We’ve put together a checklist to help you prepare your vehicle before a long journey, so you can avoid a breakdown and make the most of your getaway. 

Fluid levels. Before any long trips, make sure that fluids such as engine oil, brake fluid, screenwash and antifreeze are topped up.

Tyres are one of the most important parts of your car to check before setting off. Ensure that all your tyres are in good condition, that the tread depth is above the legal requirement of 1.6mm and that they are inflated to the correct pressure – including the spare if you have one. Make certain that you have all the equipment you’ll need to change a punctured tyre on route.

Brakes. If brakes feel soft when applied, your brake pads might be too thin and will need replacing. If you can hear harsh grinding sounds, it could mean the brake pads are worn out, and will need changing before the car is taken out.

Lights. Get a friend or family member to help you check that all the lights work before taking off. In some countries it’s the law to drive with headlights on day and night, so make sure you find out the local laws and carry spare bulbs just in case.

Pack for a worst-case scenario. In the event of an unexpected breakdown – items such as jump leads, first aid kit, high-vis vest and duct tape could be what gets you out of a tight spot. If you’re travelling abroad, check the rules for driving in that particular country as you may have to carry specific items, such as a breathalyser in France for example.

Get breakdown cover. Even if you and your vehicle are prepared, accidents and breakdowns can still happen so make sure you’ve got breakdown cover before setting off. If you’re driving abroad, you should also check your car insurance extends to where you’re travelling through.

Before taking off, it’s worth double-checking you have everything you need and these last-minute preparations to avoid unnecessary distractions.

Pre-programme your satnav before you go, to avoid putting in destinations while driving.

Plan breaks - it’s important to take regular breaks if travelling a long way.

Make sure your paperwork is accessible, including your driver’s licence, insurance documents, and if abroad any tickets, travel documents and passports

Driving is an everyday task for most of us, and it’s easy to just jump in the car and go. However, carrying out these simple checks could save you a lot of grief further down the road.

All that’s left to do now is sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery.

 Do you find that your tyres wear out faster than they should do? Perhaps your car is burning through fuel more quickly than it once did, or maybe you’ve started to notice that the handling and braking feel less responsive. While you might assume that the answer to these problems is under the bonnet, the real culprit could be over- or underinflated tyres — and the only way to find out is to perform a tyre pressure check.Maintaining the correct tyre pressure is an essential part of keeping your car in good shape. It also reduces wear and tear and prolongs their lifespan, while also helping to improve fuel economy of your vehicle. Here, we’ll explain how the pressure in your tyres works, as well as how — and when — to check the pressure level.

Tyre pressure is a measurement of the air pressure inside your car tyres. It’s measured in psi, which stands for ‘pound-force per square inch’.Over time, the pressure in your tyres drops as they gradually become deflated. There are lots of reasons why this might happen: every little jolt, knock, pothole and speedbump you encounter when out on the road contributes to the loss of air. If these are severe, your tyre could even be cracked or punctured, or the bead which seals the rim and the tyre together could be damaged by the impact, resulting in a rapid reduction in tyre pressure. Or, the tyre valve might become damaged or loosened, allowing air to escape.Temperature changes can also cause the pressure to drop, as the air inside the tyre will contract in cold weather and expand in hot conditions. For instance, if your tyre pressure reads 29 psi (or 2 bar) at 20°C, this reading will drop to 26 psi (1.8 bar) at 0°C. So, even if your tyres aren’t damaged by wear and tear, the pressure will still fluctuate as the seasons change.It’s perfectly normal for your tyres to lose pressure over time — in fact, the average car tyre deflates at a rate of around 1 psi of pressure per month. But, underinflated tyres can cause serious problems in the long term, so it’s important to keep an eye on things with regular tyre pressure checks, and to adjust the pressure level should it fall under the recommended limit. Every car has a recommended tyre pressure that will give you the best possible fuel economy, tyre life, and handling. Exactly what this will be varies depending on the make and model of your car, as the pressure is dictated by the weight of the vehicle. If the pressure is allowed to go higher or lower than the range recommended by the manufacturer for a prolonged length of time, then it can lead to serious problems.When the pressure is low, the contact patch — the part of the tyre that touches the ground — becomes larger, which increases the friction between the road and the tyre. This causes the entire surface of the tyre to wear down more quickly than it would if inflated correctly, and your vehicle’s handling, braking, and cornering will all be compromised, too. If no action is taken, underinflated tyres can decrease your car’s overall fuel economy, and it could even lead to a burst, cracked, or broken tyre while driving.When the pressure becomes too high, the tyre is overinflated, which can be just as expensive and damaging. Overinflated tyres will have a narrower contact patch, meaning that less of the tyre is actually resting on the ground. This reduces traction and control and increases braking times, and the central part of the tread will wear out much faster than it would if the tyre was inflated properly. Your car will also bounce around more on the road, which will affect the overall comfort of your ride.Both under- and overinflated tyres can have serious consequences, and in the worst-case scenario, they can even cause an accident while out on the road. That’s why it’s so important to check your car tyres regularly, and to adjust the pressure or re-inflate them when needed.

