Listen: What Consumers Should Consider When Buying A Car
We are pleased to share that our editor Ms Vuyi Mpofu is now on national radio station, SAfm, presenting a weekly motoring feature.
Safety Tip of The Week: Check Your Wheel Alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment can take a toll on your car’s tyres resulting in you having to replace them soon than expected. Misaligned wheels significantly contribute to the diminished lifespan of your tyres, so it is vital that you check your wheels’ alignment regularly.
Reader Query: Why Does My Car Shake Whenever I Press The Brakes?
We receive a lot of queries via email and social media from readers enquiring about various aspects of motoring.
Car Tip of the Week: How to get the most out of your clutch
Ideally, your car should drive smoothly and one of the best ways to ensure this is by using the clutch properly. However, bad driving habits not only cause an uncomfortable ride, but could also damage your car and clutch in particular. Here is what you should know about getting the most of your clutch:
Tips to reduce wear and tear to your clutch
- Do not ride the clutch; only use it when necessary
- Do not treat the clutch as a foot rest
- Avoid downshifting each time you slow down the vehicle
- Fully disengage the clutch between gear changes
- Fully engage the clutch when changing gears
- With a manual transmission, it is best to put the car in neutral and take your foot off the clutch – this will prolong the life of the clutch release bearing. When it’s time to go, just push the clutch and select first gear ready to go.
Common clutch failure symptoms
- Clutch pedal makes noises when engaging and disengaging
- Clutch pedal is hard to engage, or feels loose or feels ‘spongey’
- Clutch pedal sticks to the floor
Should you suspect or experience any problems with your clutch, we highly recommend that you have a qualified technician attend to it immediately to avoid further damage, expensive repairs or causing an accident.
Car Tip of the Week: How to know when your tyres need wheel alignment
Wheel alignment helps your tyres last longer and to perform efficiently. It also improves handling as well as prevents your car from pulling to one side.
Here are a few signs that your wheels need realignment:
- Vehicle pulling to the left or right
- Steering wheel vibration
- Off-centre steering wheel (when driving straight)
- Uneven tread wear
Types of Car Filters and Their Purpose: A Quick Look at the Simple Cabin Filter
by H&h Admin
There are four main types of filters in every car; the cabin filter, fuel filter, oil filter and air filter. In this article, we talk about the importance of the cabin filter.
The cabin filter cleans the air which comes into the cabin of the car through the air-con and heating system. Whether or not you are using the air conditioner, the cabin filter – which forms part of the ventilation system – filters out airborne particles such as:
- Exhaust fumes
- Odours
- Smoke
- Dust
- Pollen
- Vegetation
- Dirt
- Bugs
In addition to the above, the cabin filter prevents muck from clogging up the vehicle’s air-con system. Anyone with respiratory problems or allergies will know just how important inhaling clean air is.
Taking your car in for service timeously helps ensure that the cabin filter continuous to work optimally. Here are just three reasons why it is important to have your cabin filter changed:
- To breathe fresher air
The cabin filter allows you to breathe clean air, by filtering bacteria, pollen and pollutants. When your cabin filter becomes clogged up, you may experience allergic reactions such as sneezing, coughing, etc. - To avoid safety and visibility issues
When a cabin filter is clogged, it may partially block the airflow coming into your car. This can be problematic, especially when you need to defog the windows. - To increase the life of your car’s A/C heating system
Having a clean cabin filter will maximize airflow and extend the life of your car’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.
Knowing How to Change a Flat tyre Could Save Your Life!
Gals Garage, in association Toyota Motors South Africa recently hosted a Tyre Safety Workshop aimed at female motorists.
Supported by Toyota Motors South Africa (TMSA), the first Gals Garage Tyre Safety Workshop of 2021, took place in Gauteng recently. Although all COVID regulations had been taken into account, organizers of the event took further precautions by hosting the Workshop over a few 4-hour sessions at different venues, thereby giving guests the added comfort of knowing their health had been taking into consideration.
