With the cold weather approaching checking your vehicle’s antifreeze level is a simple and inexpensive way to make sure your car won’t leave you stranded. Antifreeze is important in the winter months because it is used to protect the engine from freezing in cold weather. It also acts as the key agent in providing heat inside the car’s cabin.

It takes just a few minutes of your time to check but could save you a lot of money and hassle!

In most cars, the coolant tank will have a maximum and a minimum mark on the exterior. More importantly your vehicle’s coolant tank is made of a transparent material so that you don’t have to remove the cap to check it. The coolant should be between the maximum and minimum marks.

If you notice that your vehicle’s coolant level has dropped below or close to the minimum mark you will need to top it up. Make sure that you’re using the correct type (check out our previous blog here on tips for choosing Antifreeze)

 Make sure that the car’s engine is cold.

When you’re sure your car’s engine is cold you then need to open the tank’s cap. There might be some residual pressure in there so you might hear a little hiss. You’d then take the container with the suitable anti-freeze mix in it, using a funnel if needed and top your vehicle’s coolant level up until it reaches the maximum mark making sure not to overfill it. Going past this mark means you’ve taken away some of the room the coolant needs to expand as it’s an expansion tank.

If you have any questions on car maintenance drop into Nolan Motors to chat with one of our experts.

THERE is always high demand for NCTS in the early part of each year because tests are due on the anniversary of first registration the vast majority of vehicles are registered in the first half of the year.

This puts severe pressure on NCT service and makes it extremely difficult to get tests at short notice.

Theres a fixed-charge offence attracting three penalty points.

It is essential, therefore, that owners with cars due an NCT in January, February and March start making preparations and use the facility to get an early test.

You can test up to 90 days in advance of your test due date without affecting the expiry date of the certificate.

So you will still get a certificate valid for one or two years from the test due date (depending on the age of the car).

At Nolan Motors all our full car services include a free NCT Pre-Check or for the NCT Pre-Check alone it's just €35 .

BOOK YOUR PRE NCT NOW

If you have an older car that is frequently breaking down it can turn into something of a money pit, sometimes you have to be realistic and accept the car is ready for the scrapyard. But when it comes to what to do next , there's a lot of conflicting advice out there.  These are some tips on how to do it properly and legally.

Only use a scrap car recycling centre that's a registered Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) - as required by law, they are the only ones that can issue a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) for your car - this is required to notify the Department of Transport (DoT) in Shannon that you are no longer legally responsible for the vehicleAvoid rogue dealers. If an advert only contains a mobile number or directs you to a poorly constructed website it could well be a dodgy operator. They'll often offer an unrealistically high price for your car - only to drop it dramatically on collection.If the car won’t start, or you don't want the hassle of driving it to the scrapyard, use a company that offers a free collection serviceCall your car insurers and let them know your car has been scrapped. They'll generally give you the option of either transferring any funds you hold with them towards insuring your next vehicle, or giving you a refund for any unused months.

We are operating in Balbriggan nearly one year now and we have built up a great load of new custom. Over the summer we have renovated the garage, upgraded and brought in new equipment so we can offer more services and meet all the requirements of our customers vehicles. 

We now need a new fully qualified Motor Technician to help us with demand and ensure all our customers get a fact and efficient service. 

Fully qualified motor technician

Good experienceFull Irish driving licence Good diagnostic experience Fluent EnglishWork on own initiative

We are looking for someone who can produce high level workmanship. Must be good with customers, main dealer experience on German vehicle an advantage. Excellent package for right candidate must have 5 yrs post apprenticeship experience

Please email CV with cover letter to nolansmobilecarservice@gmail.com

With close to 154,000 cars recalled in Ireland in 2015, there is a fair chance that one day you may be in that situation, below are the answers to some questions frequently asked when this issue arises:

Why are cars sometimes recalled?

Recalls are part of an on-going quality-monitoring processes related to all aspects of production, drive-ability and long-term reliability. In Ireland and across the EU, car companies are obliged under vehicle type approval legislation to instigate recalls directly rather than relying on any external body to order them.

If my car is part of a recall what should I do?

