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Between work, family events, and the dozens of other obligations people have, basic car maintenance can fall by the wayside. However, performing regular maintenance on your vehicle matters more than you think.

Following basic car maintenance tips may help keep your car running. But that’s not all. There are many rewarding advantages to proper car maintenance that don’t have to do with getting from point A to point B. Keeping your car maintained will help your vehicle last longer. It can even help you get a higher resale price if you decide to sell.

Something as simple as checking tyre pressure or washing your car can add value to your vehicle. Yes, it’s that easy! From better fuel efficiency to retaining resale value, these simple car maintenance tips can help improve your vehicle-owning experience.

1. Don’t Skip Scheduled Car Maintenance Services

Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual and find out when your recommended car maintenance services should be scheduled. Usually, basic car maintenance involves checking or replacing parts like spark plugs, wires, fluids, and serpentine belts. Scheduling maintenance services through your dealer may be wise.

2. Read Your Owner’s Manual

Your owner’s manual will tell you when your recommended maintenance should happen. It contains a great deal of other helpful information, as well.

3. The Importance of Oil Changes

If your car uses conventional motor oil, it needs to be changed every 3,000 km or 3 months.

If your car has synthetic oil, it needs to be changed every 5,000-10,000 km or 6-12 months.

As we move further away from the days of conventional motor oils, most newer vehicles no longer must have an oil and filter change every 3,000 km. High-efficiency engines and high-quality oil have changed the way we approach this service. Some vehicles don’t have to get an oil change more than once every 7,000 – 10,000 km. Due to how efficient engines and motor oils have become, commonly held advice may not be correct anymore.

4. Use the Correct Octane Rating

Higher is not always better when it comes to petrol. You might be tempted to use a higher-octane fuel to get more power. If sports cars perform better with higher octane fuel, what about your car?

5. Check your tyre pressure.

Checking your tyre pressure is critical for your safety as well as overall maintenance. If your car doesn’t have a tyre pressure sensor or TPMS, invest a few Rands in a tyre gauge and check your tyre pressure regularly. Having the right tyre pressure helps to improve fuel efficiency and reduce tire wear. Maintaining proper tyre pressure will also help you know if your vehicle is correctly aligned. Don’t forget to check the spare tyre!

6. Get Your Tyres Rotated

As much as we want them to, tyres don’t wear evenly on their own. The front tyres and the back tyres carry different loads on different vehicles. The most effective way to ensure more even wear and tear is to rotate your tyres regularly. It can also help the car drive better.

7. Check Out Your Car

Take a few moments to look at your car each day. There are a few reasons for this, but the main reason has to do with vehicle health. Regularly reviewing your car clues, you into things on the exterior that needs tending to such as tyre pressure, cracks in the windshield, and chipped paint.

8. Learn Your Vehicle’s Warning Lights

No one likes seeing a warning light turn on. It could turn a simple trip around town into a stressful drive home. That’s why you should learn what each warning light means and what to do when one is on.

9. Get Your Car’s Fluids Checked

Like tyres and lights, it’s a good idea to check your vehicle’s fluid levels. Even if you leave changing them up to the pros, you should still know how to check them.

10. Ask About Serpentine and Timing Belts

The serpentine belt is one of the most critical parts of your car and one that flies under the radar. Usually made of rubber, these belts are used to drive and assist the timing of many important car parts, like the AC condenser, water pump, power steering, and alternator. If damaged, the engine could overheat and stop. The serpentine belt is vital to your vehicle’s performance and needs care.

11. Check Your Car Battery

While most modern batteries don’t need much attention, it’s good to know how to check them and where they are. This is especially true if you suspect there’s an issue with your battery.

12. Don’t Wait to Replace Wipers

Old and worn-out windshield wipers won’t work very well, or at all, which means you won’t be able to see if you are driving in inclement weather. Don’t wait for a larger repair job to replace your wipers.

