Essential Winter Car Maintenance Tips to Avoid Breakdowns
Stay safe this winter with expert South African car maintenance tips. Learn crucial battery and service checks to avoid breakdowns and save money with Fixxr.
Bayabulela Jolobe | 14 May 2022 | Car Repair and Maintenance, Fluids & Filters

This blog might be about why you should change the oil in your car, but it’s also about why you shouldn’t be neglecting this part of car care. Many people don’t know how essential regular engine oil changes are for long-term engine health and longevity.
Your car engine requires regular oil changes to keep it running well. If you don’t change the oil regularly, you risk causing irreparable damage to your vehicle. Here are four reasons why changing your oil is essential:
Your owner’s manual is your starting point for determining how often you should change your oil. Different manufacturers give different recommendations on the frequency of maintenance, so it’s vital to check here before making any decisions. This schedule will also tell you what type of oil you need and how much it should cost.
If you drive a lot (more than 16 000 kilometres a year), follow the manufacturer’s schedule as closely as possible. In addition to changing the oil according to their recommendations, consider adding an extra oil change every six months to keep everything running smoothly.
Suppose you don’t drive a lot (less than 8 000 kilometres a year). In that case, getting your oil changed twice a year may be sufficient for keeping your car in great shape—but again, consult with your owner’s manual and mechanic to determine what works best for your vehicle.
If you have particular driving conditions—for example, if you are frequently off-road or live in an area that experiences extreme weather—consult with a mechanic about increasing the frequency of changes and selecting an appropriate type of oil for these unique circumstances.
While basic oil changes are usually pretty straightforward, including an oil change and filter change, you may want to opt for a full-service oil change. A full-service oil change includes everything of an essential oil change and offers a comprehensive look at your car’s general condition. This can consist of checking the fluid levels in your vehicle, inspecting belts and hoses, checking tire pressure and wear, assessing the brakes and more.
If your vehicle is running poorly or making noise that concerns you, take it in for a full-service oil change where a good mechanic will be able to top off other essential fluids like transmission fluid or windshield wiper fluid and do a visual inspection of the engine to see if any components are damaged or showing signs of wear. A good technician will also watch out for leaks under the hood.
A full-service oil change takes about 30-60 minutes, depending on what needs to be done.
When you don’t change the oil in your car, the engine components begin to suffer and wear out. Over time, this causes friction between metal parts, which increases engine temperature and reduces its overall performance. Suppose your car often overheats enough or runs too low on oil for an extended period. In that case, it can begin to seize up and eventually break down. This is why it’s so important to keep a close eye on your car’s oil levels, change it regularly, and take it in for tune-ups when needed.
If you’re not sure how often you should be changing your car’s oil or need a mobile mechanic to help with that maintenance—let alone something more serious—we’d love to help! The Fixxrs at [company name] are just a few clicks away from having someone come directly to you any time of day or night.
Two main factors determine how much your oil change will cost: vehicle type and oil used. While an oil change can vary, it typically costs R500-R1700 for the average vehicle. The simplest way to ensure you are getting a good deal on your oil change is to confirm the price with several shops in your area before having the work done.
While regular maintenance such as an oil change may be costly, it’s necessary to avoid more significant repair bills down the road. If you don’t replace your engine’s dirty, worn-out oil regularly, particles from normal wear and tear on your engine end up suspended in the old oil. Over time this creates a sludge that will eventually clog essential components of your car’s engine and lead to major repairs—or worse yet, cause complete failure of a critical component such as bearings or pistons. That repair bill could quickly run into five figures.
So, while the short-term costs of vehicle maintenance may seem daunting, it is nothing compared to what you’ll spend if you neglect regular service!
Fixxr is the mobile mechanics who come to you. Our technicians come to your location, office, or home and perform high-quality, warrantied work. We are available for various services, including oil changes, scheduled maintenance services, brake repairs, and more. No waiting at a shop! Our work is backed by a six month/10 000 kilometre warranty.
Read more: I want a quote on an oil change.

As the Head of Consumer and Operations, Bayabulela is responsible for continuously serving our customers, increasing our supply base, and driving the next phase of our business growth.
What that means is highlighting the Fixxr opportunity for as many potential mechanic partners as possible. The role also includes broadening and deepening our platform in existing markets, scaling into new markets and continuing to set the bar for safety and compliance in our industry.
He typically starts his days by diving into customer data and mechanic partner feedback. He also has to consistently evaluate Fixxr’s business strategy and drive governance and accountability in concert with our cross-functional partners.
Bayabulela has built a breadth of skills and experience across operations, strategy, marketing and product development.
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