The importance of good car maintenance

In the tough economic times, we are living in today, the importance of good car maintenance is more relevant now than ever. Whether it is a company or personal car, this advice applies to all.

Now is as good a time as any to make sure that you keep up-to-date with regular maintenance services, believes Les Mc Master, Chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA).

“If buying a new car isn’t a priority for financially feasible right now then ensuring your current vehicle or companies feel of vehicles is properly maintained should be,” said Mc Master.

To be perfectly honest, if you own a fleet of company vehicles this article might help save you thousands of rands down the road.

“Regular maintenance is key to extending the life of your car and will result in a better resale price at the end of the day. It is also a cost saver as regular servicing will help you pick up smaller repairs early enough to prevent more serious and costly faults occurring further down the line.”

He advises motorists to keep a close eye on the car’s manual and schedule maintenance accordingly.

“Even better, set a recurring reminder on your phone to alert you to get your vehicle checked annually. Keeping up with your car’s recommended maintenance schedule can help avoid costly problems with your cooling system, drivetrain, suspension and other components.”

Motorists should also ensure their car is serviced by a reputable workshop that only uses quality oil, fluids, and parts. If you are more of a DIY kind of guy and maintain your vehicle your self, the same rules apply. Only using high-quality replacement and services parts, oil and other fluids which are all readily available at affordable prices from us, at Randburg Midas.

“While it might sound like an attractive option to service your car as cheaply as possible, the financial implications, in the long run, will outweigh the apparent short-term benefit. It’s never wise to scrimp on your car’s maintenance costs.”

In addition to regular maintenance, there are a number of other things motorists can do to extend a car’s life. Motorists should regularly check the level of fluids in their vehicles, such as the antifreeze, oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid. These items are conveniently available from Randburg Midas. He also advises motorists to monitor the thickness of their vehicle’s brake pad to prevent the pads from wearing down to the metal.

Fitting cheap is a no-no, substandard brake pads as these, apart from having a poor service life, often do not fit into the brake calliper as they should and in many instances contribute to calliper damage and even brake failure.

At Randburg Midas, we fully agree and place the highest importance on safety! Therefore we only supply manufacturer-approved brake pads.

Another tip to make the brakes last longer is to use the handbrake where possible.

Furthermore, inspect your tyres often. Ensure that the wheel geometry is always correct by regularly monitoring the wear pattern and have it attended to when an odd wear pattern is noticed, extending the life of the tyres.

Generally, with modern tyre technology, tyres are no longer rotated. Seek expert advice from the local tyre dealer to ensure that you are kept informed regarding your particular make of tyre.

Most of all, don’t ignore small problems, advises Mc Master.

“Pay close attention to your vehicle’s noises and also to its warning lights and even cosmetic things, like a piece of rubber trim that’s loose. Ignoring a problem only allows it to get worse.

On a closing note, we would like to say thank you to the good people over at News 24 for this informative article.

For more information:

Call or WhatsApp between 8am – 5pm weekdays only (082) 569-1394 | (011) 789-4411 / 011 036-0200 | marco@midasrandburg.co.za | 191 Bram Fischer Drive, Randburg.

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PLEASE NOTE: All products and prices only apply to Randburg Midas on Bram Fischer Drive (191 Bram Fischer Drive, Randburg)