Posted in General | May 23, 2019 

The automotive industry is constantly changing as manufacturers compete with eachother to bring out the latest in in-car tech – but it’s not just the outside appearance of our vehicles that has transformed over the years. New and innovative in-car technology is being developed all the time, from blind spot sensors, to tech that can predict the weather. Here, Grange vehicles, suppliers of the Mclaren 570 Gt, tell us what we can expect for the future of vehicle technology.

Technology for safety

Self-driving cars can be expected to hit the auto market in the next couple of years. Most manufacturers now offer self-driving technology as part of their latest models – with most used to improve road safety.

Lane keeping systems

Some cars already have lane-keeping systems as standard. These systems keep you within your lane when driving on the motorway. When motorway driving, it’s vital that you stay firmly in your lane, unless you are overtaking. This system alerts you with a vibration on the steering wheel if your vehicle is unintentionally edging out of its lane – and in circumstances when the vehicle thinks you are reacting too slow, the vehicle will take control and provide steering torque to divert you back into the safe space on your lane. This is a safety feature to prevent drivers from veering out of their lane on motorways and dual carriageways where drivers around them are driving at high speeds.

Blind spot information

The BLIS (or Blind spot information system) alerts drivers to other vehicles lurking in the blind spot – useful for changing lanes. When a vehicle enters your blind spot zone, the BLIS system will alert you. The detection area is on both sides of your vehicle, extending rearward from the exterior mirrors to approximately 10 feet (3 meters) beyond the bumper. The system alerts you via a small light on your side wing mirrors – when there is a vehicle in your blind spot zone, the light will illuminate. When your blind spot zone is clear, the light will switch off.

Speed assistance

Intelligent speed assistance technology makes use of audio and visual warnings to drivers when they accidentally pass the speed limit. By using GPS, the system is able to detect the vehicle location and reference this with a digital road map that is programmed with speed limit information for each road. The system can be used as an active speed limiter whereby it can take control of the vehicle and reduce the speed when travelling above the speed limit. It does this by reducing the throttle signal. Additionally, the system is also fitted with a speed limiting function that increases the pressure on the accelerator when you exceed the speed limit, so that it is harder to accelerate and break the speed limit.

 

Technology for efficiency

Predicting weather patterns

In a recent announcement, Jaguar Land Rover’s newest vehicles are all set to be equipped with weather adaption technology. The system allows cars to autonomously adapt to weather changes and situations to make adjustments to drivetrain, suspension, traction control and climate control for optimum efficient driving.

How will this improve their cars? Well, the intelligent system will be particularly useful to Land Rover and Range Rover models, such as the new Land Rover Discovery Sport Hse, that drives on all terrains. The system is said to be able to connect to present and future weather data via telematics and GPS to sensibly adapt both inside the cabin and around the exterior. One feature suggests that the system will automatically close your vehicle windows if it senses that rain is forecast. Onboard rain- and terrain-sensing mechanisms will be used to control the temperature, pressure and humidity inside the cabin, whilst interior and exterior lighting will be altered depending on the circumstances.

Expect to see this technology behind the wheel in 2020. This is alongside JLR’s autonomous technology and electrified models too!

Efficient eco-pedal

The new Leaf model from Nissan is set to debut a one-pedal system. The electric automobile not only has double the mileage range of its previous model equivalents, but the one-pedal driving system allows for the accelerator pedal to be transformed into a multifunctioning e-pedal at a touch. The e-pedal functions as a start, stop, accelerate and breaking pedal when activated. Suitable for 90% of urban driving, the system means that the car will slow to a halt by itself with the ability to hold itself on an incline without the need of the brake pedal.

This new model is all about efficiency. Nicknamed the ECO-pedal system, the pedal controls the speed of acceleration to prevent revving up the engine. The level of fuel-efficient driving is displayed through a colour and flashing Eco-P lamp. According to Nissan, studies have proven that effective eco-driving with the ECO-pedal can contribute to an improved fuel efficiency by 5-10%.

