Blog – Page 3 – Car Czar

Check your Car Before you Drive

Every time you drive, you need to know that your car is fully functional. It’s really important you carry out a series of checks before you drive it so that you know you know it is safe to be on the roads. Most of these are very small checks, but they can make a big difference. Here are some of the things you should do: Check your wing mirrors. Make sure they are in the right position for you to drive and look in them safely, and look them over for any damage. Make sure the lights are working. Switch them on and then get out of your vehicle so you know they are working properly. Check your brake lights. Ask someone to look for you when you press on... Read More »

Tom / December 29, 2017 / Blog

How to Take Care of an Older Car

Having an older car can be more difficult than a new car. It is much more likely to need work doing to it and if and when things do go wrong, they may be serious. If you have an older vehicle, take good and careful care of it to minimise the issues that could crop up. Make sure to have your car serviced. Unlike an MOT, this is not the law but it will give you a good indication of your car’s general health. There may be some advisories, which will tell you what you should watch out for in the coming months. If you detect anything unusual with your car, don’t leave it too long. Make sure you take it to a garage as soon as you can. Get... Read More »

Tom / September 30, 2017 / Blog

Choosing a Telematics Box as an Employer

A telematics box can help you to know more about the way your staff members are driving their company vehicles. A telematics box will be fitted to the car to monitor speed and braking patterns, showing you how well your employee is driving. You may decide to fit them in all of your vehicles in order to keep a record of how they are being used. A telematics box can be a good incentive if you choose to use them in this way. You can give staff members who drive well rewards and find ways to improve driving habits throughout the company. If people are breaking the law with the speed of their driving, the box will flag this up. You may decide to send them on a safer driving... Read More »

Tom / August 29, 2017 / Blog

What the ‘Check Engine’ Light Could Mean

The first thing to check is the gas cap if your model has one. You may have forgotten to tighten it properly the last time you filled up at a station. When the cap is loose, it sends a message to the system of a leak in the vapor recovery system, part of the vehicle’s emissions. Other common problems which trigger the Check Engine Light includes sensors and spark plug wires. A more serious issue occurs when there is damage to the catalytic converter. In this case, the light may flash rather than burn steadily. The flashing light indicates a more serious problem that should be dealt with right away. The vehicle may be misfiring, which will also lead to a flashing light because it can damage the catalytic converter.... Read More »

Tom / October 9, 2016 / Blog

Proper Oil Filter Maintenance and Replacement

While we agree with oil companies’ advice to change oil filters when you change the oil, there’s a difference in opinion on how often this should occur. Unless you’re driving an antique vehicle with an almost prehistoric engine system that doesn’t filter debris as efficiently, the 3,000-mile rule is a myth. Every vehicle is a little different, but the average amount of miles to wait is closer to about 7,500. Consult your owner’s manual for the proper oil filter maintenance for your vehicle. While a lot of things can trigger the Service Engine light to come on, it’s a good idea to rule out the simpler potential causes before plunking a lot of money down for diagnostics and repairs. When that light is illuminated, it indicates the engine system isn’t... Read More »

Tom / September 9, 2016 / Blog