THE UBER/BOLT (Taxify) DRIVER'S CAR MAINTENANCE GUIDE

THE UBER/BOLT (Taxify) DRIVER’S CAR MAINTENANCE GUIDE

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If you drive a Uber/Bolt (Taxify), you rack up a lot of kilometers, which means extra wear and tear. A car in the garage is not making you any money, so keeping up with the maintenance is extremely important. If you’re doing Uber or BOLT (Taxify), driver/owner, here are tips on how to stay on the road and earn the most cash.

First off, if you drive your own vehicle for a living, you likely want to follow the severe service car maintenance schedule. You might be thinking, “Hey, I’m only taking two people to the airport. I never tow, so it’s not severe service.” Actually, it is. The average driver in the South Africa racks up around 30 000 kilometers per year, but driving full time for a UBER/BOLT (Taxify) service can bring that annual total to 90 000 kilometers. A lot of those kilometers are spent carrying passengers through stop-and-go traffic in the summer heat nor winter colds. That’s work more in line with a taxi or police car. Let’s use some tricks of the trade from those services.

ENGINE PROTECTION

Oil: While you probably know how often to change your oil in a regular daily driver, an UBER/BOLT (Taxify) car needs a more frequent oil change schedule. You’re looking at lots of idling, stop and go, long periods with the engine on, and a lot more kilometers in general, so you want to use a high-quality oil. Depending on the kilometers you cover, you may be looking at changing the oil as often as every two weeks. While that may seem excessive, it is excellent preventative maintenance.

Filters Change out the oil filter with your oil change, and take a look at the engine air filter, too. These two are key to preventing engine damage. Also change your cabin air filter more often. The usual schedule is once a year, but aim for twice a year to keep your vehicle smelling fresh.

SUSPENSION & BRAKES, TIRES

Brakes Most drivers only change their brake pads every two to four years. With full-time UBER/BOLT (Taxify) work, however, you’re probably looking at every six months and sometimes every three months. Get the highest-rated pads you can afford, and save money by swapping them out and replacing the brakes yourself.

Suspension Shocks and struts are wear items that need replacing, usually only around three times in the average lifespan of a car. If you are a full-time driver, you are looking at annual replacement. No skipping out on this one, as shocks and struts are critical components of the suspension that determine ride quality. No one wants to ride in a vehicle with an overly harsh or bouncing suspension, so get it replaced on time. In addition to shocks and struts, you will probably have to replace the vehicle’s springs around 170 000 kilometers. In South Africa, there are a lot of potholes, this means that, you’ll probably need to replace the tie rods early and get to know a reliable place for an alignment.

Tires Get a super-affordable tire pressure gauge and check your tire pressure daily before starting your shift. Why daily? Tire pressure affects everything from the ride quality and tire wear to petrol mileage, so it’s an easy and quick way to save more and earn more. Rather than going out of your way to a petrol station with free air, use your own portable pump. Keep tire rotation on your calendar, too, for longest tire life. A good rule of thumb is to do so during every oil change.

LET US, HELP YOU!

We hope this information keeps you on the road so that you can make maximum cash. If you need assistance with nay repairs or juts a service just click here for and instant upfront quote and Michanic will send a trusted and qualifies mechanic to you. We operate every day of the week and after hours to make sure that our customers can get maximum use out of their cars.

If you have any other questions or concerns regarding your car, feel free to talk to our customer service team through email at [email protected], or by phone on 087 803 9000. Or check what our customers say about out service on Hellopeter or Google.

Click here to get a quote for your next service.

When And How Often Should I Replace My Brakes?

When And How Often Should I Replace My Brakes?

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How often do I need to replace my brakes? Your brake pads and disks wear out over time. The lifespan of your brakes depends largely on the quality of your brakes fitted as well as your driving habits.

Just as your fuel efficiency varies depending on your driving habits, so do the life of your brake pads. Your brake pad is the material that presses against the metal disc / rotor or drum on your wheel to bring your vehicle to a stop. Brake pads typically need replacing every 50,000 to 75,000 kilometres. Although, some brake pads only last for 25,000 kilometres, or less. To get a more accurate number for your car’s specific needs, consult your car’s manual.

