Catalytic converter Catalytic converter Indomie noodles On this side of the globe, the catalytic converter has gained a very popular alias - ‘the Indomie’, after Indomie noodles because of the noodles like shape of the converter metals. In other worlds, it is simply called the ‘Cat’. Cat with sensors There is a popular believe and claim that the Cat/Indomie improves fuel economy, I.e. reduces fuel economy.  I say a big Wrong to that. The Cat is not designed to, and so doesn't improve fuel consumption. The Cat is designed to remove poisonous gases and elements like Carbon monoxide and Nitrogen from the exhaust gas. Thus, its main function is to reduce excessive air pollution. It does this by reacting with the gas as it passes through the exhaust pipe. Or more specifically, it facilitates the reaction, that’s why it is called a catalyst. One

We love Toyota, we love Honda. But if its something else like a Pontiac or Subaru or even Opel, we say its a no go area around here (Nigeria). That's the power in a name. Pontiac Vibe Toyota Matrix The Pontiac Vibe and the Toyota Matrix are basically the same car made by the same person, and I can say for 'the same persons' at different times. Something that shows how much we love 'anything' Toyota is how fast we around here accepted the Pontiac Vibe as soon as we saw the Toyota Matrix and were convinced its the same car. The vibe was a car you could hardly sell in Nigeria about 10 year ago (2002-2005), not for any other reason, but because its neither a Toyota nor a Honda. Maybe it would have been a little more successful then if it was a Mercedes or a VW. But Pontiac? 'whats that? Then came the Matrix, an identical twin to the Vibe. You can't but notice the resemblance. People couldn't but ask if there were cousins. As soon as they were c

I've itemized below some often ignored but very important practices that can be the difference between few and often visits to the repair shop.  Get to know your car You need to first of all know what car you have, what it is made of and what it is capable of. Basic information about any car can be gotten from a good car website on line, but the problem will be interpreting and understanding what you get. V6 vs I4 You can start from knowing the engine capacity commonly given in cubic centimeters (cc) and closely followed by the engine power given in bhp (break horse power). E.g. 1800cc; 140bhp. The higher these numbers are, the more power your engine should have (mostly at the expense of more fuel). So, that you drive a 2010 Honda Accord does not mean your car can drive exactly the same way any other 2010 Honda Accord on the road would. Same model year of cars come with different engines and body trim, hence, different performance. A car will perform well below i