Category: Blog

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What does Breakdown Assistance Include? 

KennCo Insurance provides breakdown assistance with all of our car insurance policies as standard. So you can rest assured knowing that you’re covered no matter what if you have an unexpected breakdown.

As well as including breakdown assistance automatically with every policy, we also include home start. Unlike with other insurance companies, if your car breaks down when it is parked at your home you’re still covered! 

What does Breakdown Assistance Include?

• 24 Hour Roadside Assistance
• Recovery Service
• Get-you-to-your-destination Service
• Message Relay
• Home Start 

 

Breakdown Assistance Contact Numbers

KennCo Insurance Motor Policies 24-Hour Breakdown Assistance Number:	01 499 8316
KennCo Motor Policies through Footprint/R&Q/Accredited  24-Hour Breakdown Assistance Number:	Footprint and R&Q: 01 908 9030 Windscreen Repair: 01 908 9030

Breakdown Assistance Opening Hours

Assistance is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

What Should I Do in the Event of a Breakdown?

If your car breaks down or your tyre puncture, please call one of the phone numbers above, depending on your location. Please have the following information at hand before you call:

• Policyholders’ name
• Policy number or car registration number
• Make, model and colour of your car
• Location of breakdown
• Contact phone number

Once we have obtained your details and a description of your breakdown, we will send one of our approved agents to your location as soon as possible. Please be aware that you must contact us directly before making arrangements to fix your car. Your breakdown assistance only covers repair work from one of our approved agencies. 

Do you have car breakdown assistance cover?

Will my car be fixed at the scene of the breakdown?

If your car will take longer than an hour to repair, we can arrange for you and your car to be taken to a competent repairer or if it is nearer, your home address. If the car cannot be repaired the same day as the breakdown, we will pay for one of the following:

• Transport for you to your destination. Limits apply.
• Car hire for 48 hours so that you can continue on your journey.
• The cost of overnight accommodation.

At all times we will decide the best way to provide assistance. 

Do I need to stay with my car when it is being repaired?

Yes, owners must be present at all times.

Are you getting more punctures that you should be? Check out our article on tyre maintenance.

Looking for a car insurance quote that fits your budget and needs? Let KennCo guide you to the right coverage. Simply contact us today for a quick, reliable quote.

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Switching from Company Car Insurance to a Policy in your Own Name

If you’ve been driving a company car for more than 2 years, you may find it difficult to get car insurance when you switch back to an insurance policy in your own name. 

Many insurance companies in Ireland will charge you higher premiums or refuse to quote you if you do not have a no claims bonus (NCB). However you must have an insurance policy in your own name to earn a NCB in Ireland which often isn’t possible when you’re driving a company car. Company car insurance policies are usually under the company’s name or through an ‘open driving’ insurance policy. So despite being an experienced driver with a clean driving record, you may not receive any discount on your own car insurance policy.

Named Driver Experience

This also applies to drivers who have been driving as a named driver on a family member or friend’s policy.

Drivers regularly expect to have built up a no claims bonus after driving as a named driver on someone else’s policy. But similar to a company car policy, you cannot build up a NCB unless the car insurance is purchased in your own name.

If you have a company car, how familiar are you with the insurance policy details?

How to get Car Insurance in Your Own Name

Unlike other car insurance companies, KennCo Insurance are happy to provide you with a quote if you’ve been insured on a company car or as a named driver previously.

All we need is a letter from your previous insurer or your company with your driving history details.

We’ll take all of your historic driving information into account when we are providing you with a quote so you won’t be treated like a new inexperienced driver.

Call KennCo Insurance to discuss your driving history with an insurance agent on 01 409 2600.

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Reduce your Costs by Increasing Car Fuel Efficiency

Keeping a car on the road can be expensive. Motor tax, insurance and car maintenance all add up on a yearly basis. Taking a step back to see where you can save is always worthwhile. Shopping around for car insurance and purchasing a reliable car are some ways to keep your budget lower, but how do you keep it down on a continual basis? One way to reduce your bill is to increase your car’s fuel efficiency. Below we’ve listed some easy ways that you can reduce your fuel consumption and lower your costs.

1. Keep Your Tyres at the Correct Pressure

Keeping your car tyres properly inflated is not just for safety purposes. It also helps to increase your fuel efficiency. You should check your tyre pressure at least once a month to make sure they’re at the correct pressure. If not, you can go to your local fuel station, where you can inflate your tyres for free.

2. Don’t Spill

When you’re topping up your car with fuel, don’t pull the fuel nozzle away too early. We’ve all left a fuel station at some point with diesel/petrol stains streaming down the side of our car. When you’ve finished pumping fuel into your car, allow a few seconds for the remaining fuel in the hose to pour into your car instead of onto the ground!

