In recent weeks, the Autoworld Stars Football Club have been busy on the pitch against Bimbe Trading, Engen Crossroads and Team ZRA. Brian Mununka, team co-ordinator is happy to report that the team has won two of the three matches, only loosing to the seemingly invincible ZRA team.
What’s so cool about engine oil?
K2 and Mwala Elephant Charge 2015 – a celebration of the great outdoors, by David Findlay
As much as the Elephant Charge is a whole lot of action-filled fun for the whole family, we all need to remember its great purpose - wildlife conservation. If we teach the young generation of today about the importance of wildlife and conserving it, we can put a stop to declining numbers of our beautiful wildlife and forests. The Elephant Charge supports projects and programs that are specifically designed to educate young communities living in those rural areas where wildlife live. They are being taught the importance of wildlife and how they can benefit from it.
October Monthly Special – 15% off ECOGEN Generators and ABAC Compressors
An answer to power cuts – ECOGEN generators with back up spares
The Elephant Charge – looking back, looking forward. By David Findlay
The Elephant Charge is an annual off-road motorsport challenge for both cars and motorbikes that raises money for conservation and wildlife education. Autoworld has been competing in the Elephant Charge for the last 5 years. In 2014 after a whole year of preparation, it was finally a win for Team Autoworld. Winning the Elephant Charge had been one of my biggest dreams. Now let’s see if we can make it a double!
Autoworld sponsors President's Putter Golf Tournament
September Monthly Special – 15% off GUD Filters
GUD filters
Autoworld stocks a full range of GUD filters including air, oil and fuel filters. These quality filters will to protect your engine from harmful contaminants.
15% off GUD filters
The September Monthly Specials start today, Thursday 3rd September. Get discounted prices on Autoworld’s full range of GUD filters. The offer is valid for one week until Wednesday 9th September 2015.
Monthly Specials are available at all participating Autoworld branches as well as Impala Service Station while stocks last. Call your nearest branch for further details.
Quality filters give great engine protection and save money
The purpose of a vehicle's filters is to keep out harmful contaminants from the engine.
Contaminants are carried by the air, oil and fuel supplies. Contaminants can be in the form of dust, sand, soot, water or engine-wearing metals. If these contaminants are NOT filtered out, rapid engine wear will occur, or worse, complete engine failure.
It can cost hundreds of thousands of Kwacha to recover from engine failure.
A sub-standard filter will most certainly result in premature wear. On the face of it and to the untrained eye, sub-standard filters may look fine from the outside. This is where the unsuspecting are led astray. In reality, filtration performance far outweighs physical appearance.
You are strongly advised to fit the best quality filter to your vehicle. Just follow these simple rules:
- Always buy a reputable and trusted brand, such as a GUD filter.
- Always look for a comprehensive product warranty, as offered by GUD Filters. Other warranties may only replace the filter without covering the damage done to the vehicle’s engine.
- Always ensure that the brand you fit to your vehicle meets or exceeds the original equipment specification (as GUD filters do).
Why choose a GUD filter?
- GUD filters give great engine protection
- GUD filters are made with superior quality materials and to the specifications of the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)
- GUD filters offer a comprehensive warranty
- GUD filters have an extensive product range and expert technical support
- GUD filters are a reputable and trusted brand with a 65 year track record
You may also be interested in our other ranges...
Autoworld Stars and Tuff Stuff FC clash on the football pitch!
At the invitation of Bimbe Trading Company, on Saturday 1st August 2015 Autoworld Stars Football Club (otherwise known as the Keep Zambia Moving team) met Bimbe’s ‘Tuff Stuff’ Football Club in a friendly match. The 60 minute match kicked off at 15.30 hours.
Spectators were amazed at the beautiful display of passes from defence, through the mid field and then going forward.In the 18th minute the Tuff Stuff team was shocked to see a well-coordinated pass reach Misheck Zulu who angled the ball confidently towards the goal. The brilliant Bimbe goalie caught the ball but could not stop the goal as he was driven back into the net. It was Autoworld 1 : Bimbe 0! What jubilation from soccer fans and school officials and as if that was not enough, the 26th minute saw another goal by Autoworld from a penalty free kick.
