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As the weather turns colder and frost and ice make an unwelcome return many people find that their once reliable vehicle starts to become not so reliable and either stutters and splutters when the ignition is turned or refuses to start altogether. The cold weather has a detrimental affect on the vehicle’s battery and so if the battery is more than a few years old there may be problems.

There is a simple solution to this issue which some people fail to see and that is to keep the car in the garage when not in use. Even though the garage may not be heated the vehicle will be kept a few degrees warmer than if it was outside. It also means that the windscreen will not need the ice removing from it which can be an awful job on a cold morning. Another bonus is that the vehicle’s bodywork will be protected and will stay looking good helping to retain the value of the vehicle.

If the garage is used for storage during the rest of the year, it is a good idea to clear it enough so that the car can be protected from the elements during winter so start looking after your car now and avoid a breakdown headache.

Finding a garage you can trust, is very important as often when we need to take our car in to a repair garage, we may not know exactly what is wrong and have to reply on the mechanics to tell us. The best way to find a good car garage is to ask around and get recommendations of friends and family. It may be that you have recently moved to a new area and don’t know anyone to ask. If this is the case, then social media sites can be your best friend. Join a local group and ask for recommendations. This way you can get a true idea as to where is best to go and importantly, where not to go!

Don’t be afraid to ring round for prices for standard work such as brake pad replacement and tyres as you may be surprised in the difference in price from one place to the next. Try and take an interest in what the garage tells you needs doing to your car and don’t be afraid to ask them to show you where the damage is or what exactly they are going to be replacing. An honest garage wont have an issue with doing this for you.

Over the last few months, we have seen fuel prices at the pump soar to in excess of two pounds per litre for diesel at some fuel stations. This increase could not of come at a worse time when the cost of living is already at a record high.

Although you may not notice it immediately, you will start to see that you are having to fill up a lot more often. It may be that you have to use your vehicle for work or to take your children to school, in which case you have no option but to pay the prices, but you should try and avoid using your car where you can to save. Even cutting out those small 5-minute journeys each day can make a big difference.

The next way to save money is to make sure that you are driving as economically as possible. Some more modern cars have eco mode or will show you a dial – often green and red – to show if you are driving economically. Making sure you are in the right gear for the speed you are doing and trying not to brake and accelerate as much as you can, will often make a difference to your miles per gallon.  

Cars are very specialist and unless you are a mechanic, there are some jobs best left to the experts. Some jobs are perfectly possible for you to do yourself though, and will allow you to save money on the fees charged by garages and mechanics. In this case, it would be annoying to know you had paid over the odds, so learning more about what is possible will help you as a car owner.

As a general rule, anything to do with the brakes should be handled by a professional. This is because these are integral to safety and anybody without experience shouldn’t be tampering with brakes. The same goes for engines and engine components – save this for an expert.

Small parts, such as bearings and wheel hubs and caps can often be replaced by car owners. You can usually order the parts that you need online and can find detailed instructions on how to fit them.

Every car owner needs to maintain their vehicle to a safe standard and ensure it is legal and roadworthy. If you do not do this you are not only endangering yourself, you are also endangering other road users. Here are four things you should know about your car to make driving safer:

• The noises it makes when driving. An unusual noise can be a sign of a loose bearing, an old part that is coming loose, or an even more serious problem. Be alert and aware when driving.
• How to lift the bonnet and change a tyre. You should have a general grasp of basic car maintenance so that if you ever find yourself in an emergency, you will be able to deal with it.
• When your service and MOT is due. Never forget these important dates.
• How to carry out general checks. You should know how to check oil levels, add windscreen wiper fluid, and carry out other basic processes.

Car parts can mean almost anything, from an engine part, to a wheel bearing, to a tyre. There are many car parts you can buy online and fit yourself, including small parts like ball bearings and engine bearings. The trouble comes when fitting them if you’re inexperienced and don’t know how to approach the task. For starters, you might well not know if you are even purchasing the correct car parts, as there can be thousands of bearings for sale on any one website.

Buying bearings from a reputable supplier is a very good start. They can give you advice and support, ensuring that you buy the correct parts for your vehicle make, and for the issue you are experiencing. If you already know what you need then you can buy it online quickly and conveniently. It’s the cheapest and easiest way to shop for car parts, and will get you the most for your money.

Car parts can often be bought second hand, perhaps from a garage that sells scrap cars or from a website where the quality is dubious because you haven’t seen the parts in real life. And that’s fine, right? It’s not really fine at all, because you need to ensure the quality of every part that you use on your car. Even something like a wheel nut or a small washer could make all the difference in your car functioning the way it should, or in something going wrong when you are driving it.

If you have a car that has a known issue, you might want to attempt fixing it yourself. You can visit a well-known website to buy the parts or talk to a car mechanic to ask for their advice. If you don’t know what is wrong with the vehicle, you are usually best off talking to a qualified mechanic who can talk you through their findings and order parts in.

Buying your own car wheel bearings can be more cost effective, as you can get them for a very reasonable price from specialist bearing and car part websites. You can have them delivered this way as well, so it’s very good value for money. There is now a wide selection of bearings available online and you can get anything from open ball bearings, to shielded ball bearings, to wheel bearing snap rings. You will be able to find what you need easily.

The downside comes if you don’t know exactly what you need. It can be difficult for you to track down what you need, and to work out what you are going to require. If you are booking your car in for an MOT or a service, the mechanic should be able to source bearings for you. They can then inform you what you need and order them in, so you know that what you are getting is exactly right.

Hybrid cars are a good option for those wanting to use less non-renewable fuel, and people who might be considering buying a new car in the near future. Why the near future? Because by 2040, the government aims to have eradicated hybrid cars, in favour of electric cars. However, whilst the technology for electric cars isn’t quite up to scratch just yet, a hybrid could be a good alternative. Often, they won’t need to be charged like an electric car, so it takes away the need for a charging station that is near to you.

Some people feel that hybrid cars aren’t as energy efficient, perhaps because they don’t use fuel as efficiently due to the weight of components. There is definitely a long way to go with the technology, but it’s possible investment will be made in purely electric vehicles as opposed to hybrid models. For now, it is a more environmentally friendly alternative.

Many people will choose cars based on looks and performance. Whilst this can be satisfying, it isn’t necessarily sensible. When you have to think about the finances associated with that car, for example, when something has gone wrong, then you may regret the decision to go for a car because it has a big spoiler and is a nice colour.

It is often advisable to go for a British-made car brand. This will often make it cheaper for you to insure. If something goes wrong with the car, then it will be cheaper for you to obtain the parts to fix it. Whilst this might not matter especially if the repair is post accident and covered by insurance, you might be stung with a hefty bill if your car needs a repair simply after an MOT or service. It may also be cheaper to service the car in the first place, too.