BMW G 310 GS – One year later.

Johann van Tonder
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BMW G 310 GS – One year later.

Hi, my name is Brian, and I own a BMW G 310 GS. This statement has bemused and befuddled many of my journalist colleagues. With all the bikes I get to ride, why on earth did I settle on the tiny GS? Well, the answer is not so simple. When I wanted to sell my previous bike, I got a decent deal at BMW and the bike’s only purpose was to take me from my home in the north of Pretoria to the Gautrain station in Hatfield. A distance of 11km. The bike had a specific purpose and I bought it accordingly.

With lockdown forcing us to stay at home, my choice of bike suddenly became even more troublesome. Surely you cannot use this as a serious travel companion, and it is certainly not worthy of the GS nomenclature. And it is going to break down constantly because it is assembled in India. Or, at least that is what people said. I was forever defending my purchase, but stopped the day I invested a little in the GS and made it into my own personal tiny wanderer.

There is a host of aftermarket products available for the 310 and I started with some luggage and a larger screen. The stock 310 is fitted with a short rally screen which serves no purpose whatsoever and actually makes the bike look odd. The 310 GS is quite a tall bike and the taller screen brought some balance to the proportions of the bike. I am quite tall, and the height of the GS is one of the positives I can point out. I am very comfortable on the bike and that makes longer distances bearable.

I also added some crash protection in case I drop the bike. These bars will help to keep the expensive bits out of harm’s way. Other items like the aluminium sump guard and larger side-stand foot were purely cosmetic, but they do add to the overall look of the bike.

In terms of living with the bike on a daily basis, you have to get used to the clutch. Ever since the launch of the GS, one of the major complaints was the clutch. I still stall the bike from time to time. The other known issue is the extremely bouncy headlight. There are various fixes for it, but as I hardly ever ride at night, this was not such a deal breaker for me.

In terms of riding, the GS has a fairly soft suspension. So for commuting, this bike really excels. When you do some serious off-roading with it the suspension simply cannot cope, but here is where one year of ownership helps. You learn what the shortcomings of the bike are, and then plan your routes accordingly. I even tackled the highly technical Breedsnek pass and the GS managed just fine. You just have to ride within the bike’s limits. Then I undertook a longer trip up to Sabie and Graskop and here too, the 310 was more than adequate.

After a year of ownership, I must admit that the GS has grown on me. As I said, aftermarket parts are readily available and the large luggage rack on the bike is extremely handy. The bike draws a lot of its linage from the larger GS models, and is mostly mistaken for a larger capacity bike. I have also learned that people will have an opinion about my bike and judge me accordingly. Yet, if you are steering clear of the 310 because of what other people will say, then that is your loss.

The BMW G 310 GS has recently been updated to rectify the clutch issue and also the bouncy headlight. I am tempted to upgrade to the newer version because that will make my riding experience so much more enjoyable, but I am enjoying my bike too much now to justify the additional expense. The little GS has proven that you can tour with it. You can do a bit of off-roading and nothing has fallen off or malfunctioned so far. My journey with my BMW G 310 GS will continue and I will no longer feel the need to justify my purchase.

