As we all know winter is just around the corner here in the Northern hemisphere. The weather is turning colder at night and this will affect the performance of your car battery. To keep you car battery lasting longer there are one or two things that you can do.
If your van battery has the old-type screw tops, then you can inspect the level of acid in your battery, With Van Battery Care, this can be checked and remedied.
If this is something that you have to do at frequent intervals,
then it means that the battery is boiling and could have a faulty alternator. You should top up the battery with distilled water and recheck it a few days later to see if the level has dropped again. If the level has dropped, then you should get your alternator checked at a good garage.
If are reading this in the UK and you do not know of a good garage, then look up the nearest independent garage in your area, they have safeguards to protect you the customer and a fair price policy, but more than that they can be trusted.
Also, another Van Battery Care tip
Of course, is to look out for white coloured powder on the top of the battery. This indicates a leak around the terminals, the white powder is dried battery acid. You can clean it off using a cup full of warm water. But if it is a recurring problem. So, it means that the battery is on its way out.Needing replacing! Before it lets you down, on your deliveries. It is a good idea to always keep a Car Battery Charger and a 12V Voltmeter,to hand. As it may just keep you going for a few more winter days. Of course, until you can buy Cheap Car batteries Online.
This is about the limit that you can go to check
over your battery and look after it. After all, as I have said, the last thing you want is for the battery to let you down when you
least expect it and having to be towed to the nearest garage to have it seen to, and paying over the odds because you are stranded. That is if they have a battery to fit your car, you may have to wait another day if they have to order a new battery.
More reading…”If you often see leaks under your car, it’s about time to check your van battery. Extreme weather condition can cause the battery to crack and leak.
Van batteries sometimes leak highly corrosive acid, which is harmful to your van and to you as well. Good van battery care will ensure this does not happen?. Cleaning up a battery leak is easy, but you should observe the utmost caution when dealing with battery acid to prevent injury.” http://carfs.net/2013/10/your-car-is-at-risk-reasons-car-batteries-fail.
Unlike a vehicle MOT test, servicing is not a legal requirement for your vehicle. However, you will probably find that regular servicing can help to keep everything.
EricRoberts‘s insight:
Pre-testing your car can mean the difference between passing and failing the MOT test when it comes time for testing. Consider it as giving your vehicle some TLC before the examiners arrive.
A service helps identify any minor concerns, such as worn-out brake pads, malfunctioning lights, or even low fluid levels, that could become serious problems during the MOT. In addition to increasing your car’s chances of passing the test, taking care of these issues beforehand can guarantee that it operates smoothly and safely when driving. You might also avoid the inconvenience of having to retake the test, which nobody likes!
To be honest, most of our customers do have an MOT test and service at the same time. This practice gives the car owner peace of mind that their car is in reasonable condition for at least 12 months up to the next annual testing time. Of course, this doesnt count for any mechanical failure of a part.
We all must be responsible for our cars servicing and test
Sometimes I find it a great shame. Incredibly, we are in the motor trade. Insistently, you have to keep harping on about servicing your cars. One of the main excuses in recent times! Of course, there has been a recession. Recently, car drivers just haven’t had any spare cash to spend on their vehicles. Consequently, we have all seen people just putting £10’s worth of fuel into their cars at the filling station? Ridiculous, but true !
MOT Test Combined with Car Servicing
In my opinion,
I think that these people should have some kind of budget. A sort of “piggy bank” and save to have their vehicle serviced. Including any mechanical work required when it goes in for its annual vehicle test. Incidentally, it is estimated that 4.7 million people miss their mot testing date. I am sure that drivers either just flaunt the law or are not aware that driving your
A car without a valid MOT test certificate is an offence referenced in Section 47 of the 1988 Road Traffic Act.
Also, driving without an MOT test.
will make your insurance invalid, and you may receive a fine of up to £1000. Is it really worth it when you can have a vehicle test and a service for most average family saloons for around £150? If you are not sure where you can go to have your vehicle serviced, you should go online and look for your nearest local independent garage; they will offer you excellent service at a fair price.
Once you have had your MOT test and service you should be safer for another year, although I recommend that you have an engine oil and filter change in between the tests to be on the safe side. Also, do not forget to check your levels at regular intervals, say once a week, and top them up when required.
Here we are now at the back end of 2024, nearing Christmas time, and the price of fuel has plummeted. The only problem is that the price of oil and petrol is not following as fast. The experts say that it may take a little longer for this to take place, but I was just wondering if services for cars would also be coming down. I am not so sure , but I suspect so.
https://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/A-boards-for-MOT.jpg476476Eric Robertshttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pellon-tyres-logo-509x321.jpgEric Roberts2026-05-23 07:40:102026-06-04 03:15:16MOT Test Combined with Car Servicing
Sometimes it may be great to play a damsel in distress. So, have a strong and well-toned man fix your flat tyre. Importantly, I think every woman ought to know how to change to the spare wheel. After all, having your tyre blown is never something anyone plans. Of course, you may not have any eager boy scout waiting around to rescue you. There is no need to keep the wheel changing in a man’s domain. Times are changing, and you should too. It’s time to empower yourself and get ready to tackle that flat tyre !
Flat Tyres A Guide for Women
1. First of all, if there is a place for you to move your car out of the way,!
So, if there is a place where you can get out of the way, then move your car there. Make sure oncoming traffic will be able to see you. Turn on your hazards, and if you have a warning triangle,. Then place it where it will be clearly visible. Also, make sure the place you move your vehicle to is as flat as possible. Avoid soft ground and inclines. Whenever possible, place some bricks, blocks, or large rocks. Naturally, under your car to prevent your car from rolling backwards.
2. If you have hubcaps, remove them. Flat Tyres A Guide for Women
These are the covers on your wheels. Check your manual on how to remove them. I highly suggest you look at this beforehand, not when you have already blown a tyre.
Flat Tyres A Guide for Women
3. Next, you need to remove the wheel nuts.
These are the nuts or bolts that hold your wheel in place. You will need a wheel brace to do this. Of course, the wheel brace comes in different shapes and sizes. Commonly known as a “spider.” So, the spider wrench is the T-shaped wrench. Of course, that should be together with all your other tools. The shape of the wrench makes for easy leverage. However, if your upper-body strength is lacking, you may not have the heft or muscle needed to loosen the lug nuts. Importantly, you may have to resort to stepping on the T-arm to obtain better leverage. Always remember, left to loosen and right to tighten.
4. Now you need your car jack to raise your car. Flat Tyres A Guide for Women
Most cars have a flat plate behind the front wheels and just in front of the back ones for this purpose. Place the jack under the “jacking point” nearest to the tyre to be changed! Raise the jack with the jack handle to meet the jacking point plate. Double-check and make sure your car will be steady once it is raised. Safety is crucial whenever you are working with your car. Now raise your car about 15 cm off the ground. Don’t forget that when you re-fit an inflated spare wheel. Thus, it will need room, so make sure there is enough space for the spare to be placed on.
5. by grabbing it with both hands, one on each side.
So after removing the wheel nuts! Pull the flat wheel straight and off. Quickly line up your spare with the bolts and slide it on. Replace the lug nuts, but do not tighten them completely. When you have lowered your car, use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts in opposite pairs. Make sure these are as tight as possible! Because you absolutely do not want your tyre to come off when you start driving away.
Flat Tyres A Guide for Women
6. It’s time to clean up and put things back in place. Flat Tyres A Guide for Women
Put all your tools together and place them back where they were stored. Always put them back in the same place so you know where to find them in case of emergencies. Knowing where all of the tools are before you get into an emergency situation is suggested. Put your flat tyre where your spare one was, and make sure to have it fixed right away.
7. Of course, many cars don’t have spares now! Flat Tyres A Guide for Women
Many cars now run on run-flat tyres and do not have a spare wheel. In my opinion, this is a great idea! So when a puncture occurs, the driver can carry on driving the car. Albeit at a steady 50 mph! Cars with runflats can then make their way to a tyre centre and have the problem attended to. Some cars only carry a can of air sealant and no spare wheel. This idea is to save on the weight of the car and reduce emissions.
Flat Tyres A Guide for Women
8. I would advise most ladies to join a motoring organisation. Flat Tyres A Guide for Women
Although you now know how to change your flat tyre ! I would strongly recommend that all motorists, not just ladies, join one of the roadside assistance companies. So we all must have noticed how busy our roads are now getting. Especially on the motorways. Recently, I had the displeasure of having a tyre blowout on the M1 motorway.
Of course, it was dark and raining and was a very frightening experience. However, it is a job that I have done all my life and quickly changed the wheel at the roadside. However, it did open my mind to the thought that this would have been horrific for a lady driver to attempt this task. Simply put, it would be far better to join the “AA,” “Green Flag” or “RAC“. Naturally putting your mind at rest!
A woman alone with her car and a flat tyre could be a signal for the less-than-honorable to take advantage of the situation. If you have no recourse but to change the tyre yourself, make sure you have some form of protection nearby, like pepper spray. Also, make sure to call a friend or relative to let them know what happened when your tyre blows so someone is aware of where you are and the situation you are in. This will at least give people you know information about your whereabouts.
Flat Tyres A Guide for Women
9, Having your tyres in good condition is one way to avoid a flat tyre.
While some causes, like a puncture from a nail or other sharp object, cannot be avoided. So, keep your tyres well inflated. Along with careful driving, it will lessen the chances of your having to change a flat in the future.
And if you need new tyres,! Contact us on www.pellontyres.co.uk as we are independently owned tyre centres across the UK. Consequently, to help you find the right tyre for your needs. Its knowledgeable and professional staff will be able to give you brand-neutral car safety advice to help you make the right decision for your tyre needs. And if your car needs other types of auto service, they offer that as well.
• An open and honest approach with the customers
• A high standard of work and excellent value for money
• 12-month guarantee on parts and labour
• An open invitation to inspect, review and rate the garages of your choice to make the best-informed decision for your needs
https://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/flat-car-tyre.jpg421559Eric Robertshttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pellon-tyres-logo-509x321.jpgEric Roberts2026-04-20 19:42:272026-04-20 19:42:27Flat Tyres A Guide for Women
Quality Car batteries; driving the car in winter conditions
One of the most obvious but important parts of winter driving is to prepare for the bad weather that will be certain to affect us.We experience a lot of bad weather every winter. So, most of us will get caught out and unprepared for the journey back home from shopping or from work.
This happens time and time again.
Of course, there are too many motorists who get caught in heavy rain. Especially flooding similar to the weather this week or a really fast and heavy snow storm. If you check your car out, you will eliminate most of the worry of bad road conditions. Feeling safer and glad that you were prepared.
It always pays to have your car checked at an independent local garage for a pre-winter check.
This takes the form of checking your levels for antifreeze. To make sure that it has the correct strength to withstand freezing temperatures. Also, your screen wash and oil levels must be checked. The early dark nights also call for your lights to be checked. How many times do you see a car with only one head on that looks like a motorcycle from a distance ?.
The most important things to check are your tyres. I know that I harp on about it, but please buy a set of winter tyres. So, this alone will help you on wet and snow-covered winter roads and give you much more confidence when travelling out to work or to the shops. Many more drivers are now switching to winter tyres and are spreading the news to their relatives and friends. They really do make a massive difference when driving on the roads in the winter.
Check the depth of the water before
going through in your car
Other advice now relates to flooding. Flooding has now become a common scene here in the UK. When you approach a flood, please take care not to take your vehicle in too deep. Try to avoid the flooded road if possible. Especially if you must go across the water, make sure you stop and check your brakes on the other side. Of course, a minor point is that water could damage your exhaust pipes and catalytic converter a few weeks later. Another part of the car that is neglected in winter is your car battery.
You can easily be caught stranded away from home
if your battery lets you down. If your vehicle is over 5 years old, it may be better for you to change the battery for a new one before your old battery lets you down. Remember, it always happens when you are away from home and will cost you less to replace it than expensive breakdown charges. If you do have to buy a new battery, make sure that you choose Quality Car Batteries. They often come with a better warranty and will last longer
“Winter has well and truly set in now, with flooding in some parts of the UK and snow and ice forecast. So what can you do to make sure getting from A to B is as safely as possible?”…
Eric Roberts, MD of Pellon Auto Centre, recently attended a regional meeting of Unipart Car Care Centres (UCCC). This was in a hotel in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. New plans that mean that Pellon Autocentre joins Unipart were unveiled to upgrade their new image among garage members.
UCCC members will be offered complete new signage. Consequently, by using Unipart’s updated logo,. This logo is very similar to the present one. Because it appeared that there was only a slight modification to upgrade. Eric Roberts says, “The new image looks very stylish. Although there is not much change, the new design will look very useful. Especially when bonded together with all the other promotional effects that will be on offer to us.
Our garage images are in the Unipart style and colours.” Pellon Autocentre Leaves Unipart
Unipart will still provide their garage network with their website design service to help their individual garages build their websites.
In keeping with the previous system, Unipart will be funding this service. This offer has been taken up by over 500 garages and has become a favourite feature for the garages in the scheme. Motorcodes will still play a significant part in Unipart’s big changes; this will ensure an excellent standard of quality across the complete network. Therefore, it is crucial when offering a nationwide warranty service to the network’s customers.
Pellon Autocentre Leaves Unipart
A brand new feature will be the introduction of Ben Collins (the former “sting” from the Top Gear motoring programme on TV). Ben will be helping promote the Car Care Centres at a national and local levels, holding regular events across the country. Another new feature will be the introduction of more training facilities. Garages participating will have access to Unipart’s technical helpline and training staff support. “This Pellon Autocentre leaving Unipart service will be of great use to participating garages such as ourselves,” says Eric Roberts.
Unipart will be revamping the existing web site.
This website will be fully optimised and search engine-friendly. Links to participating member websites. Furthermore, offering the partners a right online image with the facilities to offer online service and MOT booking.
Furthermore, the new workwear was also on display for the garage owners to browse over, and the meeting concluded with a buffet. Unipart’s marketing director, Wendy Williams, conducted the meeting in a very professional manner, and it felt that all the participating centre members in attendance were looking forward to the new changes with great anticipation.
The latest 2020 update to our total independence- Pellon Autocentre Leaves Unipart
Lastly, I have recently made a decision to leave the Unipart setup. Importantly, the organisation has recently come under pressure from other similar trade groups. So, in the final analysis I thought that we should move forward as an independent garage being able to trade with all the trade groups.
Given these points,
I believe that the car parts replacement market has also had a recent shake up. So, giving us the opportunity to buy parts and service parts at better prices for our customers. Generally speaking, trade is very good following the recent “Corvid 19” MOT Testing restrictions. Here at Pellon Autocentre we are now free from any motoring organizations and totally independent.
The next organisation to follow were Point-S. I did try and see what the benefits would be. However it was to become another disappointing large organisation without much clout?
The foremost thing that you should do is follow the car manufacturer’s maintenance schedule
Car Servicing Tips
Significantly, a visit to your local car repair shop can be even more stressful. say, than a trip to the dentist. Perhaps you won’t suffer physical pain. However, your car repair bill can sometimes skyrocket. Frighteningly, this can leave your wallet or purse feeling pretty empty. including leaving you with a bad taste in your mouth.
The best way to try to avoid costly repairs – Car Servicing Tips
So, the best thing to do is practice preventative maintenance and follow car service tips to keep your car in the best possible condition.
The foremost thing that you should do is follow the car manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. Of course, that will be outlined in your owner’s manual. The best guidelines are always the ones that are recommended. Of course, by the manufacturer, and if those instructions are not followed.
Your warranty may be voided for future repairs.
Although we are here in Europe,. You are allowed to have your car repaired and serviced. As a result, by law, it must be performed by a reputable garage using original equipment service parts and oils. So, without breaking your warranty agreement, a reputable garage would be one that operates under the MOT testing station scheme.
