HowTo - Motoring channel

How To Clean Your Car Easily and Enjoyably

8 Jul 2009 16:14:36

If your motor looks bad, you look bad. So let Tiff Needell show you how to get your car looking squeaky clean with minimum effort.

How To Prepare For Your Journey

7 Jul 2009 14:04:35

Bosch Car Service teamed up with Tiff Needell and Paul Harper (a Bosch Car Service proprietor) to give some useful hints on how to maintain your car, saving you money in the long run!

How To Reverse Park

29 Jan 2009 14:28:28

Reverse parking, or parallel parking is one of the big set piece manoeuvres that you could be asked to perform in the driving test, but its one of those important skills that once you know how to do it, it all makes perfect sense.

It's important to practise on a quiet road, especially at first, as lots of other traffic can prove off-putting.

Cars parked in parallel are parallel to the curb, in one line, with the front bumper of each facing the back bumper of the adjacent one.

On your test, the examiner will ask you to reverse into a space of about two car lengths, park as close as you can to the kerb safely, smoothly and under control. The examiner will want to see that you take good all round observation, do not get too close to the parked car, do not mount the kerb, and stop reasonably close to the kerb.

Remember - given time and practise you will be able to reverse into a space one and a half times the length of your car. As an initial step, you need to make your intentions clear. Slow down well before the parking space, and signal into the space. Get into reverse gear as quickly as possible, and the combination of reverse and brake lights will signal your intentions to drivers behind.

Then line up your car parallel with the vehicle in front of the parking space, making sure you are not too close to it. Next, turn the wheel one turn to the left. Look all around to see that it is safe to proceed, as good observation is essential.

Continually look over your left and right shoulder, using clutch control where necessary, to ensure there are no hazards such as pedestrians crossing.

Back up your vehicle so that the rear bumper enters the parking space first. When your car is at 45 degrees to the parking place, slow down, and start turning the steering wheel back to the right.

Continue reversing until the rear of your vehicle is about 2 feet from the kerb. Gradually turn the wheel towards the kerb to bring your vehicle in a straight line with the side of the road. Brake once your car occupies the middle of a parking space.

It is quite acceptable to move forward a small amount to complete the manoeuvre safely and ensure you are occupying the middle of the parking space.

Keep practising this skill until it becomes second nature.

How To Do A Hill Start

29 Jan 2009 14:30:23

A hill start, either moving off uphill or downhill is another of the set pieces featured in the practical driving test. Clutch control and balanced use of the accelerator, brakes and steering are vital in performing this manoeuvre successfully.

Don't let your car roll backwards if you are performing a hill start moving off uphill, or roll forwards if moving off downhill in your driving test, as this will be scored as a major or minor fault depending on the severity of the roll.

When the test examiner asks you to stop on the left hand side of the road, check your mirror and look for a safe and legal place to stop. Next check your interior and left hand mirror, indicate and pull in smoothly and gradually.

Stop with the front wheels pointing straight ahead, put on the handbrake, select neutral and cancel the indicator.

You will be expected to move off safely and under control.

First, if you are moving off uphill - depress the clutch and put the car in first gear. Rev the engine slightly more than if you were moving off on level ground. Hold your right foot still. Let the clutch up smoothly to the biting point. You need to let the clutch bite more than normal as you are on a hill, so that the car is pulling very slightly against the handbrake. You must make sure you do not let the clutch up too far, and leave the engine labouring. You can spot the right position using the following methods -

Note that the bonnet of the car lifts slightly

The rev counter reading will drop

The engine note will deepen.

Hold your feet still.

Check your interior and right mirror, your blind spot, and if clear, signal right and release the handbrake. Keep your feel still. The car should start moving slowly forward. Don't be tempted to turn the wheel yet.

