[Autori]

I am new to this thread & I've posted a message a few days ago, but it
doesn't appear? Anyway, I got my Ria a few days ago and so far am very
happ[y with it, despite all the negative things I've heard over the net. I
had my tinting done 2 days ago and instead of the originally intended V-
Kool, I preferred to "Riken" the whole MPV (the specs say cut off 98% uv
and 84% infra red [this is the source of heat] - I know it's 10% less than
V-Kool but I can live with it as it is RM600 cheaper. For those who wants
to fit V-Kool, pls go to the authorized dealers as they are the only ones
that can supply the genuine stuff and the 5 year warranty. Once they piut
on the film, chances are you may not know what type it is. I got my 6
year warranty for the Riken. I also fix an alarm 'cause I was told many
times that Ria is a hot item among car thieves. I had a basic alarm for
RM430, there are cheaper ones around RM250 bit all those are made in China
(despite what is written on the box saying US technology, made in S'pore,
etc.). As for carpeting, I found a suitable set in the Supermarket (of
all places); almost the same colour as the original carpetting, and also
is the type that can trap sand, sediments (that material cost RM8 per sq.
ft. in the accessory shops). I bought 2 sets for RM60, use the special
driver's mat for the 2 front seats, and the rest for the middle & back
rows (some cuttings required - that's my wife's department!). For those
who prefers to buy the 3Ms, please note that there are 2 types - one with
the rubber "spikes" at the back, and the other without. Needless to say,
to prevent slipping, get the "spiked" ones. Presently, I am enquiring
from Naza about the rear mirror which I heard is quite nice. Can't wait
to drive my Ria back to hometown next month.

[kwltan]

hi Autori,
Welcome to AW forum, I saw your posting on the NAZA RIA thread, you shld
post it there to join your fellow Ria owners & get support/feedback from
them. They are a bunch of good guys working together. Anyway, I've also
bought 2 sets of those mat from the shop like you, when I got my trajet,
but decided to ditch it later to my wife's car cos it's thin & easily
slipped. Also it really didn't look good, not like the original custom cut
carpet come with the MPV. If you r particular abt the looks, you may
consider the custom cut coil mat. As I said earlier there are many brands
around, some you can get it for rm200, two months ago I saw Makro sold a
roll of 4x10' coil mat for rm100. Custom cut one looks better than those
pre-cut for normal sedan car. Anyway just my opinion.

As for the tint film that you got, I believe Riken is very good, but for
the benefit of yourself & others, I need to state that there are this
Riken & Rike-cool in the market! Which one is better I'll leave it for you
to find out, see www.rikecool.com . I was confuse also until I found that
they are different. Also like you I didn't fixed v-kool cos I read some
forummers said it cannot get thru the Smarttag lane.

Good that you get the alarm fixed cos we can't afford to lose it to those
theives. For better protection, you may want to consider 2 more things,
1st. Immobilizer, 2nd. Steering-wheel lock. Steering lock is for visual
deterrent, so they may choose any car without this lock, not that it's
difficult to beat but why need to waste additional seconds. Ppl said they
use big cutter (one to cut harden padlock!), so cutting steering (soft
metal with rubber outer) is just few seconds. There are many types around
(some can be removed with 1 cut, some needs 4 cuts, don't go for the cheap
one! As for immobilizer, there are also many types, such as anti-thief or
both anti-thief & anti-carjack. I would recommend the later for obvious
reason. I already gotten factory alarm, immo & Steering lock, still
thinking of installing a few more gadgets to get more peace of mind. Do
your own research & I found it's not too expensive if you take your time
to search & learn. I went to Security Thread & learned lots of good tips
from the sifo there, so go check it out if you have time.

Lastly, you may thought why a Trajetian is helping you, cos I learned lots
from many unselfish & courteous forummers here. So I'll try to be helpful
to others also.

Cheers.