Quick charge EV batteries

Manufacturers have been working on developing faster charging EV batteries for several years now and the new quick charging batteries are said to achieve full power in just 30 minutes.  Researchers claim they could have developed an ‘instantly rechargeable’ method that recharges an electric battery in the same time as it would take to fill a gas tank – a solution to the biggest headache of electric vehicles. This would revolutionise the EV industry, as battery life and its charge has been the biggest challenge for the industry. Electricity suppliers such as Northern Powergrid have also been providing essential services such as EV charger installation to help make things easier for EV owners.

The future of in-car tech is getting more and more exciting as time goes on. With a positive future of technology ahead of us, we can expect to see the driving process, and experience, completely transformed in the coming years.

 

 

 

Posted in General | May 11, 2019 

Here are some of the questions you might want to ask your seller:

“Ноw lоng hаvе уоu hаd thе саr?”
“Whаt kіnd оf mаіntеnаnсе hаvе уоu dоnе wіth thе саr”
“Whу аrе уоu sеllіng thе саr?”
“Аrе thеrе аnу lеаks оr mајоr mесhаnісаl рrоblеms?”

Аsk thеsе quеstіоns оvеr thе рhоnе, аnd trу tо gеt а gеnеrаl undеrstаndіng оf thе саr’s shаре bеfоrе gоіng оut tо sее іt, еsресіаllу іf іts а lоng dіstаnсе.

Ѕаvіng tіmе іs kеу, уоu wоuld bе surрrіsеd hоw оftеn реорlе sау “Тhе саr іs flаwlеss” оn thе аd. Аskіng thеsе quеstіоns lеts уоu dеtеrmіnе іf thеу аrе hоnеst.

Ѕеt uр аn арроіntmеnt tо sее thе саr іf уоu fееl lіkе thе іnfоrmаtіоn уоu’vе gаthеrеd аbоut thе саr mаtсhеs whаt уоu’rе lооkіng fоr.

Posted in General | May 10, 2019 

Does your car suffer from small or even large dents that were caused perhaps by hail damage or the errant ding from a fender bender? These and other types of dents can be repaired using paintless dent removal arlington tx. Compared to conventional body repair, paintless dent removal requires no repainting or body work because the original paint is left untouched. As a result of this innovative process, your car repair can cost less and take less time to complete. And unlike conventional body repair, your car won’t decrease in value because the original parts are kept intact.

Can the Damage to Your Car Be Fixed?

According to MSN, paintless dent removal is generally effective on newer vehicles starting in the 1990 model year, when high-tensile metal and resilient paint finishes began to be generally in use. For the process to be effective, the paint must not be cracked or chipped, the dent must not be near the edge of a panel, and the panel must not have had previous body repair. Nevertheless, even if the dent cannot be completely removed, the process can make the damage almost unapparent.

How Does Paintless Dent Removal Work?

Paintless dent removal works from inside the body of the car with specialized tools that are used to manipulate the metal back into place from underneath the dents. The paint is thus left undisturbed. Because the technique involves fewer steps and eliminates the need for paint and body filler, the cost of repair is generally much more affordable. Most repairs require from one to two hours.

Paintless dent removal techniques have evolved to become a viable alternative to conventional body repair. Where once only small dents could be treated, now much larger dents can be removed and your car returned to its original factory finish.

Posted in General | April 9, 2019 

For some, the choice of buying a used car over a new one is simple. They would rather choose a pre-owned vehicle over the shiny new model. First, it’s less expensive. Second, it doesn’t lose all its value once it leaves the lot or seller’s yard.

Buyer beware

When you purchase a used vehicle from a certified dealer, there’s a layer of protection put on it. Most likely, they have a checklist its technicians go over to ensure everything is okay before putting it up for sale.

However, some used car lots and private sellers don’t provide this information. In fact, they’re so determined to sell you the car they’ll promise everything. When you pull away, those promises quickly evaporate like the oil in your leaking hose.

Common sense purchasing

What’s needed in cases where you go outside a certified dealer is to use common sense.
Paperwork is important. In fact, the more there is the surer you can be in your purchase. With this in mind, here are three ways to get the right used car.

Bring a dose of skepticism

If the seller wants to get rid of their vehicle for far less than Kelly’s Blue Book details, then two things might be in play. Either it was driven by their grandma to only get to church or something is wrong. Don’t be afraid to ask for the reason.

