Increasing operational costs will be a major challenge to independent garages through 2023, according to a survey by The Motor Ombudsman... A survey by The Motor Ombudsman has shown that 90% of independent garages and franchise dealer workshops expect rising operational costs, taxes and energy bills to be the biggest operational challenge in 2023 Nearly two-thirds (63%) of … [Read more...]
Avoid a Brakedown! Keep your brakes in top condition…
The importance of having effective, high-quality brakes on your vehicle. (Note: This feature incorporates sponsored content). All cars have brakes, of course, among the most critical of safety components, and it's crucial to comprehend what they do. Many people are unaware of how a car's braking system operates. With a disc brake set-up, as used in most modern vehicles, when you press the … [Read more...]
6 Essential Tips for Novice Car Owners
Take care of your car – and it will take care of you! How exciting… to have the key to your newly acquired car, ready to enjoy it on the road. Amidst the initial excitement it’s worth noting that with a little care and attention you can help your vehicle to survive for the long term, to keep it safe and running as it should, while also saving you money… (Note: This feature incorporates … [Read more...]
Maintenance – Ensure your vehicle can cope with the winter
3 Tips to keep your vehicle in perfect condition for the winter... Note: This article incorporates sponsored content. Keeping your car in perfect condition during winter can enhance your safety when driving in cold weather. While the repairs may seem simple, they can make the difference between getting stranded by the roadside and arriving at your destination on time. Here are some tips to … [Read more...]
What happens to used lithium-ion battery packs from electric cars?
Electric cars necessarily rely on batteries, but how can these be recycled and what happens to them in the process? Note: This feature incorporates sponsored content. (Images from unsplash.com and pexels.com) Lithium-ion battery packs are an important component of many electronic devices. What happens to used lithium-ion battery packs from electric cars? Recycling them into new battery … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf – and a Competition Prize; you can win a copy – ‘Hand Wash Only – A Beginner’s Guide to Detailing and Car Care’
YOU could win one of two copies of this top class book; please see below for details of our Wheels-Alive competition… So what is the book all about? We review the book, but first the publishers of ‘Hand Wash Only’ tell us… Car enthusiasts all over the world know that washing their vehicle by hand is the best way to keep it looking its best. In recent times 'detailing' has become the … [Read more...]
Don’t ignore or put off your vehicle’s servicing, urges The Motor Ombudsman
The Motor Ombudsman advises motorists to keep vehicle servicing in mind in the face of cost of living increases... They tell us: A survey by The Motor Ombudsman has revealed that 56% of UK car owners who do not have a service plan in place are considering either missing (33%) or delaying (23%) their vehicle’s annual service in 2022 to save money due to the sharp rise in the … [Read more...]
Fitting a front anti-roll bar to an Austin A30 or A35
Hylton Reid explains how he installed a front anti-roll bar to his Austin A30 (the same techniques can be applied to the structurally similar A35). (All text and photographs copyright Hylton Reid). When the Austin A30 was first introduced it was fitted with an anti-roll bar to the rear suspension. The considered opinion was to remove this to improve handling and to fit a front anti … [Read more...]
Audi TT quattro sport – modern classic ownership continues to be fun
Progress! In the fourth instalment of this series, Jeremy Walton tells us that he has been enjoying his Audi TT quattro sport, while continuing to improve it... (Kim adds: If you are interested in reading the three previous instalments of Jeremy’s story of his ownership so far of this car, please enter ‘Audi TT quattro sport’ into the search box on our Wheels-Alive website, to find and … [Read more...]
Motor Ombudsman Survey shows that many motorists are diligent regarding tyre checks
Motor Ombudsman poll shows that tyre checks are not left behind by UK motorists going on staycations... An online YouGov study commissioned by The Motor Ombudsman has revealed that over three quarters of car users (77%) would personally check or have someone in their household look at the condition of their vehicle’s tyres prior to going on a summer staycation The research … [Read more...]
