It can sometimes feel impossible to keep your car clean in the winter, with snow, puddles, slush and mud, it seems the weather is constantly against you. Not everyone has time to wash their cars and it is definitely not an enjoyable activity in the cold. Using a car wash regularly can become expensive, so if there are ways to prevent your car from getting quite so messy, they are probably worth it!

Tyres can crack for numerous reasons, including;

• Overheating
• Tyre Pressure
• Age
• Wet Roads
• Old Roads
• Degradation

But what do these actually mean and what can we do to prevent them?

Overheating – UV rays can make tyres expand with heat, then constrict in the cold.

Tyre Pressure – If tyres are over pressurised then this can lead to them cracking as it adds extra stress to tyres walls.

Age – Tyres wear over time, so if your tyres are getting old they may be more likely to crack.

Wet Roads – Water can permeate tyres if you are regularly driving through water or on wet surfaces.

Old Roads – Older, country roads are more likely to have potholes and bumps, therefore putting your cars at risk of cracked tyres.

Degradation – Rubber can deteriorate over time. Although chemicals are added to rubber to make them reinforced, they will never last forever!

If you are in need of new tyres, drop us an email to info@laautos.co.uk to get booked in!

Whether you are driving to visit family or going on holiday with your dog, it is important to consider how to make the journey safe  and as calm as possible for your pet.

Secure in Harness

Our first tip is to make sure your dog is secure in a harness and seatbelt. You can buy these from most pet shops. The seat belt clips onto the harness and works the same as our seat belts, but gives the dog a bit more freedom to get comfy. Alternatively, if you don’t have a spare seatbelt plug, the best other option is to get a dog cage for your car boot. It is really important that your dog is secure in the case of an accident, but also that they can’t get to you or distract you whilst you are driving.

Take Regular Breaks

If you are travelling a long distance with your Dog, make sure you take regular pit stops! A lot of motorway service stations now have dog walking areas, which allow you to let your dog get some exercise safely. Never let your dog off the lead by a road – even if you trust that it will stay close to you. Accidents happen and dogs get easily distracted, so to keep both it and the people driving past you safe, keep your dog on a lead at all times when out the car.

Offer them Water

Dogs can get hot and bothered when stuck in a car. Make sure you offer the dog water throughout the journey and maybe even a treat or two if they are being good! Also note that much like us humans, drinking water from new, unfamiliar locations can cause an upset stomach for dogs. Use bottled water when travelling to avoid these issues.

Don’t Leave it in a Parked Car

Even if it doesn’t seem like a particularly hot day, cars get stuffy and uncomfortable when parked. Never leave your dog in a parked car unattended. This is hugely dangerous and many dogs have lost their lives due to this mistake. Instead, stop at places which allow dogs so that they can enjoy a refreshing stop at the same time as you!

Bring Home Comforts

Whether it’s your dogs favourite toy or a soft, comfortable blanket; having some home comforts with them in the car will automatically help them to feel more at ease. This will be particularly helpful if your dog is extra anxious in the car.

Avoid a Big Breakfast

If you know from experience that your dog gets car sickness or aren’t too sure, it’s best to avoid giving them a big breakfast before leaving. Instead, try giving them a little bit of food before you go and the rest when you arrive. This will also act as a treat for being so well behaved on the journey!

Take Some Test Drives

If you are really unsure on how well your dog will do in the car, it is a good idea to go on some shorted ‘test drives’ before the big trip. Plan a day of driving to a park so they get a treat out of it too!

Pack Supplies

Just like packing for kids, your dogs may need some extra supplies. Don’t forget to pack plastic bags, any medication given by a vet, a travel water bottle, treats and toys! It is also worth making a note of emergency numbers for your Vet incase anything goes wrong or your dog gets sick whilst away.

Plan in Advance

If taking your dog on a road trip, remember to plan in advance that all of your stops are pet-friendly. For example, make sure the beach allows dogs and definitely make sure that any accommodation is aware of your fury friend!

Head Inside The Car

You may see it all the time in movies and TV shows, but letting your dog stick their head out of the car window is actually very dangerous. Not only could they get hit by tight bridges or other vehicles, they also can get grit and other nasty things caught in their eyes. Keep them safely in the car, but there is definitely no harm in opening the window slightly for some fresh air.

Make Sure They are Microchipped

Never take your dog away with you before it has been microchipped. The law states that any dog who is old enough to leave the house should be microchipped.

Consider Using Window Shades

If the weather is extra sunny and bright, consider purchasing some window shades to avoid direct sunlight making your dog overheat. This will help them to stay as comfortable as possible as well as making the car cooler for everyone else too.

We hope you found these top tips useful, make sure you put them to good use on a fun road trip with your pets this summer! If you need to get your car serviced and ready to go, please contact LA Autos via our contact us page or ring us on 01234 354237.

