News - October
"The Sun" puts Nationwide Autocentre's 'Fuel Service' to the test
In its constant quest to provide money saving advice to its readers, 'The Sun' newspaper ran a special feature reviewing the new 'Fuel Service' from Nationwide Autocentre, to see whether it really did improve MPG and lower CO2 emissions. They were so impressed that they offered every one of their readers a £5 voucher to put towards the cost of the service.
The 'Fuel Service' is the only one of its kind that specialises in cleaning the fuel system and engine on cars over three years old, using a specialist nine or 12 point system of checks to ensure the smoothest possible running.
The products, which are only available at Nationwide Autocentres, were put to the test by The Sun in five cars. The results showed that in all cases the car’s fuel emissions were substantially reduced, with all participants noting an increase in their MPG.
On the whole motorists are likely to see a significant improvement in both their MPG and CO2 emission levels, and in some cases experience a saving of up to £150 over three months.
Nationwide Autocentre is so confident that motorists will see an improvement in these levels that they are offering a money back guarantee. If both MPG and CO2 emissions show no improvement, Nationwide Autocentre is prepared to pay out a refund.
Duncan Wilkes, managing director of Nationwide Autocentre, commented: "This system is different because it burns more fuel in the engine itself, rather than burning fuel as it comes out of the exhaust. Not only does this help the environment by reducing CO2 emissions, but motorists will also get more miles per gallon for their money, which is a big help in these days of rising fuel prices."
The 'Fuel Service' is now available at all Nationwide Autocentres across the UK.
4X4s 'Worthless' amid soaring fuel costs
New reports by the Daily Mail suggest that many car dealers are now refusing to take ‘worthless’ gas-guzzling 4x4s in part exchange, amid the plummeting values of second-hand cars.
Experts believe the slump is the result of the Government’s new proposals to hit millions of drivers with backdated car tax increases of up to £245, along with the soaring cost of fuel.
This has meant that many used cars are now worth more as scrap, as the demand for steel increases. Worst hit by this trend are 4x4s that would typically cost £100 or more to refuel. This, combined with the fact that by 2010 4x4 models that are currently two years old will become liable for over £450 a year in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), effectively means that these vehicles have become worthless to dealers.
The Government’s announcement of increased VED for higher polluting cars also means that motorists are now having to consider far more then just the initial cost of the car and its insurance premium.
It is estimated that between now and Christmas used car values will drop by 12%, meaning an average three-year-old family car worth £5,000 will have dropped £600 by Christmas. As predicted, those worst off will be owners of older cars with a high CO2 emission level and 4x4 owners.
Cars three years or older could cost more in the long run than buying the same model brand new.
'Musical' road causes big noise in California
It’s no longer 'follow the yellow brick road', but 'follow the musical road'. Made by Honda as part of an upcoming ad campaign for the new Honda Civic, a road in California now 'sings' the 'Lone Ranger' theme tune as motorists drive over it.
The 'music' comes from the noise made by tyres passing over a series of carefully cut grooves in the surface of the road. When driven over, the grooves then resonate at the right frequencies, in a similar way that a needle works on a vinyl record player.
The road however, is tuned specifically to the tyres and wheelbase of a Civic, and only plays at the right pitch if driven over at a speed of 55mph. So, it's no shock that local residents aren’t too happy with the new musical edition to their community.
Although the road has attracted a great deal of passing tourists since it gained its celebrity status a few weeks ago, local residents are demanding that it be paved over as the noise is keeping them awake.
Local resident Donna Martin told papers: "I think it's terrible because it keeps me up at night. You can kind of tell it's music, but it's not any tune or notes. It's a scratchy sound, a high-pitch drone."
Similar ideas have been tried in the past in Japan, Korea and the Netherlands. But the 'music' was only ever intended for the benefit of those driving the car, and it seems in this case the noise has carried too far.
Due to local demand officials have announced they will be paving over the road.
