A new year means a fresh start – most of us see it as a chance to shake things up in our lives. The promises we make to ourselves each January range from big to small, whether it’s wanting to get fit and lose a few kilos to pursuing a whole new career. Whatever your goals are, we wish you success – but spare a thought for your four-wheeled friend, too. It’s easy to take your car for granted when you use it every day, whether it’s on the school run, getting to work or going to the gym. To make sure it keeps you safely on the road, though, it needs some attention. With that in mind, while you’re...

There’s a lot of excitement when your son or daughter becomes old enough to drive. Often, lessons are booked for their birthday and the focus is on taking – and passing – the driving test as quickly as possible. This is likely to involve you taking them out in your own car, too, so they can practice what they learn. This can lead to some nervous moments – for both of you. After all, they’ll be as worried as you are about having an accident, or even scratching a wheel by scraping it along the curb. We’ve got some advice to help keep things calm and ensure they get the most out of the opportunity. Wait until they’re ready Sometimes,...

Whatever car you drive, one of the main expenses it brings is the fuel you need to run it. We might gasp when we get our insurance renewal quote, or bemoan an unexpected repair bill, but putting fuel in our vehicles is an essential, regular and increasingly costly task. Most of us are keen to find the cheapest price at the pumps, and we’d bet we’re not the only ones who will drive across town to save a few cents. There’s another way to reduce your fuel costs too, though – and that’s by improving the mileage you get from your car. Take a look at our list to see what steps you can take to get more miles to...

Summer is a time to get out and about. Day trips, picnics, exploring attractions near and far – they’re all high on our list of to-dos, and generally mean we use our cars more and drive longer distances. With Covid-19 restrictions still limiting overseas travel, more people are finding ways to enjoy their vacation at home – which in turn inevitably leads to increased traffic on the roads. Our advice will help you stay comfortable and safe on the roads this summer. Before you go Plan your route. If you’re driving somewhere new, keep stress levels down by planning a basic route – especially if it’s a long way. Google maps, sat nav and the like make travel much easier,...