What do football and K-pop have in common? If your answer is “crazy rabid fans”, well… You’re not entirely wrong. But whether you are neutral to these things or fall into one of the fan camps, one has to concede the potential of the sheer size of these fanbases. To that end, Hyundai might be onto something with their ‘Goal of the Century’ global sustainability campaign, launched on Earth Day this year.

The campaign is set to run through and beyond the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022, which kicks off this November in Qatar. Headlining the ‘Team Century’ group of campaign ambassadors is Liverpool and England football legend Steven Gerrard (yas!), who aptly captains this team, and international K-pop sensations BTS (do I see any ARMY in the house?) alongside other international personalities in the line-up.

“The ‘Goal of the Century’ campaign aims to unite the world for sustainability, inspired by the pure value of team spirit and togetherness created by the universal love of football,” shares Thomas Schemera, Global Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Customer Experience Division at Hyundai Motor. The campaign is but one facet of a bigger picture and Hyundai’s mission to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, neutralizing CO2 emissions at all stages of its production and operation.

As one of the official partners of the FIFA World Cup 2022, Hyundai plans to provide eco-friendly transportation for the national teams, making it the first time ‘green’ vehicles are included in the official World Cup fleet. Amongst the 592 vehicles, Hyundai’s award-winning IONIQ 5, Santa Fe Hybrid, and commercial vehicle Elec City Bus are expected to make up over 50 percent of the convoy. For the rest of us, Hyundai’s eco-vehicles will be made available for test drives at various locations around the world from July to September.

“At Hyundai, we will continue striving to be of practical help to humanity at a time when it is more important than ever to come together for the healthy, long-lasting future of our planet,” says Schemera.

And truly, few things unite the world the way the World Cup does, and to support FIFA’s sustainable goals of a fully carbon neutral World Cup, Hyundai will also collaborate with FIFA on the ‘Hyundai Goal of the Century Pledge’, where fans can make an eco-friendly pledge based on the number of goals scored by their favourite team. While the full details of these are still pending, fans will be able to participate on the FIFA official website from July to December this year.

Ultimately, Hyundai’s Goal of the Century is really one goal for humanity; to inspire the world and provide food for thought, and create a united world for sustainability for future generations.

Gerrard shares, “As captain of Team Century, I want to lead by example as I did in my time as a football player and am currently doing as a coach. I want to inspire people to do their best every day.”

“I know that football has the power to move people and help them come together to achieve our goal of a sustainable planet – as we are all in this together.”

Steven Gerrard

I don’t know about you, but that to me sounds like another way of saying “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.

Meanwhile, get your fix of the latest Hyundai news and reviews here!

Sustainability is one of the hottest topics in recent times, and while many conversations happen in isolation, oftentimes these discussions can be made even more meaningful in conducive environments.

To that end, Mercedes-Benz, in partnership with authorised dealer Cycle & Carriage is curating an evolving space dedicated to fuelling dialogue on a more sustainable future. The Mercedes-Benz Concept Store aims to provide an environment that not only showcases what sustainability means to the automotive brand, but also partners with like-minded enterprises across different industries.

In his opening address, Claudius Steinhoff, President & CEO of Daimler South East Asia/Mercedes-Benz Singapore, shares, “We’re hoping for the space to be progressive, sustainable, and fun.” Geared towards bringing more partners in to engage in dialogue, the concept store’s fixtures will feature a different rotation of artists and partners over time.

Together with our friends at futr singapore, we were treated to a sneak preview of the concept store along with the brand’s first ever all-electric luxury sedan, the EQS. If you’re planning to scope things out, here are some iconic features to look out for!

Sustainable from ‘head to toe’

Imagine the irony if a purported sustainable space doesn’t take the environment into consideration and does it more harm than good. This is why Mercedes-Benz gets it right, right off the bat.

Location

The concept store, in partnership with HYPEMAKER, the global creative studio of HYPEBEAST, is located at Great World City, a Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark GoldPlus certified sustainable building, but that’s not the end of it. The store itself is also working towards attaining its own Green Mark certification, which essentially recognises outstanding efforts in environmental sustainability in the built environment.

