Is your car ready for Holiday Season?

Spring has officially sprung and the holiday season is just around the corner. Whether you are planning a getaway for Easter, hoping to take advantage of the Bank Holiday weekends or have booked your May half term break, don’t forget to get your car checked before you go.

From 1st April our Holiday Check will be available at participating Good Garage Scheme garages. This seasonal check will ensure your car is in good working condition ready for the holiday season ahead.

Participating garages will check that your tyres, wheels and suspension have not become damaged by harsh winter driving conditions. They will also ensure that engine oil and coolant levels are adequately topped up and check that the air conditioning, lights and power steering are operating efficiently, so you can drive safely and comfortably.

To find a local garage taking part in the Holiday Check programme, please visit our website (please add a link to the holiday check page) and enter your postcode in the box provided.

In a recent survey by Hatchbag, it was revealed that 46% of people are planning to enjoy a staycation this year. If you’re holidaying at home, chances are you may be towing a caravan, trailer or perhaps installing a roofbox to carry your essentials. All of these can put an extra strain on your vehicle, so checking everything in is good working order now will give you peace of mind ahead of your getaway.


For a full list of everything that is covered in the Holiday Check or to find out more about the garages in your area offering this service please visit our website. 

It's like having a friend in the know!

Driving Abroad This Summer?

Here are some tips from the Good Garage Scheme for driving abroad this summer.

1. Don't assume all road laws are the same. Familiarise yourself with the highway codes in the countries where you will drive. You will be driving on new roads with signs in foreign languages. The more you know beforehand, the more relaxed you will be, especially if you are concentrating on driving on the left.

2. Check if there is any compulsory equipment you need to carry in the car. Some countries require items such as breathalysers, high visibility jackets and warning triangles by law.

3. Make sure you have all required documentation including a check code. The check code was introduced after the paper licence was no longer required and is valid for 21 days. It allows a hire company to check your details.

If you need to apply for one, please visit the Gov.UK website link here.

Before you go, ensure your car is in top condition. Visit your local Good Garage Scheme member to have a Holiday Check and ensure your tyres and fluid levels are good to go.

Tips for Driving with Children This Summer

School holidays are here and there may be many trips this summer with children in the car.

Peter Rodger, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM's) head of driving standards reminds us this week that no matter how difficult it sounds, the driver's duty is to the road and road users first - the children second.
He says, "Any problem the children have can be dealt with when the car is stationary, and should never be dealt with on the move. Easier said than done, but it is the only way."

Here are some helpful tips from the IAM:

Seatbelts on! 

If you’re travelling with children under the age of three years you must use a child restraint. Children three years and above must be placed in a booster seat, safely secured with a seatbelt. Make sure you make the appropriate adjustments before you start your journey. If you’re using a child restraint,check whether it needs to be front-facing or rear-facing beforehand.

Everyone comfy?

Avoid placing large and heavy objects or luggage on the rear seat where your children will be seated.

Be prepared

Make sure you have packed important items for your journey including a fully charged mobile phone, first aid kit, water, blanket and high-visibility jackets – you may need these items if you’re vehicle breaks down and you are waiting for help to arrive.

Fun and games

Think about what games your children can take with them on long journeys to keep them occupied. If they will be using a portable device or in-car DVD player, make sure they have headphones plugged in so the sound doesn’t distract you.

Take a break

The longer you’re on the road, the higher the likelihood your children could become irritable. Plan to take regular rest breaks at least every two hours so you can rest and they can release some energy.

Travel with a friend

If you can, travel with another adult passenger who can keep an eye on the youngsters. This will allow you to fully concentrate on the road and prevent them distracting you.

'Have a word' when safe

Never turn around to deal with fighting youngsters while you are driving. Always find a safe place to stop first. Don’t continue your journey with children fighting in the back – it may affect your behaviour behind the wheel.

The Good Garage Scheme would like to wish everyone a happy and safe summer holiday.

Make sure to visit your local Good Garage Scheme member to check your vehicle is ready for the road. 

Back to School - Drivers Take Care

Many schools will start their new academic year again after this week and the lighter traffic that motorists have enjoyed over the summer will change dramatically. In fact, according to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM),the school run brings with it approximately 20 per cent more rush hour traffic.


The Good Garage Scheme would like to remind all drivers to plan for extra journey times from Monday and take extra care when driving near schools.

Children can be easily excited and distracted when crossing roads and it is advisable to show extra attention, especially during drop-off and pick-up times of the day.

In some places, there may be a flashing amber signal below the “School” warning sign which tells you that there may be children crossing the road ahead. Drive very slowly until you are clear of the area.
According to the Highway Code, you MUST stop when a school crossing patrol shows a “Stop for children" sign.
When passing a stationary bus showing a ‘School Bus’ sign, please drive carefully as children may be getting on or off.

Is your car ready for school?
Why not have your car checked before the school year begins to ensure it is in tip-top shape and less likely to break down and make the family late for school and work?
Visit GoodGarageScheme.com and find a local garage you can trust.

Don't Let Car Trouble Ruin Your Holiday

The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank the Institute of Advance Motoring (IAM) for sending along the following advice for drivers setting off on a summer holiday.
 

