Wet Weather Driving Advice from the Good Garage Scheme

The BBC has issued warnings of more wet weather to come and with that the increased risk of localised flooding.

 

With this in mind, the Good Garage Scheme urges motorists to take extra care on the roads and would like to offer the following tips for safe driving in wet weather.

• Keep a safe distance from the vehicles ahead and be ready to brake earlier than normal.
• Avoid driving through flooded areas, but if you do need to drive through water, use first  gear and make sure your brakes are working well once you have come through.  If you are in any doubt, don’t drive any further.
• If you can’t tell how deep the water is ahead of you, find an alternative route.
• Aquaplaning is what occurs when a vehicle’s tyres come into contact with a layer of water instead of the surface of road, leaving a driver without control of the steering, acceleration or braking. To avoid the dangers of aquaplaning, slow down near water on the road and do not brake hard or turn the steering suddenly.
• Check your tyres before travelling and make sure your mobile phone is fully charged.

If you are in any doubt as to whether your tyres are up to the challenges of the wet weather, please contact your local Good Garage Scheme member at www.GoodGarageScheme.com. 

How to make your fuel last longer

Have you sat in a queue to buy petrol this week? Are you thinking about a journey you may not be able to make in a couple of weeks time because you won't be able to fill up again?  

  

It now seems that a strike over the Easter weekend has been ruled out completely so we have a break from the fuel worries for the holiday weekend, but this is a timely reminder that most of us are reliant on fuel, despite the escalating prices now exceeding over 140p a litre.

Could you squeeze more miles out of your tank by becoming a more efficient motorist?

Potential saving on fuel over a year

According to the AA, taking steps to drive more efficiently can result in an average 10% saving, with some people saving more than 30% on their fuel costs. If you spend £50 on fuel a week, then that’s potentially a £2600 a year saving. 

First step to saving fuel
If you’re ready to save some money then the first thing to do is have a good look at your car. Is it running at peak efficiency?

Make sure it’s been serviced regularly as this is essential to maintaining engine efficiency. Also, check your tyre pressure is what the handbook recommends, as under-inflated tyres are more resistant, causing the car to use more fuel.

Your handbook probably also recommends changing the pressure for heavier loads, so always check you have the best tyre pressure possible.

Don’t carry unnecessary weight in the car and ditch the roof rack if you aren’t using it. Making the car heavier or more wind resistant means it needs more fuel to run.

Of course, some cars are more efficient than others and it’s worth bearing this in mind when you’re next in the market for a new or second-hand vehicle.

For more information about the best car to choose, visit DirectGov's useful link here.  

Drivers can get the most from their fuel by:

Avoiding unnecessary use of the brakes Speeding towards red lights and then braking, for example, is just a waste of fuel. Aim to accelerate and decelerate more slowly by reading the road ahead. You’ll save money and be a safer driver. 

Driving at the speed limit is most efficient The AA states that driving at 70mph uses as much as 9% more fuel than driving at 60mph.

Thinking ahead about using the air conditioning Air conditioning is the enemy of efficient driving, so if you’re just motoring around town then open a window instead. Use the air con on the motorway, where open windows increase the drag which is less efficient.

Other ways you can save fuel

• Plan journeys carefully in advance so the danger of getting lost is avoided.
• Switch off the engine when you’re stuck at a crossing or stationary in a traffic jam.
• Turn two trips into one by carefully planning your day's car journey 

• Keep an eye on your mileage and aim to reduce it week by week.

 

Visit your local Good Garage Scheme member who can advise you if your car is running most efficiently.

Driving in Winter - Don’t be Blown Away

According to the Met Office, the UK is set to experience some very windy, wintry weather in the next week or two and the Good Garage Scheme advises all drivers to take extra care on the roads.

Strong gusts of wind can surprise even the most experienced of drivers and motorists are particularly vulnerable on open stretches of road and when overtaking high-sided vehicles.

It is particularly important to keep both hands on the wheel if you need to drive during these conditions and keep your speed down too.

Keep a safe distance from high-sided vehicles and caravans wherever possible and take extra care around motorcyclists. These vehicles may be struggling with windy conditions.

There may be debris on the roads as well. Travel at a safe speed and be aware of any branches that could have fallen during high winds.

Windy conditions are often accompanied by heavy rain or sleet creating slippery conditions.
Periodically check your grip on the road surface by choosing a safe place to brake gently and test the conditions.

Always carry a charged mobile phone for emergencies and make sure your battery, lights and wipers are up to the challenges of winter.  Find a garage near you offering a Winter Check at http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/winter_check

Driving in Autumn – Be Safe in Fog

“Fog slowly clearing” has been a familiar phrase in the UK’s weather reports this week.

The Good Garage Scheme would like to remind motorists to be vigilant and take extra care when using the roads in dense fog conditions.

 •    Slow down – It’s difficult to gauge how fast you are going when driving through thick fog.

•    Listen carefully - Wind down your window if unsure of oncoming traffic at junctions and listen for other vehicles.

•    Use your horn – When driving round blind bends, use your horn to warn other drivers that you are approaching.

•    Avoid using full beam in fog at night  - the light will reflect back off the fog and reduce what you can see.

•    Park safely – if you need to park, use a car park or other off-road location.

It’s even more important to make sure your lights are working before you set off. If you need someone to check your any of your lights, especially your fog lights, visit your nearest Good Garage Scheme member at http://www.GoodGarageScheme.com and find one near you.

For more Driving Tips for Autumn, please visit http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/tech_tips.