It’s easy to find out what the tyre pressure should be for your car: simply look up the information in the manufacturer’s manual. In most modern vehicles, the recommended tyre pressure is usually also displayed on a sticker inside of one of the car doors (usually on the driver’s side). Occasionally, it may also be located in the footwell on the passenger’s side of the car. The recommended tyre pressure for a standard passenger vehicle is usually somewhere between 30–35 psi.If you don’t have the manual to hand, or you can’t find the sticker, then you should also be able to find out the tyre pressure by contacting the manufacturer directly.

Checking your tyre pressure is simple: all you’ll need is a tyre pressure gauge. There are both digital and traditional tyre gauges available, but both work in essentially the same way.  

Most Petrol stations will have a machine where you set the required level and then just attach the airline to the tyre.

Before you begin, you should also make sure that the car is parked on a flat, level surface, with the ignition switched off. It’s also important that the tyres are completely cool when you check them, and that the car hasn’t been driven for at least a few hours. This is because the friction between the tyre and the road warms up the air inside the tyre, which can increase the pressure: this will result in a less accurate reading. So, always make sure your car has been parked for a few hours — preferably overnight — before starting the tyre pressure check.To check the pressure, press the end of the gauge against the tyre valve, and take a reading. The tyre valve can usually be found on the inside of the rim, just inside the wheel trim or Alloy. If you are using an electronic gauge, then you will need to remember to change the batteries regularly to keep it working correctly.

Most modern vehicles now come with an electronic tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) as standard. This is a sensor which monitors the pressure level inside the tyre and automatically sends an alert to the dashboard when it falls too low.There are two types of TPMS: direct and indirect pressure monitoring systems. Direct TPMS uses a sensor mounted in the wheel to measure the pressure in each tire. If the pressure ever falls far enough below the manufacturer’s recommendations (usually around 25%), then the sensor transmits that information to your car’s internal computer system, and a warning light is displayed on your dashboard.Indirect TPMS works with your works with your car’s Antilock Braking System (ABS). The ABS uses wheel speed sensors to monitor the rate of acceleration and braking. When the pressure in your tyre falls too low, it will roll at a different speed to the other tires. This information is relayed to your vehicle’s computer, triggering a warning light on the dash.TPMS systems can be very convenient, as there’s no need to remember to check your tyres regularly using a traditional pressure gauge. And, as they’ll warn you to second your tyre pressure falls too low, you can act immediately to prevent any further damage resulting. However, there’s also the issue of cost to consider: a fault with your TPMS will cause your car to fail an MOT, so you’ll need to pay for repairs should it become damaged.
 

When was the last time you checked your tyre tread depth? If you haven’t checked them since your last service, you should set aside some time to test your tyres as soon as possible. When the tread falls below the legal limit, you could face hefty fines, points on your licence, or — in the worst-case scenario — an accident out on the road. In fact, three quarters of all motorway incidents related to tyre failure could have been prevented with simple checks, according to Highways England

Checking your tyres is simple and only takes a couple of minutes, and it’s better to be safe than sorry, so there’s really no reason to put it off. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to check tyre tread depth.

Under UK law, the legal tyre tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the wheel. However, most motoring bodies agree that you should replace the tyres once the tread wears below 2mm.

During the winter, when difficult driving conditions are more likely, you should try to make sure you have a minimum tyre tread depth of 3mm. While this is more than the legal tyre tread depth, it will help your car to handle better in wet weather, snow, and icy conditions, reducing the risk of skidding or aquaplaning.

The grooves and ridges that run around the surface of the wheel are called the ‘tread’. They’re designed this way to help improve grip and keep your tyre in contact with the road surface. As the tyre wears away over time, the tread is ground down, reducing the grip on the road.

