noise

My car makes a funny noise, what could it be?

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We have prepared some pointers for you as to the different noises that could be coming from your car, and what they could mean. 

 

Squeaking noise while braking

This is usually the first sign of worn brake pads. Left alone for a long time, the noise will sound like grinding metal, in that case, you’re seriously damaging your brakes. You may need to also change or skim your brake disks as well and this can be costly.

Rattling noise from the engine

There are a lot of moving parts in the engine and therefore this noise can be very confusing as it could be a number of different problems – including issues with the oil not circulating, a faulty aircon compressor or stretched or loose timing chain. When you hear any rattles in your engine, get it inspected as soon as possible.

Hissing and boiling sound from the engine

This is a signal that the engine is be overheating and can cause serious problems further down the line. When you hear that sound, stop immediately. This happens when there is perhaps a fluid leak under the bonnet, radiator leak, a leaking turbocharger pipe or a damaged intercooler.

Squeaking from the engine while driving

High pitched squeaky noise usually point to an issue with the fan belt and/or pulley. In most instances, both the belt and the pulley/tensioner will need to be replaced.

Clunking while turning

In 90% of the cases when this happens, it is because of the CV joints. These should be checked as soon as possible to avoid further damages.

Constant clicking sound from the engine while idling

This is usually, a sign that your engine is running low on oil or running on an incorrect grade of engine oil. If the noise persists after an oil top-up, have your engine checked thoroughly by a mechanic.

A loud knocking sound from the engine

This could be caused by lack of lubrication, or something has broken or lose or about to break inside the engine. The engine will need to be opened to check what could be the issue be.

Humming or growling noise from your tyres

The first thing to do when you hear a noise from your tyres is to check the pressure. If the pressure is correct, have your wheel alignment and balance checked and possibly adjusted.

Grinding noise from your gearbox

This noise is indicative of a potential problem with the clutch or transmission.

If any of these noises are coming from your car, the next mechanic is only a click away, here.

Covid-19 Stay Safe

 

Yours in Car Care!

Uber and Bolt Maintenenace

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 these 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.

We hope this information keep you on the road so that you can make maximum cash. If you need assistance just click here and a mechanic will come to you.

Don’t Be Overcharged for Car Repairs

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Why Repair Costs Are So High

The labor rate in most dealerships and repair shops today ranges from R 700 to over R 1000 per hour. Why so high? Because it’s expensive to run an auto repair business and because Car Care Click mechanics are mobile, we are able to reduce the prices significantly. In addition to the normal overhead such as the cost of the building and property, taxes, utilities, insurance, employee benefits, and so on, repair facilities have to spend thousands of rands every year on equipment, scan tool updates, information access and other costs that are necessary to repair today’s cars.

Consequently, when a shop quotes what seems like a very high price to change a relatively simple part, it may seem like they are attempting to take advantage of the situation and are overcharging for the repair. Maybe they are tying to rip you off, or maybe they are not. We can’t say because every situation is different.

When and how often should your brakes be replaced

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Your brake pads and rotors wear out over time. And the lifespan of your brakes depends completely on the quality of your brake material, as well as your driving patterns.

Just as your petrol mileage will vary depending on how far you drive and how efficiently you drive, so will the life of your brake pads (or linings). For further info, the brake pad is the material that gets pressed against a metal disc or drum (i.e. brake rotor) to stop your vehicle.

Brake pads generally need to be replaced after every 75,000 kilometres driven, on average. However, some brake pads need to be replaced after 25,000 kilometres, while others can last for 40,000 kilometres. To get a more accurate number for your car’s specific needs, consult your car’s manual. However, there are other indicators that can also tell you that your brake pads are on their last leg:

  • Clicking, grinding, squeaking, or screeching noise when you apply the brakes.
  • Vibration in the steering wheel.
  • 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:

  • Whenever the tires are getting rotated or the oil is getting changed, have the mechanic take a look at the brake pads to see the level of thickness. It’s very simple for them.
  • Brake pads have small metal hairs at the very bottom to let the driver know when they are about to run out of grippy material. Replace any brake pad making a metallic scraping noise immediately.
  • If braking becomes jittery, then the rotors may be 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 can have them inspected by a Car Care Mechanic right away.

How Long Do Brake Pads Last?

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Your brakes are the most important safety feature on your car, for that reason it’s vital to know how long brake pads last. Often brake pads can last for more than 80,000km, but in other cases brake pads will only last around 32,000km’s. When you need to replace your brake pads will normally depend 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 probably the parts on your car that wear the most due to the massive pressure they’re under when you stop your car. That’s why the way you brake and the kind of braking you do are the biggest factors that determine how long your brake pads will last. Stop-and-go traffic in the city will have a different effect on the brake pads than braking when you go downhill. The latter amplifying the strain on the brake pads as they try carry out the already tough task of reducing the speed at which your car travels.

Apart from that, the quality of the brake pads used can also have a real impact on how long the brake pads on your car 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 of OEM quality or equivalent.

Why Front Brake Pads Will Usually Last Longer Than Rear Pads

If you have owned a car for a while and have had several brakes replacements you will probably have found that the replacement of the front brakes is a far more regular affair than the rear ones. This is because front brake pads are subjected to a lot more stress as they are tasked with the majority of the burden to stop your car.

Manufacturers specifically engineer braking systems so that most of the braking is done by the front brakes for this simple reason that it will ensure your car remains stable when braking. That is why the front brake discs usually have a larger diameter than the ones at the rear, all to increase that stopping power at the front. With that the front brake pads are also subjected to a lot more stress, and therefore will wear down quicker than the rear ones.

Other Factors That Will Reduce How Long Your Brake Pads Will Last

Apart from those factors listed that will cause the brake pads to wear, it is important to keep in mind that what might seem like minor brake wear now may develop in major brake wear rapidly. If your pads are worn a lot, they may even damage your discs. If that is the case, then it is advisable to replace the brake discs and the pads at the same time. Not replacing your brake discs but only your pads in such a scenario will guarantee that those brand-new brake pads will wear down much quicker.

The best tip we can give you to ensure your brake pads will last longer is to keep on top of any brake issues and use your brakes intelligently, it may save you money on brake pad repairs in the long run.

 

4 Signs Your Car’s Brakes Need Replacing

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Maintaining your brakes is essential for safety, you never know when you might need to stop in an emergency. In order to save time and money, it’s important to know the signs that your car needs new brake pads, shoes, drums or calipers. Here’s the most common ones, and how quickly you should get them fixed by a qualified mechanic.

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. If you hear squeaking when stopping, but the performance is unaffected, your brakes may just need cleaning. However, if you hear a loud squeak 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.

The Pedal Feel 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.

The Steering Wheel Shakes 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.

The Car Pulls To One Side

This could happen 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.