Protect your car from theft
If you happen to live in any part of the UK and drive your own car then you need to educate yourself on the car theft patterns prevalent here so that you do not become the next victim of the dreadful car theft network.
You left your car sitting pretty on the roadside of your quiet area only to discover at the end of the day that the car has gone once and for all! Well, you are not the only one to experience this kind of tragedy. According to the Home Office some 40% of UK car crime is committed outside the owners home.
You can not even rest in peace by parking it inside your garage as some 1% of cars in UK are lifted right from the owner’s garage.
Similarly, 5% cars are stolen from the workplace car park, 14% from General street parking, 19% from Public car parks and 22% from Semi-private car parks.
These and other sensational car theft facts are revealed by the Home Office reports over different years. If the news of car thefts makes chills run down your spine, try to understand the general car theft pattern in the UK; it will provide you with ideas how to avoid common safety mistakes.
Here are the key findings of Home Office on the basis of the data provided by the Police National Computer (PNC), and information provided by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
• Although car related thefts have fallen by 40% since 1997 according to the authoritative British Crime survey 2003/04, some 282,816 cars were stolen in England, Scotland and Wales in 2003.
• So what types of cars are at the higher risk? It is small saloon cars that are stolen most frequently. 12 out of 1,000 registered cars are stolen from the road.
• In the case of People Carriers and 4×4s, the risk is slightly lower—in these cases 6 cars are stolen from 1,000 registered cars.
• Do you think you are free to be a bit careless just because you drive a car as old as 13 and 14 years (registered in 1989 and 1990)? Well, you can not afford to be careless because it is these old cars that are faced with the highest risk —– with a theft rate of 31 cars per 1,000 cars.
• The younger cars in the UK roads—- aged between 1-5 years old—-run the lower risk of being stolen. These cars are stolen at the rate of 5 cars per 1,000 registered.
Holiday drive tips
Take a trip along the motorway during the long summer weekends and you will be amazed by the procession of breakdown trucks along the road! These are all the unfortunate road trippers that are forced to end their holiday before time.
Here are the reasons why you can not afford to set out on a holiday on wheels with out the proper pre trip check up for your car!
- A pre trip check up saves you from the frustration of ending the holiday ahead of time, it saves lots of your £’s on repairs.
- It will save on the towing charges and lodging expenses in case you have to take a break due to a car break down.
- There are other costs like making long distance calls, renting a car to get back to home etc that can make it all a costly affair.
You only need to invest as little as ten minutes of your time to eliminate the most common causes of such an expensive ordeal! Just consult our pre-trip checklist to make your long drive successful in every aspect.
Contact a qualified mechanic to perform a pre-holiday check up on your car. The technician will take the following aspects into consideration.
Top up for fluids: Your car uses several types of fluids to give it a smooth run. Starting from the brake fluid to engine oil, fluids for power steering and transmission fluids—all must be inspected to prevent them running out.
In addition to that windshield washer solvent and the antifreeze fluids are important aspects to take notice of.
Checkup for hoses and belts: This is important to ensure that the electrical system including air conditioning and power steering are in perfect health.
If it is detected that cooling system hoses are deteriorating then you should replace the hoses and clamps to avoid problem on your trip.
Check up for tyres: This is the most important aspect of pre-holiday check list as it is the wheels that carry you along the road. The examination of tyres should cover such aspects as
- Inflation
- Traces of uneven wear
- Wheel alignment
- Bulges and bald spots
This check up does not take much of your time; so you can go for a last minute check up as well. But in case, you drive an old model, it is recommended that you opt for a pre planned maintenance plan, with adequate time for repair ahead of the trip.
The pre trip check ups have many benefits; you can get your car examined by your local mechanic who should be familiar with the car. But the greatest advantage is that it allows you to enjoy the trip without any stress and anxiety.
What Matters Most in MOTORCYCLES?
Many motorcycle owners spend countless of dollars just to increase the engine performance
of their bikes. And some of these engine performance parts include exhaust, fuel
injection, mapping system and many more. Aside from that, countless accessories not
only for the bikes but also for the owners are required only to be disappointed at
the end. Such disappointment is due to the fact that they have not gotten the desired
performance they want.
Take for example trail riding wherein speed is not at all
times required due to the jaggedness of the terrain. Additional accessories designed
for speed may create some problems along the way. Like your motorcycle may end up
too much for you to handle. And some expert bikers say that some motorcycle accessories
may even render your bikes to become slower. Likewise, some motorcycle accessories
may even cause you, the rider to meet an accident. An example of which is buying
taller tires without considering geometry of your motorcycle. Such may cause a rider
to lose balance and that can be fatal especially during trail riding.
