Automotive

Although it is exciting to learn how to drive, the learning process is sometimes scary. Many people often look forward to driving because most of us cannot wait to experience the joy of the freedom to drive anywhere and anytime we like.

Despite having thousands of driving schools available, finding the best school can be difficult sometimes. Therefore, personal research is important before settling on a particular school for your training.

You will feel more confident and comfortable after discovering the perfect driving school and instructor. Of course, this is what you should look for when it is your first time learning to drive. Finding a great instructor is essential as such instructors often ensure they share all the knowledge about becoming the best driver.

Below are the main factors you should consider when looking for the best driving school.

Location of the Driving School

Most of the driving schools operate in specific areas. Ideally, you will probably need a driving school near you to avoid delays and inconveniences during your learning period.

Going to a driving school in your local area is always advisable, so you can get picked up and dropped off at your doorstep or home directly. Look for a driving school near your school or workplace, as these are some of the main places you may be spending most of your time.

Style of Teaching

Different driving school instructors have different and unique training styles and driving habits. Also, some driving schools offer training either physically or virtually. For instance, the tx defensive driving course is approved for online training, making it convenient for many trainees to access the course whenever and wherever they like.

Certain instructors may be suitable for you depending on your preferred learning style and your abilities in driving. However, since it is not easy to determine the teaching styles for any driving instructor, it is advisable to attend a trial lesson before deciding whether you will get your training from that particular driving school.

Availability

It is always a good sign if you book a driving school. However, they should also be accommodating their trainees. Choose a driving school where the instructor is able and willing to go as per your learning schedule, making it possible for you to learn to drive around the school or during work hours.

Choosing a driving school that offers online courses can also do better, as this offers you flexibility in learning. It also reduces the time needed to be physically available behind the wheel. You can always contact as many driving schools as possible to learn about their availability before you commence the training.

Final Thought

Several driving schools worldwide offer good driving training experiences; however, since you cannot attend both for training, you will need to choose the best one for you. For this reason, you should consider the factors such as location, style of teaching, and availability of both the driving instructor and yourself.

Volkswagen is one of the most popular brands in the automotive world and has iconic models like the Golf, Polo and T-Cross to their name. If you own a VW, you will know that they are not only super-reliable and stylish but great fun to drive as well. To really get the most from your VW though and ensure it retains as much value as possible, it pays to keep it clean.

But just how can you go about this?

Use seat covers

One of the best tips for keeping your Volkswagen clean is to use seat covers. These will do a great job of protecting your seats and ensuring they stay looking awesome. Investing in the best VW seat covers, for example, will stop seat material from getting stained from spilt food/drink or getting worn out through general use over time. This will help to keep your car clean, enjoyable to drive and ensure seat material remains in top condition.

Regular washing is essential

Of course, any guide to keeping your VW clean should mention washing the vehicle regularly. Whether you handle this at home or take your VW through a carwash, it will help keep it looking its best. Although you might not think about it often, your VW’s bodywork can pick up lots of debris (such as bugs, grime and other general detritus) when you drive it each day. It is crucial to wash your vehicle regularly to get rid of all this from the bodywork. This will not only keep your VW clean but also stop rust from forming on the bodywork, where debris has eaten away at the paint.

Remember to clean the interior!

Another great tip for VW drivers looking to keep their vehicles clean is to focus on the interior. The inside of your vehicle after all can be a place where dust, debris and empty food/drink cartons collect. It is also somewhere you can end up storing clothes, chargers and other general items from everyday life!

It makes perfect sense therefore to give the inside of your VW a once over regularly and there are some easy interior car cleaning tips to know about.

Start by getting rid of any clutter inside the vehicle you don’t need to make it look tidier. After this, use wipes to clean your centre console, dashboard and general interior spaces. It is also a good move to give your carpets and mats a hoover to make the whole vehicle look extra smart.

Keeping your Volkswagen clean is key

If you own a Volkswagen, it really does make sense to put the effort into keeping it clean. This will not only make it more enjoyable to drive and mean you are not embarrassed to give people lifts in it but will also keep its resale value higher. If you need a few tips on how to go about this, the above are worth thinking about.

