Irish motorists skipping services to save money

Irish motorists are driving less, skipping car services, and putting off buying new cars, all because they're being hit by the cost of living crisis, writes Brian Byrne. These are some of the results of a survey conducted by Ford Ireland, whose Market lead has warned that skipping the services could lead to expensive repairs.

The survey indicated that more than half of respondents, especially women, were cutting back on mileage driven in order to save money. One in three reported their were either delaying or totally skipping the annual service. And one in five are either delaying the purchase of a new car, or opting to go for a secondhand one.

"By skipping or delaying a service, a motorist may well be saving money in the short term," says Ford Ireland's John Manning. "But they could be storing up longer term problems that will cost even more money in the long run”. He noted that during a service a technician will change oil, which prevents sludge building up in the engine's critical parts. This sludge can lead to increased engine wear, reduced engine performance and consequently, reduced fuel economy. "In extreme cases, sludge build up can negatively impact on your car’s emissions which could lead to a car failing the NCT. In addition to causing increased emissions and reduced fuel economy, sludge can cause long-term damage to an engine that could be very costly to put right”.

Regular services also mean that checks are carried out on other critical areas of a car in safety and proper running terms, including watching for corrosion and paintwork damage, checking lights and alignment, brakes and brake fluid moisture content, tyres and tread depth and the pollen and cabin filter.

"Above all, motorists must not allow their desire to save money impact on safety," John Manning says. "Following the correct service schedule for a vehicle will ensure your car is in the best condition to protect you and your family."

More used imports: more breakdowns

A continuing increase in the number of car breakdowns is likely due in part to people buying imported used cars instead of buying new, writes Brian Byrne.

This is a view from AA Ireland, which has reported a 4pc increase in breakdowns attended to in 2018, compared to 2017. The 2017 increase over the previous year was itself 5pc.

The organisation carried out 142,000 rescue assignments in 2018. One in four related to a car failing to start, according to its Annual Breakdown Review.

Some 33,000 of these latter involved faulty batteries, an increase of 3,000 on the previous year.

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Engine cleaning additive now available at Advance Pitstop

Before and after treatment images of fuel injectors and piston crowns.

An additive that cleans fuel systems and results in both power increases and fuel savings is now available from Advance Pitstop outlets, writes Brian Byrne.

Techron is made by the Chevron (Texaco) global fuel company, and can be added to a tank of fuel either annually or twice a year, depending on mileage. A treatment, which can be done as part of a normal car service with Advance Pitstop, costs €20.

At a recent presentation about Techron, an independent emissions measurement company — Emission Analytics — provided details of tests it had undertaken on a range of cars bought at random at auction in the UK, and which were checked before and after a treatment on a closed circuit where many ordinary driving conditions were simulated.

Both petrol and diesel cars were tested, in matched model pairs to take account of individual engine condition circumstances. The cars chosen were between 3-5 years old, with between 30,000-50,000 miles on the clock. In all, 20 vehicles were used in the trial.

The results showed improvements afterwards in both power and emissions. In the petrol cars, power increases averaged 2.6pc while fuel efficiency improved by 8.7pc. In diesels, power was up on average by 3.4 percent while mpg improved by 7.6 percent.

Most problems in a car's fuel system relate to deposits building up on fuel injectors, valves, and pistons. Techron treatment is designed to clear these off during the running of the car, and eliminating them through the exhaust.

The company says it is a 'no-harm' technology and that no warranty issues were raised by any OEM carmakers, many of whom use some of Chevron's technologies themselves.

The diesel version available through Advance Pitstop's 30 outlets is suitable for LCVs up to 3.5 tonnes. One for heavy-duty diesels will be available later.

Easytrip offers new van deals

The easytrip tolls and parking management company have launched an innovation to sign up van drivers to their service, a 'pay as you go' system. From €10, van drivers can open a toll tag only account or a combined toll and parking tag account for €20.

The new offer gives a 33 percent discount on a regular account for new van driver customers signing up to easytrip, with no tag costs, administration or monthly fees. The annual subscription tag fee of €10 or €20 is payable on opening an easytrip account with toll and/or parking charges being deducted as used.

Annual subscription fee for the second year of a toll tag account will increase to €15, and for combined toll and parking account to €30. Fee is paid annually from start date of account. The offer is available for a limited time only and all prices are inclusive of VAT. To set up an account contact easytrip on 1890 67 67 68 or log onto www.easytrip.ie.

Check out your car for summer

The UK-based Institute of Advanced Motorists offers advice for getting cars ready for spring/summer that applies just as much in this jurisdiction.

