A simple guide to low tyre pressure

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Driving a car with tyres that have the wrong amount of pressure is taking a huge risk. Essentially you’re putting yourself in danger of getting a puncture, or worse still, a tyre burst that can cause you to lose control of your car. There are different kinds of tyres for different car models and different purposes and each of these tyres has an optimal filling pressure recommended by the manufacturer of the vehicle. If you have no idea what this recommended tyre pressure is for your car, you can search for it online or use online tyre

pressure checkers. And different tyre pressures are recommended for different usages of the car. For instance the recommended tyre pressure for an empty car will be different from that recommended for it when full of passengers. Generally, the recommended tyre pressure for most cars, pickups and minivans will lie between 27 and 32 psi while the figure for SUVs will usually be 5-8 psi higher.

It is important for you as a driver to check your tyre pressure frequently. Whenever the quality of your ride is not as smooth as it usually is, seeming a bit bumpier than usual, the problem could be that the pressure of your tyres is not even. All tyres leak air imperceptibly over time and in checking your tyre pressure, you can be able to detect if one of your tyres is leaking air faster than it should. For the most accurate estimate ofyour tyre pressure, it is recommended to do the checking in the morning while the tyres are cold. If you check after driving for a while you will get an inaccurate reading as the air in the tyres will have heated and expanded. The same principle applies when you check the tyre pressure on a hot day.

Also in the interests of obtaining a trustworthy figure, you should not rely on your eyes as some tyres, especially the Radial variety tend to bulge even when the tyre is not overinflated. The pressure gauges at most petrol stations tend to be inaccurate so they shouldn’t be relied upon wholly. Gettingyour own pressure gauge is a worthwhile investment in this regard.

Once you’ve got the right reading of your tyre pressure, increase it if it below the recommended figure or vent some air if the opposite is true. Underinflated or overinflated tyres pose a grave driving risk which you don’t want to take.

Have You Considered A Combined Motor Trade Insurance Policy?

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It doesn't matter whether you own a mechanical workshop or a car dealership, whether you run a panel shop or car restoration business, a combined motor trade insurance policy can offer you all the protection your business needs on a daily basis.

This type of cover is a more in-depth cover that will protect every aspect of your business from your building to your employees and from your cash to your road risks. You may wonder what makes this cover so popular and why you should consider it, by putting all your requirements into one policy, you can save money in the long run, it's easier to manage and only one phone number to call when you do need to claim.

What is Covered?

Most brokers will be flexible and will tailor your cover to suit your business requirements whatever part of the industry you are in. The first big thing to be covered is your building which will be protected against fire, theft and storm damage. Then there is all the contents from your tools to your expensive machinery andequipment, your computers and even your cash. A flood or fire can quickly damage thousands worth of property, equipment and assets, you want the building repaired quickly while having all the things replaced or repaired.

Then there is liability cover, your public, employers and professional indemnity cover can be included in the cover. Public liability is essential for any business protecting you every time a customer arrives at your door, a public liability claim can amount to thousands and it's a claim you are legally responsible for. When it comes to employer's liability cover it's important you realise that this is a legal requirement in the UK the minute you hire one or more staff members. Your professional indemnity can be a blessing, mistakes do happen from time to time and rather protect yourself and your business with this essential cover.

Of course your job doesn't end there, you need to drive customers vehicles to ensure repairs have been carried out, for this you need road risks. If you sell cars demonstration cover is essential enabling you to give potential purchasers the opportunity to try before they buy.

But what about the other little things you can add to the cover that makes your life easier and ensures full protection of the business. Add loss of income to your combined motor trade insurance policy, don't end up out of pocket when your building is being repaired and you are unable to work.

Why Do Some Motor Traders Work Independently?

English: Peacock Garage. Servicing motor vehicles, rather than Peacocks. A family business with a small fleet of vans.

There are many independently owned mechanical workshops and dealerships around the UK, these motor traders have chosen to work independently for a number of reasons and often being an independent works to their advantage.

Be Your Own Boss

Being part of a large franchise, even if you have purchased the franchise, means you have someone to answer to, strict guidelines to follow and in many cases strict targets to achieve.

This can add extra stress when starting up your own business. In fact franchise opportunities within this industry is similar to those in any other industry. You have the name to help you achieve success and yet you still have rules to abide by and while you can make your own decisions regarding your business, they have to fall within the franchise requirements.

Being an independent means you are your own boss, your business can be as small or large as you want it to be and the only person you have to answer to is yourself.

Reduced Overheads

Being part of a franchise means you don't only have rent to pay for your property, but in many cases you have franchise fees which are due either monthly or annually, putting a higher financial burden on your business.

Now it may be welcomed to use a large company name to help fuel your business, but at the same time with the financial burdens placed on these companies, working on your own is often a more viable option.

Those that work for themselves without being part of a large group enjoy financial freedom, they can pay rent and utilities, hire as many staff as they want and their overheads will be less than those that have chosen to join a large corporation.

Competitive Prices

Often those that work under the name of a well known company are forced to charge a specific amount for labour, parts and even vehicles. There are strict guidelines to follow and these guidelines is what turns customers away.

These days customers are choosing the independent companies due to their competitive prices, exceptional customer service and one on one contact. The smaller companies are able to deal with vehicle problems quickly, they use non-original parts that do the same job as the original parts and they offer their customers the one on one customer services that people are looking for in today's market.

If you've ever wondered why motor traders have chosen to work independently, just going over the advantages speak for themselves.

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I'm Looking For Jobs in the Motor Trade, What's The Market Like in the UK?

