Give Your Car a Winter Heath Check

Winter is only around the corner so I think it’s time I should check my car especially with the snow we seem to be getting now.  I have taken on this task myself and so can you especially if you have bought a new car from South West car Supermarket as your car may not be eligible for the manufacturers winter heath check.

A few tips that I would recommend are as follows:

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• Make sure you have enough tread on your tyres (1.6mm)
• Use air conditioning to reduce misting
• Carry an emergency kit in your car
• Only travel in severe conditions if you really have to!
• Keep the window screen clear and clean inside and outside
• Drive slowly and reduce your speed by easing on the throttle and avoid using the brakes

Make sure you follow these simple steps but take caution as our roads are not made for these cold conditions and think hard about whether you need to travel.

Car of the Decade goes to Jaguar XF

The new Jaguar Xf was revealed at the 2011 New York Auto Show, the masculine, aggressive front design caught everyone’s attention so Jaguar were pleased to be manufacturing the model in July 2011.

The XF is now available in five engines, three diesel engines and two petrol engines; the diesel starts with a 2.2 litre with 190PS, then a 3.0 diesel litre with 177 or 202 PS.  The petrol options are a 5.0 litre V8 with 385 PS and a supercharged edition with 510 PS.    

The new Jaguar XF was awarded the “Car of the Decade” in August at the 2011 Auto Express Driver Power Survey, where over 300,000 people participated in the survey, hundreds of cars were tested and the Jaguar XF came first.

Ford dealership cars become target for metal thieves

Community members and corporations alike are suggested to use an anti-criminal system named Smartwater.  Smartwater is a hidden liquid that leaves a fingerprint DNA on metal, to help stolen goods make it back to their rightful owner. Other corporations supply a purpose built kit  marketed for vehicles which will equip you with metal marking fluid, indestructible sticker and a window sticker which will ward off potential thieves that you have protected your catalytic converter. With this calibre of hooliganism consistently on the increase, such a small investment seems worth it.

In the existing fiscal climate and with the value of precious metals always on the rise, organised gangs of criminals are showing their entrepreneurial flair. The raid of copper and lead has now become commonplace. Many churches, residential properties and schools are finding they have been robbed. St. Asaph Cathedral in Wales was recently targeted by thieves and had £10,000 worth of lead stolen overnight.

Unfortunately Ford Mondeo Dealer Chelmsford cars are also a target for metal thieves. They are nicking catalytic converters due to the high value precious metals they contain. Catalytic converters assist in reducing the carbon emissions from the exhaust pipe. The ingenious invention adopts precious metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium which are naturally appealing to thieves.  Taller cars are more at risk since the accessibility is usually better and the bigger the engine, the bigger the loot!  In order to reduce the activities, park your car in a lock up if possible, only leave your car in a well- lit area and take note of people working under cars!

What used Cars?

I am currently looking to buy a used car; with hundreds on the used car supermarket this is proving to be a hard decision.  There are so many car brands I like that are all reliable and made with such high standards, how do I know what to go for?

I’ve decided to visit a used car dealer to help with my decision, living in Derby I have found Lookers Trade Centre in Burton, they have such a large variety of cars to choose from, all under one roof.  Another reason why I have decided to visit them is that they part exchanges, so I can trade in my old car!

If you would like to sell your vehicle, have a look at Lookers Trade Centre as they will buy your car and tell you exactly how much it’s worth.  It has definitely helped me with my decision.

Renault Vehicles in Northern Ireland

I live in Newtownabbey and surprisingly find a number of car dealers based in this city; this makes it a lot easier to find the car you’re searching for!  

Renault is one of many manufacturers that operate in Newtownabbey and so you will definitely find a Renault car dealer with the perfect Renault car for you.  If you’re looking for a van then Renault is the right choice as they are large and fuel efficient.  With a choice of panel van or crew van, there will be plenty of room, even enough to comfortably take your family on a trip.

But if it’s a car you looking for, look no further as there is a range of used Renault cars, available to test drive.  Along with plenty of used Renault offers, you will not be disappointed with the Renault cars in Northern Ireland.

New Mazda CX-5

The Frankfurt Show presented so many brilliant new cars this year and Mazda was among them.  The CX-5 is the next generation of Mazda cars that will use new products such as SKYACTIV technology and a new design, ‘KODO-Soul of Motion’.

This great new car will be available next year, with brand new features including manual and automatic transmissions, a new body shell, suspension and a two or four wheel drive option. 

The exterior is striking and is apparently replicating that of a cheetah with rapid acceleration and impressive turning.  As well as an attractive exterior, the interior boasts of plenty of legroom, with independent rear seats, even better ergonomics and equipment!

