Good Garage Scheme - What to do if you've put the wrong fuel in your car

Misfuelling
You're not alone. It's estimated that at least 150,000 drivers put the wrong fuel in their car each year – one every three and a half minutes!
And the scale of the problem has been getting bigger too, especially over the last five years with growth in diesel car sales – modern diesels are so quiet it's easy to forget you're driving one, particularly if it's a second family car or hire car.
If you've put the wrong fuel in your car, don't turn on the ignition or start the engine as this will circulate the contaminated fuel and increase the risk of damage.

Petrol in Diesel
Do not turn on the ignition or start the car.
If the car's still under warranty you should check with the franchised dealer regarding their advice and correct remedial action – running with even a small amount of petrol in the tank might invalidate the warranty while some manufacturers advise that seals and filters should be renewed even if the engine has not been run.
Generally a small amount of incorrect fuel should not damage the engine as long as you have not started the car and top up fully with diesel fuel.
If you've added more than 10% (5 litres in a 50 litre tank) petrol – Drain the tank and refill with diesel.

Diesel in Petrol
Do not turn on the ignition or start the car.
This is much less common because the standard diesel nozzle at fuel stations is larger than the fuel filler neck on modern petrol cars – you have to be pretty determined and patient to misfuel with diesel as a result.
If the car's still under warranty you should check with the franchised dealer regarding their advice and correct remedial action.
Generally a small amount of incorrect fuel should not damage the engine as long as you have not started the car top up fully with petrol.
If you've added more than 10% (5 litres in a 50 litre tank) diesel – the car shouldn't be run and the tank should be drained.
AA Fuel Assist
In November 2007 the AA launched Fuel Assist, a specialist roadside service that drains, flushes and replenishes vehicle fuel systems on the spot, saving the customer both time, money and inconvenience.
AA Fuel Assist is available to the general public as well as to AA Members and will attend any vehicle providing the Fuel Assist van has enough capacity in its tanks.
The service not only retrieves the contaminated fuel but ensures that it is recycled through a waste management company with the end product being used to power cement kilns and furnaces for example.

Bookings and enquiries number for AA Fuel Assist is 0870 240 3985 (opening hours 7.30am till 7pm)
Dedicated, trained technicians – who only do fuel drains, not general breakdowns – arrive within an hour, on average.
http://www.theaa.com/fuel-assist/index.html

Good Garage Scheme Dispels A Myth On Car Warranty

Myth: To maintain my warranty, I can only have my car serviced at a dealership.

It is essential that you have your car serviced as scheduled to retain its high level of safety, to protect the environment and to enhance and maintain your vehicle's value.
However, servicing your car at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranty in effect. Any qualified service facility or skilled technician can perform your vehicle's maintenance. Keep all receipts as proof of completion, and have the service provider fill out the maintenance record.

BMW drivers flock to Good Garage Scheme garages

Drivers of BMWs have been turning to independent specialist garages to maintain and fix their vehicles.

They topped the list of a survey carried out by the Good Garage Scheme to identify motorists of specific marques visiting http://www.goodgaragescheme.com/ which represents 2,852 independent, garages, workshops and MOT centres.

The survey revealed that over the past few months, 760 BMW drivers logged on to the Good Garage Scheme’s website to conduct a postcode search of their nearest specialist BMW independent garage for MOT and servicing work.

Volkswagen drivers came second in the table with 611 searches, closely followed by Ford in third with 602, Audi in fourth with 542 and Mercedes in fifth with 481.

Our study has revealed how drivers of BMW and other top marques are increasingly looking to independent garages and workshops to carry out work without compromising the quality of workmanship.

Importantly, it also illustrates that motorists are using the Good Garage Scheme website to refine their searches. Not only are they using it to find their nearest independent garage, but to find those who have specific knowledge about their make and model of car.

With this in mind, we have also adapted our website with links at the bottom of the home page identifying specific marques to make it easier for motorists to find their nearest specialist. Visitors to the site can now click on to whichever marque is relevant to them to find their nearest BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar, Audi, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen or Ford expert for specialist independent work.

Winning feedback for Good Garage Scheme customer

Completing a garage feedback card proved to be very fortunate for one motorist out of nearly 33,000 people to take part in a Good Garage Scheme prize draw competition.

