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Showing posts with the label essential tips and advice

How to choose the perfect car

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Buying a car can make a big dent in your wallet, so it’s important to choose a car that’s right for you. There are a few things to consider when you buy your next car, so keep reading to find out what they are! How much can you afford? https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/621496817307898176/ Of course, the first thing you’ll want to make sure of is how much you want to spend. Don’t just factor the actual cost of the car, but also running and insurance costs. That 2 litre engine car might look the part, but if you’re a new driver then you’re looking at a hefty insurance premium. What are you using it for? https://www.carmag.co.za/technical/technical/advice-what-you-need-to-know-about-4x4-driving/ Different cars are built with different usages in mind. You’re probably going to struggle driving mountainous roads with a small-engined hatchback. You also might find a challenge in parking your large 4X4 in the limited space of a city centre. Decide what your day-to-day ...

How to become a more confident driver

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Passing your driving test is a great achievement, but taking on the roads by yourself can be daunting. Practice is the best way to become more confident, but there’s a few other things you can do to help you feel more comfortable on the roads. We’ve got a few tips, so keep reading! Drive on your own You might feel like you’ll be more comfortable driving with someone else in the car – after all, you’ve only ever driven with someone else in the car up until you passed. However, giving your friends lifts can be more of a distraction than a comfort in reality. You’re much better off practicing on your own, where you can make mistakes and no one notice, until you are confident in the car. Remember: all cars are different No car is equal. The bite point on every car is different, which can be a stumbling block for many new drivers. You might not have stalled much in your driving instructor’s car, but as soon as you get your own you find yourself stalling more often than not....

Can you handle Van Life?

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Are you looking to live a more sustainable, unconventional lifestyle? Do you love vans? Perfect, then van life is the life for you! Take a van, kit it out with the essentials, and give it a try. We have listed all the things it takes to prepare for a life on the road. Choose your van wisely: https://www.carrentals.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/CRCOM-VanLife-Header-1000x556.jpg   Whether you’ll be living in your van full-time, or if it’s just to take out at the weekend, you’ll want the right amount of space. If you’re travelling with family or friends, then you’ll want a bigger van. If you’re a lone wolf, then a smaller van would be better and more economical. Full-time or part-time? https://www.vegtravelbuddies.com/uploads/vanlifers/Victoria%20Holder/01%20-%20Cooking%20outside.jpg  Before kitting out your van, you’ll need to decide whether you’re going to commit to this lifestyle 100%, or if it’s going to be an occasional advent...

How to protect your van from thieves

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Unfortunately, van break-ins are becoming a common occurrence. Thieves assume that tools or other valuable equipment are stored inside vans, and proceed to break through windows or force open the doors. In the worst case scenario, valuable equipment from inside the van is stolen, or the van itself is stolen. At best, you’re left with smashed windows. Below are a few tips on how to protect your van from thieves. Have adequate security measures fitted [ https://www.adrianflux.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/van-break-ins-1-780x438.jpg ]  When buying a new van, or even if you have an existing van, make sure you have an alarm, an immobiliser, and deadlocks fitted in the vehicle. Also, fitting the van with a steering wheel lock or a handbrake lock will deter thieves from breaking in, as they don’t like to work hard or draw attention to themselves. You can also buy lockable fuel caps and wheel nuts which are cheap and effective. Have a GPS tracker installed ...

How to get into motorsport

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For many driving-lovers, being confined to normal roads just doesn’t satisfy the need for speed. Motorsport is a great way to enjoy driving in a competitive and controlled way. Not sure how to get into it? We’ve got some tips to get you on your way. Track driving [ https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/driving-advice/a-step-by-step-guide-to-attending-your-first-track-day/ ] To get yourself started, a good thing to try is a track day. This allows you to drive your car on a track which is controlled and safe. You’ll only need a standard driving license, so it’s a good time to find out whether motorsport is something for you. If you’re looking for something even more accessible, especially price wise, go karting is great fun. Motor clubs [ https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/how-to-attend-your-first-motorcycle-track-day ] Joining a motor club is the best way to get involved. Not only will you have access to information on events coming up, but you’ll also enj...

A guide to planning the perfect caravan holiday

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Whether you want to spend a weekend enjoying the British coastline or a few weeks exploring everything Europe has to offer, a caravan holiday is a great way to plan a holiday that suits you. If you’d like to see a number of different cities, a caravan holiday is perfect for you. We’ve got some tips to make sure it’s the holiday of your dreams. Plan where you want to go [ https://www.practicalmotorhome.com/motorhome-travel-guides/overview ] This might sound obvious, but where you go will make a difference on what amenities you have access to. Different campsites will have different facilities; most will have the basics, but if you plan to spend a lot of time at the site itself then it might be worth considering if you want things like a pool or night-time entertainment. If you are planning a more ad-hoc holiday, make sure you check local regulations about where you can park up and rest for the night as some places have stricter rules than others. Don’t get caught out dri...

5 ways to make your car more eco-friendly

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By 2040, the UK government aim to ban the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars in order to cut down emissions and tackle climate change. However, you don’t need to wait to make your current car more eco-friendly. We’ve got five ways you can make your car greener. Use your air conditioning smartly On a hot summer’s day it can be more than tempting to turn on your air conditioning, as it offers instant relief to a stuffy car. However, your air conditioning makes your car work harder and in turn makes it consume more fuel. If you’re driving at lower speeds, your car will perform better with the windows down rather than the air conditioning on. If you are driving at higher speeds, like on the motorway, it might be better to use the air conditioning – having the windows down will increase drag, again using more fuel. Pump up the tyres If your tyres are under-inflated, they won’t roll as smoothly as they would if they were fully pumped. This means that your car has to wor...