If you're looking for a motor trade job then the UK is probably one of the best places to be in right now. When you page through the number of positions available there is an abundance throughout the country.

Yes we did suffer with the recession, but the majority of jobs that were lost were in the factories, there still remains a demand for mechanics, managers and sales people.

Mechanical Workshops

The past two years has seen people uprooting their families and moving to where the work is and the same applies when looking for work as a mechanic in a mechanical workshop. The advantage now is that if a company is looking and you qualify, you don't have to worry because the recession is over, so companies that are still standing now will be standing in years to come, meaning you have job security.

In the workshop side of the industry you find both the larger dealerships and the smaller independent workshops are looking for the right staff members. You will need to keep an eye on the local paper and scout the internet to find the positions and bear in mind that there are a lot of people looking for this kind of work, so be sure your CV really puts your best foot forward to make an impression.

Car Sales

The car sales industry is stabilising nicely which means that companies are hiring again from secretaries and accounts managers to branch managers and sales people. This is the side of the industry that was really hard hit during the recent economic crisis, car sales plummeted which lead to job loss, but now that sales are increasing so are the positions coming available.

The majority of positions offered are at car dealerships, known brands from branch managers to sales managers and sales personnel are all positions currently being advertised on the internet.

UK Job Market

All in all the job market in the UK is definitely improving as more jobs are advertised on a daily basis. If you are looking for a position it's advisable to keep an eye on the internet and email your CV as and when they are added, also get in touch with workshops and dealerships in your area to see if they are hiring at the minute and speak to friends who are already in the industry, this will enable you to get your name on the list before they advertise.

We can expect to see even more motor trade jobs hitting the internet in the next few weeks with the holiday season and winter upon us, people are going to start repairing their vehicles, maintaining their vehicles again and buying new vehicles.

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Want to Get a Job in the Motor Trade But I Don't Know What Motor Trade Recruitment To Use

When looking for a job in a particular sector of the motor trade, you have a choice of motor trade recruitment options at your disposal. Depending on the type of job you are looking for, the area you live in and the type of company you want to work for will determine the best way to find the jobs.

Online

These days technology has taken a firm grip of the advertising side of things. All companies within the industry use the internet as a way to post their current job postings. This way they don't have to spend too much money on advertising and they can reach a wider selection of applicants.

The problem for you when it comes to using the internet to find jobs is that you are competing against hundreds of other applicants, these applicants may be just as well qualified as you and many of them live closer to the business, giving them the upper hand.

When using online resources to find the perfect job in this industry it's advisable to check the sites and forums as often as possible. Checking them a few times a day will increase your likelihood of applying for a position quickly and getting to the front of the queue. Many of the companies will not offer a phone number and require you send your CV for review.

It's important to ensure your CV is well written, it should be short and to the point, highlighting your abilities and achievements within the industry. Bear in mind that your potential employer has probably received a large pile of CV's which they need to wade through, so making yours appealing and highlighting your abilities will make it easier for the person to read and hopefully put your CV in the “yes” pile.

Agencies

Another option is to sign up with an agency. Agencies that specialise in the vehicle industry work with key businesses and their job is to screen prospective applicants and then forward the information to the company. The advantage to this is these are the jobs you don't necessarily find online. These companies are busy and the management don't have time to read and review each CV. The agency does the leg work for them.

The advantage to registering with an agency is that they already have your information on file, so they are able to forward your information as soon as a suitable position becomes available, this may be before it's plastered all over the internet and available to the hundreds of other applicants searching for the same job criteria.

When it comes to motor trade recruitment it's worthwhile using all the resources available to you to increase your chances of finding the perfect job.

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How Much Money is There in Being a Motor Trader?

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Being a motor trader can bring in fantastic financial rewards depending on what sector of the industry you choose and how you manage your business.

As with any business, management is key. If you work hard to market yourself, increase your profits and decrease your expenses you are on the road to success. When looking at the difference between car dealerships and mechanical workshops, it's easy to see that a mechanical workshop could be the financially viable option.

People need their vehicles repaired, they need them serviced and as a legal requirement, they need to have their MOT test carried out annually. This means that mechanical workshops will have a constant flow of clientèle from repeat and referral customers to new customers.

On the other hand car dealerships that sell used cars may be financially better off than those that sell new cars. Cheaper vehicle sales may be a more viable option over the newer and expensive vehicles.

New and expensive vehicles requires most purchasers to obtain finance. These days financial institutions have become very strict in handing out credit. In fact obtaining credit can be almost impossible for many as the lending rules have chances with the financial crisis we have just experienced. So even though dealerships that sell these vehicles probably make more profit per vehicle sold, they don't sell as many vehicles as a car dealership that sells affordable second hand vehicles that a purchaser can pay for in cash.

Most people who join this industry do it because they love the industry. You find the majority of mechanics have been tinkering with vehicles since they were young, huddled up in the garage with Dad on a weekend repairing a vehicle or fixing the farm equipment when they lived in a village. Mechanics is something that has grown on them and pushed them towards this career.

As a mechanic in a company you can earn a decent salary, most workshops will offer above average salaries to those employers who are in demand. Maybe you specialise in certain vehicles or have knowledge about vehicles that none of the other employees have. This puts you in demand and takes the strain off the owner and in turn, can lead to a higher pay cheque at the end of each month.

If you really want to know how much money you can make as a motor trader then you have to think about how you manage your business and the demand for your services. These two combined can offer fantastic financial rewards in the long run.

This post is brought to you by www.motortradenews.org 

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