Summer season is here
With the weather getting warmer we are starting to see more cars with A/C issues. Here is a Peugeot RCZ […]
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Tesla the electric car maker has proven that hundreds of thousands of people are unlikely to purchase sleek luxury electric cars over models from Mercedes or BMW. The market shares of these legacy brands have been slipping with the rush for electric cars even as automakers are making massive investments in the electric future. Daimler has just placed an order for batteries for $23 billion, GM and Ford are both undergoing massive restructuring to keep pace even as Volkswagen has already announced its $50 billion push for electric vehicles.
The market will undoubtedly transition to electric vehicles but the timing of when it is likely to happen is still not confirmed. Just 2% of plug-in electric cars are presently being used in the US as compared to 2.2% worldwide. The massive numbers of electric vehicles are sold globally over the last year is approximately 2 million but just one in 250 cars operate on electricity. The sales of electric vehicles have only risen in Norway which has lavished subsidies and perks to witness an increase in EV car sales in the region of 30%.
The auto industry is currently facing a dilemma which was studded by the consulting firm Deloitte. The dilemma faced by automakers relates to how fast they should be making investments in fresh electronic technology while generating profits to make the transition. The consulting firm expects 21 million electric vehicles to be manufactured and roll over the assembly lines over the next decade even as the prices for EV vehicles slip below similar gasoline and diesel models by 2024.
However, the rush to expand the manufacturing capacity of electric vehicles is predicted to produce a glut of EV’s affecting the bottom lines of manufacturers. Deloitte has stated that their projections indicate supplies will vastly outweigh demand from the market by approximately 14 million units over the next decade. The research conducted by Deloitte suggests that with every manufacturer looking forward to mass producing electric vehicles ever from over a dozen new car makers from throughout the globe the number of manufacturers cannot sustain itself.
Estimates are also provided that the appeal for electric vehicles may not spread fast enough beyond the techies and greenies that initially fuelled the early days of the market as commented by David Keith and engineer and Prof at the MIT Sloan School of Management who also mentioned that electric vehicles may struggle to break the 5% barrier of the US market in the near future. Consumers in the US believe that isn’t a problem which the electric vehicle can solve for them and this is the reason for the prediction made by David Keith.
A former BMW engineer who presently manages a consulting firm in Silicon Valley, Sven Beiker, also has a similar opinion. Even as prices of electric vehicles begin to come down government subsidies which are presently offered for these vehicles are likely to phase out manufacturers such as Ford, Nissan, GM, and Tesla. Price-sensitive buyers could be deterred by the lack of subsidies. Beiker has commented he finds Tesla impressive with the model 3 being on top of the list for 2018 car sales. However, it still needs to be ascertained whether Tesla is managing to hold its position simply because it is an electric vehicle or whether it is just a cool new car.
Are you looking forward to safeguarding your vehicle as well as your journeys? You can consider your desire as fulfilled because the most recent innovation which is a high-quality dash cam is just what you need. The initial footage ever recorded on a Dash-cam was in 1969 in Australia by a lady who was totally unaware she had discovered something which would be extremely important.
When making a decision to have a Dash-cam you may wonder why you should be spending additional money for the device or even be concerned about whether a single Dash-cam will be suitable for your needs. The choice is entirely yours because a single device would be logical but many are using additional devices to cover multiple viewpoints. For starters, you can consider having a dashboard Dash-cam because of the following reasons.
A Dash-cam offers you cover when driving especially against any challenges you may encounter. Insurance companies are demanding evidence of any incidents you may be involved in and footage from a Dash-cam is an appropriate solution.
Recording questionable driving to hand over to the police or even upload it to social media sites such as YouTube if you prefer.
Safeguarding your car in car parks. You do not have the freedom to believe everyone driving a vehicle is just as courteous as you are especially when parking or manoeuvring. Having a permanently installed hidden Dashcam will give you all the evidence you need to safeguard yourself.
It is a perfect tool which can act as evidence against vandalism regardless of whether it is your vehicle which is being vandalised or you are witnessing other vehicles facing similar encounters.
Car spotting. This is the perfect fit for you to get up to 4K car footage of all types including the Ferrari speeding past you or the latest Phantom 2018. A Dash-cam will capture all the footage leaving you ready to upload it to your Instagram or YouTube account.
Documenting your travels. You have a record in your possession which can be uploaded to your website or blog from the Dash-cam are simply maintain a record of your travels. You have an opportunity to capture the unknown because the footage you get is great and can always be uploaded to social media websites.