Now, this doesn’t
mean that you are not going to buy any accessory for your motorcycle. However, it
is imperative that you know just what motorcycle accessories you need and suppose
to buy. Here’s a list of must have motorcycle accessories:
1. Suspension is one of
the not so famous motorcycle parts that’s why most riders often times forget the
importance of suspension on their bikes. Suspension can increase the speed of motorcycles.
Nonetheless, it is not advisable to buy full suspension components since stock suspension
can still be used. You only have to use components like the gold valve emulators
in order to improve your stock equipment.
2. There are different tires for different
types of terrain. It is important that you have a knowledge on what type of tire
is applicable to a certain type of terrain in order to enhance your bike’s capacity
to trail various terrains.
In addition, proper care of your motorcycles is vital.
Proper care implies regular check up of the different parts to ensure safety on your
part and also to make certain that your motorcycle is always on top condition.
Furthermore,
whatever motorcycle accessories you may want to buy and add to your motorcycles just
make sure that they are in accordance to the specification of your bike. This way
you can minimize the quick wear and tear of your bike and at the same time you also
ensure your safety. Riding a bike is an invigorating experience, one that can be
treasured. So be wise, drive safely and choose motorcycle parts wisely. Shun away
from those you don’t need and stick only to those you need.
20 tips on how to travel to Europe on a budget
Follow these easy steps and cut your travel budget in half while adding to your enjoyment.
If you've never travelled to Europe, you'll be pleasantly surprised to discover how cheaply you can eat, sleep, and see the best attractions.
1. RESEARCH YOUR TRIP AT HOME
Borrow travel guides from your public library. Focus on guidebooks for students. The best have titles such as "Lonely Planet," "Rough Guides," and "Let's Go Guides."
Read their advice and their warnings. For example, a cheap place to sleep isn't smart if it's in the wrong part of town.
When you find a guidebook that you like, buy a copy of it secondhand at a used bookstore, or online.
Don't carry the entire book with you as you travel; tear out the pages that describe the places that you intend to visit. As you travel, you will be able to double-check names, addresses, prices and hours of service for the places you want to go.
2. TALK TO PEOPLE
When you travel, talk to other tourists. Almost everyone you meet will recommend favorite places to stay or eat on a budget, or an attraction that is a must-see.
Talk to everyone, not just other tourists. You may become good friends with someone who'll invite you to share a lunch, or split a taxi fare.
Take the same precautions with strangers as you would at home. If someone seems a little "odd," steer clear of him or her.
But, with that in mind, talk with locals and other travelers. You'll often get great advice.
3. TRAVEL BY COACH INSTEAD OF BY TRAIN
In the U.S., people travel by bus when they can't afford anything better. In Europe, bus travel is often called "coach service," and many people prefer a coach rather than the train or rental cars.
In addition, coach travel is often half the price of the same journey by train.
Check the schedules. Trains are often faster, but for short trips a coach may arrive only a few minutes later.
4. TRAVEL BY TRAIN INSTEAD OF RENTING A CAR
Rental cars are usually the most expensive way to travel. Between the rental fee, auto insurance, and the price of gasoline in Europe, train travel will save a lot of money compared with rental cars.
Also, Europeans drive less than Americans do. As a result, you can go almost anywhere in Europe without a car.
5. TRAVEL AT NIGHT
If your journey will take several hours, travel at night. Buses and trains are often designed with comfortable seats that you can sleep in. This saves you the expense of a hotel that night.
6. ASK ABOUT TRAVEL PASSES BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME
Save up to 50% by purchasing passes instead of tickets for train and bus travel, and sometimes ferries, too. Usually, each pass allows you unlimited travel within a certain time period, such as three days or two weeks.
However, many bargain passes must be purchased outside of Europe. Check with a travel agent or look online, and buy your pass at home before you leave. Then, be certain that you know how, when, and where to use your passes.
7. EAT WHERE THE LOCALS DO
Most Americans are eager to experience the local culture. If you eat at least one meal a day where the locals do, you'll not only save money but also learn a lot about the area you're visiting.
Pubs and similar eateries may display TVs with local programming, or offer free entertainment. This is another way to enjoy regional culture.
8. EAT AT FAMILIAR FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS
You may be surprised to see familiar fast food restaurants throughout Europe. MacDonald's, Burger King, KFC, and Pizza Hut are just a few American eateries that are popular in other countries.
Fast food menus are nearly the same in Europe, and the prices are only a little more than what you'd pay for the same meal at home.
However, their ingredients aren't imported from the States. Your pizza in England may be topped with cheese that is richer and more flavourful than you've ever tasted in America.
Eat one meal a day at a familiar fast food restaurant, and it'll trim your expenses nicely.