Article & Photos: Brian Cheyne

2B Water Restrictions lifted for George

Herman Pienaar
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2B Water Restrictions lifted for George
Section 2 B Water Restrictions in terms of the George Municipality Drought Management Policy were lifted  with immediate effect for George following an Ordinary Council meeting held on 25 March 2021.Water restrictions were implemented in June 2017 when the Garden Route Dam level dropped to below 60% and these have remained in place due to a number of reasons including a national water scarcity. The completion of the raising of the Garden Route Dam Spillway and associated works  in December 2019 increased the capacity of the dam by an estimated 25%, together with the revoking of the declaration of the National Drought Disaster classification in July last year, and the current status of the level of the dam allows for the water restrictions be lifted for George.On 15 March 2021, the Garden Route Dam (GRD) level was at 99.74% in terms of its capacity before the construction of the new spillway, and at an estimated 79.80% in terms of the new capacity. The new capacity of the Garden Route dam will be confirmed by Department of Water Services, once the dam basin has been re-surveyed and the new dam levels calibrated. George received good rainfall following  the completion of the project and although the new spillway has not overflowed yet, the level of the dam has stayed above the old spillway level since September 2020. The George area received about 145mm more rainfall than the annual average for 2020. The average daily water demand for 2020 in George was 27.76 Megalitres per day.Similarly, the Haarlem Dam although on a dam level of 10.49% for  March 2021, this level equates to  a volume of 480 Megalitres. The water registration for Haarlem is 230 Megalitres per year and the average yearly water demand for Haarlem is 155 Megalitres.The level of the  Uniondale Dam is currently estimated at 30% and the water flow at the abstraction point at Holdrift in the Kamanassie River is reportedly normal for this time of year. The weir area is at present silted up following heavy rain in February 2021 and this  area needs to be cleared to improve flow to the Uniondale Water Treatment Works.  The arrangements for authorization to do so are under way with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP). However, given the current situation, and prevailing weather conditions in Uniondale, Council has approved the implementation of Section 2 B water restrictions in Uniondale with immediate effect.The activation of the different water restriction levels stipulated in the George Municipality Drought Management Policy is based on the level of the Garden Route Dam and this  policy was drafted before the Uniondale and Haarlem areas were incorporated into the George Municipal area of jurisdiction. Due to the different prevailing weather conditions and the different water sources for these areas, the George Municipal Drought Policy will be reviewed and updated  to include and make specific provision for the Uniondale and Haarlem areas. Simultaneously, the George Municipality Water and Sanitation Services By-Laws and the George Municipality Water Services By-Law to Limit or Restrict the Use of Water will  be reviewed and updated in line with the policy.The right of access to basic water supply and sanitation is a basic right for all communities and it is the responsibility of the George Municipality as the Water Services Institution to take reasonable measure to ensure these rights.The immediate measures to be adhered to are as follows: SECTION 2B UNIONDALE
  1. The mechanical irrigation of gardens is prohibited
  2. Gardens may only be watered between the times of 19h00 to 21h00. Garden hoses must be handheld only.
Mondays and Thursdays for even numbered households ONLYTuesdays and Fridays for uneven numbered households ONLY.
  1. The irrigation or watering of all sport fields is prohibited. Exemption from restrictions in the following instances only: golf course greens, bowling greens and cricket pitches which may only be watered between 19h00 and 21h00.
  2. The washing of vehicles with a garden hose , except by a commercial enterprise whose business it is to wash cars, is prohibited.
  3. The cleaning of any area by means of water is prohibited.
  4. The filling of swimming pools is prohibited.
  5. Where own water  from a borehole or reservoir is used, the appropriate notice shall be displayed on the premises.
 Report water leaks and burst pipes to 044 801 9262/66 or after hours at 044 801 6300, as soon as you notice them. UNIONDALE/HAARLEM report to 044 752 1024 or after hours at 044 801 6300

Die Slag van die Taxibestuurders

Johann van Tonder
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Die Slag van die Taxibestuurders

In die jare toe netjiese here nog hoede gedra het, was dit gebruiklik om, wanneer jy by ‘n voetoorgang in Parys ‘n taxi sien, jou hoed vriendelik te lig vir die taxibestuurder. Dit was, inderdaad, tot nog ‘n paar dekades gelede ‘n tradisie in Parys om ‘n taxibestuurder hoflik te groet, want eenmaal, lank gelede, was dit hulle wat Frankryk gered het met ‘n plan wat ‘n impak op die totale wêreldgeskiedenis sou maak.

Die eerste dekade van die vorige eeu was die opstaanjare van die motorbedryf. Die firma van Marcel Renault in Billancourt produseer betroubare klein motortjies wat wêreldwyd uitgevoer word. Na sy dood in 1903 neem sy seun, Louis, die firma oor en die eerste model wat van die produksielyn af rol is die Renault Tipe AG-1 – ‘n ligte motortjie met grasieuse lyne, beskikbaar in vierdeur sedan of tweedeur toekap met ‘n oopkapruimte vir ‘n chauffeur. Dit het handratte en ‘n tweesilinder-enjin wat 12 perdekrag lewer. Teen die einde van 1913 is daar sowat 3000 van hierdie Renaultjies wat behoort aan die G7-taximaatskappy, wat daagliks kruis en dwars deur Parys snork met passasiers.