[Autori]

Hi kwltan,
Yea, I guess my posting should be on the Naza Ria Thread, but anyway
thanks for the reply. Like you said, the mat I bought was light and thus
slip about easily. I solved that by fixing those "male & female plasters"
( you know the ones they use for kiddies shoes); cost RM3 per meter
(male+female) and RM2 for a roll of double sided tape. I has V-Kool fixed
for my other car a few years ago and I do have problem with the
smarttag 'cause those work by infra-red and V-Kool cuts off infra-red.
However, I was told that the latest V-Kool tint has solved that problem.
However, the V-Kool website said that while V-Kool 40 cuts off almost 98%
IRR (as oppposed to V-Kool 70), they allow less than 60% visible light
transmission and thus will not meet the JPJ requirement. I had a look at
the immobilizers too, most work with cards and there was even one that
uses your thumbprint to activate (allows for up to 10 different prints).
But if you are really safety consious, one should consider the gps where
the car can be tracked anywhere. For me, a visible deterrent also help.
So I am enquiring about a good steering lock. I saw one advertize in the
AAM mag specially for MPV's, so I guess I'll go there and see. Even the
lock is drill-proof.
I wonder if anyone knows about those fuel-saving devices which is
suppose to be easily fitted, save petrol and does not compromise your
car's performance (whether it affects the warranty is another thing). B4 I
end, let me just say that this is a great way for people like us to share
experiences and help each other. Once again, thanks kwltan for the advice.

[kwltan]

hi autori,
It's ingenious of u to use Velcro (I assumed!) to fasten the slippily mat.
I will follow yr method, good on u!! Thanks.

V-kool 70 is actually very good at vlt=73% (over JPJ requirement of 70%) &
irr=94%. Compare to V-kool 40 of irr=98%, it's slightly lower (but
negligible) but v-40 has vlt=43% so you shld avoid using it for front
windscreen. If new v-kool already solved the smarttag problem then it's
good for them & their market share. There is hardly any products doing
irr>90% in the market, very handful.

GPS & land-based tracking system is definitely 1-up than those we
mentioned, but cost more. Also I heard that GPS system won't work if you
park your car in basement, out of sight of gps, not sure this is true, u
may want to check out if u r interested, otherwise waste $$. Go to
Security thread to ask the sifos there.

I'm very interested in that AAM mag lock for MPV, can u give me the name
of that product, I'll try to check it out in Penang.

As for the fuel saving thingy, I suggest u go to "Car Modification" thread
there are lots of good gurus there such as WajaFly, g88, etc -- all very
friendly & helpful, as long as we don't act like giannilv who has since
disappeared, heard they had him as giannilvchop during the x'mas bbq just
over. Anyway, I was also looking for something for my trajet 2.0, slightly
underpower to my liking, thus been looking for something to give bits more
power, such as powerjet, cyclone, airjet, ecotek, etc. But from what I
heard most of this will give slight power boost & negligible fc saving. U
may want to ask them, they were talking abt "afterburn" that supposed to
save fuel which I like to find out more later, this may be what you want
but it's an addictive to your fuel tank & not something to fix on. But go
there & ask them as it's more direct & u will get what you want straight
away.

hey, no thanks we are learning from each others regardless of what car/mpv
we drive. it's fun.

Cheers.

[Autori]

Hi kwltan,
I went thru some of the trajet thread & notice you're from Pg. Me too! I
also remember the Tokyo shop as I fitted the V-Kool for my wira from there
many years ago. Of course, today, the only authorized V-Kool dealer on the
island is Neuton in Jalan Pahang and Soon Soon on the mainland. I fitted
my Riken in Neuton & I'm happy with their workmanship. They fit the tint
for new Honda cars in Pg and they have a separate big enclosed air-con
room (big enough to take in 2 MPV's) for tinting purposes. I notice you
have fitted a Cheetah immobilizer (card type?). How is it, I am thinking
of one too, just that I am not sure of a reliable brand. The other day I
was at Brothers in BM & notice a small cigarette-lighter powered icebox
that can fit in 6 cans of drinks & cost RM88. Couldn't resist & now it's
part of the upholstery! Cheers!!

