Top hacks for cleaning your car

Experts at Big Mobile Detailing have listed 13 hacks to help you with a more savvy car cleaning routine:

1. Steel Wool for Glass Cleaning & Metal Polishing

Steel wool is a versatile material that can be used in car cleaning for both glass and metal surfaces. Fine steel wool (0000) can be used to remove stubborn stains and water spots that are difficult to remove. When using steel wool for glass, it is important to wet the surface and the steel wool thoroughly to avoid scratches

2. DIY Car Air Freshener

Making a DIY car air freshener is simple and a great way to keep your car smelling fresh. Simply mix baking soda and your favourite essential oils in a small container. Place the container in your car and the baking soda will absorb bad odours while the essential oils provide a pleasant fragrance.

3. Olive Oil for Leather Upholstery

Leather upholstery can be conditioned and protected with a small amount of olive oil. Simply apply a small amount of oil to a microfiber cloth and gently rub it into the leather. The oil will help to condition the leather and protect it from cracking and fading.

What do AI cameras check for?

AI cameras scan for any motorist who is driving unsafely with the aim to “reduce the risks posed to both the drivers and other people.”

This includes passengers not wearing seat belts and “distracted driving” or drivers on their phones.

According to police research motorists using phones while driving are four times more likely to be involved in a road collision.

And people with no seatbelt on are two times more likely to die in a car crash.

Not wearing a belt may cost road users up to £500 while using a mobile device when driving could see them slapped with a £1,000 fine and six penalty points.

New AI cameras to be rolled out in MORE UK areas

Drivers have been warned they could be slapped with a £1,000 fine and six penalty points as AI cameras are rolled out across ten UK areas.

Although a trial for the new devices began in 2021 National Highways are now expanding their network to clamp down harder on unsafe motorists.

The cameras work by automatically detecting drivers who are in breach of the law by flouting seat belt regulations or being on their phone while at the wheel.

Fixed to vehicles or trailers the advanced recorders boast multiple lenses which can capture various angles of both the driver and their passengers.

Any data captured undergoes scrupulous processing before being forwarded to police.

Drivers found to be on the wrong side of the law are notified through warning letters.

The expanded trial will run until March 2025 and will see esteemed police forces take part.

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Warning to drivers over little-known DVLA licence rule

Experts at Motor Match said the crucial mistake can put motorists at risk of facing severe penalties.

According to the motors pros, failing to update your address details with the DVLA is not just a minor oversight.

The common error can leave you out of pocket and lead to serious consequences.

In the event of an accident, having accurate address information on file is key.

The experts said: “Address updates are more than just a matter of compliance.

“In the unfortunate event of an accident, having accurate address details ensures that essential information reaches the right individuals promptly, expediting necessary processes and potentially saving lives.”

Drivers urged to pick one of eight ideal city cars

Experts from CarGurus shared their top picks for the best motors for the big smoke, including a “desirable, reliable and practical” Skoda.

Here are just four of the top picks.

• Citroen C1
• Skoda Citigo
• Seat Mii
• Fiat 500

You can check the others out below.

EV brand cuts price of flagship SUV model 

Fisker, which was launched in 2016 by Danish car designer Henrik Fisker, is facing uncertainty after a torrid year saw its shares drop by over 99%, resulting in it being delisted from the New York Stock Exchange.

Now, in a bid to drive demand, the brand has taken the scissors to suggested prices across its lineup.

This includes its Ocean SUV model being knocked down by up to a whopping £15,000.

That reduction is set to bring the price down to £30,900.

Even the range-topping Ocean Extreme has gone under the knife, with a £15,000 cut to £43,990, which is less than the base-level Tesla Model Y.

And the mid-level Ultra version has declined from £50,900 to £38,900.

The smallest price cut, just £6,000, was reserved for the entry-level Ocean Sport, which now costs just £30,900.

