Car Servicing under Warranty-Do You Have to Have Your Servicing Done By the Main Dealer ?

10th February 2023/in All Car Servicing/by Eric Roberts

Car Servicing under Warranty

Your car servicing can be carried out when the car is under the manufactures warranty

So, as a garage owner of long standing ! This is a question that I am always asked. Albeit too late to benefit my garage. Of course, when customers come to us for say a tyre fitting. Naturally, then they sometimes ask us what the price of a service would be for their car. Some customers then say that we can’t do the car servicing ! Because the car is under the manufacturer’s warranty. Subsequently, they must take their cars to the main dealer (franchise garage).

This ruling was brought out in the European Union (EU) in 2010 . As an update to previous legislation. Consequently, this is similar to the American version of “Right to repair act”. It was brought up to date to prevent the car manufacturers from protectionism. Including, diverting the cars that they made to their franchise dealers. Thus not allowing any work to be passed onto the independent garage sector. While the vehicle was still under warranty. This also would have included Prestige Car Servicing. Giving the main dealer garages the monopoly for all the work. Whilst the car was still in the warranty period.

This was not acceptable to the EU.

So, as car repair bills were then accounting for 40% of running and owning a family auto. Unfortunately, the costs were going to rise in future years. In my opinion this legislation was not very well publicized. Because the general public do not know much about the fact that you can take your vehicle to a reputable independent garage. Finally, even if the car is still under the makers warranty scheme.

More reading…European Union Auto legislation

Car owners are still told that they must return their cars to the franchise dealers for servicing. Including out of warranty repair work. Including, such things as brake pad replacements and other wear and tear items. Tragically, or else if they don’t it will affect their cars warranty. This is simply NOT TRUE?

A couple of my customers have told me recently that this is what the salesman had told them, when they had bought their new vehicle. One was a guy with a BMW, who told him that the car

had to be serviced by the BMW garage to keep the cars warranty. Another woman customer had bought an Audi TT from the local Audi franchise and they told her the same. I am not sure if it is a lack of knowledge by the car salesman, but I suspect that they must be trained to say these things.

The EU legislation states that all car makers

So, have to offer the least, a two year unlimited mileage warranty on all their cars. This starts from the day the car is first registered. These car sales people should know the law and I am sure the same thing is applicable in the USA, as I stated under their “right to repair laws”. The two year minimum warranty ruling also applies if the car changes ownership within the warranty period.

The 2010 EU ruling along with previous legislation has been around for quite a while now and all franchise garages know that you cannot force a new car buyer to return the car for all its car servicing or brake work. Enabling the car to retain its warranty. The only stipulation is that the independent garage that is carrying out the service should carry out the work according to the cars manufacturing service manual and also use service parts of the same quality as the original equipment fitted the vehicle.

One that may be recommended by your family or friends. If possible look out for a garage that is one of the “good garage schemes”. My garage is a member of one of these schemes and you may think that I am blowing my own trumpet.

But in my opinion ! Standards are high and customer care is a priority at most of these regulated garages. I must stress though, that if a part is found to be faulty . Then the franchise dealer has the right to repair the van under the terms of the car warranty. In my opinion this entirely fair and reasonable. Because it will the manufacturer who will be paying for the faulty parts being repaired. Consequently, they need to have proper procedures in place and a correct paper chase

This post does not cover warranties that are sold by a third party. Including, extended warranties offered by the garage that have sold the car. So, my advice is to be careful with that situation. Some of these other types of warranties that are not under the regulations covering the manufacturer’s warranties may require you to have your car serviced at the dealership where the van was bought.

We recently had this type of problem with a car that had a worn out clutch.

The lady customer brought the car to us for a new clutch fitting. Unfortunately, and did not tell us that the car was still under warranty. She genuinely thought that she did not have to pay for the clutch fitting. Unknowingly, and that we could claim the money back from the car manufacturers. After a long argument and many phone calls to the main dealer she finally paid us for her clutch fitting and went away a very confused and disgruntled lady, never to be seen again.

This was a perfect case of the car owners, not knowing about their cars warranty procedures.

“Under EU law, you may invoke your guarantee at any dealer in the manufacturer’s network, regardless of the EU country in which you bought the car. So if you buy your car in Germany and take it back with you to France. So, you go to a car dealership for that make of car close to your home to ask for a manufacturing fault to be remedied (within the guarantee period), rather than travelling back to Germany”…http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/vehicles/cars/faq/index_en.htm

Jaguar XF Brake Problems ? Hub Rusting the main Culprit?

