This section of Part 1 of our Breakdown Cover Special will talk you through how to minimise the chance of the top-ten causes of car breakdowns happening to your vehicle.

According to the AA many of the most common problems dealt with at the roadside can “be avoided with the correct preventative care”.

1. Flat battery and other battery related problems
2. Lost keys
3. Flat/damaged tyres and wheels
4. Faults with alternators
5. Problems with starter motor
6. Distributor cap faults
7. Problems with fuel
8. Broken clutch cables
9. Faulty spark plugs
10. Broken HT leads

1. Flat battery and other battery related problems
   
   How to prevent

   a. When your vehicle is serviced, make sure that the battery terminals have been cleaned and been coated in a layer of petroleum jelly or grease to prevent corrosion. Check that clamps and connections are secure.

   b. If you only use your vehicle for short trips, you can prevent a breakdown caused by loss of voltage by charging your battery overnight every couple of weeks. If you have a modern battery, they will probably be ‘maintenance free’ and therefore shouldn’t need regular recharging.

    

2. Lost keys

   How to prevent

   a. Make sure you always carry a spare set of keys

   b. See a.

    

3. Flat/damaged tyres and wheels

   How to prevent
   
   a. Try to leave plenty of space away from the kerb when you go around corners. Brush up on your parallel parking if you regularly hit the kerb during this manouvre.

   b. Check your spare tyre. If it is worn or flat, it will be useless to you when you really need it. Plus, the terms and conditions of most breakdown cover policies state that if your spare tyre isn’t in a fit enough state to be used and your breakdown recovery agent can’t perform a simple tyre change at the side of the road, you will be charged the recovery fee to the nearest garage.

   c. Make sure you carry the locking wheel nut removal key with you at all times.

   d. If your wheels are misaligned, this will likely cause uneven tyre wear so when checking your tyres’ tread depths check for this uneven wear and get your wheels realigned if necessary.

   e. Make sure you always carry a jack and wheel removal tools, and that they are in a good state of repair.

    

4. Faults with alternators

   How to prevent
   
   a. If you start to notice that you are having regular problems with your battery, or that your headlights are dim when your vehicle is idling, get your alternator checked

   b. Make sure that your alternator belt is checked regularly so that if it is worn to the point where it may soon give way, it can be replaced.

    

5. Problems with starter motor
   
   How to prevent

   a. Getting your starter motor checked regularly should identify any potential faults before it stops working altogether.

    

6. Distributor cap faults

   How to prevent
   
   a. If the weather protection that covers the cap gets a split in it, make sure you get this replaced as soon as possible. You can prevent problems by replacing the distributor cap at the recommended intervals as set by the vehicle manufacturer.

    

7. Problems with fuel
   
   How to prevent

   a. Make sure you fill up with fuel before you set off on your journey. Don’t leave it too late to fill up your tank.

   b. Pop a label on your fuel cap, or on the fuel cap flap, stating which fuel your vehicle takes. If you have a company vehicle, this should be stated on the key ring you are given with the vehicle key.

    

8. Broken clutch cables
   
   How to prevent
   
   a. The best solution is to replace the clutch cable at the first signs of wear and tear. Additionally, it can help if you try not to ‘ride the clutch’ (by keeping the car at its biting point on hills and in traffic but instead putting the handbrake on) as this will wear the clutch out more quickly.

    

9. Faulty spark plugs
   
   How to prevent

   a. Be sure to replace the spark plugs at the recommended service intervals as set out by the manufacturer

    

10. Broken HT leads
    
    How to prevent

    a. Damp repellent sprays can provide a temporary fix. The best option is to get a garage to check them regularly and replace as and when necessary.

[More]

Breaking down is not only inconvenient; it can also be very dangerous.

