Motorists are being urged to stay safe on the roads this winter – with free health checks up for grabs.
AA statistics showed that in December last year, there were 1,150 breakdowns every hour in Britain.
So to keep you motoring this winter, Gregg Little Testing Centre is offering some preventative advice to combat the cold weather.
The family-run garage is also offering drivers free winter health care checks as the dark nights draw in.
Worth up to £15, the health checks involve looking at tyres, the battery, wipers, the engine, heating and ventilation, washers and anti-freeze as well as starter and charger systems.
Call Gregg Little Testing Centre today on 01325 321621 – quoting Aycliffe Today.
Technician and workshop manager Norman Travers said: “We provide MOT testing, servicing and winter vehicle health checks for members of the public and local businesses.
“We really encourage people to keep up with service schedules to prevent more costly emergency repairs over the winter and ensure brakes are all working effectively – my advice is to check your service history now – when was yours last serviced?
“All works, including MOTs, servicing are carried out by fully qualified technicians, and customers do not have to have repairs done there and then – staff will advise of any work needed to bring the vehicle up to legal standard and withstand a long winter.
“Our free winter healthcare checks looks after all of this for you – we even top up fluids, change bulbs and wipers all free of charge too!”
Here are some useful winter motoring tips from Norman…
1 – Tyres
Tread depth and pressures for wet grip – AA recommends at least 3mm for safe driving.
Consider changing to winter or all season tyres – these have a higher silica content in the tread which prevents it hardening at lower temperatures, and therefore gives better grip in cold wet conditions.
2 – Visibility
Make sure that all bulbs are working and that lenses are clean. When roads are really mucky you might need to clean lights after every journey.
Keep the number plates clean too, as you can be fined if they are dirty and illegible.
3 – Wipers
Are you wiper blades cleaning your windows as effectively as they could?
Make sure that wipers are switched off in the park position when leaving the car, when there’s risk of freezing.
If you don’t and the blades freeze to the screen, you could damage the blades or wiper motor when you turn the ignition on.
4 – Battery
Lights, heaters and wipers put high demands on the car battery. If your driving is mainly dark rush-hour trips, the battery will give out eventually turn off electrical functions.
Turn off non-essential electrical loads like lights, rear screen heater and wipers before trying to start the engine.
Service and MOT packages are also available from Gregg Little Testing Centre, with MOTs from £29.95.
The FREE winter health care check must be pre-booked and quote Aycliffe Today.
CONTACT
Telephone: 01325 321 621
Email: [email protected]
Address: 6 Leaside, Aycliffe Business Park, DL5 6HZ
* You must quote Aycliffe Today to take advantage of the free winter health check.