10th February 2023/in Brake Servicing Halifax/by Eric Roberts

Jaguar XF Brake Problems

We are fortunate to have a few of our customers who own a Jaguar XF.

So, like most older guys I have always been a keen fan of the Jaguar cars. Going back to when I was a young man working in a garage, as an apprentice mechanic. We were fortunate enough to have some wealthy customers. Importantly, who could afford to buy new Jaguars from time to time.

One of them was one of the directors of the Fox’s biscuits empire. Hence, who was one of the Fox families. Luckily, he always had four or five new cars on the go at once. Consequently,who always kept us busy with the servicing and repairs.

Jaguars have always appeared to have brake or tyre problems. So, throughout their history. I can remember in the late 1960’s the new XJ4 came onto the market. This car sported wonderful flared archers . Including, new 6×15 inch wheels that were fitted out with a new tyre form Dunlop tyres. Subsequently, the tyre size was ER70VR15.

These tyres were especially designed for Jaguar by Dunlop.

Dunlop were developing tyres with the Jaguar engineers. Who at that time were a major force in the UK tyre market. Importantly, this car also came out on disc brakes all round.

I always remember the problems that the XJ4’s were having with vibrations. Annoyingly, coming through brakes and the steering wheels. Firstly, it turned out that one of the problems was engine vibrations. So, Jaguar engineers tried out many things. Of course to try and correct the problems.

I then worked for National Tyre Service who was wholly owned by Dunlop. It was our task to try balance the wheels to our best ability. But in those days we did not have the sophisticated electronic equipment that we use on today’s cars. In fact we had to take the cars to the Dunlop garage in Leeds. Strangely at the time this was done in secrecy. Because of the huge problem that Jaguar was having with these vibration problems.

I was once able to stop and watch the engineers go to work balancing the wheels

The balancing was carried out on a special machine that I had never seen before. It must have been brought to Leeds from the Dunlop factory. The most amazing thing was that the Dunlop technician actually skimmed some of the tread off the tyres. Trying to make them

rounder. I certainly know that all this was hush/hush. Incredibly, so not to affect the reputation of Jaguar and also Dunlop. I believe that Jaguar had to do all sorts of things to correct the vibrations problem ! An excellent article about the early Jags can be found on…Aronline .

Back To the future with the Jaguar XF

As I have said before ! We have three or four customers that come into us for servicing. Including other jobs doing on their Jaguar XF. We have had a couple of these with complaints about brake vibrations and a droning noise. One of our customers came in with brake problems similar to the others.

This one was a bit different in that the problem did not occur when he was doing high speed ,the car was smooth, but when he started to slow down to about 60 mph and then 40 mph the vibration and droning noise would start to happen.

The problem is, like so many of these things, that when we road test the cars the problem never shows itself up, the car plays mind games with the owners. This particular car was taken back to the main dealers, but we now know that the braking and droning noise is now a recognised fault, the cause is thought to be the disc brakes or hub run out.

Another Jaguar XF that we were servicing was found to need discs and pads all round.

We contacted the customer who kindly gave us the go ahead to do the job. He gave us his consent and we carried out the brakes work. About three months later the car had developed a slight brake vibration and he left the car with us for examination. This all reminded me of our problems with the XJ6, s Jags in the sixties.

We road tested the car a sure enough the brakes pedal did vibrate slightly. We could find nothing wrong and true to our warranty policy we suspected that the discs could be faulty and ordered a new set of discs.

Our supplier agreed to change the discs and accordingly sent us a new set. The New Jaguar XF discs fit onto the hub and we noticed that a slight amount of rust had formed on the outer part of the hub; this can be seen on the pictures that we took.

We think that we cured a previous Jaguar XF by removing any rust and thoroughly cleaning the hubs

Of course, before refitting the brakes discs. When we did this on this particular Jag it appeared to solve the problem. So, we cleaned off any rust that had formed on the hub. Thus, where the discs seat and re-fitted the replacement discs. Ryan road tested the car and all was well, the car had no brake vibrations and so far the car appears to be working fine.

We now think that this could be a problem if you are lucky enough to own one of these fine cars. Please make sure that the hubs where the discs fit are totally cleaned and look like new, because any rust build up will cause the disc to run out of line, only a fraction, but we feel it would be enough to cause a brake vibration on the Jaguar XF when the pedal is applied.

