Are you breaking the law when defrosting your car?

--> During the winter months, it is not uncommon to have to de-ice the car in the morning before driving off. However, many motorists are unknowingly breaking the law by going back inside the house, leaving their cars to defrost outside.

It is a criminal offence to leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running, even if it is freezing cold and you are waiting for your car to warm up.

Not only are you breaking the law by leaving your car to defrost with the engine running, but you are also providing thieves with an easy opportunity to steal your vehicle.

When the frosty weather started in earnest a couple of weeks ago, six cars were stolen in the space of 30 minutes, in one area alone.

Drivers are being urged to stay on the right side of the law this winter by being in control of their vehicle at all times when the engine is running, even when unloading Christmas shopping or defrosting the windscreen.

Leaving your vehicle to warm up in this way is not only breaking the law, but may also void your car insurance if an opportunist thief steals your vehicle whilst you have returned inside the house.

We haven't seen the last of winter frosts this season, so make sure you have the necessary equipment – de-icer, scraper and a good pair of gloves – to defrost your vehicle safely and legally.

If you are worried about your car performance in the cold weather before visiting friends and relatives this holiday season, why not book in for a Winter Check?

Visit our website to find a participating Good Garage Scheme member garage in your area.

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.

Drivers - Get Ready for Shorter Days

On Sunday, the clocks turn back an hour – winter will officially arrive. As the days become shorter, we’ll be experiencing dark mornings and evenings.
 
Darker evenings also see the road casualty rates increase. Here are some frightening facts from 2011:

• The number of pedestrians killed or seriously injured in November was 14 per cent more than the monthly average.
• The number of cyclist casualties was 5 per cent higher.
• The rate of motorcycle casualties per vehicle mile was 28 per cent higher.

 
While the more vulnerable road users are at a significantly higher risk, cars on the road are also at risk. That’s why it’s important to take extra precautions when driving at night. Driving in the dark is a different experience to driving in the daylight. So keep an eye out for the motorcyclist in the darker clothing. Speed is difficult to judge while the following distances of other vehicles can be hard to see with a wall of headlights shining back at you.

Here’s some advice on adjusting your driving to the shorter days ahead.

• Turn your headlights on before sunset and keep them on for an hour after sunrise so that it’s easier for other drivers to see you in twilight. 
• It’s also important to make sure all your exterior lights are cleaned and working properly.  
• Keep the windscreen free of fallen leaves
• Make sure your windscreen and windows are clean both inside and out.

 
Make the most of other people’s lights – use the light shed by vehicles ahead or from roadside lights – not just street lights – to help you see further ahead.
On rural roads, drive on full beam whenever possible but dip your lights when faced with another road user to avoid dazzling them. If a driver approaching you fails to dip their own headlights, look away to the verge on the left-hand side to avoid being dazzled yourself. And make the most of other people’s lights – use the light shed by vehicles ahead or from roadside lights - not just street lights - to help you see further ahead.
 

If you are not sure if your car is in tip top condition for winter driving, take your car to a local Good Garage Scheme member for a Winter Check. Visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com.



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.

Get ready for icy weather with a Good Garage Scheme Winter Check

With winter just around the corner the Good Garage Scheme is encouraging motorists to get their cars professionally checked to ensure they are safe and reliable in the cold months ahead. 
Good Garage Scheme workshops across the UK are offering a Winter Check to help protect vehicles and reduce the risk of accidents, costly repairs and breakdowns.
 
Not having a vehicle checked and prepared for harsh weather can increase the likelihood of having an accident, especially if a car’s tyre pressures are low, making it hard to maintain grip and easy to skid on wet and icy roads. Visibility is also important as the days get shorter, making it essential to check the operation of heaters, windscreen washers and the condition of wiper blades, as well as headlamp bulbs to ensure drivers can see and be seen.
 
Cars with low antifreeze levels are also at risk in freezing temperatures, which can cause engine overheating and damage, resulting in stressful breakdowns and costly repairs.  Monitoring coolant and topping up, or preferably cleaning and refilling the vehicle’s cooling system, will ensure a healthy engine and help the heater to work properly and defrost icy windscreens more quickly.
 
The Good Garage Scheme Winter Check covers the condition and level of the antifreeze, engine oil and brake fluid as well as the state of the brakes and tyres.  The Winter Check also includes inspection of the wiper blades and all lights.  As a result, motorists taking advantage of the Good Garage Scheme Winter Check can be sure that their car is well prepared for the frosty months ahead.

 
Visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com and enter your postcode to find your local Good Garage Scheme workshop offering the Winter Check to protect you and your car.  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.
 

Are you ready for snow and ice?

The UK has had its first snowfall of this winter. Have you got everything you need to cope with the unpredictable winter weather? The best advice for all drivers is to Be Prepared and Plan Ahead.

Keep an eye on the weather reports and give yourself extra time in the morning to de-ice the car. Wherever possible, plan your route via main roads as these will be the ones that are gritted first and safest to use.

Make sure you have at least half a tank of fuel in case you are delayed in traffic or in bad road conditions and keep boots, a warm coat and a charged mobile phone in the car for emergencies.

If you do become stuck in snow, move your vehicle slowly backwards and forward out of the rut using the highest possible gear. Revving your engine may only make the rut worse.

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

Peace of mind with a Winter Check

Winter is just around the corner

It’s never too early to check that your car is in tip-top condition to take on the challenges of winter driving.  Make sure you remember where you have stored your ice scraper so you are ready for the first frosty morning. Ensuring your car is running as effectively as possible before the cold snap sets in not only helps improve your safety on the roads but can also help prevent costly repairs.

What if I don’t bother?

Leave it to chance and you could face a host of winter woes. Driving with incorrect tyre pressure and tread on slippery roads presents obvious dangers, while good visibility is also vital. Ensuring correct tyre pressure and tread and topping up your windscreen washer are therefore essential to help prevent you endangering yourself and other road users.

 Let a Good Garage Scheme member give your car the ‘once over’ before winter

The Good Garage Scheme’s comprehensive 20-point Winter Check is the perfect solution to help you avoid hitting the skids this winter. The essential winter motoring package includes checking:

•    The condition and levels of antifreeze
•    Engine oil and brake fluid
•    Brakes and tyres
•    Windscreens
•    Wipers and lights

How can I find someone to help make sure my car is ready for winter?

Simply visit http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/winter_check and type in your postcode to find your nearest Good Garage Scheme member garage offering the Winter Check.