Key Takeaways:
- Summer heat increases strain on your car’s engine, battery, and cooling system, requiring preventative maintenance.
- Motor Warranties provide financial protection against unexpected mechanical and electrical breakdowns.
- Tyre and Rim Insurance covers damage from potholes and road hazards, with up to R4,000 cover per tyre available.
Summer in South Africa means sunshine, holidays, and road trips. Before you hit the road, ensure your car is ready. Scorching heat and long-distance driving strain your vehicle, making proper maintenance essential for safe travels. This checklist covers everything from fluid checks to protecting yourself against unexpected repair costs.
Check Your Fluids: Keeping Your Car Hydrated
Your car relies on several fluids to function properly. Summer heat accelerates evaporation and breakdown, making regular checks crucial.
Engine Oil
Check your engine oil monthly using the dipstick. Clean oil appears amber, while dark, dirty oil needs changing. Your coolant regulates engine temperature—ensure the reservoir sits between minimum and maximum markers. Never open the radiator cap when the engine is hot.
Brake Fluid
Brake fluid is your safety lifeline. Low levels indicate worn brake pads or leaks requiring immediate attention. Check the reservoir under your bonnet regularly.
Windscreen Fluid
Top up your windscreen washer fluid with a quality cleaning solution. Summer brings dust, insects, and pollen that quickly obscure your vision.
Give Your Tyres Some TLC
Your tyres are the only contact point between your car and the road. With many of South Africa’s roads in poor condition, your tyres face constant challenges.
Check Your Tyre Pressure
Check tyre pressure monthly using a reliable gauge, or visit your local petrol station. Under-inflated tyres increase fuel consumption, wear unevenly, and compromise handling. Find correct pressure specifications in your vehicle’s manual or driver’s door sticker.
Inspect Tread Depth
Inspect tread depth regularly. South African law requires minimum 1.6mm depth, but it is generally recommended to replace tyres at 3mm for optimal safety.
Get Your Wheel Alignment Checked
Have wheel alignment checked if you notice uneven tyre wear, steering pull, or vibrations.
Protect Your Wallet with Tyre and Rim Insurance
Road hazards are unavoidable on South African roads. Our Tyre and Rim Insurance provides financial protection when potholes, nails, and debris damage your tyres.
We cover repairs when tyres can be fixed, and replacement costs when damage is irreparable, including wheel balancing and alignment. If your rim is damaged, we contribute up to R750 towards repair or replacement. With cover options up to R4,000 per tyre and no excess, you’ll drive with confidence.
Power Up Your Battery
South Africa’s summer heat is tough on car batteries. High temperatures accelerate chemical reactions, causing faster deterioration and increasing failure risk.
Inspect battery terminals for white, ashy corrosion around the posts. Clean with a wire brush and baking soda solution. Check the battery case for cracks, bulges, or leaks, these indicate immediate replacement needs.
If your battery is over three years old, have it professionally tested. Many shops offer free testing. Don’t wait until you’re stranded with a dead battery.
Check Your Brakes: Safety First
Your braking system is your vehicle’s most critical safety feature. Summer holiday traffic requires reliable brakes to navigate safely.
Listen for unusual sounds when braking. Squeaking or grinding indicates worn brake pads needing replacement. Don’t ignore these sounds, severely worn brakes compromise safety and damage other components.
Notice how your brake pedal feels. A sinking, spongy pedal or one requiring excessive pressure needs professional inspection. These symptoms indicate air in brake lines, low fluid, or worn components.
Steering wheel vibrations or pulling to one side when braking indicate warped rotors or uneven pad wear requiring immediate attention.
Keep Your Engine Cool
Your cooling system works overtime during summer, preventing overheating when temperatures soar. A failing system can leave you stranded and cause expensive engine damage.
Inspect radiator hoses for cracks, bulges, or soft spots indicating deterioration. Replace questionable hoses before they fail. Check your radiator for debris like leaves and insects that block airflow, reducing cooling efficiency.
Examine drive belts for wear, cracks, or fraying. A snapped serpentine belt means a dead car and potential overheating damage.
Protect Yourself Against Unexpected Breakdowns
Even with meticulous maintenance, mechanical and electrical failures can occur without warning. Summer’s heat and extended driving increase breakdown risks and expensive repair bills.
A Motor Warranty from Bidvest Insurance protects you against unexpected mechanical and electrical breakdowns. When component failure occurs, we handle repair and labour costs. With 24-hour roadside and medical assistance included, you’re never alone when problems arise.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I Check My Car’s Fluids?
Check engine oil monthly and before long journeys. Inspect coolant, brake fluid, and windscreen washer fluid every few weeks.
How Do I Know if My Battery Needs Replacing?
Warning signs include slow engine cranking, dimming headlights, a swollen battery case, or age exceeding three years. If you experience any of these, take your car to your nearest battery testing centre.
What’s Covered Under Tyre and Rim Insurance?
Our Tyre and Rim Insurance covers damage from road hazards like potholes, nails, and debris. We pay for repairs or replacement costs when tyres are irreparable, including wheel balancing and alignment.
Stay Protected This Summer
Summer should be about enjoying time with family, not worrying about car troubles. By following this maintenance checklist and protecting yourself with the right coverage, you’ll drive with confidence.
Drive with confidence and enjoy every mile: we’ve got you covered! Click here to explore our Value-Added Insurance products for your car.
