ROAD SAFETY and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is encouraging motorists to check – and use – their car lights to ensure they’re as visible as possible during this darkest time of the year.

Ignition specialist NGK works tirelessly to help its distributors and their garage customers cope with the increased winter demand for glow plugs for diesel powered vehicles.

ROAD SAFETY AND breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is urging motorists to postpone journeys, as bitterly cold temperatures and heavy snow are predicted for the coming days.

Particularly during the long winter months, when daylight hours are at their shortest, the demand on headlight bulbs is dramatically increased, a fact endorsed at this time of year by the rising number of vehicles that can be seen with only one working.

It’s an unfortunate fact that air conditioning (AC) systems are often disregarded as the weather gets colder. However, as well as for the comfort of the occupants, a fully functioning AC system is an important safety feature, because good visibility is a necessity, whatever the time of year.

The constant growth of the Historic Vehicle sector and its absorption of the increasingly popular “Youngtimer” period - ‘80s ‘90s and Noughties cars - means that more and more historic vehicles of this period are on the roads daily, presenting real and growing opportunities for workshops and factors supplying to them. With increased numbers of people using their historic and  “future classic” cars for daily transport, comes the opportunity to target both those groups of vehicle owner and, with the onset of autumn and winter - and road conditions  becoming commensurately more difficult - it is important that classic vehicles are in good shape.  

As Winter rapidly comes upon us, the days become shorter and the weather conditions worsen, with the inevitable consequence that usage of vehicles’ lighting will not only increase, but will will become more important from a safety perspective.Headlights are arguably the most safety-critical lights found on any vehicle, whether it is a car, truck or motorbike. Headlights provide the illumination that helps the driver both see and be seen when driving on the road. The better you see the road ahead, the safer you are as a road user. Period!

Engine management specialists SMP Europe is urging technicians to ensure they are replacing ignition leads this MOT season, as the cold, wet months can accelerate the deterioration of ignition leads.