The Filter

It's always useful to be able to do a few small jobs on the car yourself, and it will save you a few shillings along the way. Why not post some of your car DIY tips here?

Here's some handy tips from our partner Haynes, who have kindly supplied some car DIY tips:

How to change a light bulb

Changing a blown fuse

Replacing a battery

De-icing Tips

Coolants advice

Jump leads - How to use them

Aligning headlights

Reducing CO2 emissions

Checking your tyres

Changing a wheel in emergency

Window wiper checks

Prepare your car for winter

Fit new spark plugs - Video

Changing air filters - Video

Changing the oil - Video

Replacing brake disks and pads - Video

Cooling system maintenance - Video

Myself and a couple of friends bought these from iBood.com and they really are a bargain. You can download around 500 movies onto them, photos etc. My technology mates could tell you a lot more about it (check the iBood website for proper info), but as far as I'm concerned it's very easy to use, works well and is small so you can bring it with you if you're heading away. I think it was about 125euro. IBood.com is a nifty website that sends you an email each day with a link to one product which is being sold off cheap. Sounds like a scam but it's surprisingly good. I was worried that i'd end up buying a whole heap of state-of-the-art tin openers, hoovers that also paint walls and remote control helicopters but to date i've just gone for the Argosy. The products tend to come around periodically, so if you miss out on it (there are usually limited stock), it will probably come around a few weeks later.

              We're not going to use this to focus on just our own products but there are actually a  few that are worthy of particular attention. The Quixx Scratch Remover is one such item - genuinely a brilliant product for LIGHT Scratches on your paintwork.

I used it a few weeks ago on my girlfriends car when a neighbour scrapped against her car and left a fair few scratches with paintwork engrained into them. While my girlfriend was distraught, I was secretly delighted to have the opportunity to demonstrate that I was not merely an inept fool who replaces the odd light bulb around the house. The next day I brought home the Quixx and in the style of a CSI forensics expert, I got to work on the car. While I would love to say that I spent hours toiling over the paintwork, sweat dripping from forehead as I painstakingly reworked the vehicle to its former glory, the reality is that it was disappointingly easy and I was done in 10 minutes. Girlfriend happy, DIY reputation enhanced.

Want to see how it works? See the product demo video here - please excuse the cheesy production style.

Praise the Lord!! Some good news at last on fuel prices as the Indo reports that new laws may be on the way to put a cap on the price of fuel. Petrol stations are to be issued with a maximum price option which should stop the ridiculous prices being charged by some of the stations around the country. Of course you can always seek out good fuel value at this consumer website http://www.pumps.ie/ 

Motoring journalist Paddy Comyn reports from the Paris Motor Show in the Irish Times this week, with an interesting look at future low emmission vehicles from some of the leading manufacturers.