Interior

Besides the strategic location, the store itself is decked out in green and sustainable furnishings. Particularly eye-catching, and by far my favourite feature, is a prominently green plant wall designed by Mosscape. Conspicuously shaped in the map of Singapore, different plants are visual representations of the state of the country’s natural forests, inviting visitors to consider impact of day-to-day living on the natural environment around us. Now, that’s my kind of 50 Shades.

The plantscape aside, most of the store’s walls are designed with continuous vertical wooden slates that do plenty to add to the overall zen vibe, which makes some rather quirky and colourful furniture pieces hard to miss. That’s right, these eccentric coffee tables and stools are also sustainably made from natural rattan, recycled plastic, foam, and household waste. It’s hard not to notice the fun vibe imbued into these designs from alvinT, Haus Otto, Kartell, and SMALLrevolution.

Coffee and conversations

Some of the best discussions happen over a drink, and coffee lovers will be pleased to hear that the Foreword Coffee Roasters provides a good cup of Joe that believes in end-to-end sustainability. Foreword Coffee Roasters actively partners with sustainable businesses and works to reduce its carbon footprint without compromising on the quality of coffee.

If you’re up for a cuppa, feel free to bring your own cup (BYOC) too — the baristas will be more than happy to fill it up.

The main attraction

You can’t talk about Mercedes-Benz without any mention of cars, and it’s fair to say that the most prominent feature of the concept store will be electric vehicles that visitors get to preview. (Test drives not included, hurhur.)

Kicking things off is the Mercedes-Benz EQS, the fully electric luxury sedan gunning for the same top end of the market as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The concept store also serves as a retail point for the EQ electric vehicle models for interested visitors and car buyers. Amongst other little tidbits, Mr Steinhoff also shares that Mercedes-Benz is planning to launch fully electric alternatives for each class, beginning with the EQS. Drivers can look forward to previewing the EQE, EQB, and EQV in-store in the foreseeable future.

The Mercedes-Benz Concept Store opens to the public on 13 April, so head on down for your fill of coffee, cars, and sustainability-centred conversations.

Mercedes-Benz Concept Store
Great World # 01-131- 132
1 Kim Seng Promenade
Singapore 237994

It’s also what AutoApp sets out to be — a one-stop platform for every car owner’s needs. In order to make it work, though, partnering with like-minded businesses is all the more important. Zentrum Performance is one such partner. 

Zentrum Performance proves to be an all-rounder in the automotive space. The continental car specialists offer a myriad of services including car servicing and maintenance; inspection, diagnostics and repair; accident reporting and more.

Most of all, Zentrum Performance and AutoApp are perfectly aligned in our shared values — good customer service, high quality work, and a transparent approach to servicing and repairs. And, from the telltale five-star reviews we’ve seen from our customers, Zentrum Performance definitely walks the talk, too. 

“The good folks at Zentrum Performance are transparent, honest, trustworthy, and are definitely the subject matter experts for car maintenance and repairs,” shares Alvin Tan, Operations Director of AutoApp. “These are hallmark qualities of a long-standing, healthy relationship that AutoApp looks forward to establishing with all of our partners.”

Wayne Chan, one of the three directors at Zentrum Performance, shares that these values are especially important for their small team.

“We value our customer’s trust built through rapport, and by understanding their core needs and offering professionalism and the best craftsmanship in our services … we will be able to gain our customer’s trust despite our small team,” he says.

While AutoApp and Zentrum Performance work well in tandem, this fitting partnership may not have happened if not for the COVID-19 pandemic. Wayne shares that he noticed a trend moving towards one-stop services, and with the shift towards work-from-home arrangements, more people are seeking door-to-door convenience.

“By bringing car repair, servicing, and maintenance to your doorstep – AutoApp has simplified the process of car maintenance and allowed busy individuals to free up their time for work or leisure,” he says. “This is one of AutoApp’s unique selling points, and at Zentrum Performance, we believe in this trend.”

The convenience is certainly hard to argue against, and when you couple it with top-quality service, the combination is almost lethal in a good way.

“We have a long-standing relationship with the people at Zentrum Performance, and even send our own staff cars there for maintenance and repairs,” Kenneth, Yeo, AutoApp Operations Manager says.

(We promise we’re not being biased.)

While the journey has been mostly smooth sailing thus far, adapting to a different way of working is sometimes needed. 