Now is a good time to give your car a spring clean. Salt is corrosive and will cause rusting if left on the bodywork. If possible take your car to a car wash that specialises in under-car cleaning to get rid of every trace.

The UK pollen season can be pretty miserable for hayfever sufferers, so replacing your car's pollen filter annually is a vital investment. Keeping your air-conditioning well maintained will help as well.

Servicing your air-con will also help your car smell better. If it smells stale when you turn the heating on, it could well be a sign that mould is building up in your condenser.

Flies will soon be out in force so be sure to refill your washer fluid. Habitually washing the windscreen and headlamps when you stop for fuel is also important as windscreen wipers won't get rid of all the fly debris.

Old wiper blades are not only noisy, they can leave marks on the windscreen, so remember to replace them regularly. Clean them regularly to avoid damaging your windscreen.

After a pot-holed winter, check your wheel and tyre alignment. Misaligned tyres wear out more quickly.

Anti-freeze contains corrosion inhibitors so you should keep your car topped up all year round - going without could lead to expensive engine damage.

New body shop standard awards

A new standard for vehicle body repairers has been awarded to the operators of 38 body shops across the country, writes Brian Byrne.

The CSS (Certified Steel Standard) was established last year by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry to reassure consumers that specific repairers have the ability to structurally repair vehicles to the highest standard.

The Standard is given only after an independent audit of the operator's premises, equipment and skill levels amongst the personnel of the facility.

Customer feedback for BMW owners

BMW in Ireland is introducing a 'rate my dealer' system so that customers can give feedback on the experience they have with their individual dealer.

The 5 Star Programme involves customers getting an email from BMW Ireland following purchase of a new or used BMW, inviting them to participate in the programme.

A link in the email will give the customer opportunity to give feedback on a range of areas relating to their experience.

The information will be published on individual dealer websites without attribution. The feedback will be monitored prior to publishing the ensure there isn't inappropriate material in the comment.

How to change a wheel

It's holiday time and families may be taking longer journeys, further away from home, writes Trish Whelan. How well do you know how to change a wheel on your car if you get a puncture on the family trip? Well, in this video, Paul O'Flynn of Volkswagen Group Ireland will talk you through the process.

End to service offer looms

Volkswagen Ireland's summer Ultimate Service Offer will end on 31 August, writes Brian Byrne.

The deal provides for a full 15,000km Time & Distance Service for €129 including VAT on any VW model.

It includes replacement of engine oil with the correct specification engine oil, oil filter replacement, vehicle health check, software upgrades and product enhancements, all associated labour charges and environmental charges. The car will also be vacuumed and washed. A year's complimentary AA Roadside Assistance is included.

The offer is available at all authorised Volkswagen Service Centres.

Volkswagen service offer

Volkswagen in Ireland is offering a special rate service offer of €129 until the end of AUgust.

Dubbed the Summer Ultimate Service Offer, it also features an added benefit of 1-Year Complimentary AA Roadside Assistance.

The offer is based on the Volkswagen Fixed Service Interval 15,000kms Time and Distance service and includes the replacement of engine oil, filter, a Vehicle Health Check, software upgrades and product enhancements. Cars will also be vacuumed and washed.

Alan Bateson, Aftersales Manager, Volkswagen Ireland, says a Volkswagen stamp in a service booklet has been shown to add up to 10 percent on a car’s resale value.

Motorpark Galway M-B vans service

Galway motor dealer Motorpark Limited of Headford Road has been appointed new After-Sales dealer for Mercedes-Benz light commercial vehicles.

The Motorpark technical team will provide the vehicle service and parts requirements of Mercedes-Benz light commercial vehicles owners in Galway and beyond. Models that will be covered by the service they provide include the top-of-the-range Sprinter, Vito, Vario and the soon-to-be-launched Citan.

VW introduces economy parts range

Volkswagen Aftersales has just launched a new parts range, Volkswagen Economy Parts, designed for VW vehicles five years and older.

“There is a tendency for owners of older cars to start looking at cheaper alternatives when it comes to parts as their cars get older,” says Alan Bateson, Aftersales Manager, Volkswagen Ireland. “However with this new range of parts, owners of older cars can save money without the need to sacrifice quality.”

Savings of around 30 percent compared to Volkswagen Genuine Parts are achievable. For example, a set of Economy brake discs and pads costs just €169 fully-fitted, compared to €230 for Volkswagen Genuine Parts.

The company has made the savings by making some parts less complex, and also using alternative materials.

There's a two year guarantee on the Economy parts, which include brake pads, brake discs, batteries, shock absorbers, CV joints, wiper blades and spark plugs. The range is set to expand in the future.

Motor technician register scheme

A scheme to promote professional servicing of cars has been launched by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry.