The Gals Garage Tyre Safety Workshop not only allowed guests to simulate a flat tyre scenario but also gave them an opportunity to test drive the Toyota Urban Cruiser, Toyota Starlet and one of 2 Toyota Agya vehicles.
It used to be safe to ask a stranger to assist you to change your flat tyre but times have changed, so it is to every woman’s benefit to know how to do so herself.- FOUNDER, GALS GARAGE WORKSHOPS
It used to be safe to ask a stranger to assist you to change your flat tyre but times have changed, so it is to every woman’s benefit to know how to do so herself.
– FOUNDER, GALS GARAGE WORKSHOPS
Kicking off with an interactive discussion about tyre rotation, wheel alignment, and wheel balancing, the important topic of knowing how to change a tyre led to a few of the ladies relating personal stories about the inconveniences and dangers of being stuck on the side of the road.
It is important to align the jack with the car-jack point. If you jack the vehicle at any other point, the car’s weight may cause damage to its frame.
– FOUNDER, GALS GARAGE WORKSHOPS
Excited about learning this basic life skill, the ladies gathered around the 2 Toyota Agya vehicles and set about changing a tyre; all the while talking about causes of a flat tyre, how to identify you have a flat tyre (while driving), and safety measure to adhere to in the event of a flat tyre. These include pulling out of traffic as slowly as is safely possible, parking on a flat surface where possible, ensuring that the handbrake is engaged (either in gear in manual transmission or Park if in an automatic).
“In some instances, it is advisable to place a brick in front or behind one of the other tyres to further secure the vehicle,” Vuyi mentioned, “but you must remove these before you leave so as not to cause damage to another motorist’s vehicle, particularly at night when visibility is generally reduced”.
Another important element under discussion was identifying the optimal position to place the red reflective triangle which serves as a warning for other motorists, as well as learning the correct names of each of the tools required to successfully change a flat tyre – wheel spanner, nut-lock, car jack, reflective red triangle, spare tyre.
In some instances, it is advisable to place a brick in front or behind one of the other tyres but you must remove these before you leave.
– Founder, GALS GARAGE WORKSHOPs
It came as a surprise to some of the ladies that all cars have a car ‘jack point and that it is the safest location to position the car jack. By running their fingers along the edge of the bottom of the body of the car, the ladies discovered either one or two jack-points positioned either a short distance behind the front wheels or positioned a short distance in front of the rear wheels.
“It is important to align the jack with the car-jack point. If you jack the vehicle at any other point, the car’s weight may cause damage to its frame or, the jack may slip off, causing the vehicle to crash to the ground. Either way, this could result in serious injury to yourself and expensive damage to the car,” Vuyi said.
I will never forget the day my children and I nearly spent a night at the side of the road just because I did not know to change a flat tyre.
– GUEST, GALS GARAGE TYRE SAFETY WORKSHOP
To their surprise, the ladies accurately and safety completed the tyre change exercise in less time than they had anticipated. Most could barely believe how simple the task was.
“I will never forget the day my children and I nearly spent a night at the side of the road just because I did not know to change a flat tyre. Looking back I feel annoyed with myself because I put us in unnecessary danger yet here I am, doing this simple thing in 20 minutes!” remarked one of the guests.
When it came to test driving the various Toyotas on display, the Starlet proved to be a clear favourite among the ladies. “It stylish, spacious, comfortable to drive and quite spacious,” one guest remarked.
“The Agya is much bigger than it looks”, remarked one of the guests. “When I first glanced at it, I felt it was a ‘toy’ but, out of curiosity, I drove it and now I’m surprisingly impressed. I would love to have it as my weekday car because it would be easy to park,” she continued.
Some car salesmen can be very pushy, but his job is to listen to my needs and give me the best product which fits my budget.
– Guest, gals Garage Tyre Safety Workshop
Many of the ladies expressed appreciation that they had had an opportunity to test drive the Toyota vehicles in the comfort of their environment because they find car dealerships intimidating.