Recording business meetings. The sound option within the Dash-cam proves beneficial in such cases because you can transcribe the audio of your meeting at your leisure. It will even capture some light bulb moments if you come across them. Use your Dash-cam to watch for pets by safeguarding your own and everyone else’s from theft, injury and misadventure.
A Dash-cam is a perfect tool to capture a shot of nature such as a swooping owl or even recording your birdwatcher’s, The list of things you can do with a Dash-cam are endless and therefore you are suggested to have one installed in your car without further delay.
The Future of Artificial Intelligence Artificial intelligence is certainly the future of the transport industry but questions remain about who will be present to take the onus of responsibility if things began to go haywire.
Less than a decade ago drivers around the world wouldn’t have believed that things like automatic park assist or automated headlights would be here today. These mechanical innovations along with numerous others have made it easier and safer for driving while removing the stress of this task at the same time.
The second stage of automotive innovations does not simply involve mechanical improvements. The time has now arrived to witness cars with brains of their own. Dramatic leaps have of late been made in artificial intelligence [AI] and you simply need to scan the headlines to find numerous examples of artificial intelligence in practice.
Things have changed by a large extent and every stakeholder or technocrat in the automotive industry is looking forward for a way to capitalise on artificial intelligence. IBM has collaborated with General Motors and Google Waymo may be just months away from inviting passengers to use the first driver-less ride-hailing service in the world.
Things are not just going to stop with driver-less cars. They are certainly receiving plenty of attention but it is just one of the many uses of AI in the car industry. If you are looking for more information about how artificial intelligence will be used this article will be taking a closer look at the AI automotive industry trends to understand the factors that are fuelling this explosive market.
Self Driving Cars
It is estimated that by the end of next year approximately 10 million autonomous cars will be on the roads. Quite a few models of these cars have already been introduced with various features. Self-driving cars fall into two categories which are semi-autonomous and fully autonomous. Fully autonomous vehicles can move from point A to point B without any intervention being needed from the driver. On the other hand, a semi-autonomous car is a vehicle with features which allow it to accelerate, steer the course of the car, and brake with minimum or no interactions from the driver.
A note of caution… In 2016 we witnessed the highest number of fatalities on British roads in the last five years. It is estimated that with congested roads and long commutes self-driving cars could potentially help to make the roads safer. Research conducted by KPMG discloses that fewer deaths will be recorded between the years 2014 and 2030.
Cameras, software and sensors are now making it possible for cars to absorb data around them for learning and responding appropriately. From 2009 the self-driving car from Google, Waymo has allegedly absorbed information of up to 300 years of driving experience. Before this technology is introduced to mainstream customers with the promise of safer roads and stress-free driving there is a need for costs to be reduced and regulations to be clarified. Additionally, further testing is certain to reveal safety concerns which are unique to this fresh technology.
Having a super artificial intelligence brain in your car may sound comforting but if failures are noticed because of poor quality mechanical centres then artificial intelligence will not receive the information it needs to prevent accidents. One needs to understand how many precautions will be needed and how frequently should checks like MOT be conducted on these technologies before they are fully introduced into the market.
Autonomous Trucks
Estimates have been provided by the Road Haulage Association there is a shortfall of 60,000 drivers which is increasing annually because of an ageing population along with the recruitment limitations being imposed by Brexit. It is under these conditions that the information about autonomous trucks which could soon be on the roads be welcomed by companies in the business and drivers who are presently overworked and turning away from work.
A fully autonomous truck with 18 wheels was tested in America recently. The truck was not entirely driver-less but it could maintain consistent speeds, a safe distance from other vehicles, remain in the selected Lane and slow down or stop according to traffic and road conditions. This option not only allows drivers to optimise their time on the roads but also handles logistical tasks like scheduling and rerouting. It also improves safety and communication via connectivity and integration.
Uber’s self-driving truck underwent a 120-mile journey in 2016 to deliver 50,000 beers. In the UK self-driving platoons are undergoing testing with the expectation that when they are implemented they will ultimately reduce emissions of carbon dioxide while improving efficiency.
Connectivity
Analysts within the industry are estimating that by 2020 approximately 250 million cars will be connected opening up the entire world of connectivity capabilities both for manufacturers and drivers. The connectivity to cloud-based platforms will enable drivers to:
- Locate fuel stations and make payments for their purchases without leaving their vehicle.
