Category: Driving Roads

These simple tips might help you

A few days before you go, check the following carefully:

1. The coolant

Most new radiators have overflow bottles with min/max water levels, which are easy to find. Older cars fill via the radiator cap. NEVER open them while the engine’s hot or running. Top up with a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze (tap water is ok, but ensure you add antifreeze later).

2. The tyres

The minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm across the central ¾ of the tyre, all the way around. Less can earn you three points and a £2,500 fine per tyre! Stopping distances and the risks of aquaplaning increase as tyres wear down, so make sure you’re legal – and safe.

Get the pressures right at a garage. If they’re wrong, you’ll burn more fuel, wear the tyres down quicker and suffer poor handling. Open the driver’s or passengers door and look at