What to do for Fathers’ Day 2017

Father's day is a few days away and as you may agree that a great dad deserves a fantastic present. Hence, check out these 10 amazing gift ideas for father’s day. 

Buy your dad a grooming kit.

Kit your dad to step out looking fresh and clean with a grooming kit made up of his favourite shaving foam, shaving sticks and aftershave. Alternatively, you can buy him a clipper set with a carry bag so he can show up to the barbers feeling fly.

Accessories

Thank him for all the time and effort he has taken to make you who you are today by buying him a wrist watch. Depending on dad’s age brands such as Swatch, Rolex, Casio and Boss provide great variety in material and colour to suit any dad. Cuff-links and gold Tie-clips are great alternatives for working dads.

Boxers for the classic man

You can never go wrong when it comes to men’s gift with a nice Calvin Klein boxers or boxer briefs. Stick to whites or plain (checker) patterns as they are more matured.

Clothing

Regardless of budget-size, there is an array of clothing options available for you to pick from for dad. Formal shirts, ties, leather belt or a nice Italian shoe for him to step out in style. A suit or “Buba” and “Sokoto” set is also a great gift item as papa can flex at his next event.

Movies

For the movie loving dad, a trip to the cinema is perfect. You can choose between Silverbird, genesis and IMAX with several new movies out on the big screen this weekend – lost in London??

Day out

Take your nature-loving or adventure dad to Lekki Conservative for the day. With entry fee of N1,000 only, you have access to the Jungle, Gym, zipline, floor games, ponds, BBQ joints, beach volleyball court and you can pay an extra N1,000 to experience the longest canopy walk in Africa! This is also great as a group trip.

Dine out with dad

We all know that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so why not appreciate dad with a meal at a nice restaurant (yes! You don’t have to cook). Nok by Alara has an amazing garden for dining and relaxing with your drinks afterwards.

411 restaurant is great for mid-range dining with Nigerian and intercontinental options. Jevnik Restaurant on Isaac John, Ikeja is great place to take dad for a Nigerian dining experience because they have VERY generous portions.

Buy him a Car or Solve his power problem

Make dad the envy of his friends by buying him a new car. With dollar being the way it is, a new car may just be a new car to him (i.e. foreign used) but the gesture will still be well appreciated. Or assist your dad with means of alternative power such that the stress of pulling on the generator becomes a thing of the past. You can get that solved by getting him an inverter that can power the basic electronics in the home. He will appreciate it because you have cut off the noise aspect of using a generator.

Pay off his mortgage or buy him a house

Cue “Daddy mi” by Reminisce as you hand your dad keys to his new house or pay off his mortgage. We can guarantee you that the smiles and prayer you would receive from gifting this piece of financial freedom to your dad will be well worth the dent in your bank balance.

Bring home bae

Father’s day is a perfect time to introduce your dad to Bae aka the girl or guy you want to marry so he can start planning his future with his soon-to-arrive grandkids.

We hope you find it all appealing and practicable.

We wish all our Customers who in one way or the other is a dad or being celebrated as a dad, a Happy Father's Day in advance.

You can also secure whatever you gift your dad on father's day for the risk of loss or damage by getting our All Risks Insurance Cover.

Click for more information: https://goo.gl/yFcZ88 

For more information, contact us on our twitter handle - @con_hallmark

  & facebook page – conhallmark

Visit our website for tailor-made insurance policy at www.consolidatedhallmark.com

Quick & Safe Steps to Change a Flat Tyre

A flat tyre never happens when it’s convenient. Imagine you are all dressed up and about getting into your car in the morning then you notice you have a flat tyre or you may already be on the way to an important event when you ran over an errant nail leading to a punctured tyre.

The best and easy way to handle the situation where your tyre either gets punctured by nail or any sharp object while on motion is to carefully pull off to the side of the road where the surface is flat. Check to make sure no other motorists are going to run you over, turn on the hazard light, get out of the car and inspect the tyre.

