Herald - Issue 397

Page 66 • The HERALD • 29th October 2020 v INDEPENDENT, LOCAL AND PROUD v AMT MOBILE MECHANICAL 07950 638228 • Servicing • Repairs • MOT’s Arranged • Diagnostics • Breakdowns All Makes & Models incVans Competitive Rates Waterside Based amtmobile2@gmail.com Mobile Mechanic &Tyre Fitting MOBILE AIR CONDITIONING MOBILE AIR CONDITIONING MOBILETYRE FITTING MOBILETYRE FITTING Holbury Service Station Web: www.holburyservicestation.com Email: holburyservicestation@hotmail.co.uk Member of Good Garage Scheme.com TYRES FITTED WHILE-U-WAIT Budget and Branded tyres held in stock Long Lane, Holbury, SO45 2NZ Tel: 023 8089 3727 All Major Cards Accepted and Repairs to Cars & Vans MOT’S & SERVICING Your In-Car Survival Kit For Winters On The Road Advice from the AA When winter weather blows in, you needn’t give driving the cold shoulder. But you might be wondering what to keep in your car in case of a winter breakdown. Read our checklist to see how to build your own winter survival kit for your car. Winter car essentials Here’s a checklist of the items you should always keep in your car over winter: 1. Ice scraper and de-icer You never know when you’ll wake up to an iced over windscreen or come back to a frozen car a er a day out. Make sure you always carry an ice-scraper and de-icer so you can e ectively defrost your windscreen. If you don’t remove snow and ice properly, you could get 3 points on your licence and a £100 ne. 2. Torch and spare batteries Short days and long nights in winter mean you could be getting in and out of your car in the dark. Keep a torch handy to avoid any trips. If you break down, you’ll need to nd a safe place to wait for roadside assistance. A torch will help light your way on a dark verge. 3. A fully charged mobile phone If you’re delayed because of bad weather (or a weather related incident), it’s a good idea to let your loved ones know. It’ll save them worrying and stop any distracting texts and phone calls coming in while you’re behind the wheel. Just remember not to use a handheld phone while driving. Pull into a safe rest stop to make a call or ask a passenger to do it for you. 4. An in-car phone charger or power pack is’ll help with number 3 on the list, because you don’t want a dead phone battery in an emergency. 5. Sat-nav or a printed route for an unfamiliar journey e last thing you want is to get lost in the dark on unfamiliar roads. Fiddling with a sat nav could distract you from driving, so planning ahead is the best option. 6. A road atlas Just in case there are diversions and you don’t have any GPS signal, a road atlas will help you plan a new route. 7. Sunglasses It might seem strange to put sunglasses on a winter checklist. But actually, the low sun in winter can dazzle drivers and cause glare. Keep your sunnies in the car to make sure your vision isn’t a ected. 8. First aid kit It’s always a good idea to keep a rst aid kit in your car. e British Standards Institution has guidelines on what to include like sterile wipes, plasters, dressings and scissors to treat minor wounds. A good kit should have all these. 9. Empty fuel can You’d be surprised how many breakdowns are caused by running out of fuel. If you keep an empty fuel can in the car, you’ll be able to nip to a lling station for a top up if you do run out. ieves steal catalytic converters for the valuable metals they can contain. Vehicles with a higher chassis are o en targeted, as are hybrid vehicles. To keep yours safe, ask your car dealer if they can give you any advice on locks, cages or guards that are approved by the vehicle manufacturer. To further protect your vehicle: • Park your car in a locked garage where possible, but if this isn’t an option, then park in a well-lit and well-populated area. • If using a public car park, park alongside other cars and face your bonnet towards a wall where possible. • Avoid parking half on the pavement, which makes the underside of your vehicle more accessible. • If your catalytic converter is ‘bolted on’ you can have the bolts welded shut. • Identify/etch your converter with a unique reference number and register it at www.immobilise.com • Installing security lighting and CCTV on your drive can act as a deterrent. Look for approved CCTV installers in your area who are members of a recognised inspecting body e.g. United Kingdom Accreditation Service. If you see someone acting suspiciously under a vehicle, report it to the police. Obtain as much information as possible, including any vehicle registrations. Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Advice by Police Force Crime Prevention Advisor