Find cheaper insurance with these tips

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Car insurance prices can be hefty, especially for newer drivers, but it’s a mandatory cost if you want your car on the road. There are a few ways you can lower your car insurance costs, besides shopping around, so if you are savvy you can make a good saving. Pick your car well Not all cars are created equally. A smaller engine, for example, will have a lower insurance premium than a larger engine. It’s important to look at the history of your car, the mileage and the make. If in doubt, pick a few cars you are interested in and try to get quotes for each. Check what you’re getting That cheaper insurance quote might not work out cheaper in the long run – you need to check what benefits come with it. If you are involved in an accident and your insurance only covers the bare minimum, you could find yourself spending a lot more money on things such as car rentals than you would have if you had paid slightly more originally. You’ll also want to check what the excess is on y...

World’s Best Car Museums

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If you’ve got a love for all things motor, a car museum might just be the place for you. Whether you’re interested in the history of the car, luxury cars or race cars, there’s somewhere for everyone. There’s plenty of them to choose from, so we’ve picked our top 5 that you need to visit. The Henry Ford Museum, Michigan, USA   [ https://www.autotrader.ca/newsfeatures/20170523/more-than-cars-the-henry-ford-museum/ ] Contrary to the name, this museum isn’t just full of Ford cars. It was actually founded by Henry Ford in 1933 to showcase his collection of items that painted a picture of technological advancement. After Ford’s death, the museum evolved into what it is today, staying true to his vision. Besides its large automotive collections, it also holds fine furniture and folk art. There are a number of pieces in the museum that are vital pieces of history, such as the bus that Rosa Parks refused to give her sea on, the car that John F. Kennedy was sat in when he wa...

GCSE and A-Level students can test their interview skills with business and TV guru

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Students receiving their GCSE and A-Level results this summer are being offered free advice on their CV and interview skills by a local businessman commended for his dexterity in this field. Rod Lloyd, managing director of Low Cost Vans (LCV), previously starred in reality TV series ‘The Job Interview’ on Channel 4. Lloyd will be running mock interviews and a CV workshop for students receiving their GCSE and A-Level results in August – whether they received the results they want or not. The mock interviews and CV workshop will run in early September and is open to any teenagers receiving their GCSE results on 22 nd August, as well as A-level students who receive their results on 15 th August – regardless of the mark they achieved. With decades of recruiting experience under his belt, Lloyd has a talent for being able to see from the perspective of the employer and the candidate alike. Students will be able to visit LCV’s headquarters in Neath and take part in a ‘...

Did you know these things could make your car fail its MOT?

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When we book our car in for an MOT, we know there are certain things that can make it fail. We know that if the headlights don’t work that they’ll need fixing, or if our tyres are worn out they’ll need replacing. However, there are some other ways you can fail that you might not have considered. Air fresheners There’s nothing better than a new car smell, but it doesn’t last forever. Once it’s worn away you may enlist an air freshener to keep the car smelling like it did on day one. However, anything hanging from your rear-view mirror that could obstruct your view will make you fail your MOT. Try not to hang anything off your mirror – there are plenty of air fresheners you can get that clip into the vents. If you can only get ones that hang, make sure they’re small and discreet. A messy car In order for a garage to carry out an MOT, they are going to need access to the car. If it’s filled with junk and mess, it will make it difficult for the garage to carry out the che...

American road trips you need to go on!

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We’ve all heard of Route 66 – one of the first highways in the US and certainly the most famous. It was an important route for people moving west in the 1930s and communities living on the route found relief in the route as more traffic meant more business to their shops and restaurants. Now it’s a popular road trip, boasting attractions, ghost towns and classic American diners. However, Route 66 isn’t the only road trip worth doing in America. We want to share with you some other road trips you can do to explore the United States. Overseas Highway [ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/557742735102078093/ ] Also known as ‘The Highway that goes to Sea’, this highway runs from Miami to Key West in Florida. It’s perfectly doable in a day – if you drive it in one sitting, it should only take around four hours. However, we recommend that you take some time to really experience the scenery. You’ll cross 42 bridges over the ocean and hop over a number of islands that you can...

5 challenging roads you can drive on across the world

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Are you bored of driving round the same places day in, day out? Are you looking for something more challenging, which pushes your skills to the limit? We’ve compiled a list of some of the hardest roads to drive on in the world. Himalayan roads [ https://www.flickr.com/photos/indiauntravelled/6742591653/ ] Built right into the face of the mountains, these are considered some of the most dangerous roads in the world. Prone to floods and nasty weather conditions, these narrow and unpaved roads should only be tackled by a confident driver. If you do brave it, you’ll get to see some of the most spectacular views. Dalton Highway   [ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq-9S7qHyVU/ ] In the chilly climate of Alaska, this 414 miles long road has 240 miles of pure scenery. There are no petrol stations or hotels on this stretch, just a long road and a view of the mountains. This would need very careful planning, but you won’t get this experience anywhere else. Ski...

5 countries you can drive to in a day

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Who said that a road trip abroad was a tricky task? There are plenty of countries you can take your own car to and have the adventure of a lifetime. You don’t have to drive for days to explore some of the most interesting cities Europe has to offer – here are some places you can drive to from London in a day or less. France https://driveeurope.co.uk/2014/08/20/road-works-a16-between-calais-and-dunkirk/ Depending on where you go, this could be one of the quickest journeys. If you want to stay around Calais, it’ll be a relatively short journey – however, if you want to go to Paris you may have to add in a few hours. It’s worth the drive, however, as France has lots of beautiful towns to visit. You’ll need a few things in your car if you do this drive – a breathalyser, a warning triangle and a reflective triangle are all required. You also can’t use any apps that show you where speed cameras are. Germany https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/germany...