With AutoApp as the go-between, ensuring that we cater to both our customers and partners is important, and we are constantly gathering feedback on the ways things can be run more smoothly. There certainly is room for improvement, especially when it comes to last minute changes in appointments, according to Wayne. He hopes that the process for these appointment changes can be further streamlined, so that the workshop can be notified immediately and make the necessary arrangements for the car. That onus is on us to improve the experience to ensure that every job runs as smoothly as possible.

Nonetheless, the AutoApp customers will have plenty to look forward to in the near future, as Alvin teases us with a little tidbit about a coming service package collaboration with Zentrum Performance.

And for us, we look forward to seeing how our collaboration with Zentrum Performance can continue to bring fresh ideas and synergies to the automotive aftersales space.

AutoApp is connected with a network of top-quality workshops in Singapore. Read more about some of our other partners here.

Car care can look very different from one car owner to another. Regular maintenance and essential repairs aside, some car owners are happy with the bare minimum — a car wash every once in a while, and maybe a polish/wax job once a year. For others, cars are more than just a hunk of metal that brings them from point A to B, and these owners often spare no expense when it comes to making sure their ride is in tip-top condition, both inside and out.

At AutoApp, we have a variety of detailing and grooming options for every driver, and more recently, we’ve begun rolling out a full car clean-up service using Stjärnagloss products. As Scandinavian as the name sounds, the little-known brand (outside of enthusiast circles, anyway) hails from the United Kingdom. 

Luckily for us in Singapore, Strada Performance is the sole distributor of these detailing products in Singapore and Southeast Asia. We caught up with Joel Tam of Strada Performance to learn more about the products that look as photogenic as the cars they’ve been used on. (I mean, these products are super ‘grammable and this is a hill I’m willing to die on.) 

AutoApp (AA): Could you briefly introduce Strada Performance to us — what do you focus on, and what do you bring to your target audience and consumers?

Joel Tam (JT): Previously known as the retail arm of my marketing agency, Interpage, Strada Performance is a rebranding of the automotive parts and accessories division I used to run.

Back then, we were only carrying Borla Exhausts from the USA, but with the addition of new brands like Riaction Coilovers and EliteDrive Throttle Boosters in 2021, it made sense to start afresh and create a new company that focused on bringing quality parts and upgrades to the industry.

AA: Strada Performance is the exclusive distributor of Stjärnagloss in Singapore. What can you tell us about Stjärnagloss?

JT: Founded by Jack Cavanagh in the UK, Stjärnagloss is also a rebranding of a classic detailing brand that Jack enhanced and expanded upon. His range of products looks good, smells great and works miracles on vehicle bodywork. It made sense for us to reach out to him and see if he was keen to have Stjärnagloss in Singapore and Southeast Asia. With his blessing, Strada Performance is the sole distributor for Stjärnagloss here and rest of SEA.

AA: What do you think sets Stjärnagloss apart from other car detailing products?

JT: Products that really, really work. That’s the most important. The positive results from cars we’ve worked on and the feedback from customers have been overwhelming. The deep and glossy shine that you can see with your own eyes don’t lie. On top of that, the products smell awesome. The snow foam for instance has a coconut fragrance and the citrus pre-wash has a whiff of fruitiness to it. To top it all off, the branding is hip, current and modern, making it the perfect add-on to any driver’s arsenal of grooming products in his/her car boot or trunk.

AA: Strada Performance is also partnering with AutoApp to provide a new car detailing service using Stjärnagloss products. What can AutoApp customers expect from this service?

JT: As with all AutoApp services, we’re here for you when you’re simply too busy (or lazy) to do the work yourself. With the full range of wash, polish, wax, and maintenance products all readily available here in Singapore, our groomers and detailing partners will pamper your car and give it the car spa it needs from the inside and out.

AA: Who would you recommend Stjärnagloss to, and are there any restrictions? For example, the products might not be suitable for wrapped cars, cars with oxidised paintwork, cars with ceramic or glass coatings etc.

JT: Quite simply, we have a product for everyone. We even have a range of products for matte, frozen, and satin finishes. Be it a paintjob or wrap, we can get it looking as good as new again. We also have different kinds of polishes and waxes to treat and enhance various conditions of paintwork.

