Breakdown volumes have increased by a third so far this winter as the country struggles to deal with ice and fog while on the roads.

The AA recorded last week that they had attended more than 8,700 breakdowns in just one day as cold weather struck.

London, the south coast and Thames Valley were the hardest hit areas as patrols reported more than usual problems with people unable to start their car engines along with a spate of accidents caused by drivers going too fast for the conditions.

“Drivers have to be extra careful when taking to the roads on freezing mornings and adapt their driving speed and style,” said Edmund King, AA President.

“Drivers should not leave their cars with the engine running to de-ice their windscreens and return to their houses for a cup of tea.”

The Transport Secretary has told highway authorities to stock enough salt for 48 runs worth of de-iced roads – a 12 day supply – to prevent last year’s catastrophe where supplies ran out.

The AA figures also show most of the early winter crashes appear to be on local roads, which have not been gritted.

Coventry and the Warwickshire area meanwhile have seen four incidents of ‘frosting’ car crime – where cars are stolen as drivers leave them open to defrost.

Check Car Engines

As winter is expected to get even worse and the country is predicted to have to deal with colder mornings and possibly snow, it is important to check your car regularly.

If you have faced the problem of starting your engine in the morning you may have to invest in some new car parts.

Many online stockists sell car parts for all different make and models and some at discount prices so gearing your motor up for winter need not be expensive.

Consumers are apprehensive about purchasing environmentally friendly cars as new research suggests they think they and the associated car parts are too expensive.

Despite 69 percent of UK drivers claiming they do their best for the environment, only five percent who are buying a new car would be influenced by how green it was, Automotive Magazine found.

The study surveyed over 1000 car buyers, which found that Cornish motorists bought the cleanest cars. Their new motors’ CO2 emissions averaged at only 138 g/km. Motorists in Oxfordshire bought the most polluting cars emitting on average 168 g/km of CO2.

The survey asked the motorists what their main influence was when choosing a new car and 63 percent admitted the price was at the top of the list.

This was followed by 56 percent who said vehicle size was the main influence, while design, style, brand and safety all ranked ahead of a car’s environmental car parts when it came to buying.

Women are more likely to consider the environmental aspects of a car and 18-24 year olds were shown to be more likely to drive a hybrid car than any other age group.

Reduce Harmful Gases with Cheap Car Parts

There are ways you can reduce the amount of fuel your car uses without having to invest in new hybrid technology.

Check car parts to ensure they are working efficiently such as tyre pressure – a simple thing like having a flat tyre can put more strain on the engine meaning it compensates by using more fuel.

Watch your driving habits, if you rev too much or on a regular basis this will use more fuel, as does driving at high speeds or above the speed limit.

A speed of 50 miles per hour is considered the most fuel efficient speed for driving on the motorway.

Motorists are being warned to check their car tyre pressure as cold weather can lead them to deflate to dangerous levels.

Research by Goodyear has shown that air pressure in a typical tyre goes down 1-2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change.

If a tyre is underinflated the company warns it causes increased tread wear and tear on the outside edges of the tyre as they are put under more pressure.

Excess heat is also generated from underinflated car tyres, which reduce fuel economy by increasing rolling resistance as soft tyres make the vehicle work harder.

“Odds are that many motorists haven’t checked their tire pressure since the weather began turning cooler,” said Gary Medalis, Goodyear brand general manager.

“Even though consumers can simply and quickly check the air pressure of their tires, it becomes a neglected practice by many.”

Check Car Tyre Pressure

Experts suggest checking tyre inflation at least once per month at a reliable source.  Drivers can usually find the correct air pressure by looking in the vehicle’s manual in the glove box.

The four patches of rubber that are in contact with the road surface, otherwise known as car tyres, are vitally important to a vehicle’s performance. Car tyres play an important role in acceleration, lateral traction, and braking grip.

If your car tyres need replacing as the tread has become too worn down or they have acquired a puncture and you are unable to inflate them properly you can buy cheap car tyres online.

Most online stockists have a large variety of car parts suitable for any make or model vehicle of which they can be delivered anywhere in the country.

Winter driving is hard enough with dark nights, icy roads and wind and rain without having to adapt your driving due to worn out tyres.  It is important your car is in top condition for taking to winter roads to prevent an accident from happening.

A new tyre has been created specifically for winter driving, boasting record stopping distances six car lengths shorter than a conventional tyre, when used on snowy roads.

The Goodyear UltraGrip 7+ has been named the safest tyre for winter driving after being put through tests by weekly car magazine Auto Express.

The tests of seven different brands of tyre designed for cold weather were examined on a frozen lake in Sweden, and on dry and wet roads at testing grounds.

The winning UltraGrip 7+ tyre stopped over two meters shorter than the other tyres when emergency braking was tested on snow from moving at 25mph.

