Cleaning your wheels and tyres

Treat your alloys and tyres with the respect they deserve. Cleaning your tyres is a great time to check for any uneven wear (this could be a sign of over/under inflation or bad wheel alignment) and damage (screws in the tread that could be causing a slow puncture or damage to the side wall which could cause dangerous blow outs). Brake dust can damage some wheel surfaces so regular cleaning is a must.
Make sure your wheels are cold before cleaning and wear gloves. Spray on an alloy wheel cleaner, making sure it’s compatible with your wheel finish, wetting all visible surfaces. Work this in to all areas with a wheel cleaning brush to avoid scratches. Don’t let it dry before you rinse it off. While your there, clean under the wheel arches with a stiff brush. Once it’s all hosed off, use a tyre dressing for a professional finish. You can apply an alloy sealing compound to protect from brake dust.

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The Key to Enjoying a Great Drive even During Winter

In conditions where a temperature below 7 degrees Celsius is present like during winter in the UK, the compound and rubber quality of the usual summer tyres could have difficulties in adapting the situation. Tyres, in instances such as this, could begin to harden making it apparently difficult for the driver to control and have a grip on the road. And since it is always given that safety should come first on the road, it is always practical to seek out for the most compatible solution – purchasing the best packages for cheap winter tyres.

Special Composition of Winter Tyres

In areas where constant decrease in temperature is prolonged for five months like in UK, it is the forefront of the driver’s instinct to make sure that his vehicle is prepared to accommodate the weather. And while summer tyres can be an alternative during these times, it is always better to seek out for the optimum performance when it comes to safety.

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Are winter tyres worth it?

With winter tyres offering greatly improved stopping distances in winter conditions, they seem like a sound choice for this time of year. But is forking out for an extra set of tyres (not to mention having to store them in summer) really worth it, particularly given the unpredictability of the Great British weather? Luckily, there are alternatives on the market.

-Snow chains provide good grip in snow, but will have to be removed in good weather. A lot less bulky to store than an extra set of tyres.

-Snow socks are a cheaper, more lightweight alternative to chains, though they provide less traction and are less hard wearing.

-Snow grip spray, provides extra grip to your tyres but doesn’t go far. May be good for the odd snow flurry during a mild winter

Whatever you choose, it’s always important to drive carefully in snowy conditions. Leave big gaps to cars in front and go slowly and smoothly. Don’t forget a basic emergency kit in case you get stranded.

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Park carefully – scratching your alloys costs you.

Many people think that scratches to your alloys are an unavoidable consequence of day-to-day driving, but they are relatively easy to avoid and will cost you money. Though relatively cosmetic, they damage the resale value of your car because they signify that the car has been run up & knocked into kerbs – so the suspension could be worn, the tracking is likely to be out, and the tyres may well be either overly worn or damaged due to that. A dealer will take that into consideration when assessing your car, as will a leasing company.

That means that you’ll get offered much less for your car, or face a charge at the end of your agreement depending on how you’ve sourced your car. Repairs are expensive, so it’s best to try and avoid it in the first place – parking a little bit further away from the curb could save you a lot of money.

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Looking after your car interior

Many car owners are quite enthusiastic when it comes to looking after the exterior of their car. Some chose to take it through a car wash, others have it hand cleaned and many people are happy to send a Sunday morning cleaning their own car on the drive. But how many of us give the inside of our car the same attention? After all that is where we spend most of our time.

Cleaning the inside of a car often requires a few different cleaning products and you need to ensure you use the correct ones to get the best look and so as not to cause damage to any of the material. Leather seats should be cleaned and conditioned regularly, if not looked after the leather will split which can look unsightly making it harder to sell the vehicle and repairs can be extremely costly. It may be worth investing in a pair of car seat covers to keep the leather intact.

When cleaning the interior windows, never use a greasy product or polish as this will clause smears and can obstruct your view when driving. Invest in a quality window cleaner and ensure that they are cleaned often.

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