Scrap Tyre Dumping Returns

Which Tyre Choice-New tyres, Remould tyres or Part Worn tyres?

/2 Comments/in /by
Home » Our Blog

Which Tyre Choice

New tyres, Remould tyres or Part Worn tyres? Which Tyre Choice

To start off this article, Which Tyre Choice? I am going to say that in my opinion. So, you are better to use remoulded tyres (re-tread tyres have a new tread bonded to the old carcass remould tyres area full bead to bead re-mould ). Hence, than to buy un-regulated part worn tyres. If the part worns are sold under the 1994 laws that govern part worn tyres then that is fine. The 1994 legislation comes under the following law… The legislation

The Motor Vehicle Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1994. Set out minimum safety standards for the supply of part-worn tyres. To comply, it is important that you and your staff are fully aware of these Regulations.

“Under the Regulations. it is illegal to supply any part-worn tyre that is capable of being fitted to a motor vehicle or trailer unless the conditions detailed below are met”..

This only applies to the UK of course; the States will have their own legislation. Remould tyres are a good substitute for the older and vehicles that go off road. Remould tyres were at one time very popular. Older cars and vans and the increase in cheap imported new tyres from China. So, put an end to many remoulding companies here in the UK.

Another good point about remoulds. Consequently, is that most tyres fitted to aircraft (large or small) are fitted with remould tyres. Of course, and the same applies to trucks. Many of the trucks that you see hurtling down the highway. Will be fitted with remould or re-tread tyres. You may have noticed the strips of tread. That are discarded at the side of our motorways, these are the tread that has stripped off the tyre carcass usually due to the tyre having a puncture or it has been run under inflated which has caused it to overheat and therefore come apart.

Which Tyre Choice-New tyres are what they are

brand new tyres and therefore will be extremely safe to use .the failure rate of new tyres is very low, in fact I have not seen a genuine faulty tyre for a few years now. Remould tyres are also very well made by the few companies that remain making them, the failure rate for car and van tyres is a bit higher than new tyres, bur still not worth bothering about. As I said earlier the problem I have is the sale of un-regulated part worn tyres, otherwise you will be safe on new or remould tyres. For further Which Tyre Choice and tyre safety information see…www.tyresafe.org

So in my opinion properly governed and legal part worn tyres have a part to play when funds are running low as in the Corona Virus.

 

back up solar battery store

Lithium-Sulfur Battery Race Heats Up For Faster Charging and Dis-Charging of Electric Car Batteries

/1 Comment/in /by
Home » Our Blog

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are hot on the trail of a lithium-sulfur battery that packs four times the punch of conventional lithium-ion batteries.

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Is the Lithium-Ion battery under threat from the Lithium-Sulfur battery?

A battery has been developed by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.  One of the USA owned Department of energy scientific facilities (ORNL for short).

This new battery has been developed using a chemical that we all know as sulphur. Which is a very abundant and low costing material. The new battery has been tested as having at least four times the energy density as the new one that now powers many of our electric products the Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Scientists at the ORNL facility. Have been able to use new types of sulfur rich materials. Consequently, and were then able to join the new type sulfur cathode. With a lithium anode together with a solid electrolyte material. So, to produce an energy dense solid type. Because the scientists have used sulfur the resulting product. Of course, is much safer and more cost effective that the lithium-Ion batteries. Hence  in use at the moment. Considered a great breakthrough.

Sulphur comes from waste

The sulphur that is used is a waste product from the petro-chemical industry and so is almost free of charge. This makes it possible to re-cycle a waste product (sulphur) into a useful new battery.

The new batteries are not on the market just yet. But a patent has been applied for. Subsequently, it is thought that this excellent new invention will be available. Naturally, for commercial purposes in the near future.

One of the problems that the scientists have come across, is that Lithium-Sulfur Battery compounds can leak out from where they should be, which causes the batteries charge to deteriorate. The researchers set out to find it a possibility to restrain these escaping compounds.

To get round the problem, the scientists have  made very small, hollowed shells out of a type of carbon, which will conduct the element. The researchers then coated them with a film of polymer to help keep the Li-S compounds inside.

See on cleantechnica.com

efb car battery

Car batteries Care-Caring for your batteries during the winter months

/2 Comments/in /by
Home » Our Blog

Car batteries Care

Car batteries Care during the winter months

The Rome Observer

(METRO) — Few things can be more frustrating than jumping into the driver’s seat on a frosty morning, turning the key in the ignition and failing to hear the engine roar to life.

Car batteries Care-Why do your Car Batteries fail in the Winter?

As silly as it may seem many drivers hardly use their cars. Hence, in the winter months. Indeed some drivers lock the cars away in the garage, (if they have one).

