All posts by av51xym

Automotive Parts & Accessories, Motoring News

Simple Winter jobs to get started on your car

Leave a comment
Simple Winter jobs to get started on your car

WRITTEN BY haynes_online_manuals

Car maintenance is very important during the winter months, and even the smallest jobs can make a world of difference to your car’s health and your driving experience.

Winter is when most breakdowns occur and the most accidents happen, so it’s important to tackle some of these simple jobs to make sure you’re prepared. Correctly checking some basic components on your car can maintain your vehicle’s safety and performance in these adverse conditions.
Wipers

images (20)

images (19)
Do your windscreen wipers clear the screen correctly? If they smear, or leave behind any water it’s time to consider changing them. Replacements are readily available, but not all wipers fit all cars so you will need to buy a set intended for your car.
There are a few different fitments, and different styles of wipers, so it’s often best to fit like-for-like. Having said that you can upgrade most conventional wipers to the ‘aero’ or ‘flat style’ which look more modern, and are claimed to outperform regular conventional wipers.
Expert tip_It’s always worth measuring your wipers before ordering a new set, just to make sure the ones being sold are suitable for your vehicle. Handy parts and tools Car windscreen wipers and blades

Get peace of mind from £5 a month

with the UK’s largest breakdown provider

AA Roadside Assistance offers 24/7 cover for breakdowns over 1/4 mile from home. If we can’t complete repairs at the roadside, we’ll take you and your vehicle to a nearby garage.

This cover can be enhanced with options such as National Recovery, At Home and Onward Travel.

 
Tyres

Expert tipThe legal limit for tyre treads is 1.6mm across the centre 2/3 of the tyre. This is the same as the thickness of a 20p so use this as a guide.

Handy parts and tools

The condition of your tyres is vital for safe winter travel. The easiest and most obvious thing to check is the tread depth, this needs to be no lower than the minimum allowed depth (1.6mm) and preferably more, as the deeper the tread the better the tyre is at dissipating water.Make sure you check the inner edge of the tyre.

It’s not. uncommon for tyres to wear unevenly, so at first glance it may look ok, but further investigation could reveal excessive wear. Check also the tyre sidewalls inside and out for any bulges, cracks, or splits.

The rim of the wheel should be straight and not buckled or pinched.Finally keep an eye on the tyre pressures with a simple pressure gauge. It’s not a bad idea to get hold of a portable tyre inflator which is a lot easier than resorting to a foot pump if you find you need to top the tyre up.
Over 25 Years Of Mobile Tyre Fitting Across The UK.
Free fitting on every order and no hidden extras, book online today for same or next day fitting.

Our online tyre store has premium branded tyres from Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Michelin and Pirelli.

Fantastic performing mid-range brands like Avon, Falken and Yokohama and a wide selection of budget tyres too so you can select the brand you want.

We keep our tyres competitively priced and when you buy your tyres online they all include free mobile fitting at your home, work or any another place that is easy for you at no extra cost.
Screen wash

With all the salt on the roads, it’s inevitable that you’ll need to clear your screen on a regular basis. Before you run out of screen wash miles from home, why not top up now to make sure you’re prepared. If you’re unsure where the fluid goes check your handbook – never guess! Make sure you add the correct concentration of water to screen wash to prevent it freezing.

Expert tip When buying screen wash look for concentrated/undiluted liquid. If you buy it ‘ready to use’ you’re paying them to add water for you!  Handy parts and tools
HOME OF THE UK’S BEST CAR WARRANTY

 

Not a phrase we take lightly. We spend a lot of time checking and ensuring that our warranty remains the very best level of cover you can get for your car and our home appliance warranty is quickly becoming a market leading product.

