LOVE YOUR CAR! 21% OFF CAR PARTS

21% OFF CAR PARTS

ENTER CODE: LOVE21

ENTER CODE: LOVE21

Ends in:

Ends in:

 2 days 

LOVE YOUR CAR! 21% OFF CAR PARTS

21% OFF CAR PARTS

ENTER CODE: LOVE21

ENTER CODE: LOVE21

Ends in:

Ends in:

 2 days 

Latest articles

A man inspects the engine compartment of his car under a bonnet

Essential Winter Car Maintenance

No matter where you live in the UK the difference between summer and winter can be quite substantial. Despite in recent years having had relatively mild winters. As with general car maintenance, you need to consider essential winter car maintenance to help you and your car survive the winter safely. Tyre Checks Whether or not you live in an area that regularly receives snow, you should take an in-depth look at your vehicle’s tyres before winter sets in. There are four things to look out for when it comes to checking your tyres. Pressure Ensure all tyres are at the right pressure. You can find the recommended pressure in the owner’s manual. Overinflated or underinflated tyres can affect the grip and handling of your car, especially in the cold weather. Tread Depth You should check your tyres have plenty of tread left on them. If your tyres are nearing the legal tread depth, it’s often safer to change them early and have the maximum amount of grip for the coming cold winter drives. You can test this with the 20p test – you want 1.6mm across the central 3/4 of the tyre. Side Wall Damage Inspect the tyre sidewalls for any bulges or cracks. Any abnormalities can indicate a defect, or the tyre is starting to age, which will affect its performance. You can visually inspect the tyres or run your hand over the tyre surface and feel for any damage. Uneven Wear If you notice any signs of uneven wear across your tyres, this could indicate the tyres are not properly aligned or balanced. It is recommended to take it to a garage to improve the handling of the vehicle. Fluid Checks This is something that is recommended doing regularly in any season, however, making sure that you have enough of the right fluids is essential when it comes to winter car maintenance. You want to ensure your windscreen washer reservoir is full of windscreen washer fluid and not just tap water (which will freeze). We recommend checking your engine oil, radiator coolant, brake fluid and any other liquids you can see whilst you’re under the bonnet. Find out more in our guide on topping up car fluids. Inspect & Replace Worn Parts Essential winter car maintenance also includes inspecting items which commonly wear out. This mainly covers rubber and plastic components such as wiper blades, hoses, bushes and belts . If any rubber items are showing visible cracks or wear you should probably change them before any damage occurs. It is also worth keeping an eye on your windscreen wiper blades as you’ll probably be using them a lot over the next few months. Streaks, squeaks and vibrations whilst using the wiper blades to clear rain, snow and ice from your windscreen are a sign that the blades need to be changed. If you aren't sure whether you need to change your wiper blades check out our guide on how to tell if you need new wiper blades. With free standard delivery and next day delivery available on many of our products, you can get your car parts in no time at CarParts4Less.
A man inspects the engine compartment of his car under a bonnet