Nothing can be more stressful. As a result trying to start your car on a cold winters morning. Therefore, only to find that your car wont start. Of course, it is one of the saddest sounds that you as a driver will hear. When the battery just makes a slow grinding noise. Hence, made by the starter motor. As it tries to start up your car. Normally the engine just zips up. Hence, at the turn of the key and off you go. So but not this morning, it’s frosty and -2 C or bellow. Therefore, the car will not start up.

This is the scenario .That thousands of motorists a day will experience. Of course, a bit of knowledge goes a long way. Setting out a few facts can help the motorist understand. Consequently, a little more about their 12 Volt Battery car batteries. Including, how they respond to the climate. The two extremes of weather conditions, the cold and the heat will affect your car batteries performance.

Here in the UK we rarely experience excess heat, so I will concentrate on the cold.

In cold weather the chemical action in the battery will be slowed down and I have actually seen the battery liquid (sulphuric acid) frozen solid.

Car batteries Care-The corrosion on this battery must be removed

So of keeping your car in a garage if possible, either in really cold weather or overnight. What happens is that although it may be cold in the garage, the heat from the engine when the car was run the day before, will act as a heater for the battery as the engine compartment will still retain the heat.

If the battery is over five years old then it should be replaced with a new battery, most car batteries will fail after the five year period, and this is what we have found over the years, also imported cars from the Far Eastern countries such as Japan, China and South Korea are imported with 038 car batteries that are lower specifications that the ones made for the European market, these batteries do not stand up to the cold weather and usually fail early on in the cars life.

The best thing that drivers can do is to have their car batteries checked before the onset of winter and replace It if necessary, but in really severe cold as experienced in the USA recently, then the battery could still fail without further protection from the cold.

 Car batteries Care-A few things to look out for when buying your new battery.

Make sure that it is the correct battery for the car and has the same power, the same number of amps and cold cranking amps. It will be all right to go bigger if it will fit the cars battery compartment as long as the battery has the same voltage, usually 12volts and 6volts on classic cars and vintage cars.

Here are a few more tips if the weather forecast is for really cold conditions. You can use a battery blanket, to cover the battery and stop it freezing. You could also use a trickle charger, because the battery will retain some heat as the battery is been charged up, and stop it from freezing. If your car is stored in the garage for a period of time then disconnect the car battery and try to keep it on a trickle charger when the battery is in storage, you can buy cheap intelligent chargers now that will do this job.

See on www.romeobserver.com

Scrap Tyre Dumping Returns

Changing car tyres-When Should You Change Your Car Tyres? | Automotive Tools review

/9 Comments/in /by
Home » Our Blog

Changing car tyres and then report that they regularly check them. Here is a list about what you should be …

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

When indeed do we think about  Changing car tyres?

This is an interesting article from Automotive Tools Revue. You would think that it would be easy to determine when your tyres need changing, but it is the same as everything in life, some people know what to do, or what they are looking at and other people do not and have to ask for advice.

Watch for the Pellon Tyres sign Fortunately we are one of those trades that are only willing to help people with their tyre problems ! So, most tyre companies are only too willing to give a free tyre report for their customers. Many independent tyre retailers are affiliated to an organization . However, look out for an independent local garage. Many also have their own web site. Where you can find your nearest tyre retailer. Who will only be too willing to give your car a free tyre check . Also recommending when you should be Changing car tyres.

Look out for an Independent tyre depot in your area

If you do not have an independent tyre retailer in your area. Then I am sure that a local garage will do the job for them at no cost to the customer.

The first thing to look at before Changing car tyres. Of course, is to check your tyres and see if your tyres are worn on one side. Naturally, they will look as if they have no tread cut into the tyres. This is a sure sign that your tyres will need replacing ! Significantly, the car will also need a wheel alignment. This is a sign that the tyre have been scrubbed off at one side, because the wheel alignment was not set correctly.

The other way to check to see if it may be necessary for  Changing car tyres is to look for the small bumps of rubber that are set between the tread at 1.6 mm deep, this is the British Governments law for the tread depth that your tyres should be at, although we in the trade think that it should now be 3 mm because of the change in driving conditions since the last tyre laws were passed. These laws are pretty much the same in the USA and much of Europe to help keep the high standards of safety.

To conclude the best way  to check your tyres. Including winter tyres. So, is to take your car to your tyre retailer and they will check them for you free of charge.

 

See on www.tucfcpug.org

car repairing servicing

Britains Motorists-forking out hundreds on unexpected car repair costs – Easier (press release)

/2 Comments/in /by
Home » Our Blog

Britains Motorists

British motorists forked out hundreds of pounds last year repairing whining engines, wonky wheels and patching up scrapes and dents, according to a recent…

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Car Servicing has been put on the back burner by Britains Motorists?

