• Tyres
  Know the correct tyre pressures for your car. The wrong pressures will affect handling and braking. The car’s handbook will give guidance, or there will be a tyre pressure notice on the driver’s door pillar, or inside the petrol filler cap cover. Check your tyre pressures at least fortnightly, using either a high-quality gauge of your own or the air-line at a local garage. Look for cuts on the tyre sidewalls and note if any one tyre needs topping up regularly: it may have a slow puncture. Never forget to check your spare tyre too.
  
  The current legal minimum tyre depth is 1.6mm and the government is considering increasing this to 2mm, check your tyres regularly and always inflate as per the manufacturer's instructions.
  
  Does your car need new tyres? Contact us today
  
  
• Toolkit
  Look in the maker’s handbook for the location of the car’s basic toolkit, which should contain at least a jack and wheel removal tools. Familiarise yourself with the points at which the jack should be fitted on to the car for safe raising.
  
  
• Engine Oil Level
  Oil is vital to engine lubrication and cooling. Check the dipstick at least every fortnight and before any long journey. Have the oil and oil filter changed at recommended service intervals. High oil consumption can indicate engine problems.
  
  Does your car need a service? Fill out this Service Request form or contact us today
  
  
• Water
  The main coolant for most engines is a 50 per cent mixture of water and antifreeze, which is pumped round the engine and through the heating system. Check the coolant level regularly and top up as necessary - but only when the engine is cold. Before the onset of winter, have the concentration of antifreeze in the system checked by your garage and corrected as necessary. Antifreeze not only prevents the coolant from freezing at low temperatures, it also prevents the build-up of corrosion within the cooling system, and so is important all year round.
  
  Does your car need a service? Fill out this Service Request form or contact us today
  
  
• Wipers
  Windscreen wiper blades wear down over time, and can smear the windscreen if they become worn. Replace them at least once a year to get the best performance. Replacement kits often have universal fittings, but you must use the right adaptor for secure fitting.
  
  
• Screenwash
  A working screenwash system is a legal requirement, so check and top it up regularly. Use a good screenwash additive at the recommended concentrations for summer and winter use. Water alone will not clear oily road grime, and freezes more readily in winter.
  
  
• Windwash
  Regularly inspect your windscreen for stone damage. Always replace a cracked or chipped screen as soon as possible. Even the smallest chip can eventually crack glass, and any kind of windscreen damage may impair vision or distract attention. Minor chips can be repaired by a windscreen specialist.
  
  
• Lights
  Check all lights, with a helper if necessary, at least weekly. Fully operating lights are a legal requirement at all times. At the front they light your way; at the rear they warn other drivers of your presence. In your check, don’t forget indicators, brake - and foglights. 
  Lights pick up road dirt, so make sure they are all cleaned regularly. In bad weather, wipe them with a damp cloth during driving breaks.
  
  
• Power Steering
  Many modern cars have power steering. Ensure the fluid reservoir is checked at every service and check it yourself once a month. Top up only with hydraulic fluid as advised in the car’s handbook. Any fluid leak must be investigated.
  
  Problems with your power steering? Complete this Service Request form or contact us today
  
  
• Car Body
  Many cars have extended bodywork warranty schemes. To be eligible for corrosion-related damage cover, you may need to submit your car for annual inspection. Check that any previous owner has kept the necessary maintenance record up to date.
  
  Does your car need bodywork or a service? Complete this Service Request form or contact us today

Above content courtesy of AA Ireland

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Driving at high speed (over 80 km and especially over 100 km) uses more fuel and causes more pollution. Try to keep to lower speeds.

An aggressive driving style can lead to an increase in fuel consumption of 10-12% above average. In contrast, an energy aware driving style can save up to 13% on fuel consumption and is better for the environment and for your wallet.

There are some simple steps you can take when driving to reduce fuel consumption and improve efficiency:

• Starting the Car
  Turn the engine on then drive off gently and without delay.  This will reduce excessive fuel consumption and pollution.
  
  
• What affects fuel consumption most?
  Driving style, unnecessary short trips, cold engine, poor car maintenance, rapid acceleration and incorrect tyre pressure all affect fuel consumption adversely.
  
  
• Maintain your car regularly
  A properly maintained car will have good engine lubrication, wheel alignment and well adjusted brakes reducing your fuel consumption.
  
  
• Reading the road
  By watching the roads ahead and anticipating any likely problems, your driving style will become smoother, better controlled and be safer for you and other road users. 
  
  
• Maintaining your distance
  Safe and economical driving requires you to maintain a sufficient distance behind the car in front - a minimum of 10m for every 15km/h speed.  This way you can brake and accelerate more smoothly.
  
  
• Saving fuel in town
  Avoid over-revving the engine and drive in as high a gear as is suitable to road conditions.
  
  
• Reduce unnecessary drag
  Take off unused bike racks or roof boxes and save 15-40%.  Use the car's vents rather than leaving the windows or sun roof open, saving you a further 3-5%.

Above content courtesy of Sustainable Energy Ireland

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Most modern vehicles are equipped with this safety feature but many people do not understand its function or operation.

ABS is designed to prevent individual road wheel lock up during brake application, enabling the driver to maintain vehicle control when braking on poor or slippery road surfaces.

Sensors, which are mounted behind the 4 road wheels, constantly monitor wheel speed and send information to an ABS. computer, which, in turn, can regulate brake fluid pressure to the individual sides by means of an actuator. For this reason drivers may experience a pulsating sensation through the brake pedal or hear an electrical buzzing sound when the system is in operation. This is simply the brake actuator controlling the brake pressure.

If a problem occurs with the ABS, a warning light will come in the dash and the system will shut down. The braking system will work as normal but without the advantage of skid control.

A popular myth is that ABS can reduce braking distance. This is not true. It does however get the vehicle to brake in a straight line and reduce the danger of skidding or spinning.

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• Even if you only have to wait 30 seconds, it is more economical to switch the engine off and start it again when necessary.
  
  
• A less aggressive, energy conscious driving style could reduce your fuel consumption by 10% and reduce harmful emissions by 30-40%.
  
  
• Tyres 0.5 bar below manufacturers recommended pressure increase wear and fuel consumption by 2-3%.
  
  
• At bends, reducing speed gently and in time and accelerating smoothly when you are halfway through will reduce excessive fuel consumption.
  
  
• Lower speeds are safer, but driving at high speed (over 80km/h and especially over 100km/h) also uses more fuel and causes more pollution.
  
  
• A cold engine uses significantly more fuel than a warm engine - try avoiding your car for very short journeys.
  
  
• The rear window demister being on uses 3-5% more fuel.  Remember to switch it off when the window is clear.

Above content courtesy of Sustainable Energy Ireland

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