This year, as you prepare to drive to the airport – as well as making the usual checks for your passport, flight tickets and travel insurance, spare some time to check your vehicle is ready for the journey too. Remember, a little preparation goes a long way.

You should do a thorough check of your vehicle before the big day, including fluid levels, tyres, mirrors and windows – you’ll be on a tight schedule on the day, so the last thing you need is a breakdown.

Make sure you check your luggage packed into the boot of your vehicle. If you do need to put some belongings on the back seats, make sure they do not obstruct your view out of the rear window and secure them in place before setting off.

Leave in plenty of time – if you feel rushed on your way to the airport then you are likely to make silly mistakes or even creep over the speed limit.

Plan your route to the airport the day before, and check travel reports for any disruption or road closures before you set off.

Make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before you travel to ensure you’re alert from the very beginning of the journey. And if you have to travel a good distance to get to the airport, leave enough time to schedule in a rest stop to fight the onset of fatigue.

When parking up at the airport, try to find an area which is not too crowded – the fewer cars around you, the less chance there is of someone clipping your vehicle with their luggage. Nobody wants to return from a relaxing holiday to a damaged vehicle.

The last thing you need on the day you start your holiday is unwanted stress from a lack of preparation and a shortage of time. Preparing yourself and your vehicle before the big day and setting off nice and early will remove the obstacles to you taking full advantage of Duty Free.

Enjoy your holiday.

Breathe Easy This Summer

When the sun finally does come out this summer, you will naturally reach for the coolest setting of your car's air conditioning once again to drive in comfort. Like most people you probably haven't given the air conditioning unit a thought over the winter, but while turned off for so many months, bacteria, mould and fungi may have collected in the pipework.

Bacteria found in the ducts of
 a vehicle's air conditioning 

A bad smell in the car is a telltale sign that the air conditioning system needs a specific treatment. Nasty bacteria and mould are not so easily detected but may cause allergic symptoms for the driver and passengers.

Good Garage Scheme members are offering customers a Holiday Check this summer which includes checking the operation of the air conditioner including a bad odour. The check can be carried out while you wait.

Why not find a local Good Garage Scheme member offering the Holiday Check and make sure you and your passengers can "Breathe easy".

Is Your Car Ready for Summer Driving?

With the summer holidays fast approaching, the Good Garage Scheme is encouraging motorists to get their cars professionally checked to ensure they are safe, reliable and comfortable as the temperature increases.  Members of the Good Garage Scheme across the UK are offering a Holiday Check to offer drivers peace of mind, as research undertaken by the organisation has found that 38 per cent of motorists do not plan to get their car serviced before their next long journey.

Towing a caravan or carrying passengers with a boot full of luggage demands that a car is in the best possible condition to provide safe, reliable and comfortable summer motoring.  The 21-point HolidayCheck provides an expert assessment of a vehicle’s condition, covering essential areas including the condition and level of the coolant and engine oil, as well as the brakes, tyres, wiper blades, windscreen and lights.  The Good Garage Scheme also recommends that motorists have their air conditioning systems checked.  Harmful bacteria and mould may have built up in the ducts of systems that have been switched off during the cooler months, posing a health risk to drivers and passengers as they switch them back on.

Phil Dugmore, the Good Garage Scheme’s Technical Manager, comments: “The Holiday Check campaign gives motorists the confidence that their car is well prepared by getting it expertly checked at their local member workshop.  With our research finding that 38 per cent of drivers are not thinking about getting their car serviced before setting off on a long journey, the Holiday Check aims to give motorists peace of mind before setting off on travels with family and friends.”

Visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com and enter your postcode to find your local Good Garage Scheme member offering the Holiday Check.  Smartphone users can also download a free iPhone or Android app to help them locate a nearby Good Garage Scheme member anywhere in the UK.

Good Garage Scheme Advice for Long Car Journeys

Summer is here and most of us are looking forward to a well-earned holiday.
Part of your travels are likely to involve a long car journey and we'd like to share some tips to help avoid any stress and allow you to enjoy your holiday from the moment you drive away.

Prepare for your trip
Is your car or caravan ready for the journey? Giving your vehicle a good check could help avoid an unnecessary breakdown. It is essential to check the following items, but if you are unsure, any Good Garage Scheme member garage would be happy to help you.

• Tyre pressure  -  You are likely to carry more passengers and luggage than normal.
• Tyre tread  -  Worn tyres affect your ability to control the car in wet conditions.
• Oil and coolant levels
• Windscreen wipers and lights
• Spare wheel and first aid kit   

Visit your nearest Good Garage Scheme member offering a Holiday Check.

Pack carefully

Make sure all passengers have enough leg room. Loosely packed items may injure a passenger should you need to brake suddenly.


Child safety
Ensure all children are seated in correct car seats and as comfortably as possible. In 2006 it became illegal for any child under the age of 12, or less than 135cm tall, to travel in a car without a booster seat. If you are unsure about the correct car seats for your children, please read more at SafeKids.co.uk .

Stay Alert and Take Breaks
We all want to get to our destination as quickly as possible, but it is best to plan breaks into your journey time to make sure your concentration remains at the level it should be when driving. Take regular breaks and share the driving if possible. Aim for at least a 15 minute break at least every two hours. It will give you and your passengers a chance to stretch your legs.


The Good Garage Scheme would like to wish everyone a safe and happy summer holiday.