According to Dutch traffic laws, you are obliged to secure a load or parts thereof. In any case, the load must be secured in such a way that loads cannot fall off the vehicle under normal circumstances. Normal circumstances also include poor road surface, sudden evasive manoeuvres or hard braking.
In what ways can you secure a load?
If you are going to transport goods in a trailer, for example, it is very important to use good equipment to secure your cargo. There are many companies, such as Lifting equipment expert, which have a wide range for securing a load. Here, you can think of cargo tensioners, lashing chains and lashing straps, for example.
Damage caused by an unsafely secured load to third parties
Should you not have secured the load, damage may occur. The first risk you face is damage caused by the load. Here, you can think about another road user's vehicle. If part of your cargo comes loose and hits another car, it can obviously be damaged. Another carrier's cargo may also be damaged. Of course, you will then also be liable for that, since you caused the damage.
Furthermore, of course, a road user can be injured by an unsafely secured load. This is the most annoying form of injury and an important reason to make sure your loads are always safely secured.
Damaged cargo
Should a part be damaged while transporting a load because it falls off the vehicle, for example, this can also be very annoying. However, the carrier is not always liable for the damage. If the client did not secure the cargo properly and sent the carrier on its way with this, the client itself is liable. This applies to damage to the cargo, but also to damage caused to third parties.
What do we mean by safe cargo securing?
A load is safely secured if the load will not slide during transport. Because of this, adequate cargo securing is essential for safe transport. This not only means that the door of your truck is properly closed, for example, but also that the cargo stays in place. So make sure you secure your cargo properly with lashing straps, for example. This is often forgotten, but can still cause a lot of damage if not secured properly.
Apart from securing cargo on the road, it is also important to properly secure cargo on water, rail and in the air. Wherever you are going to transport the cargo, make sure you use the right equipment and secure it in a safe way to avoid problems as much as possible.
How do you secure the cargo as safely as possible?
Are you going to purchase lashing straps? To ensure optimum safety, there are a number of safety rules for using these belts. First, it is important to remember that you cannot hoist with these chains. They are only suitable for securing a load.
Tyres should also never be stretched over sharp edges of the load. To prevent this, you can use corner guards or guides. This way, you ensure the safety of the load. Finally, it is also important to only use approved products, or have your new products approved by a certified party. So always make sure you use the right products that have been approved and that they are attached successfully to prevent damage to the load and to third parties!
LED bulbs car pros and cons? On this page, we list the pros and cons of LED lamps in the car.
Car LED bulb benefits
Let's just start with the most obvious advantages: economical, good lifespan and high light output. We think that, that is already reason enough to make the switch from traditional bulbs to the LED versions.
Here are the advantages:
Many more burning hours, up to 30 thousand hours compared to around a thousand hours with halogen headlights.
Less consumption, or in other words very economical. So your battery will be under less strain.
More light output than traditional bulbs such as halogen.
LED bulbs are a lot simpler in terms of components and have fewer parts than other bulbs so they are also less likely to break down.
A bright white light which is more pleasant for visibility and which is also often less blinding for other road users.
Disadvantages LED bulbs car
So are there any drawbacks? Yes, unfortunately there are! But is that a bad thing? Here is a summary:
LED bulbs tend to be more expensive but that is not really a disadvantage as they last a lot longer than traditional (Halogen) bulbs.
Not all cars are suitable for installing LED lights and may malfunction as a result. However, this is quite easy to solve with a decoder, for example.
LED bulbs are often larger, which means that in some cars there is not enough room for the installation and fan.
Which LED car lamps are there?
Almost all types of car lamps are now available in an LED version. All common headlight sets are also available as LED. But also fog lights, tail lights and flashing lights.
LED lights and new cars
So it is not for nothing that almost all new cars are equipped with LED lights. They have become an increasingly popular alternative to standard halogen bulbs. Unlike old-fashioned halogen lamps, LEDs have a semiconductor structure that produces light by releasing photons - tiny particles of light - thousands of times per second. Compared to standard lamps, LED lamps are much brighter, produce a much purer and sharper light and are much more efficient.
