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.

Don't get blown away this autumn

Changes in wind speed can affect your driving, but with the latest tips from the leading road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), you can find ways to better prepare for the windy weather – ensuring your drive is as safe as possible.

What’s around the corner?
As you approach a sharp bend, ease off the acceleration. You never know what’s around the corner. Gusts of wind can force large branches to fall onto the road, completely blocking it. Be prepared for any debris that obstructs the road and be ready to make a U-turn and use another route if necessary.

Don’t get blown away
Be aware of other motorists around you as the windy weather can affect both their and your vehicles. Strong winds usually come in gusts blowing motorcycles, lorries and buses from side to side. If you’re driving on the motorway, keep an eye on other vehicles making sure you hold firmly onto your steering wheel to stay in control. Be aware that as you come out from overtaking a lorry, there is likely to be a strong side wind pushing against your vehicle.

Park it right
If possible, avoid parking your car in a bay that is surrounded by trees as high winds can cause large branches and debris to fall on to your car bonnet. Gusts of wind can also force parked cars to shudder, so make sure you fully apply your hand brake before leaving the car. If it’s a manual gearbox leave it in gear – this is very important if you’re parking your car on a slope.

Planned and routed
Last but not least, make sure you plan your route ahead to avoid any disruptions. Narrow roads are more likely to get blocked by fallen trees, branches and wet leaves in the windy weather – it is therefore best to avoid narrow roads and lanes which are exposed to debris.

The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank the IAM for these useful tips and also remind motorists to always ensure your phone is charged before setting off in the car and download the Good Garage Scheme app in case you need to contact a nearby garage for help.

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

Good Garage Scheme on DAVE TV

DAVE TV is the 9th largest commercial television channel in the UK and reaches over 24 million adult viewers per month.

Photo courtesy of Lawlor Motor Company, member garage where advert was filmed

The Good Garage Scheme's television advert will once again appear on DAVE TV from Monday, 15th September. The campaign aims to increase awareness of the Good Garage Scheme and how easy it is to find a local garage to trust with car servicing, car repair or MOTs.
The Good Garage Scheme's animated TV Star, Miles Better, will appear on DAVE TV alongside popular programmes such as Top Gear, QI, and Room 101.

To view the ad, simply visit www.goodgaragescheme.com/tv-advert.

It's like having a friend in the know!

Watch out - Little Ones About

In most towns and cities across the UK, schools are back. Motorists have been used to quieter roads but traffic has definitely changed.
This morning on my way to work, there were two separate incidents that were thankfully avoided. One involved two small children holding hands and waving to school friends across the road to their right just as they reached a crossing. Their mother was following closely behind pushing a third child in a pram. Had these two little ones stepped out without looking, they might have caused their mother quite a scare.

Another incident occurred only five minutes from the office. A child was taken to school by car. The driver stayed in the car while the child got out safely on the pavement but then crossed the road behind the car without looking either way. Luckily, I was not travelling more than fifteen miles per hour and my brakes did not let me down, but it was heart-pounding moment.

Small children are excited and do not realise the dangers of the road,  so motorists need to take extra care during this "back to school" season.

Ensure your car's brakes are ready to cope with school traffic and school children new to road safety. Visit your local Good Garage Scheme member and ask a professional's advice.

Is Your Car Ready for the School Run?

The Good Garage Scheme are encouraging motorists to book their vehicles in for a thorough check up and service before the school term starts again.

The end of the summer holidays is fast approaching and many families will be getting ready to go back to school at the start of September. This means getting prepared for the twice daily school run, increased traffic on the roads and the pressure of being out of the house promptly in the mornings.

With the chaos of sorting out uniforms, PE kits and labelling school books to worry about, having car problems is an additional complication most people can do without. Booking in for a car service now with a Good Garage Scheme member will give you peace of mind that your vehicle is safe and in good condition ready for the regular trips to and from school.

The hot conditions of the summer roads and increased mileage incurred during summer holidays and day trips all contribute to vehicle wear and tear. The start of the school term provides the perfect opportunity to get your car checked for any damage caused by your summer journeys. When visiting a Good Garage Scheme member your car will also be subject to a vehicle checklist and undergo vital maintenance on lights, wipers and air conditioning systems.

Good Garage Scheme members follow a strict code of conduct, which provides peace of mind for customers as it ensures you are notified before any work is undertaken and that any parts replaced during service or repair are available for inspection. Members also adhere to a service checklist and will give customers a copy of that completed checklist as confirmation of a job well done.

It is easy to find a Good Garage Scheme member in your area, simply visit our website www.goodgaragescheme.com and enter your postcode or town name to find a garage that is local to you. You can also download our free app so wherever you are in the UK, a garage you trust will never be far away.

Enjoy peace of mind today before the back to school madness. Visit our website or contact your local Good Garage Scheme member for more information.

Come Fly With Me

Road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motoring (IAM) is offering weekly motoring tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger.

This week, he is advising on getting to the airport safely for your summer holiday.

• Check your vehicle thoroughly 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.
• Your luggage should be 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.
• 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.
• Park carefully 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.

IAM chief examiner Peter Rodger said: “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.”

The Good Garage Scheme would like to thank the IAM for this weeks contribution.

For peace of mind, why not take your vehicle to a Good Garage Scheme member garage for a final check before you set off on holiday and download the free app. Wherever you travel in the UK, you can easily find a garage you can trust.