The older your car, the likelihood is that it will be more prone to those little inconvenient breakdowns. Even the most respectable of car manufactures, such as the esteemed Mercedes Benz, can feel the force of Jack Frost’s fingertips.

Luxury, Style & Performance

Mercedes Benz is considered one of the pioneers of modern car transportation, a fore founder of the fast and luxurious. Whilst many will associate their three-pointed star badge with the corporate and commercial, Mercedes Benz has been influential in developing and advancing the evolution of the engine.

From their 1928 SSK racing car right through to their magnificent SLS AMG model, throughout history Mercedes Benz has been mapping and designing only the best in automobile luxury. Whether it is their business-encompassing saloons, their commercial vans right through to their family-friendly estates, the Mercedes Benz has symbolised the pinnacle of driving.

But low and behold, even the toughest of Mercedes Benz can be prone to mechanical and electrical fault. With the winter months still here, now may be the perfect time to get your Mercedes serviced by a specialist garage in preparation for, if the weather forecasts are correct, a freezing close to the winter months.

But what are some of the common problems found when dealing with Mercedes Benz breakdowns and repairs?

1. Electrical Problems

Topping the list appears to be problems to do with the electrical systems of Mercedes Benz. Obviously in the latest, newer models, the electrical systems are some of the most advanced around ensuring as luxurious a drive as possible. However, breaks in the circuit and frozen or missing parts are not uncommon and can often be quickly diagnosed and addressed using the latest in car diagnostic technology.

2. Service Those Brakes

In the hazardous winter conditions where visibility is poor, black ice is ripe and roads are slippy, your brakes can be all the difference when it comes to stopping in time. Mercedes Benz brakes are designed to be as effective as possible in all conditions but, with winter an unpredictable environment, it is always worth getting them serviced.

3. Engine & Engine Cooling

Mercedes Benz Engines are some of the most powerful machines around. Working at break-neck speeds, pistons, fuel and sparks explode into life when you turn on the ignition. Whilst Mercedes Benz are deemed as one of the most reliable manufactures around, a breakdown can be an eventuality. The powerful engine works at an incredibly fast rate and unsurprisingly, generates vast amounts of heat. A common problem, as with other cars, is the efficiency of the engine cooling system which, if unmanaged, can cause your engine to overheat.

Whilst we can’t always plan for those breakdowns, accidents and repairs, it is always worth allowing a reputable specialist-manufacturer mechanic take a look and the ins and outs of your car. That way, the only thing you have to worry about is ensuring you drive safe this winter. Remember; low speed, low revs and keep your distance from the car in front!

This post was written by Phil Warrington on behalf of Cars With Stars; a reputable and esteemed Mercedes Benz specialist garage with the facilities, knowledge and experience to carry out services and repairs.

CCTV systems are like eyes at the back of our heads, so why not use them to aid a customer experience? By motoring customers’ behaviours, shop owners would be able to recognise if a customer appears to be disoriented, or is looking around for a specific product or heading towards a specific department.

By viewing all of this on CCTV if a customer is in need of any assistance a member of staff can be directed to them. Let’s be honest if you go into a shop and you can’t find what you’re looking for, you leave. By installing CCTV cameras for these purposes not only would it boost retailer’s profits but it would make the everyday customers experience a much happier and hassle free one.

By installing additional cameras you not only have the obvious security benefits to making sure you employees and stock are safe and protected at all times but, by installing cameras at eye level among shop displays retailer can build up a detailed picture of how a shopper interacts with particular products which would provide instant feedback for retail analysts.

Another added benefit of installing CCTV systems is it’s also good for tracking queues and wait times, having CCTV surveillance in your retail premise would mean that when you’re not the front face on the tills you could see when the queues are building up and when your busiest times are. And because you have it on record this can help aid your analytics so you know exactly at what times in the day you need to replenish stock and open additional tills.

If you can use cameras to reduce shrinkage and shoplifting while at the same time producing measurable data that helps to sell more products, video analytics is a good bet in pointing your business in the right direction.

