Visitors to Vauxhall’s ecoFLEX Experience website, http://www.ecoflex-experience.com, have the opportunity to download a voucher entitling them to a free ecoFLEX Fuel Efficiency Check at participating Vauxhall MasterFit Retailers.

Those wishing to take advantage of the offer just need to log on, print the voucher and present it to their nearest participating Vauxhall MasterFit Retailer.

The ecoFLEX Fuel Efficiency Check includes an inspection of the vehicle’s tyres for signs of reduced efficiency caused by abnormal wear and verification that inflation pressures are at an optimal level. The air conditioning system is also assessed and the driver given advice and tips for improving fuel efficiency and reducing carbon emissions while driving.

Vauxhall MasterFit Manager Andréa Caumon commented: “The ecoFLEX Fuel Efficiency Check voucher offers motorists an opportunity to gain expert help in minimising their fuel bills and environmental footprint completely free of charge. The ecoFLEX approach to efficiency is a reminder that we can all make a contribution to emission reduction simply by servicing and maintaining our cars on a regular basis.”

For more information log on to www.ecoflex-experience.co.uk and click through the ecoFLEX efficiency check links or to find your local Vauxhall retailer please visit www.vauxhall.co.uk

Research, released today (13 July 2010) by eSafetyAware, shows 60% of fleet managers in the UK believe safety is an important consideration when procuring vehicles. However, further responses in the survey of more than 100 fleet managers and decision makers in the UK, show many are not acting on their beliefs.

Fleet managers and decision makers are losing out financially by overlooking safety, says RoadSafe.

For more …

In the run up to the Easter holidays, the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) has issued advice to parents on how to keep their children safe on the road, both in the car and on the pavement.

Peter Rodger, IAM Chief Examiner, said: “The key to keeping your child safe on the road is vigilance and information. Knowing which seat to use and when to use it is just as important as knowing the right way to fit it.

“You should also lead by example, as children’s behaviour is heavily influenced by their parents. Act responsibly when you drive, walk or cycle and your children will learn from your behaviour.”

More IAM road safety advice for parents:

In the Car:

• Ideally a child under three should travel in the back and they must be in an appropriate child restraint, not an adult belt. Children under the age of 12 (or under 135cm tall) must use a child restraint if available. If not, it’s acceptable for an adult seat belt to be used instead.
• Children aged 14 or over must always use an adult seatbelt if available.
• Never put a rear facing baby seat in the front where there is an active passenger airbag.
• If an appropriate restraint or seat belt is in the front, but not the back, a child aged three to 11 years old must use that.
• Isofix seat mounts are the safest way to secure a baby or child seat in your car. Most seat manufacturers make products designed specifically for use with these super-strong mounting points, which are common in many modern cars, and very easy to use.
• Once it’s in, grip the car seat and push it backwards and forwards- if it is fitted properly, the car should move and not the car seat.

On the Pavement:

• Don’t push the buggy out first when checking if it’s OK to cross the road.
• If your child is walking or running ahead of you on the pavement, never let them get further from you than they are from the road.

Despite alarm systems being fitted as standard and an increase in video surveillance over the years, the IAM has warned against complacency and given drivers advice on how to reduce the chances of a car break-in or theft.

Peter Rodger, IAM Chief Examiner, said: “It seems obvious, but we’d still remind drivers, where possible, to park in a well lit, busy area with valuables out of view - and make sure your car has both an alarm and an immobiliser.

“Never underestimate the determination of some thieves: don’t leave your car keys in a bowl or on a rack by the door - one of the most common methods of stealing a car is using a pole to reach through the letterbox to get the keys,” said Mr Rodger.

If you have a garage, now’s the time to clear out the ski boots and rolls of old carpet and make way for the thing it was built for – your car – although cars have got bigger over the years, meaning most of us have to park outside which affects both road safety and car security.

