Autoworld Blog

The warm and humid tropical climate in Malaysia and the rest of the Southeast Asian region, creates prime breeding ground for harmful bacterial, yeast and viral organisms. This can aggravate allergies of the sinus, skin and eyes, as well as particularly increase the risk of contagious air-borne diseases such as tuberculosis and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome).
 
In the recent years, consumers have been flooded with an influx of air purifier products – ranging from compact air ionizers to air-conditioners which kill harmful organisms in the air. Well-intended as they are created to be, these products are limited to their areas of application and require hardware installation as well as periodical maintenance.
 
But with the ARC FLASH Nanotech Photo-catalyst, consumers here can now enjoy the high quality clean air and environmental protection which have been enjoyed by residents in Japan, USA, Taiwan and Hong Kong. ARC FLASH photo-catalytic is a colorless liquid coating with 30% nano-sized titanium dioxide (TiO2) as its main ingredient. As a semi-conducting photo-catalyst, TiO2 lowers the chemical activation energy to enhance chemical reaction or accelerate the reaction rate under photo-irradiation. However, TiO 2 does not decompose or degrade from any resulting chemical reaction due to photo-irradiation.
 
ARC FLASH is as innovative as it is convenient without requiring hardware installation and periodical maintenance. Application is easy – spraying the liquid paint onto the intended surfaces using the ARC FLASH special spray gun. While pre-treatment of cleaning the surfaces with u-Clean soap is optional, it is required to cover reflective surfaces especially mirrors before spraying ARC FLASH as the liquid photo-catalyst causes a slightly matte-like effect which distorts vision. Suitable applications for ARC FLASH are especially the interiors of residences, offices, healthcare institutions and automobiles.
 
Suitable surfaces within buildings to apply ARC FLASH would be ceilings and walls, as with car seats, dashboards and side panels in a car surfaces. When TiO 2 is exposed to UV radiation from sunlight or other illuminated light sources, this maximises the oxidization capabilities of TiO2 to degrade the harmful micro-organisms in a process similar to photosynthesis. This thus produces purified air which is 99.97% bacteria-free.
 
Besides its hassle-free application process, ARC FLASH is odourless and non-toxic, while being self-disinfectant, self-deodorising and protecting the treated surfaces from stains after application during its effective treatment period. ARC FLASH uses a quick-drying binder that hardens and is water-insoluble after 10-14 days after the treatment date. Therefore, it is advised that the treated surfaces not be cleaned or affected in any way from interference of other chemical cleaning products during this period of time while the TiO 2 is hardening on the treated areas. See here to find out how it works really. http://www.arcflash-intl.com.my/howitworks.htm 
 
Each automotive application costs RM290 to RM580 with treatments for buildings costing between RM2.50 to RM3.00 per square feet (psf) of the total buiild up area. Every automotive application lasts 2.5 years, with treatments in building lasting 5 years. Therefore, each ARC FLASH treatment is backed with a warranty of similar duration according to their areas of application. Currently supplied from 12 outlets nationwide in Malaysia including Sabah and Sarawak, ARC FLASH is also supplied to Brunei, Indonesia and Cambodia in the Southeast Asian region. The company is continously expanding to the rest of South East Asian market and is also looking for sales agents and distributors nationwide locally in Malaysia. 
 
To date, notable business premises the likes of Menara TM, OCBC (Kluang branch), Palace of The Golden Horses (a few rooms), the executive level (smoking area) of the Shang-ri La Kuala Lumpur and AEROLINE buses (plying the KL – Singapore route) have been treated with ARC FLASH. For more enquiries and services, please contact Mr. Wong Weng Heng at 012-283 4298 or email to arcflashcorp.my@gmail.com or visit the official ARC FLASH website at http://www.ArcFlash-intl.com.Talk about it in Autoworld Forum - Auto Detailing forum .

Gophers Technologies Sdn Bhd is a Malaysian company that is leading the way in GPS technology innovation. The TRI-O CE is the latest offering from this barely six-month old company. 

The new Gophers TRI-O CE comes with the latest SiRF Atlas III CPU which replaces the Samsung 400MHZ processor and SiRF Star III GPS receiver.    The SiRF Atlas III establishes a fast Time to First Fix (TTFF) - the time it takes to calculate its first position when stationary, as well as superior ability to lock on to signals when on the move. With the implementation of the new chip set, users will find the interface of the Gophers TRI-O CE to be quicker and more responsive. While the differences are subtle and only noticeable when the TRI-O and the TRI-O CE are compared side by side, it was significant enough for the folks at Gophers to make these changes.
The Gophers TRI-O CE comes in a nifty 3.5” touch-screen, small and light enough to easily pocket it when you leave your car. Voice guidance is available in English, Malay, Mandarin and Cantonese. Pre-loaded with maps of MapKing and Malsing Maps, the Gophers TRI-O CE is ready to use out of the box.Users will have access to dependable and reliable maps which are updated every quarter. The only thing that a Gophers user needs to do is to register online to have access to the latest map update. There is also a wide selection of Points of Interest (POI) to refer to, such as your closest petrol station, hotel, sight-seeing location, historical landmark, shopping mall, restaurants and more.