UK CCTV is the leading supplier for reliable and high quality CCTV systems for the domestic and commercial market.  For more information about their products and services contact them here.

Their fast, secure service ensures that your mobile phone arrives at their impressive repair center and is dispatched within 24 hours fully repaired. It really is that simple. From iPhone screen repairs to intricate internal problems, your smartphone concerns are their concern.

With smartphone technology ever-advancing, it is no surprise that it can be hard to keep track of the latest models and designs. Which is why The Fone Shop UK have put together this brief guide of what phones to look out for this 2013.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc

It’s about time Sony Ericson made a much awaited comeback. Its android phone with a crystal clear screen and intricate camera offer a great foundation for one of the fore founders of the mobile phone industry. Packed with apps and storage space, this easy-to-use smart phone will be the perfect choice for those looking for a smartphone they can trust.

Samsung Infuse 4G

This ultra-thin model is complimented with a super-size screen providing a display that oozes colours. Aimed at giving you a cinematic Android experience, this 4.5-inch screen allows you to see colours you didn’t even think were there. And with the introduction of 4G networking, you can expect a faster internet than ever before.

HTC Thunderbolt

The underdog of the smartphone world, HTC has infused its latest model with its award winning Sense UI overlay meaning. With an 8 megapixel camera and High Definition video recorder, YouTube devotees will be queuing to get their hands on this phone.

iPhone 5s

It’s no surprise that Apple’s latest addition will be the talk of the smartphone world. Leaders in the field, Apple are renowned for keeping their latest models under wraps, but that doesn’t stop noisy blog speculation.

For smartphone repairs, be sure to check out their website and follow their 3 simple steps.

Luckily, at The Fone Shop UK, they prepare for such eventualities, which is why they should be the first port of call for smartphone repairs. Whether you’re in need of an iPhone screen repair, a new headphone socket repair, or your BlackBerry has water damage, The Fone Shop UK have the experience and knowledge to provide a quick and effective fix.

Here 4 U

Based on the South Coast, their expertise and expansion has seen them grow to provide repairs all over the country. They are considered experts in the technology industry with over 12 years under our belt, giving you peace of mind that your broken phone is in safe, caring hands.

What really makes them stand out against their competitors however, is their unique and easy-to-use website. In 3 simple steps you can find your make and model of phone, identify the problem before checking out and dispatching your phone without the worry of hidden P&P charges.

As Easy As 1, 2, 3

The Fone Shop UK understand that people struggle to cope without the aid of their technological friend, which is why they aim to provide a quick and simple return time once your phone has been dispatched. Aiming to repair and dispatch your phone within 24 hours at their high-tech repair centre, their fully trained engineers will also ensure that all replacement parts are ready for your phones arrival as well as conducting a full 12 point quality control check.

They are so confident in their ability to provide effective and responsive repairs that, if you are not fully satisfied, they will give you a full refund. So if you’re in need of a quick and efficient phone repair, check out their website and follow our 3 simple steps.

Constant Presence

Whether you are going on holiday or all your staff have gone home for the night, your CCTV system will always be there, ready to capture any potential intruder.

Crime Deterrent

A CCTV system can be a deterrent and would put a would-be intruder off all together. Just like seeing a mounted alarm system, an intruder seeing them can put them off; therefore they may decide it’s easier and safer to move elsewhere. It’s much better to prevent an intrusion rather than dealing with it after it’s occurred, which can go some way to reduce the rate of crime.

Evidence

If a crime was to occur in your property, the CCTV systems will provide you with the recordings. You can consult the recording in the DVR to determine what actually happened, these recordings can then be re-produced, zoomed into and slowed down until the perpetrator is identified. The CCTV footage will aid any police investigation or insurance claim.

Peace of Mind

A CCTV system can provide a business or homeowner with an increased sense of security and peace of mind, particularly at this time of year when crime rate tends to increase significantly.

Install a CCTV system or camera in your home or business today, so you can feel secure with the knowledge that whatever happens, you’ll be able to monitor it. For more information on UKCCTV’s products or services, call us today on: 0800 970 8311. Alternatively contact us here.