Then follow these quick, easy and safe steps to take to get your tyre fixed;

• Place bracing material - like a piece of wood or brick - behind and in front of one of the tyres you’re not lifting, to prevent rolling and increase stability.
• Find the spare tyre and jack. If you don’t know where they are, check the boot of your car.
• Line the jack up properly to make sure it’s in the right place to avoid preventing damage to your car. Usually, the head of the jack goes to the ridge at the bottom of the car closest to the affected tyre.   
• Begin to jack the car up while keeping pressure on the ground (without lifting the car up entirely).
• Remove hubcaps or centre covers so that you can access the lug nuts.
• Turn the lug nuts anticlockwise to loosen them using the lug wrench.
• Finish jacking the car up so that you can slip the tyre off easily. Make sure the jack is stable first.
• Put on the spare tyre and place the lug nuts in the correct positions.
• Tighten the lug nuts a little with your tyre wrench, this time turning clockwise. TIP: Make sure the lug nuts are tight, but don't use too much force. This may knock your car off of the jack.
• Lower the jack fully until the car is back on all four wheels. 
• Properly tighten the lug nuts with the wrench before driving. Make sure they’re as tight as you can get them.
• Stop and check that the lug nuts are still tight after driving for a few miles.

You really don’t need to be worried because changing your flat tyre can be done fast if you follow the above steps.

For more information on motor related maintenance tips and insurance products, follow any of our social media accounts.

Twitter handle - @con_hallmark 

& Facebook page - conhallmark

Visit our website for our tailor-made insurance covers at www.consolidatedhallmark.com

Sources:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a5855/how-to-change-a-flat-tire/

https://www.dunlop.eu/en_gb/consumer/learn/changing-a-flat-tire.html

https://www.edmunds.com/how-to/how-to-change-a-flat-tire.html

http://www.bridgestonetyre.com/tread-and-trend/drivers-ed/how-to-change-a-flat-tire

ECONOMICAL DRIVING TIPS - 9 WAYS TO KEEP CAR IN GOOD SHAPE AND SAVE FUEL

 The age of a car does not necessarily determine the condition that a car would be but rather the maintenance habit of the user/driver. Some old vehicles would still look new while same new model is falling apart, only because good maintenance was practiced by the driver while driving.

Here are some daily driving tips to help you maintain and keep your car in good shape while saving money.

Drive Smoothly

Smoothness in your actions at the wheel is very important, not only for the stability of the car while moving, but also for the durability of the vehicle’s components. For example, start braking slowly and a bit earlier than you normally would do, so you don’t have to make panic stops all the time. The same applies to lane changes or merging into traffic. By going smoothly the various mechanical parts of the car will not take a hit but actually be able to work as intended, and thus last longer… Plus your passengers will enjoy the ride rather than being tossed around.

Take it easy at first

Your car engine is made to run and move your car swiftly, but is designed to do so when at operating temperatures. There is no need to idle the car for long, but take it easy for the first few kilometres while the engine goes up to its normal operating temperature. This will save you wear and tear as well as save some fuel; many engines are not as fuel-efficient when cold

Always look ahead

It may seem to be another obvious point, but it is important to look ahead not only to see where you are going, but also to spot what is on the road itself. You will want to avoid weird looking items on the road that may damage your tires or bounce against the underside of the car. It will also allow you to spot bumps or dips in the road, or at least slow down for them so the impact is not as harsh.

Avoid potholes

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is still surprising the number of people that drive right through potholes even though there is plenty of space to go around them. These, when deep, can not only damage the tire and the wheel, but the impact can also have adverse effects on the suspension and steering components. The whole car will benefit from avoiding or slowing down for potholes, as these repetitive impacts tend to loosen various items in the car, creating rattles and squeaks.

Do not follow trucks up close

You may not have the choice… Getting stuck behind a truck is unavoidable. But as the driver of your vehicle, you can choose how close you are following said truck. Not only is it safer to leave a greater distance, you will be saving your car from flying rocks and other debris which, over time, damage the paint, damage your headlights and windshield. As a bonus, when following a badly maintained older truck, staying far means less black fumes get into the filter of your ventilation system.

Slow down for train tracks

Slow down for railroad tracks when coming up to a crossing, or when coming up to a bridge. These are always uneven with the pavement and create impacts for the wheels, tires and overall car that can be damaging over time.

Floor it sometimes!

It may sound opposite to the previous advice, but your engine does need to be wound up and pushed at times. Wait until it is at proper operating temperatures and once in a while, when merging onto highways for example, step on the gas for a swift acceleration. Getting the engine up in revolution will allow it to work hard and burn some of the carbon deposit that tends to accumulate around the valve train. Doing this occasionally will help prevent having an engine head all gummed up or covered with carbon deposits.