3. Is your Air Filter Clean?

Your air filter might not be something you think about very often, but dirt and dust can build up in your filter and prevent it from working at its best. Having a dirty filter can reduce the efficiency of your engine so if you’re driving in a dusty environment often, get it checked. 

4. Get in Gear

If you’re increasing your speed, increase your gears to reflect this. Driving at a higher speed using a low gear can dramatically increase fuel consumption. Most new cars come with shift indicators that tell you when the most efficient time to change gear is. You should shift to new gear at approximately 2.000 RAM or follow the quick guide below:

1st Gear              Taking Off

2nd Gear            10-20 kph

3rd Gear             30-40 kph

4th Gear             40-50 kph

5th Gear              50+ kph

5. Take the Weight Off

If you’re home from golfing or shopping, the sooner you take your golf bag or groceries out of your car, the better. By decreasing the load, your car has less work to get from A to B. Keeping your boot empty is not the only way to do this, don’t forget to remove the roof rack and bike holder when you’re not using them too.

6. Are You Cool Enough?

Turn off the air conditioning system if you don’t need it. Fuel efficiency reduces when the air conditioning is on, so when your car is at the right temperature, turn it off and keep the windows up.

7. Stay Smooth

Try to think of the journey ahead. If you’re approaching traffic lights, don’t speed up and then decelerate quickly. Accelerating and breaking quickly is not an efficient way to drive your car. If you stick to a smooth speed, it puts less pressure on your car and keeps your fuel tank fuller for longer.

What is your most effective method for improving your car's fuel efficiency?

8. Two for One

If you’re heading to the shop for milk and picking up the kids from school in two hours, try to combine your trip instead of doubling your fuel consumption. It might not seem like much saving, but it adds up over time.

9. Shop Around

At the start of the year, diesel prices varied from €1 to €1.16 per litre across Ireland. If you’re filling your car up (although it’s more efficient if you just half-fill it), that difference adds up. It’s a good habit to keep an eye on different fuel prices, even when you’re not buying, to get a general idea of the cheapest fuel provider in your area. But travelling 50 kilometres for slightly cheaper fuel isn’t the most fuel-efficient approach you can take!

10. Turn It Off 

Don’t leave your engine on if you’re stuck in traffic for a long time. Your engine uses extra fuel when it starts however, if your car is idle for over a minute, it burns more fuel. So if you think you’re going to be there for a while, switch it off. In recent years, car brands have fitted their cars with a stop/start device that automatically shuts your car off when you’re in idle traffic.

11. Use Cruise Control on Motorways

Cruise control can aid fuel efficiency when driving on a constant flat surface which is perfect for motorway driving. It helps save fuel as you are driving at a constant speed. Although be aware that you should not use cruise control in wet weather or run the risk of aquaplaning.

12. Remove Roof Bars 

You should remove them if you don’t need roof bars or boxes. They can cause wind resistance, and this will lead to you using more fuel as your car is dragging. The faster you drive like this, the more fuel you will ultimately use. 

13. Clean Out Your Boot

Car owners tend to hoard things in their car boots, which starts to build up. All that added weight is slowing down your car. You will have to drive harder and thus use up more of your precious fule. Only take essentials that you need in your boot. Remove any items that you are not using.

Another way to reduce fuel costs is by switching to a hybrid or electric car. Read our article on realistic alternatives to diesel-burning cars.

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Car Windscreen Cover

It happens to most car drivers at some stage. You’re driving along, minding your own business, when a truck full of gravel zooms by and cracks your car’s windscreen. We don’t know why truck drivers don’t just cover their trailers, but what we do know is that it’s not a pleasant experience. Apart from having to endure that unnecessarily loud scream of fright from one of your passengers (there’s always one), there’s that stress of wondering whether that crack is going to expand out across your screen, shatter the whole thing or how much it will cost to fix it. That’s where windscreen cover steps in.

You’ll be glad to know that nearly all windscreens nowadays as designed to shatter instead of smashing into sharp pieces of glass. This means that if your windscreen does become fully shattered, you aren’t likely to be cut or hurt. The chances of your windscreen totally shattering are actually quite low. In most cases, if a heavy object hits your windscreen, it will chip in one area without spreading out.

Windscreen Repair or Replace?

Having a crack on your windscreen doesn’t always mean that you need to get a new windscreen. Windscreen repair companies claim to be able to repair your windscreen without replacing it if the crack is smaller than a €2 coin and not too close to the edge. Repairing a windscreen can be completed in about 30 mins so it is much more time and cost-effective to repair instead or replace.