- Receive reminders for buying groceries and essentials when they are close to relevant shops.
- Order food in advance when approaching restaurants.\’0aUse their vehicles as a Wi-Fi hotspot.
- Carry out searches with smartphone apps and voice commands and also send and receive emails.
- Alert parents if their children are exceeding speed limits are straying outside a specified radius by implementing curfews and geo-fencing.
- Apply premium features which will be made easier with the help of software updates.
- Provide haulage companies with the ability to diagnose issues without assistance from the driver to visit the dealership or garage.
- Report usage of fuel and efficiency to transfer the data to the manufacturer for allowing designers to make further improvements.
- Automatically collect tolls.
- Smart sensors to identify medical emergencies like an unconscious driver.
- Provide insurance companies with the ability to track the habits of drivers for adjusting premiums accordingly.
The potential benefits mentioned above also have a few risks associated. We are all aware of how our PCs are susceptible to viruses, hacking and malware. Under the circumstances, the implications of high-tech cars must also be considered. These developments are definitely promising to revolutionise the automotive industry. However, there is the small matter of understanding when humans should be controlling the vehicle or when they should defer to artificial intelligence for both efficiency and safety. Artificial intelligence won’t tire itself but could definitely make us complacent with the driving technologies like cruise control and automatic braking. The debate on this subject is ongoing.
Vehicle Radio Decoding Widnes – All/most vehicle radios come with anti-theft prevention software built into them. These pieces of software deny the use of the car’s radio if the software thinks it has been maliciously tampered with. Although in many cases the software prevents the radio from working even if the battery has been disconnected from the car or if another piece of work has been done to the care involving its electronics.
When this happens and nobody has maliciously tampered with it, it can be very annoying. To overcome this issue, you would need to locate the serial number of your vehicle (usually found on the bottom chassis of the car) or in any documentation that you got when you purchased your car. This code would then be entered into our database and the correct 4 digit pin would appear, once this has been entered into your radio, your car radio will be working again.
Although this is a very simple procedure, a lot of mechanics and companies try to milk as much money from you by saying you need to buy a number of different things. Here at Widnes Autoelectrics, we will tell you what you need to do/ what we need to do straight, with no hidden extras. If you have a problem with your vehicles electronics and you don’t know what to do or you don’t have the time to fix them, then you may want to get into contact with us to see what we can do for you and how much for.
If you are interested in our Vehicle Radio Decoding Widnes or you would like some more information on our other services, then please don’t hesitate to get into contact with us and a member of our friendly team will be in touch with you as soon as they can.
Are you buying a new car this summer?
Buying a new car is a very exciting time. Lots of things to consider. Do you buy new? Do you save a little money and buy one a few years old? Are you looking for a bargain with thousands and thousands of miles on the clock? We will usually spend time looking at a number of different cars thinking about how we will feel and look in our new motor. Whilst this a fun part of the process, it is also the part we can also get carried away with and focus to much on. Instead, we really ought to focus on the electrical and mechanical issues that surround and used vehicle purchase. As a result of this lack of focus many buyers may end up with a car that has these very issues that they simply are not aware of.
So what are your best steps to take to ensure you buy the right vehicle?
Get a mechanical check done.
It’s really important to check in advance whether or not your car is roadworthy and worth the price. It’s always a good idea to have a mechanic look over the vehicle to see if there are any obvious faults that will cost you down the line. Even if a car is sold with a warranty, it’s still a pain down the line to have to send your car away when it could have been fixed in advance of your purchase.
Check the car electrics.
Going beyond looking at whether your lights work or not is a really important thing to do. With many cars having more and more electrical components and sophisticated on board computers controlling the vehicle, as quick trip to your local auto electrician could save you a lot of money in the long run. Checking the car electrics with the latest diagnostic equipment can either reveal a multitude of problems, or put your mind at rest that you are buying the right car at the right price. It’s always good to check as it will definitely save you money in the long run.
Take the car for a test drive.
Testing driving the car is not just about how you will look and feel driving the motor. Driving round the block is the perfect time to listen out for any rattles and creaks and see how it generally handles on the road. If all goes will and you have made the necessary electrical and mechanical checks from your local garage or professional mechanic, then you’re good to go.
