TEST: Saxon Brand Sonax Car Valeting Gear

With all this wonderful Wintery weather comes a ton of gritting salt – corrosive in the extreme to your prized motor. So, with this in mind, we decided to get hold of a multitude of quality, brand new Sonax valeting gear from Saxon to give our press cars on test and Road Magazine project cars a post-Winter treat, to keep them sweet. Saxon's Sonax brand has been used by the McLaren F1 team and the Red Bull Racing team – and if they’re good enough for Mark, Sebastian, Jenson and Lewis, then they’re certainly good enough for us and our old faithful project cars! 

Saxon say: "We are on hand to help show your car some love, offering everything from car cleaning products, chamois, sponges and touch up paints to car tidies, in-car entertainment and the famous Little Trees® air fresheners, ensuring your car looks as good as new, and stays that way – especially after a harsh Winter. And with a new valeting range from its Sakura brand for 2012 the job has never been easier, so roll up your sleeves and rid your car of signs of winter wear with Saxon."
The Sonax collection, which has been specifically designed for the UK, includes a Deep Gloss Shampoo, Polishing Wax, Paint Renovator, Wheel Cleaner, Glass Cleaner, Interior Cleaner, Cockpit Shine, Cockpit Cleaner and Tyre Care. Prices start from £3.99 for a 500ml bottle of shampoo, which can last up to 20 washes.
Saxon’s brands are available from independent retailers, supermarkets and retail chains nationwide, to find your nearest stockist simply call Saxon on 01488 689 400 or email info@saxon-brands.com with your postcode and they will tell you where to go to get hold of the good stuff.

We will wait until the snow clears here before getting to our post-Winter valet, and let you know how we get on soon, using the expert help of our pal, Stuart Staples, a pro-valeter who runs Auto Genie Car Care. His opinion will count. More updates here soon. Meantime, thanks to Porcha at Whitefoot PR and of course Saxon.

NEWS: Winter Is Coming! Make Sure Your Car Isn’t Caught Out!

With America’s east coast being thoroughly battered by the recent super-storm, British complaints about the weather seem a little inappropriate. Still, a blast of arctic air has ensured things feel a little cold around these parts (a second pair of pants only go so far) and the snow that fell offered a timely reminder to motorists that winter may as well be here.
The distinguishing feature of a British winter is that you don’t know when it’s going to start, or what it’s going to do. In this guide from Nationwide Vehicle Contracts we see how being prepared for winter may spare you from unpleasant journeys and genuine danger.

Combating the cold

• Cold weather creates treacherous road conditions, but low temperatures are a threat to the normal operation of the car itself. 
• Wake earlier and run your air conditioner to de-mist your windscreen. You can speed the process up a little by adding de-icer to your windscreen washer fluid and running your wipers. 
• Your radiator and engine block can freeze, and possibly even crack. Make sure you have a solution of 50% antifreeze and 50% water in your cooling system when winter comes along.
• Ensure you use the correct anti-freeze in your car: Your owner’s manual should make a recommendation, but most modern cars use long-life antifreezes. Avoid mixing types of anti-freeze. 
• If your engine makes any unusual sounds or your car begins to overheat, frozen water may be causing a blockage. Immediately stop somewhere safe, turn off the engine and investigate. 
• Keep de-icer in the car, but also have a backup supply outside it in case the locks freeze. 

Coping with the roads

Though local councils appear to be getting better at gritting roads and clearing snow, you are still going to encounter problems when out and about in winter. A lack of grip and poor visibility will blight your drive, and it’s important that you prepare your car and yourself for driving in these conditions:

• Winter conditions make checking tyre tread depth and factory mandated inflation absolutely critical.
• Change your fuel habits: top up more regularly.
• Bring a second pair of shoes for driving (snow covered shoes obviously offer poor grip).
• Avoid back-road routes and hills, if you can. Plan you route before you set out.
• Accelerate gently, turn slowly, brake carefully and early. Drive with more distance between you and other cars.
• Bear in mind that snow-chains are only useful in deep snow, and will need to be taken off on concrete. 

Getting stuck

Even if you keep your car in tip-top condition, it only takes a sudden snowfall on an inadequately gritted road for you to be well and truly stuck. Before you set off, it’s a good idea to travel with the following in the boot, so you can react to any problem or simply sit it out without risking exposure to the elements:

• Jump leads.
• Small shovel.
• Small knife.
• Blanket.
• First-aid kit.
• Flashlight with spare batteries.
• Energy / Granola bars. 
• Large bottle of water.
• Bag of sand or cat litter (to create traction).
• A spare phone.
• Map.
• Something to read!

Safe Winter driving folks!