How To Jumpstart A Car

If your vehicle fails to start, find out how you can jumpstart your car, and how to safely use your jump leads, with our step-by-step guide. Occasionally, there may be times when your car won’t start, and it may be because the battery has gone flat. On average, car batteries last for around three to four years, and while you may think you need a new one, it could be that the battery simply needs a jump start. Our step-by-step guide takes you through how to safely jumpstart your car battery, so you can get your car moving again. If your car battery does ever need a jumpstart, we have a wide range of jump leads available to order, helping to give your vehicle the extra lease of life it needs to get going again. Safety Checks Before jump starting your car battery, you need to conduct several safety checks to avoid an accident: Make sure your car battery isn’t leaking or damaged. If it is, call a professional mechanic Your clothing, especially anything metal, is not near the battery You have taken the car keys out of the ignition After you have done these checks, put on a pair of safety goggles and gloves so you can begin using the jump leads. 1. Find A Car With A Working Battery Bring a car with a working and fully charged battery close to the front of your vehicle, so the jump cables can easily reach each other. Make sure the cars don’t touch each other during this process. When the cars are within a reasonable distance of each other, ensure they are both parked up with the handbrakes on. Then, remove the keys from the ignition of each car and open each car bonnet to locate the batteries. 2. How To Connect The Jump Leads Next, untangle your jump cables, making sure they are not damaged and that you have one red clamp and one black clamp in each of your hands. From this point you want to make sure none of the jump cable clamps touch each other. Connecting To The Flat Battery Locate the positive side of your flat battery; this should have a positive (+) sign on it and a red cable connecting it. Connect the red (positive) jump lead cable to the positive terminal on the flat battery. After doing this, you need to place the black negative (-) jump lead cable onto a piece of plastic, NOT METAL, or on the floor if it will reach. Connecting To The Fully Working Battery With the remaining two jump leads, find the positive and negative sides of the fully working battery. Connect the positive (red) cable to the positive terminal and the negative (black) cable of the fully working battery. Once you have done this, it is time to connect the final clamp. Connecting The Final Clamp DO NOT connect the final clamp to the negative terminal of your flat car battery. What you want to find is a bare piece of metal that isn’t a moving part, or connected to any electrical components, so it can act as a grounding point. Some cars have an area known as an ‘earthing rod,’ so check your owner’s manual to see if your car has one of these you can connect the final clamp to. Be warned, connecting the final clamp to the negative terminal of your flat car battery can create a spark. Flat batteries can produce hydrogen gas too, which is highly flammable. If not treated safely, it could cause the battery to explode. 3. Jump Starting The Engine When all the jump cables have been connected, you can turn on the engine of the car with the good battery. Leave it to run for two minutes. Once done, start the ignition of your car with the flat battery. How long it takes to jump start is dependent on the amount of charge needed for the flat battery, but we advise waiting ten minutes for the flat battery to charge up. After ten minutes, turn the engines’ off on both cars and safely disconnect the jump cables. You do this by removing them in the opposite order to the way they were connected. Again, make sure that none of the clamps touch each other as you take them off. 4. Restart Your Car Your flat car battery should now be charged, and you can get on your way. To avoid the same situation happening, you should drive continually for at least 30 minutes, and ideally not in stop-start traffic; this allows the alternator to fully charge your battery. Knowing how to jumpstart your car is vital, especially as they are such a key component inside your vehicle. Much like your car battery, knowing how best to clean your car windscreen is essential for driving safely on the roads.
A man inspects the engine compartment of his car under a bonnet

