News
Preparing your car for returning to the road
Local garage owners are advising motorists of a few simple tasks they can do at home to ensure they don’t suffer any unnecessary breakdowns as the restrictions are slowly being lifted across the country.
Many cars, especially those owned by elderly motorists or people who have been cocooning for personal reasons, have been lying idle since the end of March.
The Government announcement regarding back to work procedures will have given loads of people something to look forward to but the suggested date of May 18 could prove to be very stressful if motorists don’t take some simple steps to ensure their car will start and perform in the day they are due to return to work.
“I would ask anyone who has not driven for a few weeks to take extra care on the roads when they do they go out,” Rathmore-based Peugeot dealer John Reen told the Killarney Advertiser.
"A lot of people are cocooning for eight weeks or more and it will take a bit of getting used to again.”
Fluid levels should be checked on all cars that have been lying idle; oil, coolant and water may have leaked or evaporated over the last few weeks and could be at a dangerously low level.
With cars potentially remaining dormant for weeks or months there is a risk of battery failure. Owners should start and run their cars, when safe to do so, and be mindful of where exhaust fumes are heading, for at least 30 minutes every 10 days.
Flat batteries can cause further stress apart from the obvious, for example, a drained battery could disrupt the car’s central locking and could prevent access when you need it most. Some cars need a radio code to operate the in-car entertainment system and a flat battery could result in the need to re-input a code.
“The battery is the obvious one,” he added.
"But handbrakes and clutches can seize too and people need to be mindful that a car could take a jump after it has been started for the first time. Many cars these days are fitted with electric handbrakes and they could be seized too.”
It is advisable to take the car for a short run every few days and with the current restrictions now extended to 5k, there is no reason why you can’t take a slightly longer journey on your trip to the shops while still respecting the essential journey guidelines.
Hybrid car owners should switch on ‘Ready Mode’ for approximately 30 minutes every 15 to 20 days to keep the battery topped up.
Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise
Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.
Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.
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