Hallmark Newsletter.
Need a First aid kit check out my page for a recommended contents list here.
Do you need insurance? There is a company called Young Marmalade that offer some great deals to young drivers and Provisional Marmalade for learners. The beauty of the Provisional Marmalade insurance is that Mum or Dad can have it as an extra on their car. This means it is the learner driver that is covered and then if anything happens and a claim is necessary, Provisional Marmalade insurance pays out and not Mum or Dad's or even maybe the grandparents insurance which is left safe and intact with no loss to their no claims bonus.
In addition Young Marmalade in their support for safer driving will give the the new client in some cases a course
of lessons for 
the Pass Plus that is being promoted by the government, DSA and insurers alike. Take a look at their sight and see what they have to offer
Use of mobiles while driving, the DSA have a new trial you can do on line to see how dangerous this is. Have a go here and see what they mean. Fewer people are being prosecuted for driving while using a mobile phone - despite more admitting to doing so.
Just 116,000 drivers were fined last year (2009) - down 5%, said the Home Office.
But numbers admitting to the habit were UP 27% , a Department of Transport survey found.
Tyres are you grip on this world when you are driving so get them checked, most good tyre fitting shops will do it for free and it could save your life.... You only get one so make the most of it.
Tyre pictures ,courtesy of Ray Webb & ADIRSO Tyre Presentation.
Tread Depth. Onesided shoulder wear
This picture shows the 4 wear bars These two pictures show perfect examples of what happens when
in your tyre (red) if tread is level your tracking is not correctly set. This can be caused by hitting the kerb
with these,change them. or driven hard through potholes. Easy to see the dangers here .
.
These are self explanatory-Check your pressures fortnightly.
Most people would save a small fortune in fuel consumption if they just checked checked their
tyre pressure regularly.
| REGULAR SAFETY CHECKS.  Here is an easy way to remember those safety checks so no time like the present to check the car out. What would you look for,try P.O.W.E.R. for starters. Petrol (or diesel)- make sure before you start any journey you have enough to get there and back with plenty left over just in case you get stuck. I always make sure I have a coat or jacket in the boot with gloves in case I need to be out of the car and possibly changing a wheel...it always happens when you have your best gear on. Also fellas, I know this may sound a bit soft but I always carry a pack of cheap baby wipes -best thing for getting your hands clean after a wheel change much better than using your shirt. Oil- check the oil level. It is so much cheaper than buying a new engine. You should check it regularly maybe once a fortnight ,depending on your mileage but most do not so check it now, your engine will run better and more efficiently and therefore save your wallet/purse pain in the long run. Make sure you put the right oil in, check in the handbook. Water- levels. This is not just the radiator top up bottle, or the radiator itself on older cars but the washer bottle as well. You will use an enormous amount of water through your washers in the winter from all the dirt thrown up by others and in the summer the dead flies. Make sure you have a good screen cleaner additive in the bottle as they are now concerned that this water can carry Legionaires disease if not containing a detergent. With the radiator top up bottle make sure the level is ok but how about making sure the anti-freeze level is okay also as it helps to keep the water cooler in the warmer weather. My pupils will know from their lessons I carry an old four pint plastic bottle ,I do not put anything in this just clean tap water and I can then use it then to top up either bottle. Remember to change this water regularly. Keep this topped up to.If the engine overheats with steam pouring out,just lift the bonnet carefully and wait for the mechanic to arrive do not attempt a repair unless you know what you are doing.Again you have water boiling at about 130C under pressure which is very dangerous if you release the cap. Only do these checks on a COLD engine on a Flat road surface. Water under pressure from the radiator at high temperature is very dangerous. Electrics- This means all the light bulbs.make sure they are all in good working order and yet again carry spares , they almost never fail in daylight always in the dark, strange that. A spare bulb is a lot cheaper than a taxi home. Take a quick look at the wiring and make sure there are no "loose bits" or broken connections and get someone to check your brake lights work regularly. I keep an old sweet tin left over from Christmas packed with tissue paper and spare light bulbs for emergencies.