Eric Roberts

Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre offer car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles. Also sell Dunlop Tyres online from our website www.pellonautocentre.com. Of course, by using the tyre selector and choosing your tyre size. Offering courtesy cars to local motorists who need to go to work and leave their car with us for work doing. We are also an official MOT testing station .

Neglect car servicing-at your own peril – Daily Nation-Pellonautocentre

5th February 2023/2 Comments/in All Car Servicing/by Eric Roberts

Neglect car servicing

Daily Nation Neglect car servicing at your own peril Daily Nation If you simply asked a garage for a major car servicing, and handed the car over with a flat spare, one rear wheel five psi below pressure, feathering wear on one front tyre tread, a screw…

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Neglect car servicing advice from Africa

I know that I keep going on about how important car servicing is. But its good advice when I see other countries preaching the same thing. So this article comes from Africa! Giving the motorist some good points that affect all car drivers. Importantly to have your car serviced. Of course, there may be some serious underlying problem with your car.

Especially, about hidden problems that you do not know about. Significantly, that a service should pick up. The main neglect that we come across is Car Brakes problems, for example leaking brake cylinders that are undetected could lead to a sudden brake loss, and heaven knows what that could cause, so please have your car servicing done at regular intervals. Please do not Neglect car servicing?

If you would like some advice about your cars servicing intervals then here you are .

From my advice I would like to stress that the newer your car is then the fewer services the car will need. Most of today’s modern cars that our customers drive are supposed to be serviced every 12000 Miles Per Year. Or at least once a year. Some of the older models require more Servicing a Car, but we tend to check out the service booklets and service the cars accordingly.

After three years, your car should have averaged say 12000 miles every year, but many drivers do not do that amount of miles, so in that case i would advise you once again to stick to the mileage regime and not the time scale. In my opinion it is best practice to stick to the cars service manual. If you do Neglect car servicing and exceed the miles, say if you use your car for work purposes then you should have the 12000 mile service once a year, or at least make sure that the car has a major service.

But most importantly please make sure that the car has the oil and filter changed, as oil contamination can always run into other more major problems. Also check the time or mileage that your timing belt needs changing, this can be the major problem if you Neglect car servicing , if your car requires it, most do and have a brake check. if you have a 12000 mile yearly service, then all this will be taken care of.

Noisy Car Brakes-Nice Red Citroen DS3 Pulls in with a Grinding Brakes Problem?

3rd February 2023/3 Comments/in All Car Manufacturer Articles, Brake Servicing Halifax/by Eric Roberts

Noisy Car Brakes

I was surprised to see this nice looking red car

Been the owner of a busy garage has many” ups and downs”. One of the more nicer and pleasant aspects of the job is to see the the number of different cars and car models that would appear in any given week.

This past week has seen cars as diverse as a Rolls Royce Wraith ( which was one of only 220 cars produced) to a Wolsey Hornet Mini from the late sixties, not counting the everyday cars such as Ford Fiestas and VW Golfs. Early on in the week we had a car made by Citroen, the DS3 call in to us with rattling Car Brakes. The was in my favourite colour a very bright red, ( I love red cars). We put the citroen car with the Noisy Car Brakes on a ramp and removed all the wheels to check the Brakes, and sure enough the front pads were worn down to the metal and the friction from having “metal to metal” had also damaged the front discs. The rear brakes were cleaned and checked and were good for further use.

We contacted the customer and was given the go ahead to replace the brakes

Of course, this meant that the customer was getting good quality brakes with a nation wide guarantee. The job was completed and the customer went on his way. Importantly, I took a couple of pictures because I am a great fan of the Citroen DS3. The colours are very bright and modern looking with a choice of 11 colours and four different roof colours, you can even have colour coded alloy wheels and also different carpet designs. There is also a sports version known as the D-Sport which comes with Blue-tooth and climate control. The car also include 17 inch alloy wheels, the one I looked at came with Yokohama tyres and looked great. They also come out with additional body modifications and really look very stylish.

This car in my opinion is a great tribute to the New Citroen DS3 designers, who had to compete with the BMW Mini and the great little Fiat 500.

BMW Mini Suspension- Has a Rear Suspension Collapse ? Due to bottom links.

26th January 2023/5 Comments/in All Car Servicing/by Eric Roberts

BMW Mini Suspension

Is this a common BMW Mini suspension fault ?

