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5 tips to prolong the life of your car

Here at Sell Your Problem Car ® we come across expensive-to-fix car problems all the time.

Some are caused by road accidents, and others because of unforeseen engine failure – but you’d probably be surprised at how many are caused by careless driving habits.

So let’s take a look at 5 simple driving and vehicle care tips to prolonging the life of your car. Keep your car in a better condition for longer and avoid any paying for unnecessary repairs.

1. Avoid speeding

If you have a new car, it’s important to be patient during the ‘break-in’ period. This tends to last for the first 1,000 miles or so, and you should go easy as your car adjusts to being on the road for the first time.

Decrease the chance of premature wear by accelerating lightly. Don’t exceed 3,000 rpm and try not to drive the car any faster than 55 to 60 miles an hour, which is the engine’s optimal cruising speed.

2. Stop riding the clutch

This is one of those driving habits that many people find themselves falling prey to – but most aren’t aware of the unnecessary wear and damage they’re causing to the clutch.

Holding the car with the clutch while you’re waiting in traffic, or resting your foot on the clutch and keeping it partially disengaged greatly increases the wear that the clutch receives, which in turn decreases the clutch’s lifespan – and a new clutch could cost several hundred pounds to replace.

So if you’re stood still, use the parking brake and switch to neutral.

3. Read the car’s manual

Your car’s manual actually contains a surprising amount of information about recommended maintenance scheduling and which products you should be using (i.e. which oils are recommended).

Ignore this advice at your own peril.

A quick flick through could save you some extremely costly problems down the line.

4. Maintain tyre pressure

Regularly checking your car’s tyre pressure is important – but it’s not something we do nearly enough.

Check to see the correct tyre air pressure (you’ll find your manufacturer’s recommended pressure on the sidewall of the tyre) and be careful not to adjust the wheel’s pressure by any more than 25% outside of the baseline.

A common misconception is that putting more air into the tyre will help to protect it against road impact. In fact, over-inflating you tyres can be worse than not having enough air pressure, since they’ll transfer more energy from an impact to the wheels, potentially damaging them.

5. Wash and wax your car

Rust damage can be extremely expensive to fix – and it can form and spread very quickly, so it pays to act fast.

Ideally, try clean your car every two weeks and wax every four to prevent any rust from developing. If it’s wet, and there’s lots of salt on the roads, you might want to think about washing it more often, since salt actually speeds up the rate of rusting.

And if you notice a small problem in the paintwork, don’t let it develop. Get it treated as soon as possible before things get too costly.

Crisis over F1 tyre safety

Severe tyre blowouts suffered by four drivers at last weekend’s Silverstone GP have left drivers and teams concerned over the safety of the sport.

Silverstone is known as a particularly demanding circuit that’s tough on tyres, but tyre failures are amongst some of the most lethal car failures for F1 drivers.

Lewis Hamilton has called for action to be taken after the tyre failures, which he’s described as ‘unacceptable’, and 13-time Grand Prix winner, David Coulthard, has taken a similar stance, calling the tyre failures ‘driver killers’.

Pirelli has issued a statement which attributes the failure of the tyres to the practices of the F1 teams themselves.

In order to better manage tyre wear and limit pit stops, teams have been removing worn tyres and later mounting them on the opposite side of the car.

This, Pirellis has said, is largely responsible for the blowouts, which only occurred on cars with tyres fitted on the opposite side.

Despite this, Pirelli will be making changes ahead of next week’s race at the Nurburgring, changing the internal belt – which is usually made from steel – to Kevlar.

The fear over the safety of the tyres occurs just two weeks after Pirelli and Mercedes sparked controversy for their mid-season tyre testing, after Red Bull and Ferrari racing teams brought the legality of the tyre development into question.

High demand for Ford Fiesta ST

It looks as though Ford have got things right with their new Ford Fiesta ST.

The waiting list for the sporty new hatchback currently stands at 3 months, after unexpected interest catches production off guard.

In fact, over half of Ford’s annual production of Fiesta STs was sold within just 3 months of the car’s official launch date.

Powered by an impressive 178bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol, with sporty and subtly-aggressive looks, it’s not so difficult to see why people are snapping them up.

But it’s not all about the aesthetics.

At £16,995, the Fiesta ST is also one of this year’s cheapest hatchbacks – that’s around £2,000 less than its main rival, the Renaultsport Clio 200, which went on sale back in June.

New world land speed record set

Driving an electric Le Mans prototype racer at an average speed of more than 200mph, Lord Paul Drayson has set a new land speed record for a ‘sub-1000kg electric car’.

, recorded a top speed of 204.285mph, smashing the previously held record of 175mph.

With a top speed of 204.185mph, the former Minister of Science, businessman and amateur racing driver smashed the previously-held record of 175mph.

