Steve White, our Director, says: “March is usually our rainy month, so we are offering drivers some tips for coping on wet, and potentially flooded, roads.

“Our knowledgeable staff are available to give anyone who visits us some advice on how they can avoid any accidents or breakdowns during the wet weather.”

Our top tips for driving on wet or flooded roads are:

• Should you come to a flooded road, take an alternative route unless you can be sure it is shallow. If you can’t take an alternative route, make sure there is no more than six inches of standing water or four inches of moving water
• If you come across a large stretch of shallow water, maintain a steady, slow speed throughout and use a low gear so the engine revs are higher. Driving fast could cause water to get into the engine
• All road surfaces are susceptible to standing water, so beware of aquaplaning and ease off the accelerator
• If you break down in heavy rain, do not open the bonnet while you are waiting for the breakdown cover to arrive, as the engine will be more difficult to start again if the electrics are wet
• Make sure there is at least double the distance between you and the car in front than there would usually be. Stopping distances increase on wet roads
• Driving at high speeds through water could soak pedestrians or cyclists. You could face a fine and between three and nine penalty points if the police believe you were driving without reasonable consideration for other road users.

Steve continued: “It is also important to think about whether you need to make your journey, especially if the heavy rain has not subsided. If you do decide to go ahead, make sure you keep up-to-date with the local weather forecasts, so you know of any planned road closures or if severe weather is on the way.”

To find out more about us, please drop in at our outlet on Pottery Close in Weston-super-Mare, call 01934 620 160 or visit us in Bristol at Two Mile Hill Road in Kingswood and call 0117 967 32 32.

Misaligned wheels require more energy to turn, which can increase fuel consumption by between 3% and 3.5%.

Tyre and wheel misalignment could cost UK motorists up to £100 million in additional fuel costs alone.

Following another harsh winter, misalignment is more likely to develop due to the increased number issues related to freezing temperatures and the likelihood of vehicles bumping into curbs due to slippery road surfaces.

We are warning motorists that they are burning money and taking unnecessary risks by not ensuring their vehicles’ wheels are aligned properly.

The impact from hitting a bump or a curb can knock wheels out of alignment, even damaging suspension components if severe, no matter how old or new the vehicle may be.

If a motorist continues to drive the vehicle without the wheels being correctly aligned, they will increase tyre wear and decrease fuel efficiency.

From now until March 31 we are offering motorists a free wheel alignment check.

To find out more about us, please drop in at our outlet on Pottery Close in Weston-super-Mare, call 01934 620 160 or visit us in Bristol at Two Mile Hill Road in Kingswood and call 0117 967 32 32.

Drivers are being offered free tips on giving their vehicles extra love by us as we think February represents a chance to give your car a hug.

We are asking people to give their cars some well-deserved love this Valentine’s Day as it will help extend their lives and also assist with the on-going costs of 21^st century motoring.

Salt on the winter roads can speed up the corrosion process of paintwork, so it is important to wash your car regularly. This will benefit the longevity of the paintwork.

Why not treat your car to a pressure wash? This will dislodge the dirt from inside wheel arches and under the bumpers. We suggest you give your vehicle a good clean inside too.

We are also advising motorists to wax their cars for maximum protection.

Waxing protects the paint from fading and keeps the car looking shiny. It should only take 30 minutes to wax a whole car but make sure you use high quality car wax.

To give your car even more love, check the tyre pressure and tread depth, oil level, washer fluid, battery and wiper blades. These are all essential components to keep your vehicle running smoothly and well-loved tyres will help with fuel consumption in the long-run, which is good for everyone. 

We specialise in providing customers with tyres, exhausts, batteries, MOTs, fixed price servicing and vehicle repair work.

To find out more about us, please drop in at our outlet on Pottery Close in Weston-super-Mare, call 01934 620 160 or visit us in Bristol at Two Mile Hill Road in Kingswood and call 0117 967 32 32.

Driving in icy and potentially slippery conditions requires skill and delicate use of the vehicle’s controls, steering, brakes and accelerator.

