Find out all the latest news from H Bowers.
Winter Car Checks
As winter is finally upon us (again!), maintaining your car functionality is essential to be safe. Here’s a concise guide to key aspects that need extra attention during the colder months.
How to Keep a Diesel Heater Running All Night
Read on to learn everything you need to know about keeping your diesel heater running safely and efficiently throughout the night!
Study Shows Almost Half Of All Cars Are Driven With Warning Lights On
All vehicles built from the mid-nineties are equipped with what’s called an OBD system that taps into a car’s electronic control unit
Autumn and winter touring campsites
Don't put your caravan away yet! There are many sites open over the summer months but also here are a few suggestions for places to visit this autumn and winter...
Best UK Country Escapes
It’s the perfect time to plan your escape to the country for some R+R or go full steam ahead with activities on holiday.
Expert tips for caravanning your way across Europe this summer
Caravan insurance experts have noted a significant increase across the UK in searches for Caravan holidays, with over 60,000 searches so far in 2024.
How does a Webasto Heater work?
This gives you an overview of how a Webasto works.
Toilets for Caravans
Camping toilets need minimal maintenance and offer maximum convenience for caravanners who don’t want to be reliant on on-site facilities.
Caravan Noseweights
Noseweight is the downward force of your caravan’s coupling head on your vehicle's towball.
How to demist your windscreen in double quick time
Demisting your windscreen is a necessity before setting off, not doing so can become dangerous while and it is illegal too.
Driving law changes coming in 2024
We are being warned of new driving law changes set to come into force over this year which could have big impacts on them. Now that 2024 is here, drivers will be looking to welcome in the year with new law changes, although not all of them will make motorists’ lives easier.
Why Your Car Won't Start Even Though the Lights Work
If your car won't start but the lights and radio work fine, it could be one of several problems.
Is it legal to add spotlights or a light bar to my vehicle?
Adding a light bar, driving lights or spotlights to a vehicle can be one of the best, affordable and effective ways to improve the safety of the vehicle.
New petrol and diesel cars face gradual phasing out under production guidelines
Up to twenty per cent of new cars on the UK's roads could still be petrol and diesel models in 2030 after the government published guidelines for phasing out new internal combustion engine cars and vans.
Caravan Security
Fitting an alarm typically ensures that opportunist thieves leave your caravan alone. Most security devices aim to persuade the thief to abandon the attempt and find other targets.
Choosing the Right Tow Bar
There is a massive choice of towbars designed for caravans out there. Picking the right one for you to achieve the perfect link between a tow car and a touring caravan.
Rear view mirrors and caravans
When heading away on a holiday in Britain, extension mirrors for cars are required to be fitted by UK law to most cars while towing a caravan.
Caravan owners warned of the new law when driving in Europe this summer
Caravan owners are being warned of one key item they must take with them before setting off on their 2023 summer holidays.
May 2023 driving law changes
Drivers are being warned of new law changes being unveiled, with councils gaining new powers to fine drivers, consultations ending and young drivers potentially seeing new rules.
Caravan Insurance vs Caravan Cover
Where Caravan Cover differs from insurance, unlike insurance whereby the provider ‘promises’ to pay a specified amount of money in the event of a loss or damage
How caravan electrics work on site
Many caravan owners often use mains electricity to charge a range of appliances while attached to an electric hook-up (EHU) at campsites.
Six parts of your car that gather data on you
You can tell a lot about a person from the car they own. The data that many vehicles now collect can reveal the patterns of our daily lives and provide insights into our actions, behaviours, and even our general state of mind.
Vehicle forensics is a type of digital forensic science that focuses on the identification, acquisition and analysis of data which has been stored by cars, vans and lorries.
New driving law changes launching in January 2023
As 2023 gets started, drivers are being advised of new motoring law changes which come into effect this month, which could see some road users getting fined.
Strangest driving laws
Who would have thought that the traffic rules known all over the world do not apply to every country, or that some seem quite absurd at first look?
Prepare your Caravan for Winter
Following this to-do checklist will help you prepare your caravan and keep it in great condition over the winter months.
Why do cars have a 3rd brake light
To explore the advantages of the third brake light, here’s a brief trip down memory lane to see why cars have them.
Things to Remember so You Are Ready for Anything on Your Next Road Trip
So, whether you are driving on a long-distance road trip or just on a short trip, being prepared is essential.
Everything You Need to Know About Jump Starting Your Car
This is why it’s important to learn these tips on how to get your car started (by jump-starting it) and if it doesn’t start when you attempt to crank up the engine.
EU demands speed limiters on all new cars
Brand-new cars produced in the European Union after 6th July must have Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) tech fitted as standard, and all the signs point to similar rules being applied to us in Britain.