In Parys gaan die lewe sy normale gang vol plesier en lighartigheid, maar op die horison steek die onweerswolke lankal op. Europa sit op ‘n kruitvat. In ‘n toenemend veranderende wêreld probeer die groot state verbete om hulle eie belange te beskerm. Brittanje is ingestel op wêreldoorheersing en bou aan hulle “Empire on which the sun never sets”, Frankryk se republiek is aan die tande kry, in Oostenryk het keiser Franz Joseph al sy dae om die multikulturele ryk van onderhorige state aan mekaar te hou, Rusland se sagmoedige tsaar Nicholas, deeglik onder die pantoffelregering van sy baaspelerige vrou, probeer verbete vasklou aan sy outokratiese mag en in Duitsland sit en maak keiser Wilhelm almal die hoenders in met sy plan om Duitsland die magtigste staat ter wêreld te maak. Die klomp is in twee kampe verdeel deur ‘n ingewikkelde diplomatiese stelsel van alliansies. Frankryk, Brittanje en Rusland sit op een bank, terwyl die twee Duitse state weer dik vriende is en die struikelende Turkse Ryk van die Sultans aan die hand met hulle saamsleep. Die klomp is kort-kort lus vir baklei.

Die vonk beland in die kruitvat toe ‘n klompie Serwiese nasionaliste op 28 Junie 1914 die Oostenrykse kroonprins, aartshertog Franz Ferdinand en sy vrou, in Sarajewo doodskiet. Oostenryk verklaar ‘n maand later oorlog teen Serwië. Nou spring Rusland in om sy Slawies-Ortodokse vriende in Serwië te beskerm. Keiser Wilhelm vlieg op om Rusland aan te vat en daarom staan Brittanje en Frankryk nader om Duitsland aan te val. Binne ‘n oogwink is die hele Europa besig om oorlog te maak.

Die state is voorbereid. Frankryk het sy linies opgestel aan die Duitse grens by Elsas en Lotharinge. Hulle gaan die Duitsers daar probeer keer, maar wat hulle nie weet nie is dat keiser Wilhelm lankal ‘n ander plan gemaak het – die Schlieffen-plan. Hiervolgens gaan die Duitse leër kortpad kies deur België, Frankryk oorval en neutraliseer en dan ooswaarts draai om die Russe te keer, want generaal die grootvors Nicholas Nicolaievitsj Romanov is op pad met 3 miljoen bloeddorstige Russe!

Niemand verwag hierdie plan nie. België se bloedjong boekwurmkoning, Albert II, val met sy gesin en sy paar soldate terug en skop vas in ‘n hoekie van sy Koninkryk skaars groter as ‘n Bosveldplaas – en daar hou hy vir vier volle jare vas met ‘n verbete heldhaftigheid wat g’n mens van hom verwag het nie. Hy kan egter nie die Duitsers keer nie en teen September 1914 is hulle aan die Marne op die grens tussen Frankryk en België, by Nanteuil-le-Haudoin. Daar is 50 km oor voordat hulle Parys beset.

Die Franse generaal Gallieni met sy ouderwetse knypbrilletjie en woeste snor lê wakker. Hy het die troepe om die Duitsers terug te hou totdat die Engelse opdaag, maar die meeste treine met artillerie en troepe is na Elsas gestuur en nou kan hulle nie terugkom nie, want die Duitsers beheer die spoorlyne. Hoe gaan hy maak om die Franse soldate aan die front te kry?

Volgens oorlewering is dit madame Gallieni wat die plan kry: Kommandeer die taxibestuurders van Parys op! Op die oggend van 6 September 1914 meld 600 van die klein Renaultjies by Les Invalides aan. Daardie aand vertrek hulle in twee konvooie. Die eerste konvooi van 350 Renaultjies is swaar gelaai met vyf soldate elk – vier agterin en een langs die bestuurder. Hulle wapens en kombersrolle is op die treeplanke vasgeknoop en hier en daar klim selfs soldate bo-op die motortjies se kappe! Die opdrag is duidelik: Die voorligte mag nie aangesteek word nie, slegs die een rooi agterliggie. Elke bestuurder moet die rooi liggie voor hom volg. Om 22:00 vertrek die eerste konvooi en om 23:30 val die volgende konvooi van 250 taxis in die pad.

Langs die rowwe paadjies tussen Franse boereplasies deur stamp en hobbel en snork die dapper klein Renaultjies met hulle swaar vragte deur die nag en kom teen die vroeë oggendure by hulle bestemming aan. Die volgende aand word die hele proses herhaal en teen die oggend van die agste September is daar 6000 Franse troepe van die 62e Divisie gereed om die Duitse leer aan te vat by die Eerste Slag van die Marne. Die 160 000 troepe van die sesde leër is teen ‘n stink spoed uit Elsas op pad.

