These are tough times for many Malaysians, especially with rising costs of living which affects a broad section of the population. Besides various subsidies and price controls, the government has also initiated the PAYUNG RAHMAH programme for the lower-income group (B40) and hardcore poor.
The programme is part of his Domestic Trade and Cost of Living ministry’s short-term strategy to cushion the impact of the expected global economic situation against the B40 group. It began with Menu Rahmah and Jualan Rahmah for meals and consumer items, respectively, and now, car companies have also begun to follow the initiative with AUTO RAHMAH launched by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).
Aftersales support – providing regular maintenance and availability of replacements parts – is an important part of the auto business. Authorised distributors of new vehicles are expected to provide aftersales support to customers to ensure that they have a good ownership experience.
Buying a used vehicle is a different thing and aftersales support is not mandatory. This is, of course, to be expected and for most owners, there are many independent service centres (as well as the authorised ones handling the brand of their vehicles) to go to for periodic maintenance and repairs.
With global oil and gas prices remaining high, the cost of transportation has also been impacted with increased fuel prices which, in turn, raises the prices of goods and consumables. For Malaysians, these are challenging times and those who own and use motor vehicles would want to minimise running costs as much as possible so that their money can be used for other essentials.
Ravi Tallamraju, Group Chief Technology Officer for PETRONAS Lubricants International (PLI) offers some fuel-saving tips which can help you stretch each litre of fuel:
With the next couple of months being festive periods that will see many people going on holiday or returning to their hometowns to be with loved ones, there will be a lot of motoring taking place. Those who are planning long-distance trips should ensure that their vehicles are in a good condition for not only safety but also to avoid an unexpected breakdown that would certainly spoil the holiday.
For Ford owners, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) is having a service promotion that will not only ensure that the vehicles are in tip-top condition but also save owners money. The promotion period is from December 1, 2022 until January 21, 2023.
Castrol Malaysia and Continental Tyre Malaysia will be collaborating to offer consumers high quality products and services for a convenient and complete experience. The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore a joint initiative that will leverage on each other’s extensive dealer network, offerings, and expertise, and strengthen their respective positions in the country.
Under the proposed collaboration, both companies will offer motorists a combined trade loyalty programme where they can enjoy various deals, incentives, redemptions, and rewards. Both brands are also working towards a partnership that could see joint branded outlets nationwide with plans to grow and expand.
The extensive dealer networks of each brand will share special deals, incentives, redemptions, and rewards for the public.
“This partnership is a testament to both brands’ commitment to safety and customer satisfaction as together we join forces to further build our brand presence in Malaysia. Through our combined expertise that supports new opportunities, we will continue to lead and innovate in securing global market leadership when it comes to service and maintenance,” said Gan Wee Kiong, Market Sales Director of Castrol Malaysia & Singapore.
“There is a steady demand for both brands and our products in the market amongst the premium vehicle owners, and we saw a great opportunity for us to come together to consolidate our offerings to serve our customers better. We believe that with both brand’s long-standing service and excellence in the market, we will continue to be the preferred brands in automotive maintenance,” added Andrea Somorova, Managing Director of Continental Tyre Malaysia.
Gan Wee Kiong, Market Sales Director of Castrol Malaysia & Singapore (centreleft) and Andrea Somorova, Managing Director of Continental Tyre Malaysia (centre right) at the signing ceremony of the MoU for the two companies.
About Castrol Malaysia
Castrol has had a presence in Malaysia for over 90 years and is one of the market leaders in the retail automotive lubricants segment. The company offers a range of high-performance lubricants and has leadership positions in a majority of segments it operates in. These include passenger car engine oils, motorcycle engine oils, commercial vehicle engine oils and industrial lubricants.
The company also has a lubricants blending plant in Port Klang, Selangor and a distribution network reaching out to over 14,000 customers including retail outlets and workshops. Its exclusive outlets – Castrol Auto Service and Castrol Bike Points – offer professional maintenance services to Malaysian motorists and motorcyclists.
About Continental Tyre Malaysia
Continental is one of the world’s leading tyre manufacturers and ranks among the technology leaders in tyre production. It has a broad product range for passenger cars, commercial and special-purpose vehicles as well as two-wheelers.
