Everything you need to know about your first car. Welcome to the wonderful world of wheels! We know that every single person dreams of owning a car. It’s understandable: a car epitomises independence. Success. Stature. Mobility. The freedom to go your own way. But we also know that the decision to purchase a car can be fraught with challenges. What car do you buy? What can you afford? What about the servicing requirements? What safety features should you look out for? What about safety out on the road? These and many other important questions plague your mind. First Gear aims to address all these topics and many other essential issues associated with car ownership. We have canvassed the opinions of the world’s leading authorities and this book aims to give you independent, authoritative and utterly essential advice. We want to take the mystery and malaise out of car ownership, and replace it with easy to follow advice and tips… so that your road to car ownership isn’t filled with potholes! We trust that it will provide you with a stress-free introduction to the world of wheels. Enjoy your first car; you’ve worked hard for it!

1. CHAPTER 10:
SOS
Much like having a best friend, owning a car is
a fun experience – generally speaking. Alas,
things can go wrong. You and your friend can
have an argument. With your car, things can Scenario number one: owner’s manual will stipulate
easily be as traumatic: you can break down The breakdown precisely how often your car needs
and end up stranded on the side of the road. We’ve all heard horror stories about to be serviced. Don’t ignore these
people breaking down and it always guidelines; cars are like relationships
You can have an accident. Or your car could be
happens in the dead of night on a – they need attention. You must
hijacked or get stolen. But follow our trusty quiet road. In reality, a breakdown adhere to those service intervals
survival guide and you stand a good chance of isn’t normally that traumatic; there anyway, because if you fail to do so,
avoiding those motoring nightmares. is often a knight in shining armour to your car’s warranty may not cover
lend a helping hand (or, failing that any subsequent repairs.
romantic prospect, an auto club). Secondly, get to know your car –
But it’s still a stressful affair – so and especially those pesky lights on
there are a couple of steps that you the dashboard. If they do light
can take to prevent this happening up, you need to know what they
in the first place. stand for. Once again, all this
The first is keeping your vehicle in information will be in your owner’s
tip-top running condition. Your manual. So read it!
78 First Gear First Gear 79

2. Two of the major causes of
breakdowns are fuel (a lack
thereof) and a burst tyre.
Scenario number two: need the other driver’s name and
The accident address, identity number, make of
You may think you’re the world’s vehicle as well as the vehicle
greatest driver (and maybe you are). registration number.”
Despite this, chances are good that you Always keep a notebook and pen in
will meet someone “by accident” one your glove box, in order to record these
day. So, what do you do if this happens? details. Your mobile telephone is a really
Specific legislation varies from handy tool: you can use it to
country to country, but there are a photograph the actual crash site. If you
Two of the major causes of breakdowns mechanical item on your car could fail. You couple of “rules of thumb” that apply don’t have a camera, a simple sketch
are fuel (a lack thereof) and a burst tyre. need to be properly prepared, so consider the world over. If you do have an plan of the accident could prove to be
Never ever allow your fuel to run to below a keeping some essential items in your car, accident, your first priority is to check to invaluable – especially if a court case
quarter tank. And always ensure that your including: see if anyone has been hurt. Then, you results from the collision.
tyres are in good condition and properly •• Charger for your mobile telephone need to exchange your details with the An important word of advice: while
inflated. “Wear and tear are the main •• Blanket driver of the other vehicle. “On a chatting to the other driver, stay calm
culprits behind flat tyres and blowouts. •• Bottle of water practical level being involved in an (shouting or boxing never helps the
When you fill up with fuel get into the habit •• First aid kit accident is a traumatic event. It is quite situation). Always report the accident to
of checking your tyre pressure and tread at •• Torch easy to forget your responsibilities and police within 24 hours.
the same time, and look to see if there is •• Map to act out of character,” comments Gary The AA suggests that, if your vehicle
anything, such as a nail or piece of glass, •• Matches Ronald, public affairs manager, needs to be towed to a panel beater or
which is sticking in the tread but hasn’t •• Energy bars Automobile Association (AA) South body repair shop, you should contact
punctured the tyre yet,” Green Flag, a British •• Wet wipes Africa. “However it is very important to your insurer and be guided by them as
provider of breakdown cover, advises. Oh •• Money (a secret stash of cash in the make sure that as the driver you obtain to who to call to do the recovery and
and don’t forget to check the spare! boot) as much information from the driver of where to take the vehicle. Always obtain
Check the oil and tyre pressures on your •• Fire extinguisher the other vehicle. Typically you would a reference number.
car every time you refuel. Wash your car •• Reflective triangles
yourself once a month – and, while you’re at •• Jumper cables
it, do a visual check on the general condition •• Notebook and pen
of your tyres and lights. •• Tyre bomb (tyre sealant canister)
Of course, even if you adhere to these
precautions, you could still break down – a
80 First Gear First Gear 81

3. Scenario number three:
Bearing this mind, we asked the
The theft South
African Police Service for som
It happens every single day som e tips to
ewhere help minimise vehicle theft. The
in the world: a car is stolen. It’s men
a and women in uniform suggest
horrible feeling: emerging from the
the mall following:
only to find our much-loved set
of •• Park in well-lit areas
wheels gone. But you can ado
pt some •• Lock all the doors and make
preventative measures to min sure the
imise the windows are all closed
chances of your car going mis
sing. •• Fit an alarm and immobiliser
The first tip is the most obvious if your
: lock car doesn’t already have one
your car! Incredibly, lots of peo
ple still •• Fit locks to your wheels so they
don’t do this… with disastrous can’t
be stolen
consequences! For instance, Prin
cess •• Leave nothing visible in your
Beatrice of England had her car car
stolen •• Be aware of your surrounding
after she left the keys in the igni s at all
tion. times
Locking your car won’t only min
imise •• Avoid stopping in remote area
the chances of it being stolen; s
it will
also reduce the chance of som
eone If you live in a country where veh
hiding in the back seat when you icle
return. theft is commonplace, a tracking
It’s a sad fact of life that, in Sou device
th is a good idea.
Africa, vehicle theft is common
place.
is more
from the car. Your life
Scenario number four: possessions
valuable than your
The hijacking •• Never give strange
rs a lift
vehicle
Even sca rier is the prospect of •• Become familia r with your route
s can involve
hijacking, because thi before you start the
trip
, we turned to nd as
pe rsonal risk. Once again •• Have your keys ready in your ha
the South African boys and girls in r, esp ecially if
you approach your ca
d this is what your
uniform for advice, an they are difficult to find in
they recomme nd: to buy a leash,
handbag. It’s possible
travel to work and your handbag
•• Vary the route you which is attached to s
back, if this is possible and makes it ea sy to locate your key
tering near or at rking attenda nts
•• If strangers are loi •• Parking lots with pa
st and alert
yo ur driveway, drive pa or supervisio n are best
y or police ays leave enough
your security compan •• At traffic lights, alw
•• Car hijackers or extortionists may and the car in
you. space between you
stage a mino r accident to entrap never boxed in
front of you so you are
Be aware of this. If your car is , ch eck around you
•• As you near home
d and you think following you?
bumped from behin – any suspicious cars
drive to
the sit uation is suspicious, •• Only turn into yo ur garage or
tion for help te/door is open,
the nearest police sta driveway once the ga
co operate fully. Do r driving up
•• If you are hijacked, to prevent another ca
not reach for your purse or valuables. you in
behind and blocking
hind if forced
Leave everything be
82 First Gear First Gear 83