Die storie hou nie daar op nie. Die G7-taximaatskappy se opdrag aan sy bestuurders was duidelik: Julle skakel julle meters aan! Die Franse regering ontvang ‘n stywe rekening van f70,012-00 (frank) vir die vervoerkoste – wat hulle sonder enige klagtes betaal!

Die verhaal van die taxibestuurders van Parys en hulle geharde klein Renaultjies het ‘n ongelooflike invloed op die moraal van die Franse volk en die Franse leër. Die Vervoer van die Franse leër met die “Marne-taxis” verseker dat die Duitse oorlogspoging in België gestuit word, waar hulle vasval in die loopgrawe van Vlaandere en vir vier volle jare moet veg teen Britse, Franse, Kanadese, Australiese en Suid-Afrikaanse troepe, en terselfdertyd aan die oosfront die Russe moet probeer keer. Dit word ‘n skrikwekkende slagting waar daar party dae tot 300 000 soldate sneuwel ter wille van 800 meter niemandsland.

As ‘n mens filosofies daaroor wil dink kan jy seker wonder hoe anders die wêreld sou lyk…as dit nie vir die 600 Renaultjies van Parys was nie.

Artikel geplaas in Ultimate Drive met toestemming van die skrywer: Daniel Lötter

Mazda CX-5 Carbon Edition

Johann van Tonder
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Mazda CX-5 Carbon Edition

Mazda het onlangs sy gewilde CX-5 model-reeks opgedateer met die toevoeging van ‘n nuwe, spesiale uitgawe model, die CX-5 Carbon Edition.

Die nuwe model is ‘n sportiewer weergawe as die CX-5 2.0 Induvidual, die model in die middel van die model-reeks wat deur die Carbon Edition vervang word.

Die Carbon Edition onderskei homself met swart 19”-allooi wiele, swart spieëls, ‘n swart instrumente paneel, stuurwiel en deurpanele, asook swart leer en suede kombinasie op die sitplekke, als afgewerk met rooi stiksel. Daar is 6 kleure beskikbaar, Snowflake White Pearl, Sonic Silver, Machine Grey, Soul Red Crystal, Polymetal Grey en Jet Black.

Die Carbon Edition is, soos die model wat hy vervang, omvattend toegerus met ondermeer klimaatbeheer, spoedbeheer, agt-rigting elektries verstelbare sitplekke, “kop-op” venster vertoon tegnologie, blindekol monitering, dwarsverkeer radar, ‘n BOSE-klankstelsel en meer.

Aandrywing geskied deur ‘n natuurlik geaspireerde tweeliter-petrol enjin wat 121kW en 213Nm lewer na die voorwiele deur ‘n sesgang outokas.

Die Mazda CX-5 2.0L Carbon Edition FWD Auto verkoop vir R565 800 en dit sluit in ‘n 3-Jaar onbeperkte kilometer waarborg en diensplan.

Do you own a Chinese or Indian vehicle, or Taxi?

Johann van Tonder
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Do you own a Chinese or Indian vehicle, or Taxi?

Times are tough and have been for some time. Owning a vehicle is only in reach of a fraction of the South African public. Every so often though, a new, affordable brand makes it’s debut promising to transform the affordable end of our car market. More often than not, the vehicle originates from China or India, some even with a proven track record in emerging markets. But, establishing a new brand in an established market takes time, money and a vary specialized business strategy. Too often the automotive industry and vehicle owners were let down in South Africa by various importers that has imported vehicles with no proper aftersales or back up service.

Luckily, where some fail, others see opportunity. Mandarin Parts Distributors was founded in 2009 when the economy in South Africa was at its worst. MPD created various methods of parts interpretation to identify needs in the Chinese and Indian vehicle brands in South Africa and has imported and distributed Spare Parts into the South African Market since April 2009. MPD realized that affordable vehicles must be accompanied by affordable and accessible Spare Parts. They have managed to create affordable pricing of Spare Parts by direct importation under the MPD Brand.

Brands covered include Chana, Cherry, GWM, DFM, Geely, CAM, Hafei, Meiya, Gonow, Soyat, Asiawing, Mahindra and Tata. On the Taxi side they cover Quantum, Sesbuyile, Ndlovu, Inyathi and Amandla.Currently, MPD covers the whole of Sub Saharan Africa by supplying either by courier or via one of their franchises, the latest having just opened in George.