More advice on avoiding car crime:

• Try to use a car park with the ‘ParkMark’ logo which means it has achieved basic standards of security - but remember that you have no consumer rights in a car park and the car park operator has no legal responsibility whatsoever to protect your car.
• Thieves will break into homes to get the keys to steal a car. If your car is high value, check the security of your home.
• Don’t leave the keys in the ignition when filling up your car with fuel or warming it up - remember your insurance could be invalidated if you do and your car is stolen.
• Don’t leave a satnav fitting on display, and rub off any ring left on the windscreen by the suction pad - a thief will smash the window and go straight to the glove compartment to find it.
• Never store your car’s documents within it and keep the glove box empty, leaving it open to make it clear there isn’t anything inside.
• Consider fitting a vehicle tracking device to help track and find your car if it gets stolen.

Mr Rodger added: “The value of property stolen from your car may be relatively low, but the cost of repair to the car will be considerably more, not to mention the inconvenience, so vigilance and common sense could save you money and hassle.”

One in 10 said that they used either a credit card or a shopper’s loyalty card to scrape ice off the car, while a similar proportion admitted to using a household broom.  Another 23 per cent said that they relied on the car’s own heating system to melt the snow and ice. Pouring hot or warm water over an iced-up car was a popular method among a further 13 per cent.

“Throughout the winter drivers have been advised to make sure their vehicles are completely clear of snow and ice before setting off,” says Andy Carroll, Managing Director at Glass’s.  “However, many motorists seem to have been caught unprepared, and it is worrying to hear how some have resorted to fairly desperate measures.  Car owners should think carefully about the potential damage they could cause to their vehicles by cutting corners or using extreme methods when getting ready for the road.  They risk incurring significant costs for rectification to mistreated glass, paintwork and body panels or even reducing the desirability and value of their cars.”

The survey also asked respondents to identify which parts of the vehicle they ensure are completely free of ice before driving away.  Whilst almost everyone said they clear the windscreen and front windows, an alarming 36 per cent fail to take care of car headlamps and another 30 per cent leave the rear windows frosted over.

“These results are particularly worrying and suggest that many people are not spending enough time properly readying their vehicles before setting off,” added Carroll.  “With further cold weather expected, it is essential that motorists do not neglect basic road safety, ensuring they can see and be seen when driving in wintry conditions.”

Glass’s Guide

“These aren’t the usual ‘lose weight’ or ‘join the gym’ promises,” said Autoquake.com’s Founder, Fredrik Skantze. “These resolutions will save you money, keep you safe, or just make the roads a nicer place in 2010.”

Take an advanced driving course
Everyone likes to think they’re a great driver, but the truth is we could all do better. An advanced driving course – or even just one lesson – will help smooth off the rough edges and bad habits we all develop after a few years on the road. You’ll be a better, safer, more confident driver.
Check your car’s oil level
Engines need oil. Let the level run too low and you could cause hundreds or even thousands of pounds of damage to your engine. Check the oil level once a week. It only takes a few moments and it’s easy to do. With the engine cold and the car parked on level ground, pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, then replace it. Remove it again and check that the oil is between the minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick. Top up the level if necessary without over-filling.
Drive more economically
Learn to drive more efficiently and you could slash your fuel bills. Obey the speed limit, don’t rev the engine hard and change gear a little earlier. Anticipate traffic and leave more of a gap to the car in front to keep accelerating and braking to a minimum. Recent research by What Car? has shown that following this advice reduces fuel consumption by an average of 21%. That’s enough to knock £344 off a typical annual fuel bill.
Get your car serviced on time
If money is tight, it’s tempting to put off the car’s next service. Don’t. Cars need some regular TLC to keep them working properly, and saving a little money now could cost you dear in the long run. What’s more, a car with a full service history will be worth more when the time comes to sell it on.
Check your tyres
Don’t take the condition of your tyres for granted. Check the tyres pressures once a week. A properly inflated tyre will last longer, grip better and make your car more economical. Keep an eye on the tread depth, too. There should be at least 1.6mm of tread across the middle 75% of the tyre. Go below this minimum standard and you can expect reduced grip and greater stopping distances in wet weather. Oh, and if you get caught the fine may be up to £2500 per tyre.
Let other drivers out into traffic
Make it your resolution to let at least one driver out into traffic each day. If someone does the same to you, don’t forget to thank them. Do this if you drive an Audi or BMW, and enjoy the look of surprise on the other driver’s face.

www.autoquake.com

Let me wish you all a Very Happy and Safe New Year!

