Lisa Snowdon Passes with Flying Colours!

38 year old model and presenter Lisa Snowden has passed her driving test first time with only 3 minor faults! The former presenter of The Big Breakfast and Britain’s Next Top Model was said to be ‘so happy’ but claimed to be ‘really nervous during the test.’

Lisa’s task now is to buy herself a car to show off her top quality driving skills. Apparently her car of choice would be a Range Rover although she says she may probably go for something more environmentally friendly.

Lisa's driving instructor has also taught such celebrity students as Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and Alexander McQueen...wowzers!

Do you get road rage?

According to recent research published by the Institue of Advanced Motorists (IAM), seven in 10 drivers get angry with other road users and almost a third of these drivers admit that their anger makes their is detrimental to their driving. 

Of the 1,497 respondents carried out by motoring charity IAM, 70% claimed that they got angry with other road users. 28% of these felt that getting road rage behind the wheel affected their own driving competence.

Tailgating, other drivers taking a call while driving and centre lane hogging were cited as being the biggest sources of annoyance. Other distractions included passengers, billboards and advertising, watching out for safety cameras (a little ironic!), mobile phones, in car entertainment and sat navs.

Advice for drivers who feel they are reaching boiling point is to pull over and separate themselves from the cause of anger rather reacting with a gesture or aggressive driving. If you are the subject of road rage, the IAM advises you to pull over to a safe, public place or apologise for mistakes by just giving a polite wave. If you're looking for a used car, there's no need for road rage...visit The Car Shop used car supermarkets across the UK.

Fred Flintstone eat your heart out!

The human-powered car is set to be released next year. Apparently you won't have to pedal it like Fred Flintstone, it will be powered by handles which produce a rowing effect. It is supposed to be able to reach speeds of 60mph although I assume that's with 4 people really pushing it! It's a great idea but unfortunately not for me. Sorry!

How much should you pay for a service?

For the first time ever, this year I decided not to give my car a service. It had only done 5,000 miles in the year so I did a bit of basic car maintenance myself and opted not to give it a service. Was this a good idea, probably not. Apparently it will ruin my otherwise perfect service history and also could knock a bit off the resale value of my car.

Think my last service cost in the region of £200, but have just seen this offer with Birchwood Ford for a cheap servicing deal costing just £99! Got me thinking, just how much should you pay for a service?

Neville Gets It All Wrong!

This tickled me: Manchester United star, Gary Neville, filled his petrol fuelled new Audi Q7 with diesel! Unsurprisngly, it then cut out as soon as he turned the key. Apparently he had to call his Dad, Neville Neville (that really tickled me!) to come and pick him up!

Tips on how to cut motoring costs

Just found this article about ways of cutting down motoring costs. Found it really interesting - did you know that if you fill up your tank more frequently, e.g. half a tank at a time, you can improve your fuel economy? Because your car isn't carrying around the extra weight of an additional half tank of fuel it is more efficient. Also, checking the tyre pressure regaularly means that your car will be more fuel efficient and tyres will last longer.

How to change a flat tyre

I'm all for girls getting involved with basic car maintenance. Last week I checked the oil in Stuart's BMW1 Series, put air in the tyres, topped up the screenwash, filled up with diesel and cleaned the car inside and out!

It got me thinking, should I know how to change a tyre incase the necessity ever arises? I have AA membership so have always thought that meant I didn't need to know how to do this. It's not a problem in Stuart's BMW1 Series because it has run-flat tyres. In my Matiz though it might be sensible to know how to use the tyre change kit I have in the boot. (My tyre change kit is insanely girly and even has a mat to kneel on and a pair of gloves so hands don't get dirty!)

Anyway, found this video on youtube and thought it might be useful to anyone else wanting to know how to change a tyre. The comments are all a bit filthy though! Why can't a girl change a tyre without guys making stupid comments?

Ford are making promises...

Ford UK have just unveiled their new marketing campaign. It's based on the Ford standard promise where they claim that thier cars offer more 'as standard' with a good amount of features that you may have to pay more for elsewhere.

Seems like the campaign also hints at 'more as standard' from a customer service point of view from Ford dealers, although I haven't seen any details about this. Could be interesting to see how they develop this though.

From the adverts that they've previewed, looks like the Fiesta and Focus feature quite heavily in the campaign.

Kia Picanto Tops Which? Car magazine’s Reliability Survey

New Kia Picanto

The new Kia Picanto has beaten off fierce competition to top Which? Car magazine’s Reliability Survey for 2010. Owners of the South Korean made supermini gave it a score of 98.1% for reliability.

Kia is the only car firm in the UK which offers a massive seven-year warranty on all their new cars. I’d be pretty tempted with an offer like that; they may not be the sexiest cars in the world but how can you beat seven years of worry-free motoring?

Skoda is the best!

Skoda Fabia

Once seen as a motoring figure of fun, in recent years Skoda has undergone a transformation more dramatic than anything Madonna has ever done to become a respected player in the car industry. Another major achievement came this week when Skoda were named best car manufacturer in an extensive survey by Which? Car magazine.

The Czech company's fortunes turned when it was takeover by Germany's Volkswagen back in 1991 but it’s only in more recent years that Skoda is actually beginning to get the credit it deserves. I had a silver Skoda Fabia a few years ago and really loved it…was devastated when I crashed it into the side of that lorry on the M25. It lived up to its safety rating though, I was fine so would definitely consider another Skoda.