AA: On to something a bit more personal and fun — have you tried using Stjärnagloss products yourself? Tell us which is your favourite part of the grooming and detailing process, and also your favourite Stjärnagloss product and why.

JT: It was the very first thing I did even before I brought the brand and its products in. If I wasn’t convinced myself, it would have been impossible to share it with anyone else.

I’m particularly fond of the intricate steps and methodology of grooming the brand has. The approach of a two-bucket wash process, with the pre-wash and decontamination steps before shampooing the car (to avoid fine scratches on the paintwork), it’s all very OCD-like! 

Recently we groomed an 8-year old Aston Martin Vantage with our 18-step car spa, which included the application of our Fantastisk Hybrid Wax, and the results were jaw-droppingly amazing!

AA: Strada Performance also sells Stjärnagloss products. What advice do you have for car owners who would like to have a go at using Stjärnagloss products themselves?

JT: Just buy and try! Like many of our customers, if you’re a DIY person, you would’ve already heard about Stjärnagloss. Now you can save on all the hefty shipping costs and get your supplies from us. One particular product that has been flying off the shelves is the Torstig Microfibre cloth (60 cm X 60 cm), you can dry your whole entire car with one wipe without having to wring the cloth at all!

AA: Last but not least, in what ways do you hope to see the Strada Performance and AutoApp partnership grow?

JT: It already has, our other products like the EliteDrive Throttle Boosters have been finding many happy customers and we’ve got some Riaction coilover jobs lined up in the coming weeks too.

Ready to book your very first (or your next) Stjärnagloss service? Download the app and book directly, or WhatsApp 91-028-028 for more details!

An issue that often sparks wide debate especially in Singapore is: who is allowed on our roads? Now, motorists and cyclists often get up in figurative arms about one another, and it’s not difficult to guess why.

Cyclists are often viewed as obstructing traffic particularly in the leftmost lanes they tend to occupy. While not all cyclists engage in dangerous and reckless behaviour, there have also been instances of cycling along the expressway. On the flipside, there is no strict ban to stop cyclists from using roads as long as cyclists follow the on-road rules. This leads many cyclists to believe that drivers can be unnecessarily aggressive and sometimes endanger others.

Ultimately, no single group can truly stake claim on their ‘grandfather’s’ roads, and it’s up to everyone — drivers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and other transportation device users — to behave responsibly. 

As part of its long-running “Use Your RoadSense” campaign, the Singapore Traffic Police (TP) shares the latest findings of their nationwide survey. The survey focuses on the attitudes and expectations of road users on graciousness on the roads, and road safety.

During the “Use Your RoadSense” virtual roadshow launched on 12 October 2021, Associate Professor Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development) briefly summarised that “our roads are safer”. However, he adds that “we can still do better, especially in correcting our own bad behaviour”.

According to the longitudinal survey findings, road users generally find that other users have gradually improved over the years, describing them as easy-going, polite, and gracious. Unfortunately, of all the different road user groups, drivers were perceived to be the least gracious.

While sentiments of one another are much improved, Singaporeans still tend to associate negative feelings with other road users. Frequently used words include ‘impatient’, ‘aggressive’, ‘discourteous’, and ‘entitled’. It’s prudent to note that such mentality can lead to complacency and a tendency to shift the blame to others. Ultimately, it is up to everyone to contribute to safer roads.

Associate Professor Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim reminds us that “if we want to see further progress, we need to cultivate a gracious mindset and adopt a responsible mentality when using the roads”. After all, a moment of impatience or rash behaviour can lead to fatal accidents that can otherwise be avoided.

Catch the recap of the Use Your RoadSense virtual roadshow on Facebook, and remember, drive safely!

Thinking of ways you can be a more gracious driver? Here are 10 bad driving habits to avoid!

What does searching for car workshops have in common with swiping through profiles on dating sites? Apart from a few hits and plenty of misses, sometimes even the seemingly good ones can’t be taken at face value. Thankfully, with TYREPLUS, all the good stuff you see is also what you get, which makes them a great workshop to have in AutoApp’s growing network of partners.

True to its name, TYREPLUS sells a wide range of tyres from renown brands including Michelin. Plus, they offer car maintenance and repair services too. We spoke with Adrian Tay from the business development team to learn more about the brand.

