Break down your car? Just find the best garage in Warrington

Anybody can experience a car breakdown, but very few individuals are prepared to handle one. Some basic safety measures that one must take while dealing with the problem are turning emergency lights on, moving to the safe side of the road, staying inside the vehicle, becoming visible to other drivers, and last but not least, getting help from a car repair service provider. Some ways through which you can find reliable car repair service providers are as follows.

1. Ask for recommendations

You can ask for recommendations from your family, friends, and colleagues who live in Warrington. People with a positive experience with a garage might recommend it to you.

2. Go through the online reviews

Check out google reviews, yelp, and online directories to get an idea of the quality of the services that a garage in Warrington has been providing.

3. Visit the garage

Visit the garage you have shortlisted to get a sense of their work, facilities, and staff. You can also ask about their prices and services.

4. Compare prices

Compare prices of all the car repair service providers and make an informed decision. But make sure the price is not the only factor when it comes to deciding the car repair services.

So finding out a reliable garage can save you from the inconvenience that happens during a breakdown situation. Ashcroft auto centre has years of experience offering car maintenance and repair services. The company repairs all types of vehicles and has workers that proficiently find out the root cause of the problem. Ashcroft auto centre offers around-the-clock services, including emergency services, to assist people whose vehicle breaks down at any time of need. Our team install high-quality equipment in the vehicle recommended by the manufacturers and ensures no problem arises again. Contact us for more information.

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Top Tips to Help you Pass your Car MOT

Do you often get anxious when your MOT due date approaches? Around 50% of Mot tests failure can be avoided with simple maintenance, and if you prepare your car before the test, you can avoid inconvenience and costly repairs afterwards.

Faulty light bulbs, inadequate tyre pressure or other tyre-related problems are a few common reasons behind MOT failure. Below are some tips that can help you pass the MOT test. 

Lights

More than 30% of MOT fails are due to light issues, whether brake lights, headlights, rear lights or dashboard lights. Sometimes a simple bulb change is all one needs- which comes in just a few bucks, and people don’t know about it. You can take the help of a friend or your family to check whether your lights are working properly.

Tyres

Tyres failures account for 10% of Ministry of transport test failures- You need to check your tyres for the following issues.

1. Tyre pressure- To pass the MOT in Warrington, ensure the tyres are inflated within the recommended pressure. It is imperative to do this because modern tyres work best when they are inflated properly.

2. Tyre tread depth- A tread depth of 1.6mm is widely accepted across the world. You should replace the tyres before they wear and tear to a dangerous level.

3. Other issues- You also need to check your tyres for cuts, punctures and other visible damages.

Engine oil and fuel

If your car does not have enough engine oil and fuel, it will be impossible for you to pass the MOT test. So, fill up your vehicle with adequate oil level and increase your chances of acing the ministry of transport test. If you take your car to the garage for regular maintenance, you need not worry about topping up engine oil.

Seatbelts

You must check the seatbelts before taking your car to the test. There are several ways to do this, first is to do a visual inspection- check if the seatbelt material is torn or ripped. After this, check whether the buckle is in good condition and if there is any rust on the material. Also, examine if it is easy to engage and disengage the belt.

Number plates

Rules and regulations for number plates keep changing, making it difficult for drivers to update them. Your number plate should be seen from a distance and have proper letters and spacing. If you are unable to follow these things, you will end up getting failed in the test.

Driver visibility

Another common reason for MOT failure is an obstruction in driver visibility. It includes broken mirrors and things that can block the driver's view. The best is to refrain from hanging anything from the rear mirror. And if you installed a dash camera, ensure its wires and cables do not hinder the view while driving.

The above tips will help you carry out the MOT test without any issues. If you get your car serviced regularly, then most of these will include in that. To find out more about car maintenance tips, stay tuned with us.

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How can you avoid car breakdown during summers?

Summer heat can be as harsh to a car as chilly winters. But you don’t need to worry as there are some ways through which you can check and keep your vehicle in good condition. The below article will help you learn things, such as how to recognize common signs of car breakdown before they happen and what to do in case of emergencies. Read on to find out.

1. Problems due to battery

The battery gives a hard time to cars in winter and can be a bit easier on them in summer. But it can be the leading reason behind a car’s breakdown in hot weather.

Reasons

• Increased stop-start activity leads to battery issues.

• In slow traffic and long journeys, people often plug-in devices such as mobiles, tablets and entertainment, which puts pressure on the battery and can damage it. 

• Crawling in slow traffic also puts a toll on the battery.

