Robert Bosch GmbH or better known as Bosch, is a German multinational engineering and electronics company, founded by Robert Bosch in 1886.
The company is a well known manufacturer of automotive components, power tools, security systems, household appliances, and much more. Robert Bosch Sdn Bhd started operations in Malaysia in 1923.
Despite its many products, Bosch’s automotive business still contributes the most to its group’s revenue.
Recently, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket gave us an opportunity to review its latest flat-blade Bosch Clear Advantage wipers, Bosch SM Mega Power Silver Battery and the Bosch SN 5W40 Premium X7 fully synthetic engine oil.
The Clear Advantage wipers are specifically engineered for tropical climates in Asia, and is able to deliver unparalleled wiping endurance, performing at optimum levels even after 200,000 wipe cycles. The SM Mega Power Silver Battery is built to provide the extra power and outstanding service life.
Meanwhile, the Bosch SN 5W40 Premium X7 fully synthetic engine oil is made to protect the engine against engine wear, sludge and harmful deposits, even under some of the most extreme temperature and driving conditions. It makes sure that the engine stays in optimum condition over a longer period.
We got the components and lubricant installed into a 2010 Toyota Altis.
Many people know the importance of replacing a vehicle engine oil on time in order to prolong the engine lifespan, have a better fuel mileage, and produces a cleaner emission.
However, not many know when is the best time to have an oil change. Bosch’s technical sales and service officer, See Tuck Meng said that to have the best results of an oil change, is when the engine is cold, instead of warm.
“When the engine is cold, all the dirt and debris will be at the bottom of the engine, and when the engine’s drain plug is removed, the dirt and debris will drain out easily,” See said.
He waited for the car’s engine to cool down before the oil change process started. It took almost three hours for the engine to cool down even though the journey to the Bosch office took us about an hour.
While waiting, See checked the car’s computer history to see whether there was any error in the system and checked the health of the battery. He told us that most of the modern cars nowadays will have a record of what is going on to the car stored in its computer.
He said replacing a car battery was not as straightforward as it once was. Modern cars have a lot of computers and sensors, once the system senses the battery is cut off, the system will automatically alert the computer saying there’s an error in the system. That is why, he advised that even changing a car battery, it is best to bring it to a proper mechanic who uses the correct tools to do it.
Knowing that it’s hard to predict when a maintenance-free battery will go flat, See said to look out for signs like how long the electric starter motor takes to turn on the engine or when the headlamp lights start to get dimmer, those are some signs that indicate that the battery is weak.
True enough, after the change of battery, the Altis only took barely a second to get its engine up and running.
If one who owns a modern car decides to change the battery themselves without having an error stored in the system, as well as doesn’t need to reset the time and radio channels, here are some tips to do so.
First, they must make sure all the car electronics and engine are switched off. Then they can use one end of the jump start cables clamp clipped to the new battery terminals, while the other end is clamped on the old battery’s sockets. It is important to take note that the positive (red) cable must be connected first, then followed by the negative (black) cable. After the jump start cables are clamped, then proceed to remove the socket from the old battery.
As for removing the battery socket, it is important to cautiously remove the negative socket first, followed by the positive socket. However, during installation of the battery socket, it will be the positive socket first and the negative socket last. That way, it will reduce the chance of sudden unexpected sparks.
After three hours of waiting, See finally popped open the drain plug and let the dark brown dirty oil flow out from the engine. It was the first time in many years, we witnessed the oil was so dark, as it was about 3,500km before the actual service interval.
Normally, when we send the car for an early service similar to the current situation, the oil that flows out was still gold in colour, like new engine oil.
See said that it was crucial for the engine to cool down, so that all the dirt will be trapped at the bottom part of the engine for easy extraction. After the battery, wiper and lubricant was replaced, it’s time for our review.
We realised the review cannot be done on the spot as everything was brand new. So we decided to review it a month after the service.
BOSCH CLEAR ADVANTAGE WIPERS
The wipers still perform like new, there’s no blades skipping across the windscreen and no screeching noises on the windscreen despite heavy usage for the past month due to the frequent downpours and hot sunny conditions before the rain.
Based on the past experience, normal wipers if used under similar conditions, there will surely be some screeching noises and skipping across, due to the wipers starting to harden up.
We find it very easy to install these new Clear Advantage wipers, thanks to its compatible quick clip adapter. In five steps, we got the new wipers fitted in.
BOSCH SM MEGA POWER SILVER BATTERY
The battery is working perfectly, no signs of leakage. Most importantly, it still takes less than a second for the electric starter motor to get the engine starting. We also realised that the headlamps were slightly brighter than before (when using the old battery).
BOSCH SN 5W40 PREMIUM X7 FULLY SYNTHETIC ENGINE OIL
After a month of driving with the Premium X7 engine oil, we noticed that the car is lighter and smoother than before. It became more responsive and feels more powerful, just like a brand new car. It feels like the Toyota Altis was just revived by Bosch.
The next thing we noticed, the engine was cooler despite similar driving conditions, to the office and back. Normally, the engine is slightly warmer after we parked the car back at home.