Steer while rolling

Whenever possible, try to steer only when the car is in movement. Even when doing a parallel parking maneuver, get the car rolling slightly before turning the steering wheel. This will prevent too much effort being exerted on the steering rack and components, the major cause for steering rack failure. Turning the wheels while standing still puts tremendous stress on the whole steering system as it then has to fight with the tire and asphalt friction while the whole weight of the vehicle is on them.

Plan errands in one round

As much as possible, try to plan all your errands of the day in one outing. There is nothing more damageable for an engine but to be run for only very short trips while being cold. In doing all errands at once, you reduce the time the engine is running cold and have more chances of having it stay to operating temperatures.

A little bit of caution and understanding of your vehicle by following these daily driving tips will help contribute to keeping your car in good shape.

Follow us on our twitter handle - @con_hallmark 

& facebook page - conhallmark

Visit our website for more tailor-made insurance covers at www.consolidatedhallmark.com

http://www.wheels.ca/top-ten/10-daily-driving-tips-to-help-your-vehicle-last-longer-and-save-you-money/#sthash.Kzyl9cRi.dpuf

http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/racv/Internet/Primary/road+safety/safe-driving/everyday+driving+tips

http://www.drive-safely.net/safe-driving-tips/

DAILY CAR CARE TIPS THAT SAVES YOU EXPENSIVE REPAIRS

Cars are our most expensive property next to our house/apartment, so it becomes necessary to ensure proper care is given to them daily. The most important thing you can do to reduce the risk of breakdown is to make sure simple checkups are done daily before driving our car.

Here are some simple tips that will help you take good care and enjoy safe, worry-free motoring.

CHECK YOUR TYRES

Before starting your car always check for air in your tyres. Always keep car's tyres properly inflated, threading and aligned. Under-inflated tyres cause fuel consumption to increase by six percent and also effect car's suspension adversely. Don't forget to check the spare as well.

CHECK THE LIGHTS

Check to ensure all lights are working properly. Don't forget indicators, brake and fog lights.

CHECK THE COOLANT

Check the coolant level and top up as necessary.

 

CHECK WIPERS

Check wiper blades by spraying the wiper water to ensure its cleaning properly. This would prevent it from smearing the windscreen. If they become worn replace them immediately. But it is recommended to replace at least once a year for best performance.

CHECK WINDSCREEN

Check the windscreen regularly for stone damage as this can impair vision or distract attention. Minor chips can grow and crack the glass but many can be repaired by a windscreen specialist.

 

CHECK THE BRAKES

For your own safety, it's important to check your brake pads or shoes. These can deteriorates due to being clamped against the disc or pushed against the drum when the brakes are applied. Also check for fluid leaks caused by damaged brake pipes or worn seals which could result in brake failure.

 

CHECK THE BATTERY

Check your battery and clean the contacts (if necessary). Most batteries these days don't require much in the way of maintenance, but you should know where it is and check it to make sure it's not leaking and there's no mineral or other build-up on the contacts. If there is, clean it off with a battery cleaning brush.

 

CHECK THE OIL LEVEL

This is something that can be done easy - it's quick and simple. It'll tell you if your engine needs oil. If the oil is too high or too low, it can cause trouble for your engine. Check the level of the oil by pulling out the drop stick. If it's between the high and low marks, you're fine. (If it's too low, add a little.) The high and low marks can be denoted by two dots, an "H" and "L" or a shaded area on the dipstick.

 

FINALLY BE OBSERVANT AND DON'T DELAY FIXING IT

Before driving watch for warning lights, note performance changes and listen to your car for any changes or unusual noises that are worth having checked before a more serious fault develops. Deal with any observable problem as soon as they arise, before they become more serious and require expensive repairs.

 Follow us on out twitter handle - @con_hallmark 

       & facebook page - conhallmark

Visit our website for our tailor-made insurance covers at www.consolidatedhallmark.com

Sources:

http://lifehacker.com/the-preventative-maintenance-you-need-to-do-on-your-car-1394196018

https://www.theaa.com/breakdown-cover/car-maintenance-tips.html

http://automobiles.mapsofindia.com/car-care-tips/index.php?

http://www.samarins.com/maintenance/simple.html

http://www.carbibles.com/maintenancetips.html

SAFE DRIVING TIPS AND CAR CARE DURING THE RAINY SEASON

The rainy season is back and the risk factor while driving on Nigeria road would increase significantly as records have shown that more vehicle accidents happen due to the heavy flood and faulty cars.