In 2003, Continental AG established a joint venture company with Sime Darby Berhad as Continental Sime Tyre Sdn Bhd. The business expanded rapidly and Continental AG fully acquired the company in 2012, making it one of its production sites in the Asia-Pacific region. Currently, Continental Tyre Malaysia has more than 2,500 employees with two factories supplying tyres to countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, Korea.
For more information on Castrol products and services, visit www.castrol.com/my.
GoCar Malaysia – an on-demand app-based platform that offers ‘mobility-as-a-service’ – is running the GOLADIES campaign which provides free GoCar Garage trials with upgrade options to encourage more women drivers to experience the benefits of its digital car service and maintenance solution.
Using the GoCar App, the first 300 women customers to apply the relevant promo codes will receive a free or upgradable pit-stop oil change service (only premium Total or Shell branded oils).
The promo codes are as follow: “PITSTOP1” for Mineral Oil service package, totally free (normal price RM98) “PITSTOP2” for Semi-Synthetic Oil service package for only RM30 (normal price RM128) “PITSTOP3” for Fully-Synthetic Oil service package for only RM100 (normal price RM198)
They can also enjoy having their car serviced without needing to take time off work or leave their homes. GoCar’s GoValet door-to-door delivery service will be available for free during the campaign period. Other benefits include free 2-hour use of a GoCar vehicle, free car wash and sanitisation and a free 31-point vehicle inspection to ensure their vehicle is in tip-top condition. This would be particularly useful now that many people are keen on making long trips after over a year of restrictions.
The one-time-only promo codes must be used between October 21 and November 30, 2021, but customers will have until December 31, 2021 to make their service appointments. The GOLADIES campaign is available only within the Klang Valley area. Vehicles will be serviced at the GoCar Garage Hub in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
“GoCar Garage is the latest offering in our increasing focus on mobility-as-a-service to harness technology to improve customer experiences. We understand that car servicing is generally not an enjoyable experience, and the prospect of unexpected costs can be unsettling. For women, there also tends to be greater concerns about being overcharged or taken advantage of, which is why our GoCar Garage solution is ideal for them,” said Wong Hoe Mun, CEO of GoCar Malaysia.
“With our seamless end-to-end platform, they can complete the entire servicing process with just their mobilephones. Furthermore, they can be assured of OEM-level service excellence as our technicians are trained to work on any make and model of passenger vehicle,” Mr. Wong added. “More importantly, we are the only third-party car service centre to provide upfront quotations for pre-approval so they can rest assured of full transparency in our pricing.”
Through the GoCar mobile app, customers can easily schedule and confirm their service appointments, select or request required services, make payments and arrange for door-to-door delivery, anytime and from anywhere. In addition to the 45-minute oil change, other services include battery inspection and replacement, tyre services, air conditioning repair and maintenance, brake repair and maintenance, engine cooling system and replacement, electrical diagnosis as well as body and paint repairs.
The mobile app tracks all requested services and generates quotations to mitigate any possibilities of unapproved mark-ups. Furthermore, these cost breakdowns will only be generated if the technicians think a procedure is required after inspection. Work will only begin after customers give their confirmation and approval.
The borders between states will open from Monday, October 11, for unrestricted travel and many will be driving long distances. Some may be doing so to visit loved ones they could not meet for a long time, and some may want to take a long drive after months of just driving around town, unable to go outside the state.
Before you start going on longer journeys, it’s a good idea to check your vehicle. It’s been parked at home for much longer periods than before (especially if you have been working from home) and although there should be no problems, long periods of not being used or under-utilisation may have a small effect on mechanical parts.
In fact, for many owners, the service schedule usually followed by mileage intervals may not be applicable over the past year as the mileage travelled would have decreased significantly. In this case, manufacturers recommend an interval based on time, usually a maximum of 6 months. This means that even if the mileage has not reached the usual interval but 6 months have passed, then you should send the vehicle in for the scheduled service.
If you don’t do the checks yourself, many companies offer free inspection services to their customers. For example, Perodua has its Tweckbot inspection which is provided free during festive seasons.
Fortunately, today’s vehicles require a lot less maintenance than the older ones. There are more electronic components in place of mechanical types and these have no moving parts to wear out. Many replaceable items also last longer, eg sparkplugs, air filters and even engine oil but they eventually need to be replaced so the engine operates at its best.