We suggest:

• Try to stick to major roads as these are more likely to have been cleared and gritted and allow extra time in case of unexpected delays
• When driving in icy or snowy conditions stopping distances can be 10 times more
• To maintain better control of your vehicle, stay in a high gear as this will help to avoid wheelspin
• Avoid harsh braking and acceleration, or sharp steering
• When driving on slippery surfaces always reduce your speed smoothly and in plenty of time. To avoid locking your wheels when braking, get into a low gear earlier than normal, allow your speed to fall and use your brakes gently
• Slow down before bends and corners as braking on an icy or snow-covered bend can cause your vehicle to spin
• If you get stuck in snow or ice, do not try to spin the wheels. This can result in damage to your tyres or even cause a tyre to burst
• If your car gets into a slide, stay off the brake, clutch and the accelerator until you get the vehicle back under control

We recommend you listen to the weather forecast and traffic reports and don’t travel if the police or motoring organisations advise against it.

We also have a range of winter tyres available. These tyres use a tread rubber compound and pattern specifically designed to retain flexibility in low temperatures. They give good braking performance on snow and ice, as well as on wet roads in cold conditions.

To find out more pop in and visit us in Bristol or Weston or give us a call.  

Prepare your car and check it regularly throughout January and beyond while the threat of very cold and wet weather continues.

Many forecasters are predicting that the UK is going to have a particularly severe spell with some areas potentially getting heavy snow and freezing temperatures or even soon bad flooding again, so it is important we are all prepared.

Battery failure is responsible for almost half of all breakdowns in winter. The average battery will last around five years, so if yours is older than this it may be worth investing in a new one. To extend your battery life don’t use electrical systems, such as heated rear windscreens for longer than needed.

Ensure you have a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water in your radiator as this will prevent your engine from freezing. To confirm what type of antifreeze is best for your car and how often it should be changed, check your handbook or you can call us for free advice.

Check your tyres and make sure they have at least two millimetres (mm) of tread. The legal minimum is 1.6mm but in wintery conditions we advise motorists have at least 2mm. It is also worth considering switching to winter tyres, especially if you live in a rural area where the roads may not be gritted.

We also suggest you check windscreen wipers work and ensure you have windscreen wash mixed in with your water because it also acts as an antifreeze.

Finally, we recommend you put together a winter driving kit, which includes a torch, warm clothes, de-icer, a shovel and blankets.

When undertaking journeys where snow is expected, make sure your phone is fully charged and that you have a pair of boots, food and a flask of hot drink in the car just in case. This is all just as important in wet weather too.

Oil prices were down in November by 11% compared to the start of October, while wholesale petrol prices have fallen by just 3.5 pence-per-litre and we know our customers are feeling the pinch. The average cost of a litre of unleaded was pretty much the same all last month, as retailers failed to pass on the savings from falling oil prices to shoppers.

With the average cost of a litre of unleaded at 130.6 pence (November), the approximate price of filling a 55-litre family car with petrol is nearly £72. The RAC says this should have decreased by £1.92 to reflect falling wholesale prices, however prices are still high.

In the recent budget fuel duty may have been frozen for the ninth consecutive year, but motorists are still paying a lot for petrol and diesel, so, we all need to make sure we get the most out of a tank of fuel. This will help ease wallets in the run-up to Christmas and, is also, environmentally-sound too.

There are some simple steps you can take to use less fuel and ensure your car is kept in good working order.

Simply by having your tyres correctly inflated and your wheels aligned you can save pounds. Also, ensuring that your vehicle has fresh oil and is serviced regularly will keep it in good condition and save you money in the long run.

By following our tips, drivers can help to make their car go further between fills at the fuel pump. This helps save money and reduces the environmental impact caused by vehicles.

Our top 10 tips for using less fuel and cutting car costs are:

1. Keep tyres correctly inflated
2. Regularly check your wheel alignment to keep your vehicle as energy efficient as possible
3. Drive smoothly
4. Maintain a steady speed
5. Don’t rev the engine
6. Change up gears as soon as it is practical
7. Avoid engine idling for long periods
8. Do not overload vehicles
9. Change worn parts
10. Avoid peak hour and heavy traffic when possible.

If you need any further free advice, please do get in touch.

We’re offering you free advice, so you can make sure your vehicle is roadworthy before travelling to see family and friends this year.

Breaking down during the Christmas period and having to wait to be recovered in the cold is no fun for anyone, so please check your vehicle before starting your journey.

