25th June 2017 – “Accrington Carnival” 

A great day at Accrington Carnival 2017, meeting lovely kind people, having a few giggles and raised lots of pennies for the East Lancashire Hospice. Well done to everyone!

23rd July 2017 – Chocolate Family Hamper at the “Tinker & Budget Pub”

Alan Price presented these lovely flowers to Pauline the landlady at the Tinker & Budget Pub Pub in Oswaldtwistle.
Thank you and the local community for taking part in our Corporate Challenge to raising funds for East Lancashire Hospice

3rd June 2017 – “Accrington Food & Drink Festival” 

Another great day raising money for the East Lancashire Hospice at the Accrington Food & Drink Festival festival.
We had a fantastic day, meet some very kind people and we would like to thank the community for making this day amazing.

St. James Church in Accrington has holding a fundraising day on Saturday 3^rd June. Hundreds people has took a part in an ‘Oops Upside Your Head’ unofficial world record attempt in memory of Warner Street trader Evonne Harwood. The dancing was choreographed by George De Rosa from Clubbercise Hyndburn and we also raised money for East Lancashire Hospice.

1st June 2017 – “Premier Express”

We would like to congratulate Premier Express and the local community in Lower Darwen for their efforts raising £172.00 for The East Lancashire Hospice Charity. Well done everyone!

Keep your car cool this summer
Get 20% off a “Air Conditioning Service + Sanitization”
RRP £70.00 –> NOW ON SALE £56.00

Why you should have your Air Conditioning Serviced?
 To prevent nasty odours
 Keep your car cool in hot temperatures
 Prevent harmful bacteria and contaminates
 Having an efficient air conditioning system keeps fuel costs low
 Manufactures recommend you service the air condition system service at least every 2 years

What is included in the Air Conditioning Service?
 Recharging refrigerant to recommended levels
 Adding fresh system oil
 Check operation of air condition system
 Full vision inspection, temperature and leak check
 Recovery of refrigerant, evacuation of air and moisture from system

If you have any questions or if you would like to book an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us on the following phone number: 01254 679937

Take advantage of this fantastic offer in May and June

Sometimes the most outlandish ideas turn out to be the best. The more conservative among us would never even dream of introducing motoring inspired furniture to their homes, but for those who do, the rewards of having unique and stylish interior furnishings are there for the taking. Here are 10 of the best that we’ve compiled just for you…

10) As a car the original Fiat 500 may have been pretty useless at being anything other than a cute city-only runabout, but in the afterlife, these cars can be brought back to life as stylish Italian themed sofas such as these. Surprisingly comfier than the originals too.

9) Supercars such as the Lamborghini Muchielago belong on your bedroom wall. The owner of this bedroom however has gone one step further, building a whole double bed in tribute to the Italian supercar. Over the top? Well that’s what Lamborghini are about. We think it’s pretty cool.

8) Now this one’s right up our street! Everybody loves a barbecue, but to make them sausages extra tasty this summer, why not crash a classic mini through your neighbour’s fence and cook some succulent red meat on its engine? Mmm….

7) Keeping on the theme of Classic Mini’s, this one has been completely gutted and transformed into an office desk and storage cabinet. A very innovative and stylish approach to office furnishings that we’d love to see replicated more commonly.

6) Here’s a contemporary design for all you Audi fans out there. This glass-topped table features an intricate base made from the head of a V8 engine. The design is super sleek and modern, incorporating the latest of Audi’s cutting edge technology in a practical and stylish package suitable for even the most clinical of living arrangements.

5) The owner of this extravagant fireplace clearly appreciates the in-your-face aesthetics of a Scania truck in his/her lounge. Many people will prefer a subtler alternative, however this will definitely warm the room during the winter months. By the looks of things, those lights may have been connected up to the mains too. Sweet!

4) Just missing out on the top 3, we found this beautifully crafted Mercedes-Benz clock. Displaying the companies precision engineering at its finest, this ornate household accessory would look completely at home in any contemporary living space.

3) Coming in in third place is this heavily modified VW Beetle front end converted into an armchair fit for the Queen. We’ve ranked this so highly due to the quality of the finish on this product and lets face it, we all love a bit of quilting!

2) Just missing out on the top spot is this Ford Mustang inspired pool table. In an All-American sort of way, this is one of the coolest things we’ve ever seen and if every pool table was this interesting, I’m sure the sport would gain a few more followers.

1) Well… This has got to top the lot! Anybody who can successfully model a BAR on a retro VW Camper and actually make it look convincing deserves a medal in our eyes. This one even features a fully functioning cockpit and coffee machine!

A couple of months ago you may remember we ran a competition to win a FREE Terraclean here at Lancashire’s Premier Garage. The lucky gentleman who had the pleasure of winning this highly coveted prize pictured here alongside his stunning Audi and Alan Price himself.