And what about Xenon lights and what is the difference? Here is a brief summary.
Xenon and LED lamps differ
The main differences between LED and Xenon are that LED bulbs are brighter, have a longer lifespan, do not fade over time, have no warm-up time and are more energy-efficient compared to Xenon. Here is a summary of the differences:
⭐ Brightness: LED bulbs produce up to 10,000 lumens, while Xenon bulbs produce up to 8,000 lumens.
? Lifespan: LED headlights can last up to 45,000 hours, while Xenon lasts up to 15,000 hours.
? Price: prices vary for both products, but Xenon is often cheaper.
? Technology: LED uses electricity (diodes) and Xenon uses xenon gas.
? Colours: LED comes in every colour, but Xenon lights are limited to shades of yellow, white, blue and purple.
✨ Fading: LEDs do not fade over time, but Xenon does.
? Warm-up: LEDs turn on immediately, while Xenon takes a few seconds to reach full brightness.
⚡ Efficiency: LEDs are more energy-efficient than Xenon
Have you also seen our complete page on car lights? That might also be interesting since we list all the species there.
We are not used to them in the Netherlands, but in some other countries in Europe winter tyres are compulsory. Winter tyres have a different, deeper profile than summer tyres and are therefore suitable for driving through snow and other winter conditions. Of course, you can also fit snow chains. These are prohibited in the Netherlands because they damage the road surface. In the Netherlands, the need to use snow chains will also rarely or never occur.
Different rules per country
Not all countries have the same rules. It is useful to find out in advance about the rules that apply in the country or countries where you will be driving. Below is an overview of the rules that apply to winter tyres in the countries of Europe. We will go into greatest detail about our largest neighbour, Germany. To be on the safe side, always check the latest information on the country you are inquiring about. After Germany we will look at:
winter tyres France, winter tyres Austria, winter tyres Switzerland, winter tyres Sweden, winter tyres Italy, winter tyres Spain, winter tyres Finland, winter tyres Slovenia, winter tyres Croatia, winter tyres Norway, winter tyres UK, winter tyres Czech Republic, winter tyres Belgium and winter tyres Poland.
Winter tyres Germany
Are winter tyres compulsory in Germany? Most people know that winter tyres are compulsory in Germany. Large areas of Germany suffer more from snow and ice than the Netherlands. But when should you put winter tyres on your car? And what is the consequence if you don't? Is there a penalty and, if so, how high is it? And what about all-season tyres? These are all questions about the obligation to have winter tyres in Germany.
Firstly, the question of when winter tyres are compulsory. Some people think that there is a specific date from which the obligation starts, in other words, a seasonal obligation. However, this is not the case. In Germany, winter tyres are compulsory when the weather conditions demand it. This means that in wintery road conditions, such as slippery snow, ice, black ice and so on, winter tyres are compulsory. Germans use the rule of thumb of October to Easter, but this has no legal value. It is therefore really about the situation as it is at the time.
Which winter tyres are suitable?
The abbreviation M+S stands for mud and snow. With this marking you are on the right track. Winter tyres can also be recognised by the Alpine symbol. This is a picture of a mountain with a snowflake. Tyres marked M+S are deemed suitable for winters up to September 2024.
What fine will you receive if you drive without winter tyres?
The driver is punished with a fine of EUR 60 for each offence. But more importantly, you can cause accidents if you drive with the wrong tyres.
Are there exceptions to the compulsory winter tyres?
The obligation to use winter tyres does not apply to the following vehicles, among others:
Motorbikes
Agricultural vehicles
Certain disabled vehicles
What is the minimum tread required for winter tyres?
The legally prescribed minimum tread depth is 1.6 millimetres even for winter tyres. For safety reasons, the German ANWB, the ADACHowever, a minimum of four millimetres should be maintained. Replacement is necessary after no more than six years, because by then the rubber has hardened to such an extent that grip in cold weather is reduced, even if the tyres have been used infrequently.
What if you have an accident in Germany in winter with summer tyres?
