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What To Do If Your Car Breaks Down

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Driveways, Motorways, Minor Roads & Dual Carriageways

In the Real World, things don’t always go to plan. Liberty Insurance get that, that’s why they’re here to help when things get real. In the first of their Real World Blog series, we look at the measures you need to take in the unfortunate event of a breakdown.

Most drivers don’t expect a breakdown, but the essential thing to bear in mind in these situations, is to stay safe. Be sure to contact your breakdown service provider right away.

Here are a few simple tips to keep you, your passengers and other road users safe when your car breaks down.

Motorways & Dual Carriageways

By far the trickiest place to suffer a car breakdown is on a motorway or dual carriageway, particularly if you are in the outside or overtaking lane when the issue happens. The RSA has a list of recommendations which we’ve listed below;

  1. If you can, pull into the hard shoulder as soon as possible. Put your hazard lights and your side lights on and then point your front wheels away from the road.
  2. If you have a visibility vest, wear it. Visibility vests are relatively cheap and don’t take up much storage space so it’s a good idea to get a few and leave them in the car.
  3. Exit your vehicle on the left hand side, away from the traffic on the road. Be safe and stay away from the fast moving cars on the other side! Make your way up the embankment and if there is a barrier, climb over it if possible. You and your passengers should stay well away from the hard shoulder.
  4. Don’t attempt to make any repairs on the car, no matter how small they seem to be. Plenty of people have warning triangles in their car, BUT you should not attempt to place this behind your car on the motorway. There will be cars speeding by and it’s risky to even attempt it.
  5. Call the local authorities. If you do this from your mobile phone, they will need to know your location. If you use one of the roadside SOS phones on the motorway network, they will automatically know your location. Next contact your breakdown service.
  6. If the repair services can get you back up and running there and then, that’s great but be very careful when it comes to re-joining the motorway. You’ll need to build up your speed on the hard shoulder before merging into traffic. Be aware too though that other vehicles may have stopped on the hard shoulder.
  7. If for some reason you are unable to follow the above advice, you should stay in your vehicle with your safety belt securely fastened and switch on your hazard lights. Then, as above, call 999 and wait for assistance. You should also contact your breakdown service provider to let them know. 

National, Secondary & minor roads

If you break down on any road smaller than a motorway, you’ll need to do things a little differently to make sure you remain safe throughout. Again, we’ve taken the advice of the RSA to give you the best information on how to handle the situation.

  1. If you can, pull over to a safe place. Some national roads have a hard shoulder, but if there isn’t one, pull over as far left as you can.
  2. Turn on your hazard lights and if the light is poor or visibility is low, turn on your side lights also.
  3. Although the cars will be passing a little slower than those on the motorway, you should still only get out of your car on the left hand side of the road. Again, it’s better to be safe out there in the real world, so avoid those unnecessary dangers and prevent any issues occurring.
  4. Put on your high visibility vest and place your Red Warning Triangle 50 metres behind your car to alert oncoming traffic.
  5. In contrast to actions on the motorway, no matter where on the road you breakdown, be it in the middle of the road in town or out on a narrow country road, you should get back in your car once you’ve put out your triangle. That’s the safest place to be.
  6. Once in your car, ring the Gardaí for assistance and then call your breakdown service provider to let them know.

Even experienced drivers might not know the above protocols for what to do if you breakdown, but now that you’ve familiarised yourself with them, you’re ready for any breakdown.

All Liberty car insurance policies come with 24/7 breakdown assistance with Home Start as standard and it won’t affect your no claims bonus.

Who Can NOT Take CA Traffic School?

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So, are you a California driver, who for some reason wants to take traffic school classes? Perhaps you have accumulated the dreaded points on your driving record. Maybe you hope to learn some ways to make you a safer driver. For whatever reason, the first thing you need to do is find out if you are in fact eligible. Unfortunately, not just anyone can enroll in a certified California traffic school to have a ticket dismissed.

Following are some reasons why an applicant might be denied admission to a state driving course.

Do Not Hold a Valid Driving License

You must be currently licensed to drive to take a traffic course. Someone who is underaged, for example, will likely be denied. The school would not want to be blamed for teaching a possibly immature student how to operate a motor vehicle. The decision on the proper time to teach a young person to drive is best left to parents and guardians.