“It’s no wonder our roads grind to a standstill every time it snows,” said Kim Adams, Auto Express chief tester.

“Imagine the improvement if we all had three times the grip.”

The Goodyear tyre also gripped far better than its competitors for measuring the traction when accelerating, with three times the grip of the others.

Outperforming other brands in the wet road conditions, the Goodyear tyre achieved a score 18 percent higher than its rivals on two tests measuring aquaplaning.

Check Car Parts for Cold Weather Driving

It is vital to check your motor is in top condition for facing cold climates, snowy and icy roads and wet and dark evenings.

Braking distance can be the difference between a collision or a near miss so ensure your tyres are up to scratch – they should be fully inflated with a good amount of tread to be able to grip the roads.

Monitor the condition of other car parts such as headlamps, braking lights, indicators and fog lights to help you see in the dark and to help other drivers see you and notice in which direction you plan to go.

If you require a new car part look online for a cheaper alternative to going to your car’s manufacturer.

Driving too fast can cause wear and tear to your car. Research shows Porsche, Maserati and SAAB drivers are more likely to obtain speeding tickets.  Find out where to buy replacement car parts for these vehicles.

Motorists who own high performance cars are more likely be caught speeding and those who drive a Porsche, Maserati and SAAB are the most prone to speedy driving nature.

These drivers are twice as likely to hold a speeding conviction than those who drive either a Proton, Daewoo or Rover.

How does speeding damage my car?

Speeding over the limit, or accelerating too quickly can put a huge strain on car parts which are not intended to be pushed to these extremes all of the time.

Tyres can become worn out more quickly especially if more severe braking is needed to slow the car down suddenly.

This in turn puts more strain on the brakes and can cause brake pads to become worn down more quickly, which if not replaced could hinder your braking ability which is even more dangerous if you are driving at high speeds.

Driving speedily uses a lot more fuel so the exhaust is working overtime to accommodate this, the car could easily become over heated from this too.

If you need to replace Porsche, Maseratis or SAAB parts due to speeding look online for good prices on quality car parts.

A speeding conviction was shown to add 27 percent to car insurance premiums and if a driver gets two in a row they could be liable for an addition fine, confused.com found.

Drivers between the ages of 31-35 were the most likely to speed over the limit, while singletons were shown to be more careful than those in a relationship as 10.6 percent had received a speeding fine compared to 16.7 percent.

June saw 50 percent more speeding convictions than December.

The Highways Agency is advising road users in the North West, South West and South East to check weather conditions before they travel as strong winds are forecast.

Gusts of wind are predicted to reach speeds of up to 80 mph towards the weekend (Saturday 13^th November) and drivers of high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorbikes are in particular more at risk of being blown over.

Drivers are advised to plan their journey before they depart to prevent an accident or car parts becoming damaged as rain and spray reduces visibility.

Car Parts for Damaged Cars

Bad weather conditions are a high source of concern for drivers as rain and wind reduces visibility, cold temperatures and ice can affect stopping distances, and short days mean people have to drive to and from work in the dark.

To reduce your chances of being involved in an accident check your car before you depart for signs of damage or wear and tear which could compromise your driving.

Ensure your oil level is sufficient, you have windscreen wash, and the tread on your tyres is deep and they are fully inflated.

These checks, as well as monitoring the general feel and drive of the car such as braking, should be done regularly.

Even if your car is in good driving condition sometimes accidents happen and if they do and you require spare car parts to replace damaged ones, you can obtain them quickly and easily from 247 Spares.

As the largest online stockist of car parts, 247 Spares supplies parts suitable for every make and model car currently on Britain’s roads.

All the parts are being sold at discounted prices and they can be ordered online or over the phone for your convenience and then delivered straight to your front door.

Whether it is new winter tyres you require, engine parts or a whole new engine, we stock everything through to body panels, windscreens and even interior accessories.

Millions of rush hour drivers are being warned they are already facing winter conditions on their commute, even though the weather may seem mild.

An analysis by Kwik Fit showed it is at temperatures below 7°C that drivers should watch out for when driving. It is at this temperature when summer tyres deteriorate resulting in longer braking distances.

This winter marker has already been reached this autumn at UK peak driving times of between 8.00-9.00am on 23 out of the last 25 days, making it vitally important to change or check car parts for safe winter driving.

“When checking the weather forecast, maximum daytime temperatures can lull motorists into a false sense of security,” said Ian Fraser, Kwik Fit’s chief executive.

“Most drivers will find they are driving in conditions below 7°C for far longer than they imagine.”

Below this temperature winter tyres will enable a car to stop 4.8 metres shorter than summer tyres on wet roads, and when roads become icy this stopping distance extends to 11 metres.

Despite the maximum daytime temperature remaining above 15°C in some parts of the UK, 69 out of 76 Met Office stations have recorded morning rush hour temperatures as low as 3°C.

