Hi I would like to introduce myself. Working in the Garage and tyre and all Car Servicing business now for 40 years. So. worked for a couple of national tyre companies before starting my first business. Of course, I now own a company here in the UK called Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre. Blogging about anything to do with Car Servicing and their related products. Naturally, that will help my business. We are members of Point-S and MotorCodes and are also a Unipart Car Care Centre.
Daily Nation Neglect: car servicing at your own peril Daily Nation: If you simply asked a garage for 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 it’s 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. It is important 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, 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 serviced at regular intervals. Please do not neglect car servicing?
If you would like some advice about your car’s 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 every12000 miles per year. Or at least once a year. Some of the older models require more servicing of 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 car’s 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.
Please make sure that the car has the oil and filter changed, as oil contamination can always lead to other, more serious problems. Also check the time or mileage that your timing belt needs changing; this can be a major problem if you neglect car servicing. If your car requires it, most do and have a brake check. If you have a 12-mile yearly service, then all this will be taken care of.
Being the owner of a busy garage has many “ups and downs.”. One of the more pleasant aspects of the job is seeing 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 1960s, not counting the everyday cars such as Ford Fiestas and VW Golfs. We had a Citroen DS3 call in to us early in the week with rattling car brakes.
It 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 “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 different carpet designs. There is also a sports version known as the D-Sport, which comes with blue teeth 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 newCitroen DS3 designers, who had to compete with the BMW Mini and the great little Fiat 500.
More reading…
The DS3 is the first in a range of very different Citroen models that put the emphasis on style and personality, along with strong performance and driver appeal. With its stylish look and compact size, it’s easy to see why so many comparisons have been drawn with the popular MINI and Fiat 500.“
“The engine combines strong low-rev performance – 110bhp at 3600rpm and 199lb ft at 2000rpm, enough for a sub-10.0sec 0-60mph time – with a claimed 62.8mpg (combined cycle) and 118g/km of CO2 emissions, which sees annual road tax costing just £20…”EVO
https://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/brakes-pads-only.jpg396800Eric Robertshttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pellon-tyres-logo-509x321.jpgEric Roberts2026-03-28 06:39:242026-03-28 06:39:24Noisy Car Brakes
Why You Should Replace Your Wiper Blades During the Drier Months – Advice from Pellon Tyres, Halifax
Hello again from all of us at Pellon Tyre and Autocentre in Halifax!
Today, we’re giving the batteries and engines a break and focusing on something simple — yet absolutely essential for road safety all year round: your wiper blades.
You might be thinking, “It’s dry outside; why bother changing my wiper blades now?” Well, here’s why replacing wiper blades during the summer months is actually one of the smartest things you can do for your car.
🧼 Clear Windscreens in Any Weather Change wipers during drier months
It’s not just rain that affects your windscreen. Even in dry conditions, dust, pollen, bird droppings, and road grime can build up. Your wiper blades are the first line of defence when it comes to keeping your view clear — especially when you hit the Halifax bypass or are heading down Skircoat Road in the sunshine.
Good blades help you spot potholes, cyclists, or sudden hazards — even when there isn’t a cloud in the sky.
🔍 Prevent Windscreen Scratches and Costly Repairs
Worn-out wiper blades don’t just leave annoying streaks — they can actually damage your glass. When the rubber on old blades starts to crack or peel, it can scratch your windscreen. And let’s be honest — a windscreen replacement isn’t cheap!
By replacing your wiper blades regularly, you’re protecting one of the most important safety features of your car: your visibility.
🌦️ British Weather Is Never Trustworthy Change wipers during drier months
Let’s face it — West Yorkshire weather is unpredictable at the best of times. One minute it’s blazing sunshine; the next it’s like the heavens have opened. You don’t want to be caught out in a downpour with wipers that smear more than they clear.
That’s why we recommend getting new wiper blades during the dry months, so you’re already prepared when the rain returns (as it always does around here!).
🛠️ Easy to Do, Affordable to Fix Change wipers during drier months
The great news? Changing your wiper blades is one of the easiest car maintenance tasks you can do. You don’t need tools, a ramp, or a mechanic. Just pop into your local Halifax parts shop, grab the right set for your make and model, and fit them in minutes. Or if you’re not sure what you need, just give us a ring at Pellon Tyres, and we’ll sort it for you.
