Make your essential journeys SAFE

5 Posted: 5th Mar 2021
Make your essential journeys SAFE
  • Most UK drivers haven’t been driving as often as normal for nearly a year now. Especially since December 2020, as we’ve been in full lockdown since then with advice to only travel if necessary.

    One benefit of not driving as much is saving on fuel! But you need to be careful when driving your car if you haven’t for a while. Not using your vehicle regularly can actually cause problems with your tyres and lights.

    With schools reopening and the government’s proposed roadmap suggesting restrictions will ease at the end of the month, there are some really simple checks to make sure your car is SAFE before you use it.

    Do these four basic checks before heading out on any journey:

    Service or health check

    Air in tyre

    Fill up screenwash

    Examine light and tyre treads


  • Service or health check

    Make sure that your car is safe and working properly with a professional service or health check at Pentagon. This is the best way to guarantee your car is in full working order. Our specialist technicians check over every inch of your car so you can enjoy worry-free driving.

    If you want to get your original pre-exemption MOT date back, go for an early MOT. You don’t have to wait until your current certificate runs out to get a new one.

    You can carry out your own checks on your car before heading out, too.

    For example, when testing your brakes, as long as nothing feels off, you’re good to go.

    But if your brakes feel different, make a continuous noise or pull your car to one side when in use, you should take it in for a professional check ASAP.

    You should also bring your car in if you have any dash warning lights on.


  • Air in tyres

    Tyres tend to lose air and become damaged if your car is parked in one spot for too long. Before heading out on any journey, make sure to check that your tyres are properly inflated and are free of any cuts, bulges or other types of damage.

    Check your car’s manual to find out the correct tyre pressure for your tyres. Head to a petrol station to check your tyre pressure and fill as needed, as most now have a pressure gauge and air pump.


  • Fill up screenwash

    Make sure your washer fluid is topped up and your windscreen wipers are working before going on a journey. If liquid is coming out and your wipers aren’t streaking water across the windscreen, you’re good to go.

    If you need to check your washer fluid before heading out, make sure your engine is cold before lifting up the bonnet.

    Locate your washer fluid bottle and fill it with washer fluid as needed. This is an often forgotten but very necessary check. It’s important to use washer fluid rather than just water, as washer fluid prevents freezing.


  • Examining lights & tyre tread

     

    Check your lights

    Check over every light on your car to ensure no bulbs have blown. Start your car and turn on all the lights then get out and walk around to check everything’s in working order. Put your hazards on to check both front and rear indicators, and don’t forget to check your brake lights in a reflection.

    Check your tyre tread

    The legal limit for a car’s tyre tread depth is 1.6mm. Anything below this is a risk to yourself and other road users, especially when the roads are wet or icy.

    Check tyre tread by turning your steering wheel fully left or right then looking for the tread wear indicators on each of your tyres.

    If any of your tyres are level with this marker, they need to be replaced. You can also check this with a 20p coin - insert the coin into the tread and if the outer band is covered, the tread level is okay. Don’t forget to check the level is even across the tyre too.


  • Get ahead and book your service now

    Due to the MOT extension last year, our service centres will be quieter in April and May. This means you’re more likely to get an appointment of your choosing, beating the rush.

    Book your service, health check or MOT today, or get in touch with your local Pentagon service centre to learn more.

Notification

If you have a query relating to Discretionary Commission Agreements please email customer.care@pentagon-group.co.uk However, please note that if your query related to a purchase more that 7 years ago we will no longer hold any details due to our data retention policy.

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Representative Finance Example
APR Representative 13.9%
Cash Price £5,995
Deposit £0
1st Monthly Payment £136.55
58 Monthly Payment £136.55
Final Monthly Payment £146.55
Amount of Credit £5,995
Total Amount Payable £8,203.00
Total Charge for Credit £2,198
Duration 60 Months
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