13. Replace the Engine Air Filter

Think of the engine air filter as your car’s lungs. Your car “breathes” better with clean filters. The technicians at CMH Mahindra Pinetown claim that replacing filters can improve acceleration and fuel economy.

14. Check spark plugs and brake pads.

Clean and working spark plugs are essential to a smooth-running engine. However, as with the battery, your spark plugs can get covered in the buildup. Dirtier spark plugs mean the engine must work harder to get a spark. You may have to clean or replace the spark plugs throughout the life of your car. Luckily, spark plugs are one of the easiest and cheapest engine parts to replace. Check your owner’s manual for when it’s appropriate to replace them. In general, you should check about once every year. For assistance with this task, you can ask CMH Mahindra’s workshop to examine them for you.

15. Be nice to your car.

A clean car not only makes for a happy driver but also helps the car run better, too. This is probably the simplest car maintenance advice, but it’s easily overlooked. With how busy life gets, car owners often don’t make time to clean out and wash a car. Here’s why you should be nice to your car.

16. Keep Automotive Tools Handy

One of the most effective ways to keep your vehicle running smoothly is to take care of a problem as soon as it arises. You can do this if you have the right tools. Always carry the basic automotive tools with you.

17. Consider Covering Your Car

Depending on where you live, you can help your car last longer by covering it up. Maintaining your car away from sunlight and other outdoor elements can add years to the life of the paint job. You can customize your car covers according to your brand and style. Keeping it in the garage or under a carport is also a useful option. Keeping paint fresh and intact helps keep your car from rusting and breaking down.

Start your Christmas in July journey with Mahindra

Visit us at 📌167 Josiah Gumede Road, Pinetown

Or call us on ☎ 031 001 2270

Or visit our website on 🌐www.mahindrapinetown.co.za for amazing deals.

Checking your vehicle’s engine oil is a quick and easy maintenance task that almost anyone can do. If you don’t feel up to changing your own engine oil, you can come to CMH Mahindra Pinetown, where our team will be happy to help. Oil should be changed about every three months or three thousand kilometers on most models. You can check your engine oil levels between your regular oil changes to ensure that they have not become too low or dirty.

Follow these simple steps from CMH Mahindra Pinetown to check your vehicle’s engine oil:

#Find a Lint-Free Rag:

Locate a lint-free rag or a scrap of old fabric to use when checking your oil. An old t-shirt usually works great.

#Read Your Owner’s Manual

If you are extremely unfamiliar with what is under the hood of your vehicle, you will find a detailed description of where your dipstick is located in your owner’s manual.

#Warm Up Your Car

It is best to check your oil while it is warm. A great time to check your oil is after a quick trip to a local market or around your neighbourhood.

#Turn Your Car Off

Make sure that you turn your vehicle off before you begin the process of checking its oil.

#Pop the Hood

Pull the handle located on the inside of your vehicle, usually on the side of the driver side door, and press the lever located underneath the centre of the hood. Make sure that the hood of your car is securely propped. There’s no point in feeling embarrassed if you do not know how to open your hood.

#Locate the Dipstick

In most models, the dipstick is located on the left side of the engine. The dipstick usually has a yellow or orange circular handle that is clearly visible. When you pull this handle, a long piece of metal will slide out of the engine.

#Clean the Dipstick and Reinsert

Once you locate and remove the dipstick, clean it with your rag and slide it back in. Make sure that the dipstick is inserted all the way back in.

#Remove the Dipstick and Inspect

Next, remove the dipstick once more. Look at the end of the dipstick. Some models will have a line marked “full” while others will have a textured area that represents the capacity of the oil pan. The oil will appear amber in colour. It should be easy to discern the oil level by looking at the dipstick.

Normal Oil

Level If the dipstick indicates that the oil level is normal, reinsert it.

Low oil level or Dirty Oil

If the dipstick indicates that the oil level is low, touch the end of the dipstick with two fingers and feel the texture of the oil. If the oil is clean, you can add new oil using a funnel. If the oil is gritty, it is necessary to have your oil changed as soon as possible.

