Archive 18th April 2014

Tips on Choosing the Right Car

As this article is being written, Easter weekend is upon us and many people will (hopefully) be enjoying a bit of sunshine and LOTS of chocolate! However, because most of us have a few days away from the daily grind, we prefer to spend the time wisely and this might be about deciding which car will suit you best.

If you’re of the younger generation, this might well be the biggest purchase you have made in life so far. For those of you who are a little older it might not, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take time to consider your decision.

It’s very easy to get a little over excited when you visit a showroom. Not only are there lots of brand new and shiny looking cars to look at, you also have salesmen who will be more than willing to offer you all the “extras”. So just to try and keep things under control, below are a few tips to think about.

Budget     

This is highly important and it’s not just about how much you spend initially. You also have to think about tax, insurance, maintenance and fuel. How much all of these things will cost you does depend an awful lot on the type of car you choose.

You should also think about how much money you might expect to make when it’s time to sell your car. Not all brands are created equally and some retain their value better than others, so it’s worth asking about this when talking to a dealer.

Paying for Fuel

There are a myriad of choices in this respect these days because manufacturers have responded to the demand for economically efficient vehicles. Of course, diesel engines will cost you less to run and some engines will yield as much as 70 miles to the gallon.

However, if you really want a car that runs on petrol, some of the models that have smaller engines come pretty close to their diesel counterparts. You may even want to consider a hybrid car which is becoming ever more popular.

Do bear in mind though that the most economical cars on fuel tend to be more expensive to buy. For this reason, think about the amount of mileage you’re likely to do. If it’s not going to be that much, you may want to consider a cheaper car that’s perhaps not as economical on fuel.

Other Points to Consider

Of course, you also have to think about what you’re car will be used for (other than driving). How much boot space will you need? Will you often carry passengers in the back and will these be adults or children?

These questions will need to be answered because there is no point in spending your hard earned cash on a car that won’t suit your needs. In fact, (and don’t be afraid to do this) when you are looking for a car, take along things like golf clubs, the kids or even your pets so you know they will fit into the space you’ll have.

If you think carefully about the type of car you need BEFORE shopping for one, it will make your job an awful lot easier!

Get the Right Sunglasses for Driving

So here we are again, spring is almost upon us and it’s the time of year when we all look forward to some much needed sunshine. Getting those designer sunglasses out of the glove box and popping them on as you begin your journey just makes you feel so much more alive doesn’t it?

But, there is more to knowing what type of sunglasses will protect your eyes properly and keep you safe when you’re driving and you’re about to find out why.

For a start, the glare you get when you’re behind the wheel is magnified because of the windscreen. This can come from the sun being low in the sky, the rays can bounce of metal objects as you pass by and you can even be temporarily blinded by the bonnet of your own car!

In fact, glare is one of the most common causes of accidents on our roads, and it can happen at anytime of year the sun decides to show its face. So, below are some tips to think about the next time you decide to don the latest in fashion over your eyes when you’re driving:

Good Vision

Even if you don’t need prescription lenses, you still need to think about the clarity of vision you get when you where sunglasses. Some standard brands place too much emphasis on looks and not practicality. For instance, you need to make sure glare is kept to a minimum but at the same time, the lenses are not so dark you might miss something important.

When you’re shopping for a pair of sunglasses for driving, make sure you look out for brands that are made specifically for this purpose. Generally, they come in two different tints: Fixed and Variable.

Fixed Tint

The clue is in the name with this type. Whatever the lighting conditions, the level of tint will remain the same. These are the most readily available and cheapest form of sunglasses made for driving. If you’re worried you might not be able to have these if you need a prescription – don’t! Any reputable optician will be able to offer you fixed tint lenses.

Variable Tint

Again, as the name suggests, this type of lens will react to the level of light it receives. The brighter it is the more tint you get and vice-versa. However, you MUST remember that if you decide to go with a variable tint lens, make sure you visit an optician first.

The reason for this is that many brands are not suitable for driving because your windscreen already filters out UV rays, and this is what variable lenses react to in order to reach the right level of “darkness”.

Style and Safety

Whilst many of us like to wear the latest in fashion, do bear in mind that sunglasses with deep side arms can alter your peripheral vision which is something we all rely on when driving. You should also make sure that any pair you buy carries the “CE” which means they meet European Standards.

The Importance of a Driving Licence

You may think this article is about to give all the “youngsters” out there a lecture on how important it is that you ONLY drive a vehicle on your own if you have a full UK driving licence. However, for anyone sensible enough, you will already know how important it is that you don’t drive without one.

For a start, you won’t be able to get insurance and although the laws are changing with regards to showing an insurance certificate when you tax your car, it’s not that difficult for a suspicious police officer to find out you’re driving illegally.

The repercussions of driving without a licence can cause you all sorts of problems. At the very least you could receive a hefty fine or be banned from driving. In the worst case scenarios (for repeat offenders), you could end up facing a spell at Her Majesty’s pleasure!

However, as said this article isn’t about lecturing you on why you should have a driving licence but rather, why it’s important in other ways.

Job Opportunities

As we all know, finding a job isn’t the easiest thing in the world at the moment and if you’re fresh out of college or university the days of just walking into a job in your chosen career path are far more difficult than they used to be.

If you have passed your driving test and hold a full UK licence, more doors will be open to you when you’re looking for a job. Of course, some companies will insist that you hold a licence due to the type of job they have on offer, but if you have your own vehicle it’s possible to drive further afield in order to get to work.

A Driving Licence is a Useful Form of ID

When you get your driving licence, it will have a photo on it (not unlike a passport), and this can be very useful when you need to say, apply for a bank account or something-else that requires you to prove you are who you say you are.

If you’re in your late teens or early twenties and can produce a driving licence as a form of ID, it instantly shows you’ve been responsible enough to gain what’s considered to be a qualification and a very practical one at that!

A Driving Licence is a Sign of Maturity

You might find it hard to believe, but the minute you produce a driving licence many people will see this as a sign of someone who has “grown up”. You don’t just hold a licence, but you probably own a car as well. In which case, you have other responsibilities such as vehicle maintenance and budgeting skills for insurance and fuel.

So you see the importance of a driving licence goes much further than just being able to prove you can drive, especially if you’re young. It shows you have learned practical skills that will help in other areas of your life like decision making, general alertness and attention to detail which can help both personally and professionally!