9. SHOP AT GROCERY STORES
When you travel, shop at a grocery store for some of your meals. Bread, cheese, fruit, and wine can be a delightful and inexpensive meal, especially if you share it with a few friends.
In some countries, delicatessens offer gourmet-quality food at fast food prices. Ask for recommendations as you travel.
10. SLEEP AT B&BS, NOT HOTELS
Bed and breakfast establishments--called "B&BS"--are usually half the price of an average hotel.
However, always ask to see the room before paying for it. In some countries, if someone says that they are running a B&B, they get a tax break. Their "B&B" may be a dusty little room in the attic, and you have to climb down two flights of stairs to use the rest room.
One way that a genuine B&B will save you money is at breakfast. Your room fee includes a breakfast, and it's usually hearty.
While many B&BS offer breakfast cereals, most of them prefer to serve a large hot breakfast that includes eggs, meat, and at least one vegetable or fruit. In the UK, your eggs and sausage breakfast may be accompanied by a baked tomato, cooked mushrooms, and baked beans.
A good, filling breakfast will last you into the afternoon, and if you eat a hearty early dinner (or a late lunch), you won't need a third meal that day.
11. SLEEP AT HOSTELS WHEN YOU CAN
Hostels--like buses--are very different in Europe compared with their American counterparts.
In the past, hostels were exclusively for students. Today, people of all ages enjoy hostels throughout Europe.
Many hostels offer smaller rooms, sometimes even single rooms, if you're travelling alone.
In most cases, a hostel will cost about half as much as a local B&B.
Generally, hostels can be warm and welcoming, and even more comfortable than an average hotel. Or, the hostel can be "no frills." Like B&BS, it's wise to ask to see the sleeping rooms before deciding to stay there.
In most cases, you'll enjoy hostels because you can meet so many people, ask questions, swap travel stories, and learn what to do (and what to avoid) at your next destinations.
Many hostels include breakfast in their nightly fees, while others allow you to use the kitchen to prepare your own money-saving meals.
A few hostels open late in the afternoon and close immediately after breakfast. This reduces their operating expenses. Ask about "lockout" hours, and what their rules are, if you plan to spend more than just a night at the hostel.
You can also buy an YHA membership at home, and your membership card will provide significant discounts at many hostels as you travel.
12. FIND OUT WHICH TOURIST ATTRACTIONS ARE FREE
In many European cities, some museums are free to visit. Some have free admission on certain days, or during just a few hours. This can save you considerable money.
Likewise, find out which museums allow you to take photos. In Europe, taking pictures in museums is far more popular than in the U.S., and those photos are far less expensive ways to remember the wonderful art that you saw, than buying post cards.
13. BUY SPECIAL TOURIST PASSES
Many tourist attractions offer special passes. You'll pay one fee and can visit several sites for far less than the price of individual admissions.
In some cities, the pass will admit you to a dozen or more different attractions. There may be a time limit on the pass, so that it's good for just one day, or three days.
Some countries offer passes that admit you to all of one kind of attraction, such as historic homes and related museums.
14. ASK ABOUT OFFBEAT EXTRAS
Sometimes, tourist attractions offer special tours or events that are not advertised ahead of time.
For example, if you're going to visit Ireland's famous New grange site, you can sign up for a lottery for admission to the eerie tunnels at dawn on the Solstices. That's a once-in-a-lifetime experience available only to a lucky few.
At other sites, you can pay just a little more than a regular admission price, and visit after hours when only a dozen or so people are let in.
15. GO TO CHURCH
If you are an enthusiastic churchgoer at home, be sure to attend church as you travel. You may discover new friends there, who will invite you to share a meal.
Also, ask your priest, rabbi, or minister about hospitality in the European countries you'll visit. Some churches have directories of members who open their homes to guests as a form of fellowship.
16. TAKE UP A NEW HOBBY
Instead of buying expensive trinkets made for tourists, take home different kinds of reminders of your trip.
Some people take photographs, paint, or sketch as they travel. A travel journal may be your most valued reminder of a great vacation.
Or, learn to how to do rubbings before you leave on your vacation.
In the past, people used to create art using rubbings from ancient gravestones. Today, many of those stones are too fragile for rubbings.
However, in some European countries such as England, visitors' centers provide brass plaques and other items that are specifically created rubbings. Some are up to several feet long, and the rubbings can be framed and displayed over your fireplace or a sofa when you return home.
Other on-the-road hobbies can include collecting small, inexpensive items such as labels from beverages, stamped train tickets, matchbooks, and so on.
And, if you plan ahead, you can also enjoy hobbies such as letterboxing and geocaching. Learn about these international activities online before you leave. They may add an entirely new dimension to your travels. Even better, these are generally free hobbies.
17. USE THE INTERNET
If you stop at a cafe, hostel, B&B, or hotel that offers Internet access, you can stay in touch with friends and family at a fraction of the cost of phone calls.