After having suitable time to get accustomed to his Post-Terraclean vehicle, here is what he has to say:

“So since I have had my Terraclean done I have noticed a few improvements. The engine feels smoother than before and is definitely much quieter. It also feels more responsive when I put my foot down. I have also noticed the car heats up a lot quicker. Previously the car would take a good few minutes for the heaters to kick in but since the Terraclean it seems to be a lot quicker than before.
On the performance side of things I have done a few 100+ mile motorway runs mainly on cruise control driving, similar to how I did before. Previously I averaged out at around 47-52mpg however post Terraclean my average was coming back as 54-57mpg. My last tank of fuel gave me 600 miles which is by far the most I have got out of a tank since I have has the car. All in all I must say I have definitely seen an improvement in the car since the Terraclean was performed and again would like to thank you again for this. I would strongly recommend Terraclean to all of my friends.”

So there you have it, another happy customer added to our portfolio. The Terraclean revolution is sweeping the nation and the reviews are speaking for themselves. Watch this space, as this is going to be a very exciting year…

You’ll know what we mean, once you’ve had a Terraclean – Alan Price

Merry Christmas from all the team here at Lancashire’s Premier Garage! The festive spirit has been with us for a while now and now the time has almost arrived we’re practically bouncing off the ceilings. YES WE’RE THAT EXCITED!

We’d also like to take the time to wish you a trouble-free festive season on the motoring front as the last thing you need, especially at this time of year is your vehicle proving unreliable on the way to your Christmas dinner! Thankfully we’re open between the 29th & 31st of December so if you do find yourself in a pickle, you know that you can leave your car in the hands of a respected Garage you can trust. Also we guarantee to do the job properly and to a high standard, unlike some other less reputable establishments. After all, we don’t hold the title of Lancashire’s Premier Garage for nothing.

It’s of paramount importance that you prepare adequately for the festive season, even if the Winter isn’t a particularly harsh one like the one we’re experiencing so far this year. This is because only a fool would take the British weather for granted. Being so unpredictable, you need to be ready to take on the unexpected at the shortest notice.

Have a Winter Service

Any motorist with half a brain cell will know the importance of servicing your vehicle at the intervals designated by the manufacturer’s handbook. This is all well and good however due to the adverse weather conditions we experience in this country, we strongly recommend that have all your vital fluid levels checked (oil, coolant, brakes, power steering and transmission). Any leaks should be dealt with accordingly and liquids should be topped up accordingly. The last thing you want happening at this time of year is excessive part wear due to a lack of sufficient fluids in your engine.

Ensure your Tyres are in Good Condition

The tyres on your car are the only contact points your vehicle has with the road. Considering only a small part of each tyre is ever in contact with the road at once, the overall surface area that provides your vehicle with grip is extremely limited. Because of this it is essential that your tyres have plenty of tread depth remaining, especially at this time of year when grip comes at a premium. Put simply, if your tyres come as new with 8mm of tread and now they’re only sporting 4mm, you essentially have half the grip. Sure the legal limit might be 1.8mm, but we’d certainly recommend changing over to new set once they start approaching 3.5mm, especially at this time of year. Last thing you want is to have an accident. 

We recommend doing some visual checks first of all, preferably with a professional to identify any signs of ripping, cracking or tears. If your tyres turn out to be damaged in any way, shape or form, you must replace them as soon as possible.

Finally, this may sound remedial but we insist that you check your tyre pressures are correct. Driving around with incorrectly inflated tyres can lead to dangerous handling characteristics, poor fuel economy and faster wearing tyres.

Apply Silicon Lubricant Spray to Door Rubbers

Another point worth noting is that you need to make sure you can get in and out of your car when it’s freezing outside. To prevent sticking door rubbers which is a surprisingly common occurrence, we strongly recommend spraying them with silicone lubricant spray. All good garages, supermarkets and motor factors carry these in stock.

In short, our priority is making sure you have the best Christmas possible. In the event of you needing any motoring assistance over the festive season, feel free to give us a call, we’re always here to help in your hour of need. We hope our advice proves helpful and we wish you a very merry Christmas and a fantastic start to 2016 – Alan Price Auto Services 

Have no fear, Alan Price is here! We get countless calls from motorists who are incredibly distressed when they’re stuck on the hard shoulder after driving their increasingly problematic vehicles. Confide in Lancashire’s Premier Garage and rest assured, you’re in safe hands.

When it comes to the quality of the service we deliver to each and every deeply valued customer, the wealth of experience our technicians have between them, or even our constant investments in the latest diagnostics equipment, so we can be sure to locate and alleviate the problem first time around, regardless of make or model, we have you covered.

With cars featuring increasingly complex electronics, we are noticing an increasing amount of customers seeking our help after they have been persistently let down by other garages claiming to know how to fix electrical woes and resulting in a large bill, and a problem that just refuses to go away. This is likely to continue to be the case, however we urge you to bring your car to a highly modern facility like ours with highly trained technicians that don’t have to pretend to know what they’re doing!

