Tiff Needell Advises on Summer Driving

With new research by the Good Garage Scheme revealing we are nation of motorists unprepared for long car journeys during the summer, Fifth Gear presenter, Tiff Needell will be speaking with radio stations this week on the importance of a Holiday Check for your car and advising motorists to visit their nearest Good Garage Scheme member for a check.

Photo courtesy of Tiff Needell

More than 41% say they have no plans to get their car checked before their next long journey, and this can lead to unwelcome breakdowns on holiday or even while travelling to the airport.

What precautions should you take before a long car journey?

• Give your car a visual check. Are there any visible cracks or bulges on the tyres, and are they looking as full as normal? Check with your tyre pressure gauge
• Ensure your fluid levels (namely coolant and oil) are topped up sufficiently. This five minute job may mean the difference between a trouble-free journey and parking at the road side with an overheating car.
• Ensure you have plenty of water in the car for you and your passengers (including any pets) when travelling in hot weather.
• Lastly, make sure your air conditioning system in the car is clean. A musty smell from the vents is a tell-tale sign there may be bacteria lurking.

If you are unsure about carrying out these checks yourself and want peace of mind before you set off, visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com and look for a garage you can trust for a Holiday Check.

It's like having a friend in the know!

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!

Hot Weather Advice for Drivers

Euro 2016, Wimbledon and the the British Grand Prix are all a distant memory and the weather is finally starting to get us in the mood for Rio.

Your car's engine may be working overtime in the heat and you and your passengers may be a little hot and sticky inside it as well. If you are turning your air conditioning on for the first time or using it more than normal these days and notice a musty smell, it may be a sign to visit your nearest Good Garage Scheme member garage for a Holiday Check.

A 21 point Holiday Check will determine if your air conditioning system is behaving as it should. During winter months, bacteria and mould may have built up in the ducts of the ventilation system and a tell-tale sign is a musty smell in the cabin.

A Good Garage Scheme Holiday Check will also check the condition of the tyres, wiper blades, windscreen and lights as well as the level of the coolant and engine oil.

Why not stop in for peace of mind before the long summer days driving the family begin?

To find your nearest Good Garage Scheme member garage offering a Holiday Check, please visit the website.

A lesson in Wheel Alignment Without the Jargon

The following is a lesson received with thanks from Good Garage Scheme member, Mike Field of Fields Car Centre Ltd in Woking, Surrey.

We all use jargon in our chosen professions, but why is it we seem to assume that everyone else understands it too!
       
Have you ever listened to someone talk about their work and use words you may have heard before but haven't a clue what they mean? We just want to say, "I don't know what you are talking about!"
But we don't, because we don't want to appear ignorant!

So when trying to explain about cars, I try to 'talk' normal and explain things in plain English. 
I hope I don't sound patronising in any way, but the best thing is just to keep it simple.

One thing I have learnt in the car industry is that we can complicate things too much at times.

photo courtesy of Fields Car Centre Ltd

Have a look at the two pictures above
The one on the right is a new tyre, the left has what we call the 'wheel alignment' or 'tracking' out.

The tyre is wearing very unevenly and prematurely.

Importance of Wheel Alignment
Now in the spirit of a 'jargon free, simple guide' to wheel alignment here goes:

Wheel Alignment is the direction and angle of the wheels.  It is commonly known as 'toe in, toe out'. There is also the term 'camber and castor'. 

"I thought you said no jargon!"
(I know it's hard isn't it?)

Put simply, the wheels/tyres of your car need to be aligned exactly to the car designer specifications.  This will give you the best handling and normal, even tyre wear.

The real problem is our roads, kerbs, pot holes and speed bumps.  They all cause a stress and a strain on the steering and suspension system.  Add to that general wear in these items and you will have a situation where the car is no longer aligned correctly.

The result of this can be tyres wearing out much more quickly than you would want, and the car's handling will give you a feel of 'pulling' or 'drifting' to one side of the road.
        