Remember, taking time to make these checks really will save you money and time in the long run. If in doubt feel free to give we call here at Widnes Auto Electrical and we will be happy to guide you
Here’s a simple top ten list to consider:
1. Determine a range of cost.
2. Always test drive the car.
3. Research the vehicle.
4. Consider the Cars Best Suited for You.
5. Review the Vehicle History Report.
6. Request a Pre-purchase Inspection.
7. Take a Look at Some of the Reviews.
8. Do Not Hesitate To Negotiate.
9. Validate Ownership.
10. Complete the Transaction.
What’s going on with your car’s electrical system – In this article our aim is to highlight what’s happening with your car electrics detailing the major components of your cars electrical system. We will also highlight some hints and tips along the way.
Let’s start your car’s battery.
Your car battery’s main function is to start the engine and operate the electrical elements in your car. Things such as your windows, lights, radio, sat nav all need the battery to work. The battery itself typically consists of six cells of positive and negative lead plates, immersed in electrolytes made up of water and sulfuric acid mixture. 
Care should always be taken if you are charging or jump starting your car because a chemical dangerous gases vent through the batter cover vents as a result of the chemical reaction occurring with the lead plates and the electrolyte.
For a safer battery you may want to look at batteries that use a gel instead of an electrolyte. You can now use maintenance-free batteries so that you minimise concerns for the electrolyte element. Eventually the batteries will, by their very nature, deteriorate over time so it’s not a complete solution rather an alternative more efficient solution
How to recognise when you are having battery issues
If your car is having problems starting the use can start with a very basic test. If you know the exact condition of your battery you will be able to identify if it is actually the battery at fault or possibly another electrical component causing the issue. If could be that you need a new starter motor or a replacement alternator.
All you need to test the battery is a battery, battery charger and a decent DVOM (Digital volt Ohm Meter). Your car handbook will normally tell you what colour to look out for. Simply look at the DVOM for the colour to tell you if your battery is in good condition, needs charging, or has low fluid and needs replacing.
If you are guessing that the battery needs replacing, then beforehand, it might be an idea to just to take your car to an auto mechanic just to ensure it is the root cause of the electrical fault with your vehicle. After all the last thing you want is to spend money and time replacing the battery only for you to find out that it was actually a parasitic drain on the system actually causing the battery failure. It’s not just potentially expensive, it could actually be dangerous too!
It’s good to know that the average life of a battery is typically between 3 and 5 years. Your local car electrics specialist is usually the best person to help you with this.
Let’s talk about your Alternator
The alternators main function is to help run the electrical accessories in your vehicle. This includes the ignition and the engine controls system. So how does it work. In short It produces electricity to maintain battery storage charge. It is driven by the engine producing an alternating current (AC). We always recommend that you should check your car’s repair manual or with your local mechanic to obtain the correct information before working on your alternator.
Typically, the alternator will last around 3-4 years. This is due to the demands placed on all the modern electrical devices (stereos, lights, windows, heated seats etc., you use in your vehicle. What’s always useful to know is that if your alternator is coming close to its end of life, this can put additional stress on the car battery. By keeping your car servicing up to date, and keeping an eye on your engine management lights, you can often prevent these subsequently related issues.
In the table below we have highlighted some typical power usage on a car’s charging system:
| Equipment | Electrical Draw |
| Rear Window Defogger | 25 amps |
| High Blower | 20 amps |
| Headlamps (low) | 15 amps |
| Windshield Wipers | 6 amps |
| Ignition | 6 amps |
| Brake Lights | 5 amps |
| Total | 77 Amps |
When you consider if you charge your phone or laptop whilst in your car or have customised your vehicle this will create additional stresses.
It’s really important to pay attention to your car’s warning light for the alternator. This will definitely help you catch any problems before they become a major issue. Most modern cars have alternators that have the electrical current passing through the filament of the warning light is what energizes a circuit in the alternator to start charging.
To check the warning light circuit, turn the ignition switch to the “on” position without cranking or starting the engine; if the light does not come on, remove the plug from the alternator and ground the wire that terminates to the #1, I, L or D+ terminal (depending on manufacturer). If the light comes on, the wiring is okay but the alternator is defective; if the light still does not come on, the wiring to the light circuit and the bulb should be checked. (our mechanics at Widnes auto electrics would always recommend that you consult a trained auto electrician or your local garage if you are unsure about what this all means)
You should always check the fuse that controls the light circuit, too. It’s good to know that different cars use different labels such as “charging”, “regulator”, “meters”, “gauges” or “engine”. In some cars, if the fuse is out, the warning light will come on but may not go off. In others, a burned out fuse may make the warning light work in reverse order; that is, when the key is on, the light is off but as soon as the engine starts and the alternator starts charging, the light will come on.