So, in this good article. Hence, by the” countrywide independent garage scheme” . They carried out a straw poll of 100 UK motorists. Consequently they found that many of them had car repair bills of up to £500! In fact 64% of them, to be precise. Of course, this is no surprise to me . As I believe that many UK motorists have failed to have their cars serviced, in the past two years.

This neglect will lead to all kinds of problems affecting  their cars and the cars performance. We see the effects of this all the time, but I think that the most common problem is the brakes. If the cars brakes are checked on a service, then the usual things that need replacing are the pads, this together with a good brake cleaning is usually all that is required. The problem then is that if the car is not serviced, then the Brake pads wear even further down before getting down to the metal plate. This then affects the brakes especially the Disc Brakes.

New Brake Discs and Car Brake Pads fitted

 

then becomes metal on metal then the discs get damaged and they may need replacing. Other problems include the brake cylinders overheating and leaking and the problems can go on and on, always leading to a bigger repair bill for the UK motorists.

This is also a problem with the modern engines. The engines these days are controlled by a computer system in the car and if the filters and oil are not changed then the parts that are part of the engine management system can start to fail and the engine light will illuminate in the cars dashboard, often causing panic amongst the drivers who come into us garages to have the problem checked out. Sometimes the problem is a simple one and the car only requires an oil and filter change and other times it could be more complicated, but in the main most of the causes are due to the car not having a service and general neglect.

Although we are not members of the country wide garage scheme, we are not now a member of the Unipart Car Care Centres (UCCC), but we all share the same thoughts and know what the problems are likely to be if the car is not serviced.

Mot will find any mechanical problems

 

Another slightly worrying trend amongst car drivers is the concept of using the annual MOT Test as a gauge for the condition of their car. The MOT test is not the same as having a regular service, and although the test is fairly strict it is not the same as having a good service say once a year. The UK motorists  can then keep an eye out on such things as your oil levels and tyre pressures and check your own light bulbs.

We all understand that money is tight but in my opinion the failure to service your car will lead to the UK motorists having bigger problems and bigger repair bills.

 

 

See on www.easier.com

electric car charging

EV Batteries?- How Cheap Are they really? Climate Denial Crock of the Week

/in /by
Home » Our Blog

I’m finding Chevy Volt replacement ev batteries online for about $2,300. $2,300/16 kWh = $144/kWh. Retail. On the GM Parts Store site a replacement battery for the 2012 Chevy Volt is listed at $2,305.88.

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Why a replacement ev batteries any how ?

EV batteries prices

This article shows the prices for the  EV Batteries replacement but I was wondering why would you need a replacement anyhow?

According this good and in depth article a replacement battery would cost $2000 and more, but why would you have to buy one? The old  EV Batteries should be replaced free of charge if found faulty, like any other part of the car. Some of the European car makers, such as Renault, lease the batteries out when they sell an Electric Car, so I can only assume that the same warranty reasons will apply to them.

In my opinion, when the EV batteries will need replacing in a few years’ time, then the technology that is carried out at the moment will have drastically reduced the battery prices by that time. All this new development will probably reduce the size of the batteries, to a more realistic and affordable size. Johnson controls are developing a Lithium-Ion battery at the moment that is much smaller than its predecessors.

 

 

The only reason I can think of for an EV car to need  new EV Batteries, is after an accident.

 

Because of the battery power train size there is likely to be damage caused by an accident. This brings me to the cars insurance, is the possible scenario of a crashed EV car requiring an expensive battery going to put insurance premiums, or will the cost be spread amongst us all?

There is no doubt that the EV car will play a significant part in the future of fuel efficient cat technology, with batteries that can last for years due to the advent of silicon “Nano” battery technology and car manufacturers will keep up with these improvement trends.

The charging rates are also getting much better, with charging time expected to get down to as low as 15 minutes for an 80% charge but my money is still on Hydrogen cell technology. However, this is a good article and worth a click to read.

 

See on climatecrocks.com

solar panels

Solar Panels to be fitted on the roof of this Ford Concept Car

/4 Comments/in /by
Home » Our Blog

BBC News

Ford Is Making A Concept Car With Solar Panels For A Roof

Huffington Post

What do Superman and the Ford C-MAX Solar Energi concept car have in common? Both receive power from the sun.

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Solar panels on car roofs a great idea but not a new idea

So, in my opinion this idea from Ford motor company is one of the biggest step forwards yet. Especially, in the quest for the electric cars! Enabling, them to cover more mileage.

Significantly, this car could be run on solar energy from Solar Panels . Even when the car is running about ! Consequently, the batteries will also be charged. Developments like this will be a big step in the right direction ! So, I can envisage all EV’s and all electric cars will have this technology. Incorporated in the cars electric system. Aiding charging.

This is not the first time that solar panels have been used to power cars

 

So, I believe that it will be the first time that a major car manufacturer. Has incorporated solar panels onto an actual model.