Here are the common indicators that your brake pads need replacing soon:

  • Clicking, grinding, squeaking, or screeching noise when you apply the brakes.
  • Vibration in the steering wheel.
  • The Brake or low brake pad warning light is on.
  • Brake pedal is lower than normal.
  • Brake pads appear too thin.
  • The car is pulling to one side when applying the brakes.

Some further tips:

  • Have the mechanic check your brake pads remaining useful life when your car is in for a service or repair.
  • Most brake pads have small metal hairs at the very end to let the driver know that they need to be replaced soon. Try avoid driving if your brakes are making any metal on metal noise.
  • If braking becomes jittery, the disks are probably warped. In this situation you can either clean or grind down the surface of the rotor in order to make it flat again. However, it is easier and safer to just replace the brake rotor completely.
  • Good, functional brakes are the key to safe, predictable braking and safe driving. Generally, if the brakes look worn out or start losing performance, they should be replaced. If there are any unusual noises or sparks coming from the brakes, you should have them inspected by a mechanic right away.

 

If you think that you need new brakes, it’s always best to have a trusted mechanic check it out and fit them. Michanic has a team of specialist mechanics who come to you. We understand that your car plays an important part of your daily life, transporting you and your loved ones. Michanic is dedicated to providing the most convenient services for our customers, so if you have any other questions or concerns regarding your car, feel free to talk to our customer service team through email at [email protected], or by phone on 087 803 9000.

Click here to get an online quote to replace your brakes.

How Long Do Brake Pads Last?

How Long Do Brake Pads Last?

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Your brakes are the most important safety feature on your car. So, it’s important to know how long your brake pads will last before needing replacement. Some can last for more than 80,000 kms, but some only last around 30,000 kms. This all depends on the quality of the brake pads fitted, your driving style, and the type of car you own.

Reasons That Will Determine How Long Your Brake Pads Last

Brake pads are a high wear car part due to the substantial pressure they are put under when stopping. That’s why the way you brake and the kind of braking you do are the biggest factors that determine how long your they will last. Harsh continuous braking typical of city driving can halve the life of your brakes when compared to high way use.

Apart from that, the quality of the brake pads used can also have a real impact on how long they will last. Brake pads made from materials with an inconsistent quality will usually wear quicker than those with high grade materials. It’s normally advisable to use high quality aftermarket parts hat are OEM approved.

Why Front Brake Pads Usually Last Longer Than Rear Pads

If you’ve owned a car for a while you will have noticed the front brake pads wear out faster. This is because front brakes are subjected to a lot more stress as they are burdened with more weight transfer when braking.

Manufacturers engineer braking systems for most of the braking strain to be on the front brakes to ensure better stability. This is why the front brake discs usually have a larger diameter than the rear.

Other Factors That Reduce Brake Pad Longevity

It is important to keep in mind that driving with old and worn down brake pads will result in a costly fix. Worn out pads will damage your discs. The metal on metal friction is what causes a squeaking noise when breaking. If this is the case, it’s advisable to replace both the discs and the pads. If you only replace the pads but not the worn disk, those brand-new brake pads will wear down much faster. Worn disks also heat up quicker negatively impacting your stopping distance, making your car less safe to drive.

Michanic recommends that you inspect your brakes regularly and use your brakes wisely when driving. Keep safe following distances, use your gears in combination with your brakes, and anticipate when you are going to need to stop. Doing this will save you money on brake pad repairs in the long run.

We understand that your car plays an important part of your daily life, transporting you and your loved ones. Michanic is dedicated to providing the most convenient services for our customers, so if you have any other questions or concerns regarding your car, feel free to talk to our customer service team through email at [email protected], or by phone on 087 803 9000.

Click here to get a instant quote to replace your brake pads.

Brake Problems: How To Find Out What’s Wrong

Brake Problems: How To Find Out What’s Wrong

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Brake problems are some of the most common issues on cars. Reduced stopping distance being the biggest issue. But braking issues don’t stop there, there are lots of signs that indicate if something is wrong with your brakes. Brake problems are usually accompanied by squeaking and grinding sounds and car vibrations. Sometimes the brake pedal will feel very hard to press down, and other times there may be no brake pressure at all.

Finding out what is wrong with the brakes can be tricky. There are, after all, lots of parts that can go wrong. But here are 5 easy checks you can do to try diagnose your braking problem:

1. Check Brake Performance

Listen for any noises when you’re braking. Any squealing or grinding noises can be due to issues with the brakes. It may just be that the brake pads have worn down too much, or that the discs have not worn evenly.