But there are still things that you, as an owner, can do yourself and should do so prior to every long-distance trip. This is to minimise the possibility of a breakdown (or worse, an accident) due to failure of some system. It can spoil your holiday and cause much inconvenience if you are on the highway and worse if you are on a country road. Fortunately, insurance and car companies as well as highway concessionaires like PLUS provide rescue services that can provide assistance.
If you are travelling on a PLUS highway and have a breakdown, PLUSRonda teams will come and help you. But it’s better to minimize the likelihood of a problem on the journey by checking that vehicle is in good running condition before starting your journey.
TYRE PRESSURES
Over time, tyres lose some of their air and the pressures start to be lower than what is recommended. Unless there is a puncture, the loss is gradual and often not noticeable just by looking at the tyres. Modern tyres also have a stronger construction which ‘masks’ under-inflation so little difference might be felt in the steering.
This is why it is useful to have a tyre pressure gauge. It is available in accessory and hardware shops and isn’t very expensive. You can use it to check the pressures regularly or when you suspect something may be wrong. Carry out the checks when the tyres are cold for consistency as tyres will heat up at different rates when they are rolling. If you cannot do so but need to check as you are driving, then compare the pressures and if one shows a very big difference from the others, it is possible that it has a puncture or a faulty valve.
When checking the pressures of the four tyres, don’t forget the spare as well. Many people do not do so from the time they get their new car and then one day, when they do need it and take it out, they find that it is almost flat! As it may be troublesome to check the spare regularly if you keep other things in the boot, you can inflate it higher than normal so it will have more air for a longer period.
A space-saver tyre is a thinner tyre with high pressure and meant only for use as a temporary replacement when a tyre is punctured. It should not be driven at speeds higher than 80 km/h and should be taken off when the punctured tyre is repaired or replaced.
Many cars nowadays also have emergency tyres or ‘space-saver’ tyres. These are thinner tyres with higher pressures in them. They are lighter and take up less space but they are meant only for emergency use. They are only for replacing a punctured tyre so you can get to a tyre shop for repairs or replacement. Furthermore, you should not drive at over 80 km/h and remove them when not needed. They too need their pressures checked and the correct pressure is usually shown on the sidewall.
It’s a good idea to have wheel alignment and balancing done before a long journey. If the wheels are not aligned properly, uneven wear on the tyres will occur when driven over hundreds of kilometres.
It would also be a good idea to check the tyres for nails before a long journey. Look carefully at the tyre tread area and remove sharp stones that are stuck. Generally, a tyre should wear out evenly over the whole tread area; if you see that it is uneven in some way, ask a tyre shop to check the alignment and balance.
FLUID LEVELS
There are various sensors in modern engines to monitor various fluid levels but it is still a good idea to do it the ‘traditional’ way – using your eyes. The oil level is usually checked by taking out the dipstick and looking at the level in relation to markings (this is usually explained in the manual). Other fluid levels to check would be the brake fluid, windscreen washer fluid and radiator coolant. These are in translucent containers with markings showing the levels. Be sure they are all within the normal range and top up if necessary.
A word of warning: a low brake fluid level is often an indication that the brake pads are worn out. So if the level is quite low, you should have the brake pads checked and replaced if they don’t have much friction material left. You’ll be surprised how fast the material gets worn out when a little is left.
If any of these lights appear on your instrument panel, they may not only mean there is a problem but the fluid could be low, brake pads worn or the sensors dirty. Whatever it is, if the light keeps coming on or stays on, do send the vehicle to a service centre for a check as it can affect safety.
If your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery, then no check is needed. However, if it is the conventional type, then you need to look at the level inside. The plates should be covered with fluid and if they are not, then distilled water (referred to as ‘battery water’) can be added. Be sure not to over-fill as the acid in the battery will spill out and cause corrosion which is hard to remove.
ALL THE LIGHTS
Modern lighting systems on cars are more long-lasting and if there is a failure, there is likely to be a warning on the instrument panel. For older cars, though, the only way is to check by actually switching them on and off. Every lighting system is important for safety – the headlights to illuminate the road ahead, the signal lights to show your intentions and the brake lights to alert other drivers that your vehicle is coming to a stop or stopped. Therefore, they all need to be in good working order (also a legal requirements) and you should be sure they are.