Ask for documentation

No matter how long they’ve had the vehicle, they should have paperwork on registrations and repairs they did as well as information from the previous owner. If not, ask if you can take the car to a shop for examination.

Request a CARFAX

CARFAX gives you all the information you need on the vehicle. It includes title searches, odometer readings, and accident reports. It also has data on accident repairs by companies like Jewell Collision. This comprehensive look helps you make the decision to buy the car or say “Bye” to the owner.

What looks fantastic on a website or Craigslist can quickly turn into a disaster if not diligent. So, follow this advice to get the car of your dreams … at least right now. Learn more about
auto body repair denver co.

Posted in General | March 7, 2019 

You depend on your vehicle for so much in this life. It is probably your mode of transportation to work, gets you to the store and back, and helps to shuttle the kids to all of their various activities. Without a properly functioning vehicle, you would probably be at a loss for what to do. This is why you depend on quality Subaru service in Denver. You want your vehicle running great for a long time to come. As you look for an auto repair shop in your area, here are four services that you want to make sure they offer.

Oil Changes

Your vehicle needs clean oil to function properly. It is like vegetables that are meant for human consumption. You eat them now and plan for a healthier life down the road. So it is with vehicles and oil. You want to get regular oil changes so that your engine will last longer and perform well for you as you drive around town.

Repair Air Conditioning

If your air conditioning breaks in the middle of the summer, that is never a fun experience. You want to have an auto repair shop that you can rely on to get that fixed for you. Make sure that they have the parts necessary and that they do work quickly.

Fix a Broken Suspension

If you want a smooth ride, you need to have a suspension system that is actually working. When broken, it can actually become dangerous to drive. These are difficult to fix on your own, so make sure that you have an auto repair shop who has technicians trained in suspension repair.

Replace the Clutch or Brakes

These are two important components on any vehicle. You cannot drive without a properly functioning clutch or brake system. You also want to get these checked out from time to time to make sure that they are in good working order.

These are just four of the many services that your auto repair should be able to handle for you. Make sure that the shop that you choose has a stellar reputation in the community. Do not be afraid to do your research and to ask around before selecting a shop that you trust your vehicle to.

Posted in General | February 23, 2019 

In late 2017, the DVSA in England and Wales made a set of changes to the practical driving exam. Candidates would now have to master a series of reversing maneuvers as well and follow directions from a sat-nav as part of the independent driving part of the exam. In a move that sparked debate amongst the public, those sitting the test would now also be required to answer one vehicle safety question whilst driving and learn how to park in a safe place on the right-hand side of the road. Over one year on since the changes, how have people in the UK reacted to the new test and what can we learn from the driving test in other countries? We’ve investigated the matter with the help of Motorparks, who offer a range of affordable used cars.

How did the public react to the new driving test?

In a press conference after the new test had been announced, Chief Executive at the DVSA Gareth Llewellyn said: “DVSA’s priority is to help you through a lifetime of safe driving. Making sure the driving test better assesses a driver’s ability to drive safely and independently is part of our strategy to help you stay safe on Britain’s roads.

“It’s vital that the driving test keeps up to date with new vehicle technology and the areas where new drivers face the greatest risk once they’ve passed their test.”

The new test was further supported by Andrew Jones, Britain’s Minister of Transport. He stated: “Our roads are among the safest in the world. However, road collisions are the biggest killer of young people. These changes will help us to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads and equip new drivers with the skill they need to use our roads safely.”

As for the British public, the test was generally well received. Ahead of the changes being put into place, a public consultation involving more than 3,900 people occurred. During the consultation, 88.2 per cent were behind the move to increase the independent driving part of the examination. 78.6 per cent were in favour of the adjustments to the reversing manoeuvres, 78.4 per cent backed the introduction of a show me question while someone sitting a driving test was behind the wheel, and 70.8 per cent gave a thumbs up to candidates having to follow directions from a sat nav.

But over one year on from the changes, how have people reacted? In their Driving test changes in 2017: impact summary report, the DVSA recorded that 81.2 per cent of new drivers believed the driving test now prepared them for driving on Great Britain’s roads. According to the report, 86.3 percent of newly qualified drivers also use a sat-nav when driving. 86.2 per cent felt confident that they can drive safely while following directions provided to them via one of these gadgets.

