THINK about this for a second: Do you actually trust your car? Will it play the game when you're trying to enjoy the fruits of your hard labour? Can you count on it to show you love when you're 1000km from home?
If not, you'll need to know how to fix your ride when it won't play ball-particularly if you're in the middle of nowhere when it happens. And we're here to help!
Here's how to get your car back on the road when it overheats or won't start, along with some tips to help prevent future issues.
Of course, there are myriad vehicles out there with a variety of different systems and specifications, so this is just a general overview aimed at more traditional street machine fodder. Google and workshop manuals are your friends if you're after more model-specific info.
IT'S time to hit your local cruise night, but after jumping in your pride and joy and hitting the key, there's nothing.
The starter isn't cranking, there's no joy rumbling from those pipes, and your pleasant evening of cruising is now in jeopardy. What to do? The likely culprit, especially if the car's been starting fine beforehand, is a flat battery. The first two questions to ask yourself is: How long has it been sitting, and what are the dash lights doing? If the dash lights don't illuminate or dull off with the key in the cranking position, the engine is winding slow, or the starter motor is clicking like a machine gun, it's a fair bet you're lacking power. Time to check the battery.
First, check that your battery cables are tight and not covered in crud. Removing the battery cables and cleaning the terminals with a wire brush and/or tightening them up may well solve your problem. Make sure you use the rightsize spanner on those terminals. Check and clean both ends of the cables too - not just the battery ends.
This story is from the March 2024 edition of Street Machine Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2024 edition of Street Machine Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
JAPANESE STEEZE MEETS AUSSIE ICONOGRAPHY IN JAY DUCA'S GENRE-HOPPING VL
BIG-BUCK BURNOUTS
SUMMERNATS ANNOUNCES MASSIVE NEW PRIZEMONEY AND A BRAND-NEW BURNOUT SERIES
RETURN OF THE KINGS
WITH SOME OF AUSTRALIA'S MOST ESTEEMED CAR BUILDERS SET TO DEBUT CARS, THIS YEAR'S MEGUIAR'S MOTOREX IS SET TO BE A CRACKER
YACHT ROCK
PRO STREET luxury cars may as well be a religion unto themselves in Victoria.
THE LONG ROAD
A 20-YEAR ODYSSEY SAW JASON MACKENZIE’S CAMARO TRANSFIGURED FROM BURNOUTBRUISER TO SHOWSTOPPING BOULEVARD CRUISER
KICKSTART MY HEART
TWO HEART ATTACKS JOLTED JASON HANNAM TO HOME-BUILD HIS SL/R 5000-STYLE HOTTIE
DOUBLE ACTION
THINK BUILDING AN ELITE CAR IS TOUGH? TRY DOING A 1700RWHP HQ MONARO STREETER AT THE SAME TIME!
Mission BROWN
TWIN BROTHERS YOUNAN AND EDDIE KHAZI SET OUT TO SHOWCASE THEIR TALENTS WITH THIS CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED BARRA TURBO XE GHIA BUILD
HELL YEAH
HOW DO YOU IMPROVE ONE OF THE BEST-LOOKING MUSCLE CARS EVER? GIVE IT TO RINGBROTHERS, OF COURSE!
DIY DREAM
MONIQUE O'GARR'S EH WAGON WAS THREE DECADES COMING, BUT AN ELITE HALL DEBUT MADE IT ALL WORTHWHILE