Checking your vehicle’s oil level is a simple task that takes only a few minutes to perform. If you have any doubts, feel free to visit CMH Mahindra and we will be here to assist you. Knowing how to check your oil will enable you to ensure that your engine is properly lubricated.

Start your June madness journey with Mahindra

Visit us at 📌167 Josiah Gumede Road, Pinetown

Or call us on ☎ 031 001 2270

Or visit our website at 🌐www.mahindrapinetown.co.za for amazing deals.

The Mahindra XUV300 remains unclassed for its top features and safety.

Tested by the GNCAP in India and Africa, this is a record for the safety this vehicle possesses.

The XUV300 earns a score of 16.42 out of 17 for adult protection. This is five out of five stars and four out of five stars for child safety. This vehicle has made headlines on many car sites.

Like all Mahindra SUVs, the relaunched XUV300 has components of Mahindra’s signature design language that includes full volumes, carved sections, and powerful surfaces. It also has an exquisite Mahindra bold grille with chrome highlights on the highest specification level which includes the multi-spoke, diamond-cut 16’ alloy wheels. With the vehicle being South Africa’s safest vehicle, it comes with more added features and is at the top of the market. Do you need a vehicle that has all-in-one features? Drop down to CMH Mahindra Pinetown and we will be more than happy to assist you with our friendly staff.

The Mahindra XUV300 has numerous safety features, including ISOFIX child anchors. It defines standard attachment points that are manufactured, enabling compliant child safety seats to be quickly and safely secured. This ensures that your child’s safety is not at risk. There are seven airbags that are built into the front, side, and curtain airbags, together with a driver’s knee airbag. This provides protection from all directions in the vehicle. The vehicle has hill hold assist technology that prevents rolling back on an incline. This is very helpful especially if a vehicle is behind. There are disk brakes on each wheel of the vehicle, which is uncommon. One of the few vehicles in this class to offer full brakes as standard on all variants. The electronic stability programme ensures that the vehicle’s stability is not compromised in difficult situations/terrain-lock braking systems. The electronic brakeforce distribution is standard on all variants of the XUV300. This is a very handy feature compared to most other models in the Mahindra range does not have this feature. When you visit our CMH Mahindra Pinetown branch, you will be overjoyed by your experience when test driving this vehicle. Your experience will not make your journey stop.

The XUV300 has the latest technology, including a first-in-class front parking sensor. A useful tool for parking or moving through small spaces. This is a helpful guide as well. It also has the best tyre position in its class to help the driver when starting out. The class-leading auto-dimming rear-view mirror automatically adjusts the amount of light reflected at night. The class-leading electronic sunroof with anti-pinch provides an unhindered view of the sky. This is only featured in the W8. It has different colour instrument lighting tailored with a choice of five different colours to suit your mood. It also has a class smart steering system. You can select between three different modes, comfort, normal and sport to suit your conditions and enhance your experience.

The XUV 300 is ready to take on your journey and reach for the stars.

Start blooming your journey with Mahindra

Visit us at 📌167 Josiah Gumede Road, Pinetown

Or call us on ☎ 0877277018

Or visit our website at 🌐www.mahindrapinetown.co.za for amazing deals.

Here are 10 tips to consider when purchasing a vehicle:

1. Do your research. This holds true for both affordability and vehicle options. The Finance Calculator found online will give you an idea of how much you will be able to afford. The News and Reviews section will give you some critical information regarding the latest cars on the market and will assist with your decision-making process.

2. Use the internet. You should be aware and safe when you know how to get online. The internet is a helpful tool for finding information, reviews, and user experiences regarding the car you wish to buy. It can put you in contact with a dealer and in some cases, start the process of selecting your car. Some dealerships will bring a car to you to test drive if you enquire online. Some will offer configurators that will allow you to make sense of all the options.

3. Shop around. Don’t buy the first car you come across. Shop around for a better deal and see what is on offer at other dealerships. When buying used, comparing two vehicles of the same type and spec level will often show you what sort of wear and tear is acceptable. Don’t be in a rush to buy, patience is the key here and some great deals can be found if you’re just willing to let them pop up first.