Of course, we advise that you keep your car maintained and serviced inline with your vehicles service manual. This is the key to keeping your car running like clockwork mechanically. It’s significantly harder to predict when an electrical fault will materialize and these often require specialist equipment that is available only to a select few. We would certainly not recommend tampering with the electronics on a modern car at home. On the plus side, electrical issues rarely strike twice once sorted properly by a competent technician.

Pre-Terraclean Pipe

What if your car is beginning to feel its mileage? One popular treatment that we conveniently offer from £108 including VAT is Terraclean.  This service removes carbon build ups from the engine and exhaust system, releasing more power, reducing emissions and significantly improving economy. This is all while improving the response of and feel of the car as a whole, petrol or diesel.

Post-Terraclean Pipe

You can see by the photos provided the difference that a Terraclean makes within the internals of your vehicle. Having this fantastic service performed on your vehicle will transform any car with over 15,000 miles into feeling like a brand new vehicle. The difference can be felt as soon as you drive away! All of our staff have ultimate faith in Terraclean after having it performed on all of our vehicles. One of our staff members has an Audi A6 3.0 V6 converted to LPG and even she noticed a huge increase in MPG and engine response after the service, so it’s clear that the benefits aren’t just limited to conventionally fuelled vehicles. It works on classics too. Currently I drive a 1969 Triumph Spitfire MKIII as a daily driver, and the car has been completely transformed since the treatment, ridding it of a noticeable flat spot among other benefits.

Another point that is often neglected over winter is keeping your car clean whilst the roads are dirty. Besides the obvious factor of taking pride in your vehicle, keeping your car clean (especially the underside) is an essential way of preventing rust becoming an issue. At this time of year, there are many corrosive salts on the roads which can deal a great deal of damage to your cars bodywork if not cleaned on a regular basis. Once the rust sets in, it can be difficult and time-consuming to fix, leading to costly and largely preventable repairs.

Another way to help prevent the spread of corrosion is to invest in a product such as Waxoyl and coat the underside of the body, spreading a protective layer which in turn will help your car to remain in fine, rust-free condition. Where the chassis is concerned, applying a layer of underseal is the most effective way to stop rust from taking over. This is cheap and easy to do once up on some ramps. We offer this service for very competitive rates and we believe its a necessity over the winter season, especially on older cars.

Unfortunately, the rust will have already taken hold on some vehicles, which can be dangerous, compromising the structural integrity of the car, and most likely being an MOT fail. If this is the case then your car will require welding work to be carried out. We offer this service and we have two highly experienced technicians that specialize in welding that will be more than happy to restore your cars body work to its former glory, for a very reasonable price. Many welders like to get straight into the welding itself however, being Lancashire’s Premier Garage, we follow all the recommended preparation procedures to ensure that the work carried out on your vehicle is long-lasting and seamlessly executed.

So, want a headache free festive period? Of course you do. We all do. Follow our tips regarding keeping your car problem free, and you’re on the right track to a having a trouble free Winter. Obviously, problems can arise that can’t be predicted, as with everything. Luckily, if this becomes the case, you can be sure that there’s a garage with a skill set and reputation you can trust. Many don’t get that benefit.

If you need are experiencing any motoring related qualms, or even just want some FREE friendly advice, give us a ring on 01254 679937 and we’ll do you right!

Welcome to our new #RideTheRoad series. As proud driving enthusiasts we’ll be bringing you information on our favorite driving roads from around the UK as part of this blog. Since it’s officially #LancashireDay on Twitter today, we thought we’d continue the theme of our home county in starting the blog in our home county. This did however get us thinking, Lancashire isn’t exactly a small county, and it includes some stunning scenery along with some interesting northern terrain.

This all points to the potential for some truly incredible driving roads and destinations. But think about it, when was the last time you saw a Lancashire road in any of the numerous major motoring publications, that frequently travel the length and depth of the UK so they can do their thing on a wide variety of exciting roads, with jaw dropping backgrounds and intriguing destinations? No, me neither. And it’s not like we’re lacking in Lancashire either!

We’ve compiled details of one of our favorite roads inside the Red Rose County that is easily worth a visit, even if it is just for the drive!

Rivington Road, Rivington – Turton, Lancashire – 9.2 Miles

Although relatively short, this (mostly) national speed limit stretch of road also happens to be one of my personal favorites. Avoid obvious peak times and you’ll rarely be held up on this fast and technical route. Visibility for the most of the route is good, despite the route’s technical nature so given this and the ‘mostly wide enough’ road, most skilled drivers/riders should be able to time their overtakes with ease if the odd Sunday driver is encountered. The views across Lancashire or breathtaking on the Rivington-Belmont stretch of this road and you’ll notice strategically placed viewpoints across the route. These are drastically underused and make great spots to gaze over the landscape and into the distance. Once above the moors, you’re greeted with a long straight featuring an exhilarating crest which, when you learn the road, you can keep the throttle pinned (legally of course) as the road remains straight until the road becomes twisty again a few hundred yards further down the route.

