Tick, click, scrape, screech, hum, rattle, clunk- it sounds like a bad song title, but if you hear any of these noises in your car- listen up!  Any unusual noise coming from your car is usually a warning sign that something isn’t right. One of these noises in your car could mean any one of a hundred things. Dangerously worn brake pads, a blockage in your exhaust system,  a worn out drive belt, low oil or power steering fluid, unaligned tyres- and anything in between. Get it checked out early, there is a big difference between some preventative maintenance and a costly repair bill.&n ..read more

Boat trailers are regularly immersed in saltwater, and don’t take very long to start corroding or breaking down. Fortunately, with regular maintenance and inspections to look for trouble spots, you can ensure your trailer will be ready to go when you need it. Wheels rarely give too many problems, but they should still be checked for excessive corrosion. TyreAware also recommends periodic checking for tightness of the nuts, bolts, and hardware. Be Trailer Tyre Aware Tyre failure can be a headache for boat owners. Incorrect tyre pressure is a common cause of tyre failure, especially with smaller ..read more

Regular tyre pressure checks are essential for the safety and efficiency of your vehicle. Incorrectly inflated tyres lead to: Reduced fuel efficiency: When tyres are under-inflated, their rolling resistance increases. This means it takes more energy or fuel to make them turn. Think about how difficult it is to ride your bicycle with under-inflated tyres!   Increased safety risks: Incorrectly inflated tyres affect vehicle handling, cornering, acceleration, braking, and wet grip. Under-inflated tyres are more likely to suffer from a dangerous blowout.   Increased tyre wear: When a ..read more

Action for rear tyre blowouts: Your car will tend to weave about, especially at speeds over 80kmph. The best action is to hold the steering wheel firmly and let the car slow down by itself. Your immediate instinct might be to brake, but if the car is starting to move sideways braking will make matters worse- causing the car to spin. Sudden braking is the single worst thing that you can do if a tyre blows out. Keep looking ahead and turn your steering wheel to keep in a straight line. Maintain momentum by accelerating and then ease off the accelerator to slow down. Accelerating is not done to s ..read more

What’s stopping you? Check your tyres for pressure and wear, check your brakes. Is your battery able for the winter? Get your lights checked. Make sure they’re clean, replace bulbs that are discoloured or not working. Are they correctly adjusted? Uneven headlights are dangerous for both you and oncoming traffic. Windscreen. Clean your windscreen both inside and out, to avoid glare at night. Also check that your wipers are up to the job. They are vital for your safety and inexpensive to replace. Have an emergency kit in the boot. A torch, hi-vis vest, a hazard warning triangle to warn other ro ..read more

Create a road trip scrapbook to add to as you go. These trips and holidays help to create lasting memories, so why not get the kids to make albums or scrapbooks to record the journeys. Gather souvenirs from places you visit- a card from a restaurant, fliers from attractions, shells, crayon rubbings, interesting stones etc. Budding artists can draw pictures along the way and take a photo to add to the collection (selfie, anyone)? Bring a freezer bag with safety scissors, a glue stick or tape and some crayons and coloured paper. Euro shops are great for picking up these sorts of things without b ..read more

Aquaplaning occurs when a layer of water builds up between a vehicle’s tyres and the surface of the road beneath. The tyres can’t grip the road, this causes a lack of traction which means the driver loses control and is unable to steer, brake or accelerate. How do you know if you’re aquaplaning? When driving on a wet road you might: Hear your engine suddenly become louder Feel like you’ve dropped the clutch down the gears while driving at speed, causing the revs to increase Feel the steering become light Experience the back end of the car drifting from side to side – known as “fishtailing ..read more

Create a road trip scrapbook to add to as you go. These trips and holidays help to create lasting memories, so why not get the kids to make albums or scrapbooks to record the journeys. Gather souvenirs from places you visit- a card from a restaurant, fliers from attractions, shells, crayon rubbings, interesting stones etc. Budding artists can draw pictures along the way and take a photo to add to the collection (selfie, anyone)? Bring a freezer bag with safety scissors, a glue stick or tape and some crayons and coloured paper. Euro shops are great for picking up these sorts of things without b ..read more