When the tread wears down beneath the legal minimum, it leads to a significant reduction in your car's handling capacity, and increases the risk of skidding, aquaplaning, and losing control of the vehicle. And, when the tyre tread wears down below 3mm, stopping distances also increase dramatically, according to research published by RoSPA. You’re also more likely to suffer a flat or burst tyre when your tread is below the legal limit.

Driving below the minimum tyre tread limit can also hurt your wallet. Should you be caught driving on illegal or bald tyres (where the tread is completely worn down) you could face a fine of up to £2500 and three penalty points. That’s just per single tyre, meaning if you’re found to have four dangerously low tyres, you could face a maximum combined penalty of £10,000.

Worn out tyres can also have another hidden cost. If you’re involved in an accident when driving on illegally worn tyres, then your insurer may refuse to pay out, invalidating your policy and making you financially liable for any damage.

There are few different methods you can use to check the tread depth of your tyres. The simplest option is to use a digital tread depth gauge: simply place the end of the gauge in the tread groove and it will give you an accurate reading. The tread should be at least 1.6mm through the central three-quarters of the wheel, all the way around the tyre.

Nowadays, many tyre manufacturers include treadwear indicators as standard to make checking easier. These are small, raised bumps inside the grooves of the tread which can be used to keep an eye on the tread depth. Once the surface of the tread is at the same level as these, it means it’s nearing the legal limit, and you should book an appointment to get your tyres changed.

When you measure your tyre tread, don’t forget to check all around the wheel, as it may be more worn down on one side. If your tyre has unevenly worn patches in different places around the wheel, then it could be a sign that your car has other issues.

If your tyres are new, then you only need to check them once a year or every 10,000 miles. Once the tread wears down to 5mm or less, it’s sensible to check the tread each time you check the tyre pressure, which should be at least once a month.

Once your tyres drop below 3mm, you might want to start testing them every two weeks to ensure they don’t wear down below the legal limit. Once they fall beneath 2mm, it’s time to look at changing them.

Typically, you can expect to get at least 20,000 miles out of a front tyre and 40,000 out of your rear tyres, according to the AA. However this is by no means a hard and fast rule. Exactly how fast your tyre treads will wear down depends on a number of factors:

• How you drive: Sharp braking and speeding all cause tyres to wear more rapidly. Sensible driving will help to stop your tyres from wearing out faster than they should.
• Mileage: The more you drive, the faster your tyres will wear down.
• Wheel alignment: If the wheel's alignment is incorrect, then the tyres will wear down faster on one side. A qualified mechanic should be able to rectify this for you.
• Tyre pressure: Over- or under-inflated tyres can both wear down much faster than properly inflated ones. You can learn more about this in our guide above Checking Tyre Pressures.
• How you load the car: Regularly overloading your vehicle can put too much pressure on the tyres. Make sure you follow the weight limit specified by the manufacturer.

If your tyres are nearing the legal limit — that is, under 2mm — you should make an appointment to get them replaced at the next available opportunity. If you find that your tyre tread is under the 1.6mm limit, your car is no longer legally roadworthy, meaning you could face a fine and penalty points if the police pull you over. So, you should hire a mobile tyre fitter to come out to you and replace them.

It’s easy to put off checking your tyre tread depth. But this simple test could save you a great deal of trouble and money in the long run, and it only takes a minute or two to carry out. So, make an effort to measure the tread regularly — not only will it ensure your tyres are offering the best grip and performance, but it could prevent an accident.
 

Routine vehicle maintenance is highly beneficial in so many ways and keeps the car in optimal working condition at all times.

By scheduling and performing regular services on your vehicle, it will reduce the risk of damage and major faults developing in the future as well as effectively extending the longevity of your vehicle and ensuring your safety on the road.

Since the vehicle is thoroughly inspected during routine services, the chances of unfortunate incidents or uncertainty happening such as accidents can be avoided. Engine overhaul, tyre rotation, brake-pad checkup are a few among many other tasks that need to be efficiently carried out in order to drive without any worry or hassle on the road. 

Just by following the routine maintenance schedule, you can keep many car problems at bay. 

Your vehicle is made up of multiple components, and like any well-rounded machine, each and every those components needs to be operating smoothly at all times. If any one part starts to wear out or shows any signs of damage, it could in-turn affect how the whole vehicle functions.

