Archive for 26th November 2014

Winter Driving Safety Tips

Winter-car

Baton down the hatches because it’s about to get chilly! Forecasters have warned that Ireland is facing its coldest winter in years, with sub-zero temperatures, polar gales and heavy snowfall expected to sweep across the country over December, January and February.

That’s obviously going to impact on driving conditions and your car. With that in mind it’s worth asking yourself whether you’re prepared for any winter emergencies. We’ve prepared a checklist for both practical and essential items to have in your car should the winter conditions get the best of your vehicle.

 

Winter Driving Safety  – Practicals

 

Blanket / Gloves: Should your car break down in the back of beyond, you might want to conserve fuel and battery power (if you still have any that is). Keep a blanket and gloves tucked away in the boot and stay warm while you wait for help to arrive.

Shovel: Even a small folding shovel will do the trick if you get wedged in by snow.

Wind-up phone charger: If the battery in your car and phone is dead, and you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere, a wind-up charger might just turn out to be one of the soundest purchases you ever made.

 

Winter Driving Safety  – Essentials

 

Warning Lights: Poor visibility during the winter months make road-side break downs that bit more hazardous. A Warning Triangle at least increases your visibility when pulled over.

Snow Socks: Give your car extra grip in snow and ice. Light and easy to fit. Can be kept in the car when not in use. Available in 5 sizes, these snow socks fit hundreds of different tyres. Fits on the cars drive wheels.

De-Icer: Essential and self-explanatory. Can also be used in emergencies to de-frost frozen car parts.

Ice Scraper: Stating the obvious…

Jump Leads: Battery failure is the most common cause of breakdowns and the likelihood of that happening increases during the winter months. Be prepared.

Hi-Vis Vest: In a scenario where you might be required to carry out some road-side repairs having a Hi-Vis vest is essential, especially when doing so in difficult-to-see winter conditions.

Torch: Essential if you need to get under the hood in the dark.

Screen Wash: As well as removing dirt, grime and insect deposits, Screen Wash also helps prevent freezing.

 

Improving Your Cars Winter Performance

 

winter_car

Winter Tyres: A complete new set of winter tyres (where the rubber is optimized to stay flexible during cold snaps as opposed to regular tyres which turn hard and slippery) might sound expensive. However, in reality, if you spend a lot of time on the road during the winter months it’s a worthwhile investment. And besides, while you’re driving around on the winter tyres, the regular set isn’t being used and worn down.

 

Check your battery: While it’s always advisable to have a professional check your battery, there are a few ways even a novice can carry out a routine check and maintenance. Look out for corrosion on posts and cable connections and scrape away where necessary. Give the surfaces a clean and retighten all connections. If you can remove the battery caps check the fluid level monthly.

 

Wiper Blades / Fluid Levels: Rubber cladded wiper blades are best suited for scraping ice from the windscreen. In addition to this, ensure you have refilled your windshield washer reservoir with wiper solvent and keep plenty on hand. You can really go through it in large quantities during the winter months.

 

Bulbs / Lighting:  Replace any fading or burnt out bulbs while also regularly removing grime from the lenses.

 

Brakes: Finally, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, check your brakes.

 

Why buying car parts online makes sense

buying car parts online

After nearly two years of research and development motorparts.ie is finally online and open for business.

Having an online outlet has both its own set of benefits and drawbacks where the consumer is concerned, but generally the positives far outweigh the negatives.

The drawbacks for consumers mostly centre on the lack of personal service offered online and the ease and expertise that comes with face-to-face interactions. There’s an unfamiliarity when buying online.

However, having been in the retail business ourselves for over 25 years we’re committed to offering that same level of personal service and expertise but with all the added benefits that come with shopping online.

Benefits of Buying Car Parts Online

So, what are the benefits? In an age where more and more people are hanging onto their cars for longer, and the internet has allowed for the easy and widespread sharing of information, thus making DIY’ing easier, there are many.

These include:

  1. Buying online saves considerable money
  2. The consumer can compare prices online before buying
  3. There is unquestionably a wider selection of parts online than in bricks and mortar stores Consumers have access to more information about each parts
  4. Buying online is about convenience and saving time
  5. There are certain products that are particularly suited to purchasing online. They include:

Mirrors: A part that tends to get damaged more often than other components, mirrors are often quite expensive when sourced from main dealers. The fact that they are relatively easy to install and a greater range of higher-spec mirrors that improve both the appearance and performance of your car can be found online for considerably less money makes them an ideal item for purchasing on the web.

Lights: Like mirrors, light units can be an expensive product to purchase from retail stores. And that’s if you’re lucky enough to find a store that does stock model specific lights, as opposed to a universal part. Basically, your best bet of sourcing a model specific light unit at a reasonable price is online!

Cabin Air & Oil Filters: Cabin Air Filters generally require replacing every 30,000 miles or two years. Again, installation is relatively straight forward and online you will find a much wider choice at more reasonable prices.

Oxygen Sensor: Another small but expensive part that lends itself to purchasing online. Significant savings to be had, especially considering that this part might require installation by a mechanic if you don’t have the necessary tools to complete the job yourself.

Floor Mats and Liners: You obviously don’t need any professional assistance fitting a new floor mat so they make for particularly good online purchases. You’ll find a wider selection online so if you have a specific colour or material in mind you’ll more than likely find it here.

Batteries: Buying a high quality, long-life battery is always a smart move, particularly if you primarily use the car for short, stop/start journeys (the battery in these instances is rarely given an adequate chance to fully charge). Again, the lower operating costs of an online business means that you can save more money on high quality batteries – and with that save yourself a lot of future hassle.

Spark Plugs: Replacing spark plugs at fairly regular intervals is important if you want your car to continue running smoothly and increase fuel efficiency. Every 30,000 to 100,000 miles or as needed is the recommended usage. Unlike some of the jobs listed here there is a moderate level of difficulty in replacing the spark plugs yourself. However, with a few tools and some online research it’s eminently achievable and a worthwhile endeavour. You’ll find a far wider range of spark plugs online.

Engine Coolant and Transmission Fluid: Required every two years or 24,000 miles. Buy in bulk and save on cost and delivery.

Tips when buying car parts online

Research: Purchasing some items will require some research on your part. It’s always advisable to consult the car manual or manufacturer website to find out exactly what type of part a vehicle needs. Some may offer exact part numbers, and others may have a specific description.

Stock up: Bulk buy on parts that need to be replaced often or break easily – this will not only save you money on the items themselves but also on delivery costs.