POLOKWANE – Before embarking on your journey this Easter weekend, it is important to make sure your car is in good working condition and that all the parts of the vehicle are functioning as they should.
Review spoke to Krynauw Otto from KAA Mechanical Field Services to find out more about car safety and what to look out for.
“Make sure the oil and water are filled to the marker as the water in your car circulates around the engine, keeping it cool. If there is not enough water, the car will overheat.”
Otto said making sure your oil-light does not turn on is important because when it does, it means the oil levels are dangerously low and your engine will not have lubrication.
Something else that needs special attention before hitting the road is your car’s tyres. Under South African law, the thread on a tyre must be at least 1.6mm deep. The tread patterns of a tire are designed specifically so that, when driving in water, the tyre can displace the water so that the tyre and the road maintain contact.
“Before you drive off, make sure your wheels are pumped to accommodate the weight your car will carry. When your car is overloaded, you exceed the total load of capacity of all your tyres at maximum inflated pressure. If you overload the car, the tyre will have excess pressure which may result in a tyre burst, especially if it is an old tyre. Overloading also shortens the life span of the tyre,” he said.
With fuel prices reaching a new high, Otto suggests keeping the revolution below 2 500Rpm to get the best fuel consumption.
“Rpm measures the number of engine cycles and indicates if the transmission gearbox and engine work efficiently. The lower the Rpm, the less fuel consumption.”
Remember the rules of the road apply even if you are on holiday. Be courteous and patient with everyone that you share the road with.
