Check the oil
Just as we humans need to keep a check on our cholesterol and blood pressure, our vehicles need an annual oil service (every 10 000 km to 15 000 km) and filter change. Use the manufacturer’s recommended oil grade.
Fix an oil leak quickly
An oil leak could mean there is not enough oil lubricating your vehicle’s engine. The first sign is usually oil marks left wherever you park your car. A leak can lead to a loss of oil pressure and serious damage to the engine. Take your chosen set of wheels to a reputable dealer or service agent as soon as possible and get the problem fixed.
Keep it cool
Don’t blow a gasket; it ruins the engine. Check your coolant levels regularly. They should be checked when the engine is cold before you start your daily commute, and absolutely before you start a long trip. If your car is not running at the recommended temperature (usually 90°C), you run the risk of blowing the head gasket. That will mean the vehicle’s engine underperforms or just stops going.
Tyre tactics
There are few components more critical than a car’s wheels and their tyres. Remember this: you are responsible for five wheels and their tyres, not four. Your vehicle’s wheels must be regularly balanced or the tread on your tyres will wear irregularly, and the five tyres (four on the wheels, and a spare) must have enough tread and be suitably inflated.
The essential brake
There are few things more terrifying – or dangerous – than hitting the brake and having nothing happen. It could be fatal, for you or someone else. Check your brakes each morning before you set out. Start the vehicle, but keep it in neutral or park gear, then depress the brake pedal. If there’s no resistance, you are in trouble.
Who are you gonna call?
Keep the details of an emergency roadside assistance provider on hand, and be aware of what is offered by your vehicle’s manufacturer and insurer.
Up in lights
Know what your vehicle’s warning lights mean, and what to do if they light up. If you have to stop, use your hazard lights while you investigate.
Read the instructions (yes, really)
Your car comes with a manual. Read it, and follow its instructions, especially the service intervals and instructions, and the tyre-pressure recommendations. If you do, your vehicle will look after you.
Avoid battery blues
It’s difficult to know when your car’s battery will give up the ghost. Keep jumper cables handy so that if it does fail you can quickly get your car going again, and get to a battery service centre. If you find your car is a slow starter, get the battery checked before you find yourself, jumper cables in hand, looking for help. Also, know how to properly jump-start your car. If you don’t you can cause huge damage.
Here’s a quick rundown:
Find someone with a running vehicle
- Switch the ignition of the running vehicle off
- Connect the jumper cables first to the operational vehicle, which must be in neutral gear
- Connect the positive (red) cable connection to the positive battery terminal (red or marked +) of the “dead” vehicle’s battery
- Connect the negative (black) cable to the negative terminal (black or marked -) of the “dead” vehicle’s battery
- Switch on the ignition of the operational vehicle and turn the engine over, so that the vehicle's engine idles
- Switch on the ignition of the “dead” vehicle to see if the instruments light up and the radio starts to work. If so, start the vehicle. If not, get expert advice
- If the vehicle that was not properly starting now starts, switch on both vehicles’ headlights. This allows the alternator to charge more quickly, potentially better charging the battery
- Remove the jumper cables from the previously “dead” vehicle first, starting with the negative (black) cable. If you let the two vehicles run for a bit, you can do this with both vehicles switched off. Do not let the adaptors touch as they will still have charges running through them.
- Travel safely.
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