CCTV

For catching a criminal in the act there is nothing more effective than a CCTV system. With cameras set up at various points in and around your premises they will first deter the intruder as they are visible to a would-be criminal before then capturing and recording the scene should the intruder still attempt to break into your property. With 24 hour monitoring you can be notified immediately if something out of the ordinary is occurring, at least if the criminal isn’t put off by the camera you will have recorded evidence for the authorities.

Access Control

For complete control over who can and can’t get into your premises and access areas around your premises an access control system could be what is required. Through key pad systems, swipe cards, and key, access control can be used throughout your property from the main entrance to individual offices and safes so you can keep track of who has access.

Intruder Alarms

Whether you choose wired or wireless alarms this security method can be used effectively on buildings of all sizes. Intruder alarms serve the purpose of both raising awareness of a crime and also discouraging the criminal from proceeding any further if their presence has been clearly recognised.

Lighting

As the nights draw in, it subsequently makes sense to introduce some light. By providing constant lighting throughout the night or using light sensors you can detect even the slightest movement, security lighting initially provides a deterrent a to the criminal but it also acts as an early warning system when the sensor controlled light comes on can quickly be searched for any unwanted intruders. It’s also good for assisting CCTV systems, as the lighting will make the intruder’s image much clearer and make the intruder easier to identify.

By installing one or all of these security features at your premises  UKCCTV are confident you will be well on your way to improving your level of security through these winter months. UKCCTV supply reliable high quality CCTV systems for both domestic and commercial properties nationwide, for more information contact them here.

Are Winter Tyres Better?

Winter tyres are specifically designed to cope with severe weather conditions like snow and ice. They’re manufactured using a different type of rubber to summer tyres as well as having different tread. This means they can cope much better in temperatures below 7 degree. They don’t go hard or lose their flexibility like summer tyres do and industry experts say they work much better than regular tyres, dramatically reducing your stopping distances.

When Should I Put Them On?

According to Met Office statistics, the average temperature in the UK from mid-November until the beginning of March is below 7 degrees and has been since 1980! So now is the ideal time to get a set of winter tyres fitted.

Are They Worth the Expense?

Winter tyres are an excellent investment if you live in quite a remote location and have to travel along country roads to get to work. Also, if you use your car every day and it plays an essential part in your everyday life, winter tyres could be very beneficial. If you live in a town and you’re lucky enough to only make one or two trips a week in your car then the expense of a set of winter tyres may be difficult to justify.

Where Can I Winter Tyres From?

Wheel Power stock a wide range of tyres including speciality tyres like winter tyres. They can help you choose the most suitable set for your car and your requirements and they will even fit them for you too. Wheel Power can also carry out wheel alignment and tracking in South London, so be sure to check out their website for more information.

For those of us that love a good old fancy dress party, we’ve put together so many costumes that our deep well of imagination and inspiration as all but dried up and for the fancy dress haters, well…your costume isn’t exactly something that you’ll be particularly enthusiastic about.

So as Halloween is fast approaching, it’s time to get your thinking hats on and start finding that killer costume! But have no fear, we know the trick to finding that perfect costume and we’ll even throw in a few ideas as well.

Go The Whole Hog!

This is not a recommendation to go dressed as a hog; although that could be quite funny. We mean, don’t make a half-hearted effort at a costume because if you’re going to do it, you might as well do it properly! To be perfectly honest, it really doesn’t matter what you go as, as long as you fully commit to the costume.

You could go as something as traditional as a witch but if you do it properly by getting the long flowing black dress, the crooked hat, the long finger nails and deathly white complexion with blood red lips, you’ll look fantastic. Similarly, you could have an ingenious idea but if you don’t put your all into it, it’ll be a frightful flop at the party!

Get the Ghouls Together

Getting together in a group to dress up is a great idea and if it’s done properly, it can look fantastic. Group costumes take a little planning and co-ordination but oh my, all the effort is worth it in the end.