If you feel a shudder when braking it is likely that your brakes have worn unevenly. The discs may for example have warped due to excessive heat build up. This can have a knock on effect on other brake parts and needs immediate attention.

2. Check Noise When Driving

If you’re driving and not braking and you still hear a scraping noise continuously then there is a chance there is also something wrong with your brakes. It could be that the brake pads have not returned to their normal position after braking. Often it means that a brake caliper has seized and that it continues to push the pads against your discs.

3. Check Brake Hydraulics

Checking the brake pedal can help to find out if there are any issues with the hydraulic system which power the brakes. It’s important that the brakes engage long before you press the brake pedal to the floor. If the brakes only start to kick in late on and they feel spongy then it’s likely you have a problem with the hydraulics. In that instance there may be air in the system.

If you brake hard and you feel that the pressure on the brake pedal slowly decreases, then it’s likely that there may be a leak in the system. This ‘sinking pedal’ issue could mean that the master cylinder or a brake hose is leaking somewhere.

4. Check Brake Discs

The brake discs are usually visible through the spokes in your wheel. When checking them look out for any grooves and ridges or uneven surfaces. The discs should be flat and smooth. If they are not, they might have suffered from scoring. Worn brake pads will be the cause of this. It’s important to get this repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the discs and to stay safe.

5. Check Handbrake

Last but not least make sure to check your handbrake. It is vital in ensuring that your car can be locked in place when stationary. If you have to pull the brake handle higher than usual then it’s likely that the tension on the cable is off. Often readjustment is needed or new brake shoes.

 

If your car has brake problems, it’s always best to have a trusted mechanic check it out. Michanic has a team of specialist mechanics who come to you. We understand that your car plays an important part of your daily life, transporting you and your loved ones. Michanic is dedicated to providing the most convenient services for our customers, so if you have any other questions or concerns regarding your car, feel free to talk to our customer service team through email at [email protected], or by phone on 087 803 9000.

Click here to get an online quote to replace your brakes.

4 Signs Your Car’s Brakes Need Replacing

4 Signs Your Car’s Brakes Need Replacing

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Maintaining and knowing when your brakes need replacing is essential for your safety and others on the roads. You never know when you need to stop quickly in an emergency. In order to save time and money, it’s important to learn the the signs that your cars braking system needs attention. This could mean new brake pads, shoes, drums, disks or calipers. Below are the most common signs:

1. Brake Noise When Stopping

Noise when braking is common, and it can either mean that your brakes are dirty or that your brake pads are worn down. Your brakes probably just need cleaning if you hear soft squeaking when stopping but the performance is unaffected. However, if you hear loud squeaking or a scraping sound then it’s probably because your brake pads or shoes have worn down and the metal is scraping against the disc or drum. If this is the case you should book in urgently as it can affect your ability to stop safely.

2. The Pedal Feels Soft When Braking

This is often caused by a lack of braking pressure. It can be very disconcerting, as you’ll need to press the brake pedal further to stop the vehicle. The cause is usually leaking calipers, brake cylinders or air in the braking system. The lack of pressure can mean that the vehicle takes longer to stop, so be sure to get a mechanic to check it out as soon as possible.

3. The Steering Wheel Shakes/Shudders When Braking

This is a common issue, a shaking steering wheel is usually a sign of a warped brake disc. This can be fixed by having the disc replaced. It’s best to get it fixed quickly, though, to stay safe.

4. The Car Pulls To One Side

Your car pulls to one side when the brake lines are damaged or uneven. If you can feel the brakes dragging, then the likely cause is contaminated fluid in the system, or brakes that haven’t been adjusted properly. These issues can be dangerous, particularly if you have to stop suddenly. It’s always best to have your car looked at by a qualified mechanic to determine if your brakes need replacing.

We understand that your car plays an important part of your daily life, transporting you and your loved ones. Michanic is dedicated to providing the most convenient services for our customers, so if you think your brakes need replacing or if you have any other questions or concerns regarding your car, feel free to talk to our customer service team through email at [email protected], or by phone on 087 803 9000.

Click here to get a quote for a brake pad replacement

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