Rubber.- Here I mean all the rubber bits. Above we have the tyre pics and wear pattern details for faulty tyres so make sure none of this applies to your tyres, see they are all in good order and please check your tyre pressures are set correctly. Again these you will find in your handbook or look it up on the net if you cannot find it. Your insurance could be invalid in the case of an accident if you have been found to be negligent and running on incorrect tyre pressures and that is just 8psi below correct setting. Check out the www.tyresafe.co.uk website. The penalty for illegal tyres is £2,500(max) for each tyre including the spare ( 3 points per tyre, possibly 15 in total) so you could be not driving for quite a while. The windscreen wipers are made of rubber as well so check to make sure they are in good order too. An old trick is to clean them with a drop of vinegar on a damp ,clean cloth just like your gran did for the mirrors and glass table tops. Just put a little vinegar on a cloth and wipe it down along the edge of the blade and you will be amazed at the difference it makes, cost pennies, effect priceless as they say. Don't forget the back wiper that is just as important. |
Ford, the first car manufacturer is to fit inflatable safety belts in its vehicles. The idea is to combine the effect of the safety belt and the air bag into one piece of equipment. They is due to be first installed in the US this year(2010) into Ford Explorer SUV's .They eventually plan to fit them to all their vehicles world wide.
I'm not so sure about this. It is ok for you and I, we wear our belts(?) but what about the guys who don't .Think of the twit who clicks the belt on behind them so it looks as if they have the belt on ...they will be catapulted forward in a crash and crushed up against the wheel. I think they will have to link it to the ignition so it is not possible to start the engine without the belt being properly fitted , so you will have a little man in the dashboard checking your every move!
There is hope for all of us, fruit seller Cha Sa-soon 68 has passed her theory test in South Korea on her 950th attempt.
Electric cars.- there is now concern that these thing are too quiet for their own good and are potential killers as pedestrians cannot hear them coming so the experts have finally worked out, I wonder how many degrees and thousands £s that took to discover. Nissan ,it is alleged have had talks with with "experts" get this, Hollywood special effects guys.
Tests at California's university have found that people can hear a normal car approach at 28 feet away but did not hear the posh new milk floats (hybrids) until 7 foot away. Safety officials are concerned the blind or children could be at risk, never mind anyone having a normal conversation.
Crash Blame -A millionaire businessman who let his drunken colleague drive his Jag could be only the second in history to be convicted of death by dangerous driving when not at the wheel. The crash involving another car resulted in two deaths and the jury decided he was partly to blame.So be warned you do not have to be behind the wheel. He was found guilty on or about 23/01/2010 and his friend is awaiting sentence ....both went to prison.
Hallmark School of Motoring
Guidance for Driving in Snow
First and foremost – Listen to the advice given. If the advice is “Don’t drive unless essential”, then “Don’t drive unless essential.”
If you must drive it is important you are suitably prepared:
- Allow plenty of extra time for your journey
- If necessary plan an alternative route
- Remember - you will change what you wear and put on your feet – most of us do not have the luxury of doing this with our cars – Do not make unreasonable demands on your car - you cannot expect the car to drive the same in adverse weather
- Ensure you clear all windows (inside and out), mirrors, headlights and taillights (it is no use using lights/indicators if they cannot be seen by others
- Dress/carry warm clothing – gloves, hat, boots etc
- Carry a blanket, hot flask and something to eat
- Carry a shovel, grit/salt, an old piece of carpet to put under the tyres should you get stuck
- Carry an ice scraper/de-icer
- Carry a FULLY CHARGED mobile phone
- If possible carry a first aid kit
- Ensure your spare tyre is inflated to the max pressure for your car and you have the necessary tools to change a wheel should you need to
- Ensure tyres are correctly inflated in accordance with those set out in the car handbook. Do NOT deflate tyres for better grip – this can have an adverse affect and could lead to loss of control
- Ensure tyres have sufficient tread depth – 1.6mm is the legal minimum, however below 3mm you really start to lose grip in wet and adverse weather
- If you are lucky enough – fit winter tyres – these are made of softer rubber and have a different tread/pattern. These perform better in all conditions below 7’C
- Check you have enough fuel for the journey – allow more than you need for delays or getting stuck.