What’s Covered?

Of course, it is not always possible to repair your car windscreen. In some instances, a full replacement is necessary. If you window has a large crack, it’s better to get it repaired, sooner rather than later. Most drivers aren’t aware that their windscreen also supports the roof of their car and is an important protective feature of a car. Below are the answers to queries you may have regarding replacement.

Is windscreen cover included with my car insurance policy?

KennCo pay for accidental damage to your car’s windscreen or windows if you have comprehensive car insurance

Will my No Claims Bonus be affected?

Once you are only claiming for damage to windows, you no claims bonus will not be affected.

Is there a limit to the amount of times I can make a windscreen claim?

There is no limit on windscreen cover if: In any one Period of Insurance the windscreen or window is replaced or repaired by our approved supplier. Otherwise, the maximum amount we pay is €100 in any one Period of Insurance if any other supplier carries out the repair or replacement.

Windscreen Maintenance Tips

• Wipers:Check and clean your wipers regularly. A buildup of sand and dirt can scratch your windows which results in poor visibility.
• Ice Removal:Only use purpose made ice scrapers. Believe it or not, spatulas and CDs aren’t the best option and can actually damage your windscreen.
• Use deicers to remove ice instead of hot water. Hot water poured on ice cold windows is never a good idea.
• Keep your distance from the car ahead if you’re driving on a road with loose chippings.

In KennCo, we have an in-house claims team, including specialist handlers for first notification of claims. When it comes to windscreen claims we are partnered with Mr Windscreen, who deal with our customers who need to make these specialised claims. Along with Mr Windscreen, we recently took a deeper look into our customer’s claims related to windscreens and the categories of damage that occur most frequently during 2020. It may surprise you to hear that when it comes to car insurance, roughly half of KennCo claims are Windscreen claims.

The results were interesting to see with 90% of damage being caused by Stone/Debris/Branch and 4% to the category vandalism. Interestingly, 4%  were put into the unsure category. Unsurprisingly, the front windscreen was the most claimed for with 82% of claims related to this glass type.

See our full infographic below, you may be surprised at some of the figures. If you found this interesting feel free to share on social media with your friends and family.

Please include attribution to www.kennco.ie with this graphic.

© Kennco.ie

Tips to Protect Your Windscreen

The windscreen is one of the most essential parts of a car. You should treat it with all the care and attention it needs. Keeping your windscreen protected should be top of your list when maintaining your car. 

Windscreen glass is manufactured differently than regular glass. It is constructed this way so that in the event of an accident, it doesn’t shatter like the glass in your home. It is a far more durable glass than others. For this reason, the glass may not chip or crack when a pebble hits it, although it is possible. 

Your windscreen is not indestructible. Damage can occur if you have the vehicle for an extended period. Damage to your windscreen is a hazard and can obstruct your driving. If your crack is bad enough, driving may even be illegal. Although it may be impossible to prevent cracks and chips in your windscreen at all times, such as during a storm or a rock hitting your car, there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of windscreen damage. 

We all have to take care of our windscreens as effectively as possible for the safety of ourselves, our families and other road users.

Here are some tips to protect your windscreen. 

Stay Safe When Driving in Gravel 

We all may face a gravel road once in a while, especially when heading out to the more rural areas in Ireland. These roads tend to be rough and loose, which is a nightmare for windscreens. It can cause havoc for both your car and its windscreen. When you face this gravel road, you shoudl slow down considerably as it can reduce the risk of gravel flying up. These pebbles can chip or crack the windscreen. You should keep an extra safe distance from the car in front of you. Typically, pebbles can get lodged in their tyre and hurl them at your windscreen at full speed. Keep the speed down and give lots of room from other cars. Keep your vision and your windscreen safe with these precautions. 

Does your car insurance policy include windscreen cover?

Keep an Eye on Temperature Changes

Your windscreen will both expand and contract due to temperature changes. Extensive heat on your windscreen will weaken the glass over time. It may not be such a big issue in Ireland, but with the warmer summers we’ve been having, why take the risk? Park in the shade to avoid direct sunlight on the car. 

This also goes for putting hot water on your frosty car in the colder months. Never pour boiling hot water over the windscreen. The extreme change in temperature could cause the windscreen glass to crack. You should always use lukewarm water to pour over your icy windscreen. 

Window shades are helpful but will not protect your windscreen from the sun. What they do instead is protect the dash and interior from any sunburn. 

Repair Chips ASAP

People tend to be easygoing when seeing a small chip on their windscreen. They may think it’s tiny, so it can’t cause much harm. This is the wrong attitude to take. When your windscreen has a chip, it will grow bigger and bigger until there’s a proper crack in your windscreen. 