This section of the first part of our Breakdown Cover special will guide you through the ten most common causes of breakdowns

1. Flat battery and other battery related problems
2. Lost keys
3. Flat/damaged tyres and wheels
4. Faults with alternators
5. Problems with starter motor
6. Distributor cap faults
7. Problems with fuel
8. Broken clutch cables
9. Faulty spark plugs
10. Broken HT leads 

1. Flat battery and other battery related problems

   Possible problems
   
   a. Faults that occur because of terminals and clamp connections

   b. Loss of voltage in the battery as a result of constant short journeys but no regular recharging

    

2. Lost keys

   Possible problems

   a. A lot of modern vehicles come with transponder keys (keys with coded chips in them) which help to prevent theft. If this key is lost, the only way you can get the vehicle running again is to have it recovered to an authorised dealer who will issue a new key and programme your car’s engine to recognise the new code (it can take several days for your dealer to obtain the new key).

   b. Any loss of keys will prevent you from starting your vehicle

    

3. Flat/damaged tyres and wheels

   Possible problems

   a. If you ‘kerb’ your car, you can damage the sidewalls and even the wheel rims.

   b. A punctured tyre but your spare tyre is worn/flat/missing

   c. A punctured tyre but no removal tool for locking wheel nuts (theft prevention device on alloy wheels

   d. Punctured tyre as a result of uneven tyre wear

   e. Punctured tyre but no wheel removal tools in vehicle

    

4. Faults with alternators

   Possible problems

   a. If the alternator is broken or faulty, it will not charge the battery when you are driving. As a result, your battery will go flat and you won’t be able to start your vehicle. A faulty alternator can cause persistent battery faults and dim headlights when the engine is left idling.

   b. If the belt that drives the alternator breaks, and is also responsible for operating the radiator fan and water pump, a red ignition warning light will appear and you will notice an very rapid increase on the engine temperature gauge. STOP IMMEDIATELY.

    

5. Problems with starter motor

   Possible problems
   
   a. Starter motors are normally very robust (it is not unheard of for them to last for well over a decade in older cars);
   INSERT INTO `module_blog_posts` VALUES however, they can break after time or if they are faulty to begin with. If your starter motor fails, your vehicle will just click when you turn the key and won’t start.

    

6. Distributor cap faults

   Possible problems

   a. A crack or split in the distributor cap will cause high ignition voltage to leak away which will result in insufficient voltage to cause an ignition spark. This means your vehicle will not start. The majority of problems associated with distributor caps are caused by moisture and dirt.

    

7. Problems with fuel
   
   Possible problems

   a. The vehicle runs out of fuel during a journey.

   b. The wrong type of fuel is put into the vehicle, diesel into petrol engines or vice versa. According to the AA more than 100,000 motorists put the wrong type of fuel into their vehicles each year. If you put the wrong fuel into your vehicle, DO NOT START THE ENGINE as it will pump the fuel round the engine and cause more damage. In the event of misfuelling, the vehicle is recovered to a garage so that the contaminated fuel can be drained and disposed of (a very expensive procedure).

    

8. Broken clutch cables

   Possible problems

   a. Whenever the clutch is used, the clutch cable will be under high stress. Long-term use will result in abrasion which will in turn weaken the wire strands until they break. This will mean that you won’t be able to use the clutch to change gear. If you call for roadside assistance, a temporary repair can often be carried out.

    

9. Faulty spark plugs

   Possible problems
   
   a. If the spark plugs are faulty or dirty, it will be hard/impossible to start the vehicle. Only petrol engines have spark plugs. According to the AA, “the spark-plug is a much-neglected part of the ignition system”.

    

10. Broken HT leads

    Possible problems
    
    a. If High-tension (HT) leads and their connections deteriorate, as they often do with age, it can allow water and dirt to enter the cracks in the insulation. This reduces the ignition voltage and can make it harder to start the vehicle.

[More]

Any vehicle can break down, regardless of how old or new it is. You could buy a brand new car and be driving it home from the garage on the motorway and accidently puncture a tyre, or you could be driving your 14-year-old 1.4 litre Peugeot down the road when the exhaust decides it’s time to fall off, suddenly making your small car sound like a tank.