ALL NEW MERCEDES C-CLASS REVEALED

Johann van Tonder
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ALL NEW MERCEDES C-CLASS REVEALED

Mercedes-Benz has finally revealed its new C-Class sedan to the world, a few days after images of the W206-generation saloon leaked online. The all new C-Class becomes the first Mercedes-Benz model series to feature a fully electrified line-up, with all variants utilizing an integrated starter-generator and 48 V technology.

Only four-cylinder engines will be on offer, both petrol and diesel, coupled exclusively with the brand’s 9G-Tronic automatic transmission. The turbocharged 1,5-litre petrol will deliver 125 kW in the C180 and 150 kW in the C200, each with an additional 15 kW “boost” from the electrified gubbins. In the C300 model a turbocharged 2,0-litre petrol engine with 190 kW (plus 15 kW of electric boost) will do service, while the 2,0-litre turbodiesel unit in the C220d and C300d will be good for 147 kW and 195 kW (again, each with an extra 15 kW of electric boost) of peak power. Fourth-generation plug-in hybrids will follow “soon after the launch”.

The new W206’s dynamically configured suspension system comprises of a new four-link axle in front with a multi-link axle mounted to a subframe at the rear. Rear-axle steering will also be on offer. The new C-Class is considerably larger as its predecessors with a length of 4 751 mm (up 65 mm) and a width of 1 820 mm (up 10 mm). The wheelbase has also grown with 25 mm to 2 865 mm, with both the front and rear passengers benefiting from the extra space. Luggage capacity matches that of the outgoing model at 455 litres.

Mercedes-Benz’s trademark grille characterizes the redesigned front end, with all models now featuring a central star. Standard models will come with decorative elements in the louvres, while the grille and front bumper feature chrome surrounds. The AMG Line package specifies the grille with a diamond pattern. For the first time on the C-Class, the taillamps come with a two-piece design.

The redesigned cabin inside divides the facia into upper and lower sections while the driver area features a free-standing, high-resolution LCD screen. Customers will be able to choose between a centrally positioned 10,25-inch and a 12,3-inch touch screen version from where various vehicle functions can be controlled. Like the new S-Class, the W206-generation C-Class is equipped with the second generation MBUX system, complete with a more interactive and capable voice assistant (“Hey Mercedes”, anyone?).

Mercedes-Benz South Africa will again produce the sedan at its factory in East London.

Mahindra XUV300 receives highest ever 5-star safety rating for Africa from Global NCAP

Johann van Tonder
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Mahindra XUV300 receives highest ever 5-star safety rating for Africa from Global NCAP

Mahindra South Africa recently announced that its compact SUV, the XUV300, has been awarded the highest 5-Star Safety Rating by Global NCAP. With this global recognition, the XUV300 becomes the first ever vehicle in Africa to score the highest safety rating among cars tested so far by Global NCAP.

The XUV300 has also become one of the vehicles in Africa to score a 4-Star child safety rating. It is noteworthy that side-impact performance is a pre-requisite for a 5-Star safety rating, and the XUV300 side-impact performance has been one of the best among all 5-star-rated cars.

The #SaferCarsForAfrica safety rating shows that XUV300 received 5-star rating for its adult protection in the GNCAP crash tests with the highest ever score. The XUV300 sets a new safety benchmark for Africa.

“Mahindra has made a public commitment to provide the safest vehicles possible and the GNCAP rating is a welcome accolade and a first for Africa from the global authority on vehicle safety tests. It is also a sign of things to come from all future models of Mahinda,” says Arvind Mathew, Chief of International Operations at Mahindra & Mahindra.

According to Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa, “A 5-star rating from the GNCAP is the best-possible confirmation that safety is integrated into the very design and structure of the Mahindra XUV300. If one combines the vehicle’s passive safety with its performance, including its exemplary road holding and dynamic handling, it is the perfect SUV for the South African family. It boasts of an unmatched value proposition in terms of style, safety, performance and features.”

Suid-Afrika se eerste ernstige motorongeluk.

Johann van Tonder
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Suid-Afrika se eerste ernstige motorongeluk.

Suid-Afrika se eerste ernstige motorongeluk vind in Kaapstad plaas op die aand van 1 Oktober 1903. Die 24 perdekrag Franse Darracq behoort aan Charles Garlick, die skatryk eienaar van die bekende Kaapse klerewinkel. Sy seun, Charles jnr, is agter die wiel met twee vriende, Harry Markham en Eddie Snellgrove (een van sy pa se werknemers) ook op die motortjie. (Destyds het jy nog OP jou kar geklim, soos party Suidwesters vandag nog praat.)