It is important to think about what you are getting when it comes to the caravan chassis. You should not settle for less with a solution such as this. You should go with the best and that is what you will get as soon as you buy the caravan chassis from here.

It will be refined, long-lasting, and built to offer high-performance metrics.

Built To Last

As you look at the different options that are out there, you will know it often comes down to longevity. You are not going to want to use a caravan chassis that will break down or is not going to look the part after a few months.

The backbone of a caravan has to last and that man you need to get it right the first time around.

Go with the best caravan chassis and know it will last for a while and you are going to get full value from your investment.

Good Price

This is the backbone of the caravan, which means you are going to want to get a good price. You will not want to end up with something that is too expensive and adds up to a bill that is not easy to pay. This supplier is aware of this and makes sure you get a deal that is worth it immediately.

The caravan chassis is going to be the real deal and you are going to get a quality deal. This is a win-win for those who want to do things the right way.

Refined

The best option is something that will be refined and that is what you are going to get here. You will see it as soon as it is in place. This is one of the most important things a person can invest in when it comes to going with a quality solution.

It has been refined with a purpose and that is a must when you are going down this path. You will not want to go with a solution that is going to break down or cause issues later. This is why getting a caravan chassis from here is a must.

Safe

The one thing you are going to want with a caravan chassis is something that will last. This is a must but it is also important for the part to work well. This is the only way you are going to want to use it regularly. For those who are thinking about investing in a caravan chassis, you will want to go with something that is tested in all conditions.

This is something you are not going to have to worry about here because it is the real deal and well-tested. 

The caravan chassis is an important investment and one you are going to get right. If that is the case, this is the right supplier for you. The deal is going to be a good one and you will know it will last as long as it needs to.

Last February, German carmaker Mercedes-Benz became a hot topic in South Korea as the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) revealed that the company equipped their vehicles with illegal software and, therefore, violated emissions rules. 

With the software installed, all 15 vehicles had lower performance levels when driven in real-world road conditions than when in the lab for certification testing. Authorities found Mercedes’ actions deceptive as the carmaker falsely advertised their vehicles’ emissions reduction performance. This, according to KFTC, prevents customers from making rational choices for their purchases. 

Additionally, Mercedes-Benz also falsely declared that their vehicles fulfilled vehicle emission limits and that between the months of August 2013 and December 2016, they followed Euro 6 emission standards. 

The action on Mercedes comes after Stellantis Korea, Audi-VW Korea, Porsche AG, and Nissan had to adhere to corrective actions and fines after they were alleged to have installed emissions cheat devices similar to the one found in the German carmakers’ vehicles.

Cheating on emissions tests has long been a major issue in the global automotive industry. It all started with the Dieselgate diesel emissions scandal in 2015.

What was the Dieselgate scandal about?

Volkswagen, a German carmaker like Mercedes, received a notice from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board after the said authorities discovered defeat devices on over 600,000 Audi and VW diesel vehicles that were sold in the American automotive market. Around 85,000 of the said vehicles were sold to customers in California.

A defeat device is designed to detect when a vehicle is in the lab for emissions testing. Once the testing starts, the device automatically and artificially reduces emissions levels so these would stay within the limits set by the World Health Organization. 

However, when the vehicle is taken out and driven in real-world road conditions, it emits excessive levels of nitrogen oxide or NOx, often in volumes that are multiple times over the EU and WHO limits. The vehicle is, therefore, a heavy pollutant.

The diesel emissions scandal initially involved only VW but it soon spread to eventually include Mercedes-Benz and other carmakers, including Alfa Romeo, Renault, Citroën, BMW, Nissan, Peugeot, and Jeep, among others.

Why are vehicles with defeat devices heavy pollutants?

Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and other diesel vehicles, that are equipped with defeat devices are heavy pollutants because they emit a gas known as nitrogen oxide or NOx. 

Nitrogen oxide has nitric oxide or NO and nitrogen dioxide or NO2 as its major components. It is responsible for the formation of smog and acid rain. When it reacts with other compounds and elements, it produces ground-level ozone, which has a negative impact on vegetation, stunting and even stopping plant growth.

