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Vehicle Security: The MotorNuts Collection

Vehicle theft is a persistent problem and the fact is that you just cannot make your  precious vehicle too secure. That's why MotorNuts supply a comprehensive collection of products designed to enhance the security of your vehicle. Here are some of the bestselling vehicle security products from our website.

Bulldog Steering Wheel Locks

Available in car or van size options, the Bulldog steering lock carries Department of Transport approval and is one of the most robust products of its type available on today's market. The tough drill- and pick-resistant locking mechanism is attached to a bar that can even accommodate steering wheels that incorporate a bulbous airbag and the bright yellow colouration acts as a powerful deterrent.

Stronghold Triangular Wheel Clamps

Having your vehicle wheel-clamped is not something that any driver wants.. unless you are clamping it yourself! The heavy duty wheel clamps manufactured by Stronghold are fully adjustable and available in a range of sizes to suit any vehicle; alloy wheel and caravan wheel versions are also available. Each clamp features electro-plated arms to protect against corrosion and incorporates a pick-free, high-security lock for your peace of mind. Stronghold wheel clamps are independently tested and insurance approved.

Maypole Security Posts

Available in either fixed or removable options, Maypole security posts are designed to be firmly planted into the ground with concrete. The posts are constructed using tough steel and coloured hi-vis yellow, enhancing both their deterrent and safety qualities. Each post comes complete with a close-shackle lock and keys and the product is ideal for use on driveways.

There are many more options available so please browse our website for more details.

Posted in News, Views, Product profiles, Musings of a MotorNut, Advice on .

The Perfect Match: MPEX Vehicle Paints

If the exterior paint of a vehicle is scratched or otherwise damaged, professional repair is a costly option. Repairing the damage yourself is obviously a preferable alternative but many people are unwilling to carry out the procedure, fearing that they may not achieve seamless, colour-matched results. Never fear: MotorNuts is here!

We now supply colour-matched paint from MPEX, one of the most respected and trusted brands in the business. Using official dealers' and manufacturers' databases, we can provide exterior vehicle paint in more than 77,000 different shades, incorporating RAL, Pantone and BS options. The paint is available in pen or bottle formats for small touch-up jobs or as an aerosol for larger areas of damaged paintwork.

Applying MPEX colour-matched vehicle paint is easy and here we present our step-by-step guides:

MPEX Colour-Matched Paint Touch-Up Pen & Bottle

  1. Prepare the area. Ensure that any loose paintwork, dust and dirt is removed before thoroughly cleaning and drying the affected area. If rust is present then apply primer (also available on the MotorNuts website). Surrounding undamaged paintwork should be protected with masking tape
  2. Shake the pen/bottle vigorously for at least 30 seconds to ensure product consistency
  3. Apply the colour-matched paint thinly in smooth, long strokes. If using the needle-point pen, gently introduce the nib into the scratch, squeezing gently to get the paint flowing
  4. A single coat is often sufficient but, if a second coat is required, make sure that the first coat has been allowed to dry for at least 10 and up to 25 minutes. If you intend to subsequently apply lacquer (which is available from the MotorNuts website), allow the paint to cure for at least 24 hours

MPEX Colour-Matched Pain Aerosol

  1. Prepare the affected area according to step 1 above
  2. Release the aerosol's alligator ball and shake the can for at least two minutes
  3. Press the nozzle to apply the paint from a distance of 25cm. Use a cross-coating motion
  4. Allow the area to dry as in step 4 above. Clean the aerosol nozzle thoroughly. If there is still paint remaining in the can, store it upside down for hassle-free application at a later date

We have put together a list of FAQs about MPEX colour-matched paint so this is your first stop if you require more information. If your question is not answered here or if you need any further advice, please contact the expert MotorNuts team directly and we will be happy to help you out.

Posted in News, Views, Product profiles, Musings of a MotorNut, Advice on .

all about oils and engine fluids

The expert team at MotorNuts recommend that you should check your engine oil, antifreeze and fluids around once a month and especially before a long journey.