💧 Better Washer Fluid Performance Too
New wiper blades do more than wipe — they help your windscreen washer fluid work properly by spreading it evenly across the glass. That means fewer smears, clearer visibility, and a better clean every time you use it — ideal after a long drive through the countryside or the odd seagull ‘gift’ while parked in town!
🚗 Stay Safe with Small but Important Fixes
Here at Pellon Tyres in Halifax, we always say that the little things matter just as much as the big ones. A quick wiper blade replacement might not seem like a big deal, but it’s one of those quiet jobs that makes a huge difference when it counts.
So, next time you’re giving your car a once-over — even if it’s sunny and dry — don’t forget to check your wipers. If they’re squeaking, smearing, or cracking, it’s time to replace them.
📍 Local Wiper Blade Replacement in Halifax
Need help choosing the right wiper blades for your car? Want us to fit them for you? Just pop in or give us a call at:
Despite the warmer, drier weather being associated with the summer months, the importance of having fresh wiper blades with good adhesion to the windscreen glass is just as important as any other time of year,
I opened my garage doors on Saturday. Then a dark green BMW Minihad 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 . 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 undriveable.
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 car independent suspension in 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.
More reading…
“Does multi-link suspension have any disadvantages? In short, yes… Such systems are more complex and incorporate more components, making them more expensive to design and produce. For this reason the systems were first introduced by luxury brands.
That said, lower vehicle production costs and higher customer expectation have more recently seen the technology filter down to many large and mid-sized mainstream vehicles. Development of the multi-link suspension systems is ongoing.
For example, Italian company Magneti Marelli
(most famous for its auto electronics) is making significant headway in producing cost-effective multi-link systems for small cars.
Its new designs incorporate flexible links, the benefits of which are said to allow fewer total parts, simplified bushing designs and reduced noise transmission into the passenger compartment”..http://www.carpoint.com.au/advice/2009/what-is-multilink-suspension-7533
Independent Car Care centres-Cars are among the most essential parts of our lives.
Independent Car Care centres
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 centre 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.
Independent 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 that is most ideal.
For instance, there are brand new spare parts that are considerably expensive. But they 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 Halifax: advice is primarily to suit you and your budget.
We are no longer part of the Unipart car care centres.
https://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/canstockphoto88031629-scaled-e1704782691464.jpg333500Eric Robertshttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pellon-tyres-logo-509x321.jpgEric Roberts2026-03-18 06:38:592026-09-05 12:06:49Independent Car Care centres
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!
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 brake pads. At great pressure to stop the car. This action causes friction and wear on the discs. Consequently, with constant use and heat buildup,.
replacing warped brake discs
Over time, the Disc Brakes will slowly wear down. Most manufacturers of these discs recommend a minimum thickness of wear. when a skilled autocenter examines your brakes Then the discs will be measured to see 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 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 is 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 driving feel uncomfortable. If this is not seen, 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 goodAutocentres 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 if discovered on a service.
Every now and again at Pellon Tyre and Autocentre here in Halifax, we come across a car problem that sounds frightening to the customer but isn’t always as serious as it first appears.
Brake pedal creep is a good example.
A customer notices that while sitting with their foot firmly on the brake pedal, the pedal appears to slowly move further towards the floor.
Of course, anything unusual involving your brakes is going to worry you — and rightly so. Brakes are probably the most important safety system fitted to any vehicle.
This particular story started not in Halifax, but over on the Yorkshire coast in Bridlington.
A Cold Day in Bridlington
Our customer Joan and her husband had decided to have a day out at the seaside.
Anyone who knows Bridlington will know that a nice Yorkshire coastal day can change very quickly! Unfortunately, the weather turned cold and wet, so Joan decided to sit in the car, enjoy some fish and chips and leave the engine running to keep warm.
While sitting there she happened to keep her foot resting on the brake pedal.
After a while she noticed something strange.
The brake pedal was slowly sinking down.
Naturally, this frightened her. You don’t need to know much about cars to know that a brake pedal heading towards the floor doesn’t sound particularly good!
Later, when the engine was switched off, the pedal became firm again.
Joan remembered that we had carried out some brake work on the car a couple of months earlier, so when she returned home she contacted us here at Pellon.
We booked the Vauxhall in and decided to check everything thoroughly.
