Abigail

IS IT IMPORTANT TO CHANGE YOUR CAR’S OIL?

In short, yes; oil is incredibly important for keeping your car running safely and smoothly, but many often put this job at the bottom of their to-do list. It’s easily done – life just gets in the way. 

However, not changing your oil regularly comes with consequences:

Poor engine performance

Oil is considered the lifeblood of a vehicle, so it makes sense that regular oil maintenance would have an impact on engine performance. It keeps the inner workings of your car clean; dirt and debris that builds up and moves around with the oil is removed during an oil change, preventing it from affecting the engine. 

Oil is there to reduce friction in the engine; if it’s degraded, it does the opposite, meaning the engine has to work harder. Simply out, old and contaminated oil does not protect the engine as it should do. Good-quality, fresh oil in an engine improves its performance. It’s also worth noting that degraded oil can actually cause engine noise as well. 

The easiest way to understand what happens to your oil if left unserviced for too long is thinking about it as cooking oil. Imagine you’re heating oil in a pan on the hob – what happens if you cook it too hot for too long? It turns nasty and inedible, of course. A similar thing happens with engine oil if not seen to; go too long without getting it changed and it becomes ineffective and harmful to your car. 

Engine failure

In worst-case scenarios, avoiding an oil change could cost you your car. Ultimately, once oil becomes degraded, it no longer protects the engine. Running like this, the engine will eventually destroy itself and/or seize up.

Voided warranty

If your car is under warranty, you will have to adhere to manufacturer specifications, which should include instructions to change your oil regularly. You will also have to use specific oil.

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How often should the oil be changed?

You can change your oil every 3,000 miles (as some people suggest, however, it’s always best to check and adhere to the service interval recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. In fact, lots of new cars have extended service intervals – but these must be adhered to rigidly. Both the climate you drive in and your driving style can impact the duration between oil changes.

Most cars have some sort of service indicator that will appear on the dashboard and it’s vital that this isn’t ignored – it has appeared for a reason!

In conclusion, although it can be a pain to book your car in for something that may seem insignificant on the face of it, the ramifications can be costly. It may be worth pushing getting your oil changed further up your to-do list after all!

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Our technicians are able to access any manufacturer recommendations and service your car with the approved oil to ensure you keep your warranty, and car, intact. 

Contact us for more information or to book your oil change.

Most driving hazards are associated with wintertime, but summer can bring a host of different risks. 

We’ve put together a list of the top summer driving hazards and some safety tips to help you dodge them.

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What are the dangers to look out for when driving in summer?

• Roadblocks, detours and, traffic jams
• Motorcycles
• Pedestrians
• Holiday traffic
• Drowsiness
• Sun glare
• Social events

Roadblocks, detours, and traffic jams

Most road works take place in the spring and summer months, and they can be a real nuisance to drivers, causing detours and delays.

⇒ TOP TIPS:

• Plan your journey ahead of time and check for construction work. 
• Avoid routes affected by road works if possible. 
• Drive sensibly in work zones. 
• Merge into the correct lane early when approaching a road closed for construction work. 

Motorcycles

There are undoubtedly more motorcyclists on the road in hot weather, which, in turn, increases the risk of motorcycle incidents. 

⇒ TOP TIPS:

• Be careful when making turns – make sure to double-check your blind spots.

Pedestrians

As more and more people venture out to enjoy the sun, drivers need to be extra aware of what’s happening around them. 

⇒ TOP TIPS:

• Double-check for pedestrians when turning.
• Be mindful of pedestrian crossings and ensure you stop for people waiting to cross.

Holiday traffic

Now we have more freedom, many people are heading out for a summer holiday, and who can blame them! But, this increase in traffic can lead to a higher risk of incidents. 

⇒ TOP TIPS:

• Avoid driving during bank holiday weekends.
• Avoid driving at peak times, if possible.

Drowsiness

Failure to keep high temperatures under control due to ineffective air-conditioning can induce tiredness and lack of focus in drivers. 

⇒ TOP TIPS:

• Stay hydrated. 
• Check your car’s air-conditioning before a long journey. 
• Get your air-con serviced regularly.

Sun glare

The glare from the sun can restrict your view and make it difficult to spot hazards and, ultimately, drive safely. 

⇒ TOP TIPS:

• Always have sunglasses in the car in case you need them. 
• When planning a car journey ahead of time, note what time of day you will be leaving and prepare accordingly.
• Remember to use your car’s sun visor – consider purchasing an anti-glare visor extension if your standard one is ineffective.

Social events

Warmer weather encourages more social gatherings, many of which include alcohol consumption. Unfortunately, some people ignore the law and drive home drunk, making them dangerous to other drivers, nearby pedestrians, and cyclists. 

⇒ TOP TIPS:

• Keep your distance from traffic ahead to avoid being involved in a collision should one occur.
• Always wear your seatbelt.
• Use extra caution at junctions and roundabouts.
• Don’t drink and drive!

HOW TO USE YOUR CAR’S AIR-CONDITIONING EFFECTIVELY

It’s getting hot out there – and we’re definitely not complaining! – but that means it’s time to put your car’s air-con to good use. Here are a few tips to make sure you get the most out of it during a heatwave:

Open your doors and windows first

You get in your car on a hot day and it feels like a sauna, so you switch the air-conditioning on full-blast, right? Wrong! To cool your car down fast, first open all the doors and windows to allow the hot air to escape, and cooler air to enter. Once you’ve done this for a couple of minutes, then you can close everything, turn on the AC, and enjoy a cool, comfortable drive.

