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Wales Online
a day ago
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Everyday summer item could cause £200 damage to your car
Everyday summer item could cause £200 damage to your car The oily substance is notorious for leaving nasty stains on vehicle upholstery It's the nemesis of car seats (Image: Getty Images/Car Culture ) Motorists who make this hot weather mistake could face a £200 repair bill, it was been warned. As Wales is currently experiencing a heatwave, don't get caught out by this costly error. Drivers have been warned to avoid contaminating car seats with sunscreen or sun cream - as the oily substance is notorious for leaving nasty stains on vehicle upholstery that can be a nightmare to remove. Motorists might ultimately have to pay for their vehicle's cabin to be professionally cleaned, an expense which can cost £200. Managing director at Select Car Leasing, Graham Conway, said the water-resistant nature of sun cream is what makes it "the nemesis of car seats". He explained: 'When the temperature rises, sun cream is a must, particularly if you're out and about in the car, as harmful UV rays can penetrate both windscreens and side windows. 'But sun cream and car seats are also a recipe for stains that can be near-impossible to remove. Article continues below 'Sun cream is, by its very nature, water resistant so that it doesn't disappear from your skin at the first sign of sweat or moisture. 'But because it's resistant to water, sun cream also repels common interior car cleaning products. If it's left too long on vehicle upholstery, you might struggle to get rid of the stain at all.' According to experts at the British Skin Foundation, there are two main types of sunscreen in the UK; chemical sunscreens and mineral sunscreens. Mineral sunscreens often appear much whiter on the skin and contain the chemicals titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. And it's these oxides that can leave a stubborn white residue on car seats, particularly leather or artificial leather. Mr Conway added: 'Prevention here is better than cure - if you accidentally slap sun cream on your car seats, try and remove it with a cleaning wipe as soon as you can." For more stubborn sun cream car stains, the advice differs between experts, with some recommending using a mild degreaser or applying white wine vinegar to the stain. Other advice is simply to use baby wipes - with a pack of wipes costing just £1. American YouTuber and dermatologist Dr. Scott Walter's advice has been viewed more than 35,000 times. In the video, he says: 'I love sunscreen but one thing I hate about it, it gets all over my car. I finally found something to clean it without doing any damage - baby wipes. Baby wipes do a fantastic job of removing it without hurting the leather or other parts of the car.' Mr Conway said that when the sun is out people should use at least SPF 15 sunscreen with UVA protection when in their car. But he added: 'You should avoid leaving a bottle of sunscreen in your car's glovebox. 'While it might be convenient when it comes to applying protection before you set off on a journey, some of the active ingredients in sunscreen actually break down when exposed to high heat from sitting in your car, rendering it less effective.' Article continues below
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Powys County Times
The little-known Google Maps hack to find your parked car
Have you ever parked your car in a car park only to forget where you left it? Whether you've been shopping or had to attend an appointment, a car park is ironically the place many of us lose our cars. The situation is made more difficult when the car you parked next to has moved or been replaced by a completely different vehicle, making the process of elimination tricky. If you're bored of wasting your time in a car park trying to locate it, this simple hack might just help you out. Never lose your car again with this simple Google Maps hack A motoring expert has revealed a little-known Google Maps hack that means you'll never 'lose' your car again. Graham Conway, managing director of Select Car Leasing, explained: 'Google Maps is one of the most widely-used apps when it comes to navigation - whether by road, public transport or on foot. 'Millions of Brits have handy holders on their dashboards to allow a smartphone to guide them to their destination with minimum fuss. 'But what most people don't realise is that by taking an extra two seconds when you do find a space, you won't ever risk 'losing' your car again. 'That's because the software has a feature where you simply tap the blue dot that shows your location, then select 'Save parking'. 'This drops a pin at the exact spot you've pulled into and allows you to navigate to it on foot when it's time to depart.' How to save your parking location on iPhone and android phones Google Maps has shared how you can make sure your car parking space is saved on your iPhone or Android device. On an iPhone, your location settings need to be set 'always' for the feature to work. This will mean Google Maps will automatically save your car's location. Google shared three more steps: 'After you're done navigating somewhere, at the bottom, turn on 'know where you parked'. 'Allow Google Maps to access your motion and fitness activity. 'When you stop moving, you'll see your parking location labelled 'you parked near here'.' You'll get more accurate results if your phone is paired with your car either by Bluetooth or USB. Once you arrive and have parked up, you can tell Google Maps to save your parking location by going to the app, clicking the blue dot showing your location and selecting 'set as parking location'. The UK's road maintenance system Once your car's location is saved, to find your car, you'll need to click on 'saved parking' then 'show on map'. If you use an Android phone, you can save your parking location by going to the Google Maps app, clicking the blue dot showing your location and selecting 'save your parking'. It will be saved there until deleted by you. To find where you parked, go to the Google Maps app, tap the search bar and type parking location. Then at the bottom, click directions to find your parked car. Recommended reading: Mr Conway added: 'Some canny people take a photo to remind themselves which floor of a multi-storey their vehicle is stationed on. But for those in a rush it's often overlooked - leading to inconvenience further down the line. 'If you're trying to locate your car on your return from a trip abroad, with tired and irritable kids in tow after a long flight, having your parking space location saved in Google Maps could be a real life-saver. 'You can even add notes or set a timer to remind you when the time period you've paid for is due to run out.' He added that the parking location feature is also available on Apple Maps while the Google software can select routes that use less fuel and allow drivers to download maps in advance if they are heading to areas with poor mobile reception.