Exposure to nitrogen oxide is also dangerous to human health. Its effects include :

• For low-level exposure, the common health impacts are headaches, difficulty in breathing, corroded teeth, asthma (or aggravated asthma for those who already have it), loss of appetite, eye irritation, and other respiratory issues (such as bronchitis and emphysema).
• For high-level NOx exposure, health impacts include chronic reduction of lung function, laryngospasm, and asphyxiation. Individuals can also become more susceptible to certain illnesses or diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular issues.
• In certain cases, constant exposure to high levels of nitrogen oxides can lead to premature death. Such was the case of nine-year-old Londoner Ella Kissi-Debrah who died after a severe asthma attack. She and her mother, Rosamund, lived near South Circular Road, which is a highly polluted area. In December 2020, after an inquest, the coroner declared her death as officially caused by air pollution – the first case of its kind in the UK.

NOx emissions are the main reasons why car owners affected by the defeat devices are encouraged to bring their car manufacturers to legal action through an emissions claim. If the claim is successful, car owners can receive compensation (often in thousands) for the environmental, health, and financial inconvenience the scandal has caused them.

Filing a Mercedes emissions claim is the best thing to do to hold your manufacturer responsible for their deceitful actions and lies. 

How to file your Mercedes emissions claim

Going through an emission claim process is not easy. It is often challenging and may take time. However, working with a panel of emissions solicitors can help make things a little bit easier. They’ll guide you through the process, help you with the legal requirements, and increase your chances of winning your claim.

Before starting your Mercedes diesel claim, though, you’ll have to verify if you are eligible for the claim. Get in touch with the team at ClaimExperts.co.uk right away so you can start processing your emissions claim.

Driving your favourite vehicle on the road is certainly an enjoyable experience. It can add even more excitement when your vehicle is fitted with a good quality set of wheels and tyres.

A perfect set of wheels and tyres will not only make your journey comfortable but also serve as an assurance of your safety.  It is therefore, prudent to be extremely careful while choosing an ideal wheels and tyres package that is durable as well as economical.

Tyres, their properties and classification

A tyre is a sort of cushion provided within the wheel of your vehicle. The cushioning effect of tyre absorbs the jerks and vibrations created by the road surface and make your journey smooth and comfortable. The tyre also acts as a part of braking system of the vehicle.

A good tyre should have non-skidding property that largely depends upon the tread design on the tyre that prevents vehicle from skidding on wet road surfaces.

In addition, a good tyre should always have ribbed tread pattern that maintains uniform distribution of wear on wheel and thus prevents skidding.

The type of material used for making the tyres must be of high quality as load carrying capacity and ability to sustain the load depends on the quality of material. In addition, the design of tyre helps prevent tyre wear that takes place with each revolution.

Tyres, are primarily classified on the basis of the presence or absence of rubber tubes inside the tyres and can be classified as:

• Tubed Tyres
• Tubeless Tyres

On the basis of carcass i.e. construction or skeleton of tyres; they are further classified as:

• Bias or Cross-Ply – with ply cords at 30-40 degrees angle to the tire axis
• Radial Ply – with ply running in radial direction
• Belted-Biased Ply – combines features of Bias or Cross Ply and Radial Ply tyres

Among these tyres, Radial Tubeless tyres are most common and preferred due to excellent performance.

Tyres can be for:

• All-Season
• Summer
• Winter
• SUV and Truck
• Performance
• Track and Competition
• All Terrain
• Mud Terrain
• All Purpose
• Ribbed
• Touring
• Highways

For best results it is essential to select appropriate and convenient wheels and tyres package that includes the finest and sturdiest types of wheels – the circular component that rotates on the axle bearing.

Wheels and their type

Wheels help in moving objects through the rotatory movement by reducing friction and creating motion using axles. The different types of wheels include:

• Pressed Steel Disc Wheels
• Alloy Wheels
• Wired Wheels
• Wheels with divided Rims and Split

Most of the reputed companies dealing in wheels and tyres such as St. George Tyres offer various types of wheels and tyres package for all type of vehicles.

These packages can be SUV or Truck 4×4 Rims and Tyres Alloy wheels and Tyre Off Road and Mag Wheel and tyres which include:

• Set of Four Alloy Wheels with Gloss Black or mat black wheels with five or multiple spokes
• Set of Four Tyres with optional TPMS sensors
• Fitting kit, if required

Should you require attractive and economical wheels and tyres packages; trust the quality and reliability of St. George Tyres who deliver the goods at your door steps swiftly with speed.

