New Milton Advertiser 11th Dec 2020

Friday 11th December 2020 · 39

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Motoring

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WINTER CAR CHECK

■ By Glynn Williams MBE, Motoring Correspondent Get a grip: and make sure you can see where you’re going

Hi-vis jackets can be life-savers THOSE who go sailing are rightly cas- tigated if they cast off without a life jacket – so what price wearing ju st a dark suit as you stand beside your bro- ken-down car on the hard shoulder of a rain-lashed motorway or remote co un- try road? Be prepared in case things go wron g and, apart from carrying spare b ulbs and fuses, follow another lead f rom across the Channel and always c arry enough high visibility waistcoats or jackets for every occupant. You also need a good torch – n ot just relying on the light on your mo bile phone which has a more important role in an emergency – as well as a w arn- ing triangle in case your vehicle bre aks down. Pedestrians and riders – equestri an

GREAT news! In a just over a week the daylight hours will be get- ting longer again after the winter solstice. The downside is that winter has not yet started in earnest and we have plenty more dark, wet, foggy or white nights and days of chal- lenging motoring and we need to do everything we can to see our way safely through to a sunny spring. Thanks to modern technology the professionals can quickly check out your car to make sure that the machine vital to your assured mobility in the festive days ahead will not suddenly, and all too often expensively, let you down. With the right tool they can decipher the warning light on the dash into a detailed fault code, in minutes. Yes, there are countless demands on your wallet right now, but the safety of you and your family, and other road users, relies on your car being safe and roadworthy. So get a grip and get those tyres checked – is there enough tread depth for heavy rain, that muddy cattle crossing, or even a dusting of snow? Does one tyre keep going down? It could be a screw causing a slow

puncture, or a dented rim – get it checked and mended. Remember, a soft tyre gives less protection to the rim if you hit that puddle-hid- den crater. Yes, a water-filled pothole can wreak expensive damage to an alloy wheel but rather than having to spend hundreds on a new one you might well be able to get it repaired by a local specialist. “Don’t leave it” goes for that head- light only working on main beam – the sidelight will not suffice, so fix the faulty bulb or see the expert to get your car safe and legal. See and be seen is the message. Let’s start ridding the roads of one-eyed monsters and all the other dim offenders, such as those using only sidelights in poor visi- bility because they consider them adequate. If you recently got a new car make sure you know all the controls – ‘automatic’ headlights often need that simple human intervention – like switching on. Automatic main beam dipping is often a real dazzler – if you’re flashed by other drivers you are a blinder so please dip manually. But if you are being flashed repeatedly it could be because you have a faulty light – check them.

Daytime running lights – whizzy LED DRLs – provide some forward road illumination and impress oncoming drivers but the system is not so hot on some models in low light when the rear lights are not illuminated. Have you checked yours? If visibility is poor, through low light or bad weather, then you need your main lights on – and working. Apart from keeping in your lane, how else will you spot a pedes- trian, cyclist or pony? Every driver should check that lights are work- ing properly and kept clean. On every journey. Can you change a bulb? Many obviously cannot – I often pass 20 or more cars and vans with a defec- tive headlight on an evening just between New Milton and Lyndhurst. Surely they must have found it harder to see the nearside kerb or centre lines. When did they last check against the garage door or the vehicle in front? If they wiped them clean while lit they must have spotted the failure. Every driver is responsible for making sure their vehicle is always safe to drive – roadworthy – and it can be unsafe even if you have a current MOT certificate. You can be fined up to £2,500, be

banned from driving and get three penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition. Every time you drive you should check that the windscreen, side and rear windows and mirrors are clean, inside and out, that the wipers give a clean not smeary sweep – new blades transform your drive – and the screenwash bottle is topped up with a freeze-resisting winter solution. If changing a bulb yourself, ensure that the new one is in the correct position – one of my biggest bug- bears is the oncoming car with off- side headlamp shining directly at my retinas, even when riding high driving a van. Headlights and rear lights are not the only important ones. I have noticed an increasing number of failed brake lights – some just the one bulb out, some only the high- level light working, and on one car only the reversing lights lit up when the driver braked! Lights and visible clothing are vital for cyclists, too, and it’s vital for drivers and riders alike to ensure that lights are positioned and angled correctly for maximum effi- ciency. ■

as well as wheeled – should wear or carry something fluores- cent or bright, such as a jacket or at least an armband, to ensure other road users can see them. ■

Failed bulbs bring more than dark looks IF it adds a little incentive, bear in mind that a police officer pulling you over for the one prominent sign of lack of maintenance in that blown bulb will check out other vital features with penalty points and fines for every breach. These will include tyre wear, valid tax, MOT and insurance, and – particularly in this season – “Have you had a drink recently?” ■

Hannah Way, Gordelton Park, Pennington, Lymington. SO41 8JD.

