AUTO MOVOX BLOG

Blog

  • In the future, will there be manual cars?

    The quick response is “no”! Although there isn’t a specific ban on manual transmissions per se, all petrol and diesel vehicles will be subject to a ban starting in 2030. That automatically eliminates manual cars because all electric vehicles are automatic. The restriction only affects the sale of brand-new petrol and diesel vehicles; existing vehicles can still be driven. Therefore, manual cars won’t vanish overnight.

    It’s possible that we’ve stopped buying manual cars before the ban takes effect because the popularity of electric cars is already on the rise.

    Even though you may still buy a manual car, manufacturers are making it harder to do so. For the first time ever, automatic transmissions outsold manual ones in 2020. Many companies are ahead of the curve and completely eliminating manuals.

    Due to the lower cost of production, manual cars may still be available from affordable brands.

  • Tips for Driving an Automatic Car

    There is no longer a stigma attached to automatic cars, no longer seen as a choice only for drivers who are uncomfortable with manual transmissions. 

    Automatics do a lot of the work for you, but if you’re used to manuals, it can be confusing. 

    To begin with, you should familiarize yourself with the gear stick. When changing driving modes in an automatic, you must hold down the brake instead of the clutch to change gears. Most automatic cars have four driving modes: Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive. Additional options may be available on some automatics. 

    While driving is easy, starting and stopping can still be challenging. The left brake pedal must be pressed down and held while the ignition is turned on and the driving mode is selected. You don’t have to worry about anything once you’re moving. When stopping, keep your foot on the brake until the gear stick is in the park position. 

  • What happens when you take your car for service?

    Let’s start with the fact that a service is not the same as your MOT. An MOT is a legal requirement. An MOT is a technical inspection looking at the safety of your car, it does not look at general wear and tear. This is where you need a service. In your car manual, your car manufacturer will have outlined checks that need to be done during the life of your car. 

    There are three types of service. Interim, Full and Major

    During an interim service, a mechanic will

    • Replace the oil and air filter
    • Check your car’s fluid levels (brake fluid, power steering fluid, engine oil. Antifreeze, screenwash and coolant), topping up where necessary
    • Check your brake pads and handbrake
    • Check your windscreen wipers, radiator and spark plugs

    If you have an electric/hybrid vehicle, then the checks will be different. 

  • Kia 2022 K5 – Sporty Sudan

    The 2022 K5 brochure boast that it will completely transform your driving experience with its driver-orientated cockpit, advanced technology and turbocharged engine. 

    Its sleek body design and sporty front grill make this a car that will turn heads.  It is currently available in 8 colours 8 colour seat trims, so there is currently not a great amount of personalisation available.

     The car features an all-weather drive option which improves the car’s traction giving you peace of mind if the weather changes dramatically mid-journey.

    A 10.25-inch touchscreen puts you in total control of the cars functions and navigation with 5 USB ports available to keep you connected with access to your music whilst charging your phone.

    Kia has an amazing 10 year or 100,000 miles warranty on all their cars, meaning you can be safe in the knowledge that any issues will be fixed for many years to come.

  • The Price Comparison Between Manual and Automatic

    Manual vehicles have always been the most popular choice in the UK, but in recent years, there has been a slight increase in interest for automatic vehicles and automatic only licenses. The biggest reason for Manuals being the most popular, seems to strictly be price based, not the ease of use, as automatics are obviously the more effortless option.

    When purchasing a vehicle, automatic versions of a model are typically £1,000 more than manuals. Additionally, on average automatic owners pay around £94.07 more on insurance per year. Those with a full license also tend to pay less on insurance, than those driving on an automatic only license.

    So, upon purchasing a new vehicle, you will typically pay 5% more for an automatic and have to pay insurance that will typically be around 20% more than a manual vehicle. This difference is believed to be because of a higher level of technology that is put into automatic vehicles.