Kim’s Tips – Renew those filters, to keep your car running at its best
Air, oil and fuel filters are often overlooked, but all play essential roles. Kim Henson advises checking when they were last renewed on your vehicle. Car manufacturers fit a variety of important filters on their vehicles, typically including air, engine oil, fuel and pollen filters. Recent diesel engines also have Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs). The function of each is to remove … [Read more...]
Exhaust systems and their ailments
The Most Common Exhaust System Problems An exhaust system is a vital feature in any motor vehicle, ranging from the petrol dominated world of automobiles to the wide variety of diesel-powered vehicles. They have a major role in keeping the engine running without any issues and ensuring a smooth drive that we all expect. However, like most components of a vehicle, they are susceptible to wear … [Read more...]
Calls for MoT Test changes to incorporate aspects of electric, hybrid and high-tech. modern vehicles
Robin Roberts writes: The MoT test may need a radical shakeup to reflect the arrival of electric power and very sophisticated technology fitted to the latest vehicles. That’s the view of KwikFit, which tests about a million vehicles annually, and head of their service Eric Smith. He points out that currently hybrid models and battery electric vehicles are not tested for emissions and these and … [Read more...]
How to upgrade your classic car to improve everyday use
These suggested improvements are worth considering to make it better still... While a classic car should spend most of its life in the garage or on show on your driveway, it is completely reasonable to want to show it off to the world once in a while by taking it out on the road. As long as the weather conditions are good, there is no harm in doing so. However, there are some classic car owners … [Read more...]
What do all those markings mean on your vehicle’s tyres?
TALKING TYRES by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Washing a car the other day and my eyes were attracted to the tyres, specifically what all those numbers and letters might mean... It was just as well because two needed changing and I know it's important to get not only the correct size but also their loading weight, as set out in the manufacturer’s handbook. They might all … [Read more...]
Fixter advises – Check your car to keep it safe and ready for action
FIXTER, ONLINE CAR MAINTENANCE SERVICE PROVIDER, OFFERS TIPS ON HOW TO KEEP YOUR CAR ROADWORTHY AFTER SITTING IDLE DURING LOCKDOWN Fixter, the UK’s first end-to-end online car maintenance service provider, offers all car users expert tips on which vehicle parts require extra attention at the end of lockdown Fixter garage partners offer advice on precautions that can minimise the risk of … [Read more...]
Need work carried out on your car? Fixter may be able to help you
FIXTER LINKS INDEPENDENT GARAGES WITH OWNERS NEEDING WORK ON THEIR CARS… …By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). In a period of continually rising prices, one business is delivering potentially big savings and changing the way thousands of owners get their cars serviced. It’s also giving an unexpected boost to hard pressed independent garages. We are all accustomed to doorstep … [Read more...]
Keeping your car healthy (and ready to run) during these difficult times
Kim Henson offers advice to avoid vehicle problems, due to lack of use… The strange and difficult times in which we are living are of course a challenge to everyone, not least as we need to stay at home apart from essential journeys. This necessarily means that many vehicles are covering very low mileages, and indeed many more have not moved at all during the last month or so. Now motor … [Read more...]
Need to Know 5 – Vehicle Batteries (for cars and commercials – classic and modern)
Regardless of age and type, your vehicle relies on electrical power in order to function properly, and the battery is vital in storing/providing it. Dave Moss explains how to look after your battery and keep you on the road. (Photographs by Dave Moss and Kim Henson, as individually attributed). This feature was prompted by the ten year old battery in the author's 19 year old diesel Fiesta van … [Read more...]
Tyresome Lack of Maintenance Awareness Facts
HALF OF UK DRIVERS DON’T KNOW HOW TO CHANGE A TYRE: GREEN FLAG RELEASES BASIC CAR CARE TIPS FOR CAR CARE WEEK In this Car Care week, Green Flag has released basic car care advice to motorists Research* revealed over half (51 per cent) of drivers can’t change a tyre Over a quarter (28 per cent) of motorists don’t know how to check oil and fuel levels Over half (51 per cent)** of … [Read more...]