When I opened my garage doors on Saturday. Then a dark green BMW Mini had been left in the car park overnight. As a result, the owner had left a note . Thus to say that she would be calling in that morning. At the time we had not noticed . That the rear drivers BMW Mini Suspension was not straight . But leaning in at the top.

When we eventually got the BMW Mini on the ramp,(Saturday is a very busy day for tyre customers) we were astounded to find that the problem was caused by a broken bottom arm link, a part of the BMW Mini Suspension. The bottom link had completely snapped in two. This caused the wheel to pull in at the top making the car un-drivable.

This link is part of the cars multi-link system that is now common on modern vehicles such as the BMW Mini, and is used to give the cars independent suspension to all four corners of the car. The BMW Mini Suspension top and bottom links are part of that system. The lady customer can not remember running over any objects but with all the snow that has fallen in the Halifax area this winter, it is possible that she may have run over a large stone that was buried in the snow without knowing and snapped the link in two. This year has been a particularly bad year for broken springs and other suspension parts. The video that I have included in this post clearly shows the bottom link in action, it is the part that is a silver colour at the bottom of the BMW Mini suspension.

The new part has now been ordered and we will be fixing the BMW Mini this week.

Independent Car Care centres-The Benefits of Been an Independent to our Customers

25th January 2023/in All Unipart Service Centres Stuff/by Eric Roberts

Independent Car Care centres

Independent Car Care centres-Cars are among the most essential parts of our lives.

Virtually everyone owns their own vehicle. Whether it is for public use or private use. To ensure that your vehicle maintains its pristine condition. So, it is essential to periodically visit to your Independent Car Care centres. Car care centres are ideal destinations for repairing and maintaining vehicles. There are numerous benefits that vehicle owners attain when they take their vehicles to these dealers.

The first benefit is that these centres possess expert mechanics. Who have mastered every minute detail about automobiles. This lets them handle any form of issue with your vehicle. Consequently, they may undo most significant damages to your automobile. They typically repair, check or service your batteries, wiper blades, tyre pressure, clutch, lights, brakes and engine. These repairs will ensure that your vehicle remains pristine. That will protect it from the strain it typically faces.
The second benefit is that the mechanics offer peace of mind . They have mastered virtually everything about vehicles due to their immense experience along with their training. Whatever make or model your vehicle might be. The mechanics know all of its workings. To them, it is irrelevant whether your vehicle is vintage, rare or foreign. They also possess all the ideal pieces of equipment. Along with tools to repair or to service your vehicle. They guarantee that your vehicle’s condition will improve. Hence, the mechanics offer peace of mind as you remain assured that they are the most ideal experts to handle your vehicle.
The third benefit is that these care centres mechanics are cost-effective. Their charges typically reflect the type of repair or service they perform. If your vehicle has sustained extensive damage or requires extensive servicing. So, their services will reflect that. In fact, their charges are often reasonable with immense damages. Likewise, their charges are relatively minute if your vehicle does not need plenty of work. The mechanics, in addition, are insured. This means that they will not charge for any issues that may arise when they attempt to repair or service your vehicle.

Car care centres offer more care for your car

The fourth benefit is that the mechanics offer additional services. For instance, if your car has broken down somewhere and you cannot move it, you may hire them to tow your vehicle. This will be considerably more affordable and convenient than paying an independent towing company. The mechanics also offer ideal advice. Your vehicle may require new parts like brakes or headlights. If so, these professionals may offer advice on the type of Online Catalogue are most ideal. For instance, there are brand new spare parts that are considerably expensive. But are essential for certain parts, like gearboxes. There are also recycled spare parts which are affordable and may be ideal for parts like headlights. They may also offer advice on whether a particular component needs to be repaired or if it requires replacement. Independent Car Care centres advice is primarily to suit you and your budget.

On the whole, Unipart car care centres are ideal centres for having your vehicle repaired or serviced. They are affordable and effective. We have now left the Unipart scheme and it will make no difference to our customer service going forward.

Failing Brakes-Lack Of Car Servicing Could lead To problems with your cars brakes ?

24th January 2023/in Brake Servicing Halifax/by Eric Roberts

Failing Brakes

Many cars are now having a bad experience

Of driving your car along the road only to find that when you apply the Failing Brakes,

you hear a tremendous “grinding”noise problems

Of course winter is always a bad time for our customers with brake problems. Specifically, because drivers use their brakes much more often. Especially, if the weather turns wild. Snow and ice make drivers doubly aware of the driving conditions. Consequently, they use the brakes twice as much as they would in say dry sunny summer conditions.