To avoid this, get it fixed as soon as you can. It will cost you considerably less to fix a chip than to replace a whole windscreen down the line. 

Replace Windscreen Wipers 

If you notice that your windscreen wipers are struggling to push away water on the glass, you need to look at getting a replacement. The wipers will lose their shape over time and pressure certain areas on the windscreen. Broken or poor windscreen wipers won’t exactly damage your vehicle but will reduce the strength o your glass over time.

Don’t Use Chemicals

A common mistake drivers make is using lots of chemicals to clean their windscreens. You may think you’re doing the right thing, but ultimately, you’re not. Why’s that? Well, using harsh chemicals lead to colour fading and discolouration. It can even strip away the protective coating on your glass. You don’t need to be using any fancy chemical sprays. All you need is a vinegar and water combination. This will help clean your windscreen. 

These chemical sprays are harmful to your windscreen because they contain ammonia. Ammonia dries out both vinyl and plastic. It could cause severe damage to your glass. 

Treat Your Vehicle With Care

In times of anger, we may take our frustrations out on the car. We may slam a door or hit an object. Don’t do this. Treat your car with care. 

If you slam your door, it could weaken the glass due to the shockwaves it sends. Once or twice, the glass will withstand, but it could cause big problems down the line if you keep slamming the doors. Children are also prone to slamming the door so just make sure they’re closing it gently. 

If you need to make a windscreen claim, all our contact numbers are on the contact us page.

To make a claim you can take the below simple steps:

1. Call  014994600 and select option 2
2. An agent will take all your incident details including date and cause of damage. You will need your policy number, make, model and registration number of your vehicle to hand for this call.
3. An agent will validate your claim and will send you to our partnered repairers.

Our Comprehensive KennCo car insurance policies have windscreen cover included as standard, with our approved repairer. KennCo will cover accidental damage to the insured vehicles windows and windscreen. As our customer, you can claim for one windscreen claim within your period of insurance and your no claims bonus will not be affected.

If you have a crack in your windscreen and new a replacement, call us today on the relevant below number. We’ll have you car back on the road in no time!

Calling from Ireland: 01 499 4600 (select option 2)

Calling from outside Ireland: 353 1 499 4600

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If an uninsured or untraced driver has hit you, here is what you should know.

You may wish to contact a solicitor for advice and guidance in certain circumstances.

To submit a claim to the MIBI, you can download and print the Claim Notification Form by clicking here.

Being hit by an uninsured driver can be stressful and leave you with several questions. Here’s what to do and how we can help. 

What If The Uninsured Driver Drives Away After Hitting Me?

This can make an already stressful situation even more stressful for you. It can be difficult to claim as you have no details to take to your insurer or the MIBI. You should contact the Gardaí and your insurer as soon as possible. 

Read more here if you want to claim against an unidentified vehicle.  

Have you ever been hit by an uninsured or untraced driver?

Can I Claim For Personal Injury?

Yes, you may be able to claim for personal injuries in a situation involving an uninsured driver. This includes if the fault for the motor accident is with the other driver, even if he or she leaves the scene. Usually, you would claim compensation from their insurance company, but as there is no insurance in this case, you may wish to contact a solicitor for assistance. A solicitor will guide you through the process which will involve notifying your claim to the MIBI within certain strict guidelines. During the process, the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) will assess any personal injuries.

PIAB will assess your claim, and you can complete an application form online.

To submit a claim to the MIBI, you can download and print the Claim Notification Form by clicking here.

Below are other commonly asked questions about this topic. We have a full list of FAQs on our website; if you can’t find your answer or would prefer to talk to an agent, call us on 014092600.

How Do I Know I’m Insured?

The insurance disc will be on display on the passenger side of the front windscreen and will have information on the current policy. Driving a car other than your own may confuse insurance, as sometimes drivers assume their insurance covers this without checking. Always check your own insurance policy to see if you have cover for driving other cars before driving a car other than your own.

I Purchased a New Car. What Do I Need to Do Next?

If you purchase a new car, you must immediately contact your insurer to add it to your policy or buy a new one. You shouldn’t drive the car without letting your insurer know because you are now driving your new car without insurance.

Driving Other Cars – Can I Do This?

There may be a time when you need to drive your partner or your friend’s car for whatever reason. Not every driver has the cover for driving other people’s cars, and it is a benefit that comes with many car insurance policies and can be added to other policies. If it is included in your policy, it will most likely apply if:

• You’re the policyholder.
• You have permission from the vehicle owner to drive it. 
• You use the car for the same purposes as your policy covers you. 
• You’re just borrowing it.
• You are over 25. Depending on the insurer, it is often unavailable to young or novice drivers. 

