Covid-19 - Reduce Your Risk! Your Car May Need To Be Sanitized Too!

Covid-19 – Reduce Your Risk! Your Car May Need To Be Sanitized Too!

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Car Sanitization Can Reduce Your Risk Of Spreading or Contracting COVID-19

Having sanitized hands is great, however, alone, it may is not enough! Our cars are one of the high-touch surfaces we come into contact with regularly over and above that we also tend to lift people, drive our kids in them, etc. However how many of us have thought about sanitizing our vehicles? Not many of us i do not think. This is a very important aspect that has been overlooked and it is very important, for our safety and that of your families!

Together, We Can Beat The Corona Virus!

We have prepared this article based on much research and thought it would be beneficial to share.

Germs and viruses breed on surfaces and we now know that COVID-19 remains on surfaces for up to 4-6 hrs. This is especially true for porous surfaces that can be found in the car. The following areas need special attention to minimize you and your family’s exposure:

  • Your steering wheel (including appendages)  and gear selector – wash your hands/sanitize prior to handling your steering wheel, so you are not reinfecting it. “The steering wheel has four times the amount of germs found on an average toilet seat, thanks to all the cracks and crevices on the rim and spokes.” Shocking isn’t it!
  • Door handles (exterior and interior) – Carry disinfecting wipes with you so that after you car has been sanitized, you keep the germs at bay, by wiping the exterior handle before you open the door and the interior handles before closing or opening your door.
  • If you have a touchscreen radio – it’s best to clean that with a microfiber cloth, so as not to scratch it!
  • Seats and Hand rests – pay more attention to the spaces between the seat and head rest and well as the sides of the seats
  • Seat Belts – we always have to have our seat belts on! So wipe them down with a dissecting wipe before and after you use them!

Michanic has your back!

Some of the most effective method of disinfecting or sanitizing a car is by using foggers. The foggers produce tiny droplets of disinfectant reaching beyond what the eyes can see. Some of the most effective disinfectant used in homes, hospitals and even in cars contain Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride. It’s an an active ingredient that has been proven as a broad spectrum disinfectant.

It is wise to ensure that your vehicle is sanitized for those essential trips to the shops during a lock down.We are currently offering car interior sanitization for only R400 and we will come to your home. Book your car sanitization today for peace of mind.

Together we can beat this pandemic! Let’s keep hygienic! Contact us or click here to book you vehicle sanitization with Master Mechanics that Care!

 

10 Things To Check Before Your Festive Season Road Trip

10 Things To Check Before Your Festive Season Road Trip

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Welcome to Michanic’s CAR CARE SAFETY series! We are all planning our holiday road trip. So, we are sharing 10 quick DIY checks to help keep you and your family safe while on the road this festive season.

First lets pop the hood to make sure that everything engine related checks out:

1. Check Fluid Levels

This is a concern as most motorists don’t check these as often as should be done. You’ll need to check your water, oil and coolant levels. Last but not least, check the brake fluid.

Should your fluid levels be low, check for any leaks? Replenish to ensure that your car is safe to drive.

It’s also advisable to check for any leaks from various components and hoses underneath your car. If you see any oil, coolant spots or shiny texture liquids on the ground, have one of our mechanics come to you to do a diagnostic test and attend.

2. Check Belts and Hoses

You don’t want to get stuck from broken or damaged hoses, as this can cause engine overheating, loss of power steering and loss of electrical charging. This could lead to hours, even days out of your trip expensive repairs that would ruin your holiday!

Road trips may take you through unfamiliar regions of the country, with different weather and night driving conditions. So next to check are:

3. Internal and External mirrors

We all know how hectic the traffic gets during this time to year. So you must be able to clearly see your surroundings! Make sure that your rear-view mirror, external mirrors and blind-spot mirrors are positioned correctly for the driver and are not obstructed.

4. Check Lights

Check that all your lights are working correctly! This is a simple but very important test!

Headlights (including bright beam bulbs); Fog lights; Indicators and Brake lights.

5. Wiper Inspection

When using your wipers in misty or rainy conditions, they should not leave streaks on your windshield that will impair your vision of the road. Use a windscreen washer and check if your wipers are functioning properly.

If not, replace it before setting off on your trip! Click here to check out our DIY article on how to change your Windscreen Blades! (insert hyperlink)

6. Steering

Do this check while driving. Steering feeling wobbly or has vibrations? This could be a number of things, from worn tyres or brake, tyre alignment being out, worn brakes or issues in the steering rack.

You can get this checked by one of our trusted mechanics before you set off.

7. Wheel Check

Your tyres are extremely important as this is what connects the rest of the car to the road. So to ensure safe driving, your tyres need to:

  • Be inflated to the right pressure (specific to your vehicle, tyre size and weight of the car after being loaded)
  • Do NOT over inflate or under inflate to avoid side and edge wear
  • Tyre Thread depth – check that it is a minimum of 5mm thick

NB: Make sure you have a spare wheel! Don’t forget to check the condition of it and make sure it’s inflated to correct pressure.