“I am not looking forward to buying a car because some car salesmen can be very pushy,” one lady said. “I feel that car salesmen judge women based on appearance and I am not about to make the extra effort just so the salesman will want to approach me when I walk into a dealership. His job is to listen to my needs and give me the best product which fits my budget – not to make me feel unknowledgeable and small,” she concluded.
ABOUT GALS GARAGE WORKSHOPS
Gals Garage Workshops, Because Women Deserve Better, was conceptualized and launched in 2016 by motoring journalist, Vuyi Mpofu when she identified a gap in the market to engage with female motorists. The Workshops aim to inform, educate and empower female motorists about the nuances of various elements of vehicles and serve to encourage women to become aware of the vehicle components which affect everyday driving safety.
Other than the Tyre Safety Workshops, the Gals Garage brand offers a variety of courses being:
- Basic Car Care
- Anti-Hijacking
- BasicSelf Defense
- Pregnancy and Infant in-car safety
- Introduction to off-road driving
- Glam Gals Getaways
Rats in your engine! Here’s What you Auto Know
Rats and mice can cause colossal damage to your car, ranging from chewing through electrical wires to gorging on upholstery
Rats love dark, balmy places and as winter approaches rodents, similar to humans, will be looking to snuggle up wherever they can find warmth. As it turns out, your car’s engine not only provides 5-star accommodation for them but is also a great source of materials on which they can trim their incisors. Many motorists may be unaware that in order to keep their choppers from over growing, rats – and other rodents – need to chomp constantly, else their teeth could grow to impractical lengths.
The vast number of electrical wires, components and other bits and bobs under the bonnet, make a gourmet buffet for cold, hungry furry pests. Just one well chewed wire could be the difference between your car firing up in the morning and you being magnificently late for the school run.
Is the move towards green mobility to blame?
The problem with rodents feasting on your car’s engine components isn’t new but has become increasingly worse over the years. In the past, auto-makers used polymer-based plastic materials to coat electrical wires in an effort to adhere to global recycling and sustainability policies. This has led to car manufacturers switching to plant based substances instead, which are largely made from soy, corn and rice husks. However, these environmentally friendly, yet appetizing ingredients have turned many vehicles into mobile diners for armies of rats.
Cost of repairs
Bad rodent orthodontics could get you a sympathetic smile from your local technician which will disappear once the conversation turns to the labour intensive and expensive repair work necessary to get your car back in working condition. And of course, rodents partying on your engine components is not covered under warranty.
Tips to keep furry pests at bay
To help keep you from forking out more than a pretty penny for rodent based repair work…..
- Seal every hole in your garage with sheet metal or steel mesh
- Invest in a durable car cover which completes seals your car
- Run your engine every few days (don’t let it sit unused for long periods of time)
- Set mousetraps using blobs of peanut butter or pieces of cheese as bait. Peppermint oil and used cat litter are also effective rodent repellents.
- Get a cat!
Vehicle Finance 101: What You Ought To Know About INSTALMENT FINANCE
In the excitement of buying a new car, some people make the mistake of not fully understanding the best finance options available to them. In the second of our 3-part Vehicle Finance series, we talk about Instalment Finance.
The majority of South African drivers cannot afford to buy their cars outright and rely on vehicle finance from banks. There are a few different vehicle finance options available to customers, namely:
- Balloon Payments
- Installment Finance
- Guaranteed Future Value
But how do you know which one is best for you? To help you make better-informed decisions, here is what you ought to know about Instalment Finance.
Instalment finance agreements come with fewer restrictions such as mileage and the condition of the vehicle, but monthly repayments will naturally be a bit more.
– GHANA MSIBI, CEO OF WESBANK MOTOR DIVISION
Instalment sales are by far the most common and simplest of the vehicle finance options.
Monthly repayments are calculated on the purchase price of a car, and payment terms can be structured into time frames of between one and six years. The longer the term, the lower the monthly instalment will be, but it’s important to remember that interest will increase proportionally to the length of the contract. As such, the total amount repaid to the bank will be more for a longer loan period than a shorter one.