What if I told you that there was a way to do DIY montrose auto repair? Believe it or not, it’s actually not that difficult! In this step-by-step guide, we will show you how to fix common car problems using only simple tools and supplies. So whether your brakes are squeaking or your engine is running rough, we’ve got you covered.

The Common Issues and How to Fix Them:

1. Flat Tire:

One of the most common car problems is a flat tire. If you find yourself with a flat, don’t panic! Changing a tire is actually pretty easy.

• Start by pulling over to a safe location and turning on your hazard lights.
• Then, locate your spare tire and jack.
• Once you have those, it’s time to get to work! First, remove the lug nuts from the wheel using a wrench.
• Next, place the jack under the car and raise it until the tire is off the ground.
• Now you can simply remove the old tire and replace it with the new one.
• Finally, lower the car back down and tighten the lug nuts back on. That’s all there is to it!

2. Running Engine:

Another common issue is an engine that is running rough. This is usually caused by dirty spark plugs.

• To fix this, you’ll need to remove the old spark plugs and replace them with new ones. It’s important to use the correct size and type of spark plug for your vehicle. You can find this information in your owner’s manual or online.
• Once you have the new plugs, simply screw them into place and start the engine. If it’s still running rough, you may need to adjust the gap on the plugs.

3. Squeaky Brake:

Another minor issue that is easy to fix is a squeaky brake. This is usually caused by worn-out brake pads.

• To fix this, you’ll need to remove the old brake pads and replace them with new ones.
• Again, be sure to use the correct size and type of brake pad for your vehicle.
• Once you have the new pads, simply install them in place of the old ones and test the brakes. If they’re still squeaking, you may need to sand down the rotor or replace it entirely.

Endnote:

Those are just a few of the most common car problems that you can easily fix yourself! So next time something goes wrong with your ride, don’t reach for your wallet – reach for this guide instead. With a little elbow grease and a few simple tools, you can save yourself a lot of money and hassle.

If you’re looking for the best way to protect your vehicle, ceramic coating is the answer. It offers many advantages that are not available on any other surface treatment. One of these is that it’s tough and durable, and easy to clean with soap and water alone. But before you apply a ceramic coating on your vehicle for maximum protection, there are 11 health and safety precautions you should follow!

1.   Protect Your Car From Sunlight

If you want to apply a ceramic coating NJ on your vehicle, make sure it’s protected from the sun before beginning-UV rays always cause damage to paint, which will ruin the finish of your ceramic coating. Washing and waxing are never enough protection for ceramics, so if your car is outside, make sure it has a cover on it.

2.   lean Your Vehicle Properly

The first step to applying a ceramic coating is to clean your vehicle properly-this means washing and drying it thoroughly. The cleaner your car, the better the protection of your ceramic coating will be. If dirt, sap, swirl marks, or undercoating are present on your vehicle, the ceramic coating won’t adhere correctly to your car, and it’ll peel off.

3.   Use The Right Products

The right products are essential to applying a ceramic coating NJ. You need to use a high-quality clay bar or paint cleaner, which you should have been using already for prepping your car anyway. If you don’t, it’ll ruin your finish the same as dirt and other contaminants.

4.   Ceramic coatings form a tight bond.

If you’re the owner of a high-end vehicle, then it has an expensive clear coat on top of your paint. The only way to be sure this doesn’t get ruined is by using a ceramic coating: these products form a microscopic layer on top of your clear coat and prevent anything from penetrating through.

5.   A Two-Step Process

The best recommendation for applying a ceramic coating on your vehicle is to use a product that’s two steps, meaning it has a polish followed by a sealant. If you’re not sure which one to get, talk with the expert from ceramic coating NJ for more information. A paint protection film is also an option if you want to protect your paint job; it’s clear and can be applied on top of your paint.

6.   Give It Time To Dry

Give the coating at least an hour to dry before you drive your car, this will help prevent any accidents. Not only that, but it’ll also enhance the protection of your ceramic coating by keeping dirt and other contaminants off until they can be safely washed or removed.