In addition to maps, the Gophers TRI-O CE plays MP3, WAV and WMA files. You can read your e-books and access your JPEG images too.  The built-in rechargeable battery lasts up to 3 hours,  with 300 hours standby time and is rechargeable via the car battery charger or AC adapter (both of which are provided in the kit).

Gophers Technologies is committed to making the latest in GPS technology available to Malaysian consumers at affordable prices, in a market that is dominated by foreign imports. The enhancement to this model has been made at no change in price to the consumer.  The Gophers TRI-O CE retails at RM998 for both Malaysia and Singapore maps.
The Gophers TRI-O CE can be purchased from authorized dealers, online at www.gophers.com.my or by calling 1-300-888-GPS (477).

How am I going to get there?

GOPHERS TRI-O CE  AT THE PIKOM FAIR

Gophers Technologies through its dealer, Ascend Zone, will be participating in the upcoming PIKOM fair to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from 1-3 August 2008. Come visit us at booth no.435, Hall 4, to check out the new Gophers TRI-O CE.

You must probably have heard or known Shine N Shield and PPS Teflon coating for auto paint protection from somewhere or by browsing through the Auto Detailing Section in Autoworld’s Forum as there are at least 3 hot and active topics all giving good comments about them since early 2005 until very recently. These topics never seem to die down but ever gaining popularity as more and more Autoworld’s members come to know them. 

Shine N Shield was set up by one Raymond Tan who has been in the motoring related line for a long time. The reason that had prompted him to set up Shine N Shield was because he could hardly find a local car grooming company that could really give professional detailing service for the car lovers who wish to protect the good condition of their car paint and thus maintaining its shine and gloss for many years to come and who care about the condition and cleanliness of their car interior. All those that he could find were just doing a shabby polishing, waxing and cleaning job and in the process they may even do more damage to the car with the use of not properly trained staff, inferior quality wax, strong chemicals and detergents and abrasive polishing compounds and materials.

 Apart from using the best quality staff well trained in the polishing and detailing jobs Raymond had to also ensure that only the best quality paint protection is used. After an extensive worldwide search and many months of research and testing he had finally settled for the PPS Teflon coating to protect the car paint even though it is much costlier than any other paint protection products currently available in the market as PPS is the only US patented Teflon paint protection system in the whole world, military tested for use by the US marine and air-force and it has been proven that nothing else would actually beats PPS Teflon with regard to the protection against harmful uv rays, acid rains, bird droppings, tree saps, chemicals and all other environmental contaminants. The shine and deep gloss that it gives is also unmatched by the so called “best quality wax” and any other substitutes.

PPS Teflon coating uses a revolutionary technology (US patent no. 5,081,717) to bond and fuse the Teflon to the paint thereby providing a permanent protection to the paint and it is guaranteed by a 7 years warranty in the US and Canada. 

For the car interior leather/vinyl and fabric protection against harmful uv rays, abrasion, spills and soils Raymond also has a range of quality PPS products that are not only material safe but also user friendly, non-toxic and non-hazardous. 

In order to be the best among the competition, Raymond also made sure that apart from providing the best quality products and car detailings he also emphasized on providing best possible customers’ service, comfort and convenience as evidenced by the set up of cosy customers’ lounges with many amenities and providing chauffeur service for his customers. 

Those who wish to know more about Shine N Shield and PPS Teflon coating may log onto www.shineNshield.com or contact Raymond Tan @016-323 8480.

Ever wished that you had a constant personal travel assistant in your car?  One that guides you to places you have not even heard of before?  Well, wish no more.  The Gophers TRI-O is here to make your life easier and reaching your desired destinations a breeze. 

The Gophers TRI-O comes in a handy 3.5” touch-screen, small enough to slip into your pocket or handbag.  Being portable, this device can be moved from car to car, and it can even be taken on a trip and used in a rented vehicle.  It’s great to have a navigation system when driving around one’s hometown, but the Gophers TRI-O is priceless when driving in an unfamiliar location.    

When you turn on the Gophers TRI-O, the GPS receiver quickly locks onto your position. Route calculation is fast, and the course selected is generally accurate and straightforward when choosing the “recommended route” option.  Simple-to-follow on-screen navigation is backed up by voice navigation, with an option of English, Malay, Mandarin and Cantonese.    

