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.