Founded in 2000, Warrantywise is the UK’s best used warranty service and maintenance plan specialist. We provide an extended vehicle warranty of the highest quality, for all makes and models of Vehicle, to private individuals as well as the country’s largest franchised and independent dealer groups and in 2017, we launched our Home Appliance Warranty. Warrantywise is a private family firm with a strong capital base and was founded on the principles of honesty and integrity. Quentin Willson has been instrumental in delivering these principles alongside Warrantywise since joining the team in 2008 and Anthea Turner has joined the team to do the same for our home appliance warranty.
Engine coolant

Expert tips While coolant comes in a variety of colours, there is no industry standard, so you can’t assume that a coolant in the same colour will be ok, so always check first. Handy parts and tools

Engine coolant provides a vital function to keep the engine cool, but it also has anti freezing properties which are essential when the weather gets very cold.

Without the correct concentration of anti-freeze in your engine you could risk it freezing, which can be very damaging.

You can buy coolant testers surprisingly cheaply, and they’ll tell you if you have sufficient protection. If you need to top up with coolant, always consult the manufacturer to ensure you use the correct mix for your car. Coolant usually comes in three types, IAT, OAT and HOAT. It’s inadvisable to mix the types.
Lights

Expert tip If your headlights have condensation in them, first make sure the rubber/plastic cover at the rear of the light is correctly fitted, and then clear the condensation with a hair dryer. Handy parts and tools

It goes without saying that you need to see and be seen in the darker hours.

And while you’ll be aware if one of your headlights isn’t working, when was the last time you checked your rear, or brake lights?

Get a friend to operate the lights while you check them, and replace any non-working bulbs as soon as possible… and don’t forget the number plate lights!

If you need to change your headlight bulbs, there are a lot of different styles, so make sure you get the correct fitment, and it’s always wise to change them in pairs.
Get Winter Ready

All the car parts and expert advice you need to keep safely on the road. Expert Tips and Advice for Winter

Tags

Wipers Screen wash Haynes Engine coolant Tyres Winter Car
haynes_online_manuals
haynes_online_manuals
Manuals covering pretty much any topic you can think of, including motoring, DIY and space.

 

Repairs & Maintenance, Used Cars

Avoid disappointment….Buckle up for these savings!

Leave a comment

FashionHome & GardenElectronicsMotorsDaily Deals

Deals To Make Your Day                                                                     See All 

Don’t Miss These Shop Events                                                         See All ➔

   
Repairs & Maintenance

Windshield Glass Water Rain Repellent

Leave a comment

Windshield streaking is not an issue with Aquapel.

Aquapel Glass Treatment improves a driver’s ability to see clearly and drive safer.

Driving in the rain is safer with Aquapel.

Aquapel Glass Treatment is your chance to change the way drivers see the road in the rain. It can also be used on any window where clearer vision is needed. Aquapel will also fight the elements for auto, marine and home.

Developed and first patented by PPG Industries, leaders in glass technology, and now owned by Pittsburgh Glass Works, Aquapel Glass Treatment represents a product which promotes automobile safety.

Designed for professional application on windshields, side windows, rear windows, glass shower doors, or any other glass surface, Aquapel is a long-lasting glass treatment that:

  • Repels rain for remarkably improved vision
  • Makes it easier to clear ice, snow and even dirt
  • Reduces glare in the rain, especially at night
  • Helps reduce water marks and keeps down salt water

Drive Safer

See Clearly. Drive Safer… today and every day with Aquapel. When your safety is involved, SEE CLEARLY and DRIVE SAFER. Whenever it’s time to renew your long-lasting Aquapel Glass Treatment, its performance can be restored in just minutes. Once you’ve driven with Aquapel, you won’t want to drive without it.

Aquapel Provides Clear Vision In Rain

As the photos demonstrate, glass treated with Aquapel Glass Treatment provides clearer vision in the rain. Discover an amazingly clear view in the rain, snow, and sleet with a technology designed for your vehicle’s glass.

 

How To

How To Repair A Rear Window De-Frost Grid

Leave a comment

 

 

HOT Rear Window Broken Grid Lines Fix Tabs Useful Car De-Mist Repair Tools Kit.

Buy Now

Paint a new line

Repair a broken grid line by cleaning the area around the break with the alcohol prep. Allow to dry. Peel the wax paper liner off the stencil and apply the sticky side to the glass, aligning the stencil to the existing grid line. Brush on the conductive paint. As with the tab repair, let it dry for 24 hours before using the de-mist.