Once a recall has been announced the car maker gets a list of the chassis numbers of cars that were supplied to the Irish market. Owners are then contacted using the National Vehicle Register maintained by the Department of Transport.

Will it cost me?

Any work done will be free of charge as the cost of repair or adjustment must be borne by the manufacturer and is never charged to the customer; this a legal requirement for all vehicles sold in Europe.

Can I drive the car in the meantime?

Most are for minor issues and in the majority of cases are precautionary and do not mean there is any imminent danger. Therefore unless told otherwise there is no reason why you cannot drive your car.

Will it affect the resale value of my car?

Historically recalls do not affect resale values. It is important, however, that you do not ignore a recall notice. Apart from the safety concerns, not getting the work completed may have an impact on the value of the car when you go to sell it.

Suspension components, including springs and shock absorbers take a pounding daily from potholes, gravel and all manner of dirt and grime, and the occasional piece of debris that drivers see too late to avoid.

Suspension components can be damaged or worn out from years of abuse and if your car is showing any of the following telltale signs it may be time to bring your car into Nolan Motors and we can see if there is a problem

Poor wheel alignment:

The wheels have to be pointed in the right direction (literally) and aligned for toe-in, camber and caster. If they aren’t, your steering won’t be centred when you’re going straight and tire wear will increase. Wheels get knocked out of alignment by potholes and curbs, but getting the wheels aligned won’t fix damaged springs, controls arms or other parts that affect alignment. When you buy new tires, it’s a good idea to have the alignment checked so suspension issues don’t shorten tread life.

Shock absorbers

When they wear out, you should notice more bouncing after a bump and a whole lot of shaking going on over rough roads because they can’t keep the tires planted on the pavement. Shocks contain fluid that dampens the bouncing, and once they start to leak, performance will deteriorate.

Springs

These are what hold the weight of the car, and as they wear they can sag or break. If your car is on level ground but one corner is lower than the others, that’s a sign of a damaged spring. You can measure the height of the corners to confirm your visual cue. You might also hear clunking noises over bumps, and the car may not corner with confidence because a damaged spring can’t control the weight it’s supporting.

Ball joints

These are pivot points that attach the suspension to the wheels, and they absorb some of the shock from up-down movement and rotate as the steering angle changes. You’ll know they need replacing when you can hear them squeaking and creaking, especially when turning. You’ll know you waited too long if a ball joint breaks and suspension parts are dragging on the pavement. A mechanic can tell if they need replacing by the amount of wheel movement they can force by hand or, in some cases, by wear indicators on the ball joints.

Control arms

These are hinges that hold the wheels to the frame and connect the steering to the wheels, so when you turn one, the other responds. Lower control arm bushings are more prone to wear out on front-wheel-drive cars than on rear-wheel-drive cars. Bushings are rubber and/or metal parts that help absorb shock, and when they wear, they can cause ride and handling problems and accelerate tire wear. So can a bent control arm. Signs of wear include clunks or rattles — because the wheels move back and forth in acceleration and braking — and loose, imprecise steering.

The summer is coming to an end and unfortunately the quiet morning traffic will soon be a distant memory! It's really important at this time of year for drivers to be particularly vigilant as the kids return to school. Here's our guide to staying safe.

Slow Down

The most important driving factor when near any school is to slow down. Stick to the speed limits,

If someone is hit by a car at 40 mph they are 90% likely to be killed.

If someone is hit by a car at 30 mph they are 50% likely to be killed.

If someone is hit by a car at 20 mph they are 10% likely to be killed.

Just dropping our speed by 10km could literally be the difference between life and death if an accident occurred.

Be Aware

Most kids don’t have great road sense and are easily distracted. Drivers need to be aware and presume any child on a pavement could step or run out at any time, move your car over and away from the pavement as far as safely possible. This gives you more time to react and stop if a child does something unexpected.

Heed the Signs

Keep your eyes open for school signs as an early warning there may be kids around or signs to notify change of speed limit.

School Buses

School buses can be frustrating when you are trying to commute in the morning. Be careful and manoeuvre your car safely around them and keep a close eye out for any kids who may walk or run out from behind the bus. Always obey the instructions of lollipop ladies and men as they are there to help children cross the road safely.