Car Warning Lights Meanings and Symbols

Our detailed guide explains what each of your car warning lights means, shows you what each symbol looks like, and how you can fix the problems too. If your car ever encounters an issue, chances are one of your dashboard lights will turn on. To drive safely, it is important to know what these lights mean and how to resolve any problems as quickly as possible. With that in mind, we’ve put together an A to Z guide of what each of your car warning lights mean, so you can easily identify the problem that needs fixing. Our extensive range of parts will have what you need. So, you can fix the issue and drive safely once more. ABS / Anti-Lock Braking System This warning light indicates an issue with the anti-lock braking system. The lights will come up in red and appear as the three letters ‘ABS’ with a circle around them. The ABS prevents the wheels from locking under severe braking. If you see this symbol on your dashboard, get yourself to garage. Airbag If the airbag warning light turns red, it can mean there’s a malfunction with one of the airbags. As they are one of your car’s most important safety features, you should stop as soon as possible and take your car to the garage. If you see an amber warning light, this will appear when there is no one sat in the front passenger seat and because of this, it will not deploy in the event of an accident. But when someone does sit it in the passenger seat, this warning light will disappear, and the airbag will deploy in an accident. Battery Charge This dashboard light means that the battery is not charging, something is draining its charge or there is a wider issue with the electrical system. This should be checked out as soon as possible to prevent an unexpected breakdown. Brake Pad Monitor This symbol means that the system has determined the brake pads are too thin, and they need changing. It is safe to drive with this warning light on for a short amount of time. However, the car should be taken to a garage as soon as possible. Brake System And Brake Fluid This car warning light suggests there is a fault with the brakes. Before checking anything else, make sure that your handbrake is fully released. If this does not resolve the issue and the symbol is still showing, it is likely to be a more significant problem. For this reason, you should drive to the nearest garage immediately, to avoid a roadside breakdown. Broken Bulb This warning symbol indicates that a bulb in one of your lights needs replacing. As it is illegal to drive with a faulty or broken headlight, it’s important to change the bulb as soon as you can. Change Oil This dashboard light will notify you that your engine oil needs changing. You can do this yourself by checking your owner’s manual, and it is advisable to do it when you can to avoid causing engine damage. Cruise Control The cruise control symbol will light up if the system has been turned on. Cruise control helps drivers to maintain a constant speed. If the light is orange, a speed hasn’t been chosen yet. If the light turns green, a speed has been selected. DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) This warning light usually affects truck drivers and indicates that the DEF needs changing. Whilst it is safe to drive with this symbol showing, you should avoid doing so if you can. The reason is that the DEF reduces the emissions produced by a diesel engine. Doors Ajar This dashboard symbol is visible when the system detects one of the doors isn’t closing properly. On certain cars, it will also indicate which door is open. So, when it is safe, stop the car and close the open door. Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) A DPF is found in diesel cars and is used to capture exhaust soot, which reduces emissions. The DPF warning symbol displaying on your dashboard could mean the filter needs changing. To make sure it doesn’t, try driving around for ten minutes at high speeds (over 40mph), but if this doesn’t fix the problem, take your car to a garage, as there may be damage that has been caused to the engine. Electronic Throttle Control If this warning light comes on, it suggests that the accelerator is faulty. It is best to get it checked quicky at a local garage. Engine Cooling System When this symbol appears, your car may be overheating, and the coolant level could be low. To prevent the car from further overheating and suffering lasting damage, it is advised to call a breakdown service or garage to investigate the issue for you. Engine Management If you see this warning light come on, you need to have your car checked by a mechanic as soon as you can. This is to avoid lasting damage to the catalytic converter or DPF. Engine Oil Pressure And Level When this light comes up on your dashboard, it suggests there’s a problem with your oil supply or pressure. If this warning symbol shows, it is advisable to go to the nearest garage or petrol station and get the engine oil level checked. If after filling up with oil the light still shows, contact a breakdown service or garage immediately. Fog Light This symbol means your fog lights are on. Fuel Level This indicates the fuel level is low and you need to go to a petrol station and refill. Glow Plug This warning light is found in diesel cars and if it illuminates, it suggests that the plugs are warming up. If this happens, the engine should not be started until the light goes off. If it starts flashing, it means that an issue has been detected, which is when you need to take your car to the garage to get checked. Petrol Cap This symbol means that the petrol cap has not been secured correctly. The best practice is to pull over, when it is safe, and make sure it is correctly fastened. Power Steering System On hydraulic power systems, this warning light can indicate low fluid levels. In a car with an electric system, restarting the engine can often turn the light off. When the power assist is disabled, steering can become difficult. If this happens, have your vehicle checked by a professional engineer. Rear Windscreen Heater This warning light means that the rear defroster is turned on to clear moisture and condensation, which improves visibility. A flashing light can indicate a potential deeper issue. Reduced Power Also known as ‘limp home mode,’ this warning light means the onboard computers have detected a potentially serious fault, which has meant the engine’s power has been reduced to prevent further damage. To fix this problem, you need to go to a garage immediately. Seatbelt When this symbol lights up, it means one of the passengers does not have their seatbelt on. A chiming or beeping sound may accompany the light. If you see this warning symbol, make sure everyone has their seatbelt fastened correctly. Security Warning Light When this warning light is lit up, it indicates an issue with the anti-theft system. While it is safe to drive with this symbol showing, you should get your car checked at a garage as soon as possible to avoid any potential security issues. Service Vehicle This symbol may come on when your car detects a fault that requires professional maintenance. Whatever the reason, get your car checked to ensure there are no serious issues. Traction Control The traction control system helps your vehicle in difficult conditions. If the light switches on automatically, it has detected a loss of traction. If the light does not illuminate in slippery conditions, it is best to get the car looked at, as there may be a fault with the system. Traction Control Malfunction If this symbol ever lights up, it means that your traction control system is not functioning correctly. If this happens, get this looked at as soon as possible, to ensure your car will be safe to drive on slippery surfaces. Transmission Failure This car warning light means that the automatic transmission system has failed. Automatic transmissions are expensive to replace and the longer you drive with a fault, the greater the damage you can cause. You should get your car checked as soon as you can, to minimise any further damage. Tyre Pressure Sensor And Monitor If the tyre pressure warning light appears, it can suggest that your tyre pressure is too low, creating unsafe driving conditions. Stop at a petrol station or garage to check the pressure and adjust it if necessary. If this does not solve the issue, you will need to visit a garage. Washer Fluid Level When this light illuminates on your dashboard, it means the washer fluid is low and needs to be refilled. Being able to tell what each of your car warning lights means makes an enormous difference when you are driving. If you see your brake warning light illuminated on your dashboard, making sure you have checked your brake fluid can avoid a trip to your local garage.