Likewise, if you have been denied the right to drive, perhaps for some criminal infraction, schools will not accept your application. Perhaps you needed a guide to reporting a CA auto claim and you forgot to report it correctly. Speak with the court about your condition first to see if they will lift any restrictions that are temporarily or permanently barring you from driving in the state.

Attended CA Traffic School Recently

Since licensed drivers who complete a course receive insurance discounts and license point reductions, officials have had to place understandable limitations on attendance. At present, you can only take such a course once every 18 months.

Failed to Appear in Court

Drivers who fail to appear in traffic court on their assigned dates cannot take these courses. Completing the program provides guaranteed benefits that such a person might be ineligible to receive. Schools see no reason to admit someone, letting them spend time and money on classes, who will not be able to receive all the things promised other graduates.

If you are in this situation, the first step is to talk with the traffic court to handle the outstanding violation. Then, and only then, should you apply for driving school.

Were an On-Duty Commercial Driver

The government takes road safety seriously. Those with the responsibility of driving large trucks must be held accountable for accidents they cause.

If you are a commercial truck driver and are cited for violating the rules of the road or causing an accident, you cannot take part in either an in-person or online traffic school. In general, these programs are only for private, non-commercial drivers whose infractions occurred in non-business-related vehicles.

Were Under the Influence

Traffic school is designed to teach participants how to drive more safely. If your violation involved drugs or alcohol, then the course is not for you.

Most schools cannot provide the psychological and medical counseling necessary to fully deal with potential substance abuse problems. Instead, you should seek the advice of a certified rehabilitation center with properly trained staff.

You Were Driving at an Excessive Speed

Those cited for driving 25-mph more than the speed limit are ineligible for most traffic schools. Operating a vehicle at such excessive speeds puts you and others at serious risk.

Speak with a professional psychologist about this risk-taking behavior to find out if there are underlying conditions that need eradication.

Are You Eligible for CA Traffic School?

So, do you meet the criteria? If so, then you can get started today. Just contact a reputable, certified traffic school. They usually have classes both in-person and online, for your convenience. Also, discuss classes with your family, friends and coworkers to see if they would be interested in enrolling as a group. Many schools offer group discounts.

If for some reason you fall into one of the above ineligible categories, start working to change things. Then, apply for admission once you fully qualified. Remember that successful students receive license point reductions and discounted auto insurance rates.

New Fabric Technology In The Sportswear Industry

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When people think about exciting new materials in manufacturing, they sometimes picture advanced new pipes from fiberglass conduit manufacturer companies and new carbon fiber materials for cars. But the sportswear industry also engages in developing new technology for seemingly mundane items like shirts. It’s not all about cool colors and styles when it comes to sportswear. These sportswear companies are developing new fabrics that can revolutionize athletics and even everyday fashion.

Temperature Adaptive Fabrics

People know to bundle up with warm layers of clothing when it’s cold, while they can wear breathable fabrics when the weather is too warm. But now some sportswear brands are developing fabrics for all types of temperature conditions.

Their special fabrics can warm you up when it’s cold, and cool you down when it’s warm or if you’re freely perspiring during your game. These fabrics can trap warmth inside the clothes so that you can fight off the cold weather, but they also release excess heat so you remain comfy inside those clothes.

Xylitol

Some brands are applying xylitol coating into the insides of their fabrics. The xylitol is what gives chewing gum its icy freshness, and that’s what your body feels when you’re exerting all that effort in your athletics and gym workouts.

Body Suits with Built-in Airbags

For snowboarders and skiers, safety is always at the top of the list of priorities. But they need some sort of body armor that can also allow them to move freely. This is why some companies are designing compact bodysuits that can transform into airbags. If it works for car passengers, it can work with outdoorsy athletes as well. These garments can also have heavier finishes and even plastics in the areas that are most prone to abrasions, such as the knees and elbows.

Special Air-Vent Designs

Air vents are nothing new, and in fact some people wear mesh shirts to really keep themselves cool during their athletic efforts. But air-vent construction these days have become so advanced that the ventilation can go 360 degrees even while you’re wearing compression garments.