At our garage, we check wheel alignment whenever there is a concern in 'drifting' or 'pulling'.   In most cases adjustment of the steering may be necessary or new tyres or tyre rotation. Tyre rotation is where we swap the front and rear tyres around to extended life without replacing.

It could, of course be other wear issues on the car. In which case we need to identify and resolve that first. So, if your car is not handling as you feel it should, or you have noticed the tyre treads are getting worn, let's have a drive out with you.

Get Help!
One last piece of advice concerning tyres and getting a puncture. Trying to change a wheel on any car on our busy roads is dangerous.  Does not matter who you are, people have been killed changing a tyre on the roadside. If you have roadside assistance, call them out.  They have the right equipment and safety signage and car jacks are generally quite flimsy.

If you haven't got assistance, I would strongly recommend getting it. Even I have it!!  Don't think it's not something they can be called out for. You pay for the breakdown, so use it!
       
Horror Story
If you do breakdown on a motorway, never hang around on the hard shoulder yourself.
A number of years back I did a course at the old AA headquarters in Nottingham.  That was before they became the commercial giant they are today. My instructor was one of the 'old school' guys, remember...one of those that would salute you!  Now, that's a thought for the lads here at Field's... Bit of respect!

Joking apart, he told me some "patrol man" motorway stories.  A couple of them were quite horrific. On one occasion, he was standing over a bonnet of a broken down car in one moment, the next he was lying underneath his own patrol van. Another vehicle had hit the car from behind propelling both vehicles forward.  One of his colleagues was sandwiched between his van and  the car he was working on.
   
All this happened on the hard shoulder!  These guys are now very wary where they position their vans. Sobering thought, but stay safe and please remember that the hard shoulder is as dangerous as anywhere!

Mike Field
Business Manager
Fields Car Centre Ltd


Mike Field has over 35 years experience in vehicle service & repair. Together with Richard Field, he oversees the business at Fields Car Centre in Woking, Surrey and has been a Good Garage Scheme member since 2010.

Save Money on Your Next MOT

According to advice from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agengy (DVSA), around 40% of cars fail the MOT test at the first attempt.

• 30% of all faults relate to lighting and signalling
• 10% of all faults relate to tyres
• 8.5% of all faults relate to ‘Driver’s view of the road’

This means extra cost for repairs to improve the standard and possibly an extra cost for the re-test.

How can you save money on your next MOT?

By checking the following items before you take the car in for your test.

1. Are your lights working? Ask a friend or family member to come out to the car and help you check.
2. Are your tyres in good condition and is the pressure correct?
3. Are your mirrors, wipers and washers in good working order?

Remember - an MOT test is NOT a service

Don't be fooled into thinking that an MOT test means that your car has been serviced. The MOT is an assessment of some of the most important items on your vehicle checking that it meets legal standards.

It is not the same as having a service and it does not check the general mechanical condition of your car.

Find your nearest Good Garage Scheme member to carry our your next service.

Tiff Needell Promotes Good Garage Scheme Winter Check

British racing driver and presenter, Tiff Needell, is once again in the studio today helping the Good Garage Scheme to promote itsWinter Check campaign.

With clocks going back this weekend, it is an ideal time to visit a Good Garage Scheme member to ensure your car is ready for darker days and colder temperatures.

The Good Garage Scheme Winter Check gets your car ready for winter with a 20-point check to assess the condition of tyres, brakes, lights, antifreeze, wiper blades and air bags.

By taking advantage of this seasonal check, motorists will be made aware of any problems with their vehicle and give them the opportunity to make any neccessary repairs.


It is quick and easy to find a garage in your local area offering the Winter Check – simply visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com. Enter your postcode or town name and a list will appear of garages for you to choose from.

Useful Tip: Download the Good Garage Scheme's Free app before you drive this winter so wherever you go in the UK, a garage you trust will never be far away.