With KennCo Insurance, you are covered for driving other cars. This is available if you are over 25 years old and hold a full Irish driving licence. Some exclusions apply to some occupations.

If you are looking for a competitive quote on your car insurance, contact KennCo today on 01 409 2600. Or get a fast, easy online quote and see how we compare to your current premium.

FAQs

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One third of car fatalities involving a child occur where the child is not in a child seat or properly restrained.  Children rely on adults to ensure that the necessary safety precautions are in place, so it’s up to you to know how to implement this.  Otherwise you’re putting their lives at risk. 

Do you have the Correct Child Seat?

The type of car seat you need changes depending on the size of your child. Every child under a height of 150cms or a weight of 79lbs must be placed in a child restraint system. This may be a child seat or a booster cushion, depending on the size of the child. It is against the law to not have your child properly restrained in a car and may lead to 3 penalty points. The only exception to this rule is if you are a passenger in a taxi. 

Rear-facing child seat

Babies up to 13kgs must be secured in a rear-facing child seat by law. Once they are above this weight, they may then be positioned in either a rear or forward facing child seat. Rear-facing child seats should not be placed in the passenger seat of a car when the airbag is active. In the event of an accident, an airbag can cause serious injury to a baby and may even lead to death.

Child Seat Categories

Below is a list of child restraint categories which show the correct restraint type depending on your child’s age. The categories are based on weight instead of age, as children of similar ages can vary in actual size at a young age. 

Weight	Car Restraint System
Birth to 10kgs	Rearward facing baby seat
Birth to 13kgs	Rearward facing baby seat
9-18kgs	Rear or forward facing child seat
9-36kgs	High back booster with removable harness
15-25kgs	High back booster seat without harness
15-36kgs	High back booster seat without harness
22-36kgs	Booster Cushion

Where should you fit the child seat?

The safest option is to place the child seat in the back seat. This reduces the changes of the child receiving injuries from airbags or the dashboards. If you do not have room in the back of your car, try to have the heaviest child in the front of your car in a front facing seat. 

How Should You Fit The Child Seat?

Buy your car seat from a retailer who provides a trained member of staff to fit it if possible. You should also ask them for instructions on how to properly install it yourself in the future. You should always keep a copy of the instruction manual in the car for future use. Once you have followed the instructions, check that the seat is properly secured by ensuring it cannot slide forward or sideways. 

How confident are you in your ability to correctly install a child car seat?

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It can be frustrating when you’re in a rush to work and suddenly realise you can’t find your keys. You probably have the house torn apart looking for them. We’ve all been there. It can become more serious when you know they’re lost, and you have no way of driving your car.

You may be wondering who has them, or were they stolen? It will be even more frustrating because now you can’t drive to work. 

Don’t worry. Help is here. We will give you information on what to do next and how to get back on the road quickly. 

How To Get a Replacement Key

If you still can’t find your key, then you’re going to need a replacement key. You have two options to choose from for getting a replacement key. You can either go to a locksmith who deals with vehicles or go to your car dealers.

There are plenty of specialist car locksmiths around the country, and they can create a replacement key in a few minutes. It is often the cheapest option, although prices can vary depending on the car and the complexity of the key. 

You also have the option of going to your car dealer. They are the best source of information on your vehicle. While it may be expensive, they will do everything to help you get back on the road fast. 

What Are The Types of Car Keys?

You may be surprised, but there is a wide range of keys used. The price you pay will depend on what type of key you need to be replaced. 

Traditional Car Key: This is the most basic key. It is a small metal rod. It’s very cost-effective because of the quick turnaround time. 

Car Key Fob: These keys are actually quite inexpensive to replace. There’s no specialist equipment needed to reprogram these fobs. 

Switchblade Key: They compare the features of a traditional and fob key. They are more expensive because they combine the two features. 

Transponder Key: They are brilliant anti-theft devices. An internal computer chip allows the car to start. It is a pretty complex piece of tech, and you’ll pay over €100. 

Smart Key: This key works remotely. It’s like something from the future. When your car is within range, all you need to do is press a button on your car to start the engine. You’re looking at over €150 to replace this snazzy key.

Have you ever lost your car keys?

Stolen Keys

If you believe your keys were stolen, then you may need to do more than just replace the car key. You will also have to look at replacing the door and boot locks and other essential car parts to ensure your car’s safety. 

You can see how much hassle and money a stolen key can cost you. We have come up with a few tips for our customers on how to avoid losing your keys and keep them safe from thieves. 

