What You Need To Know About Valve Clearance Adjustment

Posted by Group1 Cars on 21 Aug 2020 under Blog, Group 1 Cars

Valve Clearance Adjustment Explained

As far as mechanical terms go, a valve clearance adjustment is commonly referred to as ‘adjusting the tappets’. Valve clearances are the small gaps between the tops of the valve stems and the part which presses on them to open the valves.

If your vehicle has become a little hard to start lately, or there’s a lack of horsepower, it’s probably time to check the valve clearances. The valves that control the air/fuel flow mixture and exhaust gases in your engine head are one of the most abused parts in the entire motor.

Your Car – Repair or Replace?

Posted by Group1 Cars on 03 Aug 2020 under Car Buying Tips, Group 1 Cars

To Repair Or To Replace

You need a new car. The math is easy. The car costs that much, you get that much on your trade-in, therefore your payments are so much per month for so many months. But the value of your new car drops sharply the moment you drive out of the dealer’s showroom. By the end of year one, your car will have lost 15 – 20% of its value. The same happens to the year one value in the second year.

So connect the dots and change the math. Buying a year old car will save you around 20%, reducing the gap with your trade-in and the subsequent payments. Year two does this as well. Of course, you lose one or two years on your warranty and service plan, so you have to find the balance that suits you.

Some Basic Steps To Keep Your Baby On The Road

Posted by Group1 Cars on 17 Jul 2020 under Blog, General, Group 1 Cars

Taking Care Of Your Car – The Basics

It can really hurt if something in your car goes wrong. Usually, most pain will be in your wallet. Most new cars are not designed for the home mechanic and any invasive tinkering may well invalidate your warranty. This does not mean you should sit and wait for something to break.

Here are some basic steps to take care of your car.

Why You Need A Car Owner’s Manual

Posted by Group1 Cars on 02 Jul 2020 under Blog, General, Group 1 Cars

The Importance Of Your Car’s Manual

The best thing about a car owner’s manual is that it can answer most questions about your vehicle. All new cars come with a printed owner’s manual with some companies also making digital copies available. However, very few people actually read the entire booklet but maybe they should as it contains useful information covering just about everything.

Stay Safe During COVID-19 With Good Car Hygiene

Posted by Group1 Cars on 13 May 2020 under Blog, General, Group 1 Cars

Keeping Your Car Hygienic: What To Clean

We may not be driving around as much as normal during the coronavirus lockdown but even so, your car is a hot spot for disease-causing germs. Whether you drive to work every day or once a week grocery shopping, car hygiene is of the utmost importance.

What Happens If You Put In The Wrong Fuel?

Posted by Group1 Cars on 14 Apr 2020 under General, Group 1 Cars

What Happens If You Fill Up Witht The Wrong Fuel?

Your car. Your pride and joy. You keep your baby clean. You service it when you have to. It was and still is expensive, but it is worth it. At home, it sleeps in the garage. At the mall, you park it out of the way, where some careless so-and-so cannot ding it.

Yet you stop at the filling station and tell the attendant to fill her up with 95 unleaded or diesel. You don’t even look at the pump, because you are checking your phone. And 99.99% of the time the attendant puts in what you ask.

Staying Safe in Your Car is Mostly Common Sense

Posted by Group1 Cars on 02 Mar 2020 under Blog, General, Group 1 Cars

Women Have A Higher Risk Of Being Unsafe In Their Cars

All South Africans are vulnerable to crime, but women are most at risk. And that risk becomes greater when a woman is driving. It is not that women are bad drivers – they are not. A woman in a car, or approaching her car or getting out of her car is visible to the predator out there. Most predator violations are opportunistic crimes. They strike when they have the opportunity to do so.

A Summary Of The Different Gearbox Options

Posted by Group1 Cars on 17 Jan 2020 under Blog, Car Buying Tips, General, Group 1 Cars

Gearbox Options Explained

You are scrolling through Group1cars for your next ride and everything looks great, but what does MT and AT and AMT mean? CVT and DCT? Let’s have a look.

MT stands for manual transmission and was the original way to transfer engine power to the wheels optimally, according to the speed of the car. The driver pushes in the clutch pedal to manually disconnect the transmission from the clutch plate, selects a gear, releases the clutch again to engage the selected gear. Until quite recently this was the most efficient way to change gears, and many drivers still believe it gives the most driver engagement.

The Best Time to Buy a Car in 2020

Posted by Group1 Cars on 03 Jan 2020 under Blog, Car Buying Tips, General, Group 1 Cars

Top Tip: When To Buy That New Car

Buying a new car is a double-edged sword if ever there was one – it’s extremely exciting, but it can also be rather nerve-wracking to make such a big investment. As such, it makes sense to evaluate all your options very carefully before you sign on the dotted line and drive off in your new vehicle.

How to Avoid Smash & Grabs This Holiday

Posted by Group1 Cars on 20 Dec 2019 under Blog, Group 1 Cars

A Few Tips On Avoiding Smash & Grabs During The Holidays

T’is the season to be jolly and happy holidaymakers are crowding onto South African roads to make their way to their vacation destinations. However, as the roads get busier, so to do the frequency of opportunistic crimes increase. Smash-and-grab incidents occur throughout the year, but it’s even more prevalent around the festive season. Fortunately, there are ways to safeguard your car and belongings.

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