Clare Allen, a customer of Hinckley-based Good Garage Scheme member, Tollgate Garage, scooped the top prize, a Nintendo Wii, in the national competition.

The competition proved to be so successful that the Good Garage Scheme has decided to run another one with the winner due to be announced in time for Christmas.

Customer feedbacks play a pivotal role in the operation of the Good Garage Scheme which highlights the areas of best practice and areas for improvement identified by motorists using member garages for work.

A five-star rating system is produced for each member garage on the Good Garage Scheme website www.goodgaragescheme.com, based on the feedback forms, to help potential future customers find the best workshop in their area.

Anndi Sheppard, Campaign Manager of the Good Garage Scheme, said: “Customers like Clare and their feedback are the driving force behind the Good Garage Scheme and we are delighted to be able to give something back for their valued support. To achieve 32,841 feedbacks in the short space of time the competition was running was a fantastic achievement and so successful we have decided to run another one in the run up to Christmas.”

Good Garage Scheme member provides a chance for women to learn about their cars

Women and new drivers have an opportunity to learn a little more about their cars, such as how to check tyre pressures and oil levels, at a free event run by an Exeter garage.

The vehicle awareness day at MECA Services is back, by popular demand, for the third time since Jennifer Riach took over the garage on Sowton Industrial Estate in 2007. MECA Services, part of the Good Garage Scheme, is understood to be the only garage in Exeter owned by a woman.

"It's an opportunity for women and young or new drivers to be shown how to do simple things without the intimidation or embarrassment I so often hear about," said Jennifer.

"They can have their vehicles checked and chat to the mechanics, who are happy to answer questions or show them anything they want to know."
Jennifer encourages women and new drivers to take advantage of the free event to ensure their personal safety is not compromised. "It's about understanding the car and how it works and how important it is to maintain it," she said.

The vehicle awareness day takes place on Wednesday, December 2, when the garage in Heron Road will be closed for all normal business.

Inspections are available on a first come, first served basis between 8 am and 5.30 pm. Tea, coffee, cold drinks and biscuits are provided.

Booking is not essential but is requested to give an idea of numbers.
Call 01392 447901 or email meca.services@btconnect.com.
www.mecaservices.co.uk

Dark Times Ahead – Advice from The Good Garage Scheme on Driving in Dark Winter Nights

Drivers must be more careful as British Summer Time has ended and dark winter nights have arrived according to the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists).

IAM Chief Examiner Peter Rodger said: "Optimum driving conditions are now ending after an autumn with reasonably good weather, so drivers may need to reduce speed to reflect bad light and weather conditions. More hours of darkness as the clocks go back may require slower speeds - especially in the evening as earlier darkness means children are still on their way home in the dark."

"Drivers should remember that speed limits are not targets. They are there as a guide for driving in optimum conditions.

"The period between late afternoon and early evening, the time when most casualties happen, is now in darkness."

Driver safety suggestions from the IAM:
1. Don't wait until it's fully dark to turn your lights on; see and be seen
2. Check your windscreen wiper blades are in good condition and washer reservoir topped up
3. Keep the windscreen clean and clear
4. Carry a spare pair of shoes in your car as dry soles make it easier to drive
5. Check your lights and tyres, including your spare tyre and carry a spare set of light bulbs
6. Wipe your head lights and tail lights to keep them bright

For further driving tips visit the Good Garage Scheme Website, http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/drivingtips.html

Good Garage Scheme takes the chill out of winter motoring

Ignoring the need for a thorough vehicle check before the onslaught of winter could put motorists at risk.

Changes in the weather, with cooler temperatures on their way, highlight issues that often go unseen during warmer weather. The Good Garage Scheme has drawn up a comprehensive 20-point check up for driving a more roadworthy and reliable vehicle in winter conditions. The Good Garage Scheme has made this 20 point checklist freely available to its 2,835 plus members.

Good Garage Scheme members make it easy for their customers to get expert advice on the condition of their vehicles before winter sets in. They can be assured that any servicing work required will be of first class standard and that their vehicles will then be in great condition to tackle the winter weather. They can easily locate their nearest Good Garage Scheme workshop using the website http://www.goodgaragescheme.com/