How could the test be improved further & what can we learn from other countries?

If the DVSA intends to implement further changes in future, perhaps they could take some inspiration from the following…

1.      UK & America: Electric car tests

Electric car use has grown substantially in the UK over the past few years, with a small percentage of tests being taken in an electric vehicle. In 2012, a student from Hull became the first UK leaner to pass their test in the Vauxhall Ampera. Since then, electric vehicles have been a popular choice for learners – particularly those sitting the automatic test. The UK has seen a boom in new EV registrations over the past decade, as well as an increase in related services such as EV charger installation and charging points. As electric car use continues to grow in the UK, we can expect an increased number of electric vehicle specific driving schools too.

2.      Sweden: Night time driving

Most of us are used to driving in the dark, whether it involves driving home after a late shift at work, picking the kids up from school or going for a late-night cinema trip or dinner. However, road casualty statistics reported on by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents reveal that 40 per cent of collisions will be recorded during the hours of darkness.

In Sweden, it is compulsory for learners to practice driving in the dark. Even if they pass their driving test during the summer, many motorists in this part of Scandinavia will seek out a driving school throughout the winter months to undergo a night-driving course.

3.      The Netherlands: Help for nervous drivers

Many learner drivers suffer from pre-test nerves and anxiety. According to a major report by the University of Cambridge which was published in the medical journal Brain and Behavior, over eight million people across the UK suffer from some sort of anxiety disorder.

The driving test is not easy and can be quite stressful for learners. Chief driving examiner Lesley Young commented that: “It’s normal to be nervous before your test, but if you’re properly prepared and your instructor thinks you’re ready, then there’s really no reason to worry. Your examiner’s not trying to catch you out; they just want to make sure that you can drive safely.”

In the Netherlands, anxious drivers are offered a helping hand. Driving test candidates across that country can request a faalangstexamen — an examination that is carried out by an examiner who is trained specifically to deal with those sitting a test who feel very nervous.

4.      South Africa: Extra checks

Driving tests vary from country to country, and some have more unique requirements. For example, drivers taking their test in South Africa could potentially fail before even getting into the car. This is because one reason for failure is a driver forgetting to check under their car for any leaks. A motorist in the south-east London district of Chislehurst certainly could have benefitted from carrying out this procedure, after The Express reported that the driver was fined more than £1,000 for damage after their car leaked oil when it was parked up.

You don’t just have to keep an eye out for oil leaks, however. Motorists should also be regularly checking that their set of wheels isn’t leaking antifreeze, fuel, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, windscreen washer fluid or water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in General | January 11, 2019 

Drive a used Aston Martin or get behind the wheel of many other modern vehicles and there is a good chance that you’ll take many of the advanced pieces of technology which are designed into them for granted. This is because there’s so many hi-tech features found in cars today, though can you remember driving before any of these examples of motoring tech started to be used on a daily basis?

Can you remember driving without cruise control?

You may well be shocked when you find out about two facts related to the creation of cruise control. One is the fact the idea was first thought about during the 1940s, while the other is that it was invented by someone who couldn’t actually drive!

You did indeed read that last fact correctly. Inventor and automotive hall of famer Ralph Teetor was the brains behind a system where the speed of a vehicle is automatically controlled with a flick of a switch or press of a button. However, he had been blind since the age of five after a shop accident.

The fact that Teetor’s lawyer had a tendency to slow down when chatting and then speed up when taking in speech while driving was something that the inventor noticed even without his sight. Teetor found this inconsistency annoying, to the point that he started to look into whether a device could be developed which could control the speed of a car automatically.

It was 1948 that Teetor filed his first patent of the technology. However, it would take a few additional patents for improving the original gadget and close to a decade after the initial patent before cruise control technology was fitted to the 1958 models of the Chrysler Imperial, New Yorker and Windsor. Of course, from that point on the devices began to be used by so many manufacturers on their vehicles.

Can you remember driving without Bluetooth?

Whether it’s in order to listen to music that’s being played from a smartphone via a car’s speakers or to participate in a hands-free phone call, there are many uses for our phone’s Bluetooth capabilities while we’re behind the wheel today. However, the name Bluetooth was only officially adopted in 1998 and the first handset using the technology was only shipped in 2000 — it would be another year before Bluetooth hands-free car kits started to hit the market too.