Signs

• Facing difficulty in starting the car.

• Lights taking time to turn on or appear dim.

Prevention

• Consider replacing the battery after four to five years.

• Charge your battery after regular short trips or search for car breakdown recovery services in Warrington.

2. Puncture issues in summers

You might not believe it, but many drivers don’t keep a spare tyre in the car. And we all know punctures are inevitable. Though one can tackle minor problems with tyres on their own, serious ones can only be tackled with the help of a repair kit or a mechanic.

How to prevent this?

Keep a spare tyre in your car along with a puncture kit.

3. Clutch damage

• Summers can be harsh on your clutch. 

• Clutch is used more in slow-moving traffic, and driving on unfamiliar roads in remote locations also puts a toll on it.

Reasons

• Towing is the biggest reason for clutch failure.

• Also, unfamiliar locations such as unexpected hills can increase strain to it.

Symptoms

• The clutch does not fail immediately; it will give you signs such as a heavy pedal, etc. You just need to put enough attention towards it. 

How to prevent it?

• Carry out an MOT in Warrington.

• Know about your route in advance.

• Familiarize yourself with your car towing capacity.

3. Alternator problems

• It is one of the most costly repairs in a car.

Reasons

• Alternator problem arises when there are battery issues.

• Hot weather and power-hungry devices put a heavy toll on the alternator.

Warning signs

• Red battery light in the car.

Some Car summer maintenance tips

Check the cooling systems

A leaking cooling system is one of the most common reasons behind vehicle overheating and extensive engine damage. If you own a vehicle with an air conditioner and see a small amount of water on the floor, don’t get afraid- it is due to the condensation of your air conditioning system, so it is normal.

Examine your convertible roof

If you have one and you haven’t used it for a long time. Check it by manually opening and closing it.

Inspect all dashboard lights

Dashboard warning lights indicate a possible problem in your car. It, therefore, must be in good working conditions. Consult a mechanic- if it is not operating correctly.

Get your fan belt checked

A fan belt also called an auxiliary belt, must be in good condition. To ensure if it is working perfectly, get it checked from a local dealer or garage.

Check the jack and wheel brace

They should be in good working conditions as they will allow you to change the tyre in the middle of your journey if anything happens. It is also beneficial to practice changing the spare tyre from the car manual.  

Note: If your vehicle does not come with a jack and wheel brace, learn how to use a tyre repair kit.

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How to Diagnose Problems in your Car yourself?

 There are some problems in the car that need professional help, but there are many things that you can fix on your own. Moreover, if you know about some car problems, you will be confident when going to a repair shop. Here are a few issues that you can take care of on your own.

 

1. Oil warning light is on

 

While travelling, if you see your oil warning light is on, stop the car immediately and shut down the engine. This could be due to engine problems or a bad oil pressure sensor. But it can also happen when the car's engine runs out of oil. To check the oil level, you must follow the steps below.

 

· Grab a tissue or a piece of cloth, and then pull the dipstick out.

· Clean the oil in the dipstick with the tissue and put it back into the dipstick tube.

· Remove the dipstick again to check the oil level. There are two markings or holes in the dipstick, which indicates the maximum and minimum oil levels. If the oil level in your stick is below the minimum mark, it means you need to add oil.

· Call your friend and add proper oil to your vehicle.

· After this, drive your car to a garage in Warrington to check for other oil consumption issues.

However, if your oil level is above the mark, there could be some serious issues for which you need to get it checked by a professional.

 

2. If your car stopped

 

If your engine doesn’t turn on with single-clicking or multiple clicking, there are chances that your battery is either dead or weak. If you are driving, you may not have the tools to fix your car issue on the road. Here are two ways through which you can do it yourself.

 

a. Warm up the battery

 

In cold weather, the chemical reactions that drive car batteries slow down. You can increase the power of the battery by increasing the battery output. An easy way to do this is to turn the engine on several times with a gap of 5-minutes.

 

How to do this?

· Start the engine and hold it there for 5 seconds.

· Turn the engine off.

· After 5 minutes, repeat the process four to five times.

 

b. Check the connections

 

In case your car doesn’t start after doing the above things. Reconnect the battery cables as their connection might get loose.

 

 

3. Fix dim headlights

 

People often think that dim headlights happen due to poor connections in the circuit. It could be the reason, but the most common is the corrosion on the ground connection. You can fix this issue by checking the corrosion in electrical connectors and cleaning the ground connection. Here are the steps that will help you know how to do this.

 

· Disconnect the headlight’s electrical connections and check for melted plastic or corrosion.