The ventilation holes are also made during the fabric-weaving process, instead of perforating the fabric later. This adds even more breathability while it also helps keep the fabric tough. Woven fabric also doesn’t hold moisture as much as knot fabrics do.

Built-in Rescue System

Today, some garments for hikers and skiers have a rescue system built-in so that others can be notified if they get into trouble. These can send automatic signals when skiers get into an avalanche, so rescue teams can be alerted more quickly.

Built-in Sunblock Protection

Many people like to hike real trails and climb actual mountains rather than work out indoors. During the daytime, this can be a problem with the risk of too much UV exposure. Sunblock lotions, however, can be rather uncomfortable when you perspire.

But now some workout clothes have built-in sunblock protection, with as much as SPF 30 protection to keep your skin healthy.

Sleepwear for Athletic Recovery

After your strenuous workouts, you will need to make sure that you rest yourself properly afterwards. Also, you should make sure that you always get a good night’s sleep to maintain your health.

Some athletic brands are making exceptionally comfortable sleepwear garments for athletes, so that they can wake up totally rested and completely recovered from their exertions. These garments tend to be very soft for your comfort, plus they also absorb natural heat so that you can really get some rest during the night. They’re also cut to fit perfectly, so they’re not too tight but not too loose.

With all these examples, you should really make sure that your athletic gear isn’t just stylish. As boxing match referees like to say: protect yourself at all times!

Using Technology To Transfer The Way You Manage Money

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Money is important and essential for living. Unfortunately, not everyone is like Bill Gates, and has billions of dollars to spend. This is why it is important to budget, and manage your money efficiently.

Moneyfarm’s infographic on the wealthiest people in history shows the many different ways that people of inspiration like Bill Gates, and Oprah have built their wealth and success.

See what you can learn from some of the wealthiest people in history from past to present and in what ways they spent and managed their earnings.

If you’re interested in learning more about how you can manage your money like the icons in Moneyfarm’s infographic and in what ways you take advantage of technology in relation to your money, simply continue reading to discover 4 tips on how to harness the power of technology in order to positively affect your savings!

Using technology to transform the way you manage money:

  1. You can set up automatic payments within minutes, with little hassle

As an example, if you want to ensure that you save a reasonable portion of your income, you can set up your primary bank account to transfer a set amount of money to your long-term savings account. Which will make it far easier for you to save a portion of your income, which you can then choose to invest if you’re not happy with the interest rate which your bank currently offers you.

  1. You can use an app on your phone in order to quickly and effortlessly transfer money to your friends and family members

As an example, if you go out for dinner with friends and the restaurant asks your group to pay your bill as a single bill, you’ll easily be able to transfer your portion of the cost to your friend’s chosen bank account using your chosen bank’s app on your smartphone. Which means that you’ll never have to walk to an ATM in order to get out cash, in order to pay a friend back for money which they’ve spent on you, ever again.

  1. You can use Paypal in order to pay for any goods and services which your purchase online

If you ever feel comfortable giving out your bank details or your credit card details to online companies, it’s well worth signing up for a free Paypal account. As a large portion of online stores now offer Paypal as a payment option. You can even use Paypal to pay for any eBay auctions which you win.

Better yet, if a company doesn’t send you the item which you purchased or there is some kind of dispute with a purchase you’ve made through Paypal, you can contact Paypal’s friendly customer service team you’ll be able to reverse the charges which have been made. Which means that you should always select Paypal as your preferred payment option, in order to decrease your chances of being scammed online.

  1. You can keep up to date with your expenses on a daily basis

While in past decades you may have had to wait for a printed bank statement to be sent to your home address in order to see all of the transactions which you’ve been made, in today’s day and age you can log into your internet banking account as often as you’d like. Which will give you the chance to cut back on your spending, if you find that you’ve already exceeded your weekly budget. Which will help you keep on track of your monthly expenditure.

In conclusion, it’s well worth using all of the four tips listed above in order to harness the power of technology in order to help you manage your money better today!

How Much Should You Spend On A First Date?