“We carry multiple brands of products to offer customers the more options to choose from,” he shares regarding the main consumables he offers, namely, tyres, engine oil, and batteries. The brand also boasts a highly trained team who are experienced at handling various vehicle models, making them well positioned to be a one-stop shop for everything a car could need. Well, almost everything. 

Adrian tells us that taking the TYREPLUS experience to the next level required one key offering — a vehicle collection and delivery service that brings convenience to customers.

“We had been thinking of how to add a pick-up service to enhance our service level, but for a long time we were stuck due to the operations and costs,” he says. The partnership with AutoApp fills that gap. Among other things, Adrian could appreciate the common goals the two businesses share — customer centricity and transparency.

“AutoApp puts the customer first to ensure a good experience, and has an experienced team to manage customer queries, which is not easy to find in a partner,” he tells us. From AutoApp’s perspective, the feeling’s mutual, according to Operations Director Alvin Tan and Operations Manager Kenneth Yeo.

“Being a subject matter expert and industry leader in tyre solutions, onboarding TYREPLUS into AutoApp’s ecosystem was a very easy decision as we’ve had many customers enquiring about tyre care,” Alvin says.

Kenneth adds, “Both AutoApp and TYREPLUS believe in standing behind our work, and not only offer similar service guarantees, but also good value and great quality.”

Truly, what makes operations between the two businesses seamless is the quick response and coordination between TYREPLUS’s various workshops island-wide and AutoApp’s service team. Service Ambassador Rakesh Rakhshan shares that he’s built a great rapport with the TYREPLUS team, and commends how they are willing to go an extra mile for customers’ cars.

With this seemingly perfect partnership, you might think, what more is there to do? Plenty, of course.

Adrian hopes that future updates to the app will include an enhanced communication module that supports photo or video attachments, which will be helpful in explaining to customers which parts of their car are faulty and require repairs. Nonetheless, the experience couldn’t have been better where TYREPLUS is concerned.

“It has been a pleasure working with the team from AutoApp,” Adrian says. “The founders, Joel Tam, Alvin Tan and Sheldon Trollope are auto enthusiasts who have a clear vision of providing top-notch service and information to customers who are looking for affordable, value-for-money car maintenance and services.”

Alvin and Kenneth too, have customers in mind as they anticipate the possibilities of future promotions tailored specifically for AutoApp’s customers.

“We want to drive further with TYREPLUS in an effort to provide the seamless, unrivalled convenience that AutoApp is known for,” Alvin says. “Their promptness, positive mindset and transparency are some of the qualities we really appreciate in any working relationship.”

“The sky’s the limit!” he adds with a laugh. Indeed it is, so keep your eyes peeled, folks! I for one, can’t wait to see what else TYREPLUS and AutoApp have to offer together in future. 

Curious to know what our customers think? Read more about how AutoApp has helped one of our customers, Victor Chan!

Do you own a car for the convenience of travelling around, and to alleviate commuting woes, especially at peak hours? So too does Victor Chan, who uses his car mostly to travel to and from work, and to shuttle the family around on weekends. Victor is also an AutoApp customer, who shares with us his experience in car ownership, and what life was like before AutoApp.

Victor has been driving for about 16 years. Up until a year ago, he had been using the family car before deciding to purchase one for himself through a dealership. That said, the benefits of car ownership come at a price. As a seasoned driver, he is familiar with the work that goes into maintaining the vehicle and ensuring that it runs smoothly. 

“It gets very troublesome when you need to send your car for servicing or maintenance,” he shares. As car owners ourselves, we understand what he means a little too well. From long waits for LTA inspections, unexpected problems that are also difficult to diagnose, or sometimes, simply not having enough time to even send the car for regular servicing.

And, if these aren’t hassles enough, finding a reliable workshop or service centre adds to the list of car ownership woes. Without help, finding the best workshop for your car is a tedious yet necessary labour. 

“I had to approach family or friends to get some recommendations for workshops,” Victor says. “Car owners also need to do a lot of research before they feel comfortable sending in their cars for servicing or maintenance.”