Driving in Autumn – Whatever the Weather

Plan ahead
Autumn weather is a mixed bag. We may have rain, sleet, snow or icy conditions. As we enter into the month of November, the Good Garage Scheme advises drivers to plan their journeys in advance and add extra time to prepare your car before setting off.

 

Keep an emergency kit
Be ready for the winter weather and keep the following items in your car:
•    Ice scraper
•    Torch with spare batteries
•    Blanket
•    First aid kit
•    Shovel
•    Road atlas
•    Mobile phone and charger

Be aware of the weather
Take a few minutes to check the weather forecast and traffic reports for your journey.
Visit the Met Office website and listen to local radio broadcasts for weather and the
the Highways Agency website to check the traffic at Highways Agency website.


In case of trouble
Download the Good Garage Scheme’s free app so that you are never far away from a garage you can trust anywhere in the UK. The app, featured in The Sunday Times ‘App List of Top 500 Apps’ is available free from both the App Store and the Android Market.

Wet weather? Get a grip and slow down

Driving in Autumn – 

Wet weather? Get a grip and slow down

The British climate is renowned for its consistent rainfall, which can cause a number of problems for drivers on its roads. The Good Garage Scheme offers some sound advice on what precautions to take when driving in the wet weather this autumn.

 Slow down

One of the fundamental parts of conquering the wet roads is to reduce the speed at which you travel. The three main controls of steering, braking and accelerating are all less effective under wet conditions so slowing down and gentle use of these controls will enable you to manage the car more steadily.

 Increase your following distance

The usual 2-second rule should at least be doubled in wet conditions. Brakes are not as responsive in the rain; therefore this will allow you more time to think and react and will greatly reduce the chance of a collision.

Be aware of floodwater

Make sure you show great caution to any water that has collected at the side of roads as this can cover up potholes as well as creating further risk of aquaplaning.

 On approaching deep water on the road

Don’t panic! When driving through deeper sections of water you should always keep your engine revving, moving at a constant yet slow speed.

If a stall does occur, manual vehicles may be able to drive out of the water using the starter motor, removing spark plugs beforehand as this can lower compression and enable the starter to turn more easily. If this is not possible then the better option is to have someone tow you out.

After passing through deep water it is also important that you check your brakes, as they will probably be saturated and not functioning properly.

For more driving tips from the Good Garage Scheme, please visit http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/tech_tips

Driving in Autumn - Take Care in Foggy Conditions

Even though we are enjoying summer-like weather, there are still foggy conditions to contend with early in the morning that remind us that autumn is definitely here.

The Good Garage Scheme recommends that drivers slow down when entering into foggy road conditions and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Make sure your lights are on so that others motorists can see you. According to the Highway Code, headlights should be used when visibility is seriously reduced.

As a general rule, that is when you are unable to see for more than 100 metres (328 feet). Fog lights can be used, but must be switched off when visibility improves as this can dazzle oncoming traffic and also obscure the visibility of the brake lights.

If you need someone to check any of your lights, especially your fog lights this autumn, contact your nearest Good Garage Scheme member or visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com to find one near you.

Tips for Driving in the Autumn – See and Be Seen

As the days become shorter and darker, the Good Garage Scheme recommends that you carry out a few safety checks and offers advice to help you prepare for autumn driving.

Clean your windscreen
Dazzle from low sun is inevitable at this time of year. Make sure your windscreen is clean, both inside and out to help you see clearly. Be aware of other drivers who may be caught out by dazzle.

Check your windscreen wipers
Also, check your windscreen wipers. If you are in doubt if they need renewing, visit your nearest Good Garage Scheme member for advice.

Check your windscreen washer fluid
A smear across your windscreen will make visibility poor. The Good Garage Scheme recommends you top up your windscreen washer fluid regularly and especially before setting out on a long journey.

Are your bulbs working?
It is also important for other motorists to see you! Check your bulbs weekly. Ask a friend or neighbour to help you with this and let others know if you spot a missing bulb on their car. They may not be aware of it.

Driving tips for bad weather conditions

Once temperatures start to fall and there is the hazard of ice and snow on our roads, our driving skills are pushed to the limit. So do you know how to drive properly in adverse conditions?
A few moments thought and some small preparations before setting out could save you from problems on the road. According to the Highways Agency even when drivers are aware that severe weather is expected, almost half of road users do not take proper precautions.
Despite severe weather warnings many will continue to make journeys which are not even necessary. The advice is STAY AT HOME unless you really do have to travel. You could delay your journey for a couple of hours until conditions improve and keep checking the latest forecasts from the Met Office.
If you do decide to travel, carry a winter weather kit consisting of a mobile phone, boots, blanket, spade, extra clothing, food and a hot drink. Make sure you de mist and de ice your car fully before starting off. Check your car has anti freeze and lots of screen wash.
Once on the road, drive more slowly than usual and keep your distance from the vehicle in front. Be prepared to take more time than usual and let someone at your destination know that you have set off and your route and estimated time of arrival, so that they can alert the emergency services if you don’t turn up.
If you do get stuck, don’t run your engine all the time and keep a window open a little bit for ventilation. Raise your feet off the floor to avoid cold spreading through your body.

Driving tips for bad weather are as follows.
• Check both local and national weather forecasts.
• Only travel if absolutely essential.
• Take a bad weather kit with you.
• Keep your distance when following other vehicles.
• If you skid, ease off the accelerator, but do not brake suddenly.
• Brake gently, accelerate gently and turn the steering wheel gently.
• If climbing a slippery hill, use as high a gear as possible.
• Dazzle from low winter sun can be dangerous - carry a pair of sunglasses.
• Inform other people of your plans.