Always be sure to change fluids
Regular servicing is important
Naturally, things like brake fluid, filters, and spark plugs– Car Servicing Tips
(if equipped) should be what the manufacturer recommends. It is also a good idea to upgrade your motor oil to a higher-performance synthetic oil, which can help prevent certain problems and also improve your car’s overall performance. We keep several types of oil on hand for servicing, as specifications are changing all the time, but using synthetic oil is not a bad thing and will cover most modern engines.
Always be sure that your tyresare correctly inflated. Car Servicing Tips
This is especially important because tyreswith too little or too much wear can result in excessive wear from bad handling and may cause a tyre to blow out. It is often recommended that you check your tyre pressure every time you go to the gas station. While this may seem excessive, you won’t be sorry that you have kept your tyres correctly inflated and therefore safer.
For reasons of both safety and the expense of new tyres, the extra effort is well worth it.
If you notice any unusual noises coming from your car, there may be engine problems! While driving along, check your owner’s manual for information. Quite often, noises are perfectly normal, and there is no need for concern. Your owner’s manual information section will let you know whether or not a visit to the auto centre is necessary.
You’d be surprised how often it happens. A customer rolls up to our garage, leaves the keys on the counter, and says, “It’s making a terrible noise from the front end, Eric – can you have a listen?”
Sure enough, a loud bang, grind, or rattle is usually the first sign that the brakes have had it. Sometimes the pads have worn down to the metal, other times the discs are badly corroded. Either way, it’s not something you want to leave too long – especially with Halifax’s steep hills and stop-start traffic.
Why Brake Issues Peak in Spring: Car Brakes-Friction Zone
We always notice a spike in brake repairs come springtime. My theory is simple – during the winter months, drivers use their brakes far more often. Cold weather, slippery roads, and plenty of short trips mean the pads and discs take more punishment.
Then, by the time spring arrives, the wear has caught up with them. A simple job like changing a set of brake pads can turn into a bigger repair if left too long – with new discs, or worse, a seized caliper often being needed.
That’s why I always tell customers: don’t wait for the noise. Pop in for a quick free brake check. It takes us minutes, and it could save you a much bigger bill later on.
The Ageing Car Parc – Good News for Garages
Across the UK, people are keeping their vehicles longer, and Halifax is no exception. With the price of new cars still sky-high and insurance costs through the roof, it makes sense to maintain what you’ve already got.
Older cars naturally need more care, especially when it comes to friction components like brakes, clutches, and tyres. These parts wear out over time, but they can usually be replaced quite economically.
At Pellon Tyres, we’ve seen a steady increase in older cars coming in for brake pad replacements, new discs, and full brake overhauls. It’s part of the natural cycle of keeping a car roadworthy. And honestly, I think it’s a good thing – people are taking better care of their vehicles, rather than throwing them away too soon.
How to Spot When Your Brakes Need Attention: Car Brakes-Friction Zone
Here are a few tell-tale signs to look out for:
A grinding or squealing noise when braking
The steering wheel vibrating when you slow down
The brake pedal feeling soft or going further down than usual
Pulling to one side under braking
If any of these sound familiar, bring your car in for a look. We offer a free brake inspection, and you’ll get a no-obligation quote before we do any work.
A Nationwide Guarantee with Local Service
As proud members of the Independent Car Care Centres (I.C.C.C.), we offer a nationwide guarantee on all our brake work. So even if you’re travelling outside Halifax, you’ll still be covered at any I.C.C.C. member garage.
But best of all, you’ll still get that friendly, down-to-earth service we’re known for here at Pellon Autocentre. Whether it’s new pads, discs, or just a quick check, we’ll make sure your brakes are safe, quiet, and ready for the road ahead.
Keep Your Car in the Safe Zone: Car Brakes-Friction Zone
So, if you’re one of the many drivers keeping your car a few more years, remember – don’t ignore your brakes. They’re the most important safety feature on your vehicle, and they need looking after.
Next time you hear a rattle, squeak, or grinding sound, don’t panic – just swing by Pellon Tyres. We’ll soon have you out of the friction zone and back on the road safely.
We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.
Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.
Essential Website Cookies
These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.
Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.
We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.
We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.
Other external services
We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.