Having the word "freeze" in its name leads many people to think that antifreeze is only for the winter but Antifreeze does a lot more than prevent your coolant from freezing in cold weather, it also raises the coolant boiling point and lowers its freezing point, contains corrosion inhibitors to help reduce galvanic corrosion and the fluorescent green colour of antifreeze can help you identify leaks. So which one is right for you?.

They are not all the same

There are lots of different types of antifreeze and it's important to understand that there is no single antifreeze that's suitable for all makes and models.

Check Manufacturer guidelines

The best thing to do is to always use the antifreeze that's recommended by your car manufacturer.

What’s OAT

Cars made after 1998 normally need antifreeze that uses silicate-free, organic acid technology (OAT). These types of antifreeze offer better corrosion protection so that parts don't need to be changed as often. Cars made before 1998 usually need antifreeze that isn't OAT-based and that does contain silicate.

If in doubt call in and one of our experts can advise you.

Most car owners are happy to drive around and never think about what is going on inside the engine or the inner workings of the car until something goes wrong. But there are some basics every driver should know from the novice to the professional and these 5 simple tips could save you stress and money during the life span of your car and are pretty straightforward:

1. SAFETY - Thousands of accidents occur every year due to faulty or timeworn brake systems, worn tyres, worn out wipers, and exhaust build ups to name but a few.  Keeping up with your vehicle maintenance can avoid this.

2. INCREASED VEHICLE PERFORMANCE & RELIABILITY

3. SAVES YOU MONEY - By performing regular Maintenance, you can avoid a major malfunction, which can result in costly repairs.

4. HIGHER RE-SALE VALUE – If you want to sell your car down the line a buyer will want a good service history so by servicing regularly, and keeping your records up-to-date, you can prove this as well as the fact that your vehicle hasn't had any major problems.

5. REDUCE POLLUTION -  A vehicle that has been maintained regularly will produce lower amounts of dangerous emissions and fumes.

6. REDUCE CHANCE OF BREAKDOWN - Regular Maintenance ensures that you won't end up stranded and frustrated at the side of the road with a car that won’t move and facing the expense of roadside recovery.

If your car is due for service give us a call and we will book you in Tel: 01 6911281

There’s no clear guidelines for clutch replacement. To know when your clutch is worn out or failing, you need to learn the key signs. The wear and tear on your clutch and how quickly it happens is dependent entirely on your personal driving style and environment. See below some helpful signs and tips to help you determine if your clutch is in need of a replacement.

Your Clutch Feels Soft or Spongey this is an early sign of a failing clutch.You Have Trouble changing gear, If your car does not engage smoothly and shakes while you are changing gear.

If any of these signs are a match with your car, you will need to get your clutch replaced. Clutch replacement is an involved job, requiring the removal of your transmission in order to access your clutch. Make an appointment with Nolan Motors, Balbriggan to have your clutch replaced as soon as possible.  nolansmobilecarservice@gmail.com

One of your car’s most important systems may not help you get great mileage, enhance

your driving comfort, or make your car go faster- in fact it actually slows you down! It’s

your vehicle’s brake system. Your car uses a highly complex system consisting of friction

material, a master cylinder, boosters, rotors and pads or drums and shoes, calipers or

wheel cylinders and an intricate assembly of springs, hoses, steel lines, hydraulics, valves

and sometimes computers.

Check the information below to learn more about common issues that can occur with

your vehicle’s electrical system.

Odd Sounds - Brake grinding is always a serious issue and should not be taken lightly.Temperamental Pedal - When a brake pedal is functioning normally it should feel firm, as if it has a tight hold on the brakes.Smell?- The smell of melting plastic or electrical insulation is something that should never be ignored.Pulling- Have you ever felt like your car has a mind of its own? Like it wants to make a right or left hand turn when you’re braking or driving? If this is the case it could be indicating an issue with the braking system.

If you suspect your car is having braking issues and you aren’t sure where they are stemming from, bring it to Nolan Motors, Balbriggan for a Brake Inspection

Email Us Now nolansmobilecarservice@gmail.com

The timing belt is an often overlooked part of the car but it plays an important role.