A step further back in time is required to pinpoint Bluetooth’s true origins though. It was back in 1993 that Jaap Haartsen was employed as a wireless communications engineer for the Swedish digital communications company Ericsson. While in this job, Haartsen received the task to create a short-range radio connection that could enable new functionalities for mobile phones.

Haartsen teamed up with fellow wireless communications engineer Sven Mattisson during 1995. The duo were soon successful at creating multi-communicator links. Haartsen wasn’t finished yet though, with his work becoming more focused on piconet networks — a single piconet being the linking of two Bluetooth-enabled devices in order to establish an ad-hoc, short-range wireless network.

Haartsen came to the decision to exit from Ericsson in 1998, deciding instead to play his part in establishing the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. Over the next two years, he was the chairman of the SIG’s air protocol certifications group and played a part in standardizing the Bluetooth radio communications protocol.

So, that’s a brief history of Bluetooth. However, you might still be wondering how it received its unique name. Well, MC Link just didn’t seem to have a ring to it. Therefore, Jim Kardach, the head of technological development at Intel, proposed the moniker that we all know the technology by today in reference to the Danish king, King Harald Blatand. Often referred to as Harald Bluetooth — possibly due to his penchant for snacking on blueberries — the monarch was responsible for uniting the warring factions in what is now known as Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The idea is that Bluetooth technology shares a similar trait in that it unites devices from competing manufacturers, such as a mouse made by Microsoft with a computer developed by Apple.

Can you remember driving without sat-nav?

Are you one of the many motorists who now choose to listen to the guidance of a polite-sounding android when needing to complete a road trip by driving along roads that you’ve never encountered before? Take note that it was only a couple of decades ago that motorists had to memorize directions before they got behind the wheel, or at least had a collection of fold-out maps in their glovebox to analyse whenever they took a break from driving.

The US military played a huge part in the early years of sat-nav. This was because it was the US Department of Defense which developed the first satellite-based global positioning technology on behalf of the country’s military forces. Deemed TRANSIT, it was up and running as we entered the 1960s and involved the system using the DopplerEffect to calculate the position of the receiver in relation to satellites. As satellites could follow fixed trajectories at calculable speeds, scientists were able to use this data to pinpoint positions based upon short-term variations in frequency.

The world was introduced to more precise and refined editions of this satellite-based global positioning technology throughout the 1980s. These started to be used by the general military and multiple satellites were utilised too. While GPS devices were also publicly available around this time — systems which use between 24 and 32 medium Earth orbit satellites that follow six trajectories for incredibly accurate results — they weren’t of much use. This is because the military added interference to the signals so that only their own version could be used with any precision.

However, this practice only lasted until the new millennium arrived. President Clinton ended four years of deliberations to sign a bill in 2000 which ordered that the military ceased scrambling satellite signals that were being used by members of the public. The era of consumer-based sat-nav systems had begun.

 

Sources:

https://www.bluetooth.com/about-us/our-history

http://www.ipwatchdog.com/2015/05/10/evolution-of-technology-bluetooth-the-once-and-future-king/id=57473/

https://gizmodo.com/5899082/the-secret-history-of-bluetooth

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/11/blind-man-created-cruise-control/

https://blog.americansafetycouncil.com/history-of-cruise-control-2/

https://uk.pcmag.com/electronics/64623/the-history-of-car-gps-navigation

https://www.theupcoming.co.uk/2014/08/14/the-history-and-theory-of-satellite-navigation/

Posted in General | November 7, 2018 

While most dog owners are aware of the need for vaccines, the need for dog interceptor is not common knowledge. Here is a list of worms that can infect your dog and have devastating effects on them if heartworm prevention with Dog Interceptor is not given importance.

Whipworm

Know Your Worm– Trichuris vulpis is the species of Whipworm that infects dogs. The worm gets its name from the unique shape of its body. Generally, the worm attaches itself to the walls of the colon during its adult stage. The adult worm lays eggs that get passed out with the stool of the infected animal. The eggs hatch in the stool and the larva gets ready to enter the body of a new host. On entering the new host body, the larva finds its way to the colon of the animal where it continues the life cycle.