Drivers are urged to get training to tow trailers and caravans safely
From the 18th of May 2022, motorists in Great Britain can take newly-accredited training to learn vital skills they need to safely tow caravans.
Reasons to buy a caravan
There’s lots of great benefits to getting your own caravan including taking some last-minute breaks whenever you are in the mood. Here’s just some of them…
Make your car more fuel efficient
Some simple checks and adjustments to your vehicle can help reduce fuel consumption
New number plate changes to be introduced
New number plate changes are being brought in on 1st March with drivers being warned ahead of big prices for new and used vehicles.
Updated laws for 2022: what drivers need to know
A few different laws and rules are being introduced for drivers in 2022, here’s a summary of what you need to know.
Milton Keynes to hold large-scale driverless car trial
A large trial of driverless cars on the roads of Britain will be conducted in Milton Keynes later this month.
Top 5 Cars That Changed The World Forever
We will take you through some of the most iconic cars ever produced and consider their impact on the life we now all lead. So, without further ado, let us start on this grand tour of all types of cars from all eras that changed the world as we know it!
Computer chip shortage stalls UK car industry production
The UK motor industry output has declined the second month in a row in August as the months-long shortage of computer chips hampered the sector’s recovery effort.
How to check whether your car is compatible with E10 petrol
Just over half a million cars could be incompatible as new fuel is introduced across British petrol stations this week.
The best RV parks and caravan camping sites for a UK staycation
With a staycation on the cards for many of us this summer, finding the best RV park for the holidays is a big concern. The following caravan camping parks are all located in beautiful, and popular, holiday areas.
The flying car completes a test flight between two airports
A prototype flying motorcar could be green-lit for production soon after completing a 35-minute flight between two cities in Slovakia.
Birmingham clean air zone launches
Birmingham’s clean air zone scheme is now up and running, with drivers of pre-Euro 4 petrol and pre-Euro 6 diesel cars being charged £8.00 a day to drive within the bounds of the A4540 Middleway Ring Road.
New driving laws in April 2021
The laws and rule changes are among 25 rule changes coming into force in the country in April
Are we about to see a boom in caravan holidays
There is little doubt that as far as trips away on holiday, last year was very much a stay-at-home year, as the number of holidaymakers remaining on British soil surged.
The most expensive DVLA personalised number plates confirmed
We Brits however do love personalised number plates and this doesn’t seem to be abating with the prices of tailor-made plates rocketing in recent years, so even hitting six figures!
Preparing for a Caravan Holiday
We have created this handy, guide to help you know what to prepare when you are going on a caravan holiday as well as what you may need before embarking on your journey.
How to jump start a car
So, you start the New Year off by seeing your cars got a flat battery on your drive! This gives you one of those "why now?" moments, especially with everything else going on at the moment!
Classic Cars - Do you own these gems?
Did you know – classic cars increase in value by £20,000 over the last ten years…and you might own one of these gems!
How to Check your Caravan Tyres
There are so many different types of caravans on the market and all feature tyres of varying heights, thicknesses and specifications.
Keeping Your Caravan Warm this Winter
Winter can give us some of the coldest, harshest and unforgiving weather so it’s really important that your caravan is kept as snug and as warm as possible when the season arrives.
Planning a Pet-Friendly Caravan Holiday
Because over 58% of dog owners in the UK book their holidays around their pets, it’s pretty safe to say that we are a nation of dog lovers. That’s a lot of people planning holidays with their canine counterparts.
Essential Tips for First Time Caravanners
Here are a set of things and guidelines for you to keep in mind if you’re looking to start trying out caravanning!
Are You Planning On Going Caravanning This Summer
Maybe you've already got your caravan holiday all booked and you are now planning what to take with you.
How to get your vehicle ready for summer
Summer is now upon us and now is the perfect time to get your car looking good again! After months of driving in poor weather conditions – check these to-dos off the list and get your car summer ready!
Clean Air Charging Zone
Local authorities and councils are moving towards introducing clean air zones
Caravanning: What to expect in 2020
So, once the Coronavirus starts retreating and it's safe to go out again - What can we expect from Caravanning in 2020?
7 new driving laws every van driver needs to know about for 2020
Driving laws are constantly being changed and updated. Here are seven new and upcoming rules and regulations van drivers should know about in 2020.
Wireless electric car chargers to be installed on Britain's streets
Soon electric car owners across Greater London, the Midlands and Scotland will be treated to a trial of cutting-edge induction pads that will allow them to charge their cars wirelessly.
Reasons to get a reversing camera
As a driver, parking is a task that will be part of everyday life and can sometimes become quite a stressful and anxious situation to be in especially when faced with obstructions and outside distraction. Time to think about a great new bit of kit called ‘The Reversing Camera’, it’s going to take the stress out of manoeuvring your vehicle backwards and is widely available for most models and makes.