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Apps have made the art of real-world romancing close to obsolete. Texting has turned even the most social of us into efficient and cold communicators. There are countless resources out there that offer advice on what a guy should wear on a first date. Yet with all of this technology and information available to us, there’s still a question that alludes so many: How much am I expected to spend on a first date? Let’s see what we can do to help.


“aqua lighting on a first date : aqua, ho” (CC BY 2.0) by torbakhopper

Where you met is important

There’s a great deal of difference between meeting someone at your local pub or at your friend’s father’s yacht party. Expectations were largely set right there and then. You also need to bear in mind how the date came about in the first place. Were you wooing her for months, in which case you really don’t want to blow it, or is this just a casual date where you don’t want to put all your cash in one basket? If you met online through a website such as Badoo, you may not be able to tell through her voice and gesture, but then you have the added benefit of being able to get to know her through messaging. This at least gives you more time to think about those all-important questions you may wish to ask. You can also get an idea from her profile, such as the clothes she wears or what kind of interests she has.

Don’t raise expectations

First dates are all about finding out whether the other person is someone who has potential for a long-term relationship. Flashing the cash at the fanciest restaurant in town and arranging a barbershop quartet to perform Unchained Melody may not only be too much for your date, but too much for your bank balance. It also raises the bar far too high for future dates. Second dates must be better than first dates, because you’ve already gone through all the small talk that you can handle. So pace both your funds and your date’s expectations.

“Boom! Shakalaka-7255” (CC BY 2.0) by Barbershop Harmony Society

Budget your week in advance

You don’t want to have to eat from the McDonald’s pound saver menu for a week simply to spend the rest of your hard-earned money on a first date. So have a good look at your bank statements and draw up a rough estimate of what you can comfortably spend in one night. Then cut back on what you can, without starving yourself, to allow for some flexibility on date night. That way, if the date’s going well and you go over budget, you’ll still be able to afford your rent.

Always keep one eye on the date itself, because the more you plan, the more you can predict how much it’s going to cost you. This may lend itself to such dates as a comedy show, where you know exactly how much it’s going to cost. Of course, you could always grab a drink or dinner afterwards if you want too; but at least that decision will be, at least party, in your hands.

Arnon Dror and Other People Who Inspire Me

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I have always felt that looking around to people who have found success and learning from how they have gone about it, has been one of the things that serves to motivate me. Around the world there are all kinds of inspirational people who’s life, opinions and actions can greatly help you to stay motivated and to reach your goals. I try not to have too many heroes but rather people who inspire me to go on and do as much as I can with my life. Today I want to talk to you about 3 of the most inspirational people in my life right now, and why they keep me inspired.

Arnon Dror

I first heard about the incredible Arnon Dror when I did a case study on him in my business class. Arnon is a senior operations executive who studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. At a young age Dror go his MBA in finance and an M.A. in Micro Economics. This high level professional reached VP level in Xerox and he is arguably one of the greatest business minds here in Portland, Oregon. Even beyond Portland, Oregon I would say that this man is incredibly smart and successful, and a real inspiration. I was fortunate enough to watch him give a speech here in Portland, where he discussed his love for business and the Boston Celtics, truly a man after my own heart. Check out the career of Arnon Dror for more inspiration.

Mark Zuckerberg

There is very little about the Facebook CEO which is not inspirational and his story continues to inspire me daily. Whilst studying at Harvard, Zuckerberg fell upon the idea for the social media page which would go on to change the world, so he quit the prestigious university to commit to his idea. Since Facebook blew up, Zuckerberg has not just shaped the company but has gone on to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful CEOs on the planet, who is using his power for good. Advertising trafficking on the site has set new models for marketers everywhere and there are very few industries which have not been re-shaped thanks to this man.

Steve Jobs

The reason why I am so heavily inspired by the late Steve Jobs is not just the success he found, or the incredible products which he helped to design. What I really like about Steve is his constant search for perfection, his attention to detail and most importantly, his ability to bounceback from failure. Steve’s first stint at Apple didn’t end well and he was forced out of the company, undeterred he went away to find further success and then cam back to Apple with a boom, and changed the world with devices like the iPhone and the iPad. Steve’s life, both personally and professionally has long been a great source of inspiration for me.