A few seconds before half time, Team Autoworld interchanged passes and much to the amusement of the spectators they confused the Bimbe defenders and scored the third goal. The ball went straight into the bottom corner of the net, with Bimbe’s goal keeper momentarily caught 'napping'.
The second half was not easy for Team Autoworld. Team Bimbe put up a brilliant performance but it seemed they lacked strikers who could beat Autoworld’s able defence. And Team Autoworld’s goalie Njekwa did the job, sealing the goal from the Bimbe team.
Gomes Nsobe Safari Rally 2015 — sponsored by Autoworld
On 1st August 2015 the Zambia Motorsport Association held its first Motorsport Rally in Ndola in over 20 years. Autoworld hosted and sponsored the scrutineering of the Gomes Nsobe Safari Rally.
This exciting Gomes Nsobe Safari Rally event began at noon at the Autoworld workshop and fitment centre in Ndola. All participating cars were carefully scrutinised for safety and road worthiness. Once the last of the 26 cars had been checked, the event moved to Ndola Motor Cross along the Ndola - Kitwe dual carriageway for the official start at 15.00 hours. The finishing line was Nsobe Game Camp off the Ndola – Kapiri Mposhi road.
Autoworld would like to congratulate the team of Farook Ticklay and Jasmeen Singh for scooping 1st position in the 2015 Gomes Nsobe Safari Rally. They were closely followed by the teams of Muna Singh Jr, Leeroy Gomes, Vyon Pinto, Toofail Dalal, Kumaren Naidu, Azim Ticklay, Mujo Simakoloyi, Yazdaan Ticklay, Wellington Matimba and Kleevan Gomes, who all put up a spirited fight and crossed the finish line.
The Gomes Nsobe Safari Rally team prize went to Ticklay Motorsport Team. Mohammed Essa and Farook Ticklay won first and second ‘power stages’ respectively.
The next Zambia Motorsport Association rally is the 6th National Rally Championship, commonly known as the Monze Rally. It will be held on 12th - 13th September 2015 in Monze, Southern Province.
August Monthly Specials – Castrol Lubricants
Autoworld stocks a full range of quality lubricants from Castrol, to help keep your vehicle in tip top condition and running efficiently. For six simple tips on how to ensure you have a smooth running engine, see our latest article: What a difference a quality lubricant makes.
The August Monthly Specials start today, Thursday 6 August. Discounted prices for Autoworld’s full range of Castrol lubricants will be valid for one week until Wednesday 12 August 2015.
Monthly Specials are available at all participating Autoworld branches as well as Impala Service Station while stocks last. Call your nearest branch for further details. Contact information for all our branches can be found here.
What a difference a quality lubricant makes
Most car owners understand that engine oil is used to lubricate the various components of the engine to prevent friction.
However many are not aware that the efficiency of an engine is directly related to the quality of the engine oil you put in it. The engine is the ‘heart’ of your vehicle. You need to treat it well in order to keep your vehicle in the best working condition. Autoworld stocks a full range of quality lubricants from Castrol, to help keep your vehicle in tip top condition and running efficiently.
Here are our six simple tips to ensure you have a smooth running engine:
- Always use the correct engine oil for your valuable vehicle. To identify the right oil for your particular vehicle, refer to your owner’s manual or contact our Fitment Centre for advice.
- It’s advisable to do a lube service at least every 5,000km. This service should include the replacement of engine oil and the oil filter, checking of clutch fluid levels (where applicable), checking of automatic transmission fluid levels (where applicable), checking of gearbox oil levels, checking of diff oils, checking of engine coolant level and, where necessary, flushing of the radiator.
- Autoworld Fitment Centres will always indicate the mileage point at which your car will next be due a service. It’s important to keep a note of this.
- Check your oil dip stick at least once a week in case your vehicle might need a top up of oil. This could be done while you are filling up with fuel. The fuel attendant can help you.
- The coolant lubricates all the gullies and water pump components. It’s important to check the coolant level at least once a month, depending on the usage of the vehicle. At the same time check your radiator water level where applicable.
- Some new vehicle models have a fully sealed radiator that can only be filled through the coolant bottle. Such models require long life radiator coolant which is available in all Autoworld retail stores. Ensure you only top up levels with long life coolant for these applications.
Follow this advice to minimise the risk of breakdowns and unnecessary wear and tear.
Visit one of our Autoworld stores and choose from our extensive range of Castrol quality lubricant products.
View more information about our lubricant products.
Bosch Training Workshop hosted by Autoworld
Background to the Bosch Training Workshop
Bosch was established in 1902 and is one of the leading global companies in the field of automotive technology. The company has identified that the complexity of their high tech products and the diverse uses of their latest testing devices require their clients to build up an in-depth knowledge of Bosch auto spares and testing equipment. Therefore Bosch has developed a range of training programs to optimise the support companies like Autoworld are able to give to their customers.
The Bosch Training Workshop itself
On 28th May 2015, Autoworld organised a product-specific training session with Bosch South Africa at the Autoworld Head Office in Lusaka. The session was attended by the Autoworld sales staff. The Bosch trainers travelled from South Africa to give the training which focused on gasoline systems and spark plugs – both essential for vehicle reliability and fuel economy. Some of the advantages of using quality spark plugs and electric fuel pumps were identified as:
- Better fuel consumption in general, helping to save money
- Increased driving comfort through reduced engine noise
- Bosch spark plugs have a longer service life
- Bosch spark plugs prevents arcing (which causes misfiring)
- Bosch electric fuel pumps lead to longer engine life due to their filter surface being as large as possible
This was another successful training event for Autoworld staff. For further details concerning the Bosch range of products, visit any Autoworld store countrywide. After this excellent training session, our sales team will certainly be ready to give you all the information you require!
July Monthly Specials - Hi-FASE Batteries
July Monthly Specials – this month enjoy 15% off the full range of Hi-FASE batteries
Autoworld are battery experts, whether for cars or trucks. A wide range of batteries are available in all Autoworld branches across Zambia. Batteries are charged and ready for installation by qualified staff. All Hi-FASE batteries come with a handy three month guarantee.
Learn about keeping your battery in good working order in our latest article Have an easy start right through winter.
The July Monthly Specials start today, Thursday 9 July. Discounted prices for Autoworld’s full range of Hi-FASE batteries will be valid for one week until Wednesday 15 July 2015.
July Monthly Specials are available at all participating Autoworld branches as well as Impala Service Station while stocks last. Call your nearest branch for further details. Contact information for all our branches can be found here.
Have an 'easy start' right through winter!
Is your vehicle battery giving you an ‘easy start’ during these winter months?
We realise the importance of having a reliable vehicle that starts first time. If this is an issue on a cold morning, perhaps your battery needs some attention to keep it alive. It’s a real inconvenience to get in your vehicle in the early morning rush, kids in the car and time ticking for you to get to work on time, and all you hear is a horrible “click”! That noise indicates the battery voltage is too low to start the car. You’re definitely going to be late ….
This month we're giving our customers an ‘easy start’ to help ensure their cars start first time and just as soon as they turn on the ignition. We are offering the full range of Hi-FASE batteries at 15% discount from 9th July to 15th July 2015!
How do I know if my battery is in good order?
We have more good news for you. At our Freedom Way fitment centre we can test your charging system on your vehicle and your battery condition - while you wait. Our equipment will report the voltage that your alternator is giving out (which is most important in prolonging battery life). The equipment will also test your battery’s condition and identify any cells that might be damaged. All this information can be presented on a print out. (We will have this equipment at all our other fitment centres in the near future.)
Our fitment centre can help with all your battery needs, ensuring your car always has an easy start
Visit our Freedom Way fitment centre for your charging system to be fully tested. If you know that your charging system is in good order but you would specifically like to check your old battery, we can also help you with a battery test!
- The charging system test costs just ZMW120.00
- The battery test costs just ZMW50.00
- Battery fitting is free of charge if the battery has been purchased at any Autoworld branch
At the same time our staff will check your battery terminals and battery water levels (distilled water levels) ensuring your battery remains in good condition.If anything needs replacing:-
- A good set of battery terminals (made of brass) costs just ZMW30
- We also have single battery terminals (negative and positive) costingZMW15 each
- Lastly we have battery water (distilled water) in two sizes - 750ml and 2.5l - costing ZMW6 and ZMW13 respectively
Note: All prices are inclusive of 16% VAT
A few helpful points to ensure you keep your battery in good working order:
- Battery terminals - Make sure the battery terminals are clean and free from corrosion. It’s advisable to grease the battery terminals each time your vehicle has a routine service to avoid terminals from corroding. All Autoworld branches stock best quality brass terminals.
- Battery water (distilled water) - Check battery water level at least once a month. Ensuring that all the cells are full of battery water will avoid the danger of battery cells boiling, which permanently damages the battery. The battery cells should not be over filled; the distilled water level should be just above the plates in each battery cell. Our fitment centres can help with this.
- Treacle battery charger (smart charger) - Never store batteries for long periods of time without charging them up regularly. This shortens the life span of a battery significantly, even if it is brand new.
More about the Treacle smart charger
If you have a recreational vehicle, boat or motor cycle that is not used on a regular basis, it is advisable to connect its battery to a treacle smart charger. This is a battery charger that is permanently connected to a 220v power supply as well as the negative and positive terminals of the vehicle's battery while it is stored away. The charge of the battery is permanently kept above 12v. As soon as the battery drops below 12v then the charger automatically begins to charge the battery. Once the battery has reached 12v the charger will immediately turn off. This charger can be left connected for very long periods of time and will protect your battery from permanent damage. Smart chargers are available from our Autoworld Downtown Marine shop branch for just ZMW650.
We trust this information has been useful to you. Visit out fitment centres and Autoworld stores for your Hi-FASE battery. Check out our incredible July 2015 Hi-FASE battery offer.
Wishing all our customers an ‘easy start’ experience right through the winter!
From the Autoworld team
Staff News - competition winners
We recently held a couple of in-house promotions: Best Spanjaard Salesman and Hardest Working Warehouse Storeman. Here are the competition winners.
1. Competition winner - Best Spanjaard Salesman
In April 2015 salesmen at Autoworld and its sister company Impala Service Station were set a challenge – to sell as many Spanjaard products as they could! Just to make the challenge worth fighting for, Spanjaard South Africa generously donated a smart phone. With such a great prize up for grabs, conversation amongst the salesmen centred on the great Spanjaard product range stocked across all Autoworld branches, as well as Impala Service Station.
For a whole month every salesman put in their best effort marketing Spanjaard. However there could only be one winner! The “man with a plan” for the month of April was Mr Lloyd Simwami, a key salesman at Impala Service station. Well done Lloyd for this remarkable achievement!
Lloyd has worked for Impala Service Station for the last 8 years. Before taking up the role of salesman Lloyd was an impressive fuel attendant, the first face you would see on the forecourt. Now he sells, and has acquired a great deal of knowledge on a huge range of products.
2. Competition winner - Hardest Working Warehouse Storeman
The Autoworld warehouse at Head Office recently held a competition to award the hardest working employee in that department over a 15 week period. The warehouse is the heart beat of Autoworld and it wasn’t easy to choose a winner as everyone works hard. We used the following criteria to choose the one who most deserved to be in first place:
- Identify the fastest moving items in your product range and make sure these items are fully stocked at all times
- Notice any items that are damaged or defaced and have them removed or replaced
- Spot items with bar-code errors and correct them
- Regularly keep management informed about your stock
The winner was Mambwe Chanda, who walked away with a Samsung S4mini cell phone. 2nd place was Musa Mumba; and 3rd place was Paul Machwani. Many congratulations to Mambwe.
So what do we know about the winner? Mambwe Chanda, nick named ‘the walking computer’, joined Autoworld in 2001. He enjoys being part of the team that ‘keeps Zambia moving’. On receiving his prize he thanked management for recognising the hard work he puts in. He warned the rest of the warehouse team that he is ready to compete and win everything in the near future!
Let’s not forget that without team work all this would not be possible.
Shock absorbers - June 2015 Monthly Specials
June 2015 Monthly Specials - this month enjoy 15% off the full range of SHOCK ABSORBERS
Autoworld stocks shock absorbers for all types of vehicles, catering for even the roughest roads in Zambia.
Available brands TJM, KYB, Monroe and many others. The TJM brand is specifically for 4x4 vehicles.
The June 2015 Monthly Specials start today, Thursday 4 June. Discounted prices for Autoworld's full range of shock absobers will be valid for one week until Wednesday 10 June 2015.
This offer is available at all participating Autoworld branches as well as Impala Service Station while stocks last. Call your nearest branch for further details. Contact information for all our branches can be found on our website.
Shock absorbers in Zambia — what every motorist should know
KYB, one of the world's largest manufacturers of shock absorbers, state the basic function of a shock absorber - to keep the vehicle's tyres in contact with the road.
Worn out shock absorbers may cause the following:
- Reduced braking efficiency
- Less control on cornering or in windy conditions
- Increased risk of skidding in wet conditions
- Quicker wear on tyres and other suspension components
- Driver fatigue and reduced driver’s responses
- Last but not least, uncomfortable ride
In summary, a shock absorber is designed to take or absorb all the unpleasant effects of a bumpy road. This allows the driver to have control over the vehicle, and ensures passengers have a comfortable ride.
The better the suspension of the vehicle = the better steering control and handling of the vehicle.
Tell tale signs of worn out shock absorbers:
- the 'bounce test' - the vehicle oscillates more than once after downward pressure is applied to the bonnet of the car
- load shift when cornering
- poorer handling on uneven road surfaces
How often should shock absorbers be checked?
Shock absorbers should be checked by a qualified mechanic annually or every 20,000km, ensuring the safety of the driver, their passengers and other motorists. If shocks do need replacing, it's very important to replace them in pairs, to give an even balance on both sides of the vehicle.
How Autoworld can help
In July we're offering motorists a 15% discount off all our shock absorber brands which include Kyb, Monroe and TJM. Our fitment centres are also available to inspect your shocks and general suspension to look for any wear and tear (for just ZMW100). Shock absorbers installation charges range from ZMW120 to ZMW175 depending on the model. If you buy your shocks from an Autoworld branch, the inspection charge is waived; so the only charge will be for the fitting of the shock absorbers.
Wishing all our customers a safe drive!
Autoworld team
Labour Day 2015 - Autoworld participates
Friday 1st May 2015 was Labour Day - an annual public holiday celebrating the achievements of workers. The Labour Day 2015 theme was “Promoting National Economic Growth through job creation, Free collective bargaining and respect for workers rights.” The president HE Edgar Lungu was present during the celebrations, announcing a lifting of the wage freeze to give encouragement to employees across the country. Autoworld was part of the procession, with a good number of its staff taking part.
Labour Day awards
At this year’s ceremony, two of Autoworld's members of staff, Timothy Samugule and Charles Bowa, were given awards in recognition of their hard work and achievements.
Timothy Samugule has been a tyre fitter at Autoworld for the last seventeen years. He joined Autoworld head office in 1998 and was the first tyre fitter at the fitment centre under Mr. Smith’s supervision.
Charles Bowa from Autoworld’s Downtown branch is the longest serving member of staff there. He is an assistant in the warehouse, in charge of rims and tyres.
Timothy and Charles each received a generator as a prize, and went home smiling.