To repair the grid line on your defogger, simply attach the supplied stencil to the broken grid section and paint on the electrically conductive paint. Allow it to dry, then remove the stencil. You may want to touch up your work with a single-edge razor blade. But be careful. You don’t want to damage any other grid lines.

Repairs can be completed in less than 30 minutes. However, the instructions warned us to wait 24 hours to test the defogger. One last note: You can only do this repair when the temperature is above 50 degrees F.

Advantage & Features：

1.Used to repair scratched or broken rear window defogger grid lines

2.Make Permanent, Invisible repairs

3.Fix quickly and easily with a cheap cost

4.Glue is specially formulated to conduct electricity

5.Follow the instructions easily by step

Package included：

1x 2.0ml silver repair compound

3x Cottom  Swabs

1x Masking tap

1x Alcohol pre-pad

1x Plastic scraper

1x Clean cloth

Precautions :

Avoid eye contact. Do not get on skin or clothing. Avoid breathing of vapors. Use only with adequate ventilation. Do not swallow. Wash thoroughly after handling. Close container after each use.

 

How To, Repairs & Maintenance

Coolant Leak Repair

Leave a comment

Coolant Leak Repair 236ml

K-Seal is specially formulated to permanently seal most cracks in the engine block and head. This unique product is guaranteed to mix with all types of glycol based coolant and antifreeze. K-Seal can also be used to seal holes and cracks in the head gasket, radiator, heater core, freeze plugs, water pump casing and other metal components of the cooling system in both petrol and diesel engines.

K-Seal Coolant Leak Repair 236ml ( Car Parts 4 Less )

472ml Kseal Ultimate Head Gasket Repair Product Code: 542771800 (Euro Car Parts)

Head Gasket SEALER permanently seals BLOWN HEAD GASKET NOW IN THE UK

 

  • Seals holes and cracks in the head gasket and radiator.
  • Can also permanently seal most cracks in the engine block and head.
  • Guaranteed to last the life of your engine.
  • Mixes with all types of Antifreeze & Coolant.
  • Can be used in both petrol and diesel cars.
  • Just shake, pour in and go!

K-Seal Coolant Leak Repair 236ml ( Car Parts 4 Less )

472ml Kseal Ultimate Head Gasket Repair Product Code: 542771800 (Euro Car Parts)

Head Gasket SEALER permanently seals BLOWN HEAD GASKET NOW IN THE UK

K-Seal Coolant Leak Repair 236ml ( Car Parts 4 Less )

472ml Kseal Ultimate Head Gasket Repair Product Code: 542771800 (Euro Car Parts)

Head Gasket SEALER permanently seals BLOWN HEAD GASKET NOW IN THE UK

 

K-Seal Coolant Leak Repair 236ml ( Car Parts 4 Less )

472ml Kseal Ultimate Head Gasket Repair Product Code: 542771800 (Euro Car Parts)

Head Gasket SEALER permanently seals BLOWN HEAD GASKET NOW IN THE UK

 

How To

How to Clean Oxygen Sensors

Leave a comment

One of the vital parts within a car is the oxygen sensor, also known as the O2 sensor. Generally speaking, an oxygen sensor is a device that measures the proportion of oxygen in a gas or liquid. In the case of cars, the oxygen sensor is part of the emissions control system, and it helps not only to keep your car running as efficiently as possible, but also helps to reduce emissions that your car is giving off. When a car gets its carbon emissions inspection, a faulty O2 sensor will result in a failed test. However, because of its location in the vehicle, it is fairly common for things like oil and coolant to build up over these sensors, and that can cause the oxygen sensor to malfunction.

The number of O2 sensors in a car depends on the make, model, and year of the car. In most cars, there is one O2 sensor is located in front of the catalytic converter and one in each exhaust manifold. When a sensor is blocked or otherwise not working, it will trigger the “check engine” light, and it might also result in a heater circuit malfunction. When either of these things happens, it means that the car either has an excessive amount of emissions, or the O2 sensor is not working. When the O2 sensor fails, that means it cannot determine the air to fuel ratio. This causes the vehicle to use through gasoline more quickly, and ultimately results in extra air pollution and an inefficiently running vehicle. Although the typical fix for a faulty O2 sensor is to replace it with a new one, you can save some money and improve performance by cleaning the sensors.