There has never been a better time to top up your oils and fluids as we have gone Nuts and have 10% off across the whole range.

·        Engine oil

Firstly engine oil - choosing which oil may seem very confusing - is it fully synthetic, semi synthetic, and then there is the numbers (viscosity’s) – where to start?

Don't go Nuts... simply enter your vehicle registration in our look up and that will narrow the search to what is recommended for your vehicle, and this information is also in your manual or handbook.

·        Transmission / gearbox oil

Next up - transmission or gear box oil, it is the lesser known sibling of engine oil however equally important for gearbox and axle longevity. Most manufacturers recommend changing the transmission oil between every 30,000 and 60,000 miles.

·        Antifreeze and coolants

Antifreeze and coolants are next. These are essential to maintaining the engine temperature so it doesn’t get too hot or too cold and so is especially important to keep on top of in winter.

·        Brake and Power Steering fluids

The final under the bonnet check is brake fluids and power steering fluids, essential for obvious reasons and easily checked and topped up.

·        Treatments and additives

The MotorNuts team also recommend treatments and additives as they can fix a variety of engine troubles and help avoid costly repairs.

 By simply adding them to your fuel they can work through your engine to clean build ups and maintain performance as well as maximising fuel economy and reducing emissions – we especially recommend running them through before your car goes for its MOT.

 

Posted in Views, Advice on .

MotorNuts check list for getting your car ready for a long journey

If you’re going on holiday or long journeys in your car this holiday period our expert team at MotorNuts have compiled this handy checklist to make sure your car is ready for the trip.

1. Tyres - pressure and tread

Firstly you need to check all your tyres are above the legal limit – a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across ¾ of the tyre’s width. Once your car is ready and loaded to hit the road check your tyre pressures are what they’re meant to be – as stated in your handbook. And are you prepared if you get a flat or a puncture? space saver spare wheels can be a life saver to speedily get you out of sticky situation.

2. Engine oil - and fluid check 

A long journey is the perfect excuse to check all of your fluids are topped up so that includes:

·        Engine oil

·        Transmission / gearbox oil

·        Antifreeze and coolants

·        Brake fluids

·        Power steering fluids

It is also a great time to give your engine and systems a bit of TLC with one of our treatments or additives.

3.  Keep it cool

Hot weather can mean hotter cars – so make sure your coolant level is topped up (always check when the engine is cold). Whilst we are talking about keeping cool we would also recommend you make sure your air con is gassed and working, we also really recommend running an antibacterial cleaner through it to make sure it’s as fresh as it is cool.

4. Windscreen – wipers and screen wash

Check your windscreen for chips and cracks and get anything over 10mm repaired. Top up your screen wash and make sure your wiper blades aren’t smearing or squeaking... because that would be nearly as annoying on a  long journey as the unavoidable ‘are we nearly there yet’!

5. Lights

You need to check all lights are working and change any bulbs that need replacing - so that includes:­Headlights – main and dipped, Sidelights – front and rear, Indicators – front rear and side repeaters, Brake lights, Number plate, Reverse light, Fog lights – front and rear and Hazards. In many European countries you need to use day time running lights and have to carry a bulb replacement kit.

6. Keep it clean

Holidays + kids = messy car! Our top tip to avoid the inevitable food and beach mess everywhere is investing in some carpet car mats to protect your original floor and make it easier to clean and de-sand plus we have seat covers to keep the mucky fingers off the seats!

7. Travelling abroad?

To make sure you are compliant wherever you go over sees we have handy driving abroad kits with everything you need including GB stickers, beam bender headlight stickers, warning triangles and much more.

 

Posted in Views, Advice on .

Love your Transit – treat your works van

Your trusty Transit van is with you every step of the way; every delivery, every job – from early starts to butty breaks and the long road home.

This reliable work horse works as hard as you do and then some so why not give your van a treat, inside and out with our tailored Ford Transit products.