CABLES AND HOSES
You can also check the condition of wires, cables and hoses. Hoses are usually for the engine cooling system or the air-conditioning system. Of these, the radiator hoses are the ones that need checking. Over time, they may deteriorate and if not changed, they could rupture or leak. Of course, with many modern cars, it is also impossible to see the cables as the engine bay is to tightly packed or has covers. In this case, you would probably have to rely on the service centre to do the checks.
Many authorised service centres have an inspection service that checks all the important areas and items. This is usually a public service and offered free to customers, especially during festive seasons, as a way to help reduce accidents. Perodua, for instance, has their free Tweckbot service that ensures vehicles are in a safe and good running condition.
THE WIPERS AND GLASS
This is something that many do not check and like tyre pressures, wiper blades deteriorate so gradually that the change is not noticeable. Their wiping performance becomes less effective as the rubber wears out and the wearing may not be consistent so there will be some patches of water left on the glass. This means they should be replaced and doing so is not difficult. Unless you own a Bugatti or some very rare model, most workshops and spare parts shops will be able to provide a replacement set as there are universal designs. Don’t delay on replacing worn wiper blades as they are vital for driving safety on rainy days.
The windscreen glass also needs to be clean to ensure clear visibility. There are many spray-on cleaners that can be used to clean them inside and outside. Be sure to wipe thoroughly as areas that are not cleaned properly will deflect light and causing irritating flare. To keep the outside clean, pour some windscreen washer fluid into the container. This usually contains some additives to remove oil and other dirt.
In the past, articles on vehicle maintenance would usually end with a reminder to drive safely. Today, we also need to remind you of the need to adhere to Standard Operating Procedures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Do keep spare facemasks in the vehicle and have hand sanitizers and antiseptic wipes as well. If you feel better using gloves as additional protection, be sure not to use the disposable plastic type when refuelling as static can occur and start a fire or even an explosion. When at R&R or any public area, remember social distancing and stay at least 1 metre apart.
These are difficult times for everyone and reducing expenses is even more important than ever before. To help those who own a Volkswagen vehicle, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has come up with a few initiatives that can save them money and give them some ‘breathing space’.
Extended payment plan with 0% interest plan
Vehicles need to be serviced periodically, even though their usage may have decreased considerably due to the restrictions of Movement Control Orders over the past year.
For those who send their vehicles to selected authorised Volkswagen dealers, there’s a flexible payment plan which allows them to spread out their bill over 6 or 12 months. Even better – no interest rate will be charged (terms and conditions apply). However, payments must be by a credit card.
20% service discount
Those who have registered for Volkswagen Care Plus (VCP) will enjoy more savings. These include three 20% rebate vouchers for maintenance service at authorised Volkswagen service centres. The vouchers can be used from the fifth year of service and the following two services during the period of 3 years. Additionally, customers will enjoy 2 years of free roadside assistance under VCP (terms and conditions apply).
30% discount for repairs
Every ringgit saved is a ringgit earned, and this is the basis of VPCM’s Repair Packages offerings. There’s a 30% discount on selected Repair Packages when they repair their cars at authorised Volkswagen service centres. This is applicable for Volkswagen models older than 5 years.
The Volkswagen Insurance Plan (VIP)
The Volkswagen Insurance Plan (VIP) has many benefits which will prove valuable if repair claims are necessary after an accident. If the vehicle is not more than 10 years old, there is no betterment cost for any replacement parts used. The comprehensive coverage includes various value-added services without any extra charges. Additionally, there is an agreed sum and insured value for vehicles up to 10 years old in the event of total loss.
Other VIP benefits include prioritised claim approval, windscreen replacement approval within 2 hours, roadside assistance with 24-hour emergency towing, and assurance that repair work conducted at authorised Volkswagen Body & Paint centres are in accordance with Volkswagen repair standards and only genuine parts are used.
Visit www.volkswagen.com.my for more information or to locate an authorised dealer and service facilities anywhere in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the Penang branch of Auto Bavaria, an authorised BMW, Motorrad and MINI dealership, has introduced its first-ever dedicated BMW and MINI Service Fast Lane Centre. The stand-alone facility will complement the services provided by its main service centre.