Tips on How To Avoid Losing Your Car Keys

There are some simple steps to take to reduce the headache that is losing your car keys. We also include some preventative measures you can take so your keys can’t be stolen.

Store in a secure spot

You should always have a safe place to store your car keys. When you’re at home, keep them in a safe place out of sight from people outside. When you’re out and about, store them in a safe compartment in your bag. You are more likely to notice they’re missing when you store them in the same location every day rather than putting them on the kitchen table or the counter. 

Get a tracker

There are a number of trackers available that can attach to your keys. They can help you locate your keys if they’re missing. Some great tracking products for car keys are Tile, AirTag and SmartTag.

Have a spare set

You may think, well, getting a spare set won’t prevent me from losing a key? That is correct, but it will save you the headache of not being able to drive until you find your get or get a replacement one. 

Here at KennCo Insurance, we cover the loss of keys, which is one of the many benefits of joining us for your car insurance needs. Get a secure online car insurance quote today or call us today on 01 409 2600.

 

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Do you know how to change a car tyre? KennCo Insurance includes breakdown assistance with all of our car insurance policies as standard.  One of the most common call outs requests that we receive is to change a car tyre. Causes of punctured tyres include incorrect tyre pressure, sharp objects and worn tyres to name a few.  Our breakdown assistant repairers are usually out to an incident within the hour. But what happens if you phone is out of coverage or you’re travelling with someone who doesn’t have breakdown assistance?

We’ve created a step by step guide on how you can change a car tyre correctly and safely. 

Identifying a Punctured Tyre

Deflated Car Tyre

Having a deflated tyre, doesn’t always mean that your tyre is punctured. If your car hasn’t been used in the while, the tyres may deflate slightly. When you re-inflate you tyres, they should maintain their air pressure without needing to be repaired. 

Slow Tyre Puncture

If you re-inflate your car tyre and notice that the air pressure reduces again after a couple of days, you may have a slow puncture. This can usually be fixed at your local tyre garage for approximately €12. After you inflate your tyres, you can drive to the garage yourself and the air pressure reduces very gradually. You should aim to mend you tyre as soon as you notice that it has a slow puncture, as driving on a damage tyre can be dangerous and may result in the puncture becoming larger and more costly to mend.

Sudden Tyre Puncture

In the event of a sudden puncture, the steering on your car will adjust abruptly. Your steering wheel will become more difficult to turn and your control of the car will be greatly reduced. Some cars even have a tyre pressure monitoring system that tells you if your tyre press has dropped in a particular tyre. If this happens, try to slowly manoeuvre your car to the side of the road and stop as soon as possible. The longer you drive on a punctured tyre, the more damage it creates. If you continue trying on a punctured tyre, you may even damage the rim of the wheel.

 

Changing a Punctured Tyre

Preparing your Car

• Once you’ve pulled over to the side of the road, ensure that the hand-break is applied and that the car is in first gear.
• Most cars come with safety triangles included now so you should place up to 15-20 metres away from your car.
• It’s also a good idea to keep a Hi-Vis vest in the boot of your car to wear in such instances.
• Before you start taking off the punctured tyre, check that you have a spare tyre that is fully inflated and unload from car along with necessary tool including car jack, tyre bolts pin (if required), wrench.

 

Removing the Punctured Tyre

Removing hubcaps or nut covers

Before you can start to unscrew the wheel bolts, you will usually need to remove either the car’s hubcaps or nut covers.

• Hubcaps are sometimes secured using cable ties, so to cut these off, you will need a sharp knife or scissors. Once these are off, pry around the edges of the hubcap with a screwdriver and apply pressure until it pops away from the tyre. If you feel that the hubcap is going to break, move to a different spot before reapplying pressure.
• Nut covers are usually found on alloy wheels and are used as an anti theft measure and for aesthetics reasons. Most covers can be removed by using a wire removal hook. This small wire pin is usually found along with the rest wheel repair equipment in your boot. Please consult your owner’s manual for the exact location. To remove the nut covers, insert the pin into the nut cover and pull until the cover detaches. 

Once you have removed any covers over the wheel nuts, you can then start to loosen the nuts. You should loosen the nuts before you jack the car up. But do not totally loosen the wheel nuts or remove them until the car has been raised up using the car jack. Removing the car nuts before the car is raised, may result in the tyre unexpectedly falling off and causing injury or car damage. When you loosening the nuts, you start on the first one and move to the opposite secondly and so on.

How comfortable are you with changing a car tyre?

Jacking up your car

Try to ensure that you car is on a flat surface before you jack your car up. If possible, place a block or log in front of the two wheels at the opposite end of the car you are lifting.

