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Dear StartMy Car,
And justlike that, we are half way through the year. When 2020 started, there was noway to predict the challenges the world would face in the first 6 months.We obviously cannot know what the rest of the year will bring, but we can makesure that we are ready to face whatever we might be presented with.
Start MyCar has been hard at work doing just this. The unpredictable nature of theworld has shown us that it is even more important for us to be reliable,dependable and consistent. These are the pillars on which Start My Car isbuilt. Our product list is growing, our deliveries are moving well and you arehappy with us. Which makes us happy. If you are not, please let us know so thatwe can address it.
Pleasehave a look at our specials, and reach out if there’s anything you don’t find.
Have alook at the article below that I think you will find interesting.
Be well.And be safe.
Regards,
Baruch.
Ensure you are insured
• Discovery and Motus join forces in SA
• 36 diacritic vehicle components covered under new warranty
• New service only available to Discovery clients
The South African economy has suffered tremendously due to the global and national Covid-19 epidemic. As we gradually move back to 'normal', many consumers are taking advantage of incredibly low-interest rates to secure new vehicle purchases.
Discovery Insure announced the launch of a new product in their offering, providing vehicle warranty cover to its clients. The new product, available exclusively to Discovery Insure clients, comprises comprehensive and market-leading mechanical breakdown and electrical failure cover for 36 critical vehicle components, with no cover limits.
The new driving behaviour technology allows Discovery to collect telematics data for each driver on its Vitality Drive programme, making it possible to tailor-make premiums for our warranty product. This telematics-based warranty cover is a world-first, with up to 100% vehicle servicing discounts for driving well.
Nation of great drivers
Discovery Insure, a leading South African short-term insurance company, has its ambition to create a nation of great drivers. Its business model is anchored on its Shared-value Insurance model that encourages drivers through the Vitality Drive programme to improve their driving behaviour, using telematics data collected from their vehicles, and reward them for their good driving.
MFS develops and distributes innovative vehicle-related financial products and services through importers, distributors, dealers, finance houses, call centres and digital channels. Motus is South Africa's largest automotive group and, apart from its interests in financial services, represents 22 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) through over 300 dealerships in the country.
Up to 100% discount
Together, Discovery and Motus saw a business opportunity in the market where Motus' expertise in the vehicle Warranty business could be combined with Discovery Insure's Vitality Drive programme to create the world's first telematics-based Warranty product.
By driving well, drivers who have the telematics-based Warranty product will be able to access the Vitality Drive vehicle servicing benefit discount of up to a maximum of 100% depending on the Vitality Drive status of the client, limited to a R5000 spend, when visiting a dealership that is part of our vast network, including over 270 Motus Retail service centres, as well as Bosch service centres.
*Anton Ossip is the CEO of Discovery Insure
ON SALE
SILLY SPARES
This week in ecomm
This week we have seen a steady increase in the purchase of automotive spare parts and no slow down in the consumers desire to shop online.
In light of coronavirus, nearly one-quarter of shoppers are looking for contactless payments or delivery options, with 36% of shoppers saying they won’t return to brick-and-mortar stores until a vaccine is available, according to a recent survey of 3,558 consumers from Salesforce Research.
Sarah Davis, a Content Marketing Specialist from ROI revolution says ”the amount of consumers who are shopping online has been steadily increasing throughout the pandemic, with 44% of respondents conducting more of their shopping online – an increase from 42% two weeks earlier. Even after COVID-19 effects subside, 68% of U.S. shoppers expect to continue buying essential goods online. This is especially true for Gen Z and Millennials, 73% of whom fall into this category compared to 69% of Gen X and 57% of Baby Boomers.”
Online shopping is slightly more prevalent among high income households during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 71% saying they see more online shopping in their future and 65% of lower income households saying the same. Coronavirus is also expected to impact back-to-school and holiday shopping, with consumers across all income brackets saying they expect to spend less during these seasonal times than in 2019.
So, as the South African E-commerce market matures so does the demand for a large selection of quality DIY and Automotive products at affordable prices.
Make sure you check out this week’s great deals.
Stay Safe, Stay Connected.
This week's top pics
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Workshop Wisdom
Winter Blues
Over the past few weeks, Start My Car has seen a surge in demand for our “Starting & Charging” components, namely batteries, battery chargers and jump cables. The changes in lifestyle necessitated by the lockdown is no doubt a contributing factor – a vehicle battery will become fully discharged when not driven regularly or for a significant amount of time. But there is a second factor too; the cold weather.
Cold (and damp) weather can play havoc with batteries, fuel systems, starter motors, alternators, oil and – where fitted – carburettors. As we move deeper into the winter, the probability of your vehicle not wanting to start increases. In this article, we will look at the possible causes.
1. Car Battery Problems
If your car will not start in cold conditions, by far the most likely cause is the battery.
1.1 Symptoms:
If you hear a faint whining noise when you turn the key in the ignition, but the starter motor does not turn over, the likelihood is you have a flat battery.
If the battery is totally depleted, or the cables to the battery have come loose, you may not hear anything.
Further signs of a completely flat battery include the ignition lights on the dashboard failing to illuminate, and the car refusing to unlock via remote central locking.
1.2 Solutions:
If you are in a hurry and need to get moving fast, you can attempt to jump start your car. You will, however, need access to jump cables and another vehicle.
Alternatively, you can invest in a battery charger which will completely charge your battery in a matter of hours.
