Make sure your car is safe to use  

Welcome to 2025. As you hit the ground running, have you stopped to think about your car’s health?
It’s been through holiday road trips, rainy commutes and busy days, and whether you’re chauffeuring kids to school or running a hustle, your car is your silent partner. However, even partners need some TLC to keep moving.
The Tyre, Equipment, Parts Association (TEPA), an affiliate of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), highlights a crucial yet often overlooked fact: Every vehicle on the road contributes to keeping our economy moving, whether it’s a taxi, delivery van or your family car, and that’s why maintaining the wheels you depend on with regular checks and servicing is essential.
According to Vishal Premlall, the national director of TEPA, starting the year with a vehicle health check is vital, especially if your car endured a lengthy road trip over the holidays and warns that ignoring your car’s cries for help now will mean you might be calling for roadside assistance later.
“The top three issues we noticed over the festive season were underinflated tyres, worn brake pads and cracked windscreens,” he says.
“Each of these can severely compromise a vehicle’s safety, handling and reliability, putting the driver, passengers and other road users at risk.
“You no doubt returned worn out from the long trip home, so be assured your car is a little worn out, too. It is wise to check its essential components and note when it is due for its next service.
“Try to do this early in the year, so you have peace of mind that upcoming travels, short- or long-distance, will be safe for every kilometre of the way.”
According to TEPA, these are the essential checks you should do:
• Tyre pressure: Underinflated tyres will hit you where it hurts – at the fuel pump and in your wallet. Frequently check them.
The pressure should always be according to the manufacturer’s specifications. If you drive with low tyre pressure, expect lowered fuel efficiency, compromised tyre performance, a significantly reduced lifespan and elevated risk to the driver’s safety and others on the road.
When a tyre’s air pressure is low, the handling is compromised, and there is an increased risk of tyre failure. On the other hand, over-inflated tyres are dangerous because there is an increased risk of a blowout and skidding.
Over-inflated tyres wear out prematurely in the centre, which could lead to a smaller surface area of the tyre connecting with the road.
• Tyre tread: Bald isn’t bold when it comes to tyres. Worn-out treads aren’t just risky; they turn rainy roads into slip-‘n-slide nightmares. Your tyres are the essential bond between your vehicle and the ground.
The tread grips the road when you drive and if it’s not deep enough, your car loses traction and suffers extended braking times. Shallow tread grooves make it harder to control a vehicle in wet weather, and there’s an increased risk of aquaplaning.
When driving on wet roads at high speeds, a wedge of water can build up between the tyre and the road surface. The tyre loses road contact, and the vehicle no longer responds to steering. To ensure your safety, measure the tread depth as part of your regular car maintenance.
• Lights: Imagine driving blindfolded. That’s what a broken or dim headlight feels like to oncoming traffic. Brighten up before your next drive at night. Maximum visibility while driving is essential.
Optimal lighting allows you to see and be seen, reducing the risk of accidents. Many drivers wait until car lights stop working before changing them, without accounting for a light’s degradation over time.
• Fluids: Fluids are your car’s lifeblood. Neglect them, and you might be in a mechanic’s office instead of your next meeting. The oil, brake and transmission fluids, engine coolant, windshield wiper fluid and power steering fluid are the most crucial to check.
• Windscreen: That tiny chip on your windscreen? It’s not just an eyesore. It’s a crack waiting to make a bad day worse. While windscreen repair is less expensive than replacement, if you wait too long and the damage has time to spread, repair will not be an option.
Just because a windscreen is chipped doesn’t mean it needs to be replaced. Getting it repaired as soon as possible after you notice a chip or crack is vital to prevent further damage that could impair visibility.
“Just like many of us would by now have rechecked our diet and fitness routines to ensure we are in tip-top shape after the holiday period, the health of your vehicle needs to be checked, too.
“You wouldn’t skip a doctor’s check-up, so why risk it with your car? A few simple checks could save you a fortune – and maybe even your life. Don’t drive into 2025 on worn-out tyres, dim headlights and prayers. Your car deserves better – and so do you,” Premlall concludes.