There is often confusion surrounding the inner workings of a vehicle’s transmission and the different types of transmissions that are available on the market today. In this episode, Peter takes us through the workings of a transmission for both manual and automated-manual transmission (AMT) cars, how they save you petrol, and common mistakes we make in South Africa that cause premature damage to our transmissions. Instead of digging in your pockets for extra cash, save some. Watch our video now! 

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes, 21 seconds.

In this episode of How Things Work, we’re taking a look at your car’s passive safety systems, specifically airbags, seatbelts and other soft-touch elements in your car that help to keep you safe. Do you know what “SRS” on your airbag stands for, or even when your car’s airbags will deploy? Watch the video now and learn more about passive car safety.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes, 5 seconds.

In this episode of How Things Work, we’re taking a look at your car’s passive safety systems. Peter Viljoen takes a look at the different types of chassis that are in cars, how designers meet the brief to design a chassis and how it helps to keep a car’s occupants safe and mitigate the effects of a crash.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes, 41 seconds.

ESP, ESC, Traction Control. Many people call it many different things. In this episode, Frankie du Toit from 947 joins Peter Viljoen, and they revisit the skid pan in the Swift Sport to put Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) to the test. First, they get a bit out of control for some proper skids without any safety features, and then Frankie learns how to skid properly, and safely, with ESP active. Watch the video to learn more about what safety features your car has!

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes, 19 seconds.

Choosing the best engine oil for your car can be very tricky given the large number of options available. However, your manufacturer’s guide can help you make the right choice.

Whether you’ve been driving for ten years or ten days, the odds are you’ve had a moment with your car thinking ‘does that sound normal?’ And while it’s impossible to pinpoint a fault just by sound, there are a few signs you can look out for in order to spot a problem with your car before it becomes a crisis.

The majority of modern vehicles have very little need for a mechanic in-between services, but on the odd occasion you may need some expert help. And if your vehicle is no longer under warranty, you’ll want to pay close attention to the warning signs. Here’s what to look out for:

Never changed a tyre? Don’t panic, it’s not as hard as it sounds. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you safely change a flat tyre by yourself.

Using the right fuel can boost your car’s performance. Here’s a break down of the differences between fuel types, and how you can tell which is best for your car.

Ever taken a look at the wall of your tyre and wondered what all the markings mean? Here’s a guide to everything you need to know about your tyres.

Your annual car service is an important part of proper vehicle maintenance and shouldn’t be skipped. Ask your mechanic these questions for your peace of mind.

Car services are essential to keeping your car running smoothly and save you a lot of money in the long run. Here are six reasons why you need to service your car.

Service plans, maintenance plans and warranties all sound like unnecessary car jargon, but each mean something quite different about how your car is covered. We break it down for you here.