Normal service

The odometer is now 68,214 km. My Ipsum went through another routine normal service. As usual, M7 semi-synthetic engine oil with M7 oil filter costed me RM125 (FOC Mutiara Motor t-shirt). Then, the mechanic charged me RM28 for labour, inclusive of a bottle of engine flush.

The aligment of the tyres were re-do. RM45 for alignment at Michelin Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru.

Mobile Blogger on E71

Nokia E71 & Garmin Mobile XT

The E71 is still serving me well.

I have been wanting to install Garmin on the E71 for a while now. I did it last week. Prior to that, I have Google Maps installed. During my trip to Penang, it helped me getting around Penang and looking for the famous Nasi Kandar spots. We found the best Nasi Kandar (at Masjid Kapitan Keling & Nasi Kandar Line Clear) through Google Maps. Google Maps is good but it was difficult to drive and glancing at the map to know where we should be going.

I purchased a handphone holder from Novacell, at AEON Tebrau City. The holder gripped the side driver's windows.

Yesterday, I gave Garmin a try in Johor Bahru.

I have stayed permanently in Johor Bahru for more than 5 years. We are not homely type, we go out a lot. With Garmin, yesterday I found an old bicycle shop at Kampung Ungku Mohsin. To tell the truth, I got the address from Yellow Pages (I browse on the E71). Though the shop is old, it has good bicycles in stock. The point of the matter was, I was in short of time. I need to pick up my kid from his lesson and I wanted to get his bike repaired before that. From Yelllow Pages, I identified the closest bicycle shop and with Garmin I got there with shortest possible time (and found the place). Walla, job done with plenty of time left for something else.

Then, we think we want to get some drink first before the pick up. I browsed Garmin directory (called Point of Interest - downloaded from Malfreemaps) and found 1 Cendol stall not far away from our route (Garmin shows the distance and the estimated time to reach the spot). We have not been to this Cendol stall before but I'm happy we found it. I have never taste better Cendol in Johor Bahru before yesterday.

The good things about Garmin which I can think of -

1. It gives voice direction. You can focus on driving. It is like you have someone beside you thinking about which route to take to reach your destination. Of course you have to tell where to go.

2. If you know what you are looking for, it is easier to decide where to go. In my experience stated above, I got the best Cendol I ever had in Johor Bahru, and still arrive early to pick up my boy. Do I need to mention that I got his bike fixed too?

3. Know our town better. It is where we live. After this practise, I know I am going to know the best from other people's town when I get there.

4. All maps, infos etc is stored in the memory card of my E71. So, there will be no extra charge by the carrier. Satellite signal for the GPS is free! Data retrieving is quick too since everything is stored within the phone!

5. It utilised the built in GPS receiver of E71. So, no extra hardware is needed (if you already have GPS enable phone, get this!). Standalone GPS device can cost RM500 and more.

6. Thank you Malfreemaps, they supplied regularly updated maps, etc for Garmin covering Malaysia and Singapore for free. And I have planned to contribute to the community.

My wife has just got herself Nokia 5800 (featured Symbian S60 Ver 5). Nokia E71 is Ver 3. I installed Garmin Mobile XT on the new phone today. I think the 5800 is a better Garminer than my E71 because of its big screen, can be viewed in landscape mode... & touchscreen!!

Mobile Blogger on E71

Trip to Cameron

The trip was short but enjoyable. Fuel consumption was always at least 10km/litre.

For once I got 13km/litre. Fuel up at Tanah Rata (Shell Regular) and again at Sungai Besi.

Ipsum to Penang Again

4.30 am Tampoi, Johor Bahru
Car already travel in town the day before 80 km. Re-filled again at Sungai Besi after 300 km. Stopped at Ayer Keroh, engine idling with aircond for about 30 minutes. Average speed 115km/h.
Consumption was 10 km/litre.

Reached Jalan Padang Tembak 2 PM.

Followed 3 Estimas near Penang. I think they are from the Estimas' Club. I think WNR3298 was one of them.

Wheel balancing & alignment

Currently, my Ipsum is in the hand of the Michelin guys at Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru. We are going to Penang again this weekend. The wheels need re-balancing and re-alignment.

The brake pads do not need replacement. The absorbers are in good shape too.

The front disc brake is rusting. I'm not sure if this is normal. I've never noticed the same on my 5 years old Perdana V6. Got to check this out at myIpsum.net's forum.

The tyres are still good. I'm quite satisfied with it.

M7 Semi-Synthetic Engine Oil

On my previous service, I switched to Castrol Magnatec semi-synthetic engine oil because it is cheaper to the M7 semi-synthetic engine oil. My wife was complaining because the engine felt sluggish after the oil change. I felt it too.

We moved back to M7 before going to Shah Alam.

The pricey engine oil is really good. The engine now is back to original performance.

Trip To Shah Alam

30th January, 2009
11.30 pm
Fuel tank of Shell Regular (RON92) at Jalan Tampoi, Johor Bahru.
Started journey to the North.
Traffic was low and very smooth.
Stopped at Ayer Keroh for 15 minutes (engine idling with aircond). Another stop at IKRAM, Bangi. Then to Berjaya Park, Shah Alam.
Average speed was 110km/h.
Aircond both blowers were on.
3 adults and 2 babies. Packed for 2 days.
Reached Berjaya Park at 3.30 am.
Fuel consumption was 11km/litre.

Saturday, 31th January 2009.
Fuel tank with Shell Super.
6 adults and 5 kids. No luggage.
From Berjaya Park to Mydin, USJ.
Then, to Genting Highland via Kesas & MRR2.
From Genting to KLCC, Bangsar, Bandar Utama and back to Berjaya Park.
Continue on Sunday, 1st February 2009.
3 adults and 2 babies. Return journey.
It was a hot sunny day.
From Berjaya Park to Tanjung Agas, Muar.
Refilled with Shell Regular (RON92).
Fuel consumption was 10km/litre.

Shell Super is more economical than Shell Regular?
May be.