7.   Don’t Use Wax

Never use a wax-based product along with your ceramic coating. Wax is the opposite of a protective sealant and will ruin your finish instead of helping it. You should still protect your vehicle from any UV radiation, but if you have a ceramics coat installed on your car, all you need to do is wash and dry it regularly.

8.   Don’t Use Cleaners That Contain Ammonia.

Any cleaner containing ammonia should never be used on your car after you have a ceramic coating installed, as this will ruin your vehicle’s finish. If you are thinking of getting a ceramic coating for your car, make sure it’s protected from dirt and other contaminants, but use a soap and water solution instead of any cleaner.

9.   Avoid Using Acidic Cleaners

Acidic cleaners can cause corrosion to your car’s paint, which will damage the ceramics coat on top of it by causing tiny bubbles that will form underneath the surface. If you’re looking for a product to use for your ceramic coating, steer clear of any acidic cleaners.

10. Get It Professionally Installed By A Specialist

Although it’s not extremely difficult to apply a ceramic coating yourself, your best bet is to contact the experts. They know precisely what they’re doing when it comes to using these types of products and will give you the best results possible-this will help ensure that your ceramic coat lasts as long as possible!

11. The Advantages Are Unmatched

The benefits of a ceramic coating are unmatched by any other protective surface treatment, it makes your car super easy to clean, but it can also withstand anything. The best part is that if you get the correct type of coatings applied to your vehicle, it’ll last for years without peeling or losing its effectiveness.

Conclusion

A ceramic coating can provide your car with years of protection and make it easier to keep clean. With these 11 health and safety precautions in mind, you’ll be ready to get the best type of coatings applied for maximum durability! The experts at Ceramic Coating NJ can help you get precisely what you need for the ultimate protection! The best part is that your new ceramic coating will make it easier to clean and maintain your vehicle for years on end!

After being thrust into the spotlight courtesy of the Dieselgate scandal in 2015, German automaker Volkswagen is currently facing a class-action lawsuit filed by more or less 91,000 British car owners at a High Court. Although the trial is not scheduled until 2023, VW might find itself in the middle of another battle as a second class-action lawsuit against the company is being organised by several lawyers on behalf of over 30,000 car owners. According to the group, this number could increase to around more than 80,000 drivers after the processing of paperwork is completed.

The lawsuit has been raised after allegations that VW intentionally fitted defeat devices into their diesel vehicles – such as the Skoda Superb, Audi A3, and the Golf – that were sold between the years 2008 and 2015. It’s the same issue that the automaker faced in the 2015 emissions scandal when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency discovered that the devices were installed to manipulate emissions levels during lab tests.

VW’s cheat software reduced NOx or nitrogen dioxide levels artificially so every time the vehicles were tested in the lab, emissions did not exceed legal limits. However, when driven in real-world conditions, the NOx emissions were way beyond the safe levels.

Like other car manufacturers that have been implicated in the scandal, VW denies the allegations and firmly believes that car owners do not have a valid claim. It should be worth remembering, however, that back in September 2015, Volkswagen admitted that they installed the so-called cheat devices.

Dieselgate damage

The diesel emission scandal drastically shook things up for VW and the Volkswagen group. Fines, payouts, and litigation expenses have cost the company billions. In addition, the automaker also compensated its dealers for their losses, the cost of which has reached more or less $1.2 billion.

VW employees were also affected by the scandal as the company overhauled its operations in 2016, resulting in redundancies  worldwide by more or less 30,000.

The emissions scandal has also caused the company’s reputation to plummet. Although VW has slowly worked its way back up over the past six years, there is still a lot of work to be done as many consumers are not yet as confident in the brand as they used to be. In fact, VW’s annual rankings in the Global 500 2020 annual report placed the automaker in 25^th. Prior to Dieselgate, Volkswagen was ranked 18^th among the most valuable brands worldwide.

As ruled by the courts, Volkswagen has also had to recall its affected diesel vehicles so these could be upgraded and fitted with better and safer engines.

But one of the most significant damages that the scandal brought on VW is the implication of its executives in the scandal. The first one to bow out was the company’s CEO, Martin Winterkorn, whose abrupt resignation five years ago made the headlines. A date has yet to be set for his trial on allegations of fraud and market manipulation.

