Automotive

8 car care tips during rainy season

Keep your vehicle in pristine condition!

Published

on

Taking care of your car, especially during heavy downpours, is just like taking care of your body — it goes a long way when done right. Driving during the rainy season is quite cumbersome. Here are some tips to keep your vehicle in pristine condition.

Clean that windshield

Most accidents are attributed to poor visibility. I know, I’ve been in one. After letting the rainwater dry up in your windshield, the mineral deposits accumulate and turn into dirt. This kind of neglect often leads to accidents, which is why it’s important to properly clean your windshield.

It pays off to have it cleaned on a regular basis, hopefully avoiding that build-up of dirt and dust. Or better yet, invest in window detailing. After all, a clean window gives you a better view of your surroundings.

Don’t forget to check your wipers

Part of maintenance is checking your wiper blades since they’re responsible for keeping your windshield and rear windows free from water and other contaminants. Since it can last anywhere from six months to a year (on average), you can always give a look and check if they’re due for replacement.

Clean those headlamps, too!

Having well-maintained headlights is a must during heavy downpours. It’s important to achieve optimum visibility during rain showers. Headlamps can get hazy or cloudy over time due to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays and built-up grime (ew).

Some people would think the sole purpose of cleaning the headlamp is for appearance, but the truth is it should be regularly cleaned to maintain its proper function. Having clean headlamps will provide you with a well-lit pathway while driving in the rain.

Furthermore, you should always check your headlight bulbs for damages or if they need replacement.

Pay attention to your car’s battery

Have you experienced difficulty starting your car… in the middle of the road… in a heavy downpour? *panics internally*

This situation can be avoided if you pay attention to your car battery’s lifespan, which sometimes gets shorter due to the corrosion caused by humidity and potential droplets splashing during the rainy season. When the symptoms kick in, it’s about time you get ready lest you find yourself stranded.

Assess the quality of your tires

Make it a practice — or a habit — to ensure proper inflation every two weeks. Over- or under-inflated tires can lead to reduced traction and early wear. And we all know (or maybe you don’t) that vehicle traction is important to have that maximum gripping power during the rainy season. Yes, it can only be achieved when you have well-maintained tires.

Also, don’t forget to check the tire pressure of your spare!

Brake check, please!

Most accidents happen because brakes fail — but whose fault is that? Brakes take longer to dry during rainy situations. If you notice any squeaking or any grinding noises while braking, it’s clearly a sign you should have your vehicle checked immediately. What if your brake pads need a replacement?

Moreover, braking in the rain doesn’t work as quickly as it would on a dry or humid day. Remember to drive slower than usual and set a distance in between cars. Let go of that bumper-to-bumper traffic. We’re not Ariana Grande on “Honeymoon Avenue”.

Find the right car insurance

Prevention is better than cure. We’ve all heard that — and that’s primarily what insurance offers. It’s always better to be ready than sorry. For peace of mind, you should trust the right insurance for your vehicle.

For instance, there’s the Honda SENSING Insurance that’s available for Honda vehicles equipped with Honda SENSING such as the All-New HR-V, All-New Civic, CR-V, Accord, and the Civic Type R.

Honda partnered with AXA Philippines and BPI MS Insurance to offer preferential rates (starting at PhP 2,119 per month) for comprehensive insurance to customers who will purchase models with Honda’s advanced safety technology. Of course, there are different car insurance available, and programs like this are limited since this one, in particular, is being offered until December 31, 2022.

Again, it’s important to find the right car insurance. There are plenty, so research, learn a lot of details, and trust your instinct if it’s the right one. You know what’s best for your baby.

Wash and wax your car

I know it seems pointless to clean your car if it’s going to get dirty again, but it’s still rewarding to do so. Admittedly, I used to have that mindset until I’ve practiced rigorous self-care and started believing that if I made strenuous efforts to take care of my body, it should apply to my personal stuff too — gadgets, cars, appliances, furniture, et al.

Adding a protective layer of wax can help keep rain marks from forming, and makes it easier to clean the car after the rain. Seriously, it’s not just plain cosmetics at all. Wash and wax it up, folks!

Automotive

Electric luxury reimagined: XPENG launches next-gen EV lineup

XPENG’s PH lineup spans the X9 MPV and the L03, with prices starting at PhP 1,548,000

Published

on

XPENG has officially entered the Philippine EV market. Over 3,000 guests attended the brand’s grand local debut. During the launch event, the automaker introduced a six-variant lineup.

The lineup features the flagship X9 MPV and the sleek L03 SUV Coupé. Prices start at an accessible PhP 1,548,000.

Brand ambassador Anne Curtis joined the celebration on stage, while XPENG showcased its X2 Flying Car and IRON Humanoid Robot. These futuristic displays highlighted the company’s “Physical AI” vision.

XPENG X9: First-class travel for seven

The XPENG X9 serves as the brand’s flagship seven-seater MPV.

It turns luxury mobility into a private lounge experience. Buyers can choose between two Long Range variants. The base X9 Long Range costs PhP 3,858,000. It features zero-gravity second-row seats with a central aisle. This layout ensures quick access to the third row. The Premium Seat Package costs PhP 4,058,000.

It upgrades the middle row to individual captain’s chairs. These chairs feature four-way powered headrests and 16-point massage.

Both variants share identical mechanical hardware. A front-wheel-drive motor produces 235 kW and 450 Nm of torque. A massive 110 kWh battery provides up to 615 km of range.

A compatible DC fast charger boosts power from 10 to 80 percent in 12 minutes. Active rear-wheel steering delivers a tight 5.4-meter turning radius. Dual-chamber air suspension ensures maximum ride comfort.

A powered third row folds completely flat beneath the floor. Color options include Midnight Black, Arctic White, Matte Gray, and Silver Frost. Inside, buyers can select Meteorite Black or Coffee.

XPENG L03: Sleek versatility meets electric freedom

The L03 SUV Coupé blends striking aesthetics with daily utility. XPENG offers four distinct variants. Three models use pure battery-electric powertrains. One model features a range-extended electric setup (REEV).

The L03 EV Standard Range costs PhP 1,548,000. Its 58.3 kWh battery delivers up to 445 km of range. The L03 EV Long Range costs PhP 1,698,000 and offers up to 520 km.

The top-tier Long Range Ultra costs PhP 2,058,000 with 480 km of range. This Ultra trim adds front-seat massage, upgraded audio, and intelligent driving tech.

The L03 REEV costs PhP 1,598,000. It uses an onboard gas engine as an electric generator. Its 37.2 kWh battery delivers 215 km of pure electric driving. Total WLTP combined range reaches up to 1,017 km.

All L03 models feature rear-wheel drive. Fast charging takes roughly 20 minutes to reach 80 percent. Every model includes a 15.6-inch touchscreen and 539 liters of cargo space.

Available colors include Arctic White, Midnight Black, Rock Gray, Silver Frost, and Phantom Purple.

Ownership packages, reservation details

XPENG pairs each model with generous ownership perks. X9 buyers receive five years of free preventive maintenance. The package includes five years of roadside assistance.

XPENG adds a five-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. An eight-year warranty covers the battery and motor. X9 buyers also receive a complimentary 7kW wall charger.

L03 buyers receive two years of free preventive maintenance. The L03 includes identical roadside, bumper-to-bumper, and battery warranties. L03 EV buyers get a 7kW wall charger. The REEV variant comes with a 3.5 kW portable charger.

Reservations cost PhP 25,000 for the X9 and PhP 10,000 for the L03. Buyers can reserve through @xpengphilippines on social media.

XPENG showrooms in Greenhills, Makati, North EDSA, and Cebu are accepting reservations now. Local customer deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter.

Continue Reading

Automotive

BYD says that way better EV batteries are coming next year

Solid-state batteries will debut with higher-end models in 2027.