Webasto presents the latest solutions
Webasto’s methodical and holistic concept is able to give ideal temperature to drive trains, batteries, electronics and passengers. The CV Standard Battery comprises this and for the first time, you can see it in action on a bus driving in Brussels.
How to Prepare your Caravan for Winter Storage
Summers on its way out and winters on its way in so you might be thinking of preparing your caravan for storage so it will ready to go when you get it back out next year.
Secrets to a stress-free commute
Commuting can be a drag, but if you become complacent and lose focus, it can also be hazardous.
Why do you need an electric vehicle?
Electric vehicles appear to be the hip new thing, but they have unfortunately been met with bad press from petrol heads constantly showing their feelings of dissent. However, It is high time we let go of these long held prejudices against electric vehicles, given their many advantages. Here are some of the most convincing reasons why an electric vehicle is necessary.
Don't Leave Dogs in Cars During the Heatwave
Read the checklist below to make sure that your animals travel in the heatwave safely and comfortably.
Can you save money on car insurance by going electric?
Electric cars are becoming increasingly common in Britain today, and with excellent reason: they have low maintenance costs, much reduced fuel expenses relative to petrol vehicles, and do not add to the serious air pollution observed in town centres. However, while they have a host of benefits, if this applies to car insurance, it is not evident.
Dealing with the Insurance Company After an Accident
In dealing with insurance companies following an accident, it is important to be careful. Even a small mistake can compromise your case and adversely affect the compensation you need.
A brief history of car manufacturing in Britain
It fair to say the Brits have a rich heritage when it comes to the manufacturing of motor vehicles. The U.K being the ones who designed and built some of the most iconic cars ever driven.
Government moving forward on advanced trials for self-driving vehicles
On the 6th of February 2019, the government announced that there is a development going on to support the advanced trials of automated vehicles. This is to support the UK automotive and technology industries.
Automotive Highlights from CES in Las Vegas
CES in Las Vegas is arguably the best way to showcase new technology. Unfortunately, most of it never usually makes it into production though. However, some cool stuff was seen at this year’s event and we could be seeing some of this in the next few years. Many of the new things shown were about the US advancing the development of self-driving cars. Here are our coolest picks from this year’s event:
Prepare your car for winter: Maintenance tips
Winter is approaching us and we all know that what that means. Your motor might not be doing good when it comes to the coldness, but if you have some time to maintain your motor you can help it through the worst weather possible then read along
How to tow different things correctly
If you are not sure on how to tow correctly within England, Scotland and Wales we have the things you need to do.
Choosing the right spare parts supplier
At H Bowers we’ve been supplying the automotive industry since 1939 and we’ve learned a thing or two since we started about how to be the best spare parts supplier we can be.
Why you need a dash cam in 2018
You may have seen that the dash cameras are becoming increasingly popular of late so we decided to explore why you need a dash cam in 2018 and whether they are a fleeting fad or a new essential n modern driving.
Car insurance comparison sites are rife with inaccuracies a Which? report reveals
The consumer champions Which? have completed an investigation into comparison websites with some surprising results. See below a summary of their findings and our thoughts on the report.
How to save money on your next MOT
At H Bowers we appreciate that the costs of running and maintaining a car are steadily increasing. We do our best to keep our prices competitive but we thought we’d also give you a few tips on how to save money when your car has its MOT.
Best Ways to Get Better Car Audio Quality
The process of getting better quality car audio sound is an incremental one, so there’s actually quite a number of little tweaks and upgrades that you can do to enhance the overall sound quality in your car.
Tips on how to look after your classic car
To prevent your classic car from showing its age, there are a few key rules that you can stick to, to ensure that your classic car stays in tip top condition
Simple Steps for Changing your Windscreen Wiper Blades
You may of never of changed your wiper blades before but it is an essential task for any car owner and it is recommended that you change your wiper blades at least every 2 years.
MOT changes: new minor, major and dangerous defect categories coming in May
As of the 20th of May some major changes to the MOT test regarding the way faults and problems are classified will be coming in to affect. All faults on a vehicle will be recorded as minor, Major or Dangerous from this date and it will affect all Class 3,4,5 & 7 vehicles.
What is a Dynamo?
An electrical generator that produces DC (Direct Current) with the use of a commutator is called a Dynamo
How Do Reverse Parking Sensors Work?
Ever been curious as to how reverse parking sensors work? These little marvels at the back of your vehicle allow is to reverse safely out of a parking space or down our driveway with more confidence.
The importance of your car horn
Every car has got one...They are featured pride of place on your steering wheel... So what's the importance you might ask of your car's horn?
