Frequently Asked Questions
Tyres
1. What is my tyre size?
The tyre size can be read off from the sidewall of your tyres. It would be a string of numbers looking like 225/45R17.
2. What tyre design is better for my vehicle?
This will depend greatly on your driving style and personal preference. The general guideline for choosing of tyre patterns are:
Choose Your Perfect Fit |
Directional Design For Sports Handling |
Symmetrical Design For Comfort and Low Noise |
Asymmetrical Design For Balanced, All Rounded Performance |
A driver who loves the thrill of speed and navigating sharp corners
For speed lover in you |
A driver who wants a less bumpy ride and tyres that last Great for drivers with kids |
A driver who wants a combination of good control and low noise
For drivers who prides speed and comfort |
|
Tyre Noise Reduction | |||
Wet Grip Strength | |||
Treadwaer Durability | |||
Fuel Efficiency |
3. When should I replace my tyre?
Here are some guidelines to determine when to replace your tyres:
- Ideally tyres can be considered to be replaced after more than 3 years period of use.
- Tyres can be considered to be replaced after a distance of 30.000 - 40.000 kilometers.
- If the tyre is damaged, then the tyre should be replaced immediately, despite the period of use and mileage.
4. What are the signs of a damaged tyre?
Here are 7 signs that tyres have been damaged and should be replaced:
- Worn tyres. The tread on the tyres have depth below 1.6mm from the surface of the tyre.
- Cracks or tears in the surface or sidewall.
- Bulges and blisters.
- The uneven wear on the inner side and outer side of the tyre.
- Too much vibration.
- Too many former patches.
- Strange sound coming from tyres.
5. How do I know how old my tyres are?
6. Can I change the tyres to different brands of patterns?
7. Can I mix tyre tyres on my car?
NOTE: Some vehicles are intentionally fitted with different size tyres on front and rear.
8. Do you have any warranty for the tyres you sell?
Manufacturers give about 5 years’ warranty on shelf life, and a tyre within this period of manufacture is considered fresh. The exclusion of the warranty includes but are not limited to the following:
- Tyres are damaged by road hazards, fire, accidents, corrosion, or other Acts of God.
- Tyres are of normal wear and tear.
- Tyres were misused, for example, via kerbing, running over foreign objects and potholes.
- Tyres damaged from improper fitting, improper inflation pressure, faulty rims, negligence, alteration or repairs.
- Warranty cease at 1.6mm of remaining tread depth.
- Use in motor racing or exceptional use.
Wheel
1. How do I read the technical information about the wheel?
Wheels Size: determine the diameter x width
PCD: an abbreviation of Pitch Circle Diameter. Usually written in formats such as 4x100, 4x114.3, 5x120, 6x139.7, etc. For example PCD 4x100, it means that the wheel has 4 bolt hole and the distance between opposing bolt holes is 100 mm.
2. What is Double PCD?
3. What is Offset?
Offset (or also called ET) is the distance (in mm) between the mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel.
If positive then that means the position of the mounting surface of wheel tend go to the outer side of the wheel. If negative, it means the position of the mounting surface of wheels tend go to the inside of wheel. If zero, then the position of the mounting surface on the exact middle of the wheels. For more details can be seen in the figure below:
4. What is the recommended tyre size if I decided to change my wheel size?
Please refer to the guide below:
Rim width (inch) |
Min. tyre width (mm) |
Ideal tyre width (mm) |
Max. tyre width (mm) |
5.0 | 155 | 165 or 175 | 185 |
5.5 | 165 | 175 or 185 | 195 |
6.0 | 175 | 185 or 195 | 205 |
6.5 | 185 | 195 or 205 | 215 |
7.0 | 195 | 205 or 215 | 225 |
7.5 | 205 | 215 or 225 | 235 |
8.0 | 215 | 225 or 235 | 245 |
8.5 | 225 | 235 or 245 | 255 |
9.0 | 235 | 245 or 255 | 265 |
9.5 | 245 | 255 or 265 | 275 |
10.0 | 255 | 265 or 275 | 285 |
10.5 | 265 | 275 or 285 | 295 |
11.0 | 275 | 285 or 295 | 305 |
11.5 | 285 | 295 or 305 | 315 |
12.0 | 295 | 305 or 315 | 325 |
12.5 | 305 | 315 or 325 | 335 |
Wheel Alignment
1. What is a wheel alignment?
2. How often should I have my car aligned?
3. Why is a wheel alignment so important?
4. What are the 'symptoms' of a car that's out of alignment?
You should have you car checked:
- If excessive or uneven tyre wear is found
- If there is a feeling of looseness or wandering
- If there is steering wheel vibration or shimmy
- After 10.000 miles or one year of driving
- If your vehicle pulls to the left or right whilst driving straight
- If you need to hold on to the steering wheel to drive straight
- After changing a set of tyres
- After a change of suspension or steering parts
- After the first 3.000 km of driving a new car
- After tran-axial repair on front wheel drive cars
5. Will my problem always be solved?
6. Why have your wheel aligned at Otopac?
At Otopac, we are installing Hunter Hawkeye wheel alignment technology in a growing number of our centres. The Hunter Hawkeye four-wheel aligner is renowned for its accuracy and uses a series of high-definition imaging sensors which measure 14 primary alignment angles on your vehicle. The position and orientation of your wheels are compared against the vehicle manufacturers data for your vehicle, ensuring the vehicle is set up perfectly for you to drive.
Please note: Hunter Hawkeye is subject to availability. At some centres we may use alternative laser alignment technology to provide an equivalent wheel alignment service. The model announced on March 2018 will be used in Hong Kong.7. What if after inspection, it turns out that my car don't need adjustment or cannot be adjusted due to some broken parts?
Oil Change
1. How often should I change my car's oil?
2. Why do you have to change your oil on a regular basis?
3. What causes my vehicle's oil warning light to go on?
4. How do you check the oil in your car?
5. How long does it take to get oil changed for your car?
Battery Change
1. What are the warning signs of a dying battery?
There are warning signs and symptoms that your battery may need replacement:
- Slow engine turn over, slow engine crank. If you try and start your vehicle, the cranking of the engine is sluggish and takes longer than normal to start.
- Your check engine light is on and along with a sluggish start up, it could mean your battery is nearing its end of life.
- Strange system lights, such as low coolant lights, could also mean there is a problem with your battery.
- Low battery fluid levels. Typically, car batteries have part of the casing that is translucent, so you can check the check the fluid levels. If the red and black battery caps are not sealed, you can look into the battery to check the levels. If the fluid is low and below the lead plates, it's time to have the battery and charging system tested.
- Welling or a bloated battery case.
- If your battery sticks; smells of rotten eggs or sulfur, is an indication that your battery is leaking.
- If you battery is older than 3 years, you should at least have your battery inspected on a yearly basis. Typical life is 3-5 years, but driving habits can shorten the lifespan. Climate and frequent stops can drastically shorten the actual life of your car's battery.
2. How can I get the most out of my battery?
- Keep the battery terminals clean and inspect regularly (i.e. monthly) for corrosion.
- Start the car before operating car accessories and operate (drive) the car to allow the battery to get topped off by the car alternator which produces electricity and as a by-product charges the car battery after voltage drops in the battery.
- Keep the car's battery secure and free from vibration. Batteries that shake can become damaged and short circuited or worse cause damage to your car.
- Invest in a car battery charger that will maintain an optimum charge level when your car is not in use or when you go on vacation.
3. How do I test the battery?
Brake Pads
1. When to change brake pads?
Here are some warning signs:
- The brake pads is vibrating when stepping on the brakes.
- When stepping on the brakes, you hear a clicking, rattling, or screeching sound.
- The brake pads appear too thin if you see less than ¼ inch visibility of the outside brake pads.
- The car is pulling to a different direction when the car is under braking.
2. How long do brake pads and rotor last?
3. Should I use the same components as specified as OEM?
Windshield Wiper
1. What are the warning signs that a blade is worn out?
2. Is there anything I can do to make my blades last longer?
AC Service
1. How often should my AC be inspected?
2. How do I notice that there is something wrong with my air conditioning system?
- Poor cooling performance
- Increased fuel consumption
- Noise
- Fogged windows
- Development of unpleasant smells
To avoid follow-on damage, the air conditioning system should be checked by an expert without delay.
3. Where does the musty smell inside the vehicle come from?
4. How can I use my air conditioning system as efficiently as possible?
- Park In the shade.
- Open the doors for a short time before starting your journey.
- Set the air conditioning and ventilation to maximum at the start of a journey.
- Drive with the windows/sunroof open for the first few minutes.
- The interior temperature should not fall below 22 degrees C.