Symptoms- You can notice weight loss, change in appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy in infected dogs. Infected dogs tend to scratch their anus as well. Whipworms can be extremely uncomfortable for the infected dog.

Contagion Chances– Humans may rarely get infected with dog whipworms. But they can affect your other dogs.

Tapeworm

Know Your Worm– Dipylidium caninum and Echinococcus granulosus are the two species of tapeworms that can infect your dog. Tapeworms can grow exponentially inside the host’s body. The bigger the tapeworm, the weaker the host gets. Just like the Whipworm, the Tapeworm has a life cycle and dispersal method that relies on animal excreta.

Symptoms- Symptoms for Tapeworm is very close to the Whipworm symptoms. You might find the tapeworm eggs around the anus of infected dogs. Scratching the anus is a classical sign of Tapeworm infestation.

Contagion Chances– You can get infected with Dipylidium caninum if you do not take precautions. Any other dog that comes in contact with feces from the infected dog can get infected.

Roundworm

Know Your Worm– Toxocara canis is the roundworm species that infest dogs. They can be white or light brown in colour, and they look like thin strands of thread. The lifecycle of this worm is same as that of the whipworm and tapeworm.

Symptoms- Apart from the common worm infestation symptoms there are two other symptoms. The infected dog can have a bloated belly. You might be able to see the thread like worms in the vomit or poop of the infected dog.

Contagion Chances- There is a rare chance of getting infected with canine roundworm. Dogs can get infected by coming in contact with the excreta of infected dogs. Infected mothers can end up infecting their puppies in utero or through the milk.

Hookworm

Know Your Worm– Ancylostoma caninum and Ancylostoma braziliense are the hookworms that infect dogs. Hookworms are small and voracious worms that can impact the dog’s health severely and can even cause death. The worm has a hook-like mouth used to bite into the walls of the host’s intestine.

Symptoms- Along with the typical symptoms, your dog can have pale gums, bloody diarrhea, stunted growth, itchy paws, coughing, and anemia.

Contagion chances- Humans can rarely catch hookworms. Just like roundworms, hookworms can get spread from one dog to another.

Heartworm

Know Your Worm– Dirofilaria immitis is the species of heartworm that infects dogs. The heartworm targets the heart, lungs and blood vessels of the infected dog. Heartworm prevention with dog inceptor can save an infected dog from death.

Symptoms- Your dog can exhibit wheezing and coughing along with lethargy.

Contagion Chances- Since the worm spreads through mosquito bites, the chances of an infected dog infecting your other dogs is very low.

What Can Heartworm Prevention Dog Interceptor Do?

Heartworm prevention with dog interceptor can be used on dogs of all ages. The interceptor that prevents heartworm can also prevent other worms from infecting the dog. Heartworm prevention with dog interceptor should be done after taking the advice of your vet. Interceptors can end up saving your dog’s life.

Test your dog’s stool and blood at regular intervals and give them doses of dog interceptors to prevent worm infestations.

 

Posted in General | September 27, 2018 

In 2017, the city of Oxford announced that it would become the first zero emissions zone in the world by implementing a ban on all diesel and petrol vehicles within city centre limits by the year 2020. In addition, the move has been met with a positive reception from other UK cities such as Leeds, Southampton, Birmingham and Derby, which will follow the move by introducing their own Clean Air Zones over the next few years.

Together with Motorparks Grange, retailers of used cars and prestige vehicles such as Jaguar, we’ve assembled this helpful drivers guide to Clean Air Zones, exploring what the proposed changes will involve and which drivers will be affected by them.

What is a Clean Air Zone?

The UK government defines a Clean Air Zone as an area in which targeted action is taken in order to protect the environment and improve air quality. The government stipulates that this will result in improved economic growth and health benefits for the population. The proposed plans involve access restrictions in certain city zones to encourage cleaner vehicles on UK roads and reduce pollution levels. Due to their high pollution outputs, busses, HGV’s and taxis will be the first to be charged for entering the zones – however, the charges will not apply to private cars just yet. Vehicles which meet the definition of ultra-low emission (fully electric vehicles, for example) will not have to pay entry fees. Other vehicles will be separated into different classes and charges will apply depending on which class they are in.

