{"id":101715,"date":"2017-09-21T11:53:26","date_gmt":"2017-09-21T09:53:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/rethink-your-monthly-car-budget\/"},"modified":"2017-09-21T11:53:26","modified_gmt":"2017-09-21T09:53:26","slug":"rethink-your-monthly-car-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/rethink-your-monthly-car-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"Rethink your monthly car budget"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rethink your monthly car budget<\/a>: <\/p>\n

\"\"If you\u2019re guilty of setting aside just enough for your car\u2019s debit order and the requisite two to three tanks of petrol every month, you\u2019re not alone. Most people keep car payments to a minimum. As long as it\u2019s not making a strange noise and getting you from A to B, it\u2019s fine, right? Maybe not. There are additional considerations for your monthly car budget that, if worked in ahead of time, can prevent a last-minute cash haemorrhage when something goes wrong.<\/p>\n

Roadside assist
It\u2019s one thing to be stuck on the side of the road, with the sound of your meeting or social gathering whooshing by, before a kind-hearted friend comes to get you. It\u2019s quite another to come to a grinding halt in a dangerous area, which puts you at risk of hijacking or theft. Or on the highway, with cars approaching at speed.<\/p>\n

Working a roadside assistance payment into your monthly budget provides invaluable resources in an emergency \u2013 and you\u2019ll be endlessly thankful you made it a priority. Many insurance providers offer roadside assist as an additional service \u2013 find one who does and opt for the extra. Alternatively, an AA membership will give you the relief of knowing you\u2019ll get support quickly when you need it, for as little as R85 per month for the Essential Option.<\/p>\n

Tyres
The expense of tyres doesn\u2019t seem like a priority month-to-month \u2013 and then poses a formidable financial inconvenience when you have to replace them. Why not set up a monthly debit order and start a small savings bundle for tyres? The amount can be adjusted according to the price of your car\u2019s tyres. By the time you have to replace your tyres again, you won\u2019t have to deal with a harsh blow that throws out your monthly budget.<\/p>\n

Battery
The battery is the heart of your car\u2019s engine. Without it, your car won\u2019t start and most of the controls will be rendered useless. Your battery should be replaced about every three years \u2013 or more frequently if necessary. A quality battery, like Raylite, costs between R1000 and R2500, which means a monthly budget of R80 to R100 will protect you against the cost of the battery when it needs replacing.<\/p>\n

Make it a routine every six months to have your battery tested for free at a Battery Centre \u2013 experts will let you know if it needs to be replaced. Otherwise, consider replacing your battery if the instrumental panel battery light is on, your starter motor is working slowly or is interrupted, the battery seems to lose power quickly in cold or extended starts, or headlights dim when idle.<\/p>\n

Cleaning
Most car owners only opt for an auto-valet if they\u2019ve spilt a carton of milk or can of beer and are more likely to keep the exterior of the car immaculate. But a deep-clean of the interior of your car on a regular basis is essential \u2013 not a luxury \u2013 if you want to prevent infestations of pests, strange smells and stains that affect resale value. If you have young children with sticky fingers, even more so.<\/p>\n

Budget for a full auto-valet every three months (unless an accident brings the timelines forward), at around R400. That means around R150 per month set aside for the service. Once it becomes routine, you\u2019ll wonder how you did it any other way. It also precludes the \u2018Please excuse my car it\u2019s revolting\u2019 conversation when friends, family or colleagues have to catch a ride with you.<\/p>\n

With just a little extra forethought around some oft-forgotten car maintenance and insurance, you can make repairs and emergencies easier to swallow.<\/p>\n

Visit www.batterycentre.co.za for more information on your car\u2019s battery, when it needs replacing and where you can get it replaced at a Battery Centre in your area. Experts at Battery Centre can provide advice and guidance on the best battery for your vehicle, as well as other hints and tips on battery care. Battery Centre is part of First National Battery, SA\u2019s biggest and most reputable commercial, leisure, car and industrial battery manufacturer. For more information about First National Battery, visit www.battery.co.za<\/p>\n

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