“Instalment finance agreements come with fewer restrictions such as mileage and the condition of the vehicle, but monthly repayments will naturally be a bit more. The extra monthly cost does, however, pay off in the long run because once the payment term is concluded, the customer owns the car outright,” explains Msibi.
One of the most important pieces of advice WesBank has for customers, regardless of which of the three finance options is chosen, is to begin with a healthy deposit. Any money put down upfront will automatically mean lower monthly instalments and less interest, combined with a lower outstanding balance at the end of the contract in the case of balloon payments or GFV deals.
“Any dealership that offers finance through WesBank has a registered Finance and Insurance (F&I*) consultant to guide buyers and explain the different finance options,” concludes Msibi. “These experts can propose which option is most suitable for each respective customer and will offer financially sound advice on what you can and cannot afford,” says Msibi.
* All F&I consultants are regulated by the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act and the National Credit Act (NCA).
Vehicle Finance 101: What You Ought To Know About BALLOON PAYMENTS
In the excitement of buying a new car, some people make the mistake of not fully understanding the best finance options available to them. In the first of our 3-part Vehicle Finance series, we talk about Balloon Payments.
The majority of South African drivers cannot afford to buy their cars outright and rely on vehicle finance from banks. There are a few different vehicle finance options available to customers, namely:
- Balloon Payments
- Installment Finance
- Guaranteed Future Value
But how do you know which one is best for you? To help you make better-informed decisions, here is what you ought to know about Balloon Payments.
For those in the car market, right now is actually a great time to buy thanks to the current low-interest rates combined with some tasty offers from car dealers around the country.
– Ghana Msibi, CEO of WesBank Motor Division
Balloon payments
This is a convenient solution designed to assist the buyer with cash flow at the start of a finance agreement.
A portion of the purchase price is set aside in order to lower monthly repayments, but it’s important to remember this deferred amount will still be owed to the bank at the end of the contract term.
Balloon payments require discipline to be used effectively, and customers opting for this arrangement should make sure they’re saving enough cash every month to settle the debt once the instalment period is complete.
While the benefits that come with keeping monthly costs down may be extremely appetizing, it is important not to view a balloon deal as a way to get into a car you simply cannot afford.
– GHANA MSIBI, CEO OF WESBANK MOTOR DIVISION
Think of a balloon payment as a deposit, but one that’s put down at the end of the contract term instead of at the beginning. Depending on the size of the balloon, the money saved on the monthly payments should more than cover the cost of interest for a loan to refinance the lump sum of debt at the end of the term.
In other words, saving the money yourself while driving the financed vehicle could be cheaper than it would be to apply for another bank loan to pay off the outstanding debt owing on the car.
“While the benefits that come with keeping monthly costs down may be extremely appetizing, it is important not to view a balloon deal as a way to get into a car you simply cannot afford,” says Msibi.
“A looming lump sum after years of driving a vehicle is easy to ignore and forget, but settling that debt is ultimately the responsibility of the buyer. That said, a balloon payment has some great advantages if used properly.
* All F&I consultants are regulated by the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act and the National Credit Act (NCA).
Nitrogen Gas vs Air: Which is best and why?
The practice of filling our tyres with nitrogen is not yet as common as it could be, even though it has many safety benefits. Vuyi Mpofu explores the reasons why more motorists should switch to using nitrogen in their tyres
Nitrogen gas is environmentally friendly, non-flammable and non-corrosive . It is a pure gas and does not attack or oxidise the rubber of the tyre from the inside like air does. Nitrogen in tyres is also known to prolong tyre life and improve road handling. For these reasons, nitrogen tyre inflation is mostly preferable to air inflation
Nitrogen gas in tyres does not hold heat thereby allowing the tyres run cooler. Filling your tyres with nitrogen reduces tyre pressure variation which is normally caused by changes in tyre temperature. As the biggest molecule gas, nitrogen is slow to migrate through a tyre, causing very little loss of pressure.