4. Consider used. While a new car can be the ultimate luxury experience, fantastic deals can be hard if you opt for a used vehicle instead. Low mileage or demo models will often come in a lot cheaper than their brand-new counterparts and still be in amazing condition. New cars depreciate quite quickly, and you can possibly get a better spec model by opting for a pre-owned model.

5. Know your limitations. This applies to affordability. Don’t over-extend yourself and spend every available cent on a new car. While the general rule of thumb is not to exceed 30% of your monthly income on a car repayment, it’s always safer to go on the lower side of the spectrum to allow for unforeseen running costs. It may seem affordable now, but you don’t want to be in trouble in 6 months’ time when the petrol price increases.

6. Negotiate. Most of the time, a deal is negotiable. Don’t be scared to ask for a discount or a better price. Some dealers may sweeten the deal by throwing in a few additional extras like window tinting or a bin liner to help make the sale. If these are on the house, you may consider them. They will, however, not add any resale value to your vehicle when it comes time to sell. Instead, try negotiating the price.

7. Don’t mention your trade-in. There is no need to mention your trade-in early in the discussion. Alerting the dealer to this early on may work against you as they restructure a deal to work in their favour. Keep this information as late as possible. It will also help to know what your current car is worth on trade-in so that you don’t get short-changed.

8. Don’t forget about insurance. Not all insurances are the same and the insurance costs will vary depending on your profile, the type of car you choose, and the standard equipment level. It’s always wise to get a quote on the insurance before you buy the car so that you can factor this into the monthly repayments.

9. Always test drive the car. This is most pertinent in a used car purchase, but the same thing holds true for a new car purchase. Spend time getting the seating position right and setting the car up the way you would like. You will regret it if you don’t and only discover that the driving position is uncomfortable, or visibility is poor after you buy it.

10. Insist on the inspection report.

When buying a used vehicle, always insist on some form of inspection report from an accredited inspection centre. An approved Dekra Certificate is a reliable way to ensure that the car that you want to buy has no hidden issues. This may plague you at a later stage.

Start blooming your journey with Mahindra Visit us at 📌167 Josiah Gumede Road, Pinetown Or call us on ☎ 0877277018 Or visit our website on 🌐www.mahindrapinetown.co.za for amazing deals.

Mahindra has just launched the most affordable Automatic Double Cab bakkie in South Africa, the Mahindra Double Cab S6. The Pik Up Double Cab S6 & S10 variants are both proudly assembled alongside the single cab range at Mahindra South Africa’s assembly facility in Durban. Customers have the choice of the reliable, capable yet affordable Mahindra Double Cab S6, S10, and S11. All trim levels are also offered in the Karoo version which includes a myriad of extras. The flagship in the Mahindra Pik Up range is the S11 automatic.

This has seen fantastic reviews and is perfectly placed for the family looking for a lifestyle vehicle with all the luxuries you would require. Whether you are camping, cycling, shopping or taking the kids to school, the Mahindra S11 has been designed without compromise. With its more affordable price, the S6 automatic stands out from the competition and is made for adventure.

Targeted or suitable for: In addition to being ideal for an active family, the S11, S10 & S6 variants are also expertly designed to take on any adventure. Whether it’s on a camping trip, off to meet with family or friends around the braai, heading to the bush or taking the road less travelled, the Pik Up Double Cab is a trustworthy companion.

Key USPs and accolades: Inside the excellent value for money Pik Up Double Cab S6 the driver and passengers will find a long list of luxury features. The specifications include electric windows, power steering, air conditioning, central locking & an integrated audio system with USB & auxiliary input. Now also available in automatic transmission.

In addition to the S6 features, the S10 trim level offers a touch screen infotainment system with Bluetooth, a navigation system, cruise control & steering mounted audio controls. Apart from the smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission on the S11, it also comes with a 7-inch touch screen infotainment system & a reverse camera. The S6 now also has cruise control as a standard feature.

