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If you are a car owner, and most of you my readers are, you probably know that your clutch is not going to last forever. What is more, most of us owning a manual car are guilty of overusing the clutch, which leads to clutch failure and usually has to result in clutch replacement. We all need to remember that a manual car won’t drive with a malfunctioning clutch and it should be addressed as early as possible to avoid further damage to the car.

Due to the complicated nature of the clutch system itself, the repair is best left in the hands of qualified mechanics. Unless you are one yourself, you will need to go to your local garage for your clutch replacement where the problem of your clutch should be addressed immediately.

If you suspect that something might be wrong with the clutch, but your car still drives, it is always to address the problem as early as possible before your car stops working completely. If you can take your vehicle to your garage you will be able to save tons of money this way. Clutch problems can be easily avoided with regular maintenance, regular check-ups and proper use of the clutch, something that might not be that natural to us. If you are tempted to wait at a junction or roundabout at the biting point, you might want to rethink your strategy especially if it takes you a long time to join the traffic and you stay on the clutch for too long. It is often better to simply put your handbrake on, clutch down, wait for a gap in the traffic and then quickly find the biting point and move off.

I hope that in this article I was able to shed some light on all possible problems you can encounter while using the clutch in your car. In case you have any doubts, you might want to contact your local garage and allow them to carry out an inspection that can reveal whether there is a problem with your clutch or whether there is something else that might be causing your car to malfunction.

As much as they may annoy us and seemingly slow down our journeys, traffic lights are in place for good reason. The red light actually helps us steer clear of long traffic queues and aid us on busy dual carriageways and roundabouts. Sometimes however, these lights can malfunction, causing a significant danger to road users – in such situations, it’s important that drivers know how to react and deal with the situation calmly.

Data shows that this situation is more common than people think – in Merseyside alone there were 120 road accidents caused from 2010-2016 as a direct result of faulty lights. In Surrey, this number was even higher, with 140 accidents caused. A traffic light can fail for a number of reasons, but most broken lights stem from a faulty electric connection. This article aims to explore what drivers should do if they encounter a broken traffic signal, so that they can make informed, safe and smart decisions if the situation ever arises.

Safe driving

If you are driving and realise that you are approaching a faulty light, the best thing to do is to bring the car to a stop and treat it as though you are approaching a red light. Then, it’s important to follow the right-of-way laws. The Highway Code states that you should treat the situation in the same way you would an unmarked junction and proceed with great care. The will help to ensure both you and your fellow road users can carry on your journeys safely.

Safe judgement

Using your common sense in a situation like this is key. In an article on the BBC, Vince Yearly of the Institute of Advanced Motorists said: “It’s a tricky one because the absolute copper-bottom rule is that the red light must be obeyed. However, if you’ve been sitting there for a few minutes and it’s become fairly obvious the lights aren’t changing then you’ve got to reconsider.

“So, if you can see ahead of you quite clearly and ideally see the other set of lights or the back of them, I would lower my window a little to hear if there’s anything moving in your vicinity. Then put your lights on and very tentatively and cautiously start to make your way forward.”

Although Yearly does admit that his answer isn’t scientific, it has been advised that you should wait for at least four minutes before deciding to move on.

Who to contact

As soon as you have a safe opportunity, it’s important to contact the local authorities to report the broken traffic signal. The reason these signals are in place are to stop traffic where it may not have originally stopped, so if they aren’t working, chances are that people won’t stop. This can be extremely dangerous, so it’s important that the those who take care of the roads know about any issues. You can contact your local authorities to inform them about your discovering by telephone or online alternatives.

Malfunctioning traffic lights not only slow down our journeys, they also represent a significant danger to all drivers, leading to increased risk of accident and traffic build up. With so many cars on the roads nowadays, it’s best to report problems as soon as you can – following these steps will help to limit any disruption and keep you safe on your journeys.

Sources

https://portal.southtyneside.info/eservices/frmHomepage.aspx?FunctionId=127

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/derby/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8741000/8741601.stm

https://nytrafficticket.com/what-to-do-when-approaching-a-broken-traffic-light/

https://www.gov.uk/search?q=Laws+RTA+1988+sect+36+%26+TSRGD+regs+10+%26+36&filter_manual%5B%5D=%2Fguidance%2Fthe-highway-code

https://www.accidentadvicehelpline.co.uk/blog/compensation-accident-caused-faulty-traffic-lights/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8291323/Teenager-killed-after-a-slug-causes-traffic-light-failure.html

I know several people who are proud owners of alloy wheels. I have to say that I completely understand them and I am myself considering upgrading my set of wheels to something called alloy wheels that can come in the form of second hand alloy wheels. Here are some benefits of having alloy wheels including bmw alloy wheels:

1. They will make your car look sportier. Yes, this is true and this is probably one of the biggest reasons people buy them and I can definitely support that. After all, there is nothing wrong about wanting to upgrade your ride the way you want it.
2. Your car will be easier to handle and you will see the difference while driving. What better way to add to your confidence as a driver than giving yourself a car that you actually enjoy? the price to pay for your new comfort is small and many drivers decide to go for it seeing many possible benefits of having alloy wheels.

Above are only some of the benefits to owning this type of wheels. I am sure that there are more of them. When buying used alloy wheels make sure that you are aware of various replicas that find their way to the market and that might be suspiciously cheap. While they might look attractive at a first glance, in reality replica alloy wheels are nothing to be proud of as they might do more harm than good to your car.

After buying your alloy wheels make sure that you find somebody competent who is able to install them. Unless you are absolutely sure that you are able to do so yourself, don’t attempt to install the wheels on your own. Asking a qualified mechanic for help might be something that you will want to do as this way you can be absolutely sure that you are doing the right thing. After the job is already done, all you will have to do is making sure that you enjoy driving with your new alloy wheels and that you take care of them properly so that they serve you for a long time without any problems.

In some occasions, the you’ll automatically be issued with a Blue Badge if you receive a mobility allowance. Having a Blue Badge if you are a disabled driver can open you up to a wide range of opportunities. An example of this is that it enables you to park nearer your destination even if you’re not the driver of the vehicle. Usually, your badge will be issued by your local council for £10 and last for three years. However, in an instance that your mobility allowance comes to an end before the three-year period ends, your Blue Badge will coincide with this. Alongside Blue Badges, mobility allowance can also be a good way to find yourself perfect Motability deals.

There are a host of rights and responsibilities you must be aware of if you are the owner of a Blue Badge. Here, alongside Lookers, who provide a variety of car servicing plans, we will run through all the necessary information to make sure you’re in the know:

Do I qualify for a Blue Badge?

You must be over two years old to qualify and there are five reasons which will allow you to qualify automatically:

• You receive a War Pensioner’s Mobility supplement
• You have been given a sum by the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme and have been registered with a substantial and permanent disability
• You receive a higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• You get a Personal Independence Payment which shows an eligible descriptor of the ‘moving around’ activity of the mobility component
• You are registered blind

You may also qualify for a Blue Badge however if you:

• Have a terminal illness which interferes with your ability to walk and has led to you being issued with a DS1500
• Have a substantial or permanent disability that means you can’t, or it’s very difficult to walk
• Regularly drive a vehicle and have severe disabilities with your arms

How can I apply for a Blue Badge?

You will need to provide an up-to-date photo, proof of identification, proof of address and, if you’re automatically eligible, your original decision letter from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). It’s also important to have your National Insurance number to hand if you’re applying for yourself, or a child reference number if the application is for an infant. If you already have a driving licence, you’ll be required to provide your details alongside the number, local council and expiry date on your current Blue Badge — if you own one.

If you don’t automatically qualify, you’ll need to fill in an additional section on the form. You should hear back from your council within six to eight weeks and you may be asked to do a mobility assessment or to send extra information before you are granted with the badge. If for whatever reason you are refused, you can ask for the decision to be reconsidered. To apply when you’re automatically eligible is straightforward and you can fill in the form online, or by contacting your local council.

Where am I able to use my Blue Badge?

If you hold a Blue Badge, you are allowed to park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours if you aren’t blocking any loading or unloading areas. It’s vital that you display your blue parking clock for any wardens to see what time you arrived.

However, it’s important to remember that being the owner of a Blue Badge doesn’t give you free reign on where you can park. Similarly, if you’re not the driver, you must make sure whoever is behind the wheel also knows this. It is only intended for on-street parking, with off-street car parks such as supermarkets spaces being governed by separate rules. You must make sure you do not park anywhere which could cause an obstruction or be a danger to other road users. Doing so may result in a Penalty Charge Notice being handed out, or worse yet your vehicle may be removed.

Make sure you check with any off-street car park establishments on their status and never assume you can park for free. Doing so may result in a nasty surprise. When it comes to parking in a zone which is covered by parking meters and pay-and-display machines, your badge allows you to park free of charge for as long as is required. This also goes for disabled parking bays, unless it states otherwise.

If you’re intending to travel outside of England, but still within the UK, make sure you check what the country’s concessions are. The same goes for travelling in London — check with Transport for London for further information. This is due to the fact the scheme doesn’t fully apply in the City of London, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and part of the London Borough of Camden.

Who can use my badge?

If you’re not in the car, no one else is allowed to use your badge – even if they are visiting you. Also, although it’s not illegal to do so, you shouldn’t sit in the car while someone else takes advantage of the badge’s benefits.

Simply put, if you’re in the vehicle, either as the driver or a passenger, anyone is able to use it. However, misuse is illegal. If the badge is used without you in attendance, the user could be fined up to £1,000 and the badge may be confiscated. If you are a passenger, it’s your responsibility to make sure that the driver is aware of any rules laid out.

Is there a correct way to display my badge?

You should display your badge on the dashboard or facia panel of your vehicle so it’s easily read through your front windscreen. Your photograph should not be visible, however, and you should ensure that all details remain legible. It’s your responsibility to make sure the badge is visible to any traffic warden that may pass your vehicle.

Is it possible to use the badge abroad?

At present, there isn’t an arrangement in place that would enable you to use your badge outside of the EU in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is possible however to use your badge if you’re travelling to certain locations abroad as it’s recognised throughout the European Union (EU). However, it must be noted that the concessions provided may not be the same as those in the UK.

How do I reapply for my badge?

You can renew your badge online. You will also receive a letter from the Blue Badge Improvement Service to remind you it’s time to renew. It’s recommended to reapply for your badge well before its expiry date; if it expires, you may be fined if you continue to use it.

While the above highlights that the Blue Badge is an extremely useful tool to help you continue your everyday life, make sure you take note of where you can and can’t use it to make sure you aren’t stung be any unwanted fines!

Sources

https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category/727/using-your-blue-badge

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/help-for-disabled-travellers1/blue-badge-scheme/applying-for-a-blue-badge/

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/638526/blue-badge-rights-responsibilities.pdf

David Brabham, son of renowned three-time Formula 1 champion Sir Jack Brabham, has revealed that his family plans on taking the recently resurrected brand into the arena of road cars.

Brabham unveiled earlier this year the track-only BT62 supercar, the very first car to wear the illustrious Brabham name since its BT60B F1 car in 1992. As of the moment, the BT62 remains to be a track-only vehicle, strictly. This means that for now the vehicle is not plagued with any restrictions that usually concerns racing series. It is also not being imposed with any road regulations. However, the car is only the beginning of a planned line of variants that Brabham is planning on pushing through production.

Formally launched in May, the company has demonstrated that BT62 was intended as a track only. However, the company has expressed the intent to go racing. They have plans to go to the road too. What the company needs for the meantime though, is the time to mature and to grow. For now, these are dreams that the company is striving for as it works towards earning back its place in the annals of F1 history.

The very first deliberate move that Brabham made is to aim for a track-day car. This is something quite similar to Ferrari’s FXX-K, Aston Martin’s Vulcan, and McLaren’s P1 GTR. What the company is intending to do is provide the necessary base that will allow them to build upon any future endeavours. At the same time, they aim at doing this while avoiding the usual hefty investment that any full-blown race program or regulated road car would usually bring.

What the Brabham DNA is known for has always been racing. This is why the company wants to come up with something- a product that will relate to racing more than anything else. The BT62 is fast. It does not hurt that it looks great too. Its next variants can even be aimed at racing. However, to just go straight to the production of a road car would mean massive investments. As of the moment, the company does not feel that the strategy is right as of now.

Brabham’s BT62 currently costs £1 million. It churns out 700 hp and a torque of 492 pound-feet with a V8 engine that has a 5.4-litre capacity. Its downforce is quite impressive at 1,200 kgs. Every corner of the vehicle is adorned with Michelin tires. The same is true with its carbon brakes, which are F1- graded. Learn more about the legend and tradition left behind by Sir Jack Brabham in his obituary.

So, you’ve just passed your driving test.Congratulations, passing it might not have been easy, even if you practiced a lot before the test. It is true that some people take a bit longer to learn, but in the end what matters is that you finally have that licence. Now all you need to do is to be able to drive some wheels, and it shouldn’t be such a difficult task.

When it comes to cars you can buy on the market, you either have an option to buy a brand new car, or go for something that has been used by somebody else. My personal choice is to always go for used cars such as used cars in Kansas City. Below you will find a few reasons why getting a used car instead of a new one might prove to be a better choice:

1. When your budget is rather limited, by opting for used cars will open a wider range of cars. You can even drive something that is high quality without spending too much on it.This can be especially true if you want to impress your friends with the sort of car you drive. They don’t have to know how old it actually is. All that matters is that it looks good and drives smoothly.

2. New cars lose a lot of their value during the first few months of driving. If you have just passed your test and you are unsure whether or not you are going to be a good driver, it is a smart move to go for a used vehicle. You never know how much damage you are going to cause in your car, so it’s always better to drive something older that you cannot damage too much.

3. If you enjoy negotiating and dealing with people, you will enjoy the fact that there is for room for negotiations with your local dealership. It might not always be the case, but it is definitely worth trying.

When you are a car enthusiast just like I am, you like to tinker with cars from time to time or on a regular basis. You might be able to do it from the convenience of your own garage, or you might be forced to do it somewhere else further away. Whatever your reason for tinkering with cars is, having many spare car parts lying around might be your reality. Your family might be alright with it, but if they are not, you might want to find that extra space you need in order to hide your precious car parts that you might need at a later time. Here are some ideas on how to make it happen:

1. Consider using your garden shed for that extra space you need. It is especially useful in the summer when the weather is not likely to cause corrosion to your spare car parts. If you plan on storing the parts for longer, you might discover that this is not an option for you and you might need to be looking for other solutions that will allow you to accomplish what you want.

2. If you know that there are some car parts that will be with you for longer, you might want to consider storing them in places such as public storage fort lauderdale. One obvious advantage of storing them in such a place is that you will be able to have the peace of mind that your car parts are stored in an air -conditioned place and that no corrosion is going to occur there. Also, you can have easy access to your parts at any time you wish as you are the one with the key to your storage unit.

3. Your last option is to look carefully at your car parts and sell or dispose of those you no longer need. I am sure that there are many parts in your possession that are not usable anymore and therefore should be disposed of. Just make sure that you follow the local guidelines when it comes to disposing of such parts safely and you should be absolutely fine.

It’s official: black has returned as the nation’s favourite car colour. A report by the SMMT in January 2018 confirmed the news, with 515,970 new registrations reported last year, representing a 20.3% market share. The findings show a 0.2% increase from 2016 and this is expected to rise further in the coming years. Grey also showed some improvements, taking the second place slot with a 2.4% increase compared to 2016. White cars were shown to be losing out, with a 1.5% decrease in market share with just 482,099 new registrations.

So, how has the UK’s most popular car colour changed over the decades? Used car specialists Grange are here to investigate:

Our favourite car colours through time:

Let’s start by taking a look at the top five most popular car colours in the UK according to the SMMT and comparing them to the most popular colours of 2007 and 1997:

2017

2007

1997

Exploring the findings:

The three tables above show that black has been steadily increasing in popularity for a while now. In fact, black didn’t even make the list in 1997, meaning that black has rapidly climbed up the rankings.

When reporting on the most popular car colours of 2017, the SMMT noted that black did not rank in the top five until 1998. From 1998 until 2001 however, it was the fifth most popular colour for registrations, before jumping up the ranks to become the third most popular colour from 2002-2005. Black was the second most popular colour from 2006-2008, before finally taking the number one spot from 2009-2012 and then again in 2017 (it fell to the number two position again in 2013 and 2016).

It would seem that grey may be one to watch however, especially in terms of the Land Rover Barnet ever since the tone took the second place position last year, despite not being in the top five in either 1997 or 2007.

The SMMT did record that grey was the fifth most popular colour for new registrations in 2003, before rising to fourth place from 2004-2013 without hinderance. Grey rose once more to take up the third place spot from 2014-2016 and is now just one place behind black in the popularity rankings. This rise in popularity is comparable to how black rose in popularity across the decades.

When looking at the charts above, you may be wondering what happened to the colour red when it comes to choosing a car colour? In 1997, red was the most popular tone for all cars in the UK, yet it didn’t rank at all in 2017. Data shows that red was in sixth place, with 251,104 new registrations and a 9.9% market share – this represents the first time that red hasn’t placed in the top five since 2012!