“I’m delighted we’ve beaten the record tonight and can show the world electric vehicles can be fast and reliable,’ said Drayson, who you can see in action below…

Car engines are complicated pieces of engineering, so there could be a whole host of issues responsible for preventing your car from starting when you put the key in the ignition.

But some engine problems occur more frequently than others, so let’s take a look at the 7 most common causes of engine failure, and find out why your engine isn’t turning over.

1. Fuel pump failure

Fuel pumps are responsible for supplying the injectors with pressurised fuel which aids combustion, but their failure is one of the most common reasons for a non-starting engine.

Fuel pump failure can occur at any time, but running a car on less than ¼ of a tank of petrol for extended periods – or running out of fuel entirely – can cause premature damage.

2. Clogged fuel filter

Fuel filters can clog, so they should be replaced every 12,000 miles or so.

If you have a clogged or dirty fuel filter, the fuel may not be able to reach the engine, which prevents the engine from starting.

3. A problem with the timing belt

The timing belt (or cam belt) is the toothed rubber belt that connects the crankshaft to the camshaft. It controls the engine timing and makes sure that the valves and pistons don’t collide when the engine is in motion.

Over time, timing belts are prone to wear and can fail, causing the engine to operate out of sync. Owner’s manuals might disagree about how often a timing belt needs to be changed, but you should really check and replace one after covering somewhere in the region of 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

4. The battery’s dead

Car batteries are like any other kind of battery: they don’t last forever. They can fail and be drained of power if the cars lights or radio are left on while the car isn’t running, or if the car hasn’t been used for a while.

5. …or it’s corroded

Battery corrosion typically occurs when there are loose connections on the battery terminals, or when gases from inside the battery escape (whether though faulty or cracked battery caps or punctures in the battery itself).

Electrical resistance develops as the corrosion builds up, but by removing the negative and then positive terminals from the battery, the corrosion can be scrubbed away with a stiff brush.

6. Electrical problems

Even small fluctuations in voltage can cause damage to the engine’s computerised controls, and poor electrical connections could also be responsible for an engine failing to start, so they should be checked to make sure they’re not loose.

7. Distributor cap

Since the distributor cap carries voltage it can become worn, clogged and dirty, and prevent the engine from turning over.

Check your distributor cap for cracks, signs of fire damage or a build-up of dirt. It may need cleaning or replacing entirely.

José Froilán González dies, aged 90

Argentine Formula 1 driver, José Froilán González – the man behind Ferrari’s very first Formula 1 victory – has died this week, aged 90.

The son of a car dealer, González was born in Buenos Aires on October 5^th, 1922, and travelled to Europe in 1949 to begin his racing career for Maserati.

A year after his championship debut at the Monoco Grand Prix in 1950, González (pictured above) had switched allegiance to Ferrari and powered his 375 F1 to victory at Silverstone in 1951, crossing the finish line to the applause of over 50,000 spectators.

Current Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has said, “Over all these years, he was always very attached to Ferrari and, as a driver and a man, he played an integral part in our history. His death means we have lost a true friend.”

BMW 4 Series Coupe

Details of BMW’s brand-new coupe have been announced.

The 2013 4 Series will be available in the UK from the 5^th October, with prices said to start at £31,575 – just over £3,000 more than the 3 Series it’s replacing.

While it doesn’t look much like the sleek 4 Series concept BMW unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year, a few of the features have remained, including the lower grille and the vents behind the front wheels.

But with a lower roofline and a slightly longer overall length, the 4 Series’ design seems more concerned with creating a sharper, more responsive driving experience than it is with drastic new aesthetics.

A new Lamborghini Gallardo?

It looks like Lamborghini are still in celebration mode. They promised that this year – the year of their 50^th anniversary – would be a big one, and so far they’ve not disappointed.

The Italian car makers have recently announced plans for a new two-seater Gallardo replacement.

The car, currently known by its internal codename, LP724, boasts an aggressive exterior and a slightly increased wheelbase, with power coming from a 5.2ltr V10 petrol engine.

The new Gallardo is expected to go on sale in the UK towards the end of next year.

Every year we see some spectacular cars being produced; cars which push at the boundaries of the automotive industry and lead the way forward, inspiring new generations of designers.

But alongside the successes of the automotive industry, there lies a darker history which has given birth to a collection of cars so terrible we’re at pains to remember them.

At Sell Your Problem Car ® we’ve put together a top five list of the very worst cars ever made – but with so many to choose from, it seems a shame that four of our five picks are British made…

Austin Allegro

Nicknamed the ‘Austin All-aggro’, the British Leyland manufactured Allegro suffered from inexcusable design faults right from the very start when it was introduced, underdeveloped, to an unsuspecting British market in the early 70s.

Said to have been more aerodynamic when travelling in reverse, the Allegro was plagued by unreliable production and bungled management, and despite being the 5^th best-selling car in the UK in 1979, its inefficiency and poor build saw sales figures dwindle.

Reliant Robin

Originally released in 1973, the Reliant Robin, with its super-light fibreglass body, its three-wheeled frame and a tendency to roll over at the very hint of a corner, attempted – but ultimately failed – to fill an early gap in the market.

It was designed to be driven inexpensively with just a B1 motorbike license, but its low weight and no-frills manufacturing meant poor performance, back-breaking comfort and outrageous instability.

But despite its many failings, the Robin was a decidedly unpretentious car. It delivered exactly what it set out to achieve: full-efficiency and ‘all round economy’. It’s now become something of an icon of British culture, recognised for its eccentricity and applauded for its honesty.

Rover 200

Another British Leyland production, this time from the mid-80s, the Rover 200 was renowned for its ability to fall apart.

The car gained more fame as the model of choice for Richard and Hyacinth Bucket in the popular BBC comedy series ‘Keeping up Appearance’ than it did through its own success.

Lada

The car Jeremy Clarkson lambasted as ‘simply the worst car in the world’, the Russian-manufactured Lada was an all-round disaster.

Its poor tank-like handing, negligible engine performance and boxy design meant the Lada was already a thing of the past when it rolled off production in the 80s.

In Russia during the Soviet era the Lada was an immensely popular model, with people queuing up to get their hands on one. Over the years, however, the Lada has found itself a symbol of the decline of the Russian automobile industry.

Morris Ital

The Morris Ital has found itself at the top of ‘Worst British Cars Ever’ lists ever since it was first released.

Designed quickly, the Ital was manufactured from as many standard, off-the-shelf parts as possible in an attempt to keep costs down and speed up production.

Unfortunately, the Ital couldn’t compete with rival models. Looking out-dated even on its release, it was also beleaguered by terrible rust issues – which makes finding a running Morris Ital today a rare thing indeed.

Mercedes in trouble?

Louis Hamilton’s hopes for winning this year’s F1 Championship could have been dashed – not by careless driving, but by his team, Mercedes, after allegations of an illegal tyre test emerged last week.

Ferrari and Red Bull F1 racing teams protested after it came to light that tyre manufacturer Pirelli had used the current Mercedes car to conduct a three-day tyre development test.

The rival teams say that the testing is in violation of Section 22.4 of the F1 sporting regulations, which states that testing during the racing season is forbidden.

Most teams regularly test tyres in the same way, but older model cars will be used to prevent any team gaining an unfair advantage.

Mercedes have said they’ve gained no insight from the testing, and Pirelli have also given a statement.

“The tyres used were not from the current championship, but belonged to a range of products still being developed in view of an eventual renewal of the supply contract.”

If Mercedes are found to have flaunted regulation, then the tyre test could end up costing them £6.6 million in fines, and a deduction of 50 points.

With no precedent, it’s not entirely sure how things will develop. But one thing is for sure: if Mercedes do go on to win, there’ll be more than just a few raised eyebrows in the pit lanes…

Land Rover test new Disco for 2014

Land Rover are busy again making changes to their Discovery range, with September 2014 looking set to see the release of their Discover 5 – a slightly trimmer version of 2010’s Discovery 4.

The new Disco largely steals its new front end design from the latest Range Rover, ditching its dotted LED lights in favour of slim and sleek LED strips. The grille also sports a slightly altered look, with circular moulding around the headlights.

But the changes to Land Rover’s latest Disco aren’t entirely superficial; there should also be some improvement in performance. The 5.0 litre V8 from the Disco 4 will be lost, and replaced with a lighter, more efficient supercharged V6, which will see the CO2 output levels fall from around 335g/km to less than 300g/km.

Higher fines for texting while driving

The transport secretary has recently announced plans to increase the cost of fines for driving while using a mobile phone.

The change will see the fine increase by £30, from £60 to £90, and is part of a wider crack down on a variety of motoring offences.

Careless drivers will now be subject to harsher penalties and new fines, and a number of new road offences are also being put in place, include eating or lighting a cigarette behind the wheel.

Taking the time to maintain your car is a good sign. It shows a dedication to getting the best possible performance form you car and to keep it running safely and smoothly.
But sometimes – whether it’s through a simple oversight or complete motoring ignorance – a DIY car maintenance check can do more harm than good…

Find out more about the simple maintenance mistakes that could end up costing you a lot of money down the line.