Correct jack point

Before you lift up the car with the jack, you will need to locate the correct area to place the jack. Your car has certain areas that are reinforced so that they can take the weight of the car. If you use the jack in the wrong area, it may cause damage to the outside of your car. These areas are usually on each side of the car beside the wheels but your user manual will specify the exact points. 

 

Removing the punctured tyre

Once your car has been raised off of the ground, remove the nuts that have already been loosened and lift the tyre from the wheel. Tyres can be heavier than you expect so to protect your back by bending your knees instead of your back. Keep the wheel nuts safe as your move the punctured tyre out of the way. Wait until the car has been lowered before you place the punctured tyre back into your boot.

 

Placing the spare tyre on the wheel

• Position the spare tyre in front of the wheel and lift the tyre onto the bolts.
• Screw the first nut on followed by the opposite nut and so on. Tighten the nuts enough to keep the tyre in place but do not use excessive force while the car is still suspended on the jack.
• Lower the jack slowly and remove the jack from underneath the car.
• Tighten the nuts as much as you can.  

 

Tyre change follow up

Visit a tyre garage as soon as you can. Spare tyres are of poorer quality than you original tyre and have a speed restriction of 80km/h. Get your old tyre mended and refitted to your car at a garage . Place your spare tyre back in your boot for future use.

There you have it. You now know how to change a car tyre.

Want to reduce the chances of having to change a car tyre? Check our out blog on tyre maintenance.

A.

Here at KennCo, we know our drivers love both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. They are both an excellent product that merges both your phone and your car. 

These two platforms bring a touchscreen interface to your car and incorporate messages, media, navigation and more. They mostly achieve the same purpose, so it may be challenging to decide which one to choose. You might be thinking, what’s the difference? Or even which one is better?

We want to help our customers out by informing them of the debate between Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. We will help you decide which one you should be buying. We will start by looking at AppleCarplay first.

What is Apple CarPlay?

Carplay is Apple’s feature of connecting your iPhone to your car and a tablet-like display with a very simple iOS interface. CarPlay essentially lets you access certain apps and features on your phone for use in the car. 

You may be thinking, but my car already has a smart device in it? Yes, you may already have a tablet device installed in your car by your car manufacturer. The downside to these is they are usually very low build quality, and the features are lacking. They’re a car company, not a tech company at the end of the day. CarPlay, on the other hand, is consistent on any car that supports it and brings a familiar interface for iPhone users.

CarPlay doesn’t replace your manufacturer’s stock system. If for whatever reason, you’re not happy with Carplay, you can swap back to your stock system at a tap.

How Does Apple CarPlay Work?

Apple CarPlay lets you access apps on your iPhone but with less functionality. Of course, there are other options for drivers who want to play their own music from their phone to the stereo, but that comes with negatives.

If you’re constantly getting notifications from your apps while you’re driving, it will distract you, and the more distracted you are driving, the risk of you being in an accident increases. 

The benefit of CarPlay is that it make sit easy to navigate, reply to messages, play your own music and ask Siri for any queries. This is made very easy thanks to the voice commands on CarPlay and the large app icons. 

What Apps are Available for CarPlay?

When using CarPlay, you don’t install apps into CarPlay. The apps you use in CarPlay are already installed on your iPhone and are compatible with Apple CarPlay. These apps include many built-in iOS apps such as Phone, Messages, Music and Maps. Third-party apps such as Spotify and Audible work on CarPlay too. 

CarPlay is great to play music on Spotify, and you can even ask Siri to play songs with voice commands. CarPlay now supports podcasts and audiobooks to give you an exciting story while driving, so you’re always entertained. 

Apple is quite protective over what apps drivers can use with CarPlay than Google is with their Android Auto. This may suit some drivers, but others may like the freedom of Android Auto. 

Which in-car infotainment system do you prefer?

How Do You Use Siri With Apple CarPlay?

To use Siri, you simply press and hold the dashboard button, which you will see on the left dashboard. Alternatively, you can hit the voice button on your steering wheel if you have one. This may be more convenient, especially when driving. You can then ask Siri anything that you typically would on your iPhone. You can summon Siri with queries such as:

• “Call Mom.”
• “Play music by The Beatles.”
• “Send John a text that I’ll be home in 5 minutes.”

You can, of course, use your screen to do this too, but Siri is a lot quicker, safer and more convenient. 

Apple CarPlay Overall

Apple Carplay is a great way to interact with iPhone and your car. The functionality of Apple CarPlay is amazing and offers a range of possibilities to make your commute even easier. It is a must-have if you have an iPhone and if your car supports it. It adds more features and more apps as it grows, so it is only getting better.