Likewise, you can check the weather at your next destination, and change your travel plans quickly on the Internet. Most hostels have web sites, so that you can see what kinds of rooms are available, what their prices are, and even change your reservations online.
Some trvel sites offer reviews by visitors. If you've heard that a hostel or restaurant is great (or terrible), you can check online reviews to see if they agree.
18. WALK WHEN YOU CAN
Throughout Europe, people walk. This saves you money because you won't be paying train, bus, or taxi fares. It's also a great way to stay healthy by getting exercise.
You'll meet people when you walk. Greet others on the street or path. Even if you're picking words out of a dictionary because the language is difficult, you'll soon find ways to communicate basic ideas. This can greatly enhance your travel experiences.
And, when you're walking you'll have time to appreciate sights and landscapes that you'd miss if you took a bus or other transportation.
19. TRAVEL LIGHT
When you travel, take as little with you as possible. Find asuitcase that converts to a backpack, and you won't need to tip porters or taxi drivers as you travel.
Pack clothing that you can wash by hand in your hotel or hostel sink, and it will dry overnight. This saves you laundry and dry cleaning bills.
If you need more clothes as you travel, especially sweaters, buy handmade items from local shops. For example, an Irish-knit sweater can be remarkably inexpensive, and it doubles as a wonderful memento of your holiday when you return home.
20. REMEMBER THAT THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE
Laughter and friendships, landscapes and brushes with interesting and different cultures... these are what make travel enriching and worthwhile.
Expensive hotels and fancy tours insulate you from the lands and people you are visiting as you travel. If you choose to stay in B&Bs and hostels, and eat where the locals do, you'll have a far more meaningful vacation.
Plan ahead, learn where the bargains are (and aren't), pack light, and explore every opportunity as you travel. Others who are doing the same will offer advice to make your trip even better.
The best European holidays are usually the cheap ones. Plan to have fun and save money, and you'll return home with great memories and lots of smiles.
Best Deals > On Sale >>
Best of the Best is displaying the most desirable cars sourced from quality manufacturers. YOU CAN WIN>>
------------------
Thruxton Motorsport Centre provides driving gift experiences in the UK. Everything from driving supercars to single seat racing cars. Based at the prestigious Thruxton race circuit in Hampshire we run an unrivalled fleet of supercars consisting of the latest models from Ferrari, Aston Martin, Porsche, Lamborghini
------------------
Biggest Car Auction LIVE SALE online!
—----------------
Mapsinternational is a fast growing online map shop
--------------
The UK's #1 online bike & cycle shop also specialising in running, swimming, triathlon and hiking.
—--------------------
The Classic Motor Show, held annually at the NEC in Birmingham, is the biggest and best show of its kind in the UK today you'll see the biggest display of beautiful cars you're ever likely to see under one roof TICKETS>>
----------------------
Nationwide Autocentres, have the UK's largest independent network of car servicing and repair centres with over 220 branches. They are specialists in vehicle servicing, MOT testing, mechanical repairs and maintenance for almost every make and model of car. All centres have 'AA Approved Service Centre' status - the only garage chain in the UK to be AA Approved.
-----------------
Insurance Choice is a non-advisory broker. What this means is, they are able to contact numerous insurers to obtain the best quote and cover for you.
--------------------
Autoglass® can repair or replace any type of glass on any make, model or age of vehicle. FREE with insurance cover.
-----------------
GetGeared is obsessed about the best value and quality motorcycle and scooter clothing and accessories, backed by unrivalled customer support and delivery.SALE>>>
----------------
Motoring Assist operates Breakdown Cover which provides motorists with 50% OFF include free Accident Management Service, free 12 month Key Care Insurance (on joining), free quarterly magazine (Good Motoring), and discounts on products and services.
---------------------
EBC Brakes Direct Limited sell all EBC Brake products. High performance brake pads and discs, in standard, sport and race versions for every vehicle on the planet.
---------------------
Sixt is a leading name in car rental. CHEAP!>>
-------------------
Europe's leading Internet tyre retailer with over 14,000 fitting station partners and more than 25 shops all over Europe. Top quality at low prices and with such a huge range on offer
-------------------
The Halfords website currently ranges over 10,000 easily accessible products, ranging from Sat Nav, In Car Technology, Bikes, Car Maintenance and Car Styling, the site also offers helpful advise and hints
------------------------
For the professional user combing aerial photography and height data allows architects, surveyors and engineers to conduct desktop site assessments, negating the need for them to spend valuable money and time visiting a site.
-------------------
AA Travel Insurance is committed to driving sales through their website – online prices are up to 30% cheaper than prices in our call centre.
-------------------------