CBI Tulsa on Value Improvement After Home Renovations

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A lot of people believe that the minute they renovate their property, it becomes a lot more valuable. This is true to a degree comma but CBI Tulsa believes it is equally important to really do the math. If a home improvement, for example, cost $50,000, and the value of the home increases by $30,000 as a result, the reality is that there is no return on investment. One of the things this highlights the importance of knowing exactly why someone may want to do a home improvement.

 

CHI Tulsa on Reasons for Home Improvement

 

The vast majority of people invest in a home improvement not because they want to increase the value of their home but because they want to increase their own enjoyment of the property. Different reasons for Renovations bring with them different methods of renovating. Indeed, what matters to want may not be what matters to the other and this further complicates the determination of whether or not there is a return on investment by increasing the value of the home. Some reasons for renovation include:

 

  1.  To increase how much rent a landlord can ask for their property.
  2.  To sell a property for a greater value.
  3.  To modernize a property and thereby make it more comfortable to live in.
  4.  To add space to a property, thereby avoiding the need for elderly care period

 

Clearly, these are all very different reasons for home improvement comma making it more difficult to determine whether or not these improvements really make a property more valuable. Not just that, the reasons behind the need for renovation but also determine what a good budget is. For instance, someone who wishes to sell a property for greater value could do renovation as easy as repainting walls. The mathematical calculations also become a lot more complicated if someone ends up holding onto their property. For example, if somebody adds a granny annexe, this might be a significant initial expense, but if that means they’re elderly relative does not have to move into assisted living, thereby saving high monthly cost for many years, the high expense will be worth it.

 

In essence, any renovation add value to a home. However, not any renovation provide a return on investment. For instance, changing double glazing in a property will significantly increase the value of the home, but usually not by as much as the cost of the windows. This is why the recommendation is to change the windows several years before selling the property, as the added value will hold and the return of investment will therefore come by the reduction in energy bills while you still live in your property.

 

To other home renovations that certainly increase the value of a home are a kitchen renovation and a bathroom renovation. Both can be done reasonably cheaply, which would lead to a return on investment. If you, however, decide to put a kitchen in with the most modern appliances possible, then it is unlikely that you will see a full return on investment.

Gary Friedman Explains Luxury Home Decor

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Luxury home decor is designed to create a home in which the lifestyle of the Property Owner is fully reflective. It tells others that the Property Owner is comfortable and locks of nothing, and update put quality before price. It means the home is filled with artistic and tasteful contents that has been carefully placed in the right position. Additionally, it means there has been involvement of people such as Gary Friedman, who has ensured the furniture is to both the tastes and needs of the individual.

 

Luxury Home Decor According to Gary Friedman

 

Luxury home decor is all about being both beautiful and convenient. It ensures that the homeowner is completely comfortable at all times. Hence, it must also be individualized. Some people want to have smart homes with the latest tech all around them whereas others prefer items from the Victorian era that have been artfully restored. Then there are those who prefer the minimalist style and others like oriental styles. Luxury home decor, therefore, isn’t a fixed style. Rather, it is about ensuring that the homeowner is in style that they prefer and that all items are of the highest possible quality.

 

There are five key things that brings luxury home decor together however at all times come out these five elements focus on the accessories, the ambience, and furnishings. The five pointers are:

 

  1.  That it is unique. No luxury home decor is an exact copy or replica of something that everybody else has already. It stresses uniqueness and individuality that cannot be found anywhere else. Anyone who views this type of home should leave with a lasting impression.
  2.  That it is artistic. Luxury homes contains items that can be functional when used but they should also be pleasing to the eye. In all elements of the home, beauty and class should be made apparent.
  3.  That it is designed to the most professional standards. Indeed, this is where people like Gary Friedman come in, who have the advanced knowledge and experience in current trends, materials, restoration, and so on.
  4.  That the designer has a keen eye for detail. A luxury home, everything is fine tuned to the personality and taste of the homeowner. No stone is left unturned to make things absolutely perfect.
  5.  That the property has attitude. Luxury living is about being a connoisseur not a patron. This means acting according to a certain class as well. Those who believe that the best things in life are not luxuries but necessities are the ones who can create true luxury homes.