We can’t help but agree, and find that it’s especially true for new car owners. After all, it makes sense that you’d want to feel assured knowing that your new car is in good hands. Victor’s year-old car is a Mercedes-Benz GLA180 Urban Edition, which checks off all the requirements he had with regards to reliability, comfort, and budget. Similarly, AutoApp checked off the boxes as a service he was looking for, too.

“One day while scrolling on my Facebook account, I came across AutoApp,” Victor shares when we ask how he found out about us. After a quick look around the app and service list, he promptly made an appointment for regular servicing, and the rest is as they say, history.

“The workshop that AutoApp sent my car to did a pretty good job. I was satisfied with the job done,” he remarks, and goes on to share about all the conveniences he enjoyed that day — from being kept up to date on the status of his car throughout the day, and having the freedom to pick and choose only the services he needed.

While he doesn’t hesitate to recommend AutoApp to others, he hopes that the app will house some new features, like a referral and reward system for new users. All the better to share AutoApp with others, is what I’d like to think.

Victor says he is considering giving car wrapping a go in the near future, as it seems like the “in-thing” to do at the moment. Whenever he decides to, he can rest assured knowing that AutoApp will be at the ready to bring him the same great service experience as before!

Interested in sharing your car ownership experience and being featured? Email Samantha (samantha@ignitionlabs.sg) for more details!

We’ve heard it all before — preparing for a rainy day is important. Of course, “rainy day” can be figurative, or typically refer to a disruption in income. Where our cars are concerned, though, it most certainly refers to the literal, wet outpour from the skies.

To that end, AutoApp’s prepared a wet weather checklist that helps ensure your car is ready for a rainy day. That said, some of these checks will be useful any day, be it rain or shine. After all, no one likes to be caught off-guard with battery failures, or headlights not illuminating the road ahead even on a night drive. Remember, this service is complimentary and will cost you nothing, so why not err on the side of caution and make sure your drive is always a safe one? To book, simply select ‘Complimentary Wet Weather Check’ from the list of services, and you’re good to go! Don’t worry about the $5 booking fee you’ll see; this will be waived with a promo code at the payment stage.

But before that, you might be wondering, what’s included in AutoApp’s wet weather check? 

Battery checks

It goes without saying that the battery is a key component of your car. Without it, your engine won’t be able to start, let alone get the rest of your car moving. AutoApp checks the health of your battery with the help of a battery tester. If there are indications that your battery’s health is below par, our Service Ambassador will recommend getting your battery replaced.

Brake and brake fluid checks

Your brakes are also another crucial part of your car. Sure, we’ve seen the cliché movies of car brakes sabotaged leading to fatal car crashes. While being sabotaged is a lot less likely in reality, your brake pads wear and tear could still present rather troubling problems. Similarly, brake fluid needs to be topped up and replaced regularly, lest you start to experience “mushy” braking.

Exterior light checks

Apart from your headlights that help improve road visibility at night, your rear lights are also important. They signal to the drivers behind you whether you’re turning or braking. Now, imagine having brake lights that are faulty — you might just end up getting rear-ended. If our Service Ambassadors spot any issues with your exterior lights, both front and back, they’ll be sure to recommend getting the problems rectified.

Tyre checks

The condition of your tyres, coupled with the condition of your brakes can be a big difference in how quickly you slow down, especially in rainy weather. Our tyre checks include checking the tread depth of your tyres, and if your tyres are damaged in any way. If you happen to be in need of new tyres, don’t forget that AutoApp also collaborates with leading tyres brands like Bridgestone and Pirelli, should you need some recommendations.

Wiper blade and washer fluid checks

Finally, your wipers. Sure, you only really need these on a rainy day, or after you try to get rid of bird poop on your windscreen. How well the water gets wiped off your windshield really depends on your wiper blade, which will naturally wear out over time too. Our Service Ambassador will check the wipers both at the front and back. It won’t cost you too much to get your wiper blades replaced and your washer fluid topped up, so don’t wait too long! 

Experiencing issues with your car, but not sure what the problem is? Select ‘Help! I’m Not Sure What’s Wrong With My Car’ on the app, or call/WhatsApp 91-028-028 directly for assistance!