Gather Your Supplies and Prepare for the Job

It is fairly common for oil and coolants to clog up an oxygen sensor over time. Just because an O2 sensor has unwanted contaminants, however, does not mean it is time to replace the sensor altogether. To clean out an oxygen sensor, you need to gather some supplies. These supplies are not difficult to find, but you need them on hand if you are going to be successful at cleaning your sensors.

Items You Need to Clean Your Oxygen Sensors.
Description of Item

Safety Glasses and Work Gloves

Make sure you are protecting yourself throughout this entire process. These safety supplies should not even be an option.

Car Jack

 You cannot remove the oxygen sensors without lifting the car up from the ground. It is important that you use the jack safely, as you don’t want the vehicle falling back.

WD-40 and Fuel Can

You also need to gather up some chemicals to use. For this, you need a can of WD-40 and enough gasoline / petrol to clean (Fuel Can)

Auto Wrench or O2 sensor removal tool

Generally the only tool you need is an auto wrench to remove the oxygen sensors.

Industrial Container

You need to fill this container with gasoline/ petrol as well as the oxygen sensors, so make sure it is tough enough and large enough. This container should also have a tight lid.

Once you have gathered your supplies, take your vehicle to an open space, where there is no clutter. A garage, parking lot, or driveway can be perfect for this type of work, but you need to leave the vehicle there for several hours, so choose your work space with this in mind. Also, choose an area that has good ventilation. If you are in a garage, that means opening the garage door fully before beginning any work.

Removing the Oxygen Sensors

Now that you have prepared yourself for safety and prepared the area, it is time to get your car up on the Car Jack. Because your body is underneath the car, you want to be totally sure that the car is secure when it goes up on the Car Jack. Safety should always be your top priority when doing any type of work on a vehicle. At this point, put on your Safety Glasses as well as your Work Gloves. You need to slide under the vehicle and find the oxygen sensors. Cars have different numbers of O2 sensors depending on the year, make, and model. Check the owner’s manual for the exact locations. At the very least, one is in front of the catalytic converter and one in each exhaust manifold.

Once you have located these sensors, spray them liberally with the WD-40 and let them set for about 10 to15 minutes. During this time, the WD-40 works to loosen the sensors as well as lubricate them. This makes the sensors easier to remove. After this time, take your wrench and remove both sets of sensors. If they are difficult to remove, spraying some more WD-40 may work to help remove them.

Soaking the Sensors

When you have removed both oxygen sensors, you need to prep the container. Remember, this container needs to be large enough to hold gasoline / petrol as well as the sensors. It also must be a container that can accommodate gasoline without breaking down.

Fill the container with gasoline / Petrol, and completely submerge the oxygen sensors into the gasoline / Petrol. Make sure you are still wearing your gloves, as you don’t want to get gasoline / Petrol on your hands. Once the sensors are in the gasoline / Petrol, put the lid on and swirl the container around. You need to do this in order to ensure that the gasoline / Petrol is getting into all of the parts of the sensors.

You now need to leave the oxygen sensors overnight in the gasoline / Petrol. Store the container in a cool area. This gives the gasoline / Petrol ample time to do the work it needs to do.

Reinstalling the Clean Oxygen Sensors

The next day, pick up the container and again, agitate it. This helps all of the sludge and gunk that has come off the sensors fall away. Open the container and take the sensors out of the gasoline / petrol. Again, make sure you are wearing gloves for this; thick rubber gloves are preferable. You should notice a big difference in the appearance of your O2 sensors.

Use paper towels to remove the excess gasoline / petrol and to dry the sensors thoroughly. Once the sensors are completely dry, they can be put back into the vehicle with the wrench. Before operating the vehicle, be sure that the sensors are in the right spot and that they are installed correctly. This is all it should take to clean the oxygen sensors and to get your vehicle running more smoothly and efficiently. If it doesn’t, you may simply need to purchase new oxygen sensors and install them.