Michelin money savers

As the world leader in the development of low rolling resistance tyres, this offer will make Michelin tyres even more attractive. Whether you need the low rolling resistance of the Energy Saver or Primacy HP car tyres, the damage resistance and durability of the Agilis van tyre or the comfort of the Latitude Tour HP 4×4 tyre, one thing you can be sure of is that you will be getting some of the longest lasting and greenest tyres on the market.

Note also that the vouchers are redeemable in any Sainsbury’s store, the vouchers can be used to purchase fuel or even the weekly grocery shop.

In the Republic of Ireland the promotion runs from 1 to 30 September and the €40 vouchers are redeemable in Maxol service stations.

At cartravelcare we love to promote products which help the motorist enjoy time on the road and in safety. Here are three are 3 deals (must end 7th September 2009) we especially like.

For your child- Booster Seat suitable for 4-12 years approx (15-36kg)
The Britax Hi-Liner Robbie Child Car Seat

Halfords Prices - NOW only £44.99 a SAVING of £45 !

How to get there- NAVman Mio M300 deluxe Sat Nav

Exclusive to Halfords the NavmanM300D is a great all in one 

package that comes with a sat nav unit and its own charger!

Navman M300D

NOW only £42.49 a Saving of £92.50

And when you get there how about a spin on The Apollo Mogulmens mountain bike.It has 18 speed shimano gears and a front mechanical disc brake.

PRICE NOW! Only £139.99 a Saving of £140!

That’s
for you. Prices and details correct at time of publication.

Here at cartravelcare.com we have been banging-on about the significant benefits to you of fitting energy saving tyres to your car. The following is well worth a look.

Michelin has prepared a report on savings generated by its most recent car and truck tyre ranges since their launch in 2008.

Michelin says tyres consume one tank of fuel out of five for cars and one out of three for trucks. The company says its goal is to design tyres that help to reduce fuel consumption while maintaining the same high performance in the areas of safety and tread life.

The company claims that overall fuel consumption has been reduced by more than 66.7 million litres and CO2 emissions by more than 134,000 tonnes thanks to its latest car and truck tyres, which have been on the market for just a year and a half.

The most recent car tyre developed using this technology is the Michelin Energy Saver, of which 23 million units have been sold since its European launch in early 2008.

These tyres have reduced overall fuel consumption by 65.6 million litres, the equivalent of 1.3 million full tanks of fuel (based on reductions in fuel consumption of 0.2 litres per 100 km and CO2 emissions of 4 grams per km). As a result, they have helped to reduce CO2 emissions by 131,000 tonnes, equal to the amount that would have been produced by 73,000 cars in one year.

Car manufacturers recognised the performance of the Michelin Energy Saver in three areas – fuel savings, safety and longevity. As a result, the tyre has been homologated for use on more than 100 vehicles produced by leading car manufacturers in just over one and a half years on the market. Tyres are generally only certified for use on 20 to 40 vehicles over that period of time.

In May 2008, the Michelin truck division brought out the new Michelin X Energy SaverGreen in a single size – 315/70 R 22.5. Since then, the tyre has reduced overall fuel consumption by 1.1 million litres and CO2 emissions by 3,000 tonnes. The tyre alone can help reduce fuel consumption by 500 litres a year per truck. In addition to fuel savings, the Michelin X Energy SaverGreen was also designed to deliver superior performance in two other areas, exceptional longevity and increased safety.

Since 1992, Michelin has developed four generations of fuel-efficient tyres for cars and three for trucks. They have reduced fuel consumption by more than 11 billion litres and CO2 emissions by more than 28 million tonnes worldwide.

The Green Car Guide (www.green-car-guide.com)