 

These are the five key points that should be followed in the creation of a luxury home. Every item of furnishing and decoration used in the property should be of the highest possible quality, made with true professional workmanship and craftsmanship. No flat pack piece or MDF should be given a place in these types of homes. Instead, each item is unique and made of the best materials money can buy.

How To Combat Fat Loss Once And For All

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It’s one of the biggest problems of modern-day life (you don’t have to check the obesity statistics to see this in its full glory), and unfortunately it’s not going away anytime soon. From both a general health and aesthetics point of view losing fat is a big deal for millions of people – which is quite surprising when the equation to rid your body of it is actually quite simple.

We’re not going to bore you with the technicalities of the calories burned versus those consumed calculation. We all know it exists, but translating it into actionable advice is quite difficult.

Therefore, it’s that “actionable advice” that we are now going to turn to. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to shed your fat for good.

It’s not just about what you eat

According to Sono Bello, one of the main reasons patients check into their clinic with obesity-related problems is because they are stressed. Of course, this isn’t the only reason, but the correlation between stress and weight gain is plain for all to see – and there is scientific backing as well.

It has been found that higher stress levels result in increased cortisol. The upshot of this is that your appetite will be on the rise, while you are more likely to have abdominal fat.

As such, one of your primary tasks should be reducing that day-to-day stress. There are umpteen ways to achieve this, we’re not going to speculate, but you might be surprised at the overall effect to your waistline.

Resistance training can be your best friend

Something that seems to be drilled into a lot of our minds is that cardiovascular training is absolutely essential if we are to burn the dreaded fat.

Well, let’s put this myth to bed for good.

Sure, cardio training has its place, but to say that it has to be at the centre of all of your training in your quest to burn fat is a gross exaggeration. In actual fact, one of the best forms of training is with weights.

Weight training is something that can gradually increase your rate of metabolism through the course of the day, meaning that you will continue to burn calories hours and hours after your actual workout concluded.

None of us get enough sleep

Sleep might sound “lazy”, but used correctly it’s one of your most powerful weapons. Unfortunately, very few of us get anywhere near as much sleep as we really need.

Countless studies have shown that without sufficient sleep, your waistline is going to balloon. Not only that, but these very same studies have shown that most of the population don’t get anywhere near the right amount – which is thought to be in the region of eight hours per night.

The problem is heightened for those of you who train as well; your body doesn’t have enough time to recover and this just impacts your results no-end.

Save Money By Avoiding Common Car Maintenance Problems

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Cars today come in a greater range of sizes and shapes than ever before, the choice is simply mind-boggling, and becomes greater every day. However, one common theme runs through them all, and that is increased complexity. In response to our demands for more power, more luxury and more gadgets, the cars manufactured today are more complex than ever. Most are run by powerful computers, and problems are diagnosed by them as well, making it more and more difficult to repair them yourselves!

In turn, the motorist of today is much less well educated about car maintenance than the driver of 30-40 years ago, simply because in that time they broke down so often you had to know how to fix them! Despite the DVLA adding in more mechanical parts to the driving test, such as changing oil and other fluids, it seems we are even more clueless that ever. Some might say this is a general theme with the younger generation, who are far more adept on their phones and online that with their hands!

However, despite the complexity of the modern car and the seeming lack of interest of the modern driver to fix them, there are still basics that everyone should know in case of emergency. These include simple fixes, but also what to look out for in order to diagnose more complex problems, which might turn into a serious accident if not fixed. We have compiled the most common car problems and some simple advice of what to do:

Won’t Start
– If the car wont turn over at all, the battery is likely dead. Jump start
– If the car does turn over but wont start, it could be the starter motor or a problem with the fuel. Call a garage

Steering
– If the steering feels very heavy, you may be low on fluid. Check power steering fluid, wheel alignment and tyre pressure
– If the steering feels light, check tyre wear and pressure

Braking
– If the brake pedal is stuck down or up, the brake booster likely needs work. Call a garage
– If the brakes feel spongy, check brake fluid levels
– If the stopping distance increases, or the car veers off to one side under braking, brake pads may need replacing

The AA has an excellent reference section on their website to diagnose simple car problems, and this infographic from Autodoc gives more detailed information and is a handy take away guide to possible braking problems.