OEM Archives - Heels & Horsepower Magazine

Generic vs Genuine: What Is The Difference?

vuyi on March 29, 2023

An important part of owning a car is keeping it in good running condition, but as we all know, services and car parts aren’t cheap.

Life is becoming increasingly expensive, so it’s understandable that you’d want to find the most affordable ways to get all those important things taken care of – including your car. If you’re on a tight budget, you’d be happy to know that there is an option beyond genuine parts to fit onto your vehicle, and that comes in the form of generic alternatives.

Manufactured and sold at a significantly lower price than what you’d pay for the original parts from the manufacturer, generic parts allow people to maintain their cars on a budget.

But what are the differences really, and is it safe to opt for generic parts?

What Is The Difference Between Genuine and Generic?

In all honesty, there isn’t much of a difference. Generic parts are very much like generic medication: they were designed to be exact replicas of the original.

Generic parts are typically directly reverse-engineered from the original components and look exactly the same. In fact, often, the difference between the two comes down to a brand name or packaging.

Original parts, also called OEM, or Original Equipment Manufacturer, are the exact same parts your car was fitted with when it was originally assembled. Generic parts are very much like generic medication: they were designed to be exact replicas of the original.

Is It Safe To Have Generic Parts Installed?

A lot of car manufacturers and manufacturer-approved service technicians insist that it’s unwise and unsafe to install generic parts in your vehicle if you care about its longevity and your own safety. However, as long as you purchase parts from a reputable retailer or auto parts franchise, the choice to buy a generic part should be quite safe.

One aspect that may differ is that generic car parts may not have the same warranty as original parts – or may not even come with any warranty at all, but this comes as part of the territory as you’re paying less for the part.

Another potential drawback is that the actual materials used to make the part may not be as durable as the OEM version, which means the part could wear down much sooner and have a reduced lifespan than the more expensive OEM part.

If you’re presented with the option of going for OEM or generic parts, be sure to find out about the reputation of the brand being offered to you. If a trusted car parts franchise sells generic parts and recommends them, you should be quite safe in making the purchase.

Again, just be aware that while the part will cost you significantly less, the old adage of “you get what you pay for” always rings true, so don’t expect the same durability and lifespan when fitting a generic part.

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).

What are Shock Absorbers?

vuyi on October 14, 2020

Your shock absorbers are critical safety components on your car and can be classified into two basic types:

Standalone shocks that attach to the vehicle suspension and frame
Shock-absorber cartridges that are integrated into a suspension strut

Some cars have struts in the front and individual shocks in the rear. If this is the case, it’s possible to replace the rear shocks with the help of a friend who knows what they’re doing, but it’s safer to have your shock absorbers replaced by a professional.

The purpose of Shock Absorbers

Shock absorbers limit overall vehicle body movement or sway. They support the springs in your car ensuring they don’t rebound on impact over rough surfaces. In this way they absorb and level out jolts to your car. They also do the job of keeping your tyres in contact with the road at all times.

Symptoms of worn Shocks Absorbers

Your tyres and shocks work together so if your shocks are worn your tyres do not grip the road firmly. As shocks gradually wear out you unconsciously adjust your driving to compensate. You may only notice the decreased efficiency when your car struggles to hold the road while cornering or braking quickly.

Your shock absorbers are worn and require replacement if you experience:

Vibrations while driving
A tapping sound while driving caused by cracked bushing at attachment points
Swerving or nose diving when braking
Longer braking time
Uneven tyre wear
Leaking fluid

What to do about worn Shock Absorbers

New cars are fitted with original equipment shock absorbers while on the auto-manufacturer’s production line and are sourced from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Worn shocks will be replaced by the dealership as long as it is within the vehicle’s warranty period.

If you experience problems after your vehicle’s warranty has expired before the next service is due, visit a reputable auto fitment centre affiliated to the Retail Motor Industry (RMI) and who comply with its codes of conduct and Consumer Protection Act guidelines.

The benefit of fitting shock absorbers at a reliable fitment centre with a national footprint is that should any problems arise, you can have it resolved at any of the branches, wherever you happen to be in the country.