How to make sure your car battery is working correctly
We thought we would go through some hints and tips to get the best out of your battery
Classic & Vintage Car Restoration
Are you the type of person that dreams of restoring an old classic that's several decades old? Are you the type of person that dreams of restoring an old classic that's several decades old?
The history of Land Rover
Land Rovers have been synonymous with the English countryside for decades and we thought it would be interesting to take a look into the history of these fantastic vehicles.
What is Automotive Lighting?
Automotive Lighting consists of a lighting system made up of lights, signalling devices and circuitry integrated to the front, rear and sides of a motor vehicle.
Automotive front lighting: LEDs
LEDs are fast becoming much more popular within the automotive industry and nowhere more so than in the use of front lighting.
The importance of working wiper blades in the winter
One of the ways we can help make driving safer in the winter is to make sure we have the optimum visibility available to us at the time.
We are a Webasto dealer
H Bowers are proud to be a dealer or Webasto products and technologies and would like to give you a brief overview of the company.
Who are Vignal lighting systems?
Vignal Lighting Systems are a company that specialises in the design, manufacture and marketing of signalling and lighting products and systems for commercial and industrial vehicles.
Dealing with car sickness
So you tried our tips for avoiding motion/travel sickness and they didn’t quite work or you just want to be prepared for when the sickness does kick in...
Some other reasons to own a dash cam
In our previous blog, we covered the main points of why you would want to own a dash cam but there are some other reasons you may want to install a dash mounted camera that were not covered.
Why should you own a dashboard camera?
Also know as Dash Cams, as the name suggests they are video recording devices that are generally positioned on the dashboard of a vehicle. Russia has had them for a while now and a video testimony is even preferred over a spoken one when tackling road traffic accident claims.
Our Vision Alert Systems
In this blog we will be talking about one of our suppliers called ECCO, and what they can do for you.
Our Labcraft Lighting
At H Bowers we only supply our customers with the very best car parts from the very best automotive industries. And today we bring you Labcraft Lighting.
Windscreen wipers for winter
Getting the right window screen wipers in time for winter imperative.
When winter does hit, it is also advised to leave your windscreen wipers up, so your wipers won’t freeze to your car, essentially making it easier to clean your car.
Brand Guide : LED autolamps UK
Here at H Bowers we only supply our customers with parts from the very best automotive brands - which is why we provide products from LED autolamps UK.
Charging your Car Battery
So you’ve accidently left your lights on again and now your car won’t start – we’ve all been there. It can be very irritating if your car battery goes flat, and it can happen for a number of reasons.
Webasto parking heaters – Why you need one!
A Webasto parking heater is a truly wonderful addition to any car. Allowing you to get into a cosy warm car in the winter, and offering a cooling ventilation function in the summer, there are so many benefits a Webasto Parking Heater has to offer!
When to change your windscreen wipers
When was the last time you changed your wiper blades? Maybe you can’t even remember but there are sure signs that tell you when it’s definitely time for a new pair.
Brigade Reverse Alarms
Did you know that nearly a quarter of all deaths involving vehicles in the workplace work occur during reversing? Not only can it cause fatal injury, but reversing can also result in damage to vehicles, equipment and buildings.
Brand Guide: LUCAS
Here at H Bowers we supply Lucas products from their switchgear programme, which provides replacement switches and electrical components for a vast range of passenger, agricultural and commercial vehicles.
Brand guide: HELLA
At H Bowers we only supply our customers with car parts from the very best automotive brands - which is why we provide HELLA products.
Why choose Eberspacher heaters?
Eberspacher is one of the most well-known engineers in the UK, why are their heaters chosen by manufacturers in the world?
Brand Guide: Cibie
Founded in 1919, Cibie is used today by the likes of Renault, Peugeot, and Simea. The Cibie brand is known worldwide for its top quality headlamps and fog lamps.
Brand Guide: Webasto
Webasto is one of Germany’s 15 biggest automotive suppliers, and one of the most well-known names in the entire industry. Some of the popular Webasto parts that we sell include:
Brand guide: Bosch Car Parts
Bosch became the automotive industry’s supplier of the first ever fuel injection system in 1967; since then, the brand continued to be at the forefront of fuel and automotive technology.
Reduce the Risk of Vehicle Accidents with Reverse Cameras
An estimated 400 people die annually in EU countries from accidents where drivers fail to see cyclists, pedestrians, and other vehicles in their blind spots during a manoeuvre. These accidents usually occur when the vehicle is reversing but could be prevented with reverse cameras.
Cost effective solutions for motor vehicle heaters and parts
Having a cost effective vehicle is becoming a significantly important consideration in the motor industry with the evolution of environmentally friendly technologies and there is nowhere that this will affect more than the automotive industry.