If your car does not support Apple CarPlay, then you may have to invest a reasonable sum of money and time to get it. If you only want Apple CarPlay to play your music, then other cheaper options are available to you. 

What is Android Auto?

So we’ve outlined what Apple CarPlay is and what can be done with it for iPhone users. Now it’s time to explain what Android Auto is. Like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto promises to keep its drivers safe and reduce distractions while on the road. 

What Does Android Auto Do?

Like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto takes features that you love on your Android devices and puts them on your car’s dashboard by using your infotainment system. It has a similar interface to an android device and shows big menus and icons to help you navigate and use it. 

One of the big benefits of Android Auto is that Google Maps is a navigation system built-in. Google Maps is superior to Apple’s native Maps app. Google Map can give you step by step directions to your location and even suggests an alternate route if it detects heavy traffic on the route. 

Android Auto gives drivers access to songs and podcasts via a range of third-party apps. You can also browse the web, send messages and answer phone calls. 

Just like Apple CarPlay and Siri, you can use Google Assistant to help you on your commute. You can ask it to call, text, or even ask questions. 

Many cars come with Android Auto built-in, such as Hyundai, Kia, Toyota and much more. If your car doesn’t come with Android Auto, you can always replace your current system and upgrade it with an Android Auto compatible system. 

Android Auto Overall

Android Auto is a great addition to any Android user’s car with its user-friendly OS, which connects your phone to your car. Android Auto is becoming available in more makes and models in recent years. 

Should You Choose Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?

The decision ultimately comes down to which phone you have and plan on using. If you use an iPhone and plan on sticking with Apple, you should be using AppleCarplay, and if you have an Android device, you should use Android Auto. If you’re not using either of these, maybe you could give them a try and see what all the fuss is about!

 

A.

The Importance of Tyre Maintenance

Tyre maintenance is an important responsibility when you own a car. Not only does it save you money, increase your control and improve breaking power but it also leads to safer driving.

Tyre Pressure

Tyre pressure should be treated as an important safety element of your car’s tyre maintenance. It is vital that your car has the correct tyre pressure as it is required to carry the weight of your car and its load. There’s no excuse for not having the correct tyre pressure as you can easily top it up at nearly every service station in Ireland for free.

Low Tyre Pressure:

Low tyre pressure increases the breaking distance on wet roads and decreases handling power. You also end up spending more, as the having low pressure means that your tyres wear much faster.

High Tyre Pressure:

By having your tyre pressure too high, it means that the amount of your tyre that touches the road is reduced. This results in the car having reduced grip. It also means your journey is going to be that little bit bumpier as an over inflated tyre, has less of a bump absorption rate. But the most dangerous factor of having over inflated tyres is that the risk of having a blowout increases. If you’re travelling at speed and have a tyre blowout, the results may be very serious. You should check your tyre pressure regularly and before any long journey. The correct air pressure for cars can vary. To find out the correct pressure, check the car’s owner manual or the side of the tyre.

How often do you check your car's tyre pressure?

Tyre Alignment

Tyre alignment involves putting your car wheels at perpendicular angles to the ground and parallel to each other. By having your tyres properly aligned, you can increase tyre life and keep your car straighter on the road. It isn’t actually your tyres that are adjusted when fixing tyre alignment but the vehicle’s suspension. By adjusting the suspension, it affects how the tyres make contact with the road.

How do you know if your types are misaligned?

• Uneven tyre wear – usually the sides of the tyre thread are much more worn than the centre of the tyre.
• Your car’s steering wheel is off centre when driving straight
• The steering wheel vibrates as you’re driving
• Your car veers to one side

If this is the case, you should get them fixed as soon as possible as it increases fuel efficiency, give your tyres a longer life, and improves your control of the car.

Tyre Balancing

Wheel balancing refers to the distribution of weight in a car tyre or wheel. Car owners usually get their tyres balanced at the same time as wheel alignment. Your car’s tyre balancing is measured by placing your tyre on a balancing machine. The tyre is then spun at a high speed to measure any imbalances. It also informs the mechanic of how much weight is required to balance out the tyre and where the extra weight needs to be positioned. The wheels are then balanced by placing a weight on the opposite site to where a heavy spot it located.

How Do your know if your tyres need to be balanced?

If you steering wheel vibrates when you’re driving, this indicates that the balance may be off centre. It usually occurs when you’re driving at high speed or on the motorway. You may also feel vibrations in the back of the car, the floor or in your seat. You can also check for balancing issued by looking at your tyres. If your tyres are cracked at the side or there are bulges it is another indication that your tyres need to be balanced.

Interested in reducing the cost of running your car? Check out our blog on improving you car’s fuel efficiency.