Tilt the air vents upwards

You may think that angling the air vents towards you when the air-conditioning is on is the best way to cool down; however, this prevents the air circulating, which it needs to in order to work effectively. Instead, tilt the vents upwards so that the air can flow easily around the car’s interior.

Use your air-con regularly

It is recommended that you turn your air-conditioning on regularly – even in winter – to help ensure long-term reliability.

Try and park in a shaded spot

We know that our cars get the most hot when they’re sat in the sun all day. Try and position your car in a shaded spot when parking it to keep it as cool as possible.

Stick to a regular air-conditioning service schedule

The air-conditioning system often gets overlooked when it comes to car maintenance. The last thing you want is to get in your car in hot weather to find the air-conditioning is no longer working. To avoid this, test your air-con regularly to make sure it’s working, and take it to a garage to service if necessary. Most garages include an air-conditioning check as part of their standard service package, so any problems can be identified and fixed. We recommend simply keeping to a regular overall service schedule so you never run into any issues.

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Contact us to book an air-con service, or for more advice. 

As we’re almost completely out of the coronavirus lockdown – hopefully forever – it’s no surprise that this year is expected to set a new record for staycations. Roads are already loaded with cars and people trying to escape to a different part of the UK, most travelling for hours on end to get to summer holiday hotspots.

Nothing could put a kink in your travel plans like having your car break down. To avoid this, make time to fully prepare before you set off. If you do nothing else, check these five things:

1) Fluid Levels
Top up your engine oil, brake fluid, and antifreeze if they are looking low. If you’re not sure how to check your car’s engine oil level, try following the steps in the video below:

2) Lights
Check all your lights are working as they should before a long journey – you may need to ask a family member or friend to help you check your brake or indicator lights.

3) Tyres
Ensure you conduct a thorough check on your tyres, confirming that the tread depth is above the legal requirement (1.6mm) and that they are pumped up. And, most importantly, make sure the spare tyre is pumped up.

4) Brakes
If your vehicle has been standing awhile, be aware that your brakes may be partially seized and/or corroded. If you hear grinding sounds, then it may be best to get them checked out.

5) Air-conditioning
It’s often overlooked, but checking your air-con is important, particularly if you are travelling during the peak of summer. Cars can heat up rapidly, which could make for a very uncomfortable journey. Check your air-con by turning it on and noticing whether it blows out cool, or warm air – if you experience the latter, you will need to get it looked at by a professional.

For further peace of mind, book your car in for a service at your local garage. If after checking your car yourself you notice anything unusual, it’s crucial that you take your car to a mechanic to fix any problems before you travel.

Call us at our Hunstanton garage on 01485 533786, or on 01553 763763 for King’s Lynn to book your car in for a service.

WHY GARAGES MUST BECOME MORE FEMALE-FRIENDLY IN 2021

Going to a garage can be an intimidating, confusing, and anxiety-inducing experience for some women, with many avoiding taking their car in for a service or MOT, regardless of the risk to their safety. There is a selection of garages that work hard to create a safe, comfortable environment for women and all gender identities, but unfortunately, some still aren’t making this a priority.

Why do garages need to better cater to women? 

Car garages should be doing their bit to make every individual, regardless of gender, feel welcome.

As mentioned above, fear of visiting a garage can lead to someone putting off necessary repairs. These repairs could be the difference between being safe or a danger to those on the road.

What makes a female-friendly garage? 

Here’s an example of three qualities that a female-friendly garage should have:

1. Clean and tidy reception/waiting area

The reception or waiting area is usually the only space you’ll see when visiting a garage. If you’re a woman – or man, or someone who identifies as another gender – who has had a bad experience with garages in the past, or is visiting one for the first time, walking into a dark, grubby, cold reception area isn’t going to put you at ease. This space must be kept clean and tidy – it shouldn’t have any bad smells (!) and it should offer somewhere relaxing to sit and wait for your car if you need to.

2. Helpful, understanding staff members

We’re not just talking about the front-of-house team here – although they should be extra smiley! All staff, whether on the reception desk or in the workshop, should treat every customer with respect and compassion. If you don’t know much about cars and how they work, you’re not going to understand the jargon. Both reception staff and mechanics should explain any problems with a car and proposed repairs clearly and in layman’s terms, without being patronising.

3. Good communication with customers, and at the right times

No garage should conduct any work on a car before quoting the cost to the customer. This is just common decency but can go a long way to making women especially feel fairly treated and less anxious at a garage.

You may have heard horror stories about women being taken advantage of when they came to a mechanic for help, perhaps being overcharged for work, or having more work done than was discussed and still being charged for it. In fact, according to a study performed by The Times, women are much more likely to be quoted higher prices for car repairs than men, for the same services. It’s important to note that this isn’t always the case, however.

Definite and potential costs should be laid out and explained to the customer before work on their car commences, and no work should be undertaken unless the customer has given consent. And, of course, all customers should be treated equally, particularly when it comes to costs.

A lot of changes need to be made to ensure all garages are safe spaces for all gender identities but thankfully, there are already a lot of businesses, such as ourselves, that consider this a priority. As a family-owned business run by a male and female team, Keith and Tamsin Brown, we have always treated all our customers with the same courtesy and care, regardless of their gender.

Chat to our all-female reception team to book your car in today and experience our friendly garages and MOT test centres for yourself.