26/11/2011

Testing the navigator






The car comes with a South Korean Speed Navi SQ navigation unit. I had used it earlier when my wife wanted to visit a school some 20km away from home. It works just like Google Maps: a blue line route was formed after the origin and destination were input. Moving along the route, the navigator moves and re-orientates itself with the car being a red pointer. You feel as if you are in James Bond Aston Martin DB-5 with its on-board gyro navigator but now on-board navigators are a norm. Today, I tried it without  O-D destinations. When switched on, it gives an overview map to orientate the user of his position from a macro point-of-view. The first click on the "+" at the upper right hand corner of the screen zooms view to a close-up of the macro view. A second click on the "+" zooms view to the neighbourhood level. A third click on the "+" zooms view to the micro level where service lanes can be clearly seen. I do not think a user needs to go any micro than that unless he is really lost. If you know your way around, you can live without but if in unfamiliar territory, an on-board navigator is a bonus but the addition of a real navigator beside you will be superduper when you need advise fast.

19/11/2011

Maintenance - Tyre pressure


Peugeot 407 tyre pressure

Different people have different view of what should be the best tyre pressure for the Peugeot 407 for a hot, humid equatorial climate such as Malaysia. I prefer to stick to the default setting as shown by this sticker: 2.6(f) 2.4(r) psi when the car is not full loaded and 2.6(f) 2.8(r) when it's time to balik kampung. And to think the average car has the tyre pressure at 3.0psi, what a dfifference! Of course, this is base on the tyre size. Mine are the original so I stick to whatever is recommended, this being it's technical specification so it is wiser to stick to whatever your car model recommends.

10/11/2011

New Peugeot logo key chain


I saw the new Peugeot logo key chain at the Glenmarie Peugeot showroom and it looked impressive and had to get myself one. However, they ran out out stock which should be of no surprise because they were selling it at RM18 per piece. Where there's a will, there's a way so I surfed the Internet at Lelong and whilst an advert was there, it was long closed. This time, I popped over to ebay and found a live advert in China where it is manufactured promoting it for US2.60 with free shipping. I immediately made an order. It took about 10 days but better late than never. Item specs. is as accurate as pictured at ebay. Wifey is most pleased.

06/11/2011

Testing the radio


Selecting a channel was easy: it only requires the user to scan for a channel then press the preferred selector button for about 3 seconds to lock the channel. At first, we though the audio system was rather boomy so I started to reset the bass and treble to neutral yet the boominess was still there. It was not until I de-activated the loudness did the system sound become more natural and pleasant. I suspected the technician who tested the radio must have been a bass fanatic. Reception was respectable and I'm not complaining but I have yet the opportunity to test it outstation where reception is poor at certain places.

05/11/2011

Modification - Boot straps


Peugeot 407's boot comes with 4 latches to enable user to hook a netting. However, such netting are not easy to come buy because they are imported and expensive meaning hardly any car accessory shop sells them. So clever me went over to the supermarket and got myself a pair of motorcycle elastic hooks instead just like what I have for my KIA Spectra. This should be helpful when there are loose items in the boot that need securing.

04/11/2011

Testing the movie player


This car comes with a USB adapter and of course accept the normal thumb-drive. Although the movie worked without a hitch, we were disappointed that the movie did not take the whole screen of the monitor.  In the full screen mode, it gave a full landscape movie mode which is even smaller than the 100% screen mode where the 100% screen mode managed filled the monitor screen. On checking the Owner's Manual, a note read the video only works in stationary mode, I'm sure it can be modified for the benefit of passengers while the car is moving :-( .

03/11/2011

Modification - Chrome tyre valve caps


I took one of my chrome tyre valve cap off my KIA Spectra to a nearby tyre retailer and asked whether he sold them and wanted to purchase a set of 4. While the manager answered "No", the mechanic on the other hand at the same time replied "Yes". It was an embarrassing moment for the boss but the mechanic quickly changed the momentum by continuing and said we have used ones. He walked over to a tin of  tyre valve caps and I followed closely where he pulled out two caps and gave them to me free-of-charge. I was surprised and quickly said thank you. As my regular tyre mechanic was within walking distance so I went there. He too, found and gave me two caps free-of-charge (and to think I purchased them for RM1 per piece). Happily, I wagged my tail and went home where I immediately gave them a thorough Autosol polish that brought them back like new. I'm so happy. To me, little things mean a lot.