Published

on

With gas prices reaching the edges of believability, electric and hybrid vehicles are turning into worthy upgrades. That said, the more casual consumer still has a lot of questions about going electric, primarily about the durability of the battery and range anxiety. Well, a major battery technology upgrade is coming in the next few years, and BYD has just committed to it for next year.

Via the Spanish outlet Carwow, BYD EVP Stella Li confirmed that the company will launch its first vehicle with a solid-state battery in 2027. Now, if you’re a regular consumer, a solid-state battery probably doesn’t make much sense to you. But here’s the basics: it’s smaller, safer, and can last longer on a single charge.

If you’re fine with technical explanations, a solid-state battery uses more solid components, as opposed to the liquid solution used by the current standard of lithium-ion batteries. Because it’s more solid, it has better energy density. Higher energy density means a smaller size is needed to achieve the same battery capacity as modern batteries. In turn, this means that a vehicle can pack more batteries inside, allowing for better capacity. Oh, and let’s not forget that these batteries are generally safer and less prone to incidents.

In the same interview, BYD says that the first model will arrive next year. Unfortunately, because of the battery’s cost to produce, the component will likely debut with the company’s higher-end models. Still, it’s an exciting sight to behold. The electric and hybrid market is already quite the temptation for users, so an even better battery will further push the segment to better heights.

SEE ALSO: BYD adds the facelifted Seal 5 DM-i to its hybrid sedan lineup

Continue Reading

Accessories

70mai launches the A900 series with 4K front, rear recording

Two new 4K dual-channel dash cams, both with 4G

Published

on

70mai has launched the A900 Series, led by the flagship 70mai Dash Cam 4K A900 Ultra, with the 70mai Dash Cam 4K A900 joining it in the lineup.

Both models record in 4K from the front and rear cameras, and both support 4G, so your footage stays reachable from your phone even when you’re away from the car.

4K recording from both cameras

The A900 Ultra uses dual Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 sensors to capture clear 4K footage from both directions. As a result, details like license plates and road signs remain sharp.

Smart HDR balances bright and dark areas under shifting light. Users can also adjust color tones and contrast. To keep feeds synced, the rear camera uses LVDS digital transmission. This tech sends a lossless 4K feed with just 20ms of latency.

Handling changing light

Driving into a tunnel or under the shadow of a tall building changes the lighting quickly, and 70mai built three imaging technologies into the A900 Ultra to deal with it.

MaiColor Vivid+ Solution 2.0 is meant to give more natural colors and finer detail, along with smarter scene adaptation. Night Owl Vision 2.0 reduces noise and glare to help with nighttime clarity.

Lumi Vision is made for parking surveillance in near-total darkness, where it automatically adjusts exposure and gain and applies noise reduction. 70mai says this produces clear, full-color footage in extremely low light.

Parking mode and remote access

Smart Parking Guardian Mode 2.0 protects your vehicle while parked. It combines AI motion detection, dual-channel collision detection with pre-recording, and time-lapse options.

The system draws just 5mA on standby to prevent battery drain. For extended coverage, the optional 70mai Battery Pack Mini powers surveillance for up to 30 days.

In photo: A900

Pairing the camera with the 4G Hardwire Kit unlocks 70mai 4G Cloud+ 2.0 features on the app. Enhanced Buffered Emergency Recording saves up to 190 seconds before an incident and 30 seconds after.

It automatically uploads this footage to the cloud for immediate remote viewing.

The 70mai Dash Cam 4K A900

In photo: A900

The A900 sits alongside the Ultra as the more accessible option. It records True 4K HDR at 30FPS from both the front and rear cameras, and Smart HDR can be scheduled to turn on at set times.

Its f/1.55 aperture is meant to help in low light, and 4G Cloud+ 2.0 keeps the dash cam connected to the 70mai App. It’s the model for drivers who want dual-channel recording and 4G connectivity at a lower price.


The 70mai Dash Cam 4K A900 Ultra retails for US$ 300, available for pre-order at US$ 240. Meanwhile, the A900 is priced at US$ 200, currently 20% off at US$ 170.

Continue Reading

Trending