They say time flies when you’re having fun, but the obvious truth is, time flies no matter what you do. That’s right, without realising it, it’s been more than a year since we began adapting to a new norm. With COVID-19 has come a myriad of challenges, and many of us have fought (and continue to fight) our own unique battles. So it should come as no surprise that we experience ‘pandemic fatigue’ in some form or other. Being cooped up at home, the constant fear of getting infected, and feelings of frustration and restlessness are just some of the signs of pandemic fatigue. Experts have advised various ways to cope, and perhaps, some physical activity might also give you some reprieve. While there are some constraints still, enjoying the outdoors and getting some exercise is still possible.

If you’ve already explored most of the nature spots in Singapore, it’s time to switch things up. After all, Singapore is peppered with many green areas across the island, and many of these consist of curated gardens and parks both renown and known only to those in the neighbourhood. Best of all, admission to these parks is absolutely free! 

Singapore Botanic Gardens

1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569

As the first UNESCO Heritage Site in Singapore, this one’s a no-brainer. As the first local botanic gardens dating back to the time of Sir Stamford Raffles, it may be one of the few places in Singapore that offer you a glimpse of the juncture between both our natural history and colonial past. 

The 160-year-old Gardens houses several different sections, including the National Orchid Garden and the Ethnobotany Garden. Of course, you may also be interested in catching a glimpse of the Garden’s resident swans. Regardless of where you choose to venture, the Botanic Gardens has many a tranquil sight to offer, making it the perfect spot for you to relax and unwind.

Opening Hours
Open 24 hours daily
Lighting hours: 7:00pm – 7:00am

Parking
Jacob Ballas Car Park
National Orchid Garden Car Park
Visitor Centre A / B / C Car Park

Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

Along Bishan Road and Ang Mo Kio Ave 1

At 62 hectares, the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park is not only one of the largest urban parks in Singapore, but also one of the most popular ones. With an old canal converted into a 3km-long Kallang River that meanders through the park, it’s not difficult to see why this park is an ideal place to kill time and take your mind off more stressful matters.

The meticulously planned landscape hardly looks out of place even amidst different clusters of HDB flats, and is well-equipped to support different activities. With a wide variety of flora and fauna including the famous Bishan otters, you’ll hardly be bored even if tranquility doesn’t come immediately to you. 

Opening Hours
Open 24 hours daily
Lighting hours: 7:00pm – 7:00am

Parking
Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park Carpark A / B / C

Jurong Lake Gardens

50 Yuan Ching Road, Singapore 618661

Like the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, Jurong Lake Gardens is one of Singapore’s newer urban parks, and tops the former in size at a sprawling 90 hectares. Jurong Lake Gardens brings together Lakeside Garden, Chinese and Japanese Gardens, and Garden Promenade, though the Chinese and Japanese Gardens are currently closed for redevelopment.

Nonetheless, there is more than enough of the Gardens left to explore, with a myriad of different habitats such as freshwater swamps and open grasslands reminiscent of those in foreign destinations.

Opening Hours
Open 24 hours daily
Lighting hours: 7:00pm – 7:00am

Parking
Jurong Lake Gardens North / South Car Park

Bonus: Shiseido Forest Valley and HSBC Rain Vortex

Jewel Changi Airport, 78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819666

While not officially listed as a garden or park by NParks, the Shiseido Forest Valley is a wonderfully curated work of lush green landscaping, and I will fight anyone who tells me otherwise. Located at the heart of Jewel Changi Airport, everyone’s favourite airport shopping mall, the Shiseido Forest Valley and HSBC Rain Vortex are among the most Instagramable attractions.

Of course, that’s not all there is to the largest indoor waterfall and the surrounding garden. Jewel houses more than 2,000 trees and over 100,000 shrubs throughout the complex, and many of the 120 species can be found at the Forest Valley. There is ample seating area, and quiet corners where you can enjoy both the view of the fountain and the vibrant greenery around you. Coupled with the air-conditioned environment, the Forest Valley is a comfortable place to let your mind wander, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch an indoor rainbow if the light filters in just right. 

Opening Hours
Rain Vortex operating hours: 9:00am – 11:30pm

Parking
Jewel Changi Airport

Special mention: Pasir Ris Town Park

Along Pasir Ris Central, Opposite Pasir Ris MRT Station, Singapore 519639

Ok, sure, maybe there’s a bit of personal bias in this inclusion, but hear me out.

