News - November
Experts warn to expect the worst this winter
This winter could be a particularly bad one for motorists, the long range weather forecast suggests that due to unexpected high pressure in the North East, predicted in November, there could be increased chance of snow.
The AA estimates that around 73,000 more people will break down in winter as opposed to summer due to the increased strain on cars from the harsh weather conditions and a general lack of public awareness of how to prepare their vehicle for the worst.
So, to help you get your car in tip top condition and ready for anything this winter, Nationwide Autocentre is offering a few helpful tips, as recommend by the AA:
Check tyre tread - The legal minimum of 1.6mm of tread is less than twice the thickness of a CD but during the winter a minimum of 3mm (around 3 CDs) is essential. Deeper tread will be more effective at clearing water when the roads are particularly wet or flooded.
Batteries - Modern batteries have many advantages, but if allowed to discharge, they will take a long time to recharge fully – they suffer at this time of year particularly in cars that do short journeys on cold mornings. You'll either need to make a regular long journey with minimal use of the car's electrical items or arrange to trickle–charge the battery.
'Tuck-Up' your engine - Modern engines don't need tucking–up with a blanket on cold nights but it can help if it's an old car. Make sure you hang something from the steering wheel to remind you, though a call to the fire brigade isn't the ideal start to the day! Also, don’t forget to depress the clutch when starting a cold engine - this disconnects the engine from the gearbox so there's less drag.
Screenwash - Keep it topped up and use a proper additive at the right concentration – don't use washing up liquid though as it will foam horribly and doesn't have the same low freezing point. Many garages sell sachets or small bottles of screenwash for pennies.
Bodywork - Wash the car frequently to get rid of the salt and dirt that builds up over the winter. Check for stone chips too as rust forms very quickly in the cold, damp weather. Replace any missing wheel trims promptly to minimise corrosion to the wheel bolts, which can seize, making removal of the wheel even more difficult.
Fuel - Keep your car fairly full in the cold months, as you never know when you might get caught up in an accident or foul weather. At least you'll be able to run the engine and keep warm but you must make sure the exhaust is clear of snow otherwise fumes can get into the car.
Windows – (Top Tip) To keep the windscreen from misting up, soak a cloth in un-diluted washing up liquid and then let it dry. Now wipe this cloth on the inside of the windows and it will stop them misting up – go on, try it in the bathroom, it works! If your windows have misted up, use the air–con as well as the heater – it's not just for summer and helps to dry the air. Don't use water to defrost the windows – hot water can crack the screen and will just re–freeze as it cools, either on the screen or on the ground where you're standing, which could have painful consequences!
Locks - a squirt of WD40 in the locks will stop them freezing.
Before you go - Take a warm coat, gloves and hat in case the weather or the car catches you out. If you do get stuck, you'll be very pleased that you packed chocolate, water and a hot drink too. Always carry a fully–charged mobile and take some old bits of carpet and a shovel to clear snow, in case you get stuck.
On the road - On colder days be particularly careful on tree–lined roads – the trees prevent the sun's warmth from reaching the road, which may still be icy despite surrounding areas having thawed. In fog, drive with the window down and the radio off – often you can hear problems like cars ahead going over bumps at low speed before you see them. On snow and ice just do everything very slowly because it can go wrong very quickly.
Safe and happy motoring!
Play our new game!
To brighten up the grey days ahead, Nationwide Autocentre has created a great new motoring game 'Keep the Motor Running'.
Test your skills to the full and see if you can steer Nationwide Autocentre's car around a twisty track, whilst collecting vital fuel and spare parts - but watch out for reckless drivers and police roadblocks!
Best scorers get on the leaderboard and can claim a £10 voucher. Have you got what it takes? Challenge your friends and colleagues and join in the fun online.
Play the game
Driving home a bargain
There is finally some good news for motorist amid the talk of credit crunch and recession with petrol prices heading south, and new car prices moving in the same direction.
For instance, Parker's, the car price guide, report a £4,000 drop in the price of the yet-to-launch Vauxhall Insignia, £1,500 off the new Ford Fiesta and a whopping £12,000 off a large 4x4 – as reported in the last issue of Motormouth.
So, how do you make the most of these plummeting car prices? 'The power is in your hands' is the message from Nationwide Autocentre. Consumers should take strength from these findings and put even more pressure on dealers to make sure they are getting the absolute best price for their new vehicle.
For those looking for the real inside track on handling a car dealer, why not take a look at Channel 4’s recommendations on how to negotiate effectively.
Buyers in the market for a car can find some real bargains at the moment as dealers slash prices to get people into showrooms around the country. In fact, in relative terms car prices are at their lowest for 20 years as they plummet by nearly 9% this year alone.
So make the most of it!
The DBS is back for Bond
Daniel Craig returns as 007 in the latest James Bond film 'Quantum of Solace' and much to the excitement of car fans everywhere, the awesome Aston Martin DBS will be returning with him.
The DBS made its original appearance alonside Craig, in his first Bond film 'Casino Royale', where its crash scene earned it a place in the Guiness Book of Records by barrel-rolling seven times on screen.
The new film boasts equally dramatic and breathtaking car action as the DBS takes a starring role in a 15 minute car chase.
Labelled by Jeremy Clarkson as the ‘harder DB9’, the DBS has already seen its fair share of action even before the film’s official release. A stunt driver was delivering the car to the 'Quantum of Solace' set when he lost control of the vehicle on a bend and plunged it into Italy's Lake Garda, wrecking the £130k sportscar.
Critics have branded the latest Bond installment as "a crash-bang Bond, high on action" and with the DBS in tow, its hardly surprising.
Quantum of Solace is out on general release from October 31st.
