Archive for Motoring Tips

Holiday Checklist for Driving in Europe

26th May 2015 / / No comments
Compulsory Equipment for Driving in Europe

Many Irish folks are gearing up for their holidays. As always, Europe is proving a popular destination for people, lots of whom will be opting to drive.

But before you hit the road, remember that there are certain compulsory items you are legally obliged to carry in many countries when driving. Some will be obvious (IRL sticker), others less so (breathalyser).

We’ve compiled a list of compulsory items according to the countries below. So, be sure to check the list carefully…and happy holidaying!

IRL Sticker

Headlamp Beam Converters

Warning Triangle

Hi-Vis Jacket

First Aid Kit

NF Approved Breathalyser

Spare Bulbs

holliday checklist

Compulsory Equipment for Driving in Europe

 

 

 

Category: Car Articles, Motoring Tips / Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Rejuvenating Your Car (Part 2 – Fluids)

19th May 2015 / / No comments
Car DIY - Changing Car Fluids

Last month we looked at ways of rejuvenating your old motor. We discussed ways of superficially sprucing up the car – cleaning tips, interior and exterior styling options, accessorising etc.

This time around however, we’re going to focus on the actual performance of the car and affordable ways of ensuring your vehicle keeps running smoothly.

 

Flush out your fluids

This is one of the most essential and cost effective ways of protecting your car against break downs and an assortment of mechanical damage. It’s a straight-forward job even for a novice. And the more you do it the easier it becomes.

  1. You can start by consulting your car manual (if you still have it – if you don’t you might want to invest in one HERE). The manual’s, while not essential, at least provide a guide for checking and changing fluids – you can then mark the dates in your calendar to ensure the job gets done wNext hen it needs doing.
  2. Park the car on a flat surface and pull up the handbrake.
  3. Open the car bonnet.
  4. Once the car has cooled down and the oils have drained (give it an hour to be safe) you can check the ENGINE OIL. Pull the Oil Dipstick fully out and wipe clean to ensure a clear reading. Put the dipstick back in and remove once again to read the oil level. The dipstick has a number of marking indicating differing oil levels. If low add an appropriate amount of engine oil.
    1. It’s also worth noting the engine oil colour –Clean = clear / golden, whereas Black / Brown indicates dirty engine oil. UIf the oil is cloudy it might point to contamination (possibly with coolant). This could be down to a blown head gasket in which case you should bring the car to a qualified mechanic.
    2. As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended that you change your engine oil every six months.
    3. If you are going to change your oil (or fluids) an OIL VACUUM PUMP is a handy tool.
  5. Next check the TRANSMISSION OIL, which is responsible for greasing the gear system. It’s part of a closed system so you shouldn’t ever be low on it. You just want to check that it’s clean. You will need to have the engine running. It is the second of the two dipsticks. Follow the same steps you did for checking the engine oil.
    1. FYI: Transmission Oil is reddish in colour and does not need to be replaced as much as engine oil. Brown / Black transmission oil should be replaced.
  6. BRAKE FLUID – Again, like the Transmission Oil, the Brake Fluid is a closed system. Locate the brake master cylinder (it’s generally on the driver’s side of the car by the rear of the engine compartment. It has a plastic reservoir and rubber cap with metal tubes emanating from the cylinder.
    1. Low brake fluid is never a good sign – cars aren’t designed to consume a lot of the stuff – so it could point to a brake line leak, or worn brakes. Low fluid might necessitate a car check-up as a car low on brake fluid might not stop!
  7. POWER STEERING FLUID – The power steering fluid is responsible for keeping your steering smooth. When it starts to run low you may begin to hear a slight groaning noise from the wheel.
    1. Locate the reservoir – you can usually check the level by looking at the reservoir. This fluid does not generally tend to run low, so it levels have dropped significantly then it might be worth checking with your mechanic.
    2. The need to flush and replace is rare, but it doesn’t hurt to keep the level topped up.
  8. COOLANT ANTIFREEZE – Responsible for keeping your car running cool. Low levels of coolant result in the car overheating. It’s located in the car’s radiator.
    1. Remove the radiator cap once the car has cooled down.
    2. You should a line inside that indicates where the coolant should come up to.
    3. Be sure to add the same coolant that’s currently in the car.

fluid-colors

Category: Car Articles, Cleaning, Knowledge Base, Motoring Tips / Tags: , , , , ,

Rejuvenating Your Car (Part 1)

9th April 2015 / / No comments
Spring Cleaning

Statistics might show that sales of new cars in Ireland are up an impressive 28% on this time last year, but there’s still plenty of people out there that don’t have the disposable income to splash out on a new motor.

And given that the comparatively low sales of new cars during the last number of years has resulted in a shortage of competitively priced second hand cars on the market at present, many of us won’t be getting a motoring upgrade anytime soon.

But here’s the thing – many cars built in the last 10 – 15 years can now go 200,000 to 300,000 miles if they are properly cared for. Your vehicle might feel old and run down, but if she’s still running there’s plenty of cost-effective ways you can utilise to galvanize the old motor.

 

Clean It

Wash Me

First things first, CLEAN YOUR Car! And, I’m not just talking about a half-hearted hovering of the interior either. Get rid of the accumulated clutter and rubbish, and then get yourself some shampoo / cleaning products for the carpet, upholstery and dashboard. There’s also a wide range of products available for giving your wheels a clean sheen.

Leather Care Cream

All Purpose Cleaner

Dashboard

Disinfectant

 

Interior Styling

So, you bought the cleaning products and applied some much needed elbow grease. The car is already looking much improved. But cleaning will only go so far. It’s only natural that after years on the road the interior is also feeling the effects of wear and tear. Thankfully, it’s not going to cost an arm and a leg to revitalise that drab interior.

Floor Mats

Steering Wheel Cover

Gear Knob

Seat Covers

 

Accessories

Just because your car doesn’t have the fancy mod-cons that are commonplace in a lot of mid-range vehicles today doesn’t mean you can’t install them in your aging motor. Start streaming your extensive music collection on Spotify through your phone with a Bluetooth enabled stereo system. Avoid penalty points with a hand-free kit. These additions don’t exactly transform your vehicle into a smart-car, but they do make practical improvements and enhance your driving experience.

Car Stereo System

Hands-free Kit

 

Exterior

So, you have the interior spruced up. You have some new accessories on-board. Now it’s time to turn your attention to the exterior. Start by giving your headlamps a proper scrub, before moving onto the paint job. You’d be amazed what a difference this can make with some basic products and a little know how. If you have a little cash left over you could look at getting some new mud flaps or wheel trims.

Headlight

Make Your Headlamps Shine Like New

Polish Your Car Like A Pro

Wheel Cleaning Product

Wheel Trims

Mud Flaps

Category: Car Articles, Cleaning, Headlamps, Motoring Tips / Tags: , , , , ,

Winter Driving Safety Tips

26th November 2014 / / No comments

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.

 

Category: Car Articles, Motoring Tips / Tags: , , ,

Why buying car parts online makes sense

15th November 2014 / / No comments
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.

Category: Motoring Tips / Tags:
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