The best tip here is to go with an easy identifiable group of characters (there are some ideas coming up!) but stay away from the generic themes. The generic themes are the hardest to pull off: how many times have you seem a group of ‘kind-of-piratey-looking’ people walking down the street? Were you impressed by their costumes? Didn’t think so.

One more thing, Halloween costumes don’t have to be scary so please, don’t think of a costume and put ‘zombie’ in front of it. The world has seen enough of the ‘zombie cat’, the ‘zombie school girl’ and the ‘zombie smurf ‘!

Struggling for Ideas?

-    Toy Story: you’ll need a Buzz Lightyear, a Woody, a Jessie and a Little Bo Peep as a minimum. After that there are so many recognisable characters that the possibilities are endless and the costumes aren’t that difficult to get right.

-    Oompa Loompas: this costume is dead easy to do and it can look awesome. Paint your faces orange, grab a green wig and some white dungarees and you’re away.

-    Circus Freaks: this one can be as tame or as terrifying as you want it to be. There are a whole host of characters to choose from; do you fancy being the bearded lady? How about the Siamese twins? Perhaps a troupe of psychotic clowns is your cup of tea?

-    The Rocky Horror Picture Show: a classic group costume idea but by George, it’s a classic for a reason!

One last tip when it comes to dressing up for Halloween: get your costume sorted as soon as possible! If you don’t get in there quickly, all the best costumes will be gone and you’ll end up wearing your little sister’s pumpkin dress if you’re not careful!

This article was written by Jennifer Griffiths on behalf of Fast Fancy Dress; the first place to go when you need a great fancy dress costume in time for Halloween.

Coming to peace with the fact you’re going to get soaking wet is the first task, and as such, it’s time to throw on the old clothes, or lose them altogether, that way you can shower straight after and kill two birds!

Next :

- Choose a commercial cleaner, spray or scrub, or make your own using baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice!
- Get inside the enclosure and give everything a thorough spray down with your chosen cleaner, paying particular attention to the sealant and any glass surfaces.
- Scrub down the walls and sealant, and give the tray a good going over as well, working away any areas of discolouration (usually stains from shower products)
- Remove the shower head from its fitting and rinse and wash down the enclosure extensively, before giving yourself a rinse off as well.
- Finally, towel down the walls, and any areas largely susceptible to mould. Again, it’s worth trying to get the sealant dry as well.

Cascada Bathrooms provide a range of beautiful, bespoke showers enclosures that you can keep expertly clean with these easy steps! So visit the website today, and make your new shower shiny!

To help you in your task, we have devised the following guide; filled to the brim with lots of advice and hints on what to get.

Gadget Gifts

Does the man in question love playing with his gadgets? Is he always searching for the latest must-have IT toys to add to his collection? If yes, you’re in luck. We have a fantastic selection of gadgetry gifts including the Bladefish Underwater Video Camera.

If he’s got a holiday planned or he’s into his extreme water sports, this gift could make an impressive splash. The camera itself is tiny, easily fitting into pockets, and can go 10 metres under water. So whether he’s calling himself a surfer this summer or the kids are dragging him snorkelling – make sure all the action is snapped!

Quirky/Funny Gifts

Has your younger brother not outgrown the classic fart jokes? Or is your dad still asking you to ‘pull his finger’? Whichever it is, we have a mind-blowing selection of gifts sure to scratch their sense of humour.

The Novelty Fart Fan – perfect office gift to fend off the offending wafts of the fanatic farter in the corner. We all have the designated trumpeter in the office, and why play fire with fire when you can blow wind at wind? This little hand-held fan blows the fart right back at the instigator.

Sporting Gifts

We have a range of sporting gifts; helping you to equip your hubby with the latest sporting accessories. Our personal favourite, which is sure to get a hole in one, are the personalised tees. These can be inscribed with the name or a special date; ensuring they look the part.

If none of these hit the mark, try our ‘GRUMPY OLD GIT MINTS’ as these are a refreshing treat for the grumpy man in your life. For more ideas, visit the rest of our website today.