The Best Car Finance Blog In The World

Are we slowing down on our roads? The number of drivers being issued with speeding tickets generated by speed cameras suggests that we are. In 2008 the number of tickets dropped to 1.2 million compared to 1.9 million in 2004 and it is being predicted that the 2009 figures will be down to below the 2001 figure of 1.1 million. There are a number of reasons being suggested for this sharp fall. First of all the way the Read more »

It’s gadget time again! Just as I was adjusting myself to touch screen technology in cars with the new touch screens able to control the sat nav, heating system, on board computer and stereo I’m told it is now old hat! The new technology about to be introduced is hover technology whereby you simply hover your finger over the key you would have previously touched on the screen and the screen senses it Read more »

You know what it’s like when you come to a set of traffic lights that have stopped working, from my experience it causes total confusion because there is no specific right of way for drivers and pedestrians appear to close their eyes and run across the road in blind hope of reaching the other side. It’s a nightmare, fortunately most pedestrians seem to have an overwhelming will to live so they use a sixth sense Read more »

Cars are getting wider and the question is being asked why? Are the manufacturers on a mission to increase replacement door mirrors after they are pretty much smashed to pieces after being clipped by an oncoming car, in ever tighter roads carrying bus lanes and cycle lanes? It certainly seems that way. Or is there another reason? No one seems to know, it is either a bit of subterfuge as I’ve suggested or are they all Read more »

If you have a friend or family member likely to take their driving test this year they may need to get a move on and get it done by October when the test gets a lot tougher. The biggest change to the current test will be the need to drive the car around a town simply following road signs in order to promote ‘independent decision making’ in new drivers. This new part of the test is seen as ‘effortful, mentally demanding Read more »

The recent problems experienced by Toyota have raised the question of safety in cars and should drivers and manufacturers be spending more time and effort on safety equipment than adjustable cup holders and refrigerated glove compartments (could never quite work that one out – cold gloves?). Clearly the answer is yes. There are more people travelling in cars than on aircraft but those piloting the planes are Read more »

The 2010 What Car and J D Power Ownership Satisfaction Survey is out now and available in the July issue of What Car. The survey arrives at its findings after analysing returns from 17,200 motorists travelling a total of 300 million miles in their cars. 104 models from 27 manufacturers have been rated with every aspect of owning scrutinised. The satisfaction percentage score is made up of four sections. Read more »

The key is – well, in the key, according to some road safety experts. We already have keys that chat away to the car’s engine management systems and record service information then transmit it to your local dealer. We now have an Alco-Lock which requires the driver to blow into the key and if they are over the limit the key won’t allow them to drive by locking up the immobiliser. Until the reading drops below the Read more »

Recent discussions regarding the use of winter tyres in the UK following our harsh winter has spurred on many to provide more advice suggesting that winter tyres may not be necessary if drivers simply treated tyres with a little more respect. Simple maintenance such as the regular checking of pressures would be a start. The National Tyre Distributors Association have followed up with the following points when replacing tyres:

• Tyre size markings across an axle must be identical.
•  Tyre construction across an axle must be the same
• The load index must be equal or be higher than the manufacturer approved tyre for the vehicle
• It is recommended that the speed rating is either equal or greater than the original approved tyre.
• Mud and snow – winter tyres should ideally be fitted in complete sets and should not be mixed with other tyre types across an axle.
• It is recommended that when fitting two new tyres, they are fitted to the rear axle unless rear tyres are a different size to the fronts or the vehicle manufacturer’s handbook states otherwise.
• There may be special dimensional requirements preventing the mixing of tyres such as 4WD vehicles. 

I know I have provided this information before but do you know what the markings mean on a tyre? Lets take a tyre that reads 195/65 R 15 91 H. Here’s what the markings mean: 

195 : The width of the tyre in mm, also called the section width.
65 : The aspect ratio is the ratio between the sidewall height (side of the tyre) and the width of the tyre. It is expressed as a percentage.
R : The type of construction (R for radial).
15 : The internal diameter of the rim in inches.
91 : A tyre’s load rating is identified by a number and corresponds to the maximum load the tyre can withstand at maximum pressure.
H : Speed rating (also known as Performance Index). Indicates the maximum speed at which the tyre can bear a load corresponding to its load rating 

For more information on the tyre markings visit any of the major tyre fitter websites. By Graham Hill

Related articles by Zemanta

• How to Change a Flat Tyre on a Car (athingforcars.com)

After Christmas we are now about to hit the highest drink drive season. Long warm evenings beckon and the incidence of drink driving increases but where in the country are you most likely to be tested, where are most of the drunks driving around in their cars and where are the least offenders? I have the answer from the Home Office. You are most likely to be tested in Wales, most offenders are caught in Cheshire Read more »