Which drivers will be charged?

The charges will ultimately be decided by local councils and authorities and not all of the zones will have fixed fees. Penalties will not be compulsory for Clean Air Zones either, however, councils which do decide to implement charges will have the right to charge penalty fines if drivers do not comply with the zone charges. The city of Bath is currently assessing the impact of a clean air zone charge, with suggested charges for high emission cars ranging from £3 to £13 per day to drive within the zones.

Private car owners will not be affected to begin with, so those of us who drive large vehicles such as a Land Rover can relax for the time being. Although the charges are yet to be completely finalised, we now know that they will be issued depending on what class your vehicle falls under. The four classes are: A. B. C and D and have been selected according to vehicle type, emissions and euro standard. The government has released a report outlining the Clean Air Zone framework, so you can check which category your vehicle will be in.

Which cities will be included?

The cities included in the plans have been selected by the UK government according to which ones currently have the lowest air quality in the country – they hope to lower the nitrogen dioxide levels by a considerable amount, bringing them back in line with legal guidelines. Whilst Leeds, Southampton, Nottingham and Derby have been approved to host Clean Air Zones, several other cities across the UK are still awaiting approval, including Newcastle Upon Tyne, Manchester, Liverpool and Hull. The zones will likely only be in operation in city centres, and restrictions will involve entry fees, time of day restrictions and/or blanket vehicle bans.

It was recently reported by the Sunday Times that the plans could affect over 35 urban areas, in which all vehicle types (both private and publicly owned) could face being banned from city centres during peak times for traffic. In the most polluted cities, the charges (dubbed ‘toxin taxes’ by the media) could end up being as high as £20 a day. The government has also been keen to point out that they do not intend to punish drivers who purchased their diesel cars because of successive governments, as they don’t want drivers to feel as though they are being hit hard by incentives that the previous governments encouraged.

Will the zones be effective in tackling air pollution?

Clean Air Zones are already in place in London and Germany. Studies in Germany found a significant reduction in particulate matter (small air particles that can get into the lungs causing health problems) levels throughout the zones. Further research in London found that particulate matter levels had fallen by up to 3% over a five-year period within the zones, compared to just 1% outside.

Research into the topic is still ongoing, however; some studies have suggested that air pollution levels within the zones is only improved at the expense of the areas surrounding them. This could be due to drivers choosing to take alternative routes or driving further than usual in order to avoid incurring the charges.

 

Sources

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/612592/clean-air-zone-framework.pdf

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/oct/11/oxford-aims-to-cut-air-pollution-car-ban-zero-emissions-zone

https://www.green-growth.org.uk/article/are-clean-air-zones-coming-region-near-you

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44567075

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in General | June 14, 2018 

Your car or truck can suffer minor damage from a variety of things. From the dings of shopping carts in the grocery store parking lot to hail or someone parked beside you opening their door and denting your car, it is impossible to protect your vehicle all the time. Although many people just look at this as something that happens and don’t worry about it, others believe that their car should look its best.

Repairs are Important

There are actually several reasons why you would want to have these dents repaired. You likely have a number of places to go that you want to make a good impression. Pulling up to a fancy restaurant in a car with dents all over it can be embarrassing. Although they shouldn’t a lot of people judge you by the appearance of your vehicle.

Another reason it is so important to have repairs done quickly is when they are left, particularly during colder weather, they can begin to rust. Depending on where you live, moisture in the air can hasten the corrosion process as well. Before you know it, a couple of dents can become more unsightly than they were originally.

Resale Value

If you decide to buy a newer car and use the car you have presently as a trade-in, you know it should be in the best shape possible. This will help you to get the maximum amount possible. A vehicle with a lot of dents or dings is not going to have as high trade-in value as one with a body that is in good shape.

If you decide to try and sell your car to a private party rather than trading it in, you still will not get as much for it as you would if it did not have dents. One example of a company that offers auto body repair st. louis is Bell and Osborn Auto Body.

When you take your car to a technician to repair dents and dings, you will feel better about driving it everywhere. Additionally, you will be helping to preserve the value of your vehicle.