Every time I get out of the car, I get an electric shock when I touch the driver's door. Is there anything I can do to stop this?

This is usually caused by a build-up of static electricity generated by your clothes rubbing against your car seat fabric. It is rare in a humid place such as Singapore, but it can happen.

Certain types of fabric cause more static electricity than others.

To avoid it, keep your hand on the metal doorframe as you are getting out, until you are fully out of the car. You may also hold your metal car key in your hand to let the electricity discharge through the keys.

Automobile Association of Singapore

Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper

When I switch on the air-con in my two-year-old Korean car, water drips onto the floor of the front passenger seat. Although my mechanic blew compressed air through the evaporator drain to clear any clogs, the problem still persists. What could be wrong?

As water condensation from the humid air outside passes through the air-con system's evaporator core, which is within the dashboard, water drips off the evaporator to the bottom of the plastic evaporator housing. The water droplets then exit via the evaporator drainage tube.

Your problem is due to a leakage of moisture-rich air around the evaporator core. The air thus delivers condensation further into the ductwork, which is not designed to drain off the condensed liquid, leading to water dripping onto the floor.

To repair this, you have to remove the evaporator and reposition or replace the evaporator seal. This is to ensure that all incoming air passes through the cooling fins of the evaporator core, leaving no pathway for air to bypass the core and reach the ductwork.

Automobile Association of Singapore

Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper

My car and tyres are in good condition, yet the car's rear end feels "loose" when I drive over humps. Could the rear stabiliser bar be damaged?

It is unlikely that the stabiliser bar is the cause of the problem, as its function is to stabilise your car during cornering.

The fault is likely to be worn rear-shock absorbers. You could also check your car's suspension joints and bushings for damage or wear.

Automobile Association of Singapore

Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper

Why do most modern cars use disc brakes instead of drum brakes?

Disc brakes are safer than drum brakes, especially for stability when driving in wet weather.

Generally, when drum brakes get wet, they require far longer stopping distances than disc brakes.

And if one of the front brakes is wet when you brake, the vehicle tends to veer to one side.

Disc brakes, however, are costlier than drum brakes. Which is why rear brakes in most budget cars are still drums.

Automobile Association of Singapore

Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper

Whenever I start my car, it makes a loud squealing noise that stops after a while.

I had the air-conditioning belt checked and, as it wasn't worn, the workshop put some belt dressing on it.

Although the squealing sound stopped for a while, it is back now and is worse than before. What should I do?

It is likely that your car's air-conditioning belt needs to be replaced.

Once it begins to make squealing noises and the side of the belt is glazed, no adjustment or treatment can stop the noise.

Also, check the air-con belt pulley surface for excessive wear.

Automobile Association of Singapore

Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper

Every time I drive over a bump, I hear banging and knocking sounds from my car's front suspension. Why is this so?

This is most likely caused by the rubber bushes at the top of the front suspension mounts. When they are worn out, the top of the suspension knocks against the inside of the suspension strut tower. You will need to have them replaced.

Automobile Association of Singapore

Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper