Skoda offers it's customers a £30 Summer Health Check, with a free PicNic Blanket and driving guide thrown in.

• Peace of mind for ŠKODA customers with Summer Health Check
• Fully-trained technicians check tyres, lights, brakes, battery, air-con and fluids for just £30
• Complimentary picnic blanket and a European driving guide included

With summer holidays in full swing, ŠKODA is offering customers motoring peace of mind with a stress-free Summer Health Check. As thousands of families pack up the car for every possible eventuality this summer, ŠKODA wants to remind customers that checking the health of their vehicle is just as important as remembering to charge the iPads.

For just £30, ŠKODA customers can book their car in at one of ŠKODA's retailers across the UK for a Summer Health Check delivered by fully-trained technicians. No detail is too small for the team as they carry out a check on tyres, lights, brakes, battery, air-conditioning system and fluids.

The Summer Health Check also includes a complimentary ŠKODA picnic blanket worth £15, perfect for holiday picnics on the beach. And for those unsure what in-car items are required by law when driving abroad, ŠKODA’s free European driving guide has all the answers. Whether it’s a GB sticker, a warning triangle or fluorescent vests, all can be purchased from local ŠKODA retailers.

Warren Richards, Head of Service and Parts Operations at ŠKODA UK said, "Families will be packing up the car ready for holidays all over the UK in the coming week. Our Health Check gives our customers peace of mind that their vehicle is in perfect condition."

"Customers can rely on our fully-trained technicians to deliver an outstanding service and a hassle-free experience. Our technicians focus on the areas most likely to have suffered wear and tear in between recommended service intervals such as brakes and tyres, which can play on motorists' mind during long journeys.”

Servicing, Tyres, Accessories and more, with Vauxhall, you can pay over three months at 0%apr.

• Repairs, servicing, tyres and accessories can be spread across three months
• Servicing and repairs completed by Vauxhall technicians with genuine parts

Vauxhall is giving its customers even more choice with a zero per cent finance* offering. Savvy customers can now spread the cost of their repairs, servicing or tyre replacements over three months at no extra charge. 

Available at selected Vauxhall retailers, the finance option enables the customer to make the purchase and allows them to leave with confidence that their Vauxhall is in the best possible. 

Allowing them to leave with confidence that their Vauxhall is in the best possible condition.

“We know that our customers like flexibility when looking after their Vauxhall,” said Alexander Shields, Vauxhall’s Aftersales Business Operations Manager. “This finance offer allows customers to be even smarter with their money when it comes to planning their service and maintenance requirements.”

“Even if unexpected repairs are identified during the complimentary Vehicle Health Check that we carry out as duty of care to our customers, the customer is still in control and can choose to drive now and pay later.

“All work is carried out by our fully-trained Vauxhall technicians using genuine Vauxhall parts, offering customers peace-of-mind that their Vauxhall is in the safest hands.”

Vauxhall’s zero per cent finance is available on different types of work, such as servicing, repairs, accident repair, smart repair, tyres and accessories. For more information about the aftersales finance offer, please contact your local Vauxhall retailer.

*Finance provided by Auto Service Finance Limited. Not everyone who applies for a loan will be funded, all loans are subject to affordability and other checks, including use of Credit Reference Agency data. Minimum loan is £100 and you must be aged 18 years or over. Finance subject to zero per cent APR. Finance agreement and full Ts&Cs available on application in retailer. Vauxhall and retailers reserve the right to reject applications or credit at any time.

Yes you can see right, the Lexus NX does have sold ice wheels and tyres, and yes it is being driven.

• The concept of driving on ice has taken on a whole new meaning for Lexus, which has crafted the world’s first set of working wheels and tyres made from frozen water.

True to its mission of “creating amazing” and inspired by the craftsmanship that goes into every vehicle it makes, Lexus commissioned a team of ice sculpture specialists to explore how ice could be used in place of conventional alloy metal and rubber.

After three months’ research, design and testing, the finished wheels were fitted to a Lexus NX for the ultimate ice drive. The car itself was deep-frozen, stored for five days at -30°C (it started first time) before being driven off down a London road.

 

The addition of in-wheel LED lighting added an extra dramatic dimension to the cutting-edge contemporary styling of the NX.

SPAIN - Heat Wave continues to bite, with a vast increase in breakdowns, so what to do !

• From 26 June to 15 July, coinciding with the heat wave that lives Spain, RACE has made 41,086 records roadside assistance, representing a 59.6% increase over the same period of 2014.
• For such problems, tires and batteries are at the top of the reasons that require roadside assistance.
• To 81.5 million trips this summer, the RACE recommended that before were carried out proper vehicle maintenance as a basic security check levels and reduces the risk of problems during the trip.

The Barometer fault the Royal Automobile Club of Spain -RACE analyzed the mechanical problems caused by the heat wave, with an increase of 59.6% over the same period of 2014. 

The intensity heat, coupled with a lack of maintenance, leading to increased motor weakness, which in many cases could have been avoided with a small security check and levels before the journey. 

With regard to the problems identified by rising temperatures, include cases of engine (which more than doubles) and water loss (160% more).

The heat affects the engine, and only through its maintenance and proper driving, can reduce the risk of damage. 

In this sense, the mechanical problems related to temperature are very complicated to solve in situ, causing further injury to travelers, who look like the car is towed to a garage, on the one hand, and they must continue the journey or waiting for repair, through the means used for its roadside assistance while the breakdown of your vehicle is solved.

The analysis of more than 41,000 problems analyzed by the RACE shows an increase in heat-related failures, and in many cases affects various parts of the engine. Any symptoms, you must stop in a safe place, and call for assistance.

• Tables with detailed information in the attached document

Mechanical tips

• Check the coolant level in the expansion boat before a trip, not forgetting also check the oil level as it is essential to cool the motor.
• Be careful when parking in a mountain area stubble or after prolonged movement: the contact of the catalyst or the exhaust pipe with dry mountain areas can cause a fire.
• During the trip, keep track of witnesses in temperature, especially in stationary traffic. If the car suffers overheating, stop in a safe place as soon as possible, stop the engine and do not touch anything of it because of the risk of burns from the engine or liquids. Call your assistance. And if you happened more times, it would be advisable to carry a bottle with water or coolant in the trunk.
• The cooling system will allow the interior of the car is cool. If this does not work, you can cause the engine to warm up faster.
• Monitors the pressure, state and tire tread, and catching a lot of heat.
• Avoid driving aggressively as when braking, the heat generated by the friction with the pads and the outside heat makes your cooling more difficult. Life by reducing overheating, plus also the brake fluid is exhausted.

General tips for reducing the impact of extreme heat

• Extreme heat and evaporates liquid components deteriorates, so we always try to keep the car well ventilated and airy, and parked in shade.
• If we leave the car exposed to the sun a long time, we must protect the inside with a protective hood and the wheel, reducing the temperature inside something
• Before starting off, leaving windows and doors open for 30 seconds, and then turn on the air conditioner.
• Avoid travel in the warmest hours of the day, especially if you travel with children, seniors, even pets, who suffer greatly.
• Protect the rear windows with sunscreens, to avoid direct sunlight. Beat the heat with comfortable, breathable clothing, sunglasses and make regular stops on long trips depart rest and hydrate.
• Maintain a temperature inside the cabin between 21 -22 degrees continuously, trying to avoid putting the air jet directly give us the body. Open the windows periodically to avoid a very dry environment.

USA - 2014 Honda Civic Recalled for Possible Tire Problems.

Honda is recalling certain 2014 Civic LX models because the tires may be defective. According to the automaker, the tires may have been pinched between the assembly equipment and the vehicle's steel wheel rims during the construction process.

This pinching may cause a tear in the bead of the tire. If this occurs, the tires may rapidly lose air, making the vehicle more difficult to maneuver and increasing the possibility of a crash. Honda discovered the error during quality checks in the factory. The company said it is not aware of any complaints, crashes, or injuries related to the tire error. Around 9,817 Civic models in the U.S. are affected by the Honda recall. Not all 2014 Honda Civic recalled cars may need to be repaired,

Honda said. In late March or early April, Honda will contact consumers via mail. At that time, owners will also be able to determine if their specific vehicle needs attention by visiting www.recalls.honda.com or by calling (800) 999-1009 and selection option 4. For owners of Civic models that need repair, Honda dealerships will replace the tires free of charge.

For information on all vehicle recalls in the U.S., visit the National Highway Safety Administration's website, www.safercar.gov.

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