Consequently, a guy called Ed Passerini ! Was probably the first man to invent the first solar powered car ! Way back in 1977. After building several smaller prototype cars. He eventually built the solar car known as Bluebird.

More recently in 1983 two Australian’s, Hans Tholstrup and racing driver, Larry Perkins . Managed to drive a solar powered car from Perth to Sydney. Totaling 2566 miles a great achievement ! The vehicle was called the “Achiever”. Equipped with a solar cell panel fitted to the roof. Hence, that charged 2 x 12 volt lead acid leisure batteries.

Batteries charged for use after dark

So the charged batteries were to be used for use when the Sun was behind clouds or even in darkness. Many of today’s Solar Panels and solar energy equipment had not even been invented back then, so the electrics they used were pretty basic. They had an electric motor to drive the car with a basic type gearbox that could only have the gears changed when the vehicle was stopped. The acceleration was done by either using 24 volts or 12 volts, the 24 volt was the fastest option, depending on the amount of battery storage.

Other recent tries at utilizing solar energy were carried out by the larger auto companies such as Ford, using them in the headlights.

See on www.huffingtonpost.com

efb car battery

Car Battery Check-Make sure that your family are safe by checking your CAR BATTERY before a journey

/2 Comments/in /by
Home » Our Blog

Car Battery Check

Make sure that your family are safe with a Car Battery Check

So, on a recent visit to France, we unfortunately broke down. Due to an electrical fault on our Peugeot van. Just by a coincidence another English vehicle in a few parking spaces near to us. Was also broke down, this vehicle was a Citroen C4 Picasso people carrier, and was occupied by a family of six , four children and their parents.

I went over to the guy, who was looking under the bonnet (hood) of his car. Tentatively,  asking him what had gone wrong. He told that the orange alternator light had come on. Sadly, but he carried on. Not suspecting that the light would cause a problem. He went on to tell me! That he had suspected that the car may have had a dodgy battery for a few weeks. But he just kept on charging it up. Because he did not use the people carrier very often. In fact he only used the car for family outings and visits to the sea side.

I told him that I was in the Car battery business. So, and suspected that a Battery Check would do the trick. I am amazed at the number of drivers that I come across. Consequently, who are hell bent on trying to keep a dead battery alive. Of course, by constantly trying to charge up their old, and probably dead battery up. So, trying to keep the thing alive. Most drivers fail and eventually give up their dead battery. Of course, and go out to have a professional Battery Check. Before buying  buy a new one.

Car Battery Check

We were both members of the AA, a British breakdown organisation, that covers the whole of Europe. Sure enough a breakdown truck arrived to attend to the guy with the people carrier. The system in France only allows the AA Recovery to attend a breakdown on the road side or hard shoulder of a motorway.

This is French law! I think it has something to do with protecting the livelihood of the French garage trade. Something that the French are good at,  protectionism. The English guy did have a battery test and needed a new  12 Volt Battery. The battery on the vehicle was a common size. Known to us as a 096. These batteries cost about £60 here in the UK. But the driver got a shock when the new battery cost him 140 Euros.

His breakdown cover may not have covered him for what we call renewable s, so the lesson there is do not mess about trying to resurrect your old car battery,

just go and buy a new one. The whole experience of breaking down would have put a lot of pressure on his family, not knowing if they would not reach their holiday destination or not, just for the sake of a battery test before starting off on a journey.

Car Battery Check

My wife and I have had eight children together over the past 35 years and have traveled extensively all over Europe. We have broken down a couple of times in our people carriers and so we know about the pressure that breaking down can put on the whole family. It is not worth the hassle and stress, just because you did not prepare your car and had a not knowing if they would not reach their holiday destination or not, just for the sake of a Car Battery Check before starting off on a journey.  

 

hydrogen cell cars

Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles-Toyota to launch in US next year 2015- domain-B

/in /by
Home » Our Blog

Toyota to launch hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles in US next year domain-B Hydrogen-powered electric cars are moving in at a brisk pace as fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) that use hydrogen as fuel for their batteries will be in use in Northern America by 2015…

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Toyota The new Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles will be able to get their electricity from an electrochemical between oxygen and hydrogen which will generate a current cars could be available earlier than thought.

The first British hydrogen filling station. Hence, for public to use ! Has now been opened in Swindon Wiltshire. Consequently, it is located at the giant Honda factory near South Marston. The new site will be open to the public. Although it is within the grounds of the Honda car factory.

This is the very first step. On the road towards attracting Hydrogen fuel-cell cars to the UK. So, the single pump will be able to fill The new Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. They will be able to get their electricity from an electrochemical between oxygen and hydrogen. Which will generate a current cars with a gas based hydrogen. Although any members of the public will have to pass a BOC safety course . Of course, before been able to fill their hydrogen cars.

The new