Die motor met sy flou karbiedlampies wat skaars ‘n kers kan laat skaamkry, steek die spoorwegoorgang by Maitland oor en besef te laat dat die valboom aan die anderkant van die spoor reeds gesak het. Eers probeer hulle die slagboom lig, toe probeer hulle trurat… En toe moet hulle spring, want die volgende oomblik is die Johannesburg Express op pad noorde toe op hulle! Volgens oorlewering was genl Louis Botha daardie aand op die trein, maar hoeveel waarheid daarin steek weet ek eerlikwaar nie.

Die klein windgat van ‘n Garlick kom met ligte beserings daarvan af, Snellgrove trek soos ‘n weggooikoerant as die Suidoos waai deur die lug en Markham, wat in elk geval met ‘ n arm in die gips sit nadat sý eie motor ge-“backfire” het en die slinger sy arm morsaf geslaan het, lê langs die treinspoor met ‘n af heup. Die doodsengel se slagboom was gelukkig ook toe!

Diè saak is voorbladnuus. Die Kaapse Premier, John X Merriman, stel ‘n Kommissie van Ondersoek aan om padreëls te formuleer en eis dat dit duidelik gemaak moet word dat treine by spooroorgange voorkeur kry! Daai manne gaan nie stilhou vir’ n mouterkar nie.

Die peperduur Darracq word met ‘n ossewa weggery na ‘ n smidswinkel wat aan ‘n yslike ou beer van ‘ n Amerikaner met die naam van Yankee Jenkins behoort. Diè laat kom’ n nuwe onderstel met ‘n skip uit Parys, en toe val hy weg om die motor reg te maak. Teen die einde van Februarie is die Darracq terug op die pad… Wat jou net wys waartoe die eerste Kaapse “paneelkloppers” in staat was!

Artikel geplaas in Ultimate Drive met toestemming van die skrywer: Daniel Lötter

Is your Airbag warning light on?

Johann van Tonder
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Is your Airbag warning light on?

The airbag is an intricate part of your vehicle’s safety systems. It can have a direct impact (pardon the pun) on whether you or your passengers survive a collision event.

So how exactly does an airbag work? During a crash event, the vehicle’s crash sensor(s) provide crucial information to the airbag electronic controller unit (ECU), including collision type, angle, and severity of impact. Using this information, the airbag electronic controller unit’s crash algorithm determines if the crash event meets the criteria for deployment and triggers various firing circuits to deploy one or more airbag modules within the vehicle. Working as a supplemental restraint system to the vehicle’s seat-belt systems, airbag module deployments are triggered through a pyrotechnic process that is designed to be used once. Newer side-impact airbag modules consist of compressed air cylinders that are triggered in the event of a side impact.

So why does my airbag light come on? Well, Your airbag light may be on due to various reasons, most of the time because of an airbag fault. This could be related to the airbag module itself or any of the airbag components.

What is an Airbag Module? An Airbag module is a computer found in all vehicles equipped with an airbag system and acts as a controller. All impact sensors, seat belts, airbags, and even the clock spring are linked to it. During an accident, the airbag module writes crash data and stores it in the memory chip. In addition, the airbags may deploy along with the seat belts and tensioners.

Regardless of the type of fault your airbag has, it is imperative for the safety of the occupants of your vehicle to have the airbag fixed. And even if the airbag light is not on, it is considered wise to do an airbag inspection if you have an aging car.

If your vehicle is out of warranty and service plans, having an airbag fixed by a dealer can be a costly affair. Also, since an airbag is such a specialized item, taking it to a specialist in the field makes sense. Airbag Team is a specialist supplier of new and pre-installed automotive Airbags and related components for all makes and models of vehicles. With successful businesses in PE and East London, customers make substantial savings on the purchase price of new parts from dealerships.

The good news is Airbag Team has now also opened a branch in George. Maybe now is the time to have your airbag inspected or fixed. Your life may depend on it!

