Selwyn Times: April 25, 2018

22 Wednesday April 25 2018
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
motoring
Winter driving -
slow down
Driving a safe, well maintained car is
always in everyone’s best interest. With
so much talk about the road death toll
lately, doing everything you can to avoid
becoming one of those statistics just seems
to be common sense, even more so as
driving conditions are set to deteriorate.
There are a number of things you should
do to prepare your car for driving during
the colder months and inevitable rain, ice,
and snow.
Tyres are always important, and should
have adequate tread. The minimum legal
tread-depth is 1.5mm, but the deeper
the tread the better the grip and the safer
driving will be. Most tyres now have treaddepth
indicators moulded into the tread,
which makes it easy to recognise when
tread is at the minimum. Make sure the
tyre pressure is correct. Check your car’s
manual, or consult an expert. Don’t forget
about the spare.
If your battery is not up to scratch, you
won’t be going anywhere. Make sure the
terminals and cables are free of corrosion.
Battery checks are fairly simple at most
service providers. It can be beneficial to
carry jumper cables, but be aware that
you may not be able to use them on many
newer cars.
Specialists in Collision Repairs
From small dings to major repairs
Windscreen wipers are important when
it’s raining or snowing. They should clear
the screen, not just smear water around, in
which case the blades should be replaced.
SELWYN TIMES
There are a number of
things you should do
to prepare your car for
driving during the colder
months and inevitable
rain, ice, and snow.
Check the washer fluid level, and carry a
bottle of water in the boot.
Headlights, indicators and brake lights
should be checked and cleaned regularly.
Driving in the longer dark hours and in
stormy weather makes them even more
important. Check the bulbs are working,
replace broken ones, and clean all the light
covers.
There are many different anti-freeze
options, and it pays to make sure the fluid
mixture in the radiator is correct and the
level is topped up.
If your car has not had one in a while, a
full service is advisable. A WOF checks a
car’s roadworthiness, but it may not reveal
the wear on many parts that a full service
will. Even minor defects can be aggravated
by winter conditions. It’s annoying to break
down at the best of times; breaking down in
the pouring rain, or in snow, is doubly so.
If you are travelling long distances this
winter, it is advisable to carry an emergency
kit. Basic first aid products, extra blankets,
a torch and spare batteries, bottled water
and some non-perishable food items, a
waterproof jacket and warm hat, and a
knife or multi-tool. If you are stuck or lost
in bad weather, it is not an exaggeration to
say this kit could save your life.
Remember to drive to the conditions.
In winter weather, increase following
distances, brake earlier, and, especially
around corners, slow down.
• Two great locations
• Collision repair specialists
• Free loan cars and vans
• Insurance repairs, smash repairs, rust
repairs, fibreglassing
• From motorbikes to horse floats
• No job is too big or small
• Open most Saturday mornings for
customer convenience
BEFORE
BEFORE
AFTER AFTER
107 St Asaph St, City Central
www.rojones.co.nz PH 0800 RO JONES
3 TRUCKS
3 CARS
3 LUBES
3 SERVICING
3 FLEET WORK
3 BOATS
3 DIESEL INJECTOR
3 & PUMP SERVICING
3 ENGINE TUNING
3 BRAKES
3 MAXXIS TYRES
3 WHEEL ALIGNMENTS
3 BATTERIES
3 WOFs
3 CAMBELTS
AND MUCH
MORE!
Mon-Fri 6.45am-6pm,
Sat 8am-12 noon (WOFs only)
839 Jones Road, Rolleston P.O. Box 16 Rolleston
Phone Simon on 347 7110 or Mobile 027 272 9213