· If you find corrosion, apply an electrical contact cleaner on a simple brush and clean it.

· If you find a melted connector, replace it with a new connector. You can find it from an auto repair shop or garage in Warrington.

· After this comes the cleaning of headlight connections. You can locate the connector by following the ground wire to the chassis or connector.

· First, remove the screw bolts and then clean the connector with dielectric grease and reconnect them.

· If your headlights start giving bright lights, you have successfully fixed it. If not, you need to see a mechanic.

 

4. Check engine light

 

Check engine light turn on when your car computer has found some issues. It can be an engine issue, a transmission issue or a troubled code stored in the memory. But most of the time it is caused by faulty sensors which you can replace yourself. However, if the problem is a troubled code, you can get it checked by an auto repair shop. You can also find the codes yourself with the help of a scan tool or a code reader.

 

5. Fixing the car blinker

 

While travelling, if you find one blinker turns faster, it is usually because of a burnout bulb. You can replace the bulb to fix this issue on your own. When both of your car’s bulbs on the front and rear side are flashing rapidly, then don’t think it is the sign of a bad flasher- bad bulbs are still the reason. It is because some manufacturers use dual filament bulbs for parking and turn signal indicators. These filaments are positioned one over another, so a bad or damaged parking filament land on the other filament and leads to dim light or rapid flashing. The best way to deal with this is to invest in a new dual filament bulb.

 

At last, diagnosing simple car problems can help you save money but make sure you take your car to an auto repair shop when you don’t know what is causing the problem. Also, get your car checked by a professional once a year to save yourself from being stranded on an empty road late at night.

 

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Tips how to enhance the vehicle value

Vehicles are a great investment. One of the most important purchases most people make in their lives. And no car, truck, minivan, or sports car (SUV) has any value. They start depreciating when you drive them off the dealership lot. However, that does not mean the vehicle has no value. Even old and used cars have a certain value and can be sold or exchanged for some money. The important thing is to keep the value of the car as much as possible for as long as you own it. Here are the important tips on how to keep your car's value as high as possible.

1. Keep it Clean - It is important to remember that first impressions count and while a car should be mechanically sound, with no major electrical, window, or bodywork defects, it is always a good idea to clean the inside or outside of your car. You can even go further and pluck or polish the outside and vacuum the inside.

2. Age and mileage - Mileage has a greater impact on depreciation than age does. Cars often travel an average of 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year. The more you drive and cover a few kilometres, the more likely your car will quickly lose its value. Think about how much wear and tear your car is going through by placing the six-figure mileage on it. If you've driven a top brand car for years and haven't travelled long distances, you can rest assured that your car is labelled "in excellent condition", which gives you a higher resale value or exchange rate if you wish to part ways with your car.

3. Dents, chips, and scratches - If you have a lot of these, it might be worth looking into how much it would cost an auto repair company to fix a significant problem with your car's bodywork. If it is necessary to replace a major ding to the panel, it may make more financial sense to repair it at car body repairs in Warrington- you can only take advantage of it while your car is being valued.

4. Bright lights - Nothing says "worn-out beater" like dirty headlights. Numerous headlight cleaning products on the market can make this plastic headlight covers sharp and clear in a matter of minutes. And many of these products work. If you've tried a window cleaner before, it failed because it wasn't designed for this job.

5. Show documents that your car is in good condition - Whenever you change oil, check fluids, change brakes, or change tires, be sure to keep your receipt. When you have proof of a properly maintained car, you have many options to get the price you deserve.

6. Wax on, wax off - Do you have faded colours? Try not to spend a lot of money on a new one. Break out the wax and polish your way to add value to your car. If the paint on your car is so faded that you can't remember what it was like, try opening the door and looking inside the door frame. The area inside the door frame is rarely exposed to sunlight and harsh chemicals, so it is close to the true colour of the car. Remember, all the wax masks and polishes in the world will probably never bring back that colour and shine, but at least it gives you something to work with.

7. Keeping the shine - When washing your car, experts don't recommend using household cleaners like dish soap. Use a product designed for this purpose to protect your car.

8. Store the car properly - Your garage is more than just storing old furniture and exercise equipment. It is designed to park your vehicle. And that's a good idea, especially if you live in a very cold or hot climate. Too much sun can fade a car's exterior, including body paint, mouldings, and trim. On the other hand, extremely low temperatures can damage the car engine and its components. By keeping your car indoors in an air-conditioned environment, you can avoid expensive repairs and maintain the value of the car in the long run. So, clean your garage and park your car in it tonight.

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