The BMW & MINI Service Fast Lane Centre has a floor area of 30,000 sq. feet and is fully air-conditioned with a premium customer lounge, 6 service bays, and two RATC (Reception at the Car) bays. The centre specialises solely on quick service and repairs with emphasis on regular vehicle maintenance, wear and tear repairs, tyre replacement, cosmetic repairs and more, for better efficiency and time optimisation.
Quotation before work commences
According to Sime Darby Auto Bavaria’s MD, Vi Thim Juan, the Service Fast Lane concept aims to help customers optimise their time while getting the necessary service and repairs for their cars. The cost of service or repair as well as the duration needed to complete the service will be discussed in advance when a customer calls to book for the Service Fast Lane.
“Our Service Fast Lane Centre is designed to fit customers’ routines with minimal interruption. Service appointment scheduling is also flexible, allowing customers to bring in their cars at a time most convenient to them. With Service Fast Lane, service and repairs are done in a fraction of the time while customers sip their coffee and relax at our lounge,” said Mr. Vi.
Customers can be assured of receiving cost estimates, including itemised costs for parts and labour prior to any work commencing, as Auto Bavaria continues to deliver on its promise of price transparency for customers to make informed decisions about the maintenance of their vehicles. The centre operates 6 days a week, except on public holidays.
For more information on BMW or MINI products and services in Malaysia, visit www.bmw.com.my or MINI.MY.
While owners of new vehicles which are under warranty should (in fact, they are required to) visit authorised service centres of the brand of their vehicle while it is under warranty, there are those who may prefer to have independent workshops look after their vehicle in later years. They may feel that some of these workshops have more personalised services and may also have the perception that the charges are different.
In the old days, before the increased presence of electronic systems in cars, most workshops could service almost any car. The mechanical operation was essentially the same and what counted more was experience than the hardware used. Often, the older the mechanic, the better he seemed to be, probably because he had come across thousands of different problems and found solutions to them in his own way!
Today, however, cars are more complex with computerised systems and advanced engine technology. Diagnostic equipment is needed to properly service the car and a higher level of skill is needed. The days of the young apprentice ‘learning on the job’ and then going on to start his own workshop are gone because of the need for greater technical proficiency and investments in equipment too.
New generation of service centres
This has led to a new generation of service centres which have high level of competence and one of the new ones is Munich Precision Sdn. Bhd. which is located in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. As the name suggests, the company’s focus is on Germany brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, with ability and equipment to support Porsche, Audi and other continental cars.
Claiming to be ‘uniquely positioned as Malaysia’s most qualified independent operation’, the background of the team members is from the premium automotive industry, with graduate level engineering competence. They offer well over 50 years of combined expertise and considerable practical experience.
Good value services
Munich Precision believes the automotive services industry must be professionally run to ensure the safety and reliability of vehicles, to provide a credible, trustworthy and good value service to customers. It aims to uphold this belief by how it operates and, at the same time, contribute positively and significantly to upgrading the reputation of the independent automotive service industry.
“We believe Malaysian premium car owners are looking for credible service centres where they rightly expect good advice, complete honesty, excellent work quality and competitive pricing,” said Owen Riley, MD of Munich Precision. “Both directors of Munich Precision are already well known in the premium automotive sector in Malaysia and our commitment to authentic customer relations is on record. Now, with Munich Precision we promise to work hard every day to support our customers to the fullest and win their trust.”
Differentiating factors
With an increasing number of electrified vehicles being sold, the time has come for service centres to also be suitable qualified to handle such vehicle. Munich Precision says it is ‘e-Drive Ready’ and is ‘Malaysia’s first true competence centre’ for premium hybrid and electric drive vehicles.
For the convenience of busy customers, the company has a Mobility Service where two of its own cars are available for customers to use in the event their vehicle has to be in the workshop for a while. There are also extended hours up to 8 pm on weekdays for collecting vehicles.
Munich Precision will use genuine parts or OEM parts and provide a warranty after installation – 18 months for genuine parts, 12 months for OEM parts. “We can offer cost options for customers with Original, OEM (original equipment manufacturer) or sometimes even carefully selected refurbished parts. We can do diagnosis, recoding and other advanced work,” said Operations Director, Weng Ho.