Never Guess When It Comes to Brakes
Whenever somebody tells us that a brake pedal is sinking, we don’t simply assume that it’s normal.
There are several faults that can cause a soft or sinking brake pedal, some of which can be serious.
We therefore started with the basics and inspected the braking system.
This included checking the brake pads and discs, brake fluid level, brake pipes, flexible hoses, calipers and the system for any signs of fluid leakage.
Everything looked fine.
The pads we’d previously fitted were correctly installed and wearing normally. The brake fluid was at the correct level and there were no obvious leaks.
That was good news, but we still needed to understand why Joan had experienced the sinking pedal.
What Causes Brake Pedal Creep?
Traditionally, a brake pedal that slowly sinks while constant pressure is applied can point towards a problem with the brake master cylinder.
Inside the master cylinder are seals that maintain hydraulic pressure. If those seals become worn or damaged, brake fluid can sometimes bypass them internally.
The driver presses the pedal and, rather than remaining in one position, it gradually travels further down.
That’s something that needs investigating.
However, modern braking systems are considerably more complicated than the systems we worked on when I first entered the motor trade.
ABS, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assistance systems, stability control and increasingly sophisticated brake servos have changed the way a brake pedal can feel.
So a little pedal movement doesn’t automatically mean that the master cylinder has failed.
Brake Servos Can Change Pedal Feel
Most modern cars use a brake servo to help the driver apply the brakes.
Without assistance, stopping a heavy modern car would require considerably more pressure from your leg.
The servo multiplies the force you apply to the pedal.
Some vehicles use powerful twin-diaphragm servos, giving greater assistance without requiring the driver to push exceptionally hard on the pedal.
This is particularly useful on larger and heavier vehicles.
However, that additional assistance can sometimes contribute to a small amount of pedal movement while constant pressure is being applied with the engine running.
Switch the engine off and the assistance disappears after the stored vacuum has been used. The pedal then feels much harder.
That’s very similar to what Joan had noticed while sitting in Bridlington.
Modern Cars Need Powerful Brakes
Cars have changed enormously over the years.
Many are now larger and considerably heavier than equivalent models from decades ago. Hybrid and electric vehicles can be particularly heavy because of their battery packs.
Manufacturers have therefore developed braking systems capable of safely controlling all this extra weight.
Modern vehicles can have larger discs, more powerful calipers, sophisticated ABS systems, electronic stability control and emergency braking assistance.
Hybrid and electric cars add another technology into the mix: regenerative braking, where the electric motor helps slow the vehicle while recovering energy for the battery.
All these developments have made cars safer, but they’ve also made diagnosing braking complaints more complicated.
That’s why I don’t like guessing when somebody comes into Pellon complaining about unusual brake behaviour.
Test it properly.
Putting Joan’s Vauxhall on Our Brake Tester
After inspecting the braking system, we carried out a road test.
We then put Joan’s Vauxhall onto our MOT brake tester at the Halifax garage.
This equipment allows us to measure the braking force produced at the wheels and compare the performance across the axle.
The results were excellent.
The brakes produced the correct stopping force, and everything indicated that the braking system was operating correctly.
Most importantly, Joan could leave knowing that we’d actually tested the brakes, rather than simply telling her that everything was probably alright.
That’s an important difference.
When Should You Worry About a Sinking Brake Pedal?
Although brake pedal creep can sometimes be a characteristic of the braking system, never automatically assume that’s the case.
If your brake pedal suddenly feels different, becomes unusually soft, travels much further than normal or continues towards the floor, have the car checked.
The same applies if you notice a brake warning light, reduced braking performance, pulling under braking or signs of brake fluid loss.
There are plenty of things on a car that can wait until tomorrow.
Brakes aren’t one of them.
Brake Technology Has Changed
Having worked in the tyre and garage trade for many years, I’ve seen braking systems develop enormously.
Older braking systems were comparatively straightforward. Today’s cars can combine conventional hydraulic brakes with ABS, traction control, stability systems, automatic emergency braking and electronic parking brakes.
The latest hybrid and electric cars can combine conventional friction brakes with regenerative braking as well.
All this technology is designed to keep us safer, but it also means that diagnosing a brake complaint increasingly requires proper equipment and experience.
The driver’s description remains important too.