Seat covers

Protect your vans original interior with our Town and Country tailored fit heavy duty seat covers which are waterproof and stain resistant.

Covers are available for the driver’s seat, double front passenger seats as well as custom crew and combi rear seat covers depending on your set up and for all the Ford Vans; Transit Custom and Connect plus the Ford Ranger pickup and Ford Minibuses.

Treatments and additives

Simple engine treatments can improve performance, reduce emissions, increase efficiency, clean build ups and ultimately prevent engine mishaps and extend life span.

We’d recommend MPEX Diesel Detox Pro – a multipurpose product this innovative treatment addresses all common deposit related problems, restoring performance loss caused by a dirty and inefficient fuel system.

Manuals

The much loved Haynes manuals cover everything for service and repair; from simple roadside fixes, through general maintenance and MOT checks to full restorations - always handy to have with you to check what’s what under your bonnet.

Security

With vehicle theft up as thieves out smart newer technology drivers are reverting to more traditional security methods. We have a massive range of vehicle security products perfect for your Transit; the Bulldog DC400 or Centaur CA 2000 wheel clamps, a Disklok steering wheel lock or external van door lock are all excellent visible deterrents.

Space saver spare wheel

Are you prepared should you get a puncture in your Transit? To get you back on the road quickly and easily with minimal down time make sure you have a space saver spare wheel – we have different wheels for different years of the Transit Courier and Tourneo models.

In addition to these 5 Transit essentials we have a wide range of accessories as well as all the indispensable car parts for the Ford Transit, the UKs best selling van.

Posted in Views on .

Customising your VW T5 Transporter van

The VW T5s are fast becoming as popular as their iconic 60’s predecessor, and are equally cool and practical as the original Volkswagen campervan

True T5 fans are all about the customisation, making their beloved van stand out from the crowd, inside and out.

Originally designed as a commercial vehicle the T5 has fast developed a cult following with many of them being customised into campers, as well as used daily for work and play.

As practical as they are cool – they can be easily made even cooler with just a couple of simple alterations.

Low rider

Lowering the springs gives your VW T5 a sporty look as well as improving the handling and ride.

We sell either the Cobra springs in 40mm or 55mm or Van Slam coil over kits which allow for an adjustable ride height with performance spec shockers

All about the alloys

One of the easiest ways to make your van stand out is upgrading to some custom alloy wheels - and we have a massive range for perfecting your VWs look.

Calibre do both retro and contemporary design styles in a range of colours and finishes including metallic black, gold, polished silver, gunmetal grey, two tone and coloured trim.

Both alloys and lowering springs and kits give your VW Transporter the modified, aftermarket look you desire and are available for Caravelle, California and Shuttle models.

Less about the appearance and more about the practical usability – we have seat covers for the VW Transporters.

And should you need a helping hand along the way with any jobs we also stock the Haynes manuals for the full range of Transporters from old to new.

Posted in Views on .

The MotorNuts need to know guide to bulbs

Our MotorNuts what’s what guide to bulbs

Headlight bulbs aren’t just the simple replacements they used to be, there are now several options when it comes to your cars headlights and the MotorNuts team want to make sure you know what’s what when it comes to bulbs.

 All the evidence suggests that choosing the best bulbs is a savvy and safe move - the Department for Transport reveals that whilst only 15% of vehicle miles are done between 7pm and 7am, they account for almost a third of the road injuries and deaths.

 This combined with the fact that up to 65% of drivers are less confident driving in the dark and councils nationwide are switching off or dimming up to 2 million street lights means you need to take the lighting into your own hands.

 So what are the options:

1)      Halogen bulbs

Typically cars have halogen bulbs but over recent years it became the trend and for some the preferred choice to move to LED or Xenon bulbs. As well as the standard Halogen bulbs you can then get performance bulbs which are brighter, the Ring H7 is a very popular option.

