Whether you are planning on going to the coast this coming Long weekend or the bushveld, there are certain precautions that you can take when travelling by vehicle to ensure that your trip runs as smooth as possible.
Here at CMH Kempster Ford Umhlanga, our workshop offers an inspection for your vehicle, so make sure that you phone us on 087 724 8040 and ask for one of our service consultants to book an inspection for your vehicle.
If you aren’t in the position to book your vehicle in with us, but still planning on going on a long trip, here are some steps that you can follow to help you drive safe and avoid any breakdowns or mechanical issues;
- Check the fluids in your car. Checking the oil, coolant, brake fluid and windscreen wash levels may help you avoid an accident or an unnecessary breakdown. Also check the levels for the clutch fluid (often the same as brake fluid) and power steering fluid (if fitted to your car). Refer to your owner’s manual to see where fluid reservoirs are located.
- Check your air pressure. These should be printed in the owner’s manual or a sticker on the body where the driver’s door shuts. The pressure marked on the side of the tire is the max, which must not be exceeded. Also, don’t forget to check your spare tire pressure. Often neglected, not doing so will turn a bad time into a worse one if the spare is unusable.
- Get the oil changed before you leave if it’s almost time for a change. A long trip can put additional stress on your motor. Don’t think that adding extra oil by yourself will work like an oil change because that does not get rid of the sludge from old used oil. You may not realize this due to the fact that you are continuously adding new, cleaner oil which makes it appear as if it is clean oil. When changing your car’s oil, you must always replace the oil filter at the same time.
- Check your tire wear. Ensure you have at least 1/16th” or 1.6mm tread left. If the tread is less than 1/12″ or 2.5mm, consider replacing your tires for very long journeys as they will wear down more quickly. Tires heat up on long trips which can cause blowouts on worn out tires.
- Check your car’s air filter. A plentiful supply of clean air to your engine improves the vehicle’s performance and efficiency. Also check and change your car’s cabin (pollen) filter if it has one, as these are often ignored in services and, if worn, adversely affect the quality of air in the cabin.
- Check to be certain that all lights and signals are functional on your car. You may need the help of another person for this. Sit in the car, turn on each light or signal and ask your friend to tell you if it is working or not. Replace bulbs as necessary. Also, consider carrying spare bulbs on a road trip.
- Ensure that you have all emergency equipment inside your car and that everything works properly. Emergency equipment includes an up-to-date map or GPS, a cell phone, spare tire, a puncture repair kit, jumper cables and emergency tools like a flashlight, screwdrivers, pliers and an adjustable spanner.
We all witnessed the horrible storm that happened in Durban on Tuesday 10 October 2017, leaving many of the City’s residents homeless after the strong winds gashed down their homes and destroyed all their belongings.
At Kempster Ford Umhlanga, together with Ford South Africa Wildlife, we decided to give a little bit back to the community, by offering assistance and showing support by donating food parcels to St Martins, a children’s home that was affected badly by the storm.
Joining in was the official brand ambassador for the Ford Wildlife Foundation, Gabriel Sithole, a popular South African radio presenter, photographer and wildlife conservationist. When we arrived at St Martins the staff welcomed us and accepted the food parcels. I must say it was a heart-warming moment to see the appreciation on their faces. We would like to thank everyone else who donated not only to the home but also to any other areas that needed assistance after this tragic event occurred.
We would also like to thank our Dealer Principal, Mr Clive Wainright, who made all of this possible. It’s always a pleasure to give back to the community, giving a helping hand is what we do best at CMH Kempster Ford Umhlanga.
Ford. Go Further.
We ended 2017 with a bang, and we hosted our customer to a day where they could experience “the beast” in action. We were fortunate enough to have a great turnout of 350 people, all queuing to see this amazing vehicle.The order of the day was very simple, all our customers had to do was sign their names in an indemnity form, take a ride in the 5 Litre Mustang and enjoy good food.
We wanted our customers to enjoy the day with no disturbance and thus we created a kiddies section, where all parents that attended could live the kids in a secure place with adult supervision.As if this was not enough, every hour on the hour we surprised our customers with a lucky draw, and give-away some of our favourite ford merchandises.
