Don't Let your Diesel Let you Down

With diesels often in the news these days relating to pollution and scrappage schemes, it is unsettling for those of us with a diesel car to know exactly what to do.

What can you do if you are concerned about your diesel car in the meantime?

For peace of mind, ensure you service your car regularly. Contamination from fuel builds up in your engine even if you don't drive often or cover many miles. Good Garage Scheme member garages can offer help and advice to drivers with diesel engines and a Complete Cleaning Solution to keep them clean and running smoothly.

What about a blocked DPF?

Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs), which are fitted to diesel cars to meet European emission standards and reduce the emission of particulate matter (soot) produced by the engine, are designed to trap larger soot particles within the filter. As the soot particles build up, the filter requires emptying. The only way to empty the soot is to burn it off at high temperatures – most often when you are driving on a motorway.

If you use your diesel car mainly for short journeys, it may not reach the temperatures required to burn-off the soot, leading to a blocked DPF.

If you are concerned about your DPF or have had a light come up on your dashboard, don’t leave it. Visit your local Good Garage Scheme member garage for help and advice.

Here are some fuel-saving tips for all drivers:

• Check and adjust tyre pressures regularly – Under-inflated tyres make your car work harder and reduce fuel efficiency
• Watch your speed - Driving at 65mph as opposed to 55mph increases fuel consumption by up to 20%
• Switch off when idle - fuel is wasted while the car idles. If you're likely to be at a standstill for more than three minutes, switch off the engine.
• Lose the weight! Removing any junk from the boot will reduce the weight on your car and the workload of the engine.

For more useful advice and to find a garage you can trust, whether you’re at home or on the move, visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com  - It’s like having a friend in the know!

Tyre Safety Month - October 2014

The Good Garage Scheme joins with Tyresafe, one of the UK's leading tyre safety organisations, in this year's Tyre Safety Month by helping to spread the message about the importance of checking tyres.

courtesy of Tyresafe

According to Tyresafe, more than 1,200 road casualties are caused by illegal, defective or under-flated tyres and after experiencing the wettest winter on record only last year, this year's campaign focusses on tread depth which is essential for safe driving in wet conditions.

Points to remember about tyre tread depth:

• Good tyre tread depth keeps you safer in the wet
• Adequate tread depth reduces your risk of aquaplaning
• Tyre tread depths should be checked at least once a month
• Driving on tyres with illegal tread depth not only reduces your safety but also risks a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre

What you can do

• Check the tyre tread depth using a 20p coin (if you can see the outer edge of the coin, your tyres may be illegal). Carry out this test on all grooves of the tread and on all four tyres.
• If you are unsure, take your car to a local garage you can trust. Find a Good Garage Scheme member near you offering a Winter Check, which includes a tyre check.
• Tyresafe says take a #Tyreselfie and share with friends on social media to help promote Tyre Safety Month

yreSafe is one of the UK's leading tyre safety organisations, dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers associated with defective or illegal tyres. It was established in 2006 as a not for profit organisation and campaigns in line with current legislation and duty of care regulations. - See more at: http://www.tyresafe.org/other-information/about-tyresafe#sthash.MIox8GHm.dpuf

yreSafe is one of the UK's leading tyre safety organisations, dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers associated with defective or illegal tyres. It was established in 2006 as a not for profit organisation and campaigns in line with current legislation and duty of care regulations. - See more at: http://www.tyresafe.org/other-information/about-tyresafe#sthash.MIox8GHm.dpuf

TyreSafe is one of the UK's leading tyre safety organisations, dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers associated with defective or illegal tyres. It was established in 2006 as a not for profit organisation and campaigns in line with current legislation and duty of care regulations. - See more at: http://www.tyresafe.org/other-information/about-tyresafe#sthash.MIox8GHm.dpuf

TyreSafe is one of the UK's leading tyre safety organisations, dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers associated with defective or illegal tyres. It was established in 2006 as a not for profit organisation and campaigns in line with current legislation and duty of care regulations. - See more at: http://www.tyresafe.org/other-information/about-tyresafe#sthash.MIox8GHm.dpuf