Tips, Tricks and Industry Updates
As industry experts, we can provide our customers with more than just a road-worthy car and incredible service. Knowing the basics about how your vehicle works and what you need to be wary of is important to keep you on the road and out of an accident. Check out our news posts to learn more about your car and the motor industry.
Catalytic converters are present on practically every car on the road today. They use chemical reactions to clean harmful gasses – such as carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons – from your car’s exhaust emissions. Their job is particularly important these days now that we are more climate-conscious. They convert (hence the name)…
It’s that time of the year again; the sun is coming out of hibernation, the lotion is being dusted for cobwebs and pulled out the back of the cupboard, and you’re relying on your car’s air con to keep you cool on your travels. But could you be harming yourself in the process? As a…
If you’re like me and really hate cleaning your car (!) you may be motivated to keep at least part of it neat if you know you could be fined up to £1,000. Now, I’m not saying you could get charged for having a dirty car – I’m ashamed to admit mine has been known…
The used car market is a minefield, to put it lightly. Sadly, you wouldn’t believe the number of times we have to inform customers that the car they’ve just bought is not in the condition they believed it to be. If you’re in the market for a second-hand car, there are some things you can…
Not to sound like a broken record, but the cost of living crisis is still in full swing, and it’s as important as last year to be careful with your spending. With that in mind, have you considered that you could potentially be overspending on your car servicing? Servicing your car is paramount to ensuring…
As the year is coming to a close (I know, we’re wondering where the time’s gone, too!), we thought it fitting to discuss the best tech of the automotive industry so far. If you read our last blog post, you’ll know we’ve also covered the introduction of self-driving vehicles and how that may impact safety…
Fully autonomous cars dominating our roads may seem like a scene from a futuristic sci-fi film, but we are closer to this becoming reality than you may wish to believe. Driverless cars have remained a thing of the distant future for some years, but the Department for Transport (DfT) has said the first self-driving cars…
*Photo taken during Covid-19 pandemic – masks are no longer a requirement of garage visitors or staff* You may remember us posting an article about the importance of female-friendly garages back in 2021 (it feels like ten years ago!). We feel so strongly about this topic that we felt it deserved another post. A year…
Your car is an asset – possibly your most valuable, second to your house. Part of looking after your car is getting it serviced regularly, but choosing which garage to trust can be tricky. Despite what you might believe, you don’t have to take your car to the main dealer for its regular service. Although…
It’s common knowledge that we spend a large portion of our lives at work, and while this is generally considered to positively impact our well-being, mental health concerns are on the rise. A recent survey conducted by Ben – an organisation committed to supporting automotive industry employees – has shown “that mental health is one…
So, you’ve not long purchased a new car and you need to get it into the garage for a service. You don’t want to pay an arm and a leg to the main dealer, but what choice do you have? Turns out, quite a lot. According to an agreement called the European Union Block Exemption…
Rising fuel costs, along with an increase in the cost of overall living, is a problem we are all facing. Understanding how your car uses its fuel, and what you can do to reduce the amount consumed, is a way to help offset the rise in costs. Since the weather is due to heat up…
If your car is more than three years old, an annual MOT test is non-negotiable – in fact, it’s a legal requirement to ensure your car is roadworthy. A car with an expired or failed MOT is illegal to drive and could land you with a hefty fine, and even a driving ban. It is…
However unassuming the cam belt may seem, it plays a crucial role in keeping your car safe on the road. If not properly maintained, it could cause serious damage to your engine. What is a cam belt? Simply put, it’s a vital piece of the engine. Its job is to control the timing of your…
In Summer 2021, the UK made the switch to E10 as the standard petrol grade – as opposed to E5 – in a bid to cut carbon dioxide emissions. Formula 1 is now also committing to this change; as of next season all race cars will run on E10 fuel. Ferrari has complained of having…
As with most industries, the car world has its own version of Chinese whispers. Unfortunately, it’s often hard to determine what’s true and what’s false. Follow the wrong advice and you could suffer real-life consequences. So, what are some of the most common car maintenance myths? Premium fuel is better for your car and will…