You run the risk that the insurance company will pay less. Not using winter tyres will be considered gross negligence. In the event of an accident through no fault of your own, it can also cause a major problem in terms of liability. But the most important thing, of course, is safety. So use them, those winter tyres, when the weather conditions demand it.
Are all-season tyres also permitted in Germany?
All-season tyres are considered winter tyres in the legal sense in Germany if they are marked with the Alpine symbol or the M+S sign. If neither of these symbols is present, the tyre is not a winter tyre but a summer tyre. Good all-season tyres can therefore be left on your car all year round.
Winter tyres in other European countries
Below are briefly the rules in the most important car countries in Europe:
Winter tyres Finland
If the weather or road conditions require it, winter tyres must be used between 1 November and 31 March. The tread depth must be at least 3 mm for vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tonnes. Spike tyres can be used from 1 November to 31 March and also in other periods if the weather or road surface requires it.
Winter tyres may have spikes.
In muddy or snowy conditions, or in situations that are difficult for other reasons, the tread pattern of winter tyres must be at least 5 mm.
This regulation also applies to cars registered abroad.
Winter tyres France
In areas indicated by two new road signs, winter tyres or equivalent equipment are mandatory from 1 November to 31 March.
Good to know: This rule applies in certain cities. It is good to inquire in advance with the respective city. Two types of equipment are permitted:
Four winter tyres, certified M+S, or four all-season tyres with certification.
Winter tyres Austria
From 1 November to 15 April, use winter tyres when the weather conditions make this necessary. winter tyres must be fitted on all 4 wheels n the minimum tread depth is 4 mm. If you drive with your summer tyres, because the weather is good, you must have chains. It is the legal responsibility of the driver to carry the required winter equipment. Therefore, also in case of a hire car, check that the chains are present. This regulation applies to all vehicles registered in Austria as well as to other com m unicated vehicles registered abroad.
Winter tyres Switzerland
In Switzerland, the use of winter tyres is, strangely enough, not required by law. It is, however, advisable to use them if the weather conditions demand it. This is because there is a fine for causing a nuisance to other road users. This can certainly be the case if your tyres do not have enough grip and you cause a delay.
Winter tyres Sweden
In Sweden, there are extensive rules governing the use of winter tyres, snow chains and so on. In the winter period, from 1 December to 31 March, winter tyres are compulsory if the weather conditions make this necessary. The winter tyres must be certified. If the weather conditions are not bad come But that means no slippery n or a temperature around freezing point or below, driving on summer tyres is also allowed. It is up to the police to decide if the weather conditions make the use of winter tyres necessary or not. If the road is covered with snow or ice the use of snow chains is allowed.
Winter tyres Italy
There are no general rules on the use of winter tyres in Italy. Sometimes they are compulsory, but this is indicated by signs along the road. Winter tyres must not be used from 15 May to 14 October. This ban also applies to foreign vehicles. There are high fines for breaking this rule. This is due to the lower speed limit for vehicles with winter tyres.
Winter tyres Spain
In Spain, winter tyres are not generally compulsory unless indicated by signs in certain areas. It is therefore regionally determined.
Winter tyres Slovenia
Here, winter tyres are obligatory during the winter period. This is from 15 November to 15 March. But even outside this period, winter tyres may be compulsory in wintery conditions.
Winter tyres Croatia
In this country, at certain roads (or parts thereof) from 15 November to 15 April winter tyres are compulsory, regardless of the weather conditions, unless snow chains are in the car.
Winter tyres Norway
The use of winter tyres is not compulsory for passenger vehicles in Norway, but you are obliged to ensure that your car has sufficient grip on the road surface in winter conditions. So it is actually the same thing. It is therefore strongly recommended. The minimum tread depth for winter tyres is 3 mm and they must be fitted to all wheels.
Winter tyres UK
In the United Kingdom, winter tyres are not compulsory. However, their use is recommended in winter weather conditions.
Winter tyres Czech Republic
Winter tyres are compulsory in winter conditions. That is, from 1 November to 31 March when the road is covered with snow or ice or when the temperature is lower than 4°C. There must also be a chance of snowfall or black ice.