Checking out these simple circuits first can greatly reduce the time spent trying to find out the cause of your car troubles and could help to prevent the unnecessary replacement of your alternator.
When it comes to charge light indicators, we find that in some cases it is normal for the charge indicator light to come on when nothing is wrong with the alternator.
According to information published by some of the leading car manufacturers, a car may have a low voltage reading or lights that dim when electrical loads are heavy at idle. Furthermore, this condition is normal and no repairs should be attempted unless a fault has been found.
For clarification, as a car idles for extended periods of time during high heat conditions, a number of things happen that contribute to “lowered” alternator output that coincides with physics and the design of the alternator:
- As heat within the alternator increases, the electrical resistance in the alternator also increases, which reduces the alternator’s charging capacity.
- As temperature rises, the voltage set point of the regulator is lowered to reduce the chance of overcharging or “boiling” the battery.
- More modern alternators have a “delay/soft start” built into the regulator circuit. This delays the load being placed upon the engine when starting up from a stop, so that the smaller engines in use today are not loaded down upon acceleration due to charging demands. This can delay the charging by up to 15 seconds.
With the alternator’s capacity for charging reduced by heat and other factors, an alternator may only be able to produce up to 70% of its rated output under these conditions. So an alternator rated for 100 amps may only be able to produce 70 amps when hot at idle when there is 77 or more amps of demand on it.
So the question to consider here is…If it can be considered normal for warning lights to glow while a healthy alternator is running, how do you know if the alternator is in good working order or if there are other problems waiting to happen?
A detailed diagnosis is always the best route to determining whether or not the alternator is at fault, but there are times when diagnosis time is short and you still need a positive identification of the problem. Cases like this require specialist tools which will enable you to isolate the alternator from the car’s wiring harness and lets you see if the alternator is at fault or if there is a wiring problem elsewhere within the car’s wiring harness. These tools will be able to you to see quite accurately if it is indeed the alternator causing you your car electrical problems if there is another mechanical failure at play!
Let’s consider faults with your car’s Starter Motor
What is a Starter Motor? Put simply, the starter motor is simply a DC motor that turns the engine crankshaft through the flywheel, starting the combustion process by creating compression within the cylinders. Voltage to the starter is supplied directly from the battery and is controlled by a relay and/or solenoid operated from the key switch inside your car. Starters can be of varying types and designs depending on the requirements of your car. That said whatever the type, they all offer the same basis service, to get your car started
On older vehicles a slow cranking engine can typically be a sign of a bad starter motor. On most modern cars however, it’s due to low battery voltage, poor electrical connections at the battery or a failed relay or fusible link. It’s good to know that If you are choosing to buy a new car, most starters will easily outlast a new vehicle warranty if it’s not overused, if good connections are maintained and if it’s not overheated.
You can help reduce the workload of your starter motor (and increase its life) by simply starting your car with electrical components switched off (eg radio, air-con etc., window wipers.). To help you with this a lot of manufactures now have it so that the AC compressor and alternator will not turn on until after the vehicle has been started. (find out more on our dedicated starter motors page
Maintenance Tips For Your Car’s Electrical System
Its highly recommended that you get your car’s electrical system checked and tested at least every two years or whenever whenever you spot a problem with your vehicle. Many problems are often caused by voltage variations and must be one of the first steps in identifying any problem. Because there is a computer on board in almost every car built now, even quite minor voltage changes can alter the controls.
Your car’s electrical system must be load tested to certain standards, which can be simulated by turning on all the accessories and lights for simple voltage drain but that is not an all-inclusive test. Measuring circuit loads with an ammeter, circuit voltage drops with a DVOM, variable circuit load testing, etc. is usually the only way to fully check function. With electrical systems operating at 80%-100% of capacity nowadays (see Power Demand Chart), it is crucial that it be up to standards.
Whilst you may consider yourself capable of doing this testing process yourself, you might find that the test equipment to buy is too expensive when you think about how often you will actually use it during your car’s lifetime. This is why we would always recommend an auto electrical expect who will have the right tools you’re your car manufacturers system. This could save you a lot of time and money in the long run
Our top 5 helpful tips to help extend the life expectancy of your car’s electrical system.
Tip #1: Always keep your battery and its connections clean to avoid clogged battery cover vents and overtaxing your starter. This will also allow for proper ventilation of dangerous, explosive gases from your battery.
