Get Winter Ready with a Free Vehicle Health Check

As the weather begins to change and the nights are getting shorter, it definitely feels like autumn is here early. The change of year is a great reminder to get your car booked in for a Free Vehicle Health Check here at Maitland Motors.

We will get your car up on the ramp and visually check areas of your car inc,
brakes,
levels,
tyres,
horn,
wipers & washers,
seat belts,
lights,
power steering,
battery,
antifreeze,
cooling system,
condition of the exhaust,
suspension,
and all safety components.

Getting your car checked over regularly means we can flag any issues and the costs involved early and before they escalate into bigger more costly repairs. As we always say here at Maitland Motors, prevention is better than cure, especially when it comes to cars. You can find out more about a VHC with us here.

To book your Free Vehicle Health Check and make sure your car is winter ready, call us in the office, send us an email or leave a comment below.

Brake fluid intervals. What are they and how can they help keep your car safe?

Your brakes have to be one of the most important parts of your car, so its important to keep them maintained and in good working order.

An integral part of the braking system is your brake fluid, which over time can age, wear out and may have collected impurities, moisture or rust. Brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid, which works very cleverly by transferring the force of your foot pressing the brake peddle into pressure which then stops the car. If there are any problems or issues with your brake fluid, then this could result in a loss of your brakes.

This is where brake fluid intervals come in. We recommend having your brake fluid checked yearly to monitor its condition and that its of good working order. This is also a good chance to spot any leaks which will affect your car’s ability to brake. We’d also recommend booking a brake fluid flush every 2 years or 20,000 miles to ensure it’s clean and effective for braking safely. Your own car manual will also advise of when and how often your make and model should have this done to keep it running to manufacture’s spec.

If you feel a change in your decreasing power, sudden changes in braking, noises when braking or the ABS light comes on, it may be time for a brake fluid flush. Or at the least, booking in for a check to diagnose the issue. Again, loss of brakes and poor braking could effect the safety of your car. If you have any worries or concerns about your brake fluid or brakes, please get in touch by leaving a message below or calling us in the office. Remember, we are a Pagid/ IMI Professionally Accredited Brake Specialist so you can be assured your car is in safe hands.

Maitland Motors: Brake Specialists

Maitland Motors – Pagid/IMI Professionally Accredited Brake Specialist.

My MOT was due during the lockdown extension. What now?

Lockdown put a stop to almost everything this year including MOT testing. If your car was normally due its MOT between 3oth March and the 31st July, it was automatically extended by 6 months. Now that restrictions are easing and the government have ended the MOT extension, the 1st of these extended MOTs will be due soon.

Check when your extended MOT is due.

If your car MOT was due during the lockdown, we’d recommend checking when it is due now and planning ahead to get booked in. If because of lockdown, you car has mostly been sitting in the driveway or parked up it might be a good time to take advantage of our free Pre- MOT check. This will give us a chance to look at the car before test day and help spot any potential fails or issues; giving you the heads up on any further costs involved getting your car ready for its MOT and ensuring its of a safe standard. Just because you were given an extension, this doesn’t mean your car is automatically safe to be driving so might be worth getting in to see us, just from a safety point of view alone. Any lockdown MOTs do not have to wait to the new extended date, they can be carried out now for peace of mind. 18 months is a long time and a car can go through a lot of ware and tare.

As all garage MOT dairies are going to be even more busy than normal over the next few months with extended MOTs on top of regular MOTs, call and book yours sooner rather than later. Our diary is open all the way to December to help accommodate this. You can double check when your MOT is due by visiting the governments website, here.

Any MOTs due after the 31st July will need to be carried out as normal. These MOTs can be carried out up to a month , minus a day, before the due date to keep the same renewal date. So you don’t have to wait till the exact date it runs out to get it done.

For more info on MOTs you can also visit the gov’s “Getting an MOT” page, call us here in the office with your questions or leave a message below. We’re always happy to hear from you.