Winter tyres Belgium
In Belgium, winter tyres are not compulsory but are recommended when the conditions demand it, especially in mountainous regions, such as the Ardennes.
Winter tyres Poland
Winter tyres are not compulsory in Poland either, but their use is recommended in winter weather conditions.
Gaiters - you may not hear about them very often. Yet they are very important car parts. Driving around with damaged homokinetic joints can be life-threatening in some cases. What does this car part do? How do you know that it needs to be replaced and how much does it cost to replace a joint pinion? We tell you more!
What are homokinets?
Hubs are also known as pinion joints or homokinetic joints. It is the car part that connects the wheel to the drive shaft. It is an ingeniously designed joint that ensures that the wheels and the axle always rotate at the same speed, even when steering or taking a bumpy sandy road.
The part that often shows defects first is the sleeve that surrounds the homokineet. This shaft sleeve contains grease for the proper, smooth operation of the clutch. When the sleeve is damaged and gets torn, this grease leaks. Dirt also gets into the hub axle.
Crankshaft symptoms in the event of damage
Crank joints broken? The sooner you get there, the better. This will not only save you high maintenance costs, but will also be safer. In order to help you spot defective parts in time, we have listed the damaged joint pin symptoms for you.
Ticking sound when steering
Do you hear a ticking or clicking noise when you steer and accelerate at the same time? There is a good chance that one of the coil joints is broken. When in doubt, find an empty parking space where you have the space to drive in circles in reverse. Accelerate a little at a time. If the ticking gets louder, there is probably a defective axle box.
A grease spot
If the axle cover is damaged, grease will leak out. This grease ends up on the hub axle, the wheels and the tyres. Do you suspect that one of the joints is broken? Then don't conclude that you are wrong, because you don't see a grease spot on the wheels. In the beginning these grease spots are small. Only when the axle cover is damaged further and more grease is leaking, you will see this on the wheels. If there is a large grease spot, the car part is probably already so badly damaged that not only the axle cover, but also the homokineet itself and maybe the drive shaft need to be replaced.
Shock or vibration of the car
Homing joints in good condition ensure that the wheels and axle have the same speed. If a homokinetic clutch is not doing its job properly anymore, this will cause jolting or vibrating. In the beginning, you only notice this when you make a sharp turn and accelerate. The more the car part is damaged, the more severe the jolting and vibrating becomes. Eventually, you will also feel it when driving in a straight line at a constant speed. At this stage, driving with a broken hub cap becomes really dangerous. The joint is so badly damaged that it can now come loose, leaving your wheel disconnected from the axle. Your car becomes uncontrollable.
Replace front drive shaft - the sooner, the better
A seriously damaged axle box causes life-threatening situations on the road. No wonder that a cracked axle cover results in an MOT-approved car. When you hear a ticking or clicking noise for the first time while steering or accelerating, you do not have to take the emergency lane immediately. However, it is important to go to the garage as soon as possible. If you get there quickly, there is a chance that only the axle cover needs to be replaced. This is relatively cheap.
Does the homokineet itself also need to be replaced? That is a more expensive option. Often the axle is also replaced. The axle has to be dismantled anyway to replace the homokinets and often the drive shaft itself is also worn out. To prevent having to go to the garage again within six months, it is best to buy a completely new driveshaft. Sometimes you have no choice. Not all drive shafts are supplied separately. They are only for sale as part of the drive shaft. Since replacing the complete driveshaft is a very expensive undertaking, many people choose to get rid of their car.
Camshaft replacement costs
Replacing the axle cover of a joint pin usually costs between 90 and 150 euros. Replacing a single drive pinion joint costs between 400 and 750 euros. Replacing a drive shaft costs between 430 and 1200 euros, and replacing both drive shafts can cost between 760 and 2200 euros.
The large price differences for the same repairs are related to the cost of parts for specific car makes and models, but also to the workshop's labour costs.
Replacing the windscreen wiper is, in almost all cases, an easy job that does not require an immediate trip to the garage. In this article, we provide instructions on how to replace windscreen wipers, as well as maintenance tips and background information on the wipers.