Spring is in the Air

As the UK emerges from the wettest winter since records began, the Good Garage Scheme is urging motorists to get their cars professionally checked to ensure they are safe and reliable in the months ahead.

Debris such as mud, stones, tree branches and extra water left behind in the wake of past storms has affected the surfaces of roads most noticeably with the increased number and size of potholes. These combined factors can have an adverse effect on a car’s vital components including the steering, suspension, wheels and tyres, as well as wiper blades, lights and heating systems that have been used extensively in the wet and windy weather. The good news for motorists is that the Good Garage Scheme's Spring Check is available at participating member garages from today.

The 21-point Spring Check provides an expert assessment of a vehicle’s condition, covering essential areas including the condition the brakes, tyres, wiper blades, windscreen and lights, as well as the coolant and engine oil.

With the first day of spring on 20th March and the prospect of warmer weather, the Good Garage Scheme is also recommending that motorists think about getting their air conditioning systems checked and cleansed. Harmful bacteria and mould may have built up in the ducts of car ventilation systems during the recent damp conditions, posing a health risk to drivers by circulating unpleasant bugs into the car.

Visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com and enter your postcode to find your local Good Garage Scheme workshop offering the Spring Check to ensure your car is in good health as the warm weather returns. 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. 

It's like having a friend in the know.

Weather woe inflates the need for Tyre Safety Checks

image courtesy of TyreSafe

After the worst winter storms to hit Britain for two decades, drivers are being reminded about the need for more regular tyre checks. With its potential to cause aquaplaning, standing water remains a major hazard in many parts of the UK, while damaged road surfaces also present a different tyre-related challenge. However, by taking just a few minutes to inspect your tyres regularly, TyreSafe advises that the impact of these issues can be reduced.

"Although floods in many areas are starting to subside, motorists are still faced with a couple of serious tyre-related challenges which can be minimised if they spend a few moments regularly checking their tyres," advises Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. "The checks are incredibly easy to make, but they could make the world of difference to your safety on the road."

While driving through deep flood water has a wide range of associated risks and should be tackled with extreme caution, smaller areas of standing water may be less easy to avoid but equally dangerous. On vehicles equipped with tyres that have insufficient or low levels of tread depth, water between the tyres and the road surface may not be removed quickly enough. This layer of water builds up in front of the tyres until the tyre loses contact with the road surface. This loss of traction, or aquaplaning, causes the wheels to slip and prevents the vehicle from responding to steering, braking or acceleration.

As a result, the vehicle can lose control, starting to skid or spin dangerously. To reduce the risk of aquaplaning, drivers are advised to check the tread depth of their tyres. New tyres often have a tread depth of around 8mm, far greater than the legal minimum requirement of 1.6mm, which makes them much more efficient at removing water and able to cope with standing water. Any drivers unfortunate enough to suffer from aquaplaning should heed the advice of organisations such as the AA who recommend holding the steering wheel lightly and lifting off the throttle until the tyres regain grip.

Meanwhile, damaged road surfaces and potholes caused by the recent wet weather also present another significant tyre safety hazard. When tyres hit large potholes, they have the potential to suffer internal damage which could cause the tyre to fail catastrophically, leaving the driver unable to control the vehicle. Consequently, drivers are being advised to inspect the condition of their tyres at least once a month, and even more frequently if they know they've hit a pothole. In particular, drivers should look for cuts, lumps or bulges in the tyre and also check the tyre pressures regularly in case the wheel rim itself has been damaged.

"Checking your tyres may see like an unnecessary or daunting task, but in the current conditions it's even more important than normal," adds Jackson.
"Of course, if you're not sure what to do then simply pop into your local tyre professional who will be able to inspect things properly and advise you of any issues."


The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank TyreSafe for their permission to print this blog.  For more information about TyreSafe, visit www.tyresafe.org

Any Good Garage Scheme member garage would be happy to check your tyres if you are unsure. Please check www.GoodGarageScheme.com to find a member near you.

