Service Checks

The new E10 fuel became available across England, Scotland and Wales at the beginning of September 2021. With its release date in Northern Ireland set for early 2022. European countries have slowly been introducing it since about 2009. What is E10 fuel? The new E10 contains up to 10% bio-ethanol compared to the existing E5 which only contains up to...

We wanted to put together some tips for winter motoring. We have also included useful kit to keep in your vehicle and some advice on staying safe out on the roads. Essential Toyota Winter Driving Kit The weather can change at any time so it’s best to be prepared. Here is list of kit to keep in your Toyota to...

Brake Disc Tips from RoughTrax If you’ve recently checked your brakes and noticed some strange marks or discolouration then here is some help and advice so that you know what action to take. Normal Wear The braking surface should be flat and smooth with light scoring and visible wear ridges on both the outer and inner edges. There should be...

After reading this article you will be able to identify what Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) is, and what you need to look for to find out if you have it fitted. Vehicle Stability Control is also commonly known as its abbreviation VSC. It is one of Toyota’s safety features that helps ensure your vehicle travels in the direction that you are steering. When you are cornering vehicle stability control helps you maintain grip on slippery...

What is the Viscous Heater and where is it fitted? You will need to know this when ordering fan belts on certain Land Cruiser models, we often describe the belt options as “with or without” viscous heater fitted. This is because the length of the belt will vary if fitted.

What is Brake Cleaner? Brake cleaner, often called Brake, Clutch and Parts Cleaner is an aerosol-delivered solvent originally designed to clean grease, oil, brake dust and dirt from brake friction materials. With its easy application and minimal amount of preparation and clean-up time, it can be a quick fix for a dirty under performing brakes. What are the benefits of using Brake Cleaner...

In warm and dry weather, the diesel engine will start even if one glow plug is defective and only the other plugs preheat. With glow plug failure there will usually be increased pollutant emission and possibly also knocking during start, however, the driver will not consciously take note of these signs, or will not know how to interpret them. There...

If your stereo goes dead, windows stop working, a light stops working or if your truck won’t start, it can often result to a blown fuse. Replacing or checking a fuse is as easy as changing a light bulb. You can usually change fuses yourself, easily and with very little expense on the Toyota Hilux Pickup, Hilux Surfs and Land Cruisers...

In this article you'll learn why it is important to regularly change your old brake fluid with new brake fluid, how to bleed your brake system and how to choose the right fluid for your vehicle. The important thing to remember is, brake fluid can absorb moisture, this is bad because of the 'wet boiling point' which is the reduced boiling temperature of fluid that's absorbed...

The most common and effective way of checking your vehicles car battery is holding the correct voltage charge is by using a quality drop tester or a multimeter. A good battery should hold a charge of 12.6 volts. If it isn’t you should replace it or try charging the battery. Digital Drop Test A voltage drop test is the most effective way...

Alternator failures are predictably never caught in time, keeping on top of your vehicle maintenance can save you hundreds of pounds and the need to replace your alternator through neglect. Below are the latest technical statistics labelling the most popular alternator failures. 68% of all alternator failures are due to a faulty or weak battery. 15% of all alternator failures are due to poor electrical connections, fusible...

There are several ways to check whether your specific vehicle is subject to any current safety recalls, we have put together the best two means of checking your Toyota is subject to a vehicle safety recall. Go to Toyota’s very own online Recall Checker and enter your vehicles registration or chassis number, they will be able to confirm straight away...

When you purchase a vehicle you are taking on the responsibility of servicing and maintaining that vehicle, it is important to ensure your vehicle is safe to be used on-road and off-road to avoid being involved in an accident. In between services you should be checking your vehicle for anything out of the ordinary and take action upon your findings...

When RoughTrax carried out mechanical repairs we were often brought trucks with various droaning, humming or rumbling drivetrain bearing type noises. The initial task was to determine where the noise is coming from. Here we explain how to differentiate different bearing noises and what to look out for; Wheel bearing noises A wheel bearing noise more often than not has a constant...

Off-roading is one of the more exciting hobbies you can experience. Going off road opens your eyes to places you would not otherwise see. It also challenges you, as the terrain is far different from what you are accustomed to driving on road. Follow these very important simple rules for a safer and more enjoyable experience: Let someone know where...

Antifreeze or otherwise known as coolant, is the coloured fluid (usually red, sometimes green or blue) found in your radiator & cooling system. You should be changing your antifreeze at least every two years, it is just as important as engine oil. Antifreeze costs very little but a new engine costs considerably more; preventing freezing will reduce the possibility of...

Is your car due an oil change? Probably. If you want to save a few pounds, then why not make the switch to semi synthetic? Synthetic oils are specially designed to offer high-quality, consistent performance. The benefit of using these oils is that your engine is protected over a greater temperature range, compared with using standard mineral oil. Synthetic oils...

Winter is when your Toyota most often produce those unexpected problems, but with a careful bit of preparation you can help prevent your vehicle from letting you down at the coldest time of the year, and more often than not, in the worst place, at the worst time! My following tips should help ease some of that burden. This especially applies...

Are you experiencing overheating, water or coolant evaporation on your Toyota Hilux Pickup, Hilux Surf or Land Cruiser? If you are you’re likely to be a victim of the dreaded cracked cylinder head. This article will walk you through the simple steps you will need to follow to identify a cracked cylinder head. What are the most popular cracked cylinder head areas? The most...