Bakgat Suzuki Brezza

Johann van Tonder
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Bakgat Suzuki Brezza
Suzuki Motors SA het pas sy oulike en funky nuweling die “Brezza” virtueel plaaslik bekendgestel. Met ‘n slagspreuk “it can just get Brezza!”, het die uwe maar die petalje so skuins-skuins gade geslaan. So op ‘n prentjie kan ‘n besigheid mos misleidend mooi lyk, net om skewebek te vertoon wanneer jy hom die dag in lewende lywe staan en beloer. Vra maar vir die manne wat op die loop gegaan het oor ‘n sexy gesigboek profielfoto!Terwyl die “Vitara” naamplaat oor etlike jare ‘n baie goeie reputasie plaaslik gebou het, val die naam vreemd op by die Brezza. Sien, die oulike klein kompakte sportsnuts vul netjies die gaping tussen die Ignis-buksie en die medium grootte Vitara met Suzuki wat na dese die segment vir klein en medium grootte bekostigbare stoftrappers behoorlik onder die knie het.Ons het die Brezza ‘n dag of wat gelede in ontvangs geneem en is aangenaam verras met die nuweling.Wat ontwerp betref, vang die Brezza die oog met ‘n parmantige vooraansig wat smaakvol en modern vertoon. Die blink afwerking van die smal sierrooster, skermplate voor en agter, dakrelings en netjiese sierwiele van ons GLX-model, vertoon teen verwagting geensins goedkoop nie. Van die sy-aansig beskou sorg die kompakte dimensies en ruim grondvryhoogte van die Brezza vir ‘n baie netjiese geheelbeeld.Binnekant bied die ruim kajuit gemaklik sitplek vir vier volwassenes van gemiddelde grootte, met genoegsame pakplek in die kort, maar breë laairuimte. Die mengsel van materiale wat in ons GLX topmodel handrat gebruik is, voel goed en vertoon modern en duursaam. Die areas waar van plastiek gebruik gemaak is, skep geensins die idee dat dit goedkoop is nie.Ons GLX handrat model is uitstekend toegerus en bied indrukwekkende standaardtoerusting vir sy prysklas. Sleutelose toegang en aan/af-skakel, netjiese klein stuurwiel met skakelaars vir die klank- en telefoonstelsels asook spoedbeheer is standaard. Ook is daar outomatiese hoofligte met LED-lampies. Die klein kleur raakskerm met groot ikone vir die radio, telefoon en inligtingstelsels werk baie gemaklik. Ook die tru-kamera se beelde vertoon duidelik op die skerm om saam met die agterste gonsers parkering nog makliker te maak. Die kissie tussen die voorste sitplekke bied selfs verkoelde bêreplek vir jou lafenissie op die pad. Ek het nogal van die opsie gehou om die instrumentepaneel se kleuromraming te kan verander. Dit bring ‘n lekker “funky” atmosfeer na die kajuit.Op die pad draf die Brezza gemaklik. Die 1.5liter viersilinder petrol-enjin (sonder turbo) lewer 77kW en 138Nm se piekkragte met aandrywing wat slegs na die voorwiele geskied deur ‘n opsie van ‘n 5-spoed handratkas of ‘n 4-spoed outomatiese kas. Ons GLX model was met die handrat toegerus wat heel glad gewissel het. Die 1.5 liter enjintjie is heel gewillig met die Brezza wat flink litte losmaak as die versneller getrap word. Die amptelike brandstofverbruik word aangegee as 6,2 liter per 100km.Die groter Suzuki Vitara is seker die beste grondpadryer in sy segment en die Brezza het tydens ons grondpad ritte opmerklike gemaklike hantering en vasvoetigheid getoon wat aan die groter Vitara herinner. Met ‘n uitstekende onderstel en vering is die Brezza myns insiens ook, wat grondpad dinamika betref, ‘n segmentleier. Hantering oor die algemeen boesem vertroue in met die effe ligte stuur wat veral parkering in klein ruimtes maklik maak.Die Brezza word in Indië vervaardig waar dit uiters gewild onder kopers is. Trouens, meer as ‘n half miljoen Brezza’s is al daar verkoop sedert die bekendstelling in 2016. Suzuki Motors in Suid Afrika het die perfekte klein stoftrappertjie vir Suid Afrika gebring op die tydstip waar kopers vir ‘n oulike dog bekostigbare kompakte nutsvoertuig vra wat terseldertyd ook goeie bougehalte en betroubaarheid bied. Die Suzuki Vitara Brezza is die perfekte antwoord op daardie vraag.Pryse begin by R244,900 vir die GL handrat met die topmodel deftiger GLX outomaties wat vir R309,900 verkoop. Ons toetsmodel was die GLX 5spd handrat model verkoop vir R289,900.
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