All the variants are now standard with the recently refreshed aggressive grille and bumper, to increase the aggressive stance of the vehicles. In addition to the already long list of specifications on the standard variants, the Karoo range offers even more luxuries. The S6 & S10 Karoo editions have black alloy wheels, a tonneau cover, roll bar, rain deflectors, front nudge bar and rear wheel arches. The range-topping S11 Karoo Automatic offers a rubberised load bin, Karoo branded roll bar and nudge bar, refreshed alloy wheels, colour-coded wheel arches and a roller shutter for the load bin.

Experiencing a tyre blowout can be frightening – make sure you are in a safe place and a calm state before following our advice on how to change a tyre. What equipment do you need? Apart from the spare wheel, you will need the following: *Wheel Spanner – for removing the wheel nuts *Jack – for lifting the car off the ground *Wheel chock – to stop the car from rolling when jacked up (bricks can be used instead) *Wheel nut key – if locking nuts are fitted *Car handbook – for reference (e.g., on jacking points) It may also be useful to carry: *Torch – for working at night (check batteries regularly) *Gloves – wheels will be dirty *Reflective jacket – to make you visible *Warning triangle – to alert other drivers to a hazard/obstruction *Short plank of wood – as a flat surface to steady the jack *Tyre pressure gauge – for checking the new tyre is fully inflated 1. Prepare the car Apply the handbrake and remove all passengers from the car. Take the spare wheel and necessary tools out of the boot. 2. Position the wheel chocks Chocks prevent the car from rolling while jacked up. Position a chock on the opposite wheel to the one with a puncture. For example, if your left-front tyre has a puncture, put a chock behind the right-rear wheel. If your left-rear tyre is flat, you need a chock in front of the right-front. Use chocks for both front/rear wheels (as appropriate) if you have them. Bricks or large rocks can do the same job if you do not have a dedicated chock. 3. Loosen the wheel nuts It’s easier – and safer – to do this while the car is on the ground. You may need to lever off a plastic wheel trim first. Turn the wheel wrench anti-clockwise and loosen the nuts to the point where they can be turned by hand (be warned – they may be tough to loosen). However, do not remove them completely yet. 4. Jack the car up All cars have dedicated jacking points – consult your handbook to see where these are. Aim to position the jack at the side of the car, close to the punctured wheel. Placing a small plank of wood under the jack will help keep it stable. Raise the car slowly until the flat tyre is 10-15cm off the ground. 5. Remove the flat tyre Fully loosen and remove the wheel nuts, then gently pull the tyre towards you until it comes free. Place it flat on the ground. 6. Mount the spare wheel Slide the spare wheel onto the protruding hub bolts, or in line with the wheel nut slots (warning: it’s heavy to lift it off the ground to do this). Replace the wheel nuts and tighten them by hand. 7. Lower the car and tighten the bolts Use the jack to drop the car down slightly, so that the spare tyre is in contact with the ground. Now use the wrench to fully tighten the wheel nuts. 8. Fully lower the car Bring the car fully down to earth and remove the jack. Consider giving the wheel nuts a final check for tightness. Stow the jack and the other tyre in the boot, along with the rest of your equipment. Note: if your car has a space saver, the old wheel will take up more space in the boot. 9. Check the spare tyre pressure If you have one, use a tyre pressure gauge to check the spare wheel is fully inflated. Alternatively, drive carefully to a petrol station and use the gauge there. Pump up the tyre to the recommended pressure – as detailed in the handbook – if necessary. 10. Take your punctured tyre for repair Visit a garage or tyre fitters at the first opportunity and give them your punctured wheel. They will advise whether to repair or replace it. Do not drive on a space-saver spare wheel for longer than is strictly necessary – they are only intended for emergencies. Start blooming your journey with Mahindra … Visit us at 📌167 Josiah Gumede Road, Pinetown Or call us on ☎ 0877277018 Or visit our website on 🌐www.mahindrapinetown.co.za for amazing deals.