#tipthursday from Maitland Motors: Keep an emergency kit in your boot

You never know when the worst might happen, and you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere, hungry, thirsty and cold waiting on recovery in a broken-down car. That’s why we here at Maitland Motors we recommend having an emergency kit made up to keep in the boot just in case. It could make an unbearable situation that little bit more comfortable.

  • A big bottle of drinking water
  • Snacks (cereal bars are always handy)
  • Torch
  • First Aid Kit
  • Blankets
  • Old hoddie or jackets, gloves and socks to help keep warm.
  • Emergency cash change
  • Jump Cables
  • Tyre Puncture Repair Kit or better still make sure your spare is in good working order. (We can check this for you.)
  • Spare Oil
  • Jerry Can
  • Antifreeze
  • Washer fluid
  • Tow Strap

Keep your kit in a large bag or storage box in your boot and forget about it. Do you already have an emergency kit? Have you ever had to use it and did it help?

If you have any questions or need advice on putting a kit together, then just leave a message below.

#tipthursday Check your windows and wipers regularly

Have a good look at your windows often, especially your front and rear windows to make sure there aren’t any cracks or chips that may have appeared over the harsh winter months. If there is damage, most insurance companies will replace your windscreens as part of your policy at no extra cost to you. Damaged window screens can be fatal.
Also, take the time to check your window wipers by lifting them and inspecting for any cracks, tears or nicks on the rubber. The damage will stop them from working as well as they should and can make driving in adverse conditions even more difficult. If you do see any damage, you can easily replace them at home though it can be a bit fiddly. If you need any help with this pop into the workshop or gives us a phone, we’re only too happy to help.

Tyres? What is the difference between Budget, Mids and Premium Tyres from Maitland Motors

Here at Maitland Motors, we aim to give you as much information about your car as possible so you can make an informed decision to suit your needs and budget. One part of your car which can be the difference between a safe car and an accident waiting to happen is your tyers. Tyres come in 3 different price brackets; budgets, min-rage or premium. But what are the main differences and how do they affect you?

Budget tyres, as you’d expect, are the cheapest of tyres are may seem like a very appealing choice when comparing prices. They are safe and will pass the legal requirements of the law. If you do little driving, at slow speeds and mostly from A to B, they can be a sound choice.

Mid-rage tyres can sometimes cost just a few extra pounds more compared to a budget, so can make more sense financially as you’ll get more tyre for your money. They’ll last longer and you’ll get more of the features expected of a premium, so they should need replacing less often.

Premium tyres are usually your well-known named tyres and usually very high performing. They are made of top of the range materials and go through rigorous testing, often with 100s of years worth of experience behind them. If you do a lot of driving and in particular, motorway driving, going premium may last you longer in the long run, offering better grip, wear and fuel efficiency.

We always recommend which tyre to go for depending on your car and how you drive it. More importantly, when it comes to your tyres is that they’re safe and are legal. They should have good tyre tread, no bumps, cuts or gashes and be pumped up to your manufactures recommended pressure. Age and tracking is also something to consider when it comes to tyre wear and tear.

We check your tyres as part of your Free Vehicle Health Check and Services, however, if you have questions or concerns about your tyres then please get in touch by calling the office or sending us an email. We’re always happy to hear from you.

#tipthursday from Maitland Motors – Check your lights regularly.

With the weather creating poor diving conditions recently, carrying out your basic car checks is more vital than normal to help keep you safe on the road. Lights are especially important, not just so you can see the road ahead but so that other drivers can see you too.

Get a friend or family member to watch from behind and in front of your car as you turn on the lights. Include your fog lights, indicators, and pressing on the brakes. This way you’ll know for sure if any need replacing as it can be difficult to tell properly from sitting in the driver’s seat. Lights being out are also an MOT fail and can result in stops from the police, so it’s well worth taking a few minutes a few times a month just to check all your lights are working.

If this is something you’re unsure of or would like a professional 2nd opinion pop down to the garage and we’ll check for you. Or you can book in for a Free Vehicle Health Check where we check your lights alongside other safety components of your car.