Latest news with #Urbonas
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
'Don't fill up' warning for drivers if they see this at petrol stations
An expert says doing so could damage your car Most motorists follow a straightforward routine when it comes to filling up: once the tank runs low, they head to the closest petrol station and top up. It's such an everyday activity that we seldom pause to consider it. Fuel is fuel, surely? Spotting an enormous petrol tanker at a station as you arrive might trigger thoughts of Hollywood-esque explosions or catastrophic mishaps. However, according to motoring specialists, the genuine danger from these commercial fuel deliveries is far more understated – and considerably more likely to impact your vehicle. Kazimieras Urbonas, supplier excellence manager at Ovoko, an online marketplace for second-hand car components, issues a serious caution to British drivers: avoid refuelling your vehicle whilst a petrol tanker is conducting a delivery at the forecourt. "The fuel delivery process creates turbulence that stirs up sediment, rust, and water from the bottom of storage tanks," explains Urbonas. "Fill up during or immediately after delivery, and you're essentially pumping debris straight into your engine." Urbonas cautions that this apparently innocent timing error could taint your fuel and result in costly engine harm. Here, he outlines why this commonplace situation poses a concealed threat that most drivers fail to recognise. What happens during a fuel delivery When a tanker pulls up to a petrol station, it's not merely refilling the tanks. The delivery procedure entails forcing thousands of litres of fuel under intense pressure through substantial hoses, generating considerable disturbance within the buried storage containers. "Think of it like stirring up a pond that's been sitting still," says Urbonas. "All the debris that's settled at the bottom suddenly gets mixed back into the fuel that will eventually reach your car's engine." This debris isn't merely innocent grime. Across months and years, subterranean fuel reservoirs gather rust fragments from deteriorating infrastructure, moisture from condensation and minor leaks, plus sediment that detaches from the fuel itself. Under typical circumstances, these pollutants settle harmlessly at the tank's base, far beneath the fuel pumps. However, during deliveries, the power of the arriving fuel can thrust this mixture of damaging materials back into circulation, making it ready to be dispensed straight into unwary motorists' vehicles. The contamination threat to your car Contemporary fuel systems feature filters and protective measures, yet they weren't designed to cope with substantial quantities of debris simultaneously. Once tainted fuel reaches your tank, numerous parts face potential damage. Fuel injectors, which deliver exact quantities of fuel into your engine's cylinders, can become blocked with debris as tiny as 10 microns. Your fuel filter, created to capture occasional impurities, can become overloaded and permit contaminants to reach delicate engine parts. "We do see a steady stream of pumps, injectors and sensors that fail because some form of contaminated or degraded fuel got into the system, whether that's water from an ageing storage tank, particulate sludge stirred up during deliveries, or fuel that's gone bad in a car's own tank," explains Urbonas. "Damaged fuel pumps, clogged injectors, and failed sensors all trace back to poor-quality fuel entering the system." Water contamination brings its own complications, potentially triggering corrosion within fuel lines and establishing ideal conditions for bacterial development that can further compromise fuel quality. Warning signs of fuel contamination Should you have recently refuelled and observe any of these indicators, Urbonas suggests contaminated fuel might be to blame. Rough idling: Your motor battles to sustain a consistent idle, with obvious vibrations or uneven rhythm whilst stationary. Engine stutter or hesitation: Especially apparent during acceleration, your motor may falter, jolt, or seem as though it's not receiving sufficient fuel. Dashboard warning lights: Check engine alerts or fuel system cautions may appear as sensors identify irregular fuel flow or combustion. Reduced fuel economy: Contaminated fuel burns less efficiently, meaning you'll find yourself visiting petrol stations more frequently than usual. "These symptoms can appear within hours of filling up with contaminated fuel," warns Urbonas. "The sooner you address the issue, the less likely you are to face expensive repairs." Expert recommendations for safe refuelling The remedy is surprisingly straightforward: timing. Urbonas suggests waiting at least 30 minutes following a tanker delivery before filling your tank. This provides sufficient time for disturbed sediment to settle back to the bottom of the storage tanks. Should you arrive at a station during or straight after a delivery, simply head to another location. Most areas have several petrol stations nearby, making this a simple precaution to follow. For routine refuelling, opt for stations with high customer volumes. Busy forecourts receive more regular deliveries, ensuring their fuel is fresher with less opportunity for troublesome sediment to build up. "Quality fuel stations also invest in better filtration systems and regular tank maintenance," adds Urbonas. "Building a relationship with reliable stations pays off in the long run." Urbonas continued: "Modern engines are far more sensitive to fuel quality than drivers might realise. Where older vehicles might have powered through with slightly contaminated fuel, today's precision-engineered systems can be seriously damaged by particles that are virtually invisible to the naked eye. We're talking about fuel injectors calibrated to tolerances measured in microns, so any debris can throw these systems off-balance." He explained: "In my role, ensuring quality across automotive supply chains, I've seen how even small contamination issues can cascade into major component failures. A clogged fuel injector might seem like a minor inconvenience, but it can lead to uneven combustion, damaged catalytic converters, and ultimately engine problems that cost thousands to repair." The expert concluded: "The frustrating part is how easily preventable this is. Simply avoiding fuel stations during delivery times, or waiting an hour after you see a tanker leave, can save you from headaches and hefty repair bills. It's one of those small precautions that makes a massive difference to your vehicle's longevity and performance."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lotto 6/49: Toronto man keeps $100K lottery win a secret for nearly a month