Pass through the picturesque village of Belmont and the road becomes tighter and even more technical for the next section before reaching the A666. Keen drivers will enjoy this challenging section of varying cambers and gradients however due to the narrow width and sharp corners, we’d recommend a smaller, quick-reacting car for this section.  The road passes through a thick pine forest in this part of the route which makes for a pleasant environment, especially if you choose to take a break at one of the various lay-by’s.

After a short stint on the A666 for a few hundred yards, take the right turn onto the B6391 and you find yourself a wider, smooth, sweeping road which exits the pine forest setting and offers the a particularly enjoyable experience down to Turton that can be taken surprisingly briskly, whilst remaining entirely safe as the visibility is good which little surprises along the way. Tracks leading off to the right lead to a reservoir which is a truly beautiful place to behold, so time allowing, we’d certainly recommend a stop before ending your journey in the rural Lancashire village of Turton.

This is a route that the likes of Evo and Top Gear magezine would be proud of and it really has to be driven to be experienced.

Hint: Watch for sheep which occasionally stray onto the road on the Rivington to Belmont section, although this is rarely a problem. Also, beware of severe fog on this same section as the weather can prove unpredictable on the higher sections of the route.

In conclusion, the Lancashire region should certainly not be overshadowed by other counties when it’s roads have so much to offer for the driving enthusiast. If you’re ever in the area, give this route a try, you’ll be pleasantly surprised! – Alan Price Autos

So, your cars running like a dream and you’re by and large a happy motorist. Next thing you know, after racking up the miles in your beloved vehicle of choice, it’s that time again. After checking your handbook you notice your car is in for a service. Damn, you probably murmur to yourself as you’ve already began to tighten your pockets on the run up to the festive season. The last thing you need to be doing is spending seemingly ‘unnecessary’ service requirements when there’s so many other more ‘appealing’ places your money could go.

This mindset is fine, especially if you enjoy lifts in one of these…

If, like most of us, you’d rather not be accepting a lift from your local recovery service, we’d recommend you follow your manufacturers service intervals without fail, regardless of whether your vehicle is running sweetly.

Here at Alan Price Auto Services, we offer servicing from as little as £79 and all our rates are extremely competitive, while you also get the peace of mind of leaving your vehicle in the hands of a garage with over 25 years in the trade and an unquestionable reputation for quality. 

Bear in mind, skipping servicing this Winter can lead to some nasty unexpected costs. Here are some examples of average costs that amount from problems caused by owners skipping vital service intervals.

• Engine Swap – £2575
• Cylinder head gasket – £520
• Radiator – £430
• Water Pump – £240

(Source: Motor Codes Website)

We’d strongly recommend that you check your service manual to find out when your car is next due to have its cambelt (or timing belt) replaced. These vary from vehicle to vehicle but its often needed at around the 70000 miles mark. Many people decided to turn a blind eye when their cambelt needs replacing as it isn’t a small job, costing up to £250, occasionally more. However, if the cambelt fails when you are driving, you could quite easily end up facing serious engine damage, costing much more at the same time.

Another majorly overlooked area is the tyres on your car. Tyres in poor condition have a tendency to lose grip unexpectedly or ‘blow out’ causing dangerous crashes. It’s important to stick to the recommended tyre pressures that can be found in your manual and check them frequently. Incorrect tyre pressures will cause rapid and uneven tyre wear, meaning they’ll need to be replaced sooner then necessary. The tracking should also be checked on a regular basis, or if you notice your car pulling to one side when you take your hands off the wheel as this can have a similar effect, causing rapid and uneven tyre wear.

Choosing where to get your car serviced can be a difficult choice. Some people prefer to take their cars to the official dealers however the average hourly rate for these are £95.83 per hour. Taking your vehicle to an independent specialist such as Alan Price Auto Services can both save you a considerable amount of money (our hourly rate stands at £46 per hour) and quite often offer more tailored advice, rather than strictly by-the-book policy which can be unhelpful in many circumstances.

3 things to look for when finding a top independent garage are:

• Open and Transparent Pricing
• Clear information regarding any problems
• A high standard of work that’s delivered as agreed and on time with a guarantee

In short, skipping servicing can be an extremely costly mistake to make for any vehicle. The service manuals for your vehicles are there to help protect your vehicle from harm and unnecessary expense. We can’t stress enough how important it is to stick to these where possible, even when your vehicle appears to be running fine! If in doubt about anything, feel free to give us a call for some FREE impartial advice on 01254 679937.