Hi, I’m’ back with all the grease and oil you can manage to get on one pair of overalls. That’s not all of course, as you may have noted by now, Brakes, Please! has an inexhaustible trunk full of tricks.
The Tool chest is the name of the somewhat DIYish automotive maintenance section of Brakes, Please and this week features Vehicle Electrical Systems, the third heading to be treated under the Top Six Retrofit Package introduced on July 29, 2007. If you have missed the first two items access www.capitalethiopia.com and catch up …fast.

Horn Blower
Horn blower is a section where motorists, pedestrians, traffic wardens, mechanics and others can air their pet peeves. Comments, traffic violation tip-offs and automotive questions will also be on Horn Blowers’ dashboard. Contributions will be edited for content and clarity. Identities are at the editor’s discretion.
Sneaky Wipers, et al
I remember a former official at the vehicle testing and licensing office, itself also retired, telling me that the ratio of cars to wipers is roughly 2:2 – meaning that there are on average 2 functioning wipers between any two cars in Addis.
What happens then, you may ask, when it is time for the annual vehicle inspection? Nothing, actually. They will pass with flying colors. Lights- check, brakes-check, wipers – excellent! The secret to their ‘Success’ is the shameful and growing practice of Parts Sharing and the emergence of an outright parts rental business in and around inspection centers. Horn Blower, please blow the Whistle!
Daniel K.