Tip #2: When replacing your battery, always buy one of the same or higher CCA rating (cold cranking amps) as the original battery and make sure it’s the same or compatible “group size” to fit your battery tray and cable connections.
Tip #3: Due to the varying nature of car electrical systems, never jump start your car using another car that is running. Use the other vehicle’s battery power alone to start it because a 14.5 volt running system can seriously damage a 12.6 volt system due to the overvoltage.
Tip #4: Start your car with the major electrical components turned off – A/C, stereo, etc. – to ease the load on your battery and starter and extend their lives.
Tip #5: Have your car’s electrical system completely checked and tested at least every two years or whenever you have it serviced for any type of driveability issue.
Widnes Auto Electrics – Remember to come back to check for new maintenance topics.
Note : these repair tips are designed only as a starting point.
Please seek the assistance of a professional mechanic
for all repair problems beyond your capabilities.
Jaguar Land Rover has strengthened its commitment to the armed forces with the donation of two F-TYPE sports cars to Mission Motorsport. The cars will be used by the charity to support the recovery and rehabilitation of ex service personnel affected by their time in the military.
The donation, championed by the armed forces team at Jaguar Land Rover, was made in the run-up to Armed Forces Day on 30 June. It continues Jaguar Land Rover’s relationship with the forces’ motorsport charity established in 2014 with the creation of its Armed Forces Engagement Programme.
A critical element of that project was the establishment of a Wounded Injured and Sick (WIS) training scheme, in which more than 45 WIS personnel have taken part and 29 have gained full-time employment with Britain’s biggest car maker. Six others had been employed by Jaguar Land Rover’s partner organisations.
“These two cars will make an immeasurable difference to the Mission Motorsport team, enabling them to reach even more veterans who don’t know what the future holds after their discharge from the military. ” “At Jaguar Land Rover we have seen the benefits a programme like this can have in awakening new horizons, ambitions and careers. We look forward to seeing the next set of beneficiaries begin their new future with us”
ROB LUMMIS
HEAD OF EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCES AT JAGUAR LAND ROVER
Workers were joined by some of Jaguar Land Rover’s WIS recruits and Mission Motorsport ambassadors to build the cars – a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder 300PS and a range-topping 5.0-litre V8 575PS SVR. One of those spending a day on the production line was Jaco Van Biljon, who joined Jaguar Land Rover’s WIS training programme in 2017 and went on to secure employment in the firms powertrain division. He’s since represented Great Britain at the Warrior Games and has been selected, along with two JLR colleagues, as members of Team GB for this year’s Invictus Games taking place in Sydney this October. Jaco is also about to embark on a sponsored degree.
I did not know that my journey from Mission Motorsport to Jaguar Land Rover would be life-changing when I made that first phone call. I left the military because of a degenerative condition and really didn’t know where to turn. Today, I’m here at Jaguar Land Rover in a job I love, with a team that support me and a bright and exciting future. It’s been quite incredible
ROB LUMMIS
HEAD OF EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCES AT JAGUAR LAND ROVER
This has been an incredible gesture by Jaguar Land Rover and an extraordinary commitment to reinforce our hard work in support of those leaving the armed services. It is our responsibility now to harness the excitement that these cars create to help inspire those who have so much to offer. We are very grateful indeed for this transformational gift.
JAMES CAMERON
CEO AT MISSION MOTORSPORT
Since signing the Armed Forces Covenant in 2014, Jaguar Land Rover has recruited more than 850 ex-forces personnel and is committed to seeing this number rise as it aims to become the employer of choice ex-military. Whether choosing to leave the armed forces, or having been wounded in action in, Jaguar Land Rover has a programme in place to support those transitioning from forces life to civilian career whilst meeting its own need to advance the skills and capability of the automotive industry. From leadership and team working skills to the ability to cope under pressure, the armed forces community has many of the core skills needed to help Jaguar Land Rover succeed in the future.
The launch of new retailer technician training programme earlier this year is just one new way the company aims to upskill ex-military personnel for employment in Jaguar and Land Rover retailers across the UK. So far this year 12 technicians have been employed.
The answer is quite simple. Never leave your dog in a hot car. After just a few minutes your dog is at risk. What’s amazing is that I was over in Widnes the other day near the Costa Coffee and an owner of a Ford Focus had left his dogs locked in the car with the windows barely open. This is just cruel in this weather.