MOT Repairs Costing UK Motorists Billions

According to recent research from Allianz Your Cover Insurance, two in five cars fail their MOT test every year in the UK. Motorists are then reported to pay more than £2 billion in repairs and the cost of a second MOT to get their vehicle back on the road.

Here are the Top 5 reasons vehicles didn’t pass their MOT according to Allianz Your Cover's research:

• Damage to tyres (28%)
• Problems with the exhaust (17%)
• Windscreen wiper blades need replacing (14%)
• Defective headlights (12%) 
• Brake lights not working (10%)

Not only do these items cost motorists money in MOT bills and repairs, but damaged tyres and dysfunctioning brake lights are a real danger to all motorists. These are items that car owners should regularly check, but most of us lead busy lives and do not find the time.

Your local Good Garage Scheme member would be happy to check your tyres, lights, windscreen wipers and exhaust and advise if any need replacing. Simply visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com and find a local trustworthy garage. The Good Garage Scheme website has over 600,000 customer reviews so that you can read feedback from previous customers before you visit.

It's like having a friend in the know!

Don't suffer from Bank Holiday Blues

If you plan to drive this bank holiday weekend, the Good Garage Scheme recommends you carry out a few simple safety checks on your vehicle before setting off.

• Make sure you have enough fuel
• Check the oil
• Check your lights
• Check your coolant level 
• Check your windscreen wash and refill if necessary
• Make sure your windscreen is clean and clear
• Check your tyres

If you are in doubt about how to check any of the above, or if something seems worryingly low, simply contact your local Good Garage Scheme member garage and ask if they could check it for you.

As well as making all of the necessary checks, don't forget to download the free Good Garage Scheme app before you set off. If you have any motoring worries while you are travelling or visiting family and friends away from home, you can locate a reliable garage using the app no matter where you are.

Over 13,500 motorists have already downloaded the app and The Sunday Times listed it as one of the Top 500 Apps in their App List two years in a row.

Here are some of the comments received from those who have already downloaded the App:


"Can't believe it's free!"

"A genuinely useful app, simple to use and the kind of app that gets you out of a hole when you need it."

"Very helpful"

"It’s a great application I found especially when you are on the move and you don’t know where you can get your car fixed. It’s so easy to use. I don’t remember if I have found something as useful as this recently."

‘This is a very useful App especially when you’re on the road a lot, off on holiday around the UK or just on the move’

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.

Easter Holiday Driving Advice from the IAM

If you’re driving somewhere nice this Easter to indulge in a spot of egg rolling and family feuding over whose fault it was that the Easter eggs were left next to the heater, consider taking some time to prepare yourself and your vehicle for the trip.

At any time of year it is important that you check that all of your lights are working. You should also ensure that your tyre pressure is correct and that they have enough tread – particularly since you are likely to be facing some poor road surfaces after the wintry weather we have experienced in March.

What better time to give your car a spring clean? The grains of salt which have been spread on the roads over the winter period will inevitably have made their way on to your vehicle like tiny corrosive stowaways. Leaving a salt build-up can be damaging to your car, causing rust to appear.

When packing your vehicle for your journey, try to carry as little unnecessary weight as possible as this will increase your fuel consumption – do you really need those extra pairs of shoes? Pack your things as compactly as possible; making sure that nothing obstructs your view through the rear window.

Make sure your washer fluid is topped up before you leave, and give the windscreen and headlamps a quick clean when you stop for fuel.

If you’re taking the kids with you, it’s worth gathering up some tools to keep them occupied during the long periods spent on the road, in which you will need to concentrate, and they will need to be entertained. Portable DVD players and cordless games consoles are perfect, but don’t forget the headphones as the Super Mario Brothers tune may start to grate after an hour or two.

