Stolen cars - be warned

Cars get stolen every day, whether they are new, used, old, fast, slow, modern etc. Do not presume that just because you own an older car that this does not mean your car will not become a target. In fact, if anything, thieves may see your car as a potential gold mine. It may not be worth anything at face value, but breaking the vehicle to retrieve the parts and sell them on is a common way for thieves to make quick money. This is especially the case if your car is an older model, because spare parts are harder to come by for older models, so are much more valuable and expensive.

We were shocked to discover how many drivers tend to leave windows open a little on warm days, how they leave valuable possessions in clear view on dashboards and seats and how blase they are about thieves targeting their own vehicle. It is easy for a criminal to realise what possessions are in a car for them to make a quick sale - anything from; - ipods, cd's, cd case holders (full of cd's), hands-free sets, mobile phones, wallets/purses, satellite navigation, cd players etc. We were also shocked to discover that some people leave their mail - including bank statements - in their cars. Not only would the thief/thieves be able to steal your car and possessions, but they could also steal your whole identity!

Please don't presume this will not happen to you, take precautions and you could avoid the thieves stealing from you:

• Don't leave possessions in clear view inside the car - always place valuable items in the glove box, under your car seats or in the car boot.
• Make sure all windows and doors are locked before leaving the vehicle unattended.
• If you do not have one already, get a car alarm installed.
• Try not to leave your car over night in a secluded, dark area where not many people would be able to see anyone stealing your car.
• Remove CD/DVD players from your car.
• For around £50 you can buy a steering wheel lock. For another £80 you can buy a 'tyre claw' lock that will keep one wheel from moving.
• You can get an alarm fitted to your vehicle from between £150-£300 at any car shop. The alarm will go off when the door is opened without a key.
• You can get a 'kill switch' installed which will not allow engines to start unless there is a precise-matching key.

The best way to deter thieves, is to not give them a reason to want to access your vehicle in the first place. They know exactly what they are looking for, exactly how much they can get for the possessions in your car and exactly where to sell your car for scrap. You are basically inviting thieves to steal your car by leaving possessions in plain view.

Did you know that most thieves target cars that are in small and quiet residential areas? including residential and apartment complexes? their other favourite places are gym, restaurant and shopping car parks, some have even said that their car has been stolen in the church car park on a Sunday!

Please take care!

Winter Special: Essential advice for severe weather conditions

Before starting off on your journey, check the weather forecast so you know what kind of weather to expect; frost, sleet, snow or ice. This will help you to assess what kind of weather conditions to expect and you can accommodate your driving style and supplies accordingly.

·         Keep a mobile with you at all times.

Make sure that:

-          All numbers are up to date

-          Emergency contact numbers are up to date.

-          There is a mobile phone charger in the car with you that can plug in to your lighter socket to recharge.

-          Keep your breakdown cover’s number in your phone.

·         Tell people where you are going, what route your are planning on taking and if you deviate from your route, make sure you let people know.

·         Keep a torch in the car.

·         Keep some blankets in the car (we recommend thermal blankets for winter).

·         A satellite navigation system in your car could be a life saver if you have no idea where you are and conditions are too bad to see.

·         A bottle of cold water or de-icer spray – this will help to remove ice from your windscreen and vehicle.

·         Make sure your car has enough fuel for the journey.

Essential checks to make on your car before driving anywhere in harsh winter weather conditions:

·         Check the battery

·         Check the tires for air, wear and tear and tread depth.

·         Check the ignition, brakes, wiring, hoses and fan belts.

·         Change and adjust the spark plugs.

·         Check the air, fuel, emission filters and the PVC valve.

·       Check antifreeze levels and the freeze line.

Winter Special: Essential supplies to have with you on a long winter journey

1.       A fully inflated spare tyre, wheel wrench and tripod-type jack.

2.       Jumper cables

3.       Tow and tyre chains

4.       Shovel

5.       Tool Kit

6.       Bag of salt/sand/gravel/cat litter

7.       A working flash light with extra batteries

8.       Compass

9.       First Aid Kit

10.    Exterior windshield cleaner

11.    Ice scraper and/or snow brush

12.    Non-perishable, high-energy foods like unsalted canned nuts, dried fruits and hard boiled sweets.

Winter special: How to control your car if it skids on ice

If your rear wheels skid

1.       Remove your foot from the accelerator immediately

2.       Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they are sliding right, steer right. You should always steer in the same direction that your rear wheels are turning.

3.       Sometimes your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you try to recover the vehicle, if this happens, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You may have to steer left and right a few times to try and get control back of the car. Try not to turn the wheels too abruptly or quickly as this can cause your car to skid even further.

4.       If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.

5.       If you have ABS do not pump the brakes, instead gently apply pressure to the brakes. Feeling the brakes pulse is normal.

If your front wheels skid

1.       Take your foot off the gas and shift the gears into neutral, but don’t try to steer immediately.

2.       As the wheels skid sideways, they will automatically slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Now put your vehicle into 1^st gear drive and accelerate very gently.

Winter Special: What to do if your car gets stuck in the snow

Firstly, do not panic! Turning the wheel quickly and trying to accelerate/reverse may only dig you in deeper. Very slowly turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push the snow out of the way, very gently touch the gas to ease your car out. You can also use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and from the underside of the car. Pour anything available at your disposal underneath the wheels to get some traction – this could be sand, salt gravel, cat litter, flat planks of wood – anything you can find that you think will help and will not damage your tyres. Shift the gears from 1^st to reverse and back again. Each time you are in gear, give a gentle touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going again.