The longtime lottery player kept quiet about his six-figure Encore win until he went to claim his prize Alvydas Urbonas of Toronto, Ont., won big in the March 15, 2025 Lotto 6/49 draw, but didn't tell a single soul. Instead, the retiree quietly held onto his $100,000 Encore prize for nearly a month before stepping forward to claim it. 'I've kept my win a secret until today,' Urbonas said on April 14, 2025 while visiting the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to collect his cheque. 'It still doesn't feel real, but I'm sure it will sink in once I have my winnings in my hand. This has been a very exciting time!' Urbonas discovered the windfall on March 16, the morning after the draw. A routine ticket check online revealed he had matched six of the seven Encore digits — 3269729 — a combination worth $100,000. 'When I realized I won, I couldn't stop giggling! I was so happy and beyond grateful,' he said. A long time lottery player, Urbonas has been playing both Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max for decades, always opting for Quick Pick and always adding Encore to his ticket. 'That extra dollar spent on Encore won me $100,000!' he said. Rather than rushing into anything, Urbonas is choosing to take a thoughtful approach. He says he'll take his time deciding how to use his $100,000 prize. The lucky ticket was purchased at Greenwin Square Lottery Centre on Bloor Street East in Toronto, Ont. Although Urbonas won with Encore, his entry was part of a Lotto 6/49 ticket purchase. Encore is a bonus game that can be added to most lottery tickets for an extra $1. Players receive a randomly generated seven-digit number, with prizes awarded based on how many digits are matched in exact order. There are two Encore draws every day — giving players even more chances to win. Tools to stop gambling If you're looking to take a break from gambling, self-exclusion programs can be effective tools. See here for resources that are available across Canada. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lotto 6/49: Toronto man keeps $100K lottery win a secret for nearly a month
The longtime lottery player kept quiet about his six-figure Encore win until he went to claim his prize Alvydas Urbonas of Toronto, Ont., won big in the March 15, 2025 Lotto 6/49 draw, but didn't tell a single soul. Instead, the retiree quietly held onto his $100,000 Encore prize for nearly a month before stepping forward to claim it. 'I've kept my win a secret until today,' Urbonas said on April 14, 2025 while visiting the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to collect his cheque. 'It still doesn't feel real, but I'm sure it will sink in once I have my winnings in my hand. This has been a very exciting time!' Urbonas discovered the windfall on March 16, the morning after the draw. A routine ticket check online revealed he had matched six of the seven Encore digits — 3269729 — a combination worth $100,000. 'When I realized I won, I couldn't stop giggling! I was so happy and beyond grateful,' he said. A long time lottery player, Urbonas has been playing both Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max for decades, always opting for Quick Pick and always adding Encore to his ticket. 'That extra dollar spent on Encore won me $100,000!' he said. Rather than rushing into anything, Urbonas is choosing to take a thoughtful approach. He says he'll take his time deciding how to use his $100,000 prize. The lucky ticket was purchased at Greenwin Square Lottery Centre on Bloor Street East in Toronto, Ont. Although Urbonas won with Encore, his entry was part of a Lotto 6/49 ticket purchase. Encore is a bonus game that can be added to most lottery tickets for an extra $1. Players receive a randomly generated seven-digit number, with prizes awarded based on how many digits are matched in exact order. There are two Encore draws every day — giving players even more chances to win. Tools to stop gambling If you're looking to take a break from gambling, self-exclusion programs can be effective tools. See here for resources that are available across Canada.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lotto 6/49: Toronto man keeps $100K lottery win a secret for nearly a month
The longtime lottery player kept quiet about his six-figure Encore win until he went to claim his prize Alvydas Urbonas of Toronto, Ont., won big in the March 15, 2025 Lotto 6/49 draw, but didn't tell a single soul. Instead, the retiree quietly held onto his $100,000 Encore prize for nearly a month before stepping forward to claim it. 'I've kept my win a secret until today,' Urbonas said on April 14, 2025 while visiting the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to collect his cheque. 'It still doesn't feel real, but I'm sure it will sink in once I have my winnings in my hand. This has been a very exciting time!' Urbonas discovered the windfall on March 16, the morning after the draw. A routine ticket check online revealed he had matched six of the seven Encore digits — 3269729 — a combination worth $100,000. 'When I realized I won, I couldn't stop giggling! I was so happy and beyond grateful,' he said. A long time lottery player, Urbonas has been playing both Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max for decades, always opting for Quick Pick and always adding Encore to his ticket. 'That extra dollar spent on Encore won me $100,000!' he said. Rather than rushing into anything, Urbonas is choosing to take a thoughtful approach. He says he'll take his time deciding how to use his $100,000 prize. The lucky ticket was purchased at Greenwin Square Lottery Centre on Bloor Street East in Toronto, Ont. Although Urbonas won with Encore, his entry was part of a Lotto 6/49 ticket purchase. Encore is a bonus game that can be added to most lottery tickets for an extra $1. Players receive a randomly generated seven-digit number, with prizes awarded based on how many digits are matched in exact order. There are two Encore draws every day — giving players even more chances to win. Tools to stop gambling If you're looking to take a break from gambling, self-exclusion programs can be effective tools. See here for resources that are available across Canada.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Drivers warned to never ignore 'sweet smell' as it could cost you £1,000 in repairs
