May 20, 2021 - Heels & Horsepower Magazine

Car Hijacking – We Are All at Risk!

vuyi on May 20, 2021

Hijacking is continually on the rise in South Africa and drivers are advised to be vigilant at all times

The crime statistics from January and March 2021 had a total decrease of 14.4%. A concerning rise in the hijacking of both cars and trucks was, however, recorded. Motor vehicle carjacking increased by 4.9% and the hijacking of trucks increased by a whopping 24.6%.

The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says this rise should propel drivers to take extra care if they do not already do so. “It is important for drivers to accept that attempting to prevent yourself from becoming a victim depends on your ability to be aware of risky situations and knowing what to do when you feel at risk. Awareness of your surroundings is the most important tool to prevent yourself from becoming a victim.”

Some information revealed in the reporting of the latest crime statistics can provide drivers with information that can be used to increase awareness and understanding:

Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal, and the Western Cape had the greatest number of hijackings
People are hijacked in townships more often than residential areas, however, the difference between the two is small Sedans, hatchbacks, panel vans, and bakkies are the most commonly hijacked vehicles respectively.

Awareness of your surroundings is the most important tool to prevent yourself from becoming a victim.
-EUGENE HERBERT, CEO of MasterDrive

With these stats in mind, it is important that drivers make informed decisions but should aim to avoid panicking. “If you know that you drive a high-risk car in a high-risk area, it is essential that you follow these basic principles:

“Make it a habit to always be aware of who is driving behind you and how long they have been there.
Never turn into a driveway or an isolated area when the same car has been behind you for some time.
Take note of the people near your driveway when you leave or arrive and if someone is suspicious call the police or your security company rather than drive-in or reverse despite your instinct.
Wait parallel to your driveway while the gate opens.”

“Ultimately, however, the unfortunate truth is that it is not always possible to prevent being hijacked. Drivers should not only do their best to be aware of their surroundings but prepare for the worst in case they become the victim of a hijacking despite their efforts to prevent it,” says Herbert.

Cars in lockdown: Keep an eye on your service schedule

vuyi on May 20, 2021

Whether you rely on an old-school service booklet in your cubbyhole or a clever onboard system that displays a notification on your car’s instrument cluster, it’s important to keep a close eye on service schedules in order to not miss an important workshop visit.

With the effects of the pandemic still impacting regular commuting patterns and social distancing measures resulting in alternative work arrangements, many South African drivers simply aren’t accumulating the same distances as they were pre-Covid 19.

While lower mileages do come with the potential of increased vehicle trade-in or resale values further down the road, they also mean that servicing routines have been thrown out of kilter for those drivers who normally reach distance allowances before allotted time intervals.

There have been a number of recent instances at NADA member dealers where customers have missed their service deadlines
– Mark Dommisse, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA)

Whether you rely on an old-school service booklet in your cubbyhole or a clever onboard system that displays a notification on your car’s instrument cluster, it’s important to keep a close eye on service schedules in order to not miss an important workshop visit.

“There have been a number of recent instances at NADA member dealers where customers have missed their service deadlines,” said Mark Dommisse, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA). “In many of these cases, it’s because vehicle owners are driving less, and they aren’t aware that service schedules are based on a combination of distance and time allowances.

Where possible, these dealers and respective Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) will work with customers to reach amenable solutions, but it’s important for owners to know that the responsibility for servicing their vehicles at the right time lies with them.”

It’s also important to remember that service intervals are not standardized across all vehicles and vehicle brands
– MARK DOMMISSE, CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE DEALERS’ ASSOCIATION (NADA)

Depending on which carmaker is involved, and by how much a service deadline is missed, failure to adhere to your car’s service schedule can result in various penalties.

In very minor cases it’s possible that a respective OEM will overlook the lapse as a gesture of goodwill, but this is a leeway that certainly should not be relied upon as a get-out-of-jail-free scenario.

Various brands will handle lapse situations differently, but generally speaking, a failure to have your vehicle serviced on time can make warranties and/or service plans immediately voidable. In certain instances, these can be reinstated with an extensive vehicle check – at a customer’s expense – but in severe cases, a completely voided warranty can have a devastating impact on the value of your asset. If your car is financed there may be further implications, as vehicle maintenance forms part of the loan terms agreed with your bank.

Today’s dealers will often call customers ahead of planned services, but this is an added courtesy and should not be relied upon
– MARK DOMMISSE, CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE DEALERS’ ASSOCIATION (NADA)

“It’s also important to remember that service intervals are not standardized across all vehicles and vehicle brands,” added Dommisse. “It appears there may be a common misconception that schedules are set at 15,000km or one year, regardless of what vehicle you drive and this is definitely not true. I recommend familiarizing yourself with your particular vehicle’s service schedule, either by looking in your owner’s manual or service booklet or by calling your nearest franchise dealership for information.

“Today’s dealers will often call customers ahead of planned services, but this is an added courtesy and should not be relied upon. Again, the onus of meeting maintenance deadlines falls solely on the customer. Even if your car is out of plan, it’s a good idea to keep on top of vehicle upkeep. Not only will this potentially increase its value, but it’s also good for the health of your car.”

NADA is a constituent association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI).