NATIONAL NEWS - The water crisis in the Western Cape will pass, but unfortunately damage to vehicles will remain if we don't consider alternative ways to care for them during this drought.
On-line portal AutoTrader says in a statement that water is not a critical component in the care or running of cars.
In fact in many instances, certain alternatives are considered better to use than water, the website reports.
AutoTrader shares its tips for looking after a vehicle during a water crisis.
Dry car washing
A 10-minute car wash uses on average 380 litres of water.
Washing a car once a week accounts for the total current water allocation in Cape Town for the entire month!
Not washing it isn't an option either.
Dirt mixed with rain and other pollutants, bird droppings and types of plant sap can etch a car's paintwork right off.
That will mean money spent fixing the damage and it will also affect your resale value.
Luckily there are other options.
Formal dry wash facilities are costly. If you enjoy spending a Saturday morning cleaning your car, consider using a waterless car wash liquid and a microfibre cloth.
Alternatively, gently wipe your car down each day with a microfibre cloth before the dirt gets too thick.
Caring for the radiator
A 4-cylinder car requires on average 4 litres of fluid in the radiator. Halve the water use by using a coolant.
The ideal mix is 50% coolant and 50% water. Some coolants don't require water at all.
Not only will this replace your use of water completely, but it will also help prevent corrosion in the cooling system.
Not the only wiper option
The average windscreen wiper system holds around 5 litres of liquid. It need not be water.
In countries where the temperature dips below freezing, water is completely replaced with special windscreen wiper solution containing antifreeze.
You can completely replace water with wiper fluid, with no damage to the internal workings.
If the extra spend is over your budget, a little research online will reveal washing liquid, vinegar, and ammonia-based recipes to mix at home.
For the time being, petrol stations are still filling cars with the water we need.
Maybe we should consider that it all comes from the same depleting sources.
Changing our habits can bring about that extra little improvement, while still looking after one of life's biggest investments - a car.
'We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news'