Here are some General tips which can ensure you and your car are safe while driving this season;

v      Drive slow on rainy days when the roads are still wet as the stopping distance usually increases considerably on wet roads. Also, brakes may be slightly less effective on rainy days as water generally seeps into the brake pads and disks.

v      In case it is raining heavily and you cannot see ahead, turn on the headlights and fog lights and drive at a cautious speed.

v      The Air conditioner should be maintained properly and to use the demister, set the fan speed to low, turn the vent control to windscreen, set control to fresh outside air, and turn on the AC and it will help the car glasses from fogging up.

v      If you are to drive through stagnant water, do not panic. Put the car in first gear and move ahead gently. Do not drive fast and once you step into stagnant water do not stop your car, just keep moving or water might get into the tail pipe.

v     Battery condition should be checked, and a coat of petroleum jelly should be applied to the terminals.

v     Drive only if it’s necessary - Yes, you’ve heard it on the weather forecast all the time, but people say it for a reason. Put simply, if you don’t go out, you can’t come to any harm on the road. Is your journey really that urgent or important?

v      Maintain proper following distance (3 second rule). This needs to be increased in wet weather.

v      Be more alert watching for brake lights in front of you.

v   Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely, because the spray created by their large tires can reduce vision.

v  Drive in the tracks of a vehicle ahead of you.

Controlling the rains is not in our hands but taking good care of your car in this season is surely in our hands. During the rainy season, there are several prominent factors which make driving unsafe such as poor visibility, flooded roads, slippery road surface and potholes develop on roads, loss in braking efficiency because of water seepage into brake disks and drums etc.

This is the reason why you need to take extra care of your car or take some preventive measures that will not only help you drive safely but also to keep the car’s condition well throughout the rainy season.

Most important parts of cars which need special attention during the rainy season include:

Ø  Tyres

Ø  Brakes

Ø  Electricals

Ø  Wipers and Washer

Ø  Body

TYRES

Making sure that the tyres are in excellent condition during the rainy season is of utmost importance. The tread depth should be good enough or else they are likely to skid over slippery surfaces due to aquaplaning. The tyre tread depth should not be less than 2 mm. Rubber has a tendency to soften when coming in contact with water so one should check the tyre pressure regularly and inflate it to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer. This regular check will not only ensure better driving comfort but good tyre life as well.

  

BRAKES

Brake callipers are the most crucial part of a car and you should regularly clean and replace if needed to keep them dirt free. Brakes should not be too tight or too loose and you should keep using them as water will most likely wet the brake drums, therefore reducing braking efficiency. One small tip for drying out brakes is by placing your left foot on the brake pedal and gently moving the throttle in, using your right foot. Carrying out this operation immediately after wading through water will ensure it has not gotten stuck to the brake discs/drums.

  

ELECTRICALS

If you see any loose or weak electrical connections, patch them up. Make sure external wires are insulated. Also, ensure that all the fuses are working fine and do carry some extra fuses. Check all the lights, it is advisable to keep your parking light and brake light on while driving.

WIPERS AND WASHER

Wiper blades have a tendency to wear out very fast. Within a year the rubber strip becomes useless and it is recommended to change it every year before the rains begin. One should ensure that the rubber is not hard and does not have cracks as they will scratch the windscreen. Do check that the wipers are working properly at all the three speeds. The washer bottle should be filled up and if you want you can add a mild detergent which will help keep the windshield glass clean and oil free.

  

BODY

Rainwater is slightly acidic in nature and can damage the car’s body if it is exposed to it for extended periods of time. Protect your car’s body from rain and apply a good wax polish. The wax will not only protect the paint but will also allow water to roll off easily. Greasing all the door hinges is also necessary. To prevent rusting on exposed metal parts, you can spray anti-moisture spray like WD40, Zorric, Rusklick etc. If the rubber lining on the doors is falling loose, replace them before the rains start.

We wish you safe and comfortable driving during the rains. However for a more comprehensive protection during this season and all year round, check out our variant motor insurance products: goo.gl/Cvv29y & goo.gl/4bk3th

Follow us on our twitter handle - @con_hallmark 

            & facebook page - conhallmark

Visit our website for more tailor-made insurance covers at: www.consolidatedhallmark.com

Sources:

http://www.carblogindia.com/car-care-tips-for-rains-or-monsoon/

http://www.mid-day.com/articles/9-handy-tips-to-help-monsoon-proof-your-car/15335167

http://www.zigwheels.com/guide/monsoon-auto-guide

http://www.carmudi.com.ph/journal/car-care-tips-rainy-season/