Wiper operation
The wiper arm is connected to the wiper motor. The latter is responsible for the movement of the wipers. The last part is of course the wiper itself, which is mounted on the wiper arm.
The task of the wipers
The wipers should keep the driver's field of vision clear so that rain, snow and sleet, do not obstruct visibility too much. They should work quietly and not make unpleasant noises. In addition, they should not leave streaks.
Extend the life by not abusing them
The windscreen wipers should not be misused as an alternative to manually cleaning the windscreen. If you have leaves, bird droppings or stubborn insects on your windscreen. Then it is better to remove them manually. This protects the rubbers and extends the life of the wiper blades. Of course, the windscreen wipers are also not a suitable tool for removing ice and snow from the windows. If you do not have a window heater, you should use the ice scraper, not the wipers. Heavy snow loads cause the arms to bend and at some point the wiper motor may burn out.
How often should you replace the windscreen wipers?
The information on the recommended replacement intervals for windscreen wipers varies greatly by brand and model. Some brands indicate 6 months, others up to 4 years. Generally, a set can last about 2 years. However, this does not mean that they should necessarily be replaced after 2 years. If you do not see any stripes, are satisfied with the wiping result and do not hear any squeaking or other noise, you can leave them in place. In this case, 4 years is often the maximum time.
Replace hook and flat-blade wipers
The traditional wiper system is a so-called hook arm. As the picture below clearly shows, there is a hook in the wiper arm. If there is no rust on the wipers or arms, changing them is very easy:
Raise the arms
Feel whether there is a little movement at the hook. If not, first spray a little bit of penetrating oil on it. This may need to be soaked in overnight.
If there is any movement, click the pallet in.
Then turn the wiper horizontally and slide it down from the hook
The new windscreen wiper place horizontally
Push the wiper up into the hook until it clicks.
Now you have installed the new wipers and you are ready for another 2 years.
The flatblades (Flat wipers) often have a sliding system. Bosch, for example, slides the wiper into the arm. Loosening and locking the wiper is also done with a little pallet that you have to push. Never use too much force because the arm can bend, or even break. A new wiper arm is much more expensive than a set of wipers.
Wiper blades may not be the most exciting part of a car, but old, worn or broken wipers can not only be very irritating, they can also be dangerous in a black downpour. For this reason, many manufacturers recommend that they be replaced at least once a year.
But as with all technologies, times change and wiper technology has also moved with the times. Therefore, make sure you buy the right type of wipers for your car. Below are briefly explained. In addition, you can visit our Wiper sizes page check to see what size your car is.
Traditional wipers
The traditionally most used design consists of a metal or plastic frame with four to eight points. These points apply pressure to the rubber sheet. When they are new, this pressure is evenly distributed, but as they age, this can become less. This will reduce your visibility during a rainstorm. In general, these wipers are easy to install.
Flat blade wipers
This design has become almost universal over the past decades. Despite being more expensive than traditional designs, they are easier to install with their hook-type wiper arm.
A tensioned metal strip replaces the several individual pressure points of the traditional wiper to distribute an even force over the entire rubber blade. Their moulded rubber profile also fits the curves of the windscreen more precisely. In addition, they are more aerodynamic than traditional wipers. This results in less wind noise.
Nowadays, most wiper arms are made suitable for flat blades. A disadvantage of these wipers is the fact that they wear down faster. You can notice this when they don't press so well on the windscreen and the water is not removed properly from the windscreen.
Hybrid wiper blade
Hybrid wipers are similar to traditional wipers in terms of their basic construction. They lack the tensioned metal strips. However, their plastic covers offer the appearance and aerodynamic advantages of flat blades and, due to their construction, last longer than this type. They are compatible with traditional 'hook' type wiper arm fittings and are more common on vehicles of Asian origin.
Windshield wiper size search
As mentioned before, we have documented the wiper sizes for many makes and models:
Here are the advantages:
EN 
NL 
DE 
FR 
ES 
IT