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Experts are warning that the hike in fuel duty taking place this week by 2.3 pence per litre could be the start of significant increases on the way as crude oil increases in cost and the reduced rate VAT is set to end. The RAC predict that pump prices could return to the levels of summer 2008 at around £1.20 litre. So if you are thinking of changing your car you should make sure that you take a close look at fuel consumption, there is no longer the clear distinction between petrol and diesel. By Graham Hill

We are hopefully seeing some green shoots of economic recovery in various parts of the world. In the UK we paid off more than we borrowed last month for the first time ever and house prices are starting to rise but company closures and redundancies are still running at a high level and will probably do so for some time as we bump along waiting for the sustained upsurge in the UK and world economy. This means that many more of the population will continue to Read more »

It looks as though local councils are now to launch the publicised workplace parking levy. First to make the move is Nottingham City Council, much to the annoyance of one of their biggest employers, Boots, who have 3,000 affected parking places that will incur an annual charge of £253 per car rising to £350 per car after 2 years. The rule, approved by the government to start from Read more »

If you drive a diesel car you probably know that it is fitted with a particulate filter. It is there to remove the dangerous particulates from the emission gasses. Some believe that particulates cause more damage to the environment than CO2, hence the importance of having particulate filters fitted. But they are prone to clog up with the particulates, however, they are made to effectively self clean. It is important that you Read more »

Thinking of selling your car and taking out a lease on a new car? Well, according to Manheim, the car auction house, now is a good time for you to sell you car as used car prices have been shooting up recently. An 8 month old ex rental car with less than 8,000 miles on is now fetching £2,200 more than it was a year ago. Manheim auctions increased their average sale price by 4% in July over June whilst British Car Auctions saw a 3% increase. Year on year prices are up by Read more »

This is becoming a real technology week, we’re now onto Sat Navs that save you fuel! Yep, I kid you not. Whilst the sat nav on my last car, a BMW 7 Series, insisted on taking me round in a complete circle in the middle of London for a good ¾ hour last Christmas and after averting a traffic jam on the M25, on many occasions, insisted on re-routing me straight back into the midst of the logjam, they think they have the technology to calculate the route that saves most fuel! Bosch are currently Read more »

Just as I see many more manufacturers embrace the ESP/ESC safety systems that help you to avoid an accident a new one emerges called FlexRay which is apparently set to become the new standard in safety devices moving us closer to the time when we don’t actually have to drive cars, just programme them and they get on and do it whilst we sit back and enjoy our freshly brewed Earl Grey and munch on a few choccy Hob Nobs whilst reading my blog FAQ’s received via your communications interface. It may all seem Read more »

If you are a formula 1 fan like me you will often hear comments being made about tyre temperature and its effect on grip. Well it’s not surprising to learn that weather conditions can not only affect the handling of the car but also the fuel consumption. In wet weather grip decreases but did you know that fuel consumption increases by up to 10% in a downpour, so best you stay at home when it’s raining hard. Also grip increases in hot weather but fuel consumption drops by 1-2% for every 5 degree Centigrade increase in temperature.  By Graham Hill

Thinking of taking a used car next time? Over 8 million drivers do each year. The reasons for moving from a new car to a used car vary, maybe you’ve lost your company car through redundancy or a cash for car scheme or maybe you have seen the low prices that 2 and 3 year old cars have fallen to and would look to save some money, but after a friend of mine lost his Renault Megane for nearly two days in order to have his clutch replaced it reminded me that we are living in a throwaway society. Things don’t Read more »

A warning to business users has been issued regarding proposed changes to the way that leases are accounted for. Currently if you lease a car the cost simply appears as an expense in the profit and loss account and notes regarding commitments in the accounts notes. However, new accounting proposals will see all leased assets appear on the balance sheet as Read more »