There are a wide variety of tasks that need to be taken care of on a routine basis to ensure your car’s engine runs smoothly and powerfully. From inspecting brake pads to carrying out complete diagnostics, understanding your car’s needs can invariably help you identify potential damages and problems.

Each vehicle is different and has unique maintenance needs. Our skilled team of certified auto experts at Hockley Motor Services have a professional understanding of how to analyse each vehicle make and model to determine what fixes and repairs are required to keep your vehicle running smoothly.

Engine misfire happens when one or more of your car’s cylinders fails to deliver power, with the potential for unburned fuel to enter the catalytic converter. To avoid costly repairs you should consider engine misfire to be a serious situation and have it fixed right away. Damage will increase the longer you ignore it.

Engine misfire can occur for three distinct reasons, each of which varies in severity and expense, they consist of:

A malfunction with the ignition- Fortunately, the least expensive and maybe most often cause of engine misfire is ignition system malfunction. This type of engine misfire can be brought on by malfunctioning spark plugs, ignition wires, and coils among other things.

An issue with the fuel system -This kind of repair costs a little bit extra because the parts are more expensive, and the repairs and diagnostics take longer. A problem connected to a flawed fuel system is one that involves faulty fuel injectors.

An internal engine problem- A damaged cylinder head, worn pistons and rings, a loose or worn timing belt, and other components are examples of internal engine flaws. Your worst-case scenario is that the internal engine malfunctions. The repairs are frequently quite labour-intensive, and the components are expensive.

Other than the fact that your check engine light is on, you might not notice an occasional engine misfire. 

However the engine will use more fuel than usual, have less power, and 'run rough' if there are frequent misfires. Sometimes it could feel like a vibration or make your emissions worse.

If the check engine light is on, your car will fail emissions tests regardless of the cause. Contact Hockley Motor Services so we can diagnose and repair the issue. 

If your car recently failed an emissions test, we could identify the problem, fix it, and retest it to pass the emissions test and give you your emissions certificate.  Even if it seems like your car is driving “just fine,” you should never overlook an engine misfire. This might result in further damage and more costly repairs.
 

The cabin filter – or pollen filter – captures dust, pollen and other contaminants before they enter your cabin. This keeps your driving environment fresh and healthy.

You need to replace your cabin filter when it is clogged. This way, you can continue to effectively filter toxic particles out of your car.

Knowing the signs that mean you need to replace your cabin filter is important. These are the symptoms that you need to look out for.

• Poor airflow: if your cabin filter is blocked with dirt and other contaminants, airflow will be reduced. Clean air will be restricted in your cabin, and your car will feel stuffy. Your air conditioning and heating won’t be able to work properly. There will also      be a strain on the AC blower motor.
• Musty odour: you are likely to notice a stale smell when driving. This tends to get stronger when you turn the air conditioning on.
• Misty windows: your windows may fog up when clean airflow to the cabin is restricted.
• Low air pressure in the cabin: low air pressure when the fan is at maximum speed is a strong sign that you need to replace your cabin filter.

If your cabin filter hasn’t been replaced during your last 12,000 - 15,000 miles, it’s almost certainly due a change now – especially if you frequently drive in dusty or dirty conditions.
 

There are a wide range of components in a vehicle that work together that result in the  smooth running of your car on the road. Which is why it is highly essential for you to carry out regular inspections to ensure each and every of those parts are functioning at proper and optimal levels. One such very important component is brake pads. 

What are brake pads? 

Brake pads are the reason your car is able to stop. Technically speaking, the moment you press on the brake pedal, the brake pads apply friction against a metal disc that results in the immediate halting of the vehicle. Due to this friction, brake pads tend to wear down over time. Although, the wear and tear also depends on how frequently you drive the car. Individuals who drive frequently in heavy traffic and on highly busy roads, tend to wear out a lot sooner compared to those who barely drive in such circumstances. Hence, it’s quite vital for a car owner to schedule a routine inspection on the brake pads to determine whether they need to be replaced or not. Brakes that function properly ensures a safe driving experience. 

Let’s have a look at some of the warning signs we can look out for: 

1. A screeching sound whenever brakes are applied

2. Vibration through the pedal when braking

3 Longer stopping distance

4. The brake pedal becomes lower and you can feel it sitting on the floor

5. Deep metallic grinding and growling

6. Indicator/Warning light

Maintaining your car helps you stay safer while driving and also helps you avoid a host of other issues.