There is a direct correlation between tyres filled with nitrogen gas and road safety. In South Africa, the top-three reasons for tyre related accidents are:
- Poor tyre condition
- Vehicle overloading
- Incorrect inflation
The above conditions are all within our control and require a decent measure of diligence on the part of all drivers. Correctly maintaining one’s tyres is a long term process while it’s not every day that drivers overload their vehicles. On the other hand however, filling tyres with nitrogen gas is an easy habit to get into and one which has many benefits. These include:
- Slower rate of pressure loss
- Cooler running temperature of tyres
- Improved road handling
- Reduced corrosion
1. Slower Rate of Pressure Loss
The molecular structure of nitrogen differs from that of air, in such a way that it escapes through the tyre’s inner liner or tube at a slower rate than regular compressed air. The result is a dramatically slower rate of pressure loss in a tyre filled with nitrogen. For example, it might take up to six months to lose 0.14kpa with nitrogen, compared to just one month with compressed air.
2. Cooler Running Temperature of Tyres
Tyres inflated with nitrogen run cooler than those inflated with air, resulting in an improvement in tyre life of up to 20%. By reducing the tyre’s running temperature, you increase its tread life thereby increasing its overall lifespan.
3. Improved Road Handling
As tyres heat up, their inflation pressure increases, which in turn reduces the size of the tyre’s footprint – the area that has contact with the road. Subsequently, the tyre grip is reduced as a result of the tyre’s diminished footprint. So the cooler the tyres run the better their ability to grip the road.
4. Reduced Corrosion
Unlike air there’s no moisture in pure nitrogen, thereby drastically reducing the possibility of corrosion in tyres.
In Conclusion…
Filling one’s tyres with nitrogen gas should be the norm for South African road users as it is safer than filling up with air. It is also cost effective as it leads to better maintenance of tyres.
Nitrogen gas is the ultimate tyre inflation gas and is available at reputable tyre fitment centres across the country at a nominal cost.
Types of tyre damage all motorists should know about
Tyre damage can happen for a variety of reasons and without the driver being immediately aware there’s a problem.
The most common types of damage are punctures, cuts, impacts, cracks, bulges and irregular wear. Here are some common signs and symptoms aimed at helping you diagnose the issue as well as some useful tips on how to prevent them.
Identifying irregular wear
There are several types of irregular wear, the most typical variations being heel and toe wear, one-sided wear, and centre wear. Here we explain how and why they occur.
a. Heel and toe wear – Heel and toe wear is a pattern caused by normal usage and suspension settings. It’s the outwardly visible (and audible) manifestation of various distortional forces at work on the tread. To explain further, let’s dive a little deeper into the design of the tread.
Tread grooves are essential in ensuring safety on wet and flooded roads. With low-profile tyres in particular, a higher percentage of tread void is necessary to displace the water and to improve protection against aquaplaning. Cross-grooves for water drainage take the form of freestanding blocks in the shoulder area. These shoulder blocks can wear into a heel and toe pattern as a result of a rolling movement under certain operating conditions. These operating conditions include:
- Long journeys at a steady speed on straight roads
- A moderate driving style
- The alignment and camber of the suspension geometry
As the tyre rolls along the road, the freestanding blocks deform as they get closer to the contact patch of the tyre, and they compress as they touch the tarmac. After they lose road contact, however, the blocks snap back into their original shape, rubbing the surface of the road as they do so. The result is wear on the block run-out edge and is more likely to appear on non-driven wheels.
A minor amount of heel and toe wear is reasonable and has no discernible effect on driving comfort. But if the wear is more extensive, more specific issues could be to blame, including improper inflation, excessive toe-in and low-wear applications.
b. Centre wear – You will find this wear pattern on the driven wheels of high-power cars. High torque levels generated during strong acceleration, in stop-start urban traffic or when accelerating away from traffic lights can quickly increase wear of the tread in the centre of the tyre. Even today’s mid-range vehicles have modern engines that can generate high levels of torque and are capable of producing high degrees of slip.
c. One-sided wear – The biggest cause of one-sided wear is incorrect axle geometry. Deviations from the standard specification can develop over time and are the result of, for example, mounting a kerb.