Wait until the car has gained some speed, then let up the clutch smoothly and give it some more gas. Now check your outside mirror, your blind spot and move out to your normal position. If the clutch doesn't move forward on releasing the handbrake, let the clutch up slightly, so that it moves slowly forward. If it rolls back, you did not let the clutch up far enough when finding the biting point, so keep practising.

When moving off downhill, a different approach is required, with emphasis on the clutch and brake pedals, as well as the gears.

After following the same stopping procedure, and with the handbrake fully on, depress the clutch and put the car straight into second gear. Bring the clutch up until you hear the engine sound change, keeping your foot on the brake all the time. Release the handbrake, and bring the clutch slowly up, Let gravity do the hard work, and control your speed with the foot brake, bringing the clutch fully up as soon as possible. The steeper the gradient, the higher the gear you should start in. Before long you will have mastered the techniques of the hill start.

How To Do A Three Point Turn

29 Jan 2009 14:30:42

For many motorists, taking the driving test is but a distant memory, and all those skills carefully honed years ago have become very rusty. This video gives both the learner driver and the seasoned motorist easy to follow tips about making a three point turn in the road safely and smoothly.

In the driving test the examiner asks you to "turn the car round to face in the other direction using both forward and reverse gears, trying not to touch the kerb while turning". So it's all about proper use of the accelerator, clutch, brakes and steering. You will not be penalised if you do a five or seven point turn in a test, so long as you stay calm, keep looking around throughout the manoeuvre, show good observation, and be aware of other road users.

Make sure the place is safe, lawful and convenient. Set the accelerator, select first gear, find the biting point, check all around to ensure it is safe to move, release the handbrake, move off slowly and steer quickly to the right, with a full right lock. Squeeze the clutch down, steer back to the left, brake gently to stop, and put the handbrake on. Set the accelerator, select reverse gear, find the biting point, Look around to check all is clear. Release the handbrake, and move slowly back, steer quickly to the left, with a full left lock. Squeeze the clutch down, steer back to the left, brake gently to a stop and put the handbrake on. Set the accelerator, select first gear, find the biting point, look around to check all is clear, release the handbrake and move off slowly. Steer quickly to the right with a full right lock. Make sure you don't mount the kerb. If you are too close, stop and do more turns as before.

With everything in the right order and good observation throughout, you've turned the car round safely, smoothly and under control.

How To Change a Car Tyre / Wheel

29 Jan 2009 14:31:46

Follow these simple tips and you can change your own wheel in a jiffy without having to wait for the breakdown truck to arrive. To do this you must be prepared with all the necessary equipment. Apart from a working jack, and an inflated spare wheel with the legal amount of tread on the tyre, you'll need some gloves, a bit of old carpet to kneel on, a couple of small blocks of wood – 50mm square, a flat bed screwdriver, a pair of cutters or a sharp penknife and a wheelbrace.

Before you start, make sure the car is parked safely away from traffic. If you are on the edge of a busy road and the car cannot be moved, it is safer to get the breakdown services to repair it. Stop the car, switch on the hazard warning lights and set up your warning triangle, if you have one.It's straightforward enough to change a wheel, but there are many different types of jacks, and chances are if you have a relatively new car you won't have used it before. Get the manufacturers handbook ready in case you need to refer to it.

Step 1 – Turn off the engine, and locate the spare wheel.

Step 2 – Apply the handbrake, put the car in first gear if a manual transmission, or P if automatic, then use your blocks of wood to chock the wheel diagonally opposite the one being changed.

Step 3 – Put on your gloves, get out the spare wheel, vehicle jack and wheelbrace. They are generally found in or under the luggage area, but check your handbook if in doubt.

Step 4 – Lay your piece of carpet down next to the flat tyre. If you have one, remove the wheel trim. You may need to get your 15 blade swiss army knife out to cut the tie cables, or use a pair of cutters if you have them. Prise off the trim with a flat bed screwdriver. Using your wheelbrace, loosen each nut on the relevant wheel by about half a turn – you may need a special socket for any anti-theft bolts or nuts.