8. Battery Inspection

Make sure your battery connectors are tightly fastened. Also, check that the battery voltage is still at an optimal level.

Should you see any warning signs such as dimming of lights while idling or clicking when starting ignition, it may be time to get the battery changed.

9. Brakes

To check brake pad wear without removing the tire, look at your brake pads through the spaces between the wheel’s spokes.

The outside pad will be pressed against a metal disc. Make sure you have at least 50 mm left of the pad.

If you see less than 50 mm of the pad, you should have your brake pads inspected or replaced.

For further insight, click here to read our article on how to identify some signs to look for to know when to replace brake pads.

10. You!

As the driver, you are carrying precious cargo! So be responsible for the safe handling of the vehicle!

  • Get enough rest and Take breaks every 2 hrs.
  • Don’t drink or text and drive!
  • Don’t speed!

We hope this series helps keep you safe on the roads this holiday season! If you need assistance, or would like peace of mind for your upcoming road trip just click here for our special on Safety Inspection (*valid until 31st December 2019) and one of our trusted mechanics will come to you.

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 quote for your next service.

Is my Fan Belt the problem? Symptoms of Bad or Failing Fan Belt

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As part of our CAR CARE SAFETY series, we will be sharing some quick Information and DIY articles to help you get on the road quickly and keep you and your family safe while you are on holiday!

You are driving along and suddenly you hear a squealing noise from the from of the vehicle! Or the power steering and AC stops working or the engine overheats! What could it be??

All the above issues could be a result of fan belt failure. The fan belt can also be referred to as a serpentine belt, drive belt or v-belt.

It is critical to engine operating as it provides power to the drive accessories, such as the alternator, power steering, cooling system water pump and air conditioning.

The fan belt should be replaced every 80 000 km (or as specified in your Owners Manual). Should you hear or see any of the issues below, its advisable to immediately stop your car for your safety and not damage your engine any further.

  • It is a good idea to visually inspect your fan belt from time to time, to check for physical damage such as cracks and wear from heat and friction it’s subjected to on a daily basis. Check for cracks, chunks missing, abrasions, rib separation, uneven rib wear, and damaged ribs.
  • Oil on the belt will also lead to cracking and wear of the belt. If you notice any of these, it is time to  get a  replace qualified mechanic to replace the belt.
  • If you hear squealing noise from the front of the vehicle, it could be due to slippage or misalignment of the fan belt. To alleviate this issues a qualified mechanic will need to diagnose and replace the belt.
  •  The belt tensioner keeps the proper spinning of the belts’ in the car’s engine.  If you notice rust forming or bleeding between the belt tensioner are and base, it is a sign that the tensioner needs to be immediately replaced. This often arises from the excess wear in the internal components of the tensioner, which will affect the performance of the drive accessories!
  • Since the fan belt provides power to the drive accessories, its failure can cause, most critically, the alternator and power steering to stop functioning. This is dangerous as the car will loose electrical power and correct steering control. Find safe place to stop the car as soon as possible. The air conditioning and water pump can also fail, which will result in the engine not being cooled correctly.

We hope this series keeps you safe this holiday season! If you need assistance just click here and a mechanic will come to you.

Mazda Issues Recall For Defective Airbags

Mazda Issues Recall For Defective Airbags

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There are an estimated 28 000 Mazda’s with potentially defective airbags. Mazda South Africa has sent out a press release and print advertisements in regional and national newspapers for a recall. The recall relates to the Mazda2, Mazda6 and RX-8 models produced between 2002 and 2014.

Is my Mazda affected?

  • Visit the Mazda website and enter the unique VIN number
  • Contact the Mazda SA Customer Care Centre – 0860 983 000 / [email protected]
  • Or simply visit the nearest Mazda dealership.

The extent of the recall

The Takata airbag recall is a huge recall that affects a number of manufacturers and millions of vehicles globally. And the South African recall is due to poor production conditions and storage of the propellant in the inflator. Thus causing the propellant to ignite abnormally at the time of airbag deployment.  Potentially resulting in very high inner pressure causing a rupture of the inflator case. In a case of a rupture, the airbag might not deploy as designed and may lead to injury.

Thus far Mazda have not had an incident in South Africa and the recall is a precautionary measure. Only about 9% of Mazda drivers have responded so far. Mazda is concerned that the majority of customers haven’t come in for replacement fittings, therefore leaving many cars on the road with potentially defective airbags.

For this reason, Mazda has embarked on a recall awareness campaign. Mazda is reaching out to drivers via radio and digital platforms, and encouraging drivers to check if their vehicle is affected. Customers can visit their nearest dealership to have their vehicle airbag inflators replaced.

 

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 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.

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