How Potholes Can Damage Your Car

Now that spring is around the corner, every driver should be actively avoiding potholes forming in the roads across Britain. As the ice and snow melt away, the base layer of a road is disturbed and the surface in certain areas is weakened. Because of this, potholes are abundant and you can only avoid them for so long. If you drive over a particularly bad pothole, you should check the tyres and wheels of your car and be aware of any changes in the car’s handling characteristics. This is the safest way to ensure your car hasn’t been excessively damaged…

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How to correctly defrost your windscreen

We’re now in the thick of winter and to avoid costly accidents, it’s worth knowing how to safely defrost your windscreen. Making this part of your morning routine through the colder months will ensure you stay safe on the road, even when you’re up against the icy side of mother nature. Here’s our top tips on how to correctly defrost your windscreen. Use lukewarm water If you’re using water to defrost your windscreen, never use boiling water. This is because the temperature differences are too extreme and will cause the windscreen to expand too quickly, leading to a crack. You’ll…

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Pets in cars are costing owners £1000s in fines

The cat’s out of the bag with this one. It’s been a long time coming but drivers are finally feeling the full force of the law where travelling with their pet is concerned. Those who forgo properly securing their dog or cat in their vehicle are being slapped with fines of up to £5000, thanks to a new drive to enforce Rule 57 of the highway code. The Law Rule 57 of the Highway Code specifically states: ‘When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or…

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Saving money with regular car servicing

  As many of us try to tighten the purse strings this January after an indulgent Christmas, one effective way you can save money during 2016 is with regular car servicing. Owning and running a car can be a rather costly outgoing, with unexpected repairs and breakdowns adding to the expenditure. Here are a few simple maintenance tips which will save you money on your car’s running costs, while helping it stay in full working order for longer.   Tyre pressure Tyres are a key factor in helping vehicles maintain balance and stability while in use, so a close inspection…

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Winter Checks for Motorists

  Although the winter hasn’t been too bad so far this year, there is still plenty of time for it to take a turn for the worse. And when it does, you need to be ready and have your car fully prepared for the driving conditions you could endure. To give you a helping hand, the team at Universal Tyres have put together the most important winter checks you should carry out on your car this year. Anti-freeze Adding antifreeze to your coolant and windscreen wash lowers the freezing point of the liquid, so you don’t have to worry about…

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What are the Main Causes for Car Breakdowns?

Every year hundreds of thousands of motorists call out for emergency breakdown assistance at the roadside but there are a few common issues that you should be aware of that will prevent you from being one of them. Most of the following issues can be maintained by regular servicing and sorting out those little advisories that come up on your MOT sooner rather than later.   Dead/Drained Battery One of the top reasons for car breakdowns is a drained battery which can be caused by a number of issues, including leaving lights and radios on, or the age of the…

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MOT changes could lead to an increase in illegal tyres and brakes

  Earlier this year, the government released the latest budget which showed a proposal to increase the period of time before a car’s first MOT test from 3 years to 4 years. It is suggested that doing so will save motorists more than £100 million a year. The dangers of the proposal Since the announcement was made, many leading names in motoring have spoken out against the proposal claiming that although this change could be financially beneficial, the roads could become increasingly unsafe due to unknown faults in tyres and brakes. The Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has shown…

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Asleep at the Wheel: New Invention to Prevent Crashes

Everyone has probably seen the warning sign: ‘Tiredness can kill. Take a Break’ at some point during their car journey somewhere. With the National Sleep Foundation having now revealed that up to 30% of all crashes are caused by tired drivers, there has never been a more crucial time for drivers to sit up and take note of this warning. Driving when tired For those of you who have experienced the difficulty of driving when feeling extremely tired, you will also understand the temptation to power through and keep going so you can get home quicker and go to bed,…

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Exhaust Smoke Colour Warnings

A car exhaust plays a huge part in air pollution but not enough of us pay attention to our car’s exhaust. Things can be running seemingly fine everywhere else, yet the fuel coming from the exhaust can tell a whole other story! Different coloured exhaust smoke is one of the biggest signs that you have a problem somewhere, but which colour relates to what problem and what exactly should you do about it? White, blue, black and sometimes even grey coloured smoke are the telltale signs that something isn’t quite right with your car. So let’s take a closer look…

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Stopping in Time: Brake Safety

Every driver knows that when they put their foot on the brake pedal, the car will eventually come to a hault. But the most important thing for any motorist is knowing and understanding how much time it will take your car to stop. When it comes to brakes, there are a number of things that need to be taken into consideration and they are all extremely important in order to fully grasp just how vital brake safety is when driving.   Why is brake safety important? Brakes ultimately bring your car to a stop, so without them, or with faulty…

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