Featured articles

Wipers removing rain on a car windshield

How to Clean Your Car Windscreen

Windscreens play an important role in our cars – enabling you to see where you’re going and keeping you protected from hazards on the road. Cleaning a car windscreen is therefore an essential task for all drivers throughout the year.  Our guide below takes you through how to clean inside windscreens and outside. Take a look out our range of external and internal cleaning products to prepare yourself for tackling the toughest windscreen grime.  Begin With A Wash  Start by giving your windscreen a wash with soapy water, cleaning with a soft cloth or squeegee as you go; this will begin to remove the top layer of dirt from your windscreen. Ensure the wipers are lifted up and pointed away from the glass as you clean. Wipe in small, circular movements to avoid brushing dirt away from you.  Once the dirty water has been washed away, gently apply rubbing alcohol or baking soda onto your wipers, as this helps to clean them if especially dirty.  Deep Clean  To clear away the toughest marks, use glass cleaner and a microfibre cloth. Compared to a standard cloth, microfibres have much thinner strands, giving them a wider surface area to capture dirt.  A small amount of white vinegar can also break through stubborn grime. Mix it with half a litre of water to create a potent cleaning solution.  Clean The Inside  Now that the outside of your wind screen is clear, it’s time to clean the inside. Take your glass cleaner and spray the inside screen, wiping with the microfibre cloth in circular motions. Ensure the cloth is clean before tackling the inside, as you may transfer dirt from cleaning the outside screen.  For marks left by phone holster sucker pads, rubbing alcohol will remove them in seconds. Use only a minimal amount to avoid any smearing.  Future Cleaning Tips  There are steps you can take to keep your car windscreen clean over time. These include:  Always keeping your wiper fluid topped up  Store a cloth and cleaning fluid in your car, should you need to clean the windscreens in an emergency  Wipes are your friend. Consider having a pack of glass wipes to hand, so you can quickly remove dirt or other stains which may impede your view during a journey Cleaning the windscreens is just one part of your car’s overall maintenance. Checking brakes is another task that, with the proper knowledge, you can diagnose and potentially fix yourself. For information on what may be causing squeaky or damaged breaks, check out our guide on the different factors to look out for.
Read article
A man inspects the engine compartment of his car under a bonnet

How To Jumpstart A Car


What our customers think

Help