March 15, 2023 - Heels & Horsepower Magazine

Do You Really Need An Extended Car Warranty?

vuyi on March 15, 2023

Extended car warranty is something not many people understand nor believe they should have, but with more and more people keeping their vehicles for longer than ever before, having it might just be a cost effective idea.

An extended car warranty is an additional form of insurance that covers the electrical and mechanical components of a vehicle in the event of damage or mechanical failure. The value of the plan taken directly affects the level of cover provided by the insurer.

While some people choose to purchase an extended warranty when purchasing a new car, others prefer to wait until just before the service or maintenance agreement of their vehicle ends.

What Does An Extended Warranty Cover?

Extended motor plans generally provide cover for expensive and unforeseen repairs such as mechanical breakdowns or electrical failures should they occur during the extended warranty agreement.

What Do Extended Warranties Not Provide Cover For?

Extended warranties generally do not cover scheduled service or maintenance components such as tune-ups, timing belt replacements, and oil changes. The majority of extended warranties also do not cover wear and tear items such as wiper blades and brake pads.

Here are 3 things vehicle owners should know about extended warranties:

Extended warranties do not necessarily need to be purchased on the same day as your vehicle. If, however, you are purchasing your vehicle using a car finance plan, then purchasing the warranty at the same time is advantageous as the cost for the extended warranty will be included in the loan.
Keep an up-to-date service and maintenance schedule as your cover can be affected by breaks in between scheduled service and maintenance.
Always check to make sure whether extended warranty plans are a prerequisite for financing, as this may not always be the case.

As with any warranty cover, it is vital to read through and understand the fine print before deciding to purchase. Navigating your way through any motor vehicle related documentation can be confusing and frustrating, which is why we highly recommend that you always consult an industry professional to shed light on complicated terminology and legalese!

What You Can Learn From A Car Diagnostics Test

vuyi on March 15, 2023

Thanks to modern automotive innovation, most cars are now equipped with electronic components that can be monitored and checked without taking apart the entire system and manually inspecting each part.

Car diagnostic tests take a great deal of guesswork out of assessments and can identify the source of problems quickly and efficiently. They’re also easily accessible and can be done at a good service workshop.

Here’s what you can expect to learn from a diagnostic test.

What Does A Car Diagnostic Test Do?

Car diagnostics are typically run when your car’s ‘check engine’ light comes on, or if any of the other warning lights on your dashboard light up and stay on for an extended period of time. These warning lights don’t specify exactly what the problem is, as it could be one of several potential issues. However, a car diagnostic test will scan your car’s components one by one, and flag anything that doesn’t check out. From there, the automotive specialist will determine what needs fixing or which parts need replacing.

What Gets Checked?

All the major components of your car get checked, including the engine, exhaust system, brakes, airflow, transmission, and sensors. A diagnostic test also detects problems before they become obvious, potentially saving you thousands of Rands in repair costs down the line.

When Should You Get A Diagnostic Test Done?

There’s never a bad time to have your car checked, as it could help identify problems before they worsen. If your car has been feeling a bit ‘off’ or if any warning lights have turned on but you haven’t quite figure out what the problem is, it’s best to book an appointment for a diagnostic test as soon as possible.

A ‘check engine’ light or other warning light coming on does not always mean there’s a serious issue with your vehicle; at times it could be as simple as a bolt becoming loose or a faulty cable.

Car diagnostic tests are fairly quick to conduct but are crucial to keeping your car in perfect running condition. Whether you currently have a problem with your vehicle or simply want to get ahead of any potentially serious issues, taking it to a reputable car service workshop could be a worthwhile investment.