VEHICLE SERVICES

27/08/2025

09/08/2023

Back home at Eaton park, it’s been a tough year!

23/06/2023

It’s wine o’clock Friday.

Come down and have a well deserved glass or bottle of wine, cocktails and spirits

01/08/2022

Vehicle services has now moved premises and has reopened for business!

23/06/2020

Much is said every year about winter driving conditions and how cold weather affects a vehicle’s performance. But summer heat can also wreak havoc on a vehicle and its function. The warm weather, hot roads, extended trips, and dry air combine to create a hostile work environment for your car. Here are a few things to consider as you hit the road during those hot summer months.

Tyres

Checking your tyre pressure is one of the most important things you can do year round—but especially during the summer months. Hot tires on hot pavement are already a recipe for a blowout, but if your tyres are improperly inflated, the risk of catastrophic failure is even greater. Help prevent hazardous situations by checking your tyres once a month and replacing them before they become dangerously worn.

Battery

Everybody knows that cold weather can be hard on your vehicle’s battery. But hot weather can also shorten your battery’s usable life. Check your car’s battery terminals for corrosion, and make sure the battery itself is securely mounted.

Oil

A hot engine needs all the lubrication it can get, so keeping on top of engine oil changes is especially important during the summer months. Though some people believe it’s necessary to use a thicker grade of oil for summer (and a thinner oil for winter), this isn’t really the case with modern motor oils. The most important thing is to change the oil at regular intervals and use the oil viscosity recommended in the owner’s manual for your car. With the extra miles many people put on their vehicles during summer road trips, this may mean more frequent changes.

Coolant

What we call “antifreeze” during the winter doubles as “coolant” during the summer. Low coolant levels can literally kill your engine. Worn hoses or a damaged radiator can allow coolant to leak and engine temperatures to rise. Keep an especially close eye on your vehicle’s temperature gauge during summer months to prevent overheating.

24/02/2020

As spring arrives, you’re likely ready to give up your hibernating ways for some adventure. For many this means vacations, trips into Spain and longer weekend road trips.

Whatever your style, chances are you are getting ready to hit the road, but are you confident that your car is in good enough shape to get you there safely and efficiently?

Winter’s lower temperatures will have been tougher on your car, so it is likely showing some signs of wear and tear.

Spring is the perfect time to bring your car in for a full inspection to identify any minor problems, before they become major ones.

21/01/2020

Driving safely on wet roads

Always drive with two hands to stay in control.

Slow down: tyres will have better traction and contact with the road.

Increase your distance from other cars significantly.

Stay vigilant of other drivers and dangers in your surroundings. Anticipate dangerous situations rather than waiting to react to them.

Before turning: only brake in a straight line before the turn, and do so gradually. Do not brake during the turn as this can make you slip.

While turning: slow down before turning, and maintain a consistent speed throughout the turn.

While turning: don’t make any sudden steering wheel movements.

Inspect your tyres regularly: make sure that your tyres have the proper amount of tread and tyre pressure.

05/01/2020

New Year resolution:

Take better care of your car this year.
Our 10 New Year's car care resolutions will help extend your vehicle's life and protect its performance in 2020 and beyond.

Car care resolutions:

1. Schedule bi-annual checkups
Seasonal tune-ups and maintenance maximize your car's fuel efficiency and performance.
Bonus: a trained technician can spot potential problems early, nipping costly repairs in the bud.

2. Keep the interior clean!
Spilled drinks, food crumbs, and mud make a vehicle look ? and smell ? bad. Toss your trash out after every commute. Clean messes promptly before stains and odour set in. Vacuum dirt before it abrades carpet and seat fibres.

3. Go for a car wash.
Don't wait for someone to scrawl "Clean me" in the dust on your car window. Regular car care includes cleaning and protecting its finish.

4. Learn to detail your car.
Automated car washes and light vacuuming are good for maintenance, but every so often your car deserves a nice, deep clean, inside and out. This is especially true if you want to protect your vehicle’s resale value.

5. Check your tire pressure.
Driving with the correct tire pressure improves your vehicle's safety and fuel mileage, while extending tyre life. Refer to the sticker on the inside of your driver side door, and add air as needed. Aim to check it at every other fill-up.

6. Check your oil.
If you're checking tire pressure at every other fill up, what should you do the rest of the time? Check your oil, obviously. Top it up as needed so your engine is always well lubricated.

7. Schedule regular oil changes.
The standard used to be complete oil change every 5,000 kilometres, but improved oil formulas and lower emission fuels, mean this is no longer the rule. Check your vehicle manual and schedule changes accordingly.

8. Stay on top of fluids.
Staying hydrated is probably on your New Year's fitness resolutions but it's crucial for your car too. Check your car's fluids monthly (mark it on your calendar), and stay on top of oil, coolant, brake and clutch fluids.

9. Rotate your tires.
Every 5,000 to 10,000 miles is a good rule of thumb, but check your owner's manual for a vehicle-specific recommendation.

10. Heed your lights.
If you're the type who ignores the "check engine" light, resolve to bring your car in for service at the first sign instead. Let a mechanic determine what's up.

Keep these tips in mind all year round to ensure you’re motoring along smoothly and saving your car from costly repairs.

10/10/2019

The weather will turn sooner or later...

Here are five things you can do today, whether it’s sunny or rainy, to prepare yourself for the wetter weather. You don’t want to wait until it’s raining cats n dogs to have your car ready!

1. Check your wiper blades:
You don’t want to wait until it’s already raining to find out that our wiper blades aren’t working! At that point, you’re out of luck! So test your wiper blades out ahead of time to make sure they’re working correctly and not streaking or worn out.

2. Check your wiper fluid:
You can do this at the same time you test your wiper blades. Do you have enough wiper fluid? If you don’t, that’s not good for your vehicle. We are big on fluid checks, whether that be wiper fluid, transmission fluid, oil, all of it. Don’t neglect your fluids!

3. Check your tires:
Make sure you have enough tread on your tires to handle the rain, and not leave you sliding around on the road. If your tire’s treads are low, you’ll need more distance to stop and can be in danger of sliding and losing control of your vehicle.

4. Watch out for high water:
This is a bonus tip: Don’t drive through high water or big puddles! Not only can it be dangerous, but it’s terrible for your vehicle.

15/08/2019

Driving in the EU after Brexit

You will not need an International Driving permit (IDP)

You will need to carry a motor insurance green card when driving in the EU and EEA.

Contact your vehicle insurance provider one month before you travel to get green cards for your vehicle, caravan or trailer.

You’ll need multiple green cards if:
..you have fleet insurance - you’ll need a green card for each vehicle
your vehicle is towing a trailer or caravan - you’ll need one for the towing vehicle and one for the trailer / caravan (you need separate trailer insurance in some countries)..you have 2 policies covering the duration of your trip, for example, if your policy renews during the journey

If you’re taking your vehicle to the EU for less than 12 months, you should carry one of the following documents with you:

your vehicle log book (V5C), if you have one
a VE103 to show you’re allowed to use your hired or leased vehicle abroad

You will still need to register some commercial and non-commercial trailers before towing them to or through most EU and EEA countries.

You should display a GBZ sticker on the rear of your vehicle, even if you currently have a number plate which includes the GB identifier.

If you are involved in a road traffic accident in an EU or EEA country you may not be able to make a claim via a UK-based or Gibraltar based claims representative.

Instead, you may need to bring a claim against either the driver or the insurer of the vehicle in the EU or EEA country where the accident happened. This may involve bringing the claim in the local language.

In the event of an accident in an EU or EEA country caused by an uninsured or an untraced driver, you may not receive compensation. This will vary from country to country.