If you feel your eyelids getting heavy whilst driving, it’s likely that opening a window or turning the radio up will not cut it. Pull over somewhere suitable and safe, drink some strong coffee, and have a 20 minute nap while the caffeine takes effect. Sharing the driving is also a great option, if possible.

The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) for their guest blog this week.  For more information about the IAM, visit www.iam.org.uk

If you are unsure if your car is up to a long journey to see family and friends over the Easter holidays, why not visit a Good Garage Scheme member near you that can offer a Spring Check for peace of mind?

Banish Winter Car Blues with a Spring Check

As winter slowly fades away the Good Garage Scheme is encouraging motorists to get their cars professionally checked to ensure they are safe and reliable in the months ahead.  Good Garage Scheme workshops across the UK are offering a Spring Check to give drivers peace of mind and ensure their cars are in good health after the winter.

Extreme weather conditions and salted roads can contribute to adverse effects on a car’s vital components including the steering, suspension, wheels and tyres.   

With the first day of spring just around the corner on 20^th March, 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 winter, posing a health risk to drivers as they switch them back on.

Phil Dugmore, the Good Garage Scheme’s Technical Manager, comments: “The harsh winter may well have taken its toll on vital car components.  The Good Garage Scheme’s Spring Check aims to help give motorists the confidence that their car is in top condition as the days get longer and the weather starts to improve.”

Visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com and enter your postcode to find your local Good Garage Scheme workshop offering the Spring Check to ensure your car is in good health as the warm weather returns. 

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.

Are you prepared for a puncture?

Recent research conducted on behalf of Kwik Fit, has led to some startling discoveries.

A puncture to a car tyre while on the road could see as many as a quarter of a million vehicles stranded within the next year alone, as an estimated 26% of the UK's 8.8 million motorists suffer this fate annually.

This is borne out of some shocking statistics and motorist confusion:

•     3% have no provision at all for a flat tyre
•     4% are not sure they have a spare wheel
•     10% of those carrying a spare say they don’t have the necessary tools in their car to change it
•     36% have the tools but admit they don’t know how to use them
•     6% have neither the equipment nor knowledge to get a new wheel on

The Good Garage Scheme advises all motorists to check the conditions of their tyres regularly and visit a local member garage if they are in any doubt about their condition. 

Take the 20p tyre test:

•    Find a 20p coin. The “border” around the outside of the face on the head side of the coin is exactly 1.6 millimetres – which is the minimum legal requirement for the depth of tread on your tyres.

•    Place the 20p coin into the grooves of your tyre tread and if it covers the rim of the coin – your tyres are OK. Make sure you check all the way and look out for any areas which look more heavily worn.

If the grooves are worn, or slightly below the 20p rim – you should  have them checked at your Good Garage Scheme member garage for peace of mind. Any member garage would be happy to check the spare tyre as well.

To find your local Good Garage Scheme member garage, visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com

October is Tyre Safety Month – Have you checked your tyres recently?

October is Tyre Safety Month for 2011 is focussing on the perils of driving in winter and what can be done to improve road and vehicle safety during this period.

With the treacherous road conditions seen in the previous two winters and the distinct possibility of more of the same this year, now is the time to prepare, before the harsh conditions take their toll.

Roadworthy tyres are essential as the only parts of the car that are in constant contact with the road. Various weather types such as rain, ice and snow exacerbate road hazards and make the necessity of good grip on the roads an ever-increasing necessity.

Winter tyres receive a lot of press attention, especially at this time of year but equally, if not more important, is the need to check your tyres’ tread depths and the air pressure in them. See here for TyreSafe’s “Magnificent 7” tyre safety tips. 

If your tyres are found not to be roadworthy, you are not only risking having an accident but you can also risk incurring a hefty fine of £2,500 and three penalty points per illegal tyre, which could ultimately add up to a £10,000 fine and disqualification.

To find a Good Garage Scheme member offering a Winter Check, which includes carrying out a tyre report, assessing your tyres’ condition, tread and pressures, please go to http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/winter_check