Eventually the brake pads will wear away. In many cases the pads wear down to the extent of wearing out altogether thus causing Failing Brakes ! Frequently, only leaving the metal part of the pads in tack. Of course this is the time when the grinding noise can be first heard by the driver. So, causing panic as this is often accompanied by brake warning lights illuminating on the cab dashboard !

Drivers panic !

So, the noise comes from the metal part of the worn out pads grinding on the metal brake discs eventual causing Failing Brakes. Resulting in the horrific noise when the brakes are applied. Significantly, this happens many times and We are now finding that we are seen an increase in drivers calling into our Halifax garage with this problem. With with Failing Brakes that are rattling and banging. Many of our customers are lady drivers (about 60% we estimate).

Not being sexist but the lady drivers do appear to panic more when this bad brake experience happens. Finding out that when you apply the brakes. Then you can hear a tremendous “grinding”noise. As a result, coming from your car. This can be a harrowing and frightening experience. Especially, to a first time driver.

When this happens all the customer wants to do is stop their car. Of course and then, getting it to a garage as soon as possible. As I have siad earlier, these days as well as the noise, then a warning light will illuminate. Hence, on the dash-board. Making the experience twice as daunting.

Customers just want their vehicle putting right !

So, in really severe cases of total brake failure, then a recovery is often required. Drivers just dont want to drive their cars that are making such a terrible noise. So, the cars are just left with us to do whatever is needed to make their vehicles roadworthy again ! The cost of the repairs does not seem to be a problem. Because, this important part of the car and the brakes must be fixed at all cost.

Why let the brakes get to this stage ?

This is the bit that I don’t understand ! I believe that the main reason for the customer grinding brake problem is a lack of car servicing. Thus allowing their cars to become beyond the stage of proper safety levels (when the pads are completely worn down and they become metal on metal with the Discs). Dangerously, this problem occurs mainly because the vehicle had not been serviced the year before.

Customers now lead very busy lives ! So, it is not surprising when we tell them that their car has not been serviced for over two years. I must admit that I am in this bracket ! Consequently, because of a missed service then parts that need replacing such as brake pads . So, are neglected and wear out causing the grinding problem. Customers do not usually miss servicing on purpose !

So, there was a time when our customers would miss a service for financial reasons. In recent years we have found that this has become less of a problem. Money is much easier to access, so important things such as servicing their car has become less of a problem.

Missing a service is false economy !

However a modern safe guard has become the annual MOT Test and servicing. Expressly, the modern way is to have a service when the vehicle is in for its annual MOT test. So, to help drivers, many garages like ourselves. Offer a service and MOT package that is in the financial reach of most card drivers. Of course, this package ensures that things that could be missed due to neglect can be spotted and put to rights.

Including the cars braking system. When the brake pads are not completely worn down then we can advise the car owners and they can be changed before the dreaded grinding noise emanates.

So, when the car is in fir a service/MOT, and we find that the Brake Pads are getting low. Then we report back to the client with an advisory. Of course with the permission of the car owner ! The parts will be changed on the service making the car safe again, and up to scratch. If the owner does not have their vehicle serviced and the Failing Brakes are neglected, then the problem of low pads will then be spread to the other parts, namely the brake discs.

Of course, other brake problems could also occur. Including, seized up brake calipers, or leaking brake cylinders and damaged ABS warning wires.

Failing Brakes problems could have been avoided.

As an example to what I was saying earlier in the article! One lady customer brought her BMW Mini in to us with a Brakes problem. Closely examining the Mini we found that she required discs and pads on the front. Including a set of pads on the rear. The lady could not understand this ! Explaining that she we had only just serviced the car a couple of months previously.

Much surprised! We subsequently,checked the records on our computer system. She was horrified to find that the last service was carried out 18 months ago ! Time had flown by and she had missed her annual service completely. Needless to say that she apologised, paid her bill and went on her way. Of course ,we do send out reminders to our customers, but it had slipped her mind.

I do believe that motorists are becoming more aware and educated about the need for regular car servicing as a preventative measure to Failing Brakes. Especially before the dreaded grinding brake scenario occurs!

Warped Brake Discs-Why do your Brake Discs Go Out of Shape?

