These tips could save you pounds in repairs
How do I repair my car windscreen?
A CHIP in your windscreen can usually be repaired, but get it fixed as soon as possible to avoid it developing into a crack. If the damage is in the eyeline of the driver, it’s likely that the car will fail the MoT too.
You can try to repair the chip yourself using a DIY resin kit, which is available from accessory shops or online, but they are fiddly and rarely produce a perfect result.
Most drivers with comprehensive insurance will be covered for windscreen damage. Have a look at your policy documents and see how to claim. There may be a small excess to pay, but it will be far less than forking out for a new screen, and it shouldn’t affect your no claims bonus.
What is the engine management light?
THE engine management light (EML) on your dashboard is shaped like the outline of an engine, and it will appear when your car has detected a problem with its running gear or emission-control systems.
It’s normal for it to appear when you first turn the car on, but if it stays on while the car is running, you have a problem, and you’ll need to fix it before the next MoT because it’s a failure point.
Most modern cars will show one of three variants of engine management light. A continuous amber indicates a fault that shouldn’t immediately affect the running of the engine. It’s still important to get it diagnosed and fixed as soon as possible, though.
A flashing amber light indicates a fault that is affecting the car’s ability to operate correctly. You may feel a loss of engine power, the car may start to judder or there might even be some unusual noises.
A red light indicates a severe fault. If you see this, you must stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so and then call for breakdown recovery. If you continue to drive, there is a significant risk of major damage to the engine.
Once at the garage, technicians will connect a computer to your car’s ‘brain’ to read the error codes and diagnose the problem.
How should I look after my tyres?
THERE are very good reasons to look after your tyres. Besides being expensive, they are crucial to keeping you safe. Here’s all you need to know.
TYRE PRESSURE
Air pressure has a natural tendency to escape from tyres over time, and the pressures will also change along with the outside temperature.
We’d suggest checking tyre pressures every month using a reliable gauge
