Summer Driving Tips

Summer time – the perfect time for those long drives, or for that much anticipated road trip with your friends. But, make no mistake -- good weather does not always mean good driving conditions. Why you ask? Well for one, sunshine can melt the road surface making it extremely slippery. And if it rains at the end of a long dry spell it can result a dangerous mixture of dust, oil and rubber and produce a road surface similar to an ice rink. And there you were thinking that with winter long over you wouldn’t be worrying about these things.

Here are some driving tips for summer motoring from AA Roadwatch to help you get by the sunny season without losing your cool:

Servicing: A full service is necessary at least one full week before a long journey.

Last Minute Checks: Engine, oil, brake and clutch fluids, battery electrolyte, tyre pressure and the windscreen washer reservoir should be rechecked just before the journey starts.

Spare Kit: Delays caused by minor faults can be reduced by taking a small spares kit comprising of a fan belt, radiator hoses, bulbs, points, a condenser, pair of spark plugs and a roll of insulting tape.

Balance: The load should be balanced, that is, heavy articles should be placed as near to the centre of the car as possible. Heavy articles must never be concentrated on one side of the vehicle, neither must luggage impede the drivers vision or prevent seat belts from being used.

Inside The Car: Loose or heavy items in the passenger compartment can move under braking or cornering - this can distract the driver or jam against the control.

Outside The Car: Roof racks must be firmly and loaded with as low a profile as possible to minimize the wind resistance and maintain stability. Also, make sure every-thing carried on the roof rack is securely tied down.

Care In The Country: Many city drivers feel free driving in the country - less restricted, however, you must remember, care and attention is still needed at all times - there may just be a herd of cows around the next corner!

Farm animals must be treated with patience. Drivers meeting them should slow down well in advance and leave as much space as possible between the car and the herd.

Fast driving past a horse and rider can also be dangerous - it may cause the horse and rider to shy and throw its rider. They should be overtaken very slowly, with as much space as possible between it and its rider.

Volkswagen welcomes Golf Plus Dune

A distinctive new version of the Golf Plus is set to join the Volkswagen range later in the summer with the arrival of the Golf Plus Dune.

Based on the versatile Golf Plus platform, the new Dune model’s styling is based on that of its ‘little brother’, the Polo Dune. So expect a raised ride height, revised exterior styling and additional standard equipment.

Here are the features and specification includes:

- A raised ride height
- Ride height is accentuated by a set of bespoke matt blistered wheel arches and tough, textured plastic front and rear
- Revised springs and dampers (raise the ride height by 20 mm)
- Revised exterior styling
- Additional standard equipment
- Enhanced by a set of unique BBS 17-inch alloy wheels
- Alloy wheels are wrapped in 225/45 R17 tires
- Set into the front bumper is a deep air dam
- A set of fog lights
- Rear bumper is intersected by a contoured, silver panel
- Silver roof rails
- Durable plastic rubbing strips (running down the side of the vehicle)
- 1.9-litre TDI engine developing 105 PS and 184 lbs ft of torque
- Engine is fitted with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) (to reduce emissions)
- Capable of returning a combined economy figure of 50.4 mpg while emitting only 148 g/km of CO 2
- Top speed of 121 mph
- Can sprint from standstill to 62 mph in 12.1 seconds
- Leather steering wheel
- Gear knob and handbrake
- Climatic semi automatic air conditioning is fitted
- Automatic driving lights
- Windscreen wipers
- Electric front and rear windows
- A multifunction computer
- Eight-speaker CD stereo system
- Six airbags
- ABS and Electronic Stabilization Programmer (ESP)

You can choose among three colors: Ice Silver and Steel Grey metallic as well as Blue Graphite pearl effect. Pricing is at £18,495.