22nd January 2023/5 Comments/in Brake Servicing Halifax/by Eric Roberts

Warped Brake Discs

warped brake discs; warping is a common problem

Most people know what a brake disc is. Of course, they learn this through experience gained throughout their motoring life. The brake discs are known in America as “Brake Rotors”, I say this

because of my American readers. Just in case they dont know what I am referring to.

The discs are the large metal discs that you see on most cars. Hence, when the wheels are removed. For this reason, there job is to stop the car when the brakes are applied. Thus, they are grabbed by the Car Brake Pads. At great pressure to stop the car. This action causes friction and wear on the discs. Consequently, with constant use and heat build up.

replacing warped brake discs

Over time the Disc Brakes will slowly wear down. Most manufactures of these discs recommend a minimum thickness of wear. When your brakes are examined by a competent Autocentre. Then the discs will be measured and if they are below the thickness limits. Therefore, customer will then be advised?Hopefully the warped brake discs will be changed.

Discs come in all types of designs. Although the discs that fit the regular family saloon car. Hence, are usually of the conventional solid steel discs type. Although, many cars are now coming out on vented discs. This was an improvement to help dissipate the high amount of heat that the discs generate in heavy usage. In my opinion these vented discs wear more quickly than the solid discs, but do not warp as much.

Warped Brake Discs

The warped brake discs will go out of shape for many reasons , but the main reason through what I call “normal wear and tear” , this is caused by the exposed discs coming into contact with water, during in heavy rain, the discs constantly heat up and cool down when in contact with the water. This year has been particularly bad for warped brake discs replacements due to our record wet year here in the UK. The discs produce a high spot which over time causes them to develop a “high spot” and eventually the discs will warp.

This warped brake discs can be felt through the brake pedal when you are pressing the brakes and will get worse, making the driving feel uncomfortable. If this is not seen to it is possible that the discs can break up into pieces, often causing distress to the driver.

Some sportier car models have to have perforated discs fitted as an added bonus in keeping the discs cool when heavy braking and have to be re-fitted with the same type of discs, discs are very important and can not be messed about with, except for upgrades.

Warped Brake Discs How do I look after my brake discs ?

The answer really is to have your car regularly maintained. Most good Autocentres will offer their customers a free brake check. Also you should have your car serviced at least once a year, this will include your brake check and any problems will be noted and presented to you as a recommendation. It is then up to you to have the problems fixed before you run into more problems. I have noticed recently that the customers with brake problems are the ones that did not find time to have their car serviced, and the cost doubles because of the extra problems that a set of worn out pads would have cost if discovered on a service.

Sports discs ready to be fitted

Brake Pedal Creep? Is your car affected by this ? Diesel brakes only

19th January 2023/in Brake Servicing Halifax/by Eric Roberts

Brake Pedal Creep

A recent customer enquiry came up with an old problem. As a result she had been sitting in her car on a cold day in Bridlington. Of course on the east coast on Yorkshire. The ladies name was Joan. Joan and her husband had decided to go for a day trip to the seaside.
Unfortunately for them, the weather turned out to be very cold and wet. Consequently, she decided to have some fish and chips and keep the engine running to keep warm. For some strange reason she rested her foot on the brake pedal.
Indeed for some reason the pedal had slowly crept to a stop near the end of its play. This startled Joan? However the rain stopped and the day brightened up. The engine was switched off and the pedal became hard again.
At the end of the day the couple returned and home. As a result of the peddle experience she gave us a call. Consequently, we checked the Vauxhall cars records. Hence, the brakes had some work carried out on them about two months previously.
Therefore to alleviate her concerns, we booked the car in for another brake check. Although we last carried any brake work out two months. Then we decided to check them out? On account of we did fit a new set of pads on the brake service.
Sometimes, when you replace new pads. Hence, it is possible to forget to open the brake bleed nipple. Thus when you push back the piston to remove the old pads. Because the bleed nipple is closed, then the fluid is pushed back into the brake master cylinder. As a result of this, the fluid can reverse the seals in the master cylinder.