Extract from an article published by SupaQuick South Africa

What You Should Know About Brake Discs

vuyi on October 13, 2020

Disc brake pads are safety critical.Damaged or worn brake pads cause slow braking and severe wear can make it almost impossible for a car to come to a stop.

Why Are Disc Brake Pads Used in Cars?

Disc brake pads are contained within brake callipers (represented in red in the illustration below). The callipers push against the rotor (disc) when hydraulically squeezed, using friction to slow down or stop your vehicle.

Braking System image courtesy of Supa Quick

Brake pads need to be robust to perform their task and are manufactured using steel for the backing plate. Fibres, metal particles, and bonding material is woven, moulded or sintered into friction material.

What Causes Wear and Tear in Disc Brake Pads?

Worn disc brake pads are caused by:

Negligent and thoughtless driving – Rapid acceleration, Constant hard braking and over loading vehicles increases the rate of brake pad wear.
Fitting poor quality disc brake pads – Everyday driving creates excess dust as a result of the increased wear rate of inferior brake pads. This causes brakes to squeak. Poor quality disc brake pads do not perform as well as they should, and reduced performance could have dire consequences.

What Are the Symptoms of Worn Disc Pads?

Brake disc pads tend to indicate wear and tear long before this becomes a problem. Early diagnosis can save you money and keep you safe. Signals from worn brake pads are relayed through the sensor to a display on the dashboard. Subsequent warning signs include:

Squeaking or scraping brakes – When brake pads are worn, they come into direct contact with the brake discs (also known as rotors), causing a scraping sound.
Pedal vibrations – Worn disc brake pads touch the rotor sending vibrations to the pedal.
Brake pedal indicators – Brake pedal feel hard, spongy or require greater pressure to stop the car.
Slower braking response – Worn disc brake pads cannot slow the vehicle down quickly enough

What to do when Brake Discs and Brake Pads are Worn

Disc brake pads and brake discs could last around 40,000 km to 50,000 km depending on driving habits and conditions. Skimming of brake discs may also be necessary, and if required would extend the life of your new brake pads, thereby saving you money. Depending on your driving habits and road conditions, brake disc replacement should be considered with every two to three brake pad replacements.

The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) determines when you need to change your disc brake pads. However, according to Retail Motor Industry (RMI) developments, you may challenge your dealership when taking your car for a service and only replace disc brake pads when necessary and not according to a pre-determined schedule.

Article courtesy of SupaQuick South Africa

Nissan South Africa partners with WesBank for vehicle finance

vuyi on August 19, 2020

…we are excited for this collaboration to respond to our customer’s needs using digital innovative solutions.
– Nancy Moodley, Nissan South Africa’s Head of Customer Experience and Digital.

Johannesburg, South Africa (18 August, 2020) – Nissan South Africa has become the first vehicle manufacturer to launch a new intuitive digital application technology to assist customers when applying for vehicle finance online.

The Nissan pre-finance tool is powered by WesBank and allows customers to check their affordability by completing a pre-approval form before applying for finance. This tool is integrated into the bank’s engine.

Nissan is the first vehicle manufacturer in South Africa to offer pre-financial approval within their website which is linked to the credit bureau. The intelligence or algorithms built into the tool provides immediate confirmation of approval or declined status while allowing the customer the flexibility to structure their deal using balloon payments or deposits.

The process is seamless, convenient and quick. Removing the hassle of the full vehicle application process which is usually tedious and time consuming. Once the customer receives an approval, a reference number is issue with the full downloadable pdf. deal structure for the customer to utilize at their dealer once they are ready to purchase. Nissan continues to explore innovate solutions to ensure that the vehicle purchase process is seamless and simplified for their customers.

“As the first OEM to partner with WesBank, we are excited for this collaboration to respond to our customer’s needs using digital innovative solutions. The integration of WesBank’s digital application technology into our website will enhance Nissan and Nissan Finance’s offering to prospective Nissan vehicle owners,” says Nancy Moodley, Nissan South Africa’s Head of Customer Experience and Digital.

When developing this platform, our goal was to make the online journey of applying for vehicle finance a stress-free conversation
– Dane Reddy, WesBank’s Head of Digital

As the coronavirus creates significant challenges for the automotive industry, it has become more important than ever to use technology to deliver the full bouquet of virtual customer solutions including e-commerce. This impactful tool launched by WesBank and Nissan allows customers get car finance approval in minutes from the comfort of their mobile devices. The laborious and complicated process of applying for vehicle finance has now been simplified offering potential & current Nissan customers a tailor-made deal suited to their budget.