Lowering the height of a vehicle in conjunction with low-profile tyres can also negatively affect wheel alignment. During driving, modified suspension arms tend to cause the alignment of the wheels to deviate from the specified position. The problem can catch drivers unaware, because wheel alignment values can still be found to be within tolerance limits when measured in a static position on an axle measurement bench. But the manufacturer’s alignment data applies to vehicles as delivered and may not necessarily apply to customised cars. Thus, the result may be an increase in non-uniform tread wear.
If a vehicle’s wheels are misaligned, a qualified specialist can correct the deviation by realigning them.
Identifying an impact break or bulge
An impact break is damage inflicted on the carcass (the casing of the tyre) after the tyre comes into contact with certain obstacles. A pronounced external bulge on the sidewall of the tyre indicates destroyed cords inside the carcass.
Damage of this kind is usually caused by driving over objects – like kerbs or speed bumps – at excessive speed or at the wrong angle, overstressing the carcass and causing individual cords to break. The exact extent of the damage will depend on the speed and angle of impact, and the size of the obstacle. Careful motorists are usually able to avoid this type of damage, unless an obstacle suddenly appears in front of them and they can’t steer around it.
Ignoring such damage increases the risk of tyre failure at some point in the future, either delamination of the tread and plies or disintegration of the tyre sidewall.
An impact break is sometimes confused with a sidewall indentation, but they are not the same thing. As we explain below, dimples or indentations in the sidewall are not cause for alarm.
Identifying a sidewall indentation
A tyre sidewall is not always perfectly even; sometimes there will be dimples and indentations that may require a more detailed inspection to determine their cause. The essential thing to know is that indentations are harmless and aren’t detrimental to either driving or safety characteristics. The dimples are superficial.
Indentations in the tyre are best illustrated if you imagine tying a string around an inflated balloon and then gently pulling the string tighter. If the balloon is the tyre, the string is the embedded carcass cords, which are concealed by the rubber. These cords provide the tyre with its strength and stability, and transfer steering and braking forces while driving.
During manufacture of a tyre – or rather when constructing the carcass, to which the steel belt and the tread are attached – there are often one or two overlaps in the carcass. It’s this overlap that is sometimes visible as an indentation after the tyre is fitted and inflated.
But if you’re in any doubt, have the sidewall indentations checked by a qualified tyre specialist.
Identifying a cut
Cuts are the result of external influences like bad road conditions, protruding bodywork parts or sharp, foreign objects such as stones or glass. If you discover damage in the form of a cut on the tyre surface, you should visit your local tyre retailer and have your tyres immediately checked by a professional.
Punctures explained
Punctures are the consequence of sharp objects on the road – for example, nails, screws or broken glass – that pierce through the surface of the tyre. If the puncture is deep enough, the tyre could begin to lose air pressure. If you find that one or more of your tyres are continuously losing pressure, or if you discover a nail or screw embedded in the tread, then visit your local tyre specialist as soon as possible to have them repaired.
How to prevent damages
Change the position of the tyres on the car at regular intervals (unless otherwise recommended by the vehicle manufacturer) to promote even tyre wear. The position of the tyres should be rotated, for example, when making the seasonal transition between summer and winter tyres.
By swapping the wheels from the driven to the non-driven axle on a regular basis, drivers can expect to have a uniform pattern of wear on all tyres. But as always, please observe the recommendations provided by the vehicle manufacturer.
If you find yourself in a situation where you have to drive over an obstacle in the road, approach it slowly and as close to perpendicular as possible. Afterwards, check your tyres for exterior damage such as cuts, cracks or bulges. Also, avoid driving aggressively on unpaved roads.
Article and images courtesy of Continental Tyres South Africa