2)      LED bulbs

LEDs started taking over the lighting world and then were considered for cars as well as – just like in your home they draw less power than typical halogen bulbs – more like 1.4 amps as opposed to 5 amps. They also throw the light further making visibility better.

3)      And after LEDS then there was Xenon HID bulbs

The Xenon HID Bulbs first started to appear in the luxury car market and were un-missable with their distinctive bright white light. Not just whiter and lighter – to be precise a colour temperature of 5500k white as opposed to 3000k yellow.

Xenon HID bulbs – or High Intensity Discharge have no filament but a glass capsule of Xenon gas instead, they require a higher lighting current but use a lower running current meaning that like the LEDS they require less charge to run and subsequently last longer too.

How long do HID Xenon bulbs last? - For around 4 years or 3,000 hours

Why use Xenon HID bulbs over traditional halogen bulbs? A Xenon HID bulb will give off 3200 lumens as opposed to around 500 lumens from traditional bulbs halogen bulbs – they also last a lot longer. 

4)      Then for the brightest lightest whitest light around - Xenon HID performance upgrades

The Xenon HID performance upgrades take the 500 lumens of a traditional halogen bulb and smash them out of the water giving off 5,200 lumens of the brightest whitest light.

Remember its not just about headlights – it’s a legal requirement to make sure that your brake lights and tail lights are working as well – and whilst it’s not the law it is more than advisable to regularly check your sidelights, indicators, reverse lights, 

number plate light  and fog lights...even more so in Summer as you hardly use them but never know when you’ll need them with the British weather!

And whilst the sun is shining for longer at the moment, this doesn’t just apply to dark – many accidents occur at twilight and so we would advise turning your headlights on leading up to sunset (currently 9.45 pm) and keep them on for an hour after sunrise (currently 4.45 am)

Our final bulb tips - always change Xenon and LED bulbs in pairs to make sure of equal brightness and performance and always wear gloves to change them as any dirt on fingertips can affect the gas in the bulbs.

Click here for all bulbs 

Posted in Views and tagged bulbs on .

Dieselgate – the saga continues

Dieselgate – the saga continues 

Back in 2015 we all heard the headlines about how VW famously fiddled emissions on their diesel models – following which utter confusion reigned as everyone worked out if their cars were affected, what it all really meant, and how much anyone really cared.

When it comes to emissions on cars it seems to be a race to the bottom between manufacturers as to who can clock up the lowest reading – but in reality how much do those readings really mean?

The general mumblings within the industry suggest that these emissions figures aren’t worth the stickers they’re stamped on – and that the variances in figures recorded in different testing conditions are all over the place

Out of 130 diesel models tested by a group of mechanics and engineers, only 15 actually met their emissions figures and performance in "real world" driving. (sky news)

Some cars that met the standards actually managed to emit 20 times more NOx when driven on the road.

Then there is the fact that the regulations are being set out in Europe but because they are only enforced at country level there is no consistency.

NOx levels in co2 in high doses especially in built up areas or cities are of real danger and concern to human health and as such the government are set to outline plans for their measures on air pollution at which diesel cars and emissions will be at the heart.

There is already talk of potential diesel cars scrappage scheme and specific taxes – both of which will be met with outrage by Britain’s drivers as for the last 15 years sales of diesel cars have been on the up with over 40% of new cars bought being diesels.

If you want to take emissions into your own hands then we have an excellent range of products which can help treat your diesel engine and improve performance as well as lower harmful emissions.

 

Posted in News, Views on .

We’re Nuts about Formula 1 – here’s our post-testing and pre-season run down

F1 testing Ferrari and Red Bull

The Formula 1 pre-season testing is now complete so we know who was fastest, fiercest, went furthest and we are more excited than ever for the furious fun to kick off on 26th March with The Australian Grand Prix.

The 10 teams and 22 drivers all faced off over two, four day test spells at the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona and it was Ferrari that set the pace coming out on top with the fastest lap being clocked by Kimi Raikkonen just under 1minute 19 seconds.