We know this is a busy time of year, so it is easy to forget to inspect your car before travelling long distances. However, it is essential to do this to protect yourself, your passengers and other road users too.

We’re offering the following advice:

– Check the battery as one of the most common causes of a winter breakdown is battery failure. Batteries usually need replacing after five years.

– Make sure there is more fuel than you anticipate using for your journey in case of unexpected delays or diversions.

– Check the coolant level and if it is low top it up with a mixture of water and antifreeze. If you are unsure get a professional to check it and top it up as required.

– Inspect wiper blades for splits and damage and replace them if necessary.

– Check and clean the lights and keep spare bulbs in the car just in case

– Inspect tyres for damage such as splits or bulges and make sure to get them checked by a professional. Check the pressures every fortnight and for safe winter driving tyres should have at least 3mm of tread.

We also have a range of winter tyres available at our branches.

These tyres use a tread rubber compound and pattern specifically designed to retain flexibility in low temperatures. They give good braking performance on snow and ice, as well as on wet roads in cold conditions.

A lot of people say they don’t have the time or money to get their car checked in preparation for the colder months.

However, it is a crucial thing to do, because if something goes wrong, you could end up spending more money on getting your car fixed. You could also end up paying for someone else’s vehicle if you are in an accident.

Throughout January we are giving you the chance to get a free winter check for your car.

The check will include the condition of a vehicle’s battery, fluids, lights, tyres and wipers, as an empty screen wash bottle, worn out wiper blades or tyres can easily lead to a road accident.

Flat batteries are very common in the colder months and are one of the most common causes of a winter breakdown, so we recommend replacing your car’s battery after five years.

It is very important to always check that the lights are clean and working to ensure maximum visibility. It is also worth making sure you have spare bulbs in the car just in case.

To add to all this, we recommend you put together a winter driving kit including a torch, warm clothes, a de-icer, a shovel and blankets.

It’s also a good idea to have spare clothing in your car and sensible waterproof footwear because, even if you’re on a short journey, the weather can turn and you could run the risk of being stranded.

If you are undertaking any urgent journeys where snow is expected, make sure your phone is fully charged and that you have a pair of wellington boots, food and a flask containing a hot drink in the car, just in case you become stuck.

To find out more or to book your car in for our free winter check-up this January, please get in touch with us.

We’re gifting checks for cars, vans and motorbikes from December 1 until 31, 2018 as driving on tyres that have insufficient tread depth is both illegal and dangerous.

We always recommend you check your tyres regularly and it is especially important when the seasons change.

Last year was one of the wettest and snowiest winters on record, so it is essential you make sure your vehicle’s tyres are safe as we head into the season.

Vehicles with tyres that do not have the legal amount of tread, pose a danger to the driver and passengers as well as to other road users.

Stopping distances are increased, cornering ability is reduced and the chance of aquaplaning more likely as a result of illegal tread depth.

The current law states that tyres must have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread across the central three quarters of the tyre, around its whole circumference.

Drivers with tyres that fail to meet these standards face fines and penalty points per illegal tyre.

Throughout December, we are offering you a free five-point tyre safety check.

Our fully trained staff will check your vehicle’s tread depth, tyre pressures, the general condition of tyres, age of tyres and alignment.

All of these areas are important to make sure your vehicle is in a safe and roadworthy condition.

To book in for your free tyre safety check, please get in touch with one of our branches here.

This time of year can be very busy for us all, especially as we’re on the countdown to Christmas, so it is easy to let things like an MOT slip your mind.

However, an MOT certificate is normally crucial to validate insurance. Motorists without an MOT certificate could be uninsured and therefore if they have an accident they would be unable to claim, and could possibly face a fine.

At this time of year, when you are planning visits to see friends or family, it is important to make sure your MOT is up to date before you travel in your vehicle.
It is illegal to drive without an MOT certificate and people could be fined if caught.

Cars that are more than three-years-old are required by law to have an MOT undertaken every 12 months. The MOT test makes sure that a vehicle meets the government’s road safety and environmental standards.

The MOT is effectively the examination of a motor vehicle’s safety-related components. The test is to ensure that they have not worn to an excessive level, which would otherwise make the vehicle unsafe for road use.

To find out more to book your car in for an MOT with us, please visit one of our sites or give us a call for a free, friendly and informal chat.