The Autosure Professional Register (APR) will be similar to the RECI scheme used by electrical contractors, with only SIMI qualified technicians being allowed to sign off on a service job.

A sticker noting this APR service will be fixed to the window.

According to a recent survey two-thirds of motorists are putting off servicing their cars because they can't afford it. SIMI says there's a big increase in 'untrained and illegal' operators offering to service cars.

SIMI president Gerry Caffrey says the work carried out by such operators can be to a poor standard, which could leave a car in dangerous condition and the owner out of pocket when something goes wrong with their car.

VW's Service Revolution

Volkswagen Ireland is introducing a monthly payment scheme to cover a 3-year service programme for its cars sold here.

The scheme involves a direct debit payment of €12.99 each month, which will cover all normal service costs over the period.

The same fee applies regardless of which model is involved. As an alternative to a separate direct debit, it can be paid as part of the monthly finance payment on a car.

The scheme—billed as VW's Service Revolution—doesn't cover the cost of replacing brake pads.

€99 service offer from VW

Volkswagen Ireland is offering owners of post-2007 VW cars a €99 service deal.

The service is essentially an oil and filter change, with a 34-point 'health check' of the car, and a check for upgrades to any parts under warranty.

The 10-point 'Service Promise' also provides free fitting of replacement bulbs and wipers, a free car wash and vacuum, and a promise to match any 'like for like' written quotation from a service operation within 10kms of any Volkswagen Service Centre.

More information on volkswagen.ie

New motorway service area next week

Motorists on the M7 will be able to access services from next Friday at Mayfield, Junction 14, near Monasterevin.

Facilities include 24-hour Texaco fuel stop; 24-hour Toilets with Ladies & Gents Shower Facilities; ATM service; Fast Charging Points for Electric Cars by ESB eCars; Car Wash Facility with Brush and Jet Car Washes; Spar Express, Supermac’s, Insomnia Coffee and a Food Service Counter open 6 am-9pm.

There are 170 car parking spaces and 25 dedicated truck parking spaces and five dedicated bus parking spaces.

An outdoor seated/picnic area is also part of the initiative, which employs 50 people.

Beat the battery blues

Short journeys and more onboard electrical equipment is leading to many car batteries failing long before they should.

That's the warning from AA Ireland, which says simple steps could double battery life.
 
Every year, up to a fifth of cars on the road will require a new battery, estimates AA Rescue, but many of these could have been prevented by being fully charged more frequently.
 
It takes 240 miles/385 kilometres of driving with no load or eight hours of continuous driving to fully charge a battery. If you only make short stop-start journeys, it won’t have the chance to fully charge, which will considerably shorten its life. 

A modern car draws around three times as much electrical current as a 1970s Morris Minor. Flat batteries are still the AA's most common call-out reason, accounting for around 30% of breakdowns.
 
Regular long runs in the car could double battery life. Also, particularly in cold weather, make sure everything electrical is turned off to help take some load off the starter motor and, in turn, the battery. If your car struggles to start and your battery is more than five years old, it’s on borrowed time, so get it replaced.

Fiat offers 10-point 'winter health check', free

Fiat Ireland is offering a free 10-point Winter Health Check at Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealerships to help owners handle what seems to be increasingly harsh and hazardous Irish winters.

The check focuses on areas which are particularly vulnerable during the winter months but which cannot be checked without specialist equipment. The coolant system, auxiliary drive belts, engine fluid levels and battery health are all examined but basics such as lights, tyres, brakes, windscreen wipers and washers are also included in the check.

If a technician finds that extra parts or fluids are needed, the customer will be contacted in advance to advise them of any additional costs involved.

Check that battery

Dead batteries are the biggest reason for callouts for AA Ireland's mobile patrols.

Some 30 percent of the 140,000 problems dealt with in the last year were to dead batteries. Most of them were simply that the batteries had gone beyond their useful life.

A 'high' number were self-inflicted by the motorists concerned, caused by leaving lighrs on or using accessories for long periods with the engine switched off.

The onset of the cold weather will increase the likelihood of an older battery failing.

Free health check for BMWs

BMW Ireland is offering a free check on all BMWs, even those purchased outside of the BMW Ireland dealer network.

Factory trained technicians will carry out the checks which include fluid levels in the brake and clutch hydraulic systems, drive belt, battery, exhaust, lights, coolant levels, tyre pressure and thread depth, brake fluid, screeenwash and engine oil levels.

This offer is open until 30 June, and is available at all BMW dealerships.

For more information BMW owners should log onto www.bmw.ie or contact their local BMW Dealer or BMW Service Authorised Workshop.

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