Last year, 2020, eight other VW employees were charged with fraud, false certification, and violation of the law against unfair competition in connection to the emissions scandal. The employees are accused of encouraging the installation of the defeat devices on VW’s diesel vehicles despite the knowledge that the devices were illegal software. Six of the company’s managers have also been charged with various violations related to the scandal.

In addition, Rupert Stadler, a VW executive, is currently on trial for Dieselgate-related charges. His trial is expected to conclude in 2022.

Other Dieselgate manufacturers

Aside from Volkswagen and its VW group subsidiaries Audi, Seat, Skoda, and Porsche, other automakers have also been accused of installing cheat software in their diesel vehicles. Mercedes Benz emissions were also alleged to have been manipulated, as well the emissions tests of BMW, Ford, Vauxhall, Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Fiat, Renault, Suzuki, Jeep, Peugeot, and Nissan.

Each of these car brands has had to – and continue to – deal with fines, payouts, class-action lawsuits, and vehicle recalls.

NOx dangers

Nitrogen oxides or NOx, the pollutant emitted by vehicles, are a danger to the environment and human health. Emissions that are 40 times above the legal level contribute to the formation of acid rain and fog, and can even form ground level ozone, which can lead to global warming and climate change.

For humans, exposure to both low and dangerous levels of nitrogen oxides can lead to asthma or aggravation of asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, and other respiratory illnesses. It can even cause mental health-related problems such as anxiety and depression.

What you can do

If you want to contribute to the campaign of lowering and eventually eliminating NOx emissions, you can start by checking if your vehicle is fitted by a defeat device. Manufacturer websites allow you to verify if your automobile is on the list. Mercedes-Benz, for example, has a page that’s dedicated to Mercedes diesel claims, where car owners can check the list of affected vehicles.

If your car is affected, get in touch with a team of professional and expert solicitors or emissions experts. Work with the energetic and experienced team of Emissions.co.uk if you want higher chances of a successful claim.

At one time most people especially owners of more high-end motors would always go to the main dealership when their car needed a repair or servicing. There were several very valid reasons for making this choice, such as access to specialist parts and the need to keep that all-important service history up to date.

However, more recently there are many more independent garages available that can provide the same level of service often at a lower price. Under European Legislation introduced in 2003 Independent garages can now service and repair cars without adversely affecting a manufacturers warranty. This legislation was brought in to promote competition and to prevent car manufacturers from stopping independent garages servicing and repairing cars as long as they adhere to a car makers regulations.

This now gives the car owner a much wider choice but are you getting a better service. So, we thought we would have a look at the pros and cons of using the main dealership when you need work doing on your car.

Pros

Probably the biggest reason for using the dealership is that you are 100% certain that your warranty will be preserved. As you know the dealership will be using authentic parts, which along with approved work and certification gives you a certain peace of mind.

Another advantage of a main dealership is that having work completed there will often protect the residual value of your car. This is especially true if you regularly change your car at that dealership as they will usually offer you a better price when you trade in your old car with them.

When you have work done on your car by the main dealership every component is certified by the manufacturer. They also have the most up to date diagnostic tools and equipment.

All the technicians at a dealership will have specialist knowledge of all the models in the manufacturer’s range. This means that the person servicing or repairing your car will theoretically have all the relevant skills and knowledge to guarantee a quality service.

The reasons listed above are some of the main benefits of using the main dealership now let’s have a look at some of the disadvantages.

Cons

Probably the biggest downside of main dealerships is that they are more expensive than an independent. This is because they will almost always have much larger overheads as a result of high-end facilities, larger staff numbers and hidden charges.

Before having work done why not ask for a breakdown of charges to help you assess whether you feel it is value for money.

Another disadvantage is that you don’t always get the same level of personal service at a dealership. This is usually as a result of the amount of work they take on meaning that staff often become disconnected from their client base.

In conclusion, there is no right and wrong decision, if you are looking for say an Audi R8 clutch replacement make sure you do your research to make sure you get the best deal. Whether that is with a main dealership or an independent because there are advantages and disadvantages of both.