By: Iris de Jager, General Manager: Claims, Innovation Group South Africa

With over 460 000 new vehicle sales concluded in 2021, no one can contest the fact that South African’s love cars! It’s only logical, seeing that we have access to the top vehicle manufacturers on local soil, a large variety of models to choose from and access to some of the most scenic routes to enjoy them on.

Whether we use them for basic transportation needs, conducting the daily school run or even just exploring our beautiful country, there’s just no getting away from the fact that we are a nation of car lovers!

But, as much as we love our cars for the beautiful machines that they are, how many of us return that love through regular and thorough maintenance checks? So often we spend most of our time focusing on the exterior of the vehicle – regular power washes, the quick windscreen clean or checking the tyre pressure now and then – that we often forget to focus on the basics of what keeps our cars running.

Conducting regular maintenance checks on the basic or key components of your car will not only keep it in good running condition, but it can also save you from costly repairs down the line. It gives you an opportunity to check whether there are any signs of minor problems, like cracks, leaks, as well as excessive wear and tear due to friction.

Some of the most important maintenance items on your vehicle includes:

• Oil: Oil changes are considered the most critical routine maintenance item for any vehicle, as the oil lubricates the majority of moving parts in your engine and helps to cut down wearing of the components. Changing the oil on a regular basis is key to maintaining the efficiency and longevity of your engine.
• Fluids: Your car relies on different types of fluids to run properly. So, be sure to regularly check coolant levels, power steering fluid, brake fluid and transmission fluid. A leak with any of these fluids can affect the way that your car drives.
• Engine air filters: Dirty air filters can cause dust, dirt and other particles to enter your car’s engine which may reduce its efficiency
• Brake pads: If you experience shuddering or vibrations when hitting the brakes, it’s worthwhile having it checked out!
• Belts and hoses: Keeping your car’s belts and hoses in good shape can help your car running and may help avoid a breakdown on the road.

Whilst service plans are designed to cover the annual servicing of your car, focusing on specific serviceable components at specified intervals, maintenance plans are more comprehensive and focuses on covering the labour and expenses of specified parts, whilst also focusing on specified non-serviceable components that are subject to regular wear and tear like batteries, wiper blades and brake pads. A maintenance plan might be more costly than a service plan, but if you enjoy the open road and like to travel regularly, you may experience more frequent wear and tear.

Beyond keeping you safe, regular car maintenance improves your car’s reliability and performance, minimizes the chances of roadside emergencies and prevents surprise repairs that can be very expensive! Let’s keep loving our cars through regular maintenance!