Step 5 – Slot or slide the jack head in or under the jacking point nearest the flat. A good tip is to slide the spare wheel under the car, close to the flat but away from the jack, just in case the jack slips. Raise the car jack until the tyre is at least 25 millimetres off the ground.

Step 6 – Remove the bolts and lift off the wheel. Drag out the spare wheel from under the car and put the flat tyre in its place.

Step 7 – Fit the spare wheel. Positioning the wheel can be tricky, as you have to support the weight at the same time. You could rest the wheel on your shoe to help manoeuvre it into position. Refit the nuts and tighten them until they are just holding the wheel firmly. Take the flat out from under the car, lower the jack and remove it.

Step 8 – Tighten one bolt securely using your wheelbrace, then tighten the one diagonally opposite. Tighten the remaining bolts in a similar way, then re-fit the wheel trim, if you have one.

Step 9 – When you've finished, put the spare wheel and any tools in their proper locations. Check the tyre pressure on your replacement, either with your own guage or at the first available garage. You should have the bolts tightened to their correct torque settings, but most people do not have a torque wrench, so a garage or tyre fitting depot can do this for you.

Step 10 – Finally, get that flat tyre repaired or replaced ASAP. You don't want to be driving around without a spare for any longer than necessary.

How To Prepare for a long car journey - How To prepare for a long car journey

29 Jan 2009 14:32:09

If you're about to set off on a long drive, there are three important steps you can take that can take the strain out of road trip.

Your preparation can be split into three stages.

Step 1 is about planning your journey.If you're deciding what time to set off, it's vital to know your route and factor in the time of day you're travelling and any possible delays for roadworks. Will you be travelling through busy towns at peak times such as rush hour. The big motoring organisations can offer on-line route planners. These have the advantage of offering you the chance to avoid specific places, and can give up to date information about local traffic problems. Don't forget to budget for comfort stops on your journey. Very few people can drive 400 miles without a break for the loo or a drink. For safety reasons, you are advised to have a break every two hours to avoid tiredness or concentration loss. If you have young children on board, add in extra time for those unscheduled stops. Some people embarking on long car journeys choose to drive at night when their kids are asleep. As a general rule set off in plenty of time, and be expect the unexpected
Step 2 is all about preparing the car. Most breakdowns happen because of inadequate car maintenance. Check the car thoroughly, starting with the tyres. Make sure your tyre tread is at least 1.6mm- the legal minimum, although 3mm is the recommended amount. And don't forget to check of aquaplaning in wet weather. Check the tyre pressure, remembering to factor in the number of passengers and the amount of luggage. Consult your car handbook for the correct pressures. And while you're checking the pressure on the spare tyre, make sure you have a working car jack and wheel spanner just in case! Next look under the bonnet, and check all the levels - water and oil need to be fully topped up to avoid overheating in a breakdown. Test the windscreen wipers, and check the screenwasher reservoir is full. The law requires all your lights to be in full working order.
Step 3 - Packing the car - If you can pack the car the night before setting off, that can reduce the chance of last minute panics. You don't want to set off on a long journey with a frazzled mind. Load the car so that the luggage is evenly distributed, and don't leave lose items lying around that can fly about in the event of sudden breaking. Finally, make sure your spare wheel is accessible, as unpacking the entire boot to reach it is an unattractive proposition on a dark and rainy day.

How To Clean The Interior of your Car

29 Jan 2009 14:32:55

Here's some tips on how to valet, or clean, the interior of your car. If possible choose a dry day, so that you can open all the doors and windows and allow the inside to air.

Apart from some cloths, a vacuum cleaner, a stiff brush,a chamois some old newspaper, some vinegar and interior cleaning liquid, the main ingredient is patience and hard work.