  • Electric Cars: What You Should Know About Servicing

    As a combustion engine is absent in fully electric cars, they require a different set of maintenance requirements and presumably fewer maintenance expenses. The items that would likely need maintenance, now and then are:

    • Tyres
    • Brakes
    • Lights
    • Wipers
    • Tracking
    • Suspension
    • Cabin air filter
    • High-efficiency particulate filter
    • Brake fluid
    • Air conditioning
    • Winter care

    Even these items, at least for Teslas are said to be non-essential, even for maintaining the warranty. Additionally, brakes on an electric car typically last longer as well, due to regenerative braking that is used to top up the batteries. This saves on brake disc and pad use.

    The other area of mention is the EV battery life and how long they hold up. Tesla electric cars have an eight year or 100,000-mile battery warranty and at least the Model 3 claims a minimum of 70 percent battery retention for that same amount of time. In comparison, Nissan Leaf owners that have owned the car nearly 10 years, report more than 90 percent battery capacity retention.

  • Is a Hybrid Right for You?

    Hybrid cars made their debut, in the UK, 20 years ago and yet you would still be in the majority of people who have never driven one. With legislation slowly cracking down on fuel emissions, some people are starting to wonder if now is the time to possibly switch to a hybrid. Here are a few things to help you figure out if a Hybrid is right for you…

    There are two types of Hybrids, plug-in and range-extender. They basically are self-explanatory, the plug-ins need exactly that to charge the electric engine and during travel, if the battery runs out, the vehicle switches to the combustion engine. The range-extender uses the combustion engine to charge the electric battery when it runs low, instead of being used to drive the car, so you can travel further on electric power. Either way to save money and fuel, Hybrids are best suited to Urban environments or people who typically travel short distances on a daily basis.

    Some key pros and cons:

    Pros:
    • Minimal tax bills
    • Most qualify to be free of the congestion charge
    • No fuel costs, if driven only on electric power

    Cons:
    • More expensive than most combustion engine vehicles
    • Charging times
    • Limited electric range

  • Car insurance auto renewal

    Car insurance can be a huge cost for many motorists. If you are a young male with no no-claims-discount then you can often expect to pay the highest premium. Why you take out your car insurance, it often has a term that states the policy will automatically renew after 12 month, unless you contact them in advance. This is done to prevent people driving around with no insurance as you can still cancel within the 28 day cooling off period. The problem is not everyone is checking their renewal quotes to see if they are paying over the odds.  This can lead to people having to spend a lot more on their car insurance than they have to and with many companies competing for business, its often not hard to find a better deal. You may find that despite you having no claims or convictions your insurance company quotes you the same amount or often even more to renew, even if you have gained another years no claims. Insurance companies can make a lot of money on automatic renewals and so you do need to keep an eye on what’s happening. If you really want a great deal then it […]

  • Driving tests and refresher courses

    December brings with it a change to the standard driving test, with it now including new sections such as using a satnav to reach a certain destination and testing different manoeuvres. Although change is always a bit of a shock for people, it is beneficial in a world where we rely more and more on technology. Drivers tend to pick up bad habits once passing their test, and with these new changes perhaps more people could be inspired to take refresher courses. They are often associated with people who have not driven in a long while or are getting older and want to make sure their skills are not falling behind, but they could be a good bonding opportunity for friends and family while making sure that they have maintained all of their abilities. People regularly joke about ‘back seat drivers’, where passengers readily criticise the driver for manoeuvres they feel could have been done better. A refresher course could be the perfect chance to prove who is best while making the roads a safer place. It could also provide an opportunity for people to learn more about basic car maintenance – something that many people forget until the little […]

  • Should you Claim on your Insurance for Car Damage?

    Damage to your car will be covered by your insurance. This makes sure you can get anything you need to sorted out and will cover you for accidents (as long as you have fully comprehensive insurance and not just 3rd party). If damage occurs to your car, or you damage someone else’s, you need to think and talk carefully about whether you will claim on your insurance or not. Here are some of the things to think about: How much would the damage cost to repair? If it is something small like a broken windscreen wiper or a wing mirror issue, you may want to pay for it yourself. This will prevent premium being put up due to a claim. Is the damage to your car? If not, you are obliged to cover damage you have caused to another vehicle. Is the car on a finance contract? If so, you will probably have to put all repairs through insurance.