A seemingly pleasant smell that seems to be coming from the air freshener - or even the car itself - could be a warning sign that something is wrong with a car Cruising along with the windows up, you might catch a whiff of a sweet aroma in your car and think someone's popped in a delightful air freshener or it's the lingering scent of a new car. However, an automotive expert warns that this seemingly innocuous smell could actually be a cry for help from your vehicle. Many drivers would brush off such a scent without a second thought, especially since it isn't a burning odour which would typically raise alarms. Yet, specialists are flagging this particular sweet smell as a critical alert from your motor. This comes after the news of ' anyone buying fuel next week given '£15 charge' warning by The AA '. READ MORE: The Summer I Turned Pretty has major twist and fans are on the edge of their seats "Drivers often dismiss sweet smells in their cars as nothing to worry about, but this particular scent is one of the most misunderstood warning signs I encounter," said Kazimieras Urbonas, Supplier Excellence Manager at Ovoko. The spokesperson for one of Europe 's leading online marketplaces for pre-owned car parts said: "What might seem pleasant can indicate a serious problem that, if left unchecked, could leave you with repair bills exceeding £1,000." That delightful sweet smell, which becomes more pronounced when the engine heats up or the heater is on, is usually a sign that your car's coolant system needs urgent attention, reports the Daily Record. Urbonas explained that the scent is most likely coolant, or antifreeze, and ignoring it could lead to catastrophic engine failure. This is because the coolant shouldn't be seeping into the interior of your car. The liquid emits a distinctively sweet, almost syrupy odour that can easily mislead drivers into believing it's benign. "Coolant has ethylene glycol in it, which gives off that characteristic sweet odour," explained Urbonas. He continued, adding: "The problem is that when you can smell it inside your car, it means the coolant is escaping from where it should be, usually through a leak in the heater core or damaged hoses". You'll often detect this aroma most strongly in the footwell area, wafting through the air vents, or pervading the entire cabin. It tends to become more noticeable when your engine is running hot or when the heating is on, as these conditions increase the strain on the cooling system. A faulty heater core is frequently to blame for this sweet-smelling issue. Located behind your dashboard, it utilises hot coolant to heat the air entering your cabin, and if it leaks, coolant may drip into your vehicle's ventilation system. "Heater core problems are particularly sneaky because they're hidden away behind the dashboard," shared Urbonas. "You might not see any obvious puddles under your car, but the coolant is still escaping – it's just doing so inside your vehicle instead of underneath it," said the manager. Damaged coolant hoses are another potential cause for concern. These hoses transport coolant around your engine bay and can, over time, suffer from cracks or loose connections that let coolant leak out and evaporate, leading to that sweet scent infiltrating your car. It's typical for motorists to presume the scent originates from something innocent, but this is an error. Air fresheners, cleaning products used during car washes, or even certain synthetic materials in newer vehicles can produce sweet fragrances that appear similar. Urbonas went on: "I've had customers tell me they thought someone had spilt perfume in their car, or that their air freshener just happened to be particularly strong that day. The dangerous part is that people often adapt to smells over time, so what starts as noticeable can become background noise, until the real damage is already done". Dismissing this sweet aroma can result in several serious complications. Engine overheating is the most immediate worry, as your cooling system can't function properly with insufficient coolant levels. Beyond mechanical harm, there are health considerations too. Coolant vapours can be toxic, particularly in confined spaces, and extended exposure isn't something you want to risk. He warned that "what people may not realise is that coolant leaks can also lead to mould growth in your ventilation system. The moisture creates perfect conditions for mould and bacteria to thrive, which then gets blown directly into the cabin every time you use your air conditioning or heating". What to do Scout for damp or sticky spots on your car's carpets, especially around the footwell areas. Peek at your coolant reservoir under the bonnet - if it's frequently low despite topping up, you're probably dealing with a leak. Misty windows that pop up out of the blue could also be a sign of coolant vapour inside your vehicle. This occurs when coolant evaporates and then settles on the glass surfaces of your car. "Don't try to diagnose exactly where the leak is coming from yourself," ended the expert. Concluding by urging drivers to "get your car to a qualified mechanic who can perform a pressure test on your cooling system. This will show exactly where coolant is escaping and how serious the problem is". Finally, Urbonas said: "From my experience in the parts industry, heater core replacements are among the more expensive repairs car owners face. The part itself isn't necessarily costly, but the labour involved in accessing it – which often means removing the entire dashboard – can push repair bills well over £1,000".
