Q

how to check car battery

Checking your car battery's condition in Malaysia is something you can handle with a few straightforward steps. Firstly, inspect the battery for signs of bulging, leakage, or corrosion. These are clear indications that the battery may be nearing the end of its lifespan. If you spot white or greenish gunk around the terminals, a mixture of baking soda and water can be used to gently clean it off. The most accurate way, though, is to use a multimeter to check the voltage. With the engine off, a healthy battery should read between 12.4V and 12.7V. Once you start the engine, that number should jump to a steady 13.7V to 14.7V. If it’s dipping below 12V, your battery probably needs a charge—or maybe even a full replacement. A lot of newer cars will also have a battery warning light on the dashboard. If the light is glowing persistently, do not ignore it; have it inspected as soon as possible. For those without tools, just pay attention to how your car starts. If the vehicle starts slower than usual or the headlights appear dimmer, these are typical signs that the battery is running low. Malaysia’s hot and humid weather isn’t kind to batteries, so they tend to wear out faster here. That’s why it’s smart to get a professional check every 2 - 3 years. For daily maintenance, keep the battery surface clean and dry. If you’re leaving your car parked for a long time, disconnecting the negative terminal can help preserve charge. When it’s time for a new battery, make sure it matches your vehicle’s specs—different cars need different Cold Cranking Amps (CCA). Investing in a quality battery designed to handle tropical climates will pay off with more reliable performance and steady power.
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Q
What is solid state fuel?
Solid fuel refers to fuel that exists in solid form. A common type is solid alcohol blocks, which are made by solidifying liquid fuel through a process, making them easy to store and use. This type of fuel is widely used in scenarios such as commercial dry pots, outdoor barbecues, hot pot ignition, and grilled fish. It has the characteristics of being long-burning, smokeless, and easy to ignite, and can meet different heating needs. Solid fuels on the market come in various specifications, such as single-piece weights of 10g, 20g, 30g, and 50g. The packaging forms include single packs and whole cases, and you can choose according to your actual needs when purchasing. The price may vary depending on specifications, purchase quantity, and promotional offers, with the final transaction price subject to the order settlement page. In addition, due to its portability and safety, solid fuel is also suitable for small household heating equipment and is an ideal choice for temporary heating scenarios. When using it, follow the product instructions to ensure safe operation.
Q
What are the three most commonly used fuels?
In Malaysia, the three most commonly used fuels are natural gas, petroleum, and coal. Natural gas accounts for the highest proportion in energy supply and is widely used in power generation, industrial fuel, residential gas, and other fields. Its abundant reserves mainly come from the offshore area of Sarawak in East Malaysia, supported by a well-developed pipeline network for transportation and utilization. Petroleum serves as the core fuel for the transportation and petrochemical industries. Domestic crude oil is primarily extracted from offshore oilfields such as the Malay Basin, Sarawak Basin, and Sabah Basin, with the national oil company leading the exploration and production of oil and gas resources. Coal is predominantly used for electricity generation. Although the government has been promoting energy transition in recent years to curb new coal-fired power capacity additions, it remains one of the stable baseload power sources currently, with emissions mitigated through high-efficiency units and environmental protection equipment. Collectively, these three fuels constitute the backbone of Malaysia's energy system, sustaining the operations of critical sectors including industry, transportation, and power supply.
Q
What is renewable fuel?
Renewable fuels refer to energy sources produced from biomass (such as plants, animal organic matter and their wastes) or renewable energy, which can replace traditional fossil fuels and are characterized by renewability, low carbon emissions and environmental friendliness. They are mainly divided into two categories: one is biofuels, including bioethanol (produced from plant materials, which can be blended with gasoline to increase octane rating and reduce emissions), biodiesel (produced from vegetable oils, animal fats or waste oils, which can be blended with conventional diesel or used independently), sustainable aviation fuel (compatible with existing aviation infrastructure and contributing to decarbonization in the aviation sector), etc.; the other is renewable non-biological fuels, such as green hydrogen, green ammonia, and e-methanol, which are produced using renewable energy and exhibit extremely low carbon intensity. These fuels can significantly reduce carbon emissions. For instance, using 100% biodiesel can reduce carbon emissions by over 75%. They are widely applied in transportation, power generation, industrial production and other sectors, serving as crucial alternatives in the global effort to advance energy transition and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Q
What is an example of fuel oil?
Diesel is one of the typical examples of fuel oil. It belongs to distillate fuel oil and is commonly used in power equipment such as automobiles, large tractors, and construction machinery. It has the characteristics of high energy density and rapid refueling, meeting the requirements of such equipment for high load and extended operation time. Additionally, diesel engines can utilize HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), a renewable fuel produced through hydrogenation of sustainable biological residues. Independent of fossil resources, it can reduce pollutants and carbon dioxide emissions by up to 95%, aligning with the future development trend of low-carbon and environmentally friendly fuels. This type of fuel not only adapts to existing engine systems but also contributes to achieving more stringent climate protection objectives, representing one of the key pathways for transitioning from conventional fuels to green alternatives.
Q
What are the three gas types?
The three common types of gaseous fuels locally are gasoline, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Gasoline is the primary fuel for spark-ignition internal combustion engines (such as passenger cars and motorcycles). It is processed through crude oil fractional distillation and additives are used to enhance its chemical stability and combustion performance. Two variants, RON95 and RON97, are popular locally. RON95 is more affordable due to government subsidies, while RON97 targets users with higher demands for power performance. Diesel is mostly used in commercial vehicles or heavy-duty vehicles driven by compression-ignition engines, and its combustion characteristics are suitable for high-load scenarios. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is in strong demand in the petrochemical industry and can also be used as a clean fuel in some modified vehicles, featuring relatively high combustion efficiency. In addition, components such as ethanol may be added to gasoline to optimize combustion effects. Although mixing different grades of gasoline is a safe operation, it is necessary to select the appropriate grade according to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations and avoid frequent use of low-grade gasoline which may affect the long-term performance of the vehicle.
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