The day would not have been possible if we did not have the great support from our partners of the Event.
The Christmas holiday is around the corner and the roads will be filled with people travelling home or to their holiday destinations. It’s always a good idea to make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape to ensure your safety and that of others on the road.
Ensure your battery is working. Check that the terminals are clean. If they have a powder on them it means acid is leaking and it needs to be changed. The life of a battery is 3 to 6 years so if you know your battery is older than 4 years it’s wise to change it.
Check your oil regularly. You can stop at any service station and they will do this for you. They will open the hood and pull out the engine dipstick. Wipe it with a clean rag and put it back in fully. Pull it out again and check the level if it is not on full or close to the full mark, you need to add more engine oil. Take care not to overfill the oil as this may cause leaks.
Ask a friend or family member to help you check if your indicators, park lights and brake lights are all working. If you are towing a trailer or caravan, make sure all the electronics are connected and working properly. Most service centres will be having specials on re-gassing aircons during summer, so take advantage of that.
Ensure that the tyre pressure is accurate. It’s usually written somewhere on the interior of the vehicle. Check that you have a spare wheel, and the equipment needed to change it if you get a flat. Another important thing is to know how to change the tyre. What good is having all the material and not being able to use it.
It’s dangerous to be stranded on the side of the road.
Book your car in for service at Kempster Ford Randburg and stay safe.
011 509 7300
When arriving at our dealership you will be greeted by a friendly security guard who will show you where to park and assist you with the start of the checking in proses. From there you will meet our very friendly and trained service advisor team who will be your contact and keep you up to date with what will and what is happening with your vehicle.
Our brand specific trained technician team will be responsible for ensuring that your vehicle gets service and is in good health for you and your family’s safety. Each service includes a compulsory safety check which consists of checking the condition of the brake pads, condition and pressures of tyres including the spare, the condition of shocks the function of the wiper blade, function of the vehicle’s cooling system, all fluid levels, condition of the battery and the function of all lights.
We also make use of an in-house windscreen repair centre who will check your windscreen for chips and crack.
Our efficient wash bay makes use of waterless wash technology to use the least amount of water to help care for our environment. They will ensure that your vehicle is clean at the time you pick it up.
Our highly trained technical team will assist you with any technical questions and our workshop is equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment to ensure quick and accurate diagnoses of any problems mechanical or electrical.
We at Kempster Ford Pretoria strive to give our customer the excellent service that each and every one deserves.
The CMH Kempster Ford Durban South’s Team has decided to join Fit 4 Life’s 12 week full body transformation challenge on the Bluff and CMH Kempster Ford Durban South have sponsored us. This challenge is designed to decrease body fat, increase lean muscle mass and strengthen the core. We are all different shapes and sizes, and all ages, some of us are total beginners and others are athletes. Our team has decided that we must lose weight before summer.
Fit 4 Life say we will lose weight, get ripped and tone up. We train four times a week with a professional trainer in an intimate and energized group. The Training environment is specially designed circuits which includes resistance training, strength training, cardio, kettle-bells, stretching and plyometric training.
Every single workout is different and even though we might have started off slow, in 12 weeks we will look back and smile. Never mind looking and feeling great.
We were privately assessed at the beginning of the challenge and will be checked again at the end of the 12 weeks.
Measurements and photographs were taken and then at the end more will be taken to track each person’s progress and this will be used when judging the winners.
12 weeks of dedication to both training and diet plus hard work that will be giving us amazing results as well as a new love for fitness and training. We will be leading a happier, healthier, stronger, leaner and certainly a much fitter lifestyle.
The Benefits
• Improved health (improves cholesterol levels, lowers high blood pressure, lowers risk of diabetes)
• Improved fitness (keeps your body fit and able)
• Increased self-confidence
• Makes you feel happier
• Better performance and productivity both at home and at work
• Helps you cope better with stress and alleviates anxiety
• Reduces feelings of depression and lessens fatigue
• Healthy body = a healthy mind (boosts mental health)
Visit us at 274 Edwin Swales Drive, Bluff or give us a call on 031 451 4700.
Ford. Go Further.