[Autori]

Hi kwltan,
I enquired at AAM Penang about the steering lock for MPV. There are 2
types even for MPV; one is for steering with air-bag and the other
without. The one for air-bag steering is presently out of stock and they
are awaiting new stock from KL. The one without airbag is available now.
Both types cost RM198. You can check it at AAM Jalan Sg Pinang, Penang.
Their number is 04-2820996. Happy hunting!!

[kwltan]

hi autori,
Actually I stay in B`worth but still Pg what. I think we shld really meet
sometime in Jan, to exchange note mah. Yes, you are right abt V-kool &
those 2 shops, I went there also. Neuton already recommend Riken to me,
but finally I decided to go for Rike-cool. Don`t know thru or not, but ppl
tell me Riken is the imitation of Rike-cool. But based on the irr & vlt
index both looks almost similar. Sometime layman like us cannot tell the
different wan. But these are definitely better than a lot of xxx-cool
stuff.

Actually I install Cheetah immo (bullet type) without anti-carjack.
Although I`m Prime Minister at home, but my home & finance minister said
either bullet immo or no-immo. Card immo more expensive & out of question.
So after tabling the budget for some long, do u think I wan to give up my
immo even though is bullet wan only , still better than no immo lah. I
happy under the circumstances. But if you can go for the card immo, it`s
quite good. I find that feature for feature, Cheetah (Singapore) is right
up there with Clifford (US/UK?) & Autowatch (UK?), but cheaper alot. Email
me at kwltan64@hotmail.com, I will let u know the price, it`s definitely
cheaper than those KL price.

Waw, powered icebox for 6-pax of beer kah!? Invite me next time but all 6-
pax for me cos you are driver cannot drink, . But for rm88 why not!

Stop! if you are talking about Stoplock steering wheel lock! There are 3
types, original, air-bag & 4x4. For our MPV, we need to buy 4x4 only,
others too short! Even the air-bag type is too short for MPV! I got mine
from Brothers BM for rm218, one of the cheapest around. Been very happy
with it as a visual deterrent.

Cheers.

[kwltan]

Autori,
wah u so fast wan, I cannot catch up, hopefully my boss won't catch me.

The stoplock for 4x4 is the longest & most expensive but this is the only
suitable to PROTECT our MPV, Protect means deterrent. The other two type
too short, I oredi try.

For the biometric fingerprint scan wan, I say u don't play-play. Do u
remember "6 Days" movie starred by Arnie The Conan now California Govr? In
that movie he used a woman's thumb to get thru the security checkpoint, so
what that tell u? Also have u heard of ppl (or animal?) cut off victim's
hand to rob their Rolex? Do u think when the carjacker rob your car, he
will tell u "uncle can u tell me how to start yr car ah?", he will "ask u
can I borrow yr thumb please?", no! he will say "GIVE ME YOUR THUMB NOW!!!"
remember they always carry parang! So the card wan is very good, he can
drive it away abt 100 mtr then the engine shut off. It's better than play-
play with yr thumbs, remember u only have 2. Oh, I think it actually can
work with last fingers so still can save the thumbs .

Cheers.

[limpe]

wow!!!

[Autori]

kwltan,
yea..u r right, better don't play play with fingerprint scan. Better to
lose the car than your hand. Maybe go for bullet or card type, let the
thief drive away for 200m, then engine die & he die with panic inside. So
he will probably run off. If engine dies within 100m, remember he can
reach you in 12 seconds and if he carries parang, you better run faster
than him! Maybe I'll KIV this till after chinese new year; what to do,
finances get diverted away some where else.
Do immobilizers come with a different blinking light to deter thieves?
I mean, they may not bother with your car knowing that blinking light
means an immobilizer is installed. Come to think of it, I saw some
steering locks that also comes with a red blinking light. Together with
your basic alarm and other safety gadgets (which I'm sure you have or plan
to install), very soon your trajet will be blinking like a christmas tree!!
!! I'll look out for it in Butterworth!