Prepare Your Car for Winter Driving

Winter tyres look similar to summer tyres but have a special rubber compound and tread pattern which gives drivers better grip on roads and shorter braking distances below 7°C.

In addition to changing tyres it is also advised motorists check other car parts which may be more vital during winter conditions or more likely to run out.

This includes checking oil levels and windscreen washer fluid, as well as replacing cracked windscreens and any leaks which may require replacing whole body panels.

At 247 Spares we stock both summer and winter tyres and most of the other necessary winter car parts suitable for virtually every model car.

Friday’s evening rush hour is the time when road users are more likely to have an accident in November new figures show.

The sixty minutes between 5pm and 6pm at the end of the working week were found by Accident Exchange to be the worst time of the week for crashes.

The analysis of over 200,000 qualified incidents over the last five years showed Wednesday was the second worst day with a 16.1 percent of the total accidents happening on that day after Fridays’ 17.9 percent.

The day which showed the lowest percentage of total accidents was a Sunday with 8.8 percent and then Saturday with 11.2 percent.

Furthermore, motorists are being urged to check car parts as November was found to be the most dangerous month for driving as the largest percentage of accidents happened during this time of year.

“The statistics are just a word of warning at a time when driving conditions start to change for the worst for the winter months or so,” said Lee Woodley of Accident Exchange.

“The factors contributing to an accident are so numerous that the best advice is to remain vigilant at all times and drive to the conditions around you.”

While 9.2 percent accidents occurred during November, December closely followed with 8.9 percent and June with 8.7 percent, while August saw the least at 7.3 percent.

The results suggest a combination of the wettest month on the calendar and drivers still adjusting to darker road conditions are to blame for the spike.

As 5-6pm was recorded as the most dangerous hour to drive in, this was followed by the hour between 3-4pm and then 4-5pm, with the smallest percentage of accidents occurring between the hours of 4-5am with 0.17 percent of the total accidents.

Car Parts for Damaged Cars

If you have been involved in an accident and require spare car parts to replace damaged ones, 247 Spares has the largest online stock with a variety of spare parts at discounted prices.

The new Sportage crossover from Kia is available for eager motorists to buy with the hope it follow the success of the early First Edition version which went on sale in the summer.

Incorporated in the range is a choice of four engines – including a brand new 1.6 litre direct injection petrol, and a 1.7 litre turbodiesel units.

These two engines come with a six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive while the 2.0 litre engine is either married with a choice of a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic on the petrol, or six-speed manual or six-speed automatic on the diesel.

“The allure of a Kia should extend well beyond the fact that it moves people from one place to the other,” said Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer.

The 16 model range shows similarities with the Kia 1, 2 and 3 trim designations, with additional car parts featuring a fully integrated 7 inch touch screen satellite navigation with reversing camera and upgraded audio sound system.

Mr Schreyer began work on the new Sportage over three years ago where he and his team discovered an unidentified crossover type vehicle combining the stance of a compact with a sleeker and greener feel.

It is hoped to be a favourite for young families or the young at heart with requirements meeting those who lead busy, primarily urban-centric lifestyles.

It sports a ribbed roof, chunky door handles, LED day-time running lights and large wing mirrors making it tough to manage difficult conditions as well as city roads.

CO2 emissions start from 135g/km and for the economy version this reduces to up to 54.4mpg.  Prices for this range start from £16,645.

Kia Car Parts

To replace damaged or worn out car parts, choose from an array of quality Kia car parts at 247 Spares.

We have the largest online stock and are currently offering the majority of our parts at competitive discounted prices.

If you need to buy a gearbox to replace your existing one it is recommended to look online for second hand spares as there are many quality parts available at reasonable prices.

However, it is important to purchase the right gearbox and to know what to look out for to ensure the part you buy is in top condition.

Each gearbox is different depending on the type of car you have and within this whether it is runs on diesel, natural gas, propane or is electric.

You must consider and compare the age of the gear box you are looking to buy, while some can run on forever, one that is very old and has had a high usage may not last that long.

Look at the general appearance of the gearbox part and if this is not possible as it is an online store, ask to see a photograph of it.

If the gear box has been well maintained and does not look like it has withstood bad driving conditions, or driving habits this will show by its general appearance.

It is also sometimes possible to test the performance in a Load Test which is recommended if possible.

Another good option with secondhand gearboxes is to buy one which has been used as standby as it will typically have much less wear and tear.

Where can I buy a gearbox?

At 247 Spares we have access to top quality gearboxes and have the largest online stock so we can guarantee we will have something that will suit your particular car model.

In addition to gearboxes we also sell a wide variety of car parts to replace damaged or worn out ones including windscreens, spare tyres at discount prices, body panels, engine parts and gearbox extras, including interior replacements such as important seat belts and airbags.