Mind the Dazzle

Autumn is here, and it’s time to prepare the car for the season ahead.

Shorter days bring low sun earlier in the day. According to the Department for Transport figures, dazzling sun was responsible for twenty-three crash fatalities in 2010. Before starting an afternoon journey, try to ensure you have a good pair of sunglasses with you.

If the sun makes it difficult to see, slow down. If the sun is behind you, then it’s in the eyes of oncoming drivers who may not be able to see you. Low sun can dazzle you through your mirrors so check over your shoulder for vehicles in your blind spot.

Make it easier for other drivers to see you by turning on your headlights before sunset and keeping them on for an hour after sunrise.

Leaves falling from trees can cause more hazardous driving conditions both on the road and to your vehicle.

Hard acceleration or braking can cause skidding while dips and potholes hiding under the leaves covering the road can cause other problems.

Always make sure your windscreen is cleaned inside and out as low sun will highlight grime and scratches and ensure your wiper blades are in good condition.

Also, clear out the tray-like area under the bonnet, below the windscreen. They can fill up with water when it gets blocked with leaves. The water then seeps into the car’s electrics, causing expensive and potentially dangerous damage.

The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank the IAM (Institute for Advanced Motoring) for their advice on driving in autumn.

Be Prepared for Autumn Driving

Low sun and dirty windscreens

Autumn is here and it’s time to prepare the car for the colder days ahead.
It might seem like there’s not much to do to prepare you and your car for the autumn. But with leafy days comes low sun. According to the Department for Transport figures, twenty-three people died in a crash because of dazzling sun in 2010. The dazzling sun is incredibly distracting so it’s important to take some precautions at this time of the year.

While it may seem obvious, try to make sure you keep a good pair of sunglasses in your glove compartment. If the sun makes it difficult to see, slow down. Be aware that if the sun is behind you, it’s in the eyes of oncoming drivers who may not see you. Low sun can dazzle you through your mirrors so be ready to dip the mirror and check over your shoulder for vehicles in your blind spot.
As the days get shorter, remember to turn on your headlights before sunset and keep them on for an hour after sunrise so that it’s easier for drivers to see you in twilight.
Low sun will highlight scratches and grime so clean your windows inside and out.
Clear out the tray-like area under the bonnet, below the windscreen. They can fill up with water when it gets blocked with leaves. The water then seeps into the car’s electrics, causing expensive and potentially dangerous damage.

Beautiful autumn leaves can be hazardous

Remember that leaves can be slippery, especially when wet. Avoid hard acceleration or braking as it can cause skidding. Be aware that there may be a dip, pothole or other road hazards hiding under the leaves, covering the road.

Give yourself extra time to clean the windscreen
As it gets further into autumn and the temperature drops, clear your windscreens of condensation or ice before setting off. Always give yourself extra time to ensure you can see though your windows clearly before starting your journey.

Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition. If they squeak as they wipe, it’s likely that they need replacing. Make sure they are turned off before starting the ignition to save the blades and the risk of a blown motor fuse when the frost hits.

Check your car's battery
Autumn takes its toll on car batteries. Keep the top of the battery clean and dry. Make sure the terminals are tight and free of corrosion. If a battery is more than three years old, check it now, you may start saving yourself many a frustrating start to a morning.

The Good Garage Scheme wishes to thank the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) for the above article. For more information about the IAM, please visit their website.

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

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.