There will certainly be some colours which stand the test of time however, due to people associating them with certain brands of car – even if their numbers do fall.

Despite the decline in popularity of the colour red in the UK, many people still think of this colour whenever someone mentions Ferrari. This shouldn’t come as a surprise though – Ferrari has previously stated that a huge 85% of all Ferraris made in the early 1990s were requested with red liveries.

How many of our readers would select a new Aston Martin in silver? This shade has historically been associated with cars made by this British car manufacturer, in part thanks to the Aston Martin DB8 having Silver Birch paint and being driven by our favourite secret agent, James Bond, in many films.

Sources:

https://www.smmt.co.uk/2018/01/black-back-uks-favourite-new-car-colour/

https://www.smmt.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/Motor-Industry-Facts-2008.pdf

https://auto.ferrari.com/en_EN/news-events/news/more-than-just-red/

It is never fun to have to spend money fixing your vehicle. However, our vehicles are very important for getting to and from work and many other places each day. We need to take care of our cars because we depend on them so much. Getting auto body repairs or mechanic work done on your car can be very expensive. If you don’t know much about fixing a car yourself, you might be worried that you will be taken advantage of. Below are some tips for finding a reputable auto repair shop St. Peters MO to hire, such as the one found at www.bellandosbornautobody.com.

Ask Someone You Trust

If you are in the market for a new body shop or mechanic, the first thing you should do is ask for recommendations from people you know and trust. They might have a shop in mind that they have used before and trust. When you get a referral by word-of-mouth, you will be able to feel better about the shop you go to.

Search Before An Emergency

It can be really stressful to try and find a shop to use when time is of the essence. This is why it could be very beneficial to you to shop around for a place to take your vehicle beforehand. This way, when you get into trouble and need help, you already have a shop ready to visit.

Don’t Choose Based On Price

Cost alone should never be your determining factor. You may want to search for the shop that will save you the most money. However, the lowest cost may also come with less-than-stellar work. Alternately, the shop that charges more than other shops that are local may not offer the best level of service either.

Finding an auto body shop that you can use and trust is not always the easiest thing to do. However, when you rely on your vehicle for many important things, it needs to be done. Once you find a good shop you enjoy using, you will always know where you need to go.

Mostly the ATVs are seen driving around for recreational or commercial purposes. These rides are very common in various countries especially for the recreational use. ATV stand for All-Terrain Vehicle and it also serves the same purpose. There are variety of models and styles which are designed for different purposes. ATVs are designed for street legal use but generally they are for off-road or for private use. They have low pressure tires, a seat and handlebars. Not only for the fun times, these rides are also used for other tasks like hunting, mowing, transporting material etc.

There are various models and categories of ATVs available in the market. You can choose to buy a new one or an old one from different dealers. There are many ATV UTV Trader present in the market who sell the vehicle as per the requirement. If you are someone who wants to know if the ATV is going to serve you well or not, you should first get an old one instead of investing in a new. There are various trader publications that come in both paper and online formats. The trader publications are a great source for consumers who are looking to purchase different kinds of new and used vehicles. Not only that there are also used parts and accessories available as well. These publications are also a great source when you are looking to sell your machines or other items.

There are some great trader websites where you can find surely great used ATVs, UTVs, four-wheelers, sand rails, dune buggies and golf carts. Along with all these items you will also find listings for trailers to upgrade your rides. Cycletrader publications are primarily dealing with motorcycle sales but do not carry some all-terrain vehicles and UTVs. Chevy Truck Traders is one of the several truck traders which you can check out if you are looking for an old or used truck. Despite being used, all these vehicles are in good condition and can be purchased from these authorized traders. ATVTrader publications and UTV trader publications including ATVtrader.com are indeed a great way to find new and used ATVs, UTVs, four-wheelers, sand rails, dune buggies and golf carts. Other traders include Illinois Auto & RV trader, Indian Auto & RV trader, Michigan Auto Trader ATV & RV and several others. Nearly every state has its own trader publication where the customers can buy and sell trucks, cars, motorcycles, trailers, ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, and several other used and new vehicles. You will find many ATV UTV traders in the offline and online publications.

These trader publications come in handy for both sellers and the buyers. If you want to sell your old ATV, save the money and then buy another vehicle later on, these sites are the best opportunity for you too. There are local trader or a specific trader publication regarding RV or ATV publications. Like ATV trader, UTV trader, or Chevy truck trader, there are many other publishers who can find you your next ride.