The Gophers TRI-O is preloaded with dependable maps of Mapking and MalsingMaps, which includes street-level maps and points of interest.  Looking for petrol stations, banks, restaurants or hotels have never been easier.  In addition to maps, the Gophers TRI-O can support MP3, WAV and WMA files, E-books and JPEG images. The built-in rechargeable battery can last up to 3 hours, and is rechargeable via the car battery charger or AC adapter (both of which are provided in the package).    

The GPS market has long been limited to enthusiasts, but things are beginning to change.  Today, the man on the street are being more exposed to GPS systems, with almost all the latest PDA phones boasting of navigation features.  So, how exactly did the TRI-O come about?  Chong Lee Siong is the mastermind and architect (well, literally, as he is an architect by profession!) behind Gophers Technologies Sdn Bhd - the company responsible for bringing the TRI-O into the market.  Frustrated by the shortfalls of the GPS devices he had encountered prompted him to come up with Malaysia’s very own GPS device.    

In a market dominated by foreign imports, the TRI-O is making a name for itself as a leading Malaysian-grown brand.  The thing that sets the company apart from other GPS companies is the fact that they are the only one in Malaysia which provides quarterly licensed map updates, and once a user is registered, downloads can be done easily via the website.      

It is a relatively young market for GPS navigators in Malaysia.  However, the market is expected to pick up in the near future, with more and more people finding it as a useful device to have. GPS navigators are now also more accessible and affordable to the general public.  The Gophers TRI-O retails at RM998 for both Malaysia and Singapore maps. 

The Gophers Tri-O is available from Ascend Zone Communication Sdn Bhd, which is currently participating in the Fathers’ Day promotion at the Curve. Ascend Zone has another outlet in Aeon, Bukit Tinggi.  In Johor Bahru, you can purchase a unit from Forward Motorsports which is located at the Home Centre, Jusco Tebrau City.  

The Gophers TRI-O can also be bought online at www.gophers.com.my or by calling 1-300-888-GPS (477).

To many, engine oils are just oils that one pours into their engine every time they go for their scheduled periodic maintenance service. However, for those who places greater emphasis in utilizing quality and performance oriented oil into their engine would opt for race proven offerings from the market.

One such lubricant is TORCO. Founded in 1950, TORCO is a brand that is synonymous with motorsports; being actively involved in numerous drag and drift events in the United States. It is via this active involvement with actual competitive motorsports events that the synthetic blend is perfected to provide the optimum in lubrication and the benefit of more horsepower and torque.

More horsepower and torque just via an oil change? Myth or too good to be true? How is it possible? With proper selection of the right viscosity and utilizing engine oils that provide the best friction reduction abilities and wear capabilities, one can be assured that while providing the best protection to the engine, it will also contribute to better power and torque.

All TORCO’s engine oils carry the propriety MPZ® technology. MPZ® is a combination of chemical addictives of Moly, Phosphorus and Zinc to produce the perfect blend that provide the greatest resistance to wear and friction. The general motoring public’ impression of engine oils are just a type of liquid oil used for lubrication of internal combustion engines. While the main function is to lubricate moving parts, engine oil also cleans, inhibits corrosion, and cools the engine by carrying heat away from the moving parts.

TORCO is a relatively ‘new’ brand in Malaysia being in the market for about two years now. Presenting to the public an excellent alternative to the run-of-the-mill engine oils out there, TORCO brings to us the SR-1 and SR-5 engine oils.

The SR-1 range is a selective cross blend of highly advanced 100% synthetic base oils and proprietary additives aimed at power efficiency and engine protection. SR-1’s performance is not compromised by standardized additive technology but is instead is a purpose built, specialty formula designed to exceed the demands of high performance Japanese, European and US sports cars. With a combination of Generation-2 MPZ® and low friction base oils reduce frictional losses to increase horsepower and torque by as much as 3%. A premium polymer and additive system controls viscosity for long term durability, maximum engine protection and eliminate engine deposits.

The higher range SR-5 is developed under the most severe racing conditions, Torco SR-5 offers the highest level of performance and protection for highly modified race engines. SR-5 utilizes Group IV/V synthetic base oil chemistries and additive technologies engineered to with stand extreme loads, constant severe temperatures and maximum engine revolutions. SR-5 utilizes Torco’s race specific MPZ® technology which offers additional reduction in frictional losses for maximizing horsepower and torque.

The range available is as below:-

Torco SR-1 Motor Oil 5W30
Torco SR-1 Motor Oil 5W40
Torco SR-1 Motor Oil 10W30
Torco SR-1 Motor Oil 20W50

Torco SR-5 SYN Racing Oil 5W30
Torco SR-5 SYN Racing Oil 5W40
Torco SR-5 SYN Racing Oil 5W50
Torco SR-5 SYN Racing Oil 20W50

Price wise is certainly slightly dearer than the regular engine oils you pick up from the petrol kiosks but the rewards gained definitely outweighs the additional investment.