It may be referred to as the most wonderful time of the year, but, for unprepared drivers, it can quickly turn into the most dangerous. Now, we don’t want to put a dampener on the festivities, but believe us when we say nothing could ruin this season more than getting a flat battery on the…
Your tyres are the only contact your car has with the road, so it’s crucial that you take care of them. The legal tyre tread depth in the UK and Europe is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, however, most recommend a minimum tread depth of 3mm for optimal safety. If your tyres…
Taking insipiration from recent events, we thought it fitting to place a focus on petrol. Although we’re now past the panic now, we can shed some light on another issue associated with fuel – putting the wrong one in your car. Petrol shortage scare or not, every three and a half minutes someone in the…
HOW TO FIND A GOOD GARAGE Finding a trustworthy garage is vital. For example, while a bad experience at a restaurant is disappointing, a bad experience at a garage could not only urn an unnecessary hole in your pocket, but leave you with a car that’s even less roadworthy than before. Here’s some advice that…
Are you constantly having to top up your engine coolant with water? We’re sorry to tell you, but that’s not normal and definitely not healthy. Topping up your engine coolant is fine, but should only really be done in an emergency to enable you to get to a garage. So, why are you having to…
IS IT IMPORTANT TO CHANGE YOUR CAR’S OIL? In short, yes; oil is incredibly important for keeping your car running safely and smoothly, but many often put this job at the bottom of their to-do list. It’s easily done – life just gets in the way. However, not changing your oil regularly comes with consequences:…
Most driving hazards are associated with wintertime, but summer can bring a host of different risks. We’ve put together a list of the top summer driving hazards and some safety tips to help you dodge them. What are the dangers to look out for when driving in summer? Roadblocks, detours and, traffic jams Motorcycles Pedestrians…
HOW TO USE YOUR CAR’S AIR-CONDITIONING EFFECTIVELY It’s getting hot out there – and we’re definitely not complaining! – but that means it’s time to put your car’s air-con to good use. Here are a few tips to make sure you get the most out of it during a heatwave: Open your doors and windows…
As we’re almost completely out of the coronavirus lockdown – hopefully forever – it’s no surprise that this year is expected to set a new record for staycations. Roads are already loaded with cars and people trying to escape to a different part of the UK, most travelling for hours on end to get to…
WHY GARAGES MUST BECOME MORE FEMALE-FRIENDLY IN 2021 Going to a garage can be an intimidating, confusing, and anxiety-inducing experience for some women, with many avoiding taking their car in for a service or MOT, regardless of the risk to their safety. There is a selection of garages that work hard to create a safe, comfortable environment for…
With totally honest advice and completely transparent pricing, K Brown Auto Repairs offers the service you and your car deserve. For over 25 years, people have been bringing their cars to K Brown Auto Repairs time after time for all their servicing and MOT needs – and for a very good reason. Because Keith and Tamsin Brown have always been comitted to ensuring their centres at King’s Lynn and Hunstanton are welcoming and reassuring…
The KL Magazine are a local magazine based around celebrating and supporting all things Norfolk. We feature in the magazine every month, whether in advert form or as an informative editorial. Next month’s read is all about those worry-inducing warning lights that pop up on the dashboard of your car… 30,000 different codes and one…
Directors of K Brown Auto Repairs, Tamsin and Keith Brown, are proud to be volunteering at the Kings Lynn Night Shelter for the second time throughout the winter months. The Night Shelter’s aim is to provide shelter and comfort to those who would otherwise be sleeping on the streets or in unsafe accommodation. Is your…
It’s 1995 and K Brown Auto Repairs is simply a newcomer business, set up in a small garage tucked away in Heacham. Now, 25 years ahead, we have workshops in both Hunstanton and Kings Lynn and a large, satisfied customer base. It’s fair to say that cars may have changed since then, but our fantastic…
Dear customers, Happy New Year. We hope you are all safe and well at this worrying time. Please continue to follow government advice and only go out when necessary. The following information is true of what is happening at the moment with regards to the effect of coronavirus on our business and we will continue to update this…
ARE YOU CONFUSED ABOUT THE MOT EXTENSION? Here’s what you need to know: If your MOT was due between 30 March and 31 July 2020 the certificate is extended for a further six months. Even if you make use of the extension you must make sure your car is in a roadworthy condition to be…