“When developing this platform, our goal was to make the online journey of applying for vehicle finance a stress-free conversation, not an interrogation, for our customers – simple as that. We ask the applicants to tell us a bit about themselves and the car they are interested in purchasing and in under 10 minutes, we can tell them whether they are approved for the requested vehicle financing or not. If not, we can offer them alternative options to fit their budget,” says Dane Reddy, WesBank’s Head of Digital.

Nissan recently introduced a host of digital services as part of its Shop@Home platform to make it easier for customers to interact with their products particularly during these times when we are observing best practice in managing COVID-19.

Online car sales in South Africa: What’s possible, what’s not and why

vuyi on August 18, 2020

There is both good and bad news for those hoping to click a webpage button and see a new car magically appear a few days later.

Johannesburg, 17 August 2020: Online shopping trends were on an upward trajectory long before the pandemic. Enforced national lockdown saw South Africans investigating how to buy toilet paper and pool chlorine from the comfort and safety of their couches.

The rise in popularity of many existing and new online shopping platforms has fueled the notion that buying cars in similar manner will soon be a reality. Is it possible to buy a car online from start to finish and have it delivered to your driveway without ever leaving home? Yes, but it was prior to COVID-19 and only under exceptional circumstances.

According to Mark Dommisse, Chairman of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA), there is both good and bad news for those hoping to click a webpage button and see a new car magically appear a few days later.

“Many local car brands are currently advertising new methods for South Africans to browse, and in some cases even buy, their next car from home. While these tools are very handy, there are limitations to how far you can travel along this buying journey, despite clever wording which may imply otherwise,” says Dommisse.

… there are some simple reasons why e-commerce and car sales just don’t gel as a realistic option…
– Mark Dommisse, Chairman of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA)

The fact is these new services offer an elegant way for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and dealers to cast a wider net on a bigger audience, together with convenient solutions for willing participants within that audience. But the progression of any deal will ultimately trickle down to a final transaction between buyer and seller at dealer level.

For most a new or used car is the second highest expense after housing costs, so committing to a large purchase such as this is obviously a bit more complex than ordering a new kettle from Takealot. If your kettle arrives by courier a few days after you enter credit card details and click Buy on your laptop, and you’re not happy with it for whatever reason, you simply return it and get a refund.

Online transactions are governed by the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA) and it is here that matters such as offer and acceptance, as well as final delivery are regulated
– MARK DOMMISSE, CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE DEALERS’ ASSOCIATION (NADA)

Besides the fact that kettles don’t come with a myriad upholstery options, optional features, engine choices and paint finishes, they also don’t often come with mandatory insurance, finance plans, FICA requirements and large price tags. More importantly, it’s unlikely you’d be trading in your old kettle, and this process would certainly require some physical interaction to facilitate – as it does with vehicle trade ins.

“While new digital technologies have, and will continue to accelerate and streamline car buying in South Africa, there are some simple reasons why e-commerce and car sales just don’t gel as a realistic option in the foreseeable future,” says Dommisse.

“While there’s no doubt that for some a car is just an appliance, and the smell of leathers, face-to-face interactions and the feel of steering and gear shifts on test drives don’t rank very highly on importance scales, the vast majority of car shoppers would prefer the touch, feel and smell of a genuine showroom experience, or at least to inspect the goods they’re committing to.

“Then there are the nitty-gritty regulations which take the wind out of the sails of the pure online car buying fantasy. Technically all transactions in South Africa, other than for property, can be concluded with a simple offer and acceptance. But online transactions are governed by the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA) and it is here that matters such as offer and acceptance, as well as final delivery are regulated”.

The Act is designed for items that are extremely standard and understood by customers – such as a kettle. When it comes to special orders or anything where specifications are set by the consumer, the goods will only be suitable for use or enjoyment by that consumer in particular. Cars often come with many specifiable options, accessories and bolt-on value add products, which would force number of protections generally afforded to consumers by the Act to be excluded.