car breakdown – Pulpaddict

Don’t break down on the 5 most haunted roads in UK!

As autumn’s chill envelops the UK, many adventurous souls seek out the thrill of visiting haunted locations, with ghostly tales of mysterious apparitions and eerie occurrences. While these tales add an extra layer of excitement to the journey, one thing no one wants is a vehicle breakdown on the UK’s most haunted roads. Fortunately, the CS FREE is here to save the day, as an adaptive booster that can safely resurrect your vehicle’s battery, ensuring your ghost-hunting expedition goes smoothly.

While the concept of haunted places is subjective and based on folklore and local legends, here are five roads in UK that have reputations for being haunted:

A229 – Blue Bell Hill, Kent:

Known for the ‘Blue Bell Hill Bride,’ this road has a tragic history of accidents. Drivers have reported seeing a woman in a wedding gown, often before encountering unexplained car issues.

A75 – Kinmount Straight, Dumfries and Galloway:

The A75 is dubbed ‘Scotland’s Most Haunted Road.’ Many have reported bizarre experiences here, including phantom hitchhikers.

A30 – Bodmin Moor, Cornwall:

This desolate road is said to be haunted by the ‘Beast of Bodmin.’ While you might not encounter a mythical creature, a vehicle breakdown can be equally distressing.

A38 – Derby Road, Devon:

Drivers on this road have reported apparitions of monks.

A616 – Stockbridge Bypass, Nottinghamshire:

Known as ‘The Flying Scotsman,’ this road has seen its share of paranormal activity.

These stories and legends add to the intrigue and mystery of these roads and locations in UK. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, exploring these places can be an interesting and spooky experience for those seeking a taste of the paranormal.

With the CS FREE by your side, you can bid farewell to the fright of being stranded in the middle of haunted roads. The CS FREE’s adaptive boost technology offers a safer and gentler boost of your battery, reducing the risk of battery damage or electrical system complications.

When embarking on a journey along the UK’s most haunted roads, the last thing you want is a vehicle breakdown that leaves you stranded in the middle of the night.

With the CS FREE adaptive booster in your toolkit, you can enjoy the thrill of ghost-hunting without the fear of your vehicle’s battery haunting your trip. So, keep your battery charged, your spirits high, and your ghostly encounters memorable!

Find out more about CS FREE and other car battery chargers at CTEK.com

Top 10 tips for driving in hot weather

In hot weather conditions, it’s more important than ever for drivers to carry out basic preparation and checks to reduce the risk of mechanical breakdowns, and maximise passenger comfort.

CarGurus – a leading online automotive marketplace to shop, buy, and sell used vehicles – has compiled a list of essential advice for motorists driving in the summer heat.

“Preparation is essential as hot weather puts more strain on vehicles and their occupants,” said Chris Knapman, Editorial Director at CarGurus.

“Breaking down during a heatwave can be dangerous, particularly for more vulnerable road users such as small children and pets.

“The chances of breaking down in hot weather is also higher as certain issues such the engine overheating are more likely to occur.”

Top tips for hot weather driving

Check Coolant Level

Locate the header or expansion tank, and if the coolant level is below the ‘Min’ marker, either ask a garage to top it up or replenish it yourself with the correct coolant for your vehicle. Only remove the cap when the engine is cool.

Check Oil Level

Remove the dipstick, wipe with a cloth and replace it. Remove it again and look for oil between the ‘Min’ and ‘Max’ markers. If low, add the recommended oil gradually and recheck, taking care not to overfill.

Wiper & Screen Wash Check

Top-up the windscreen washer fluid reservoir with correctly mixed washer fluid, and replace worn wipers if needed.

Service Air Conditioning

If losing effectiveness, get the air conditioning serviced every two-three years by a specialist. Regular use keeps it in prime condition.

Check Tyres

Check tyre pressures regularly, check the tread is above the legal limit (1.6mm) and check for any cuts, bulges or cracking. Check the spare wheel and tyre as well.

Pets’ Safety

Don’t leave pets in an unattended vehicle on hot days. Call the emergency services if you see a pet in distress.

Use Sun Shades

Protect the car’s interior from sunlight with sun shades, especially over the steering wheel, gear lever, and seats. Park in the shade where possible.

Take Care of Yourself

Pack essentials like water, sunglasses, phone charger, and necessary medication. Plan breaks on long journeys and monitor the engine temperature gauge in traffic jams.

Take Caution in Rain

After dry spells, roads become slippery with the first rainfall. Reduce speed and increase braking distance.

Consider EV range

In hot weather, cooling an electric vehicle’s cabin will deplete its range more quickly. Pre-cool the cabin while the car is plugged in to minimise range loss.

Eye-watering Easter short stay car parking charges revealed

Gareth Herincx

1 day ago
Auto News

Motorists should do their research ahead of their Easter city breaks to avoid serious ‘short stay’ parking pain.

Research by car breakdown cover service, Start Rescue, found that visitors to Leeds and Liverpool could pay an astonishing £135 for eight hours in short stay rail car parks.

So, the advice is to plan ahead, fully research the long-term options and resist the temptation to simply grab a city centre spot.