I don’t know if anyone has heard of Taggarts but they have been recommended to me as a trustworthy Mazda repairer who supply genuine Mazda parts and servicing, who are based in Motherwell, Scotland.      

Mercedes-Benz Reveals Concept A-Class

I’m so excited to see the Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class; they are showcasing it in four major shopping centres this month. 

The car will be shown in a mirrored box with Led lights that change colour as a reaction to sounds.  Before you see the Concept there is a build-up,   music is played and lights beat around the box ready for the Mercedes-Benz to be revealed.

The Concept A-Class will showcase in the Bullring Shopping Centre in Birmingham, Westfield London, Arndale Shopping Centre, Manchester and Braehead Shopping Centre, Glasgow.

As well as shopping centres the Mercedes-Benz Concept car will be taken to Mercedes-Benz retailers.  It will be transported in full view in a transparent box on the back of a Mercedes-Benz Atego display truck.

The tour of the Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class looks like it will be a great success creating awareness at the same time as making the experience exciting for potential customers.

I hope the tour comes to Kent so I can visit Mercedes in Maidstone or Mercedes Canterbury.   

Range Rover Evoque

Slowly but surely the Evoque has been appearing on the roads, wherever I look there’s an Evoque, so I’ve decided to give it a brief review.

As most of you know there is a Coupe version or a five door model, both very similar but I prefer the five door as it is more practical and I don’t think a 4x4 looks right as a coupe, but it is a popular choice for younger buyers and also females.

I guess the attraction to new and younger Land Rover buyers is the sleek, fashionable design with a choice of themes to make the Range Rover Evoque your own.  The Evoque prices for the themes vary, and start from £27,995 and go up to £37,380.  Overall I think the Evoque is reasonably priced.

  

Honda Civic 2012

The moment we have all been waiting for has finally come- The prices for the new Honda Civic 2012 has been announced! Prices range from £16,495 for the basic model to £26,595 for the top of the range model.

The new Civic has been fitted with great features such as Honda’s Intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) 5 inch screen which shows mpg, stop status, climate and audio settings, as well as daytime running lights and rear wiper. 

One of my favourite technical functions on the Civic is the Idle Stop fuel saving for manual transmission and an ECON switch which is found on the Honda Insight and Jazz Hybrid.  This function enables the car’s management system to improve the cars fuel consumption. 

There are various specifications to choose from for the Honda Civic 2012 so there is something to suit everyone; the SE trim, the ES which costs from £21,095, the T-Grade package for £995 which is extra equipment for the SE and ES.   The EX trim will start from £21,745 and the top of the range EX GT starts at £24,495.  

I will be contacting my Honda dealer Kent, Lookers Honda as I live in Bexleyheath to find out more information, so head to your nearest Honda dealer if you're interested in this fantastic new model.

New Kia Rio

I was driving to work this morning and drove past a new car which I liked the look of, so had a closer look and it turned out to be a Kia Rio, I was very impressed with the stylish looks, this car has definitely broken the Kia mould.

This hatchback has it all, looks, comfort, equipment, low running costs and a 7 year/100,000 mile warranty! There are four specifications to choose from with various options on alloy wheels, reversing sensors and much more.  With prices varying from £8,287.50 to £14,145, there is an option to suit everyone’s needs. 

The design of the new Kia Rio has been completely revamped with a sporty design, using sculpting lines giving the Rio a sophisticated look.  But they have managed to keep the Kia grille which is the signature look to the Kia family.  To add to the stylish new image, Led daytime running lights have been included and the mirrors have LED side repeaters. 

If you would like to take a look at this new Kia Rio, visit Lookers Kia near Rotherham or Kia Chesterfield as I have been informed of their great customer service along with offers.

Range Rover Swiss Edition

I am currently looking to buy a new car and I have taken a fancy to the Range Rover, whilst surfing the internet I came across a special edition Range Rover which is being designed by British designer Afzal Kahn for the Police to patrol in Switzerland.

The design as expected from Afzal Kahn made the Range Rover look even more impressive, with an increase in performance and of course the appearance of the model was revamped.

Let’s not forget about what’s under the bonnet of this powerful Range Rover, a 5.0 litre supercharged engine, with the option for a Cosworth conversion and black and white standard hood with customer interior pieces.

Afzal Kahn has adapted the Range Rover into a unique car with special windows, twin turbo supercharged engine, 22 inch wheels and a stainless steel exhaust producing a vigorous exhaust sound, this is clearly in keeping with Afzal’s statement “The road is my carwalk”.

The Range Rover Swiss edition is colour matched with the interior and exterior, with a variety of colours to choose from including the special police themed interior.

I really like the look of this new edition Range Rover but is out of my price range so think I’ll stick to a used Range Rover Sport, Charles Hurst Land Rover based in Belfast have a range of new and used cars as well as a used Range Rover Sport Belfast.