Howick Spares World Autobarn

04/04/2021

13/10/2020

CV joints transfer the engine power to the wheels. If these fail, your car will have no drive.

Wear is normally apparent when you turn sharply and there is a knocking sound under acceleration at slow speeds. Check for grease deposits around the car's wheels, this could indicate that the CV boots are broken and the grease that keeps them lubricated has escaped, causing higher wear levels.

Make sure that you have your CV joints inspected if you see or hear any symptoms and replace them as necessary.

07/10/2020

Shock absorbers are a very important part of your car's ability to hold to the road, stability of the vehicle, and the general comfort of the ride. Shock absorbers normally last between 70000-100000km in general.

Knocking sounds, excessive tyre wear, car leaning a lot in corners, or under braking are all signs of faulty or worn-out shock absorbers. Also, check on the shafts for oily deposits, this may require the car to be jacked up.

Shock absorbers form an integral part of your car's safety. They ensure that the small contact patch of the tyres is maintained at all times, thus contributing to the safety of you and your passengers during an emergency such as avoiding obstacles and emergency braking maneuvers.

Make sure that you get your shock absorbers checked regularly and replace them as required.

29/09/2020

When an alternator fails or the belt that keeps it running fails, your battery will not be charging. This is normally indicated by the battery light coming on your dashboard whilst driving.

If your alternator belt is not fitted tightly enough it will cause a screeching sound, this too can cause unnecessary wear on the belt and the battery could be undercharging due to the belt slipping.

If your battery is not charging properly your car will eventually stop, leaving you stranded on the roadside.

Alternators wear out over time. But placing them in the same category as tires, belts and hoses is a mistake.

Preventative maintenance can extend the functional lifespan of an alternator by years, even in cases of heavy use.
Heat, vibration and contamination from outside sources cause the most damage to alternators, but this damage only reduces the lifespan of an alternator when left unchecked for a long time.

15/09/2020

The cooling system of your car is an integral part of the longevity and lifespan of your engine.

Using the correct anti-freeze to keep your cooling system efficient, making sure there are no leaks and old brittle pipes is very important in ensuring your engine is kept within safe operating temperatures.

Any signs of steam, continually topping up of water, puddles under the car all could be signs that you have a compromised cooling system.

10/09/2020

Worn brake pads and shoes can cause damage to the discs and drums respectively, having them properly checked and replaced before damage is caused will save you a lot of money. Worn brakes can cause complete loss of stopping ability which can be life-threatening for you and fellow road users. If your brake fluid is low, have your brake pads inspected - it can be an indication of worn brakes. Dirty and old fluid also needs to be replaced, all brake pipes and hoses need to be thoroughly inspected on a regular basis. There is no set time to change the brake fluid in your vehicle. The timing varies by type of car, the driving conditions you typically encounter, and the manufacturer's recommendations. But a good rule of thumb is to check it during regular oil changes and expect to change it every four to five years.

07/09/2020

All vehicles have timing belts, chains and fan belts that are constantly in use when your vehicle is running. They all tend to wear, stretch and get brittle over time. If these fail it can cause serious engine damage, replace these as per manufacturer's recommendation, before they break, to avoid engine damage.
As a precaution, older cars should have the timing belt checked at each service interval.

10/07/2020

Visit us for great deals on service kits.
Many great brands available.

Look after your car, and it will look after you!

01/04/2020

Just because the country is in lockdown, it doesn't mean you should forget about taking care of your vehicle during this time. Here's what you should know.