Brake Pedal Creep

However, this would not be the case if a professional mechanic had fitted the pads. So this would have been less likely to be the cause. Joans cars brakes were rigorously check and no problems were found.
Because of this then I decided to look into the problem. Consequently, I discovered that it was fairly common on Vauxhall cars. Links have been made to incorrectly setting up the ABS brake system. Other reasons have included the development of the diesel car brakes. As a result, over the years diesel cars have become bigger and therefore heavier in weight.
Vehicle manufacturers have had to come up with stronger braking systems.Thus to be able to stop these heavier cars. A thing that I did not know? Was that the low pedal problem could be associated with the addition of twin diaphragm boosters.
To stop bigger vehicles then the manufacturers fitted bigger brake calipers and larger pistons. Also larger disc s were fitted and also larger bore master cylinders. As a result the master cylinder displaces more fluid, but with less pressure. I am not saying that this was the reason for my customers car or any other, but it does make some sense.

Diesel Brake Pedal Creep

car makers use twin diaphragm boosters. Hence that will give reduced brake pedal effort and the brakes more bite. As a result of this there has been incidents of the brake pedal fading. Especially on diesel powered cars.
What I do not understand is that it does not happen on all diesel cars. I am sur that there would be a huge outcry if it did.
If you have a vehicle with brake pedal creep at idle, what can be done?
Best thing I can suggest is if your car has a hard pedal without the engine running and the vacuum exhausted. Then it is possible that the problem is not your cars master cylinder but could possibly be vacuum related.
We then road tested Joan’s car on our MOT brake tester. All the readings were perfect and the wheels locked off as they should have. In fact to conclude, most diesel cars will show signs of brake pedal fading. When we explained this to Joan, then she was relieved and pleased with the results and our service.

Eric Roberts

Dangers of Driving with Faulty Brakes

18th January 2023/0 Comments/in Brake Servicing Halifax/by Eric Roberts

Dangers of Driving with Faulty Brakes

As we all know, driving with faulty brakes can be extremely dangerous. Of course, not only for you, but also for other motorists. Worn or damaged brakes can reduce stopping power. Therefore, it would be more difficult to stop the vehicle in an emergency. In this post, we will discuss some of the risks associated with driving a car with worn or damaged brakes. Importantly, that’s why it’s important to have your brakes checked and replaced as soon as possible.

One of the main risks associated with driving with faulty brakes is increased stopping distance. This is a slow process and is not detected by the driver. As the brake pads wear down, they become less effective at stopping the vehicle, which can lead to a longer stopping distance. This can be especially dangerous in situations where an emergency stop is needed. Emergencies, such as when a child runs into the street or a car in front of you suddenly stops.

Another risk associated with driving with faulty brakes is decreased control.

So, If the brake pads are worn or the brake disc (rotor) is damaged, the vehicle may not stop as smoothly or as easily as it should. This can make it difficult to control the vehicle. Especially in tight turns or on wet or slippery roads. Driving with faulty brakes also increases the risk of collision. If the brakes fail completely, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle, which can lead to a collision. Additionally, if the brakes are worn or damaged, the driver may not be able to stop the vehicle in time to avoid a collision.

Brake pads can also seize due to a lack of servicing. This, in fact, is what happened to me. I was coming up to a zebra crossing on my way home from a day trip to Blackpool, UK. Although the crossing was empty, I applied my brakes. The car did not come to a halt; instead, it continued on its way. My brakes had seized on! I was an apprentice mechanic at the time and pulled up as soon as possible. The brakes were red-hot and untouchable. After jacking up the car and removing the wheels, I was able to release the brakes, and we were able to drive home cautiously.

Another risk is that, when the brake pads are worn out

So, they need to work harder and hotter to perform their function, this can cause the brake disc to warp, which can lead to the need of changing both brake pads and discs, adding more cost and time to the repair. Indeed this is a very common problem. Our customers leave the brake pads too long and this eventually leads to them wanting both pads and discs. It is important to have your brakes checked and serviced regularly.

Your garage mechanic can check the thickness of your brake pads, discs, and other brake components and determine if they need to be replaced. Here at Pellon Auto Centre in Halifax, UK, we carry out this work on the car’s main service. As I’ve already said, having your brakes checked and serviced regularly can help them last longer and make sure they keep working right.

In conclusion, driving with faulty brakes can be extremely dangerous, and it’s crucial to keep them in good working condition. If you notice any signs of wear or damage, such as squealing or grinding noises, Whether you have reduced stopping power or a soft brake pedal, it’s important to have your brakes checked and replaced as soon as possible. Checking and fixing your brakes on a regular basis can help you find problems before they get worse and can also make them last longer. I know from experience, it’s not very good when you press the brake pedal and the car doesn’t stop. Believe me!