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…

MOTs: UK motorists aren’t prepared to do basic checks!

It would seem that 1 in 10 of Britain’s motorists are shy about car maintenance. As research by LV discovered, over 1 in 10 admit they are not happy carrying out checks or basic car care before their MOT test. Even though most drivers know a quick look over their vehicle could save them time and money, more than half of surveyed motorists are reluctant to check their headlights and indicators are working. Lights were the number 1 cause of instant MOT failures in 2016, accounting for 18.9% of all test fails. This is just a portion of the 35.3%…

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…

What causes a car to vibrate at high speeds?

While finding time for car maintenance may not feature at the top of your to-do list, it’s important that any noticeable problems are addressed as quickly as possible to ensure the safety of you and others on the road. One of the most common problems you may notice with your vehicle is that it has started to vibrate when you are driving at high speeds. There are a plethora of reasons for this, some of which are obvious while others can be difficult to identify. In this article, we will explain what causes a car to vibrate, and why it…

Car Servicing: Top 10 car problems

As discussed in our previous article, regular servicing will ensure your car remains in full working order and safe on the roads, while saving you money on running costs. Our experts at Universal Tyres have compiled a list of the top 10 common car problems, so you know which areas to focus on during maintenance and what symptoms to look out for in your vehicle. Brake system Whether it’s general wear and tear to the brake pads, or low brake fluid levels caused by a leak, some of the most common repairs occur in the brake system. As one of the…

Engine fluids: Top tips for happy motoring

Regular maintenance is important for any vehicle to ensure it functions properly and is safe to drive on the road. From the pedals and windscreen wipers to the engine and tyres, every component of your car needs to be cared for so you can travel safely. The engine fluids in your vehicle go a long way to ensuring the smooth running and functionality of your car. Regular checks on these fluids will determine whether their levels are correct or if they are causing any damage to your vehicle. This article will serve to explain the different types of engine fluids,…

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…

Selling your car: Why it is important to keep it serviced?

Servicing your car not only keeps it in top condition when you are running it, but it will also add value to your vehicle when the time comes should you want to sell it. Even if you are not planning on selling in the near future, it is important to think ahead and keep your service history going, as people are prepared to pay a premium for a car with a full service history. Why should I bother getting my car serviced? Car servicing is a very important part of vehicle ownership. Even if you are planning on selling your…

Top 10 Causes of Breakdowns

We all hate those inconvenient glitches that can arise from time to time and get in your way. One of these set-backs that can be most annoying and definitely stops you from getting on is when your car breaks down in the middle of a journey. It can catch you off guard and leave you feeling unsettled if you don’t know what to do. However, you can avoid ever finding yourself in this unfortunate situation, by taking regular care of your car, taking it for annual MOT tests and services when they’re due and seeing to any necessary car repairs…

Why do you need to regularly service your vehicle?

Owning a car undoubtedly gives you independence and the freedom to travel whenever you want to, but with this freedom also comes a huge responsibility. You need to ensure that you are having all the necessary and regular checks on your vehicle to make sure it is road worthy, safe and adheres to all industry rules and regulations. This includes booking your car in for a regular service. However, it seems that many people are unsure of the exact purpose of a vehicle service and they just assume that an annual MOT is enough to keep their vehicle compliant. But…