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Rhyl Journal
The little-known Google Maps hack to find your parked car
The situation is made more difficult when the car you parked next to has moved or been replaced by a completely different vehicle, making the process of elimination tricky. If you're bored of wasting your time in a car park trying to locate it, this simple hack might just help you out. A motoring expert has revealed a little-known Google Maps hack that means you'll never 'lose' your car again. Graham Conway, managing director of Select Car Leasing, explained: 'Google Maps is one of the most widely-used apps when it comes to navigation - whether by road, public transport or on foot. 'Millions of Brits have handy holders on their dashboards to allow a smartphone to guide them to their destination with minimum fuss. 'But what most people don't realise is that by taking an extra two seconds when you do find a space, you won't ever risk 'losing' your car again. 'That's because the software has a feature where you simply tap the blue dot that shows your location, then select 'Save parking'. 'This drops a pin at the exact spot you've pulled into and allows you to navigate to it on foot when it's time to depart.' Google Maps has shared how you can make sure your car parking space is saved on your iPhone or Android device. On an iPhone, your location settings need to be set 'always' for the feature to work. This will mean Google Maps will automatically save your car's location. Google shared three more steps: 'After you're done navigating somewhere, at the bottom, turn on 'know where you parked'. 'Allow Google Maps to access your motion and fitness activity. 'When you stop moving, you'll see your parking location labelled 'you parked near here'.' You'll get more accurate results if your phone is paired with your car either by Bluetooth or USB. Once you arrive and have parked up, you can tell Google Maps to save your parking location by going to the app, clicking the blue dot showing your location and selecting 'set as parking location'. Once your car's location is saved, to find your car, you'll need to click on 'saved parking' then 'show on map'. If you use an Android phone, you can save your parking location by going to the Google Maps app, clicking the blue dot showing your location and selecting 'save your parking'. It will be saved there until deleted by you. To find where you parked, go to the Google Maps app, tap the search bar and type parking location. Then at the bottom, click directions to find your parked car. Recommended reading: Thousands of passengers to be hit by EasyJet cabin crew strikes this summer RAC issues warning to UK drivers as one in six guilty of MOT mistake Travellers trapped in limbo after British holiday firm loses ATOL licence Mr Conway added: 'Some canny people take a photo to remind themselves which floor of a multi-storey their vehicle is stationed on. But for those in a rush it's often overlooked - leading to inconvenience further down the line. 'If you're trying to locate your car on your return from a trip abroad, with tired and irritable kids in tow after a long flight, having your parking space location saved in Google Maps could be a real life-saver. 'You can even add notes or set a timer to remind you when the time period you've paid for is due to run out.' He added that the parking location feature is also available on Apple Maps while the Google software can select routes that use less fuel and allow drivers to download maps in advance if they are heading to areas with poor mobile reception.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Warning to motorists parking on own driveways over breaking little-known rule
Drivers could be reported to their local authority if they are caught Motorists who park their vehicles on their own driveways could be fined for a breaking an unknown rule. Homeowners who park multiple cars outside of their home are most likely to fall foul of the little-known law. Drivers could be reported to their local authority and hit with a hefty fine if they are caught breaking the rules. According to experts motorists should always ensure no vehicles overhang their driveway and block part of the pavement. This tends to happen when families attempt to squeeze all of their vehicles onto the one driveway. However, blocking just a tiny part of the pavement could leave someone open to trouble. Pavements should not be blocked and should always be left clear to allow people with prams and those with mobility issues to pass safely without having to go onto the road, according to Birmingham Live. Graham Conway, motoring expert at Select Car leasing, explained: "It may come as a surprise, but a cluttered or overloaded driveway may lead to a fine, particularly if items or parked vehicles are spilling out onto public pathways or blocking visibility for other road users. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "UK law states that vehicles should not obstruct pavements or be parked in a way that causes inconvenience or danger. "If your driveway is overflowing and cars are sticking out onto the street, you could be hit with a penalty charge notice of up to £100, depending on your local council. "However, you can avoid this by making sure all cars are parked fully on your property and not covering kerbs or verges. "If your household has more cars than space, consider applying for resident permits or rotating parking to stay within the rules." This isn't the only issue drivers should be aware of when parking up outside of their homes. According to experts, millions could be breaking one of the least known rules of the Highway Code everyday. Unbeknown to the majority of car users, the code says that drivers shouldn't pull onto their driveway facing forwards. Most drivers who currently do this are likely none the wiser that they are doing anything wrong, however if you are following the code then you will know that you should always back onto a driveway. The Highway Code states that the reason for is due to safety concerns. Facing forwards ensures drivers don't reverse out of their driveway and potentially risk the safety of pedestrians and other motorists. Motoring experts at Yell said: "It's a habit many drivers don't think twice about – pulling straight into the driveway after a long day, ready to head inside and relax. "But did you know that this common parking manoeuvre could actually go against Highway Code guidance? According to the rules of the road, drivers should reverse into their driveways rather than driving in forward and reversing out later. While there's no specific law against it, reversing onto a busy road can be seen as careless and inconsiderate driving, especially if it causes an obstruction or puts other road users at risk. "Motorists could face an unlimited fine and receive between three and nine penalty points on their licence for certain offences. The reasoning is simple – safety and visibility.
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
When you can get £2,500 fine and ban 'for not even starting engine'
Many drivers might think that the threshold for being prosecuted for drink-driving must involve the engine running and the car moving, but this isn't always the case Drivers could face a fine or even a driving ban for being drunk in their car without even starting the engine. Many motorists could be under the misconception that they must be driving their vehicle in order to be prosecuted under drink-related driving laws. However, Section 4 (2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 declares it an offence to be "in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle which is on a road or other public place" while being "unfit to drive through drink or drugs". Typically, the police categorise this as a DR50 driving offence, convicting someone for being in control of a vehicle while unfit due to alcohol. Data obtained by Select Car Leasing via a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request from the DVLA reveals that 288 people were successfully prosecuted under DR50 charges between 2021 and 2024. The FOI request also reveals that 2,178 motorists were successfully prosecuted under a DR40 charge, which is the offence of being in control of a vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit. Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, said: "If you're inside a vehicle with the keys you could be prosecuted under the DR50 offence. "That means if you've had a few too many and fancy sleeping it off in the back seat, you may still end up with a fine and ban." Fine for DR40 and DR50 convictions The DVLA and police use offence codes to categorise driving offences, setting fixed penalties for each one. For those caught under the DR50 or DR40 offences, fines can soar up to £2,500 alongside a haul of up to 10 penalty points. Both of these convictions will also remain on your driving record for four years, either from the date the offence was committed or from the date of conviction which which resulted in a driving disqualification. Drink-drive limit Strict limits for the level of alcohol allowed in the body while operating a vehicle are set out through government guidelines. Police will generally use a breathalyser test to measure the amount of alcohol in a person's body. However, they may also decide to test this with either a blood or urine test. The legal limit for all of these can be found below, with separate limits allowed in Scotland compared to the rest of the UK. Graham added: "Obviously, the best approach is not to drink any alcohol if you're going to drive your car. 'Although there are some rough guidelines out there, there's no way of knowing how a few pints or glasses of wine could affect your ability behind the wheel, as factors such as age, weight, gender and the amount of food you have consumed all come into play. 'It's also important to bust the myth that drinking a coffee or having a shower will sober you up quickly enough to drive safely - it can take hours for alcohol to leave your system. A mistake many people make is to believe they are fit to drive the morning after, no matter how much booze they consumed the night before. 'It is very possible to be still over the limit and as a result be a danger to other road users and risk losing your licence.'