According to the RSPC temperatures can rise very quickly and in whether like this, your car can reach temperatures very close to 50C in your car. In this situation it can result in death for your dog.
Is also wise to know that if you do leave your dog in the car you could expect a fine between £2,000 and £5,000 depending on the situation. If you do see a dog, or any animal locked in a car in this heat, and cant see the owner, you should contact emergency services or even your local rspca – they can advise you on what to do.
This situation should never come about, but I guarantee that some silly idiot will do this over this summer.!
Female racing driver Aseel Al Hamad celebrated the end of the ban on women drivers with a lap of honour in a Jaguar F-TYPE.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 24 June 2018: Female racing driver Aseel Al Hamad celebrated the end of the ban on women drivers with a lap of honour in a Jaguar F-TYPE.
Aseel, the first female board member of the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation, had never driven on a track in her home country before.
Aseel joined Jaguar in a call for June 24th to be known as World Driving Day – a day when finally, the whole world can enjoy the thrill of being behind the wheel of a car. On World Driving Day Jaguar invites people to share a memory of their best driving moment (image or anecdote) using the #worlddrivingday.
Having loved cars since I was a child, today is highly emotional for me. This is the best driving moment of my life. What better way to kick off World Driving Day than a lap of honour in my home country in a Jaguar F-TYPE – the ultimate car to roar around the track. I hope people around the world will share in our joy today by sharing their most memorable driving story using #worlddrivingday.
ASEEL AL HAMAD
By creating World Driving Day, Jaguar urges people to remember this historic day and what it means to women, to Saudi Arabia and to world progress in general. As part of its ongoing work with over 40 Universities and Academic institutions globally on future mobility solutions, the company will also be partnering with University in Saudi Arabia to join this global network. The partnership, to be announced later this year, will be a unique exchange to tap into the brightest young minds in Saudi Arabia to shape the company’s future innovations as it moves to ACES (an Autonomous, Connected, Electrified and Shared future).
It’s easy to forget and take for granted the enjoyment of driving and just what a privilege it is to get behind the wheel of a car. World Driving Day is a commitment from Jaguar to celebrate this key moment annually for both men and women. This year, we’re really excited to collaborate with the brilliant students from Saudi Arabia to shape the future of mobility for people around the world.
FIONA PARGETER
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE DIRECTOR
Who is Aseel Al Hamed
Aseel Al Hamad is a true pioneer with a huge passion for motorsports as the first female board member of the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation. She also serves as the Saudi Arabian representative at Women in Motorsport Commission for Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).
Aseel has driven all over the world. She loves fast cars and the thrill of the race track. She holds a degree in interior design engineering from Prince Sultan University and followed additional courses at the University of the Arts in London.
Modern vehicles come with all sorts of top end interior gadgets from the latest Bose surround sound to high end car electrics and sat-navs etc.
One feature that we all tend to make use of while we’re on the road is a vehicle’s air conditioning system. While winding the windows down may allow air to run through your vehicle, it also lets everything else in the atmosphere outside of the car in too!
Instead of letting in all those road bugs, flies, insects and air pollution, Air conditioning allows cooled air to circulate your car or vehicle without these interfering nasties.
Here’s everything that you could possibly need to know about your car air conditioning / vehicle air-conditioning unit!
So what does your Car Air Conditioning / vehicle air-conditioning do?
Now, when we think of car air conditioning / vehicle air conditioning systems, we naturally think of how they cool the air in the vehicle. Why this is one of the main reasons for having it they are much more.
In short they quite literally “condition” the air, reducing moisture in the air and consequently too. The unit’s four main principles are evaporation, condensation, compression, and expansion.
So How Does it Work?
Most air conditioning systems work in the same way, whether they’re installed in a home, an office, supermarket of your car or motor vehicle. Your air conditioning system is connected by a series of flexible hoses and hard tubes
There are five main components that this system connects – the evaporator, condenser, the compressor, receiver-dryer, and expansion valve,
A refrigerant then flows around the whole system once the engine is on, evaporating at a low temperature, and then condensing again at a high pressure.
When it condenses, it takes heat away from the vehicle and the blower fans pass cold air throughout the vehicle, cooling the air inside.
Downsides of car air conditioning
One of the main downsides to having air con is that the system takes quite a lot of energy to work. This means that you will burn more petrol or diesel when your air con is switched on. Having said that, in this hot and sticky summer I would definitely prefer to have it on rather than not!