Oils and Fluids
Save money and check oil before going on holiday
Contrary to popular belief, all engines consume oil, even when in good condition; the rate at which they do so varies, however. The result is that the oil level drops within the sump. Yet, providing that it does not fall below the ‘minimum’ mark on the dipstick, engine damage is unlikely to occur. Not every […]
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Get the basics right before you drive with GEM’s new ‘how to’ videos
There’s now no excuse to avoid these quick, basic tasks that will help keep you safe and save you money! Simple car maintenance tips will help you steer clear of trouble on the road GEM Motoring Assist has published a brand new series of short ‘how to’ videos that set out the basics of […]
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AdBlue tips
Whether you own a modern Euro 6 diesel, or you lease/hire one, you will notice that you have to add another fluid to the car, other than petrol and (possibly) oil. AdBlue is a harmless solution, made mainly of pure water and urea. It is injected into the exhaust system to reduce the harmful NOx […]
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Is your antifreeze eating your engine?
As we start to look forward to spring, you may think that antifreeze does not matter any more. Indeed, the coolant within your engine has many properties. Yes, it cools the engine but it also possesses an anti-corrosion property. These additives diminish gradually over time, until either corrosion, or decomposing coolant, causes a blockage and […]
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Brake fluid testers
Technology is a wonderful thing – in many cases, it has made tools that were once solely the preserve of the professionals more accessible to the enthusiastic car owner. A particular example of which is DIY brake fluid tools. Yet, we advise that you must buy with care. The dangers of old brake fluid […]
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Will the new Green E10 petrol cost you dear?
The government consultation (which lasted for fewer than two months) closed on the 16th September. In it, the Department of Transport (DfT) sought public feedback on whether and how to introduce E10 petrol in the UK, in what way to label the new fuel, plus for how long a continued supply of the ‘traditional’ E5 […]
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Level checks – heed the Max
While ensuring correct fluid levels is vital for year-round reliability, a useful reminder to help prevent a ruined summer holiday is to make sure that your car is in good health, prior to venturing on a long journey. Yet, while levels should not be permitted to fall below any ‘minimum’ marks, it is essential to […]
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My toolbox – Gunson Tools One Man Eezibleed kit
While not trying to get too philosophical, everything has a finite life and one of the most useful items in my toolbox has just bitten-the-dust. My Gunson’s one man brake ‘Eezibleed’ kit has been dispatched to landfill after eight years of renewing the fluid from the brake and clutch systems of the ten cars that […]
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Diesel Particulate Filter introduced for petrols
Despite the heavy criticisms that have been directed at diesel engines in the past few years, the fuel still offers advantages. Recently, I liaised with a committee that influences the UK government’s air quality policies, which recommends the diesel scrappage scheme (of which I do not approve, as written here). I queried, if people scrap […]
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Watch out for the expensive refuelling mistake…
Especially at this time of year, most of our minds are focussed on other things. Therefore, it is easy to drift into ‘auto-pilot’, when conducting some of most simple tasks. Refuelling is a case in point. OSV, the vehicle supply professionals, surveyed 500 people and found that, while men were more likely to fill a […]
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