Buying a new car is exciting. The fresh leather smell, the clean untouched interior and exterior.
If you’re like the average South African, you’ll probably drive the car for up to 6 years.
So very early on, establish a healthy vehicle maintenance routine to keep it in tip top shape for years to come.
This will not only prolong its life but also ensure it drives well.
And as a bonus also helps it keep its resale value for that time in the future when you’re ready to replace it.
Tarlen’s in-house mechanics and technicians created this guide to help you maintain your vehicle and keep it running smoothly.
💡 Extended test drives let you experience what it’s really like to own, drive, and live with a car before you buy it. Way better than a rushed 5-minute spin at the dealership.
Thinking of buying a vehicle? Book an extended test drive on Tarlen and take it for a real 3–5 day test run before making your decision.
Table of content
Stick to a vehicle maintenance schedule
Our most important tip is to create and track your car’s maintenance schedule. It keeps you accountable and prevents missed or forgotten services.
Most modern cars have built-in reminders to help.
Short term vehicle maintenance
To keep your vehicle running right, do these checks every few months.
# 1 - Oil and Coolant fluid
Every month, inspect your oil and coolant levels while the engine is cool. Low oil levels, low coolant level or dark, gritty oil usually mean it’s time for an oil change.
Neglecting this can reduce fuel efficiency or even cause serious engine damage. If you live near the coast, use anti-corrosion coolant to protect against salt air exposure.
# 2 - Air filter
Air filters stop dust and debris from entering your engine’s combustion chambers. Dirty filters can hurt fuel efficiency, increase emissions, and shorten engine life.
Conditions may vary based on the region:
- In dusty areas like the Karoo or mining zones, replace filters every 10,000–15,000 km.
- Aim for 15,000–20,000 km in urban or industrial areas.
- In cleaner environments, 20,000–30,000 km is usually fine.
Most filters are easy to replace at home, but can also be done during the routine maintenance.
# 3 - Inspect tire pressure regularly
With over 25 million potholes across South Africa, your tires take a daily beating. Inspect them every two weeks.
Maintain pressure between 200–250 kPa, (check your owner’s manual or door sticker). Remember to also adjust for seasonal changes.
During inspections, watch for:
- Uneven wear
- Bulges or cracks
- Frequent pressure loss
- Dashboard warning lights
Well-maintained tires keep your car safe, fuel-efficient, and road-ready.
# 4 - Battery
Your car’s battery is critical, but often overlooked. While most last 3–5 years, deterioration can begin as early as year 2, especially in hot climates.
After the second year, check it more frequently. Look out for:
- Swollen or bulging casing (caused by heat)
- Sulfur smells
- Visible corrosion
These are early warning signs of potential failure. Stay ahead of them to avoid being stranded.
# 5 - Rotate your tires
Your tires are the foundation of a smooth, safe drive, especially on our rough roads.
Due to frequent misalignment and uneven wear, rotate your tires every 5,000–8,000 KM or at least every 6 months. This extends tire life by 20–30% by ensuring even wear.
Front-wheel drive vehicles wear down the front tires faster. So, they may need more frequent rotations.
After rotating, make sure to check the alignment. This is especially important if you’ve hit potholes or suspect road damage.
Proper alignment improves handling and helps extend your tires’ lifespan.
Long term vehicle maintenance
These checks don’t need to be done monthly, but they’re critical to your car’s health as it ages.
# 6 - Inspect shocks
Our roads in SA can be tough on your suspension. Regular shock inspections help catch damage from potholes and debris early.
During routine services, check for leaks, cracks, or mounting issues. Warning signs of worn shocks include:
- Excessive bouncing.
- Nose-diving when braking.
- Poor steering response or vehicle instability at high speeds.
Worn shocks can increase braking distance by up to 20% and reduce ABS and traction control performance.
# 7 - Transmission fluid
Rough or slipping gear changes often mean low or dirty transmission fluid. Check and replace it as per your owner’s manual or mechanic, usually every 50,000 km.
Flushing replaces all the fluid, unlike standard drain-and-fill that only replaces 30–40%.
Some newer cars have sealed systems requiring fluid changes only after 100,000 km or more.
Don’t ignore transmission issues, repairs can get costly fast.
# 8 - Thread depth
The legal minimum tread depth in South Africa is 1mm, but this offers minimal safety. For better performance and safety, aim for 3–4mm minimum. In snowy, icy, or mountainous areas, 6mm is recommended.
Tread depth can be checked by professionals during the routine vehicle maintenance. But you can also do the coin test at home.
# 9 - Check spark plugs
Spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mix in your combustion engine. So they’re vital for performance.
Copper plugs in older cars need replacing every 20,000–30,000 km. Newer platinum or iridium plugs can last 60,000–100,000 km.
Signs of worn plugs include:
- hard starting,
- rough idling,
- misfires,
- loss of power,
- and up to 30% worse fuel economy.
Replace plugs promptly if you notice these.
# 10 - Replace wipers
Wiper blades remove water, debris, and contaminants to help maintain clear visibility.
If your blades streak, skip or squeak, it’s time for new ones. A new pair costs less than a tank of petrol and takes five minutes to swap out.
The Dos and Don’ts of essential vehicle care.
# DOs
- Drive smoothly to reduce stress on your car. Gentle acceleration, braking and coasting to slow down also saves fuel. That said, if you never rev your engine, carbon deposits can build up. So rev to the redline every few hundred miles. But do it only when the oil is warm and you’re on a quiet road.
- Avoid potholes. Slow down and steer carefully around road damage.
- Keep your car covered when parked for long periods. Use your garage or invest in a quality car cover.
- Wax your car every 6 months to protect the paint and maintain shine.
# DON'Ts
- Don’t run low on fuel. It causes your pump to draw in debris from the tank, which clogs and damages the fuel system.
- Ignoring dashboard warning lights is dangerous. Even when the car drives fine. This could easily lead to unsafe driving, expensive repairs or irreversible damage.
- Avoid modifying your car. Non-certified mods can be unreliable, void your warranties. Tuning the engine to increase the power can also put strain on essential parts.
- Don’t ignore windscreen chips. They can spread and cause the glass to shatter. Repairs are quick, cheap, and prevent bigger problems later.
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