Ultra-rare Lamborghini to go on sale next month

The stunning 2022 Countach LPI 800-4 comes with an outrageous set of golden wheels and can reach an impressive 62mph in only 2.8 seconds.

The car is being sent to the wealthy streets of Monaco to go under the hammer by the classic car auctioneers RM Sotheby’s on May 11.

99p Tesco product that can transform your car

Drivers can get their hands on a 99p Tesco item that that can leave their headlights sparkling.

In a video posted on TikTok by motors whizz Ashton Taylor-Burns, the content creator shared his golden advice.

“You’re going to need an old toothbrush and some baking soda toothpaste,” Ashton said.

“Spray your headlights with soapy water and then wipe off with a paper towel.

“Now add your toothpaste to the headlight and make sure it’s fully covered, scrub hard for a minute.

“Spray the headlight again with soapy water and rub with a paper towel to buff it out. Make sure to apply a lot of pressure when doing this.”

Top tips to prevent falling asleep at the wheel

IAM RoadSmart’s advice on how to avoid the dangers of drowsy driving:

• Extreme tiredness can lead to micro-sleeps – a short episode of drowsiness or sleep that could last a fraction of a second or up to 30 seconds. A car driving at 70 mph will travel 31 meters per second, giving plenty of time to cause a serious crash during a micro-sleep.
• The effects of losing one or two hours of sleep a night on a regular basis can lead to chronic sleepiness over time. So ensure you are well rested and feeling fit and healthy before you set off.
• Make sure you take regular rest breaks to split up the journey when driving on a long, boring stretch of a motorway. It’s good practise to stop at least every two hours and it’s essential to take a break before the drowsiness sets in.
• Plan an overnight stop. If you feel too fatigued to carry on driving, book yourself into a hotel at the next service station and sleep it off. It’s good to note that a caffeine high may be a quick fix, but it is not a long term solution and certainly no substitute for proper sleep.
• You’re bound to be tired after a full day at work, so avoid setting out on a long drive after you have finished for the day. It’s best to start your journey earlier on, and when you’re more alert.
• Avoid driving between the two peak times for sleepiness. These are between 3am and 5am and also between 2pm and 4pm.
• If you have taken prescribed medication, seek advice from your GP as to whether you should be driving or not. If bought over the counter, read the instructions on the pack or speak to a pharmacist.

Look beyond mileage when buying a second-hand car, expert reveals

The first thing any driver looks at when buying a second-hand car is its mileage.

While this is important, classic car expert and mechanic Marc ‘Elvis’ Priestly has warned against letting it decide your purchase.

He told the Sun: “Yes, if your engine’s done 200,000 miles, it’s had a hard life, and components will wear out, but there are lots of other things that might suffer on a very low mileage car if it hasn’t been run anywhere. 

“If it’s been sat in storage for a long time, some people will think that’s a wonderful thing, and that it’s going to be in great condition, but there are still things that will deteriorate on a car just due to its age, like corrosion in the bodywork.”

Britain’s most iconic cars revealed

The Mini Cooper is Britain’s most iconic car, a new survey has revealed.

The research found that a third of Brits (27%) feel affection towards the small motor, placing it ahead of the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost (23%), James Bond’s Aston Martin DB-5 (22%) and even the Jaguar E-Type (22%).

1. Mini Cooper – 27%
2. Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost – 23%
3. Aston Martin DB5 – 22%
4. Jaguar E-Type – 22%
5. Morris Minor – 15%
6. Aston Martin DB11 – 15%
7. Land Rover Defender – 13%
8. Ford Escort MK1 – 13%
9. Ford Cortina MK1 – 13%
10. Aston Martin Vanquish – 13%

Drivers hail ‘game-changing’ device

Drivers have discovered a “game-changing” cheap gadget, designed to turn your car into a clutter-free zone.

Available on Amazon, the device features retractable wires that charge your tech products, including Apple and Android phones.

The handy device is available for £20 at the online store and removes any need for mess in your car.