It's Christmas Time, There's No Need To Be Afraid….
Yep, a great line from a mega hit of the 1980’s. It’s also valid for you as you consider the fact that the Christmas holidays are upon us and it’s looking like a drive for a holiday is on the cards. But you’re hesitant, nervous, maybe even a bit afraid of taking the chariot out. Here’s a small checklist that may help you get through the Christmas yips…
Tyres: these round, rubbery, bits are oft neglected and to use a Bush-ism, misunderestimated in how important they are. There’s two crucial factors at play when it comes to tyres and they’re interlinked: tyre pressure and tyre age. On the side of your tyre will be numbers that will look something like: 225/55/17. These numbers indicate the size of the tyre and the wheel to which it’s fitted. Each tyre will need to be inflated to a proper pressure to ensure that the 225 (width of the tyre) is gripping as much of the road surface, wet or dry or gravelly, as possible. That correct tyre pressure also means that the 55 (height of the tyre’s sidewall in relation to its width) can flex properly and work with the width of the tread.
Driving Home For Christmas (And Surviving)
Driving Home For Christmas (And Surviving)
“Driving in my car, driving home for Christmas…” Hands up if you’ve had this one piped at you recently on the radio or through the store sound system. At least it’s one of the least toe-curlingly cringe-worthy Christmas ditties that get hauled onto the playlist at this time of year (unlike “Let It Snow”, “It’s Lovely Weather For A Sleigh Ride Together With You” and other tracks that are singularly inappropriate when it’s sweltering and the streets are full of sweaty people in sunnies; just don’t get me started… rant over). At least this one raises a point and talks about a bit of what really goes on – long-haul driving to visit the rellies and crowded roads where you’re “top to toe in tailbacks” and get “red lights on the run”.
Private Fleet Car Review: 2016 Volvo XC 90 Inscription versus 2016 Audi Q7 Quattro
A Wheel Thing was fortunate enough to have the stars align and be given the keys to two new range toppers: from Sweden comes the 2016 spec Volvo XC90 Inscription and from Germany the 2016 Audi Q7 Quattro. Similarly priced, similarly sized and similarly specced, it’ll come down to personal preference for a potential buyer and certainly the end decision as to which A Wheel Thing would keep is a personal choice.
What’s on offer are two very well kitted out SUV’s, ostensibly with off road ability, luxury trimmings and plenty of room. Yet, at their heart, two totally different approaches on how some basics are delivered…
Up front is how these two get their get up and go. The Volvo goes slimline with a turbocharged four cylinder petrol whilst the Audi squares its shoulders with a brawny V6 diesel. Capacities are different; two litres vs three and the end power/torque numbers tell the story. Volvo offers up 235 kilowatts at 5700 revs, with 400 torques on tap across a plateau flat 2200 to 5400 rpm.
‘Tis The Season To Avoid Drink Driving*
Merry and jolly are words that crop up in only two contexts: Christmas and indulging in a drink or two, and by “drink”, I don’t mean a cup of hot chocolate. Tis the season when work parties, sports and other club breakups and family dos are pretty thick on the ground. This usually means that wine, beer and cider will be in evidence somewhat. So will the cops with their breathalyzers.
We’ve all heard the horror stories and seen the safety campaigns, yada, yada, so I’m not going to go on about all the reasons why you shouldn’t drink and drive. However, one question that a lot of us have is how much you can actually get away with having before you get slapped with a great hefty ticket and/or become a menace to yourself and others.
Level 2, 9 Help Street