Replacing the timing belt is absolutely crucial. The timing belt is an integral part of your engine and, if it fails, so does your engine, causing your car to shut down.

You don’t want to be driving 75 miles per hour on the motorway if it broke.

How the timing belt works

The rubber timing belt is part of most internal combustion engines and is responsible for synchronizing the engine’s functions. It controls the rotation of the camshaft and crankshaft and the opening and closing of the engine’s many valves to allow air and gas in and out, which causes the fuel to ignite in the combustion chamber. During this explosion, the valves push the pistons down.

In order for the process to take place, the valves have to open and close at the right time. The valves have to be in the correct position as well as the pistons. The valves open at different times for each cylinder. It’s a mechanical ballet of sorts.

When the timing belt breaks, the valves, which are very light, will open at the wrong time and hit the larger pistons and cause damage.

When to replace the timing belt?

Unfortunately, in most cases, there are no obvious signs the timing belt is near death; it will just break. That’s why highly rated auto mechanics recommend replacing it every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Always check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Timing belts used to be a relatively ignored maintenance item by many drivers. Replacing a broken timing belt used to be common, but now most replacement jobs are for preventive maintenance.

People are a lot more aware of the timing belt, and the mechanics are educating drivers more about them, Now, more people know about it and what can happen when it breaks.

There are many sensors and computerized components that manage your vehicle’s engine performance and emissions. When one of these fails, the “check engine” light is illuminated. Although your car may seem to run fine, it is important to have the issue addressed to prevent long-term problems or failure of emission tests.

The simplest way to handle this situation is to visit Nolan Motors, Balbriggan where our trained mechanics will read the memory to see what fault the computer is reporting. The best thing about the “Check Engine” light is that it often detects little problems before they become big, expensive problems. Not every problem gives you obvious indications like you get with such things as hard starting, rough running, stalling, etc. That’s why it is very important not to ignore this little light. The “Check Engine” light alerts you to problems like poor fuel mileage, reduced performance or excessive exhaust emissions.

It is important to discuss any concerns you may have. Contact Nolan Motors, Balbriggan if you need help diagnosing and repairing a problem that’s turned on your Check Engine light or Service Engine soon light.

1) Check Tyres

Tyres are the single most important part of your car. They have an enormous impact on performance

and safety, and they're one of the few components on your vehicle that can kill you if you ignore them. A worn or underinflated set of tires can be detrimental to handling and braking and can lead to blow-outs at speed. If you own dedicated sets of winter and summer tires, inspect both sets of rubber as you swap them out for seasonal duty or storage. Even if you use all-season tires, check for bubbles in the sidewalls (usually a sign of broken belts in the tire's carcass), uneven wear, or visible wear bars. If you see any of the above, replace the tire. Be sure to look out for missing balance weights — the clip-on or stick-on lead/steel weights that mount to the edge or inside of your wheels. While you're at it, make sure that your spare tire is properly inflated.

2) Brakes

Winter traffic is often much slower than summer traffic, and once Jack Frost shows up, your brakes

see a great deal of abuse. Brake pads often suffer extreme thermal cycling — massive temperature changes due to the high heat of use meeting with freezing water or deep puddles. Removing your wheels often helps with a brake inspection. If you're technically inclined, remove your brake pads and check them for significant wear and cracking; if you're not, make sure that their edges aren't crumbling or heavily discolored and that the your brake rotors or drums have no significant cracking. If you see anything suspect, hit up your mechanic to double-check and/or replace anything that's worn.

3) Get a wash

Winter takes a toll on every part of your car — everything from your brake lines to your engine gets

blasted by a constant barrage of salt, ice, water, sand, and general filth. Interiors become filled with dirt and tracked-in grime. Do yourself a favor and clean your car top to bottom, inside and out. Use good, high-quality cleansers and high-pressure water on the outside to get rid of salt and trapped sand, and be sure to hit the wheel wells and underbody. Clean all that junk out of the trunk and remove litter from under the seats. Vacuum and wash the funk-filled carpets and clean the inside of the windows, which have undoubtedly been smudged when the defroster couldn't keep up and you used your hands to carve out a peephole. Also take time to properly wash and treat the engine bay. It may sound unnecessary, but it's much easier to diagnose leaks or aging parts when everything is clean.