The third most expensive owned car park for the same eight-hour period is in London’s Knightsbridge, but even when factoring in any additional Congestion Charge and ULEZ costs, this still works out £47.50 cheaper than Liverpool and Leeds.

Highest rates to park your vehicle for eight hours:

Liverpool – £135
Leeds – £135
London – £60
Manchester – £45
Edinburgh – £35.95
Birmingham – £33.95
Oxford – £31.50
York – £30
Cardiff – £29.95
Bristol – £26.95

“Long stay car parks and some of the excellent ‘park and ride’ options are always considerably cheaper even if they are not right next to the gallery, restaurant or museums you are planning to visit,” said Lee Puffett, Managing Director of Start Rescue.

“Some of these charges are hefty even by short-term standards and are not going to make anyone’s holiday.

“Additionally, many car parks are now cashless, so it’s advisable to download the app and ensure payment instructions are understood in advance if you can.”

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Pothole-related breakdowns are accelerating

Gareth Herincx

3 days ago
Auto News

RAC patrols attended nearly a quarter more breakdowns where potholes were likely to blame in the last three months of 2022 compared to the previous three months, according to new RAC figures.

Released to mark today’s National Pothole Day show, the data show’s the motoring services company’s roadside staff went out to an average of 20 breakdowns a day between October and the end of the year – a total of more than 1,800. Faults included damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels.

This was up from 16 a day over the previous three months (1,462 in total) and was the highest number of pothole-related breakdowns seen in the fourth quarter of the year since 2019.

The threat of a plethora of potholes appearing over the next few months is now very real indeed given how much rain there has been either side of December’s sub-zero temperatures. These are the perfect conditions for creating potholes, as water makes its way into cracks which then expand when it freezes, causing the road surface to crumble.

Research for the RAC’s latest Report on Motoring found that an enormous 86% of drivers have had to deliberately steer to avoid potholes over the past year, a figure that rises to 90% of those in rural areas but only falls to 81% of those in urban locations. Most drivers (55%) also rated pothole repairs in their local areas as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’.

“We fear that by the Spring, drivers will be plagued by a plethora of potholes across the country’s roads which makes journeys uncomfortable and frustrating or, worse still, could lead to very expensive garage repair bills – the last thing anyone wants in a cost-of-living crisis,” said RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes.

“It’s also important to remember that potholes are so much more than just an annoyance, they are a true road safety danger, especially for those on two wheels as they represent a huge risk to their personal safety.”

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Do you suffer from ‘breakdown anxiety’?

Gareth Herincx

2 days ago
Auto News

The cost of fixing a car is the most stressful aspect of a breakdown for a third of motorists, according to new research.

The survey for Green Flag also found that being far from home (24%) and location (23%) were the other main breakdown concerns.

The breakdown provider reckons ‘breakdown anxiety’ affects an estimated 24.5 million motorists.

Most stressful aspects of a breakdown

Aspects of a breakdown	Percentage of those who found this stressful
The cost to fix it	31 per cent
That I was far from home	24 per cent
The location of a breakdown	23 per cent
Being late or missing an important meeting or appointment	14 per cent
Lack of phone signal	12 per cent
Weather e.g., raining outside	11 per cent
People staring while driving past	10 per cent
No one helping	10 per cent
That I had no food / drink with me	9 per cent
That there were children in the car	9 per cent

Source: Green Flag 2022

Interestingly, of those who did not find a breakdown stressful, two-thirds (66%) were rescued by their breakdown provider after the incident, highlighting the peace of mind provided by breakdown cover.

“Breaking down can be a stressful situation for drivers, especially if it happens on a motorway or an isolated country road,” said Katie Lomas, Head of Green Flag Breakdown.

“It is vital drivers know what they should do in these scenarios. The most important thing is for the driver and any passengers to be safe, remain calm, and do their best to ensure their car does not cause a danger to other road users.

“Prevention is always better than cure and we know that many breakdowns are avoidable if proper care is taken before and during a trip.”

Green Flag recommends drivers follow these steps if breaking down on a motorway:

Make sure you pull to the left as soon as there’s a hint of trouble: Pull onto the hard shoulder and use this to slow to a halt. Be careful not to run over any debris and as you come to a stop, switch your hazard lights straight on
Aim for an emergency phone: These are at one-mile intervals and will connect you directly to the police who will instantly know your location
Never try to fix it yourself: Whatever the problem with your car, you should never attempt to mend it yourself at the roadside
When your car is stationary: Turn the front wheels towards the verge. If the car is shunted by another vehicle this will ensure it moves away from the carriageway rather than into it. If it’s dark or visibility is poor, turn your side lights on
Get everyone out of the car: Leave the car through the left-hand doors and move away from the vehicle. If you have children with you make sure they’re being looked after by a responsible adult away from the roadside – potentially up the verge where possible.
Don’t display your red warning triangle: With fast moving traffic the risks far outweigh the benefits of doing this
Call for help: If you’re not near an emergency phone and you’ve got a mobile signal, ring either your breakdown provider or the police
Wait near your car for assistance: Make sure your vehicle’s locked and you’re standing safely away from any moving traffic

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