Pasir Ris Town Park is by no means fancy or extensive — it won’t take you more than half an hour to circumvent the entire park, after all. But the little park houses more than a few facilities that will keep you occupied. For one, you can always stop by the Pasir Ris Hawker Centre if you’re hungry. Right by it is the Sports and Recreation Centre if you prefer more structured workouts. There’s also a fishing pond in the middle of the park, and you can try your luck at angling for a fee, and bring your catch home. Did I mention that a family of otters frequents the canal that runs alongside it too?

But despite all these features packed into this small plot of land, my favourite thing about the park is always the view. Sure, it might not be as fancy as some of the other places on this list, but find yourself in the right place at the right time, and you’ll get to enjoy a visual treat every once in a while.

Opening Hours
Open 24 hours daily
Lighting hours: 7:00pm – 7:00am

Parking
Pasir Ris Hawker Centre
Pasir Ris Town Park

Looking for other ways to stay physically active? Give these home workouts a try!

Much of the conversation relating to cars and the environment revolve around internal combustion engines (ICEs) vs electric vehicles (EVs). While different arguments support and refute EVs as the answer to transport related carbon emissions, switching our vehicles is not the only way to be environmentally friendly.

Like most things, there are many facets to cars that we can view through a sustainability lens. While we can’t immediately change our engines, we can certainly change the way we maintain and upkeep our car. For instance, rationing water by using buckets instead of hosing the car down during a car wash. This is a great start, but did you know that you can take things a step further by using eco-friendly cleaning products too?

For instance, have you ever considered that the chemicals in car cleaning agents might contain harmful ingredients? Most wastewater ends up in the sewer via our drainage system, but can also end up in the soil. Switching to an eco-friendly product can reduce the harmful impact of any toxic chemicals.  Here’s a list eco-friendly car cleaning products will help you build your top-to-toe car TLC kit!

Check out our guide on giving your car the full spa treatment here!

Eco Touch Car Wash Shampoo

First up, it’s important to get rid of the any contaminants on your car before polishing or waxing. Typically, a car shampoo or other cleaning agent will be used to lift the dirt of your car’s surface. 

Eco Touch Car Wash Shampoo is a non-toxic and biodegradable wash that uses plant-based cleaning agents. The formula is also phosphate free. Phosphate not only tends to remain in wastewater, but can cause harmful algae to bloom despite its low toxicity.

While Eco Touch Car Wash Shampoo is a great option, it still requires you to have at least a bucket of water or two handy. Are there more water-saving alternatives? There sure are!

Chemical Guys EcoSmart Hyper Concentrated Waterless Car Wash & Wax

Contrary to that mouthful of a name, products in the Chemical Guys’ EcoSmart range are not only 100% biodegradable but also do not require water. Their EcoSmart Waterless Car Wash and Wax helps you save both water and time by completing two steps at a go!

The formula contains a blend of surfactants and lubricants that separate dirt from the surface of your car. Meanwhile, the natural carnauba wax leaves a smooth, glossy finish. Simply spray some onto the surface of your car, and let sit for a few seconds before wiping off with a microfibre cloth. Who knew cleaning a car could be so quick, easy and eco-friendly? 

Simple Green All Wheel & Tire Cleaner

Finally, after labouring over the car’s body, you’re ready to get the wheels up to squeaky-clean speed. This next product promises to “cut through caked-on brake dust, grease, dirt, and road tar on chrome, aluminium, mag wheels, and tyres”. Like the first two products, Simple Green All Wheel & Tire Cleaner is specially formulated to remove all that tyre gunk with minimal scrubbing. The non-toxic and biodegradable solution is also non-corrosive and non-acidic, so you don’t have to worry about it ruining your paintwork should there be overspray.

To clean your tyres, first spray on some cleaner, using a brush or sponge to loosen up any stubborn dirt. Rinse with clean water, and wipe dry with a microfibre cloth.

And there you have it! Your car is now sparkling clean and shiny to boot, and you’ve minimised harm on the environment too, thanks to these eco-friendly car cleaning products. Remember, small changes like these go a long way in helping our environment, and no effort is ever too small!

Enjoyed this article? We’ve got more car care tips for you here!