Buying New Oxygen Sensors on eBay

If you need to buy a new oxygen sensor, even for an old car, or buy supplies to help you clean your oxygen sensor, eBay is a great choice. You find that buying oxygen sensors on eBay is extremely convenient and it can definitely help to save you money on car repairs. Before you buy anything on eBay, however, it is important that you keep a few things in mind. For example, you want to check that you are buying an oxygen sensor that is right for the make and model of your car. In most cases, you can find this in the eBay motors area of the site or by going to the eBay home page and searching from there.

Once you have narrowed down the right sensor for your make and model, take a look at the seller’s information. Specifically look at their feedback score and their positive feedback percentage. These numbers are significant. The feedback score shows you how many people have commented on their sales interaction with this seller, while the feedback percentage tells you how many people have given positive comments out of the total comments. While all eBay purchases are covered by eBay’s protection plan, buyers can be sure to have a great shopping experience every time they purchase auto parts and tools online.

 

How To, Used Cars

How To Check A Used Car Before Buying

Leave a comment

New cars Used cars Browse cars

If you are deciding whether to buy an upgraded vehicle to replace your existing car, or you maybe looking for your first car. Below is a video I found very informative courtesy of You Tube and Chris Fix.

 

images (9)

eBay Motors

When it comes to online shopping and selling, few places do it better than eBay. But, did you know that you can even buy a car there? It’s true. eBay Motors offers you the chance to buy new or used vehicles, motorcycles, or accessories from the familiar confines of its online marketplace. 

Car Sales Brought To You By EBay UK
Classic Car Sales Brought To You By EBay UK
Motorcycle & Scooter Sales Brought To You By EBay UK
Commercial Vehicles Sales Brought To You By EBay UK

They even have a mobile app to help you with your car buying experience. Just like the full website, when you find a vehicle you want, you can either “Make a Bid” or “Buy it Now.” The free eBay Motors App is available for both iPhone and Android smartphones. As you can see, car shopping has certainly evolved over the last few years. Next time you are in the market for car, leverage technology to make the car buying process as painless as possible.

Motors

Motors is where you will find new and used vehicles as well as parts for fixing, updating, or maintaining your existing vehicle. Motors is easy to navigate by vehicle type, category of items, sales and events, or brand and type of car, motorcycle, pickup, or van.

What is My Garage?

My Garage has everything you need to find the right parts, accessories, and deals tailored to your specific vehicle. You just provide the year, make, model, trim, and engine, and My Garage filters your search results so that you find only the most suitable parts. You can add multiple vehicles to My Garage and switch between vehicles quickly and easily. With these features it’s easy to purchase the exact parts you need.

How do you search for specific automotive parts or accessories?

There are several ways to search for specific items or accessories for your car online. Look for OEM or aftermarket items based on your car’s requirements or your personal preferences. You could also search based on your vehicle profile if you have created one.

  • Select a type or manufacturer of the vehicle: Choose the make, model, and trim level of your car or motorcycle by clicking the arrows on the drop-down menus.
  • Choose the model year: Different model years have different size, style, and fitment requirements for their components and accessories.
  • Specify a product, brand, or keyword: Type in the closest fit to what you need, such as anti-lock braking systems, pads, struts, wiper blades, or any vehicle parts category.

How do you search for specific vehicles?

From the Motors homepage, you can use the provided search fields to locate vehicles by make, model, year, and even type. eBay has a wide assortment of both new and used cars, vans, motorcycles, commercial vehicles and speciality vehicles like classic cars, camper vans, motorhomes, ATVs, and personal watercraft. You can then refine your search using the options on the left-hand side of your search results page.

What are the categories of parts for cars and pickups?