In this five-part special, which will be released over the course of eight weeks, we are going to talk you through different aspects of car breakdowns. Part 1 ‘What are the ten most common causes of breakdowns and what can I do to prevent them?’ will be released tomorrow and will provide handy hints and tips which will hopefully reduce your chances of breaking down in the first place.

Later parts will guide you through such things as what you should do if you break down on motorways and standard roads, how to use jump leads and the importance of a good breakdown cover policy.

[More]

The Sony Credit Card is back offering 0% for 12 months on balance transfers (subject to a 3% fee) and Pulsebeat points every time the card is used, with triple points on offer when it is used to pay for Sony products.

Sony Pulsebeats can be exchanged for Sony entertainment products including music, movies, games and electronics.

Plus, when the card is used for a purchase within the first 90 days of opening the account, the cardholder will receive 3000 Pulsebeats; enough to claim up to two free DVDs or a Playstation 2 game.

The Sony Credit Card also comes with 0% on purchases for 3 months from the date the account is opened and a low typical variable APR of 15.9% p.a.

Sony Credit Card customers can also choose to have a MasterCard or a Visa card and won’t have to pay an annual fee.

To apply for this card, customers must be at least 18 years of age and have a good credit history.

Click the link for more information on the Sony Credit Card

[More]

MBNA has recently launched single and annual multi trip travel insurance products.

Both products include free cover for children under the age of 4 and £10m cover for medical expenses abroad (per trip on the annual products).

MBNA credit card customers will also receive a 10% discount if they pay for their travel insurance policy on their card.

Travellers can choose between a choice of cover for short or long breaks for either business or pleasure in the UK or abroad.

MBNA Single Trip insurance policies start from as little as £4.10 with the option of adding up to 17 days winter sports cover.

Children under the age of 18 are covered for free on Single Trip Family policies.

The MBNA Annual Multi-Trip travel insurance starts from £39.72 for a single person policy and £61.44 for a Family policy and covers the policyholder for as many trips as they like during the year, whether they are in the UK or abroad, for up to 31 days each time.

The annual policies include free cover for children under 18 both when travelling with the adults covered under the policy and when travelling independently.

Policyholders will also enjoy lower premiums because of the loyalty discount they will receive when they renew their multi-trip cover the following year.

Click the relevant link for more information about MBNA Travel Insurance and the MBNA credit card.

[More]

Earlier this month we reported that Norwich Union had conducted research which found that 51% of British holidaymakers were considering leaving travel insurance off of their list of holiday essentials this year due to the increased pressures resulting from the credit crunch(News article: ‘Scrapping travel insurance ‘isn’t worth the risk’’).

When we reported this story, we knew that we would have to bring our readers methods to cut the cost of their travel insurance, as well as reasons why it’s not wise to leave for a holiday without this cover. We thought this is especially important considering we have just entered the peak holiday season.

The Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) says “Don’t travel without insurance…take out adequate Travel Insurance or you could face a huge medical bill if you fall ill and need treatment”.

Norwich Union reported that in 2007, over £60m was paid out in insurance claims with the cost of the average medical claim at £1,200 and the average luggage claim at £220.

The FCO reports that it costs £35-45,000 for an air ambulance from the East coast of the USA back to the UK.

There are several ways you can cut the cost of your travel insurance and some even mean that you shouldn’t lose out on the amount of cover you receive.

• If you are really struggling to find the money for travel insurance, and are thinking of forgetting it altogether, choose basic cover over more comprehensive policies because some cover will be better than none at all.
• Compare travel insurance to find the cheapest deals and look out for online discounts.
• Try to compare like for like and don’t scrimp on basics such as medical cover and repatriation costs. Try to get the same amount of cover for a lower price not less cover for a lower price.
• Look for free child places. Currently, insurers such as Go Travel and Endsleigh offer free child places. For more information on travel insurance for children read our blog article ‘Children need travel insurance too’.
• Only buy cover for the days you are on your holiday. Make sure you include the date of departure and arrival but not the days before and after because this will unnecessarily increase the cost of your premium.
• If you are travelling in the EU make sure you send off well in advance for your free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which will entitle you to reduced or free emergency care in other EU countries. However, you will still need full travel insurance because it may not cover all of your health care costs (depending on which country you are in) and other things such as repatriation. Some insurance providers stipulate that you must have an EHIC as part of the terms and conditions of the insurance policy.
• Increasing the amount of excess you will pay in the event of a claim will normally knock a little off of the price of your policy. This will mean that you will have to pay slightly more towards the cost of each claim but could save you a bit of money on your policy. At the end of the day paying £150 towards the cost of a huge medical bill, instead of £50 is still going to be a lot better than facing the whole medical bill.