Something as simple as Joan telling us when the pedal moved, what the engine was doing and what happened when she switched the engine off gave us valuable clues.
Halifax Hills Are No Place for Poor Brakes
Here in Halifax and Calderdale, brakes certainly earn their keep.
We don’t exactly live in the flattest part of Britain!
Drive around places such as Pellon, Queensbury, Sowerby Bridge or the surrounding Calder Valley and you’re constantly climbing and descending hills.
That makes keeping your braking system in good condition particularly important.
At Pellon Tyre and Autocentre we’ve always believed in a simple principle:
We don’t replace parts unless they need replacing.
If there’s a fault, we’ll find it and explain it. If everything tests correctly, we’ll tell you that as well.
That’s exactly what happened with Joan’s Vauxhall.
Joan Went Away Reassured
Once we’d completed the inspection and brake performance test, we could reassure Joan that her braking system was working correctly.
What she’d experienced sitting in Bridlington was understandably worrying, but thankfully it wasn’t the catastrophic brake failure she’d feared.
And that’s really the message behind this story.
If something feels different with your brakes, don’t ignore it — but don’t panic either.
Get the vehicle properly checked.
Sometimes there will be a fault requiring repair. Other times, as with Joan’s Vauxhall, proper testing can confirm that the braking system is doing exactly what it should.
Either way, you’ll know.
And when it comes to brakes, peace of mind is worth having.
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. The driver is not aware of this slow process.
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! 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- Dangers of Driving with Faulty Brakes
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 to change 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- Dangers of Driving with Faulty Brakes
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 the Dangers of Driving with Faulty Brakes experience that it’s not very good when you press the brake pedal and the car doesn’t stop. Believe me!
https://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/bg_servicing.jpg6722120Eric Robertshttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pellon-tyres-logo-509x321.jpgEric Roberts2026-03-10 06:40:372026-03-10 06:40:37Dangers of Driving with Faulty Brakes
So, as a garage owner, I often wonder what will come next !
We are constantly being told that we are all breathing in too many particles of this and that ! On the other hand, the so-called experts are telling us that we are going to live to 100 years old.
It was not that long ago that you were lucky to get to 65. I can remember when I was a kid how dirty the river Calder was in my local town. One thing is for sure: there were no fish living in it. Now, in 2016, we not only have a large population of fish but also many species of birds that we would never dream of seeing in a dirty river.
We, too, are breathing in much better air quality than when I was a kid. Then, I suppose, came the car. The car has undergone major surgery since I first started to work on cars in the days gone by. I suppose if the truth is known, then much of the air pollution has to do with car emissions.
We then had a saviour? The diesel engine car.
We were told that the new type of diesel engine cars was going to be the answer. Millions of drivers switched to diesel engines. Then came the asbestos scare. If we touched the stuff, then our hands would drop off. If we breathed the dust in then we would be afflicted with cancer.
All the brake companies had to put their thinking caps on and come up with an asbestos-free brake solution. The dust that came from the worn-out brakes was carcinogenic. Of course, this is a substance or agent that can cause cells to become cancerous.
Consequently, by altering their genetic structure,
. So that they multiply continuously and become malignant. Asbestos dust from brake pad dust could be full of carcinogens. Unfortunately, a million mechanics, including myself, have been breathing this stuff in for years.
Subsequently, a new type of brake pad and linings had to be invented ! So using asbestos-free materials. Of course , we thought that this would be the end of it ? But no !
In California, USA, they noticed that the fish that they caught were so saturated with copper that they were unfit to eat. The fish in the Bay area were not fit for human consumption. For years, they could not find a solution to the whereabouts of the pollution.
The Motor mechanics were able to identify the issue.ad heard about this and reported that they could see small particles. Including particles of copper coming out of the brake pads as they wore away.
Deadly car brake pads have certainly had their problems.
Throughout the history of the automobile, and it has caused yet another environmental problem. It is a fact
that every time we break, tiny particles of dust come away from the Deadly Car Brake Pads. This is magnified a million times. Because of the number of cars on the road.
This has resulted in the passing of new laws to stop brake pad manufacturers from adding copper to their otherwise secret brake pad ingredients. I wonder if this affects other parts of the world. The brake pads must have been made for the whole of America and not just California?
We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.
Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.
Essential Website Cookies
These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.
Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.
We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.
We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.
Other external services
We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.