First, clean out all the rubbish from the floor, your eats and your ashtrays. Have a bin or bucket handy to put everything in. Pull out all the mats from the front and rear of your car, and give them a good shake. Time to get the vacuum cleaner out, with a suitable attachment for all the difficult to get to places, and thoroughly clean the floor, seats, both the back and the fabric of the seat itself, and any other fabric upholstery. Get all the dust out of the pockets in the doors, any sunken door handles you may have. Don?t forget to give your boot a thorough vacuum, too. Finally vacuum your mats carefully, picking up as much dust and grit as possible. If you still have some heavy duty marks left, get a stiff brush and some warm soapy water and scrub the mats. Do not put them back in the car until they are properly dry.

Back inside the car, treat any stains with a stain remover or carpet cleaner, and then clean any dust, fingermarks and grime off your dashboard, steering wheel, centre console and the inside of the doors with a damp cloth. Now it?s time to make the interior shine, using your dedicated cleaning fluid. Simply spray on all the relevant areas, leave for a few seconds, then wipe off and polish with a dry cloth. Finally, treat the inside of your windows to a sparkling clean look, using the simple but effective method of newspapers and vinegar. The newsprint combined with the vinegar will leave your windows clear and smear free.

How To Drive in Europe from the UK

29 Jan 2009 14:34:40

If you're planning a short trip over the channel from the UK or a longer vacation on the continent, there are several essential tips to take on board, so that you can drive safely and legally when you leave the UK.

Before you set off, ask yourself the question – Is my car safe to drive? Arrange a service if required, and check the oil levels, water and tyre pressures. Make your spare tyre is in good condition. If you're leaving the train or ferry on arrival in France, there are a few essential items of equipment to have on board – a red warning triangle, spare light bulbs, a torch and a first aid box. Other European countries require reflective jackets, headlight beam converters – always check before you set off. You'll also need your Passport, GB stickers for your car, your driving licence (both paper and plastic licences if you have them) vehicle registration documents and insurance documents it's important to make sure your insurance policy covers you while you are driving abroad in Europe. Contact your insurer if in any doubt.

So you're about to start the engine, head off up the ramp and explore the roads of Europe. You'll need to plan and know your route, so invest in a good European road atlas. If you have satellite navigation, make sure you've bought your European CD with you.

As you accelerate away from the terminal, you must be aware of local rules and speed limits. Fortunately many road signs are now international, so it won't do any harm to get a copy of the Highway Code out for the first time in 20 years and brush up on those road signs. Make sure you're driving on the right side of the road, which is the right. Many people leaving England forget this important rule, with potentially catastrophic results. There are basically 5 different speed limits in France when it's dry. The limits are lower in wet weather, but the normal ones to remember are 130 kilometers per hour on the autoroutes (about 80 miles per hour) 110 kph on dual carrigeways or non toll motorways, 80kph on the Perifique around Paris, 90kph outside built up areas, and 50kph in built up areas, which is similar to our own 30 miles per hour. Make sure you stick to these, as you don't want to have amassed "douze points" before you leave the outskirts of Boulogne!

When driving on motorways or autoroutes, the toll booths usually take credit cards and cash, but it's worth having a supply of Euros on hand in case they are cash only. On the toll roads, you usually get a ticket at the beginning and pay when you leave, although some have a flat fee for your journey.

A few important legalities to remember. In France, the minimum driving age is 18, and you must possess a full UK driving licence to drive. For the first two years after passing the driving test, new drivers are limited to the wet weather speed limits, so familiarise yourselves with these limits if you're in that category. Children must be over 10 to sit in the front seat, although babies up to the age of 9 months can occupy the front passenger seat in a rear facing car seat.

You may be going on a relaxing holiday with lots of opportunity to pick up cut price alcohol, but the old rule of never drink and drive applies as normal.

If you are unfortunate enough to break down, pull over to the right, put on your hazard lights and get your warning triangle out and on display. The emergency number in Europe is 112.

Take the time to prepare using this simple guide, and you can enjoy a safe trip.