4) Oil Check

Pull out your car's dipstick and check the level and color of the oil — if it's still a pleasant shade of

amber and meets the fill mark, you're fine. If it's amber but low, top it off. If it's black and nasty, change it ASAP. Regular oil should last 4000-5000 miles with no problem; synthetics should go for 6000-7000 miles between changes. (Both of these are general guidelines and vary with driving style and climate.)

5) Cool Coolant

Inspect your coolant level and coolant mix. The overflow or radiator tank should be full, and a coolant

tester available at any auto parts store will tell you if the water to ethylene glycol ratio (the green or orange stuff) needs to be adjusted for maximum cooling. Change your coolant at least once a year for maximum performance. Just make sure that Fido isn't around if you spill some — dogs love glycol's sweet flavor, but it's toxic if ingested.

Standard clutch assembly comprises of several different parts that fit together and assist in helping you to change gear and pull away smoothly. These are the clutch cover, clutch plate, pressure plate, clutch fork, clutch cable or hydraulic system and bearing. There is one other vital component called the flywheel that sits next to the engine and this helps keep the clutch and engine spinning at the same time. While driving with your foot off the pedal, springs force the pressure plate to push the clutch plate against the flywheel. Because there is a high level of friction between the clutch plate and flywheel this keeps the engine and clutch turning over at the same speed. When you press the clutch down the clutch cable or hydraulic system pushes the clutch fork forward which in turn presses the bearing onto the diaphragm in the clutch cover. The diaphragm then pulls the pressure plate away from the clutch plate which disengages the clutch from the flywheel and engine allowing you to change gear.

Modern braking systems consist of front and rear brake pads in conjunction with brake discs to convert the kinetic energy by friction and slow the car. In disc brake applications, there are usually two brake pads per brake disc held in place and actuated by a caliper affixed to a wheel hub or suspension upright. When the brakes are hydraulically applied, the caliper clamps or squeezes the two pads together into the spinning disc to slow/stop the vehicle. Sometimes a loud noise or high pitched squeal occurs when the brakes are applied. Most brake squeal is produced by vibration of the brake components, if this occurs our quick examination can provide the solution. We stock the highest quality brake pads and discs expertly fitted by our staff to quickly get you back on the road

The role of shock absorbers is to keep each of your four tyres in constant contact with the road. When you drive over a bump, the car’s springs are compressed, to enable control of the vehicle. Shock absorbers act as a dampener, to stop this bouncing movement and ease the various changes to the road condition. In a vehicle, shock absorbers reduce the effect of travelling over rough ground, leading to improved ride quality and increase in comfort. Shock absorbers use oil and gasses to absorb excess energy from the springs. We stock a wide range of Shock Absorbers to fit most cars and light commercial vehicles, so when your shock absorbers fail we can quickly get you back on the road.

The last thing any driver needs is to break down in cold, harsh winter weather. A vehicle check now before winter arrives is a sensible way to be car care aware and avoid the inconvenience of being stranded out in the cold and with the unexpected expense of emergency repairs.

Winterizing your vehicle before the temperatures drop is a wise idea an investment of an hour or two to have your vehicle checked is all it takes to have peace of mind and help avoid the cost and hassle of car trouble during severe weather.

Nolan Motors recommends the following steps for winterizing your vehicle:

• If you're due for a tune-up, have it done before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.

• Have the battery and charging system checked for optimum performance. Cold weather is hard on batteries.

• Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.

• Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly. Consider winter wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.

• Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.

• Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item.

• Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.

• Check to see that exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed.

• Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.

Motorists should also keep the fuel tank at least half full at all times to decrease the chances of moisture forming in the lines and possibly freezing. Drivers should check the tire pressure of the spare and stock an emergency kit with an ice scraper and snowbrush, jumper cables, flashlight, blanket, extra clothes, bottled water.