- Check all the levels under the bonnet – do not rely on electronic systems for this. Check Oil, Coolant, Brake Fluid and keep washer fluid topped up (carry extra in the boot just in case)
- Don’t operate wipers on a frozen windscreen - you can damage the motor and the rubber wiper blades
- Use appropriate lighting – usually dipped headlights. If visibility is seriously reduced (below 100 metres) use front and rear fog lights – remember to switch these off when conditions improve
- Increase your following distance – in good weather a minimum gap of 2 seconds is required. This is doubled to 4 seconds in wet weather and stopping distances can be up to ten times the normal in snow and ice. Extend your following distance further if the vehicle behind you is not leaving sufficient space
- Virgin snow provides better grip but can mask hidden problems such as potholes or ice
- The majority of skids occur as a result of driver error and are avoidable. REMEMBER: Skid avoidance is the best approach so that you do not have to try to recover from/control a skid
- Avoid any sudden acceleration, harsh braking or steering as these can lead to a loss of control
- Avoid steering and braking at the same time
- Use engine braking (off gas) but remember this will take you longer to stop so allow more space
- ABS (anti-lock brakes) can actually be counter productive in snow and ice
- Do not spin your wheels – you are likely to dig yourself in deeper
- Be careful if one wheel grips and the other does not as this can cause the car to move sideways
- If you are struggling to move off in snow – try starting in 2nd gear – NO GAS – just very gentle and slowly with the clutch – add a little gas as the car starts to move and continue very slowly with the clutch to allow the wheels to slowly turn and reduce the risk of a stall
- If you become stuck, you may need to dig yourself out and/or use grit to help. If you have an old piece of carpet this can be used to place under the tyres
- If you do skid, steer into the skid – e.g. if the rear of the car skids to the right, steer right to help recover the skid
- Remember, however safe you are, you are still at the mercy of other drivers. Anticipate and allow for other drivers’ mistakes
Pre-driver checks:
Try to remember POWERS. (more detailed breakdown of powers above)
P – petrol or diesel
O - Oil
W – water. Screen wash & coolant
E - electrics. All bulbs
R - rubber. Tyres & wipers
S - self tired ,drink ,drugs etc.
Spring Driving - Well we all survived the winter thankfully but lets not get complacent the car still needs checking over..
1). Check those tyres and tyre pressures.Make sure they are correctly inflated to the car makers recommended pressures.
2). Go through the rest of the P.O.W.E.R.S. checks I have listed above, in addition now may be a good time to change the pollen filter, any family or friends that have hay fever will love you for this one and make sure your aircon is ok.It may need a service especially if it smells a bit stale when you switch it on.
3). Make sure you have a spare jumper or such in the car, it can still get very cold at this time of year waiting for the breakdown truck at night and remember if the car has broken down the heater probably will not work. Have a flask with a hot drink if travelling a long distance especially overnight maybe a warm coat in the boot just incase.
4) Make sure your mobile is fully charged and you have told someone where you are going and how long you will be. .
5). Just think of all that lovely snow you survived and all the salt the local authorities put down to help you get home. Now would be a good time to carefully hose down under the wheel arches to wash it all away, but be careful to avoid the electrics or you will have more problems. If you do not have a hose then use a garage or car wash that that has this facility ( do not use a pressure jet on your tyres).
Don't forget to keep the sun glasses nearby as the sun is still very low at this time of the year. I feel I need them more now than in the summer.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has pointed out in their seasonal checks (2011 remember it?) that we have the Icelandic volcano to consider . The dust will be settling on our cars windscreen so make sure you have plenty of water in your washer bottle to remove the dust as a build up will scratch the glass. Be extra careful washing the car for exactly the same reason as it will also scratch the paintwork.Keep the wiper blades clean for the also.
Please don't Drink & Drive ,you know it makes sense. 
This link will give you an idea of what you will have coming if you do.
It is much easier and safer to have a nominated driver,that way you,your friends and the rest of us can relax and enjoy the evening.
Please leave the keys at home if you are having on of these, never mix them!
Happy motoring Greg. . 