If you think your battery needs replacing, visit our car battery section to find out which product you need. We will deliver the battery to you.
1.3 How can I maintain my battery during the winter?
With more and more vehicle equipment demanding electricity, battery maintenance is more important than ever.
Cold temperatures affect the chemical process that produces and stores electricity inside the battery, slowing the battery down and reducing its ability to hold a charge.
If you are using your car regularly for short trips, it may be worth charging your battery at least once a week during the winter months, particularly if it is more than three years old.
You can find more about how to charge car batteries on our car battery chargers page.
Older, weaker batteries will typically have reduced performance and cold temperatures can reduce this even further, to the point where the battery will discharge or go flat very quickly.
If you are finding your battery is not holding a charge very well, it might be time to replace it. We recommend visiting our car battery section to find the correct battery for your vehicle.
1.4 What else can I do to help my battery during winter?
A bit of basic preparation and maintenance can work wonders for battery life.
Remember to:
• Switch off all loads, including the lights, wipers, heater, and radio before turning off your engine at the end of a journey. This prevents any unnecessary drain on the battery the next time you start up.
• Look for corrosion on the battery clamps and cables. This could restrict the flow of current. When the engine is off, clean it off using a wire brush, or ask a mechanic to do so.
• Check that everything is switched off before turning the ignition on.
Avoid using heaters, heated screens, and heated seats for longer than you must. They all put high demands on the vehicle’s battery. Some satnavs, in-car DVD players and MP3 players can also drain the battery if left connected.
• Check that there are no interior lights (including boot lights) left on – or any accessories such as phone chargers left plugged in.
• Park your vehicle in a garage if you can, especially in very cold temperatures.
• Get your battery properly tested, particularly if it is over three years old. You can easily do this yourself with one of our handy battery testers.
2. Car Alternator Problems
The alternator is an electrical generator that charges your car’s battery when the engine is running. If you have a relatively new battery and it keeps going flat, the problem probably lies here.
2.1 Symptoms
If you jump start your car and the engine dies immediately, this points to a faulty alternator.
You may also notice your headlights and dashboard lights flickering, the car’s gauges moving in a jerky manner – and even a burning smell filtering into the cabin if the alternator has recently overheated.
If you have our Battery & Alternator Tester, you can quickly see if the alternator is faulty.
2.2 Solutions
The alternator is connected to the battery and the engine, so, unless you are an able mechanic, replacing one is a job best left to the experts.
It shouldn’t be difficult to source a new part, just have a look here on Start My Car and contact us if you cannot find your particular alternator listed online. We have access to 1000’s of unlisted parts that we can source for you.
Alternatively, you can opt to have your existing alternator reconditioned. Have a look online for companies offering this service.
3. Starter Motor Problems
The starter motor does exactly what you would expect; it uses electricity from the battery to jolt the car’s engine into life.
Many modern cars now have stop-start systems with stronger starter motors to cope with the demands of frequent engine on/off cycles in traffic.
3.1 Symptoms
The most obvious sign of a broken starter motor is a clicking sound when you turn the ignition key, followed by the engine refusing to turn over and start.
If all the lights and in-car electrics are working fine, this also points to an issue with the starter motor – rather than the battery.
Even jump starting will not work if the starter motor has failed.
3.2 Solutions
Again, replacing a starter motor is generally a task for a trained mechanic. They’re not hugely expensive parts, especially on Start My Car, but the work may take up to half a day.
If your budget is tight, you can also look online for places which exchange and recondition starter motors. Although possibly cheaper, they will not come with a comprehensive warranty like our Start My Car products, so may cost you more in the long run.
4. Carburettors
If your car was built more than 30 years ago, it is likely to use a carburettor.
These regulate the mix of fuel and air for combustion but are particularly vulnerable to icing up.
4.1 Symptoms
If the nozzles of the carburettor become clogged with ice, the engine may not start – and certainly will not run properly. You may power loss (RPM or manifold pressure), followed by a rough running engine.
4.2 Solutions
With your left foot on the clutch, try gently pushing the accelerator pedal when you start the engine in cold weather.
This will pre-inject a small quantity of fuel to give the engine a helping hand.
All modern cars use fuel injection, and thus are not affected by this problem.
5. Other Possible Causes
Due to space constraints, we will not be able to explore these fully. But keep these in the back of your mind!
5.1 Incorrect Engine Oil
Oil also becomes less free flowing in cold conditions. And that, in turn, puts additional strain on your car’s battery by making it harder for the engine to turn over and start. If your oil has too much cold viscosity (resistance to flow), you will not be able to start your car in cold temperatures.
At Start My Car, we have listed the correct grade of oil for your car by application. Head over there and you can be sure this will never be a problem.
5.2 Moisture in Fuel Lines
Over time, car fuel systems may become contaminated with water. This can cause combustion problems and, if cold weather makes the water freeze, prevent the engine running altogether.
The issue is most acute in the fuel lines, which feed the individual injectors.
These are very narrow and can be blocked by tiny ice particles, starving the engine of fuel. And as for diesel drivers, bear in mind that diesel ‘gels’ in the cold, meaning it will take longer to deliver power to the engine on start-up.
Have a look here at some of our additives which improve cold starting, as well a host of other benefits to you fuel system!
Summary
The cold dark mornings have crept back into our daily lives and once again, our cars are bearing the brunt of the frosty weather and becoming sluggish as we head deeper into winter. If your car doesn’t start, reach out to us! We are here to help you, and to get you mobile again as soon as possible!