In order to more easily find the parts you need, you can shop by category. Find such categories as “Vehicle Parts & Accessories“, “Cars, Motorcycles & Vehicles” and “Garage Equipment & Tools” along the left-hand side of your screen. Dive deeper into specific categories like:

  • Engines & Engine Parts: Choose parts for the engine, such as engine mounts, timing components, belts, and gaskets. This category also includes complete engines and engine rebuilding kits.
  • Brakes & Brake Parts: Rotors, discs, pads, shoes, and other accessories for these essential components are located in this category of auto parts.
  • Mirrors: Exterior and interior mirrors and accessory mirrors for cars and trucks are available here.
  • Lighting & Lamps: Choose interior or exterior lights, including dome and map lights, fog lights, headlights and taillights, and brake lights. There are also covers, light bulbs, and entire light assemblies available.
  • Wheels, Tyres & Trims: Here, you’ll find wheels and tyres of all sizes, along with wheel hubs and bearings, hubcaps, alloy wheels, wheel spacers, and more.
  • Exterior: This category features body kits, lip kits, spoilers, bumpers, side skirts and other components designed to adorn the vehicle’s exterior to enhance aesthetics or performance.

This inventory isn’t limited to just cars and pickups. You can also find similar categories for other types of vehicles including motorcycles, scooters, quad bikes, boats, vans, trucks, motorhomes and more. If you’re not exactly sure what kind of vehicle, part, or accessory you’re looking for, narrow down the solutions by shopping by brand. You’ll find items from every automaker in the automotive industry, from Ford and Volkswagen to BMW and Mercedes.

 

How To, Repairs & Maintenance

FIVE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR CAR RUNNING AND SAVE MONEY

Leave a comment

Engine Oils Batteries Suspension Service Parts

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE: FIVE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR CAR RUNNING AND SAVE MONEY

1. Washers and wipers

Wiper Arms & Motors

Wiper Arms & Motors Wiper BladesWiper Blades

Car Switch and Car SensorsCar Switch and Car Sensors

Check your screen wash reservoir every week and top up if necessary. Remember worn wiper blades can scratch your windscreen which can prove a costly way of failing your MOT.

2. Oil levels

Car Parts 4 Less supplies engine oils for all makes and models.

To check, ensure the engine is warm but has been off for about five minutes. The oil should be clean and the colour of dark honey. If it’s sludgy, black or has bits on it, it’s probably time for an oil change. Never let it get too low.

There are many different types of engine oil on the market. Each type of engine oil comes with a different thickness, and viscosity. These oils can also include a wide range of additives. This is because they are designed for different engines.

Viscosity defines the oil’s resistance to flow at different temperatures. Oil additives have different cleaning and anti-corrosion properties. Manufacturers now spend more time and money on developing new engine oils than ever before. There are also many more oils on the market these days. This often leads to confusion among motorists. If you put the wrong oil in your engine, it could lead to a drastic increase in wear and tear over 20,000 miles. With such a range of factors to consider, it’s important to know you’re using the right one. Car Parts 4 Less supplies engine oils for all makes and models.

3. Tyres

Under-inflated tyres will push up your petrol bill, and worn tyres could put lives at risk. Check their pressure once a week (recommended) — the correct psi will be in your owners’ manual — and don’t forget the spare. A tyre tread depth gauge will tell you if you’ve gone below the legal limit of 1.6mm of tread.

4. Battery

Your battery will have two flat covers on the top. Pull each cover off and check to ensure there’s enough water in each cell. If not use distilled water to top up. Also check the connections — the bolts on top attached to crocodile clips. If they’re corroded, take them off and clean them with a wire brush.

5. Electrical System.

Check all external lights and the horn, If a single indicator, stop light or headlight has failed it is likely that a bulb has blown and will need to be replaced. If more than one light has failed, it is likely to be a blown fuse or fault in the circuit.

Car Service Parts
Car Service Parts

View All
Car Brakes
Car Brakes
View All
Engine Parts
Engine Parts
View All
Suspension & Steering
Suspension & Steering
View All
Transmission
Transmission
View All
Cooling & Heating
Cooling & Heating
View All
Electrical & Lighting
Electrical & Lighting
View All
Body & Exhaust
Body & Exhaust
View All
Lubricants & Fluids
Lubricants & Fluids
View All

Whether you’re looking for brake-parts for a Ford, engine-parts for an Audi or performance car parts for a Seat; we’ve got the parts for you. Browse our full range of new car parts from some of the top manufacturers and if you find what you’re looking for and place an order we’ll deliver them straight to your door. For the very best brake parts, suspension and steering parts and more; look no further than CarParts4Less.co.uk.

