Lambs bouncing in the fields. Daffodils emerging from their winter slumber. Birds chirping in the trees.

It can only be that time of year again, springtime.

This season in the UK offers the perfect balance of mild weather, smaller crowds and blossoming landscapes.

The longer days make it ideal for exploring and creating unforgettable memories.

We have some suggestions for places to go:

The Cotswolds: for the quintessential English springtime countryside look no further. Some of the most scenic routes are on the A429, otherwise known as Fosse Way. This ancient Roman road passes through iconic towns and villages such as Moreton-in Marsh, Stow on the Wold and Cirencester.

You’ll see patchwork fields, roaming rivers, medieval churches and stately homes in your travels.

Bluebell Woods in the UK: You find them in many places but one of the most spectacular Is the Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire. Then there are Watkins Way in the Wye Valley, Tehidy Camborne in Cornwall.

Cornwall: Cornwall in general has a lot to offer. It has an abundance of wildlife from sea birds to seals not to mention smuggling coves and famous harbours. There is a particularly stunning drive between St Ives and Sennen.

Isle of Skye: if you fancy travelling further afield try the rugged landscape of Skye, off the Scottish coast. There is a panoramic drive between Broadford and Elgol that’s not to be missed.

The Lake District: always a favourite and Spring may be the best time before the peak visitor season. The A591 between Keswick and Windermere is a particular favourite route.

The Yorkshire Dales: more breath-taking country with many picturesque villages and don’t forget it’s lambing season.

Wherever you decide to go we wish you safe and happy travels and if you want a car or minibus rental just get in touch with use.

We are buying more vehicles that are most popular to increase the fleet such as Ford Transit Connects and Ford Transit SWB.

We are also in the process of selling many vehicles with a poor utilisation.

However, we have had to increase prices as from 01/04/2024 despite our best efforts to mitigate cost increases.

This is because of the ongoing challenges posedbytheeconomiclandscape.

Onesignificantchallengewefaceisthecontinuingandunexpected riseincostsassociated

with keysuppliersofvehicle parts,consumables,and energycosts,whichhavestabilised,

albeit running way higher than historical trends.

Also,therecent announcementoftheincreaseinnationallivingwagewillhavealargeimpact

on the running costs of our business.

Nevertheless, we do our best to keep prices as affordable as we can for our customers.

It is only a month or so until Easter and already we are seeing a surge in demand for vehicles of all types.

But adding to the pressure is the difficulties we and others are having getting parts for vehicle repairs.

This is adding to the demand for rentals as our customers wait for their own cares to be able to be booked in for repairs. We, too, are being hit by the same problem.

So, the message is clear.

If you want to be sure of being mobile over the Easter holidays get in touch with us to arrange your rental as soon as possible!

We are already very busy with car rentals at the start of the new year.

If you are planning trips or days out over the upcoming school holidays we would advise you to get your rental bookings in as early as possible, particularly for cars.

Bookings for people carriers are also starting to come in so it is worth thinking ahead and making a booking if you might need one.

Get in touch and we will do everything we can to help and advise you.

https://www.kwik-fit.com/blog/how-to-get-your-car-ready-for-winter#

Check your screenwash bottle and top up regularly. A lot of dirt and grime ends up on the windscreen during the winter months so having plenty of screenwash will help to maintain your view. Use a mixture of at least 50% undiluted screenwash in your bottle to prevent the liquid freezing.

You should also make sure your windscreen wipers are in good working order. It can be difficult to see when driving in conditions such as snow and fog. Don’t make your journey any harder than it already is this winter by having a dirty windscreen that you can’t clear due to damaged wipers.

Lights

It feels like it gets dark as soon as we wake up when it’s winter, so properly-functioning headlights, brake lights, fog lights, and indicators are absolutely essential.

Check all your lights are working and clean them regularly. Dirt can easily build up on your headlights, hindering your vision of the road and potential hazards.

Ensure that you replace blown bulbs as soon as possible. Not only is this an instant MOT fail but other road users may not be able to see you clearly in wintry conditions.

Tyres

The weather throughout the winter days tends to cycle between really cold and moderate. This variation in temperature causes the rubber in tyres to expand and contract which, in turn, can lead to the rubber splitting or changes in tyre pressure.

For this reason, it’s crucial to check your tyres every few weeks in winter.

Adequate tread is critical to help tyres grip cold icy roads and to avoid aquaplaning. We recommend making sure you have at least 3mm of tread on all your tyres – the more tread you have, the shorter your stopping distance will be on cold, wet, or icy roads. If you do a lot of winter driving, consider fitting all-season or winter tyres for added grip and control in the snow.

Coolant levels

Coolant is stored in a bottle near the engine and is usually a bright pink or blue colour – check your vehicle handbook if you are having trouble finding it.

Coolant, also known as antifreeze, protects your engine from extreme cold temperatures by raising the freezing point of the fluids within. If the fluids in your engine were to freeze and expand, the engine block could crack, causing serious and costly damage.

We advise that you check your coolant level regularly and top up if necessary.

Battery

if your car battery is more than 5 years old, have it checked regularly to ensure it carries on working effectively.

Batteries naturally lose their charging capability over time but during the winter, the cold takes its toll and a fully charged battery is weakened by about 35%. Batteries are the number 1 cause of breakdowns, so if you’ve been having trouble starting the car lately, get your battery checked before winter really hits.

… Before you set off on any kind of winter trip, whether it be a long drive to visit the grandparents on the other side of the country, or just popping down the road to the shops, stash a few essential items in your car now so that you are prepared for any eventuality. Here’s a handy checklist:

• Phone charger
• Ice scraper & screenwash
• Warm clothes like gloves & blankets to keep warm if you get stuck waiting at the side of the road
• Wet weather gear like wellies & an umbrella in case you need to leave your vehicle
• Snow shovel & rock salt to manage snow around tyres if you get stuck
• Bottled water and non-perishable snacks
• Visibility aids like hi-vis jacket and a warning triangle
• Car jack & locking wheel nut key should you need to change a tyre
• Torch and batteries
• First-aid kit
• Jump leads
• Vehicle handbook
• Map