There was only 5 seconds between the whole pack, with Mercedes, Williams and Red Bull hot on Ferraris heels.

Now it’s not just about the speed, the best way to look at a team’s performance is the reliability which can be seen in how many laps were completed and with how long between pit stops – and on this front it was the Mercedes engine cars that came out on top with McLaren’s Honda engine bringing up the rear.

Finally the drivers: with the unexpected retirement of last season’s champ Nico Rosberg its Valtteri Bottas who joins former champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. There is the usual switching and changing between teams and then another driver change on the retirement front is Felipe Massa coming out of retirement to race alongside Lance Stroll as team mates at Williams.

Tune in to channel 4 and on sky sports for all the seasons action.

Formula 1 2017 line up

April

9th Chinese Grand Prix
16th Bahrain Grand Prix
30th Russian Grand Prix

May

14th Spanish Grand Prix
28th Monaco Grand Prix

June

11th Canadian Grand Prix
25th European Grand Prix - Azerbaijan

July

9th Austrian Grand Prix
16th British Grand Prix at Silverstone
30th Hungarian Grand Prix

August

27th Belgian Grand Prix

September

3rd Italian Grand Prix
17th Singapore Grand Prix

October

1st Malaysian Grand Prix
8th Japanese Grand Prix
22nd USA Grand Prix
29th Mexican Grand Prix

November

12th Brazilian Grand Prix
26th Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Formula 1 2017 team and driver line up

MercedesLewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas

Red Bull – Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen

Ferrari – Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi

Force IndiaSergio Perez and Esteban Ocon

WilliamsFelipe Massa and Lance Stroll

McLaren – Fernando Alonso, Stoffel Vandoorne and Jenson Button 

Toro Rosso – Carlos Sainz and Daniil Kvyat

HaasRomain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen

RenaultNico Hulkenberg and Jolyon Palmer

Sauber Marcus Ericsson and Pascal Wehrlein

Posted in News, Views on .

The new car seat law - and why everyone is a bit baffled?

For this blog we have called in Mummy MotorNuts who with two little ones and two not so little ones knows what’s needed to make sure everyone is suitably strapped in!

First up the basics - as from March 2017 the law is changing on new child car seats sold.

Basically unless a booster has a back, it’s no good. The law will state that only children over 22kg (3st 7lbs) who are also over 125cm (4ft 1in) tall may use them.

The new law is that children must use an age/ weight appropriate child car seat until they are 12 years old or 135cm (4ft 5in) tall, whichever comes first.

Next up the misconceptions, why is everyone getting confused - talking to my fellow Mummy’s people are worrying about seats they already have (which are not going to be affected) and also about the ever bubbling forward or rear facing car seat debate.

In other countries the law keeps their little ones rear facing longer than the UK does...but that’s a whole different kettle of fish and a debate for another day.

Now currently a child over the age of 3 can use a booster seat which uses the normal seat belt across them and crucially this new legislation puts a stop to this...which is a good job as anyone with a 3 year old will know that the wriggly little monkeys will outsmart a standard seat belt in seconds!

So what do I need to buy?

You can now go straight from a rear facing group 0 car seat (typically used from birth to around 9 months) to a group 1,2,3 seat a high backed booster with harness  - meaning you only need to buy two car seats.

The group 1,2,3 high backed booster with harness grows with the child. Your little one uses the harness until they’re big enough that they outgrow it at which point you switch to the car seat belt which will by then lie in the correct position across their shoulder (and not their neck).

There are other options – group zero car seats that aren’t carriers i.e that don’t pop in and out of the car with baby in them - these will work from birth to around age 4 and then you’d just go straight onto a high backed booster without harness.

If you go into any car seat/ baby stuff retailer you will find there are endless choices and options based on personal preference – but what you won’t find from March is booster seats without a back.

http://­www.­bbc.­co.­uk/­news/­uk-38182298

Posted in News, Views, Advice on .