Categories

Brake Pads and Discs (4) Car Accessories (9) Car Batteries (1) Car Maintenance (16) Car Parts (7) Commuting (1) Convertible Car (1) How To (29) Lubricants & Fluids (3) Motoring (26) Motoring News (2) New Cars (4) Products and Reviews (5) Summer Driving (1) Suspension & Steering (2) Technology (5) Winter Driving (4) Workshop & Tools (2).

Please Note: Free delivery is not available for orders with over-sized items. Free delivery is also not available for International countries and some out of area postcodes in the UK.A surcharge and additional transit time may be applied for deliveries to these areas.

How to Shop
Customer Services
Help & Advice
Repairs & Maintenance

Roadside Repairs

Leave a comment

728x90-spraypaint

The following information is intended to help in dealing with common roadside emergencies and breakdowns should they arise.

If your car wont start and the starter motor is not turning: 

  • If your car is an automatic make sure the selector is in the P or N.
  • Open the bonnet and make sure that the battery terminals are clean and tight.
  • Switch on the headlights and try to start the engine, if the headlights go dim when your’e trying to to start. This will indicate that the battery is probably flat. Get out of trouble by carrying a Maintenance-free Portable Starting Aid in your vehicle.

s-l500

Maintenance-free Portable Starting Aid

If your car wont start and the starter motor is turning as normal:

  • Is there fuel in the tank, If not replenish.
  • Is there moisture on electrical components under the bonnet, if so wipe any dampness or moisture with a dry cloth. Spray a water repellent such as WD 40 or similar, on the ignition and fuel system connectors.

Electrical System Basics

 Jump Starting

Jump Starting will get you out of trouble, but you will have to correct what ever made the battery go flat in the first place:

  1. The battery has been drained by repeated attempts to start, or by leaving the lights on.
  2. The Charging system is not working properly, alternator drive belt slack or broken, a wiring fault , the alternator faulty itself.
  3.   The Battery itself is at fault, electrolytes low or battery worn out.
Car Battery – Motorcycle Battery – Starter Motors Alternators – Bulbs

Electrical & Lighting

 100% maintenance-free mobile starting aid with modern super capacitors will ensure you never get stuck with a dead car battery! Suitable for cars, RVs, tractors, vans, and more, this is the only jump-start device you can completely rely on.

s-l500

Changing A wheel

Do not change a wheel in a situation where you risk being hit by other traffic. On busy roads, try to stop in a lay -by or a gateway. be wary of passing traffic whilst changing the wheel it is easy to get distracted by the job in hand.

    • When a puncture occurs stop as soon as it is safe to do so.
    • Park on firm level ground, if possible and well out of the way of other traffic.
    • Use hazard lights if necessary.
    • if you have one, use a warning triangle to alert other drivers of your presence.
    • Apply the handbrake and engage first or reverse gear (or park on an automatic vehicle.)
    • Chock the wheel diagonally opposite the one being removed, a couple of large stones will do this.
    • If the ground is soft,use a flat piece of wood to spread the Load.

Tyre repair kit

Ideal for use as a puncture aid.

Tyre repair kitThis super handy repair kit offers speed and convenience. You don’t have to dismantle the wheel in order to use it!

Older tyres are prone to balding and more punctures, so use this sealant as a preventative measure when you don’t have a new tyre on hand.

The 450 ml bottle is sufficient quantity for all common car tires and the set comes in a practical storage bag for easy transport.

Tyre repair kit

£ 24.99

Towing

When all else fails, you may find yourself having to get a tow home, or you maybe helping somebody else. Long distant recovery should only be done by a garage or breakdown service. For shorter distances, DIY towing using another vehicle is easy enough.

https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car

Professional Tow Rope for various weights
Professional Tow Rope for various weights from  £ 27.71

Only attach the tow rope to the towing eyes provided within the tool kit for your vehicle, to fit the towing eye remove the circular cover from the front or rear bumper as required. The towing eye screws in anti clockwise as far as it goes using the handle of the wheel brace to turn the towing eye.