We hope you have a really good holiday and don’t need to use your travel insurance. For helpful travel advice you can visit the FCO website.

Click the link to start comparing cheap travel insurance

[More]

One of the quickest and easiest ways to save some money is to compare gas and electric prices. In fact, the average saving to be made by switching gas and electricity suppliers is £202, with some customers set to save as much as £503.

You can take the hard work out of comparing energy companies at compareandsave.com by entering a few details into the ‘compare gas and electric’ form. The information you will enter will be about your current suppliers and how much you pay for your energy. This process will be a lot easier if you have some recent energy bills in front of you, but will work just as well if you know how much you pay per year for each type of energy you use.

Once you have entered in these details and hit the submit button, we will trawl the UK’s main energy companies and find you alternative tariffs that match the details you have entered. The results will be displayed to you from cheapest to most expensive based on which ones will save you the most money compared to your current tariff.

The gas and electric comparison service is accredited to the energywatch Confidence Code. Energywatch is the industry consumer watchdog and its Confidence Code is given to comparison services which meet with all nine requirements of the code. If a comparison service is accredited, it means that the comparison results you are given are accurate and consistent.

Intrigued? Click the link and see how much you can save when you compare gas and electric
 

[More]

If you’re a student, you will spend a vast amount of your time thinking about how to manage your finances. The Barclaycard Student Credit Card could help you to do this, providing it is used sensibly.

Plus, it comes with lots of benefits that will help you to stretch your cash further as well as a low typical APR of 14.9% (variable).

What’s more, you will receive discounts from a wide range of retailers, holiday deals through the Travel Service and you will be able to opt in to a text alert service which will send you a text message five days before your credit card payment due date.

Cardholders also benefit from an Identity Protection Service which offers advice about protecting against identity theft, and Purchase Delivery Protection which provides cover against loss or damage to online, phone or mail orders from the time they are despatched to the time they arrive at your door.

Click the link for more information about the Barclaycard Student Credit Card
 

[More]

Capital One has launched a new low rate credit card aimed at people looking for a cheap low rate for the life of their balance transfers and purchases.

The Capital One Low Rate Credit Card offers a low typical APR of 8.5% p.a. variable on both balance transfers and purchases plus does not charge a balance transfer fee.

The low rate will help cardholders to manage their finances without having to worry about the rate climbing at the end of a promotional period.

It also comes with a free identity theft service.

The card is available to those aged 21 and over, with a minimum annual income of £10,000.

Click the link to compare credit cards.

[More]

Capital One has extended the interest-free offer on its platinum credit card.

At the beginning of June, Capital One announced that it was offering a 0% interest rate on balance transfers and purchases until 1st September 2009, which worked out at around 15 months interest-free.

The credit card provider has announced that new customers will now be able to get 0% on their balance transfers and purchases until 1st October 2009 when they take out the Capital One Platinum Credit Card.

This means new customers that apply for the card today would also benefit from almost 15 months interest-free on any balances they move over from other cards and on any new purchases they make.

The card is available to those who are at least 21 years old, pass the Capital One credit checks and have a minimum annual income of £10,000.

The card also comes with a competitive typical APR of 12.9% variable.

There is a 3% balance transfer fee applied to the card for any balances moved over from other credit cards.

Click the link for more about the Capital One Platinum Credit Card
 

[More]