Climate change and going green is such a current issue and so many people are interested in finding out how they can make a difference. There is always actions that can be taken to ensure that your car is more environmentally friendly. It isn’t always possible for people to invest in new hybrid, super green cars and knowing where to start can be overwhelming and confusing. That is why we at LA Autos have put together a helpful guide on our top-tips for keeping your car as eco-friendly as possible.

Tyre Pressure

Check your tyre pressure regularly. If your tyres are underinflated, this can mean that your car is not running as efficiently as usual, therefore the engine is having to work harder. Any stress you can take off your engine is a good move for becoming more environmentally friendly.

Air-con or windows?

Swap the air-con for open windows. On humid days, why not open the windows and get some fresh air rather than switching on the air-conditioning? This is such a simple way to cut down on unnecessary energy. Leasing.com recommend opening windows when your speed is below 45mph, however when you are driving quicker than this, the drag effect of the windows being open begins to make it more fuel efficient to shut them and go back to the air-con.

Get Serviced

Get your car serviced regularly. Studies show that cars which are checked regularly cause less CO2 emissions. Getting your car service helps to keep your engine ‘clean’. MOT tests will check that your car is running efficiently. For example, in May last year, emissions standards were made tougher for diesel vehicles. Although this may sound frustrating if you drive a diesel, it is important you know that your car is driving as efficiently as possible and isn’t causing too much harm to the environment!

Emissions Systems

Keep a check on your emissions systems. This system cleans the exhaust fumes that are leaving the tailpipe. If this is faulty; the gases will increase heavily which, of course, is harmful to the environment. Keep an eye out for the ‘Check engine light’.

Cruise Control

Use cruise control to maintain speeds without rapid accelerations. When using cruise control, your car can achieve up to 15% better mileage. This is because your gas intake is lowered, therefore your mileage is maximised.

Plan Ahead

Plan your journeys ahead to ensure that you are taking the eco-friendliest route possible. For example, lift sharing or saving errands for one trip can help cut down your fuel-consumption. Use a satnav system to avoid traffic as much as possible. You can also install a small GPS transmitter into your vehicle, which over time will track routes you have taken and eventually will be able to use this data to create the fastest and most eco-friendly route possible.

Avoid The Rush

Where possible, avoid rush hour traffic. Sitting in traffic can consume excess fuel. It also means that your route to work is much more pleasant!

Travel Light

Be wary of the weight your car is carrying. Avoid driving with a full boot where possible. Unnecessary items in your boot or on a roof rack can cut mileage. If you can empty your boot before travelling, it’s best to do so.

Wash At Home

Wash your car at home instead of in a car wash. This means that you are able to monitor how much water is being used and you can insure that biodegradable soap is used, making it less harmful to the environment.

Car journeys are stressful, and when you add children into the mix…it becomes even more complicated! The thought of a 6 hour drive down to Cornwall with children confined to the car and the usual ‘are we nearly there yet’ on repeat can bring any parent to tears!

How can you make your car journey less stressful, children entertained and everyone happy? We’ve got some great tips for you to help with younger and older childen;

1. Activity books – Drawing books, colouring books and puzzle books are a great thing to bring along. They don’t take up much space and can entertain children for a good hour! Traditional story and picture books are great whether your child can read or not too.
2. Travel games – Stock up on mini version of popular games. Chess, connect4 and battleship are timeless and sure to keep older children occupied for a while.
3. Audio books – Maybe better for older children, but audio books are great for playing in the background and mean everyone can enjoy them at the same time
4. Frequent stops – If you’ve travelled with a toddler who is only just out of nappies you’ll know the stress of having to ask them every 5 minutes if they need the toilet! Frequent stops give everyone a chance to stretch their legs and something else to look at other than the passing roads. Plan in somewhere unusual along the way to stave off boredom. If you have little ones, see if there is a soft play centre along the route where they can burn off energy and (hopefully) sleep for the rest of the journey…win win!
5. A tablet – An iPad, Kindle or your phone with Kids YouTube, Netflix or other streaming services or games is always a winner when things get tough!
6. Portable DVD player – A DVD player is cheaper than a tablet and doesn’t require the internet! Simply pack a selection of films and TV shows set it up in the back of the car
7. Word games – A true classic who’s popularity has wained over the years. Bring back I-Spy, word association and story games to keep children (and adults) entertained
8. Snacks – Children seem to be bottomless pits of hunger and a car journey is a prime time for them to be ‘hungry’. Stock up on snacks for the car
9. Mini toy bags – Put together some toy bags before you set off. Include little toys they’ve never had before (like a party bag). These can be small things bought from a poundshop or little home made things. Either way the kids will enjoy looking through and finding something new
10. Sing along – Get some kids CDs and have a good old fashioned sing a long. Kids will love singing (shouting) along to them