Only use a proper tow rope they are not expensive,the vehicle being towed must display an on tow sign on the rear of the towed vehicle where it can be seen.

Always have the ignition in the on position of the vehicle being towed to release the steering lock, this also provides power for the indicators and brake lights to work.

Before being towed release the handbrake, and ensure the vehicle is in neutral gear. For Automatics vehicles if they need to be towed should be in neutral do not exceed 50 mph and limit the distance to no more than 30 miles. A suspended tow is recommended for a vehicle with automatic transmission. If in doubt do not tow the vehicle as transmission damage may occur.

Note that greater than usual pedal pressure will be required to operate the brakes, since the vacuum servo unit is only operational with the engine running. Greater than usual effort will also be required to steer the vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle being towed must keep the tow rope taut to avoid snatching, ensure both drivers know the route that is going to be taken whilst vehicles are on tow before setting off.

Only drive at moderate speeds, keep the distance to be towed to a minimum. Drive smoothly and allow plenty of time for slowing down and stopping at junctions.

banner6

 

How To

How To Find Fluid Leaks In A Vehicle

Leave a comment

Puddles on the garage floor or drive, or obvious wetness under the bonnet / under the vehicle suggest a leak that needs investigating. It is sometimes difficult to determine where the leak is coming from, especially if engine under-shields are fitted.

Engine oil may leak from the sump drain plug or from the base of the oil filter.
A sump pan collects the oil, water and coolant that have already made their way around your engine. A sump plug allows you to drain the pan. Get best prices on sump pans and plugs of all shapes and sizes from Car Parts 4 Less.

The sump pan sits under the engine block. There are both wet and dry versions, but most road vehicles use the wet version. In fact, dry sumps are used almost exclusively for motor racing; they collect oil from the engine but then redistribute it via a pump, which leaves the sump dry.

By contrast, wet sump pans don’t redistribute the fluid and must be emptied when they get too full. The sump plug is a bolt at the base of the pan. To drain the pan, you need to unscrew the plug. To guard against leaks, many drivers prefer to replace the sump plug with each oil change. Because the sump pan sits at the lowest point of your car, it can suffer damage quite easily as you drive over speed bumps and flying debris.

 

Want to take advantage of rock-bottom prices and free delivery? Buy your new sump pan and plug at Car Parts 4 Less.

Warning: most automotive oils and fluids are poisonous Wash them of skin and change out of contaminated clothing without delay.

Oil filters keep your engine free from dirt, dust and bacteria. Protect your engine from premature wear and tear with cheap-but-effective oil filters from Car Parts 4 Less.

Oil performs a number of important jobs as it flows through your engine. It keeps your engine cool, absorbs contaminants, and seals the gaps between the cylinder walls and the piston rings. Without a filter in place, the oil would pick up dirt, dust, fungus and bacteria. This would cause it to saturate and clog your engine, rather than lubricating it.

A filter allows oil to do its job properly. Yet as its own job is to collect dirt and debris, the filter can clog up and become useless. For this reason, we recommend replacing your oil filter every 5000 miles.

It’s also important to use the right filter for your car, as the wrong one could cause serious damage. You could consult your car’s manual before buying a new oil filter. However, CarParts4Less.co.uk makes it quick and easy to find the perfect oil filter at a cheap price.

The Smell of fluid leaking from the vehicle may provide a clue to what’s leaking. Some fluids are distinctively coloured. It may help to remove the engine under-shield, then clean the vehicle and park it over an old sheet or cardboard for a while as an aid to locate the source of the leak.

  • Gearbox Oil can leak from the seals at the inboard ends of the drive shaft.
  • Leaking Antifreeze often leaves a crystalline deposit.
  • A leak occurring at a wheel is almost certainly brake fluid.

Power steering fluid may leak from the pipe connectors on the steering rack.