Filed under: Car Maintenance, Gadgets — admin @ 11:35 am
A new ATA (Automotive Technician Accreditation) iPhone app which helps drivers locate a skilled and fully-qualified technician has now been launched.
The free, easy-to-use app can be downloaded immediately to help drivers make sure their car is safe before driving off to visit relatives.
The Institute of the Motor Industry developed the programme, which helps locate a garage with ATA-registered technicians you know you can rely on.
Just search for “ATA Find A Mechanic” at the Apps Store on your iPhone. Or visit OKwithATA.com.
Don’t forget your car needs regular servicing – don’t just rely on a MOT – especially with the recent cold weather. The IMI also recomends getting your tyres and oil checked before embarking on a long journey this Christmas. And while you’re preparing for your Christmas road trip – a few other top tips from the ATA to help you on your way (other than to perfect your fake ‘It’s just what I’ve always wanted!’ smile):
1. Check if the garage employs ATA technicians and/or IMI members, who all possess a membership card to show they are suitably qualified. Alternatively ask if the business is registered with a Trading Standards scheme.
2. Ensure that the garage is familiar with your car’s make and model.
3. Prior to booking your car in, consider how it’s been running. Be honest – inform the service staff of any problems and/or any recent work carried out.
4. Check what is included within the service – ask to see a copy of the service schedule for your vehicle type.
5. Check the breakdown of costs, including all parts, consumables, labour and VAT – you should know exactly what you are paying for.
6. Insist that no additional work is undertaken without your express permission. If recommended, this should be quoted against, not estimated.
7 Ask for any replaced parts to be retained for your inspection upon collection.
8. Ensure that you receive a detailed itemised report with a verbal explanation of the work undertaken and/or recommended. Ask about the garage’s quality control checks and make sure your service book is stamped.
9. Ensure that the name of the technician that works on your car is detailed on your invoice. Ask to speak to him or her specifically, if you have any concerns or require necessary explanations.
10. Ensure that you receive a guarantee. Make sure you know what it covers, check the period of validity and identify the complaints procedure, should a query arise.
Filed under: Car Maintenance — admin @ 10:50 am
Breakeryard.com is urging motorists to make sure they check their engine oil levels after experiencing a huge surge in requests for replacement engine parts over the past five months.
Order requests for replacement engine parts have increased dramatically since June 2009, making up 21.7 per cent of the ten most common orders for car parts in that period.
Gearbox and transmission parts were also highly sought after during the same period, with both manual and automatic transmissions making up just over 20 per cent of the top ten most requested parts.
The figures have prompted Breakeryard to remind motorists to perform simple maintenance checks on a regular basis to avoid a potentially huge financial headache in the future.
Checks such as oil and water levels, which should be checked at regular intervals and both before and after long journeys, form part of the essential basic maintenance which will help drivers to keep their engines healthy and minimise the risk of major problems in future. The importance of maintenance will take on greater significance in the winter months, as lower temperatures can cause oils to thicken and increase the rate at which batteries discharge.
Having a vehicle serviced at the recommended intervals is also an important if often neglected part of vehicle maintenance.
Whilst numerous factors can lead to engine failure, problems can generally be split into three categories; overheating, lack of lubrication and misassembly.
Every engine needs lubrication to make sure it’s moving parts run smoothly and also to carry heat away from the engine. Oil is the primary lubricant and the means by which the main bearings are cooled. Any reduction in oil flow can be fatal to engines and can cause parts to overheat, gall and seize up.
Closely related to this is engine failure as a result of overheating, which is most commonly caused by a low level of coolant in the engine which can be a result of a leak in a hose, radiator or the engine. A faulty thermostat can also prevent the coolant from flowing from the engine to the radiator.
Unusual noises from your engine, overheating, a loss of power, misfiring and any other similar performance complaints are all indicative of problems that need urgent attention. Neglecting these symptoms can lead to total engine failure and thus be a costly mistake requiring you to order a complete engine replacement.
‘Our system has now advanced to discover amazing patterns in the ordering of vehicle parts across the UK which help us understand the importance and safety for motorists to keep their vehicles looked after’ Matt Bott Operations Manager Breakeryard.com
Breakeryard.com sell guaranteed car parts at discounted prices, visit www.breakeryard.com.