Ashley, Graham and team welcome customers old and new to our premises at Gordelton where we offer high quality service, repairs and diagnostic testing on petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles. MOT testing arranged. Air conditioning servicing and repairs. Quality pre-owned cars for sale, and sourced. Courtesy cars available (prior booking required) free of charge. Collection and delivery. Credit cards accepted. For a great, professional service please call and find howwe can help you.

Don’t get caught out this WINTER!!

Established 35 years in New Milton and part of the BOSCH Car Service network of Independent Repairers

offering affordable quality you can trust — for all, as an alternative to main dealers.

DO YOU DRIVE A

FREE BATTERY TESTING with printed condition report LARGE STOCKS OF BOSCH BATTERIES (with a 4 year guarantee) FREE BOSCH WINTER HEALTH CHECK Please call to book an appointment We offer full dealer level diagnostics and servicing , using autologic diagnostics to carry out full ECU interrogation, diagnosis and programming of engine, transmission, braking and all other electrical systems, including convenience systems, seats, mirrors, air conditioning, tv activation and resetting service indicators. We also have manufacturer diagnostic tools for: FORD, RENAULT, VAUXHALL, SAAB, CITROEN, PEUGEOT, VW, AUDI, SKODA, SEAT AND OTHERS. MARTIN PILLEY SERVICES Units 6 - 11, Wick 1 Industrial Estate, Wick Drive, Gore Road, New Milton BH25 6SJ 01425 617030 For more information on BOSCH Car Service centres visit www.boschcarservice.co.uk http://www.seeklogo.net

Wishing all our customers old and new a Very Happy and safe Christmas, and New Yea r!

Car Parts for all makes

01590 682209 07708 350399

sales@hatchmotors.co.uk www.hatchmotors.co.uk

WORKING to an OFT approved Code of Practice

for more information on BOSCH Car Service Centres visit www.boschcarservice.co.uk

To keep you travelling safely this winter! Batteries – Battery Chargers – Bulbs

Your Premier Tyre, Brake, Battery & Exhaust Centre

023 8001 0029

Unit 6 Manor Road, New Milton BH25 5EN Tel: 01425 548339 www.tyremarx.co.uk

De-Icer – Scrapers – Anti Freeze – Wiper Blades for an unrivalled range of quality parts from stock call in at 56 old milton road or call 01425 616213 or visit www.mpdonline.co.uk Trade & Retail Welcome • Massive Stocks the Power to supply

Badminston Lane, FAWLEY SO45 1BX

MoTs TYRES

Our knowledgeable staff are on hand to keep your vehicle on the road in a safe manner. We offer all garage services including FREE collection and delivery from your home We now offer DPF cleaning, Injector cleaning, Turbo cleaning and Air intake cleaning to help your

CLUTCHES CAMBELTS SERVICING WELDING DIAGNOSTICS LASER TRACKING CARS • VANS up to 3.5T MOTOR HOMES up to 30’

ASHLEY MOTOR REPAIRS Partners: M.M.Tandy | R.J Corbin Est 1977

We Stock All Leading Makes of Car and Motorcyle Tyres Varta batteries With over 20 years in the industry and a wealth of experience we are your go to Auto Centre for New Milton and the surrounding areas. We supply all the leading brands

CLASSIC CAR REPAIRS GENERAL REPAIRS SERVICING & MOTS RESTORATION ACCIDENT REPAIRS RESPRAYING R MG OWNERS CLUB RECOMMENDED 20 14

car run cleaner improving its performance and economy.

of tyres, brakes, batteries & exhausts from budget to premium. We take the time to

01425 615989 ashleymotorrepairs@hotmail.com

offer advice and assistance to help keep you safe and on the road.

VAT Reg. No.293 5413 47

ASHLEY LANE, NEW MILTON, HAMPSHIRE, BH25 5AQ

Ready for winter? Call in for your FREE winter check