1. Attempting a ‘tune-up’

Modern cars aren’t like old cars. They really aren’t designed to be ‘tuned’ or altered. In fact, ‘tune-ups’ as we know them don’t really exist anymore.
A lot of what’s inside the engine is now controlled my computerised technology, which means no more playing around with the ignition timing or adjusting the valves.
Tune-ups have been replaced by routine car maintenance, and modern engines only require major services every 100,000 miles or so.

2. Not checking the oil

Checking oil levels in your car is extremely important. Thankfully, it also happens to be very simple.
Low oil could cause engine corrosion, and the friction of moving parts can cause the engine to overheat, so you should check levels regularly.
Don’t inspect the oil only when the warning light comes one – by this point it could be too late to prevent any damage.
It also bears mentioning that your warranty won’t cover any damage caused by low engine levels.

3. Using the wrong type of oil

Failing to use the recommended type of oil can cause an engine to fail much sooner than you anticipate.
Avoid unnecessary engine wear and tear by choosing an oil with the correct viscosity. It’ll provide the optimal level of engine lubrication, and will prevent the engine from overheating.
Just remember that the temperature will affect your choice of oil viscosity, and if you’re in any doubt over which to use, you should consult your owner’s manual.

4. Only checking the oil…

Remember that engine performance doesn’t depend solely on the oil. A functioning engine also requires coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid and power steering fluid.

It might seem like a lot of work, but failing to pay attention to the fluids which are vital to your engine’s operation could be a costly mistake.

You won’t need to check these fluids quite as often as you should the oil, but it’s important that you don’t neglect them.

5. Not changing or cleaning the air filters

Clogged air filters are directly related to the performance of your car. So failing to replace them will have noticeable effects on drivability and fuel economy.

A new, well-functioning filter will look close to white, so take a look and see how your filters compare.

Checking the colour will give you some indication of the level of neglect, but it shouldn’t be seen as an accurate test. A filter can become clogged with fine particles that aren’t easily seen, like pollen, so regardless of colour, you should replace them regularly, every 15,000 miles or so.

Lamborghini’s ‘Grand Tour’, and an outrageous new concept unveiled

Lamborghini wouldn’t be Lamborghini if it didn’t celebrate its 50th anniversary in flamboyant Italian style.

On May 8th, 350 Lamborghinis fired their engines and rolled out of Milan, marking the start of Lamborghini’s ‘Grant Tour’ of Italy.

Passing through some of the country’s most beautiful cities – including Rome, San Giustino Valdarno and Arezzo – the tour stretched over an impressive 1,200km of spectacular Italian countryside, before coming to an end, three days later, at the Lamborghini headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese.

Vintage and modern-day Lamborghinis from over 29 countries took part in the event, including the 350 GT (their first-ever production vehicle from 1964), a 1969 Miura S once owned by Frank Sinatra, and the very latest Aventador and Gallardo models.

And if that wasn’t enough, Lamborghini surprised tour participants and spectators alike by unveiling something a little bit special at the close of the tour.

The Egoista (Italian for ‘selfish’), is Lamborghini’s new razor-sharp, single-seater concept, which really captures the essence of Lamborghini’s iconoclastic sense of style and design.

Design chief Walter De Silva, who oversaw work on the Egoista, wrote ‘I wanted to pay homage to and think up a vehicle to underline the fact that Lamborghinis have always been made with passion, and with the heart more than the head.’

If there was a more fitting way to end a weekend of celebrations, we certainly can’t think of it.
Lamborghini will continue celebrating their half-century of car making throughout the year. So keep your eyes out for a few more surprises.

Chrysler to recall vehicles

American car manufacturer Chrysler are set to recall over 450,000 vehicles worldwide after problems with the gear change have been found in the 2006-2010 model Jeep Commanders and the 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokees.

The problem is with the vehicles’ circuit boards, which are transmitting signals that cause the transmission to come out of gear and shift to neutral. So far, the faulty circuit boards have been responsible for a reported 26 accidents and 2 injuries.

This recall is Chrysler’s biggest since 900,000 Grand Cherokee’s were recalled last November after a fault with the airbags caused them to deploy inadvertently.

Ferrari takes a hard line on electric cars

The future looks very certain for Ferrari: no SUVs and absolutely no electric cars.

Chairman Luca di Montezemolo has declared in no uncertain terms that Ferrari will never stray from its sports and GT car market.

But some have started to speculate that Ferrari’s quest for brand exclusivity might hurt the 84-year-old car manufacturer, leaving them behind in an industry now focussed on the road ahead, and the search for more sustainable methods of fuel technology.

Those expecting exciting inroads being made into electric technology by Ferrari after the launch of their first-ever hybrid model, the ‘LaFerrari’, at this year’s Geneva Motor Show will be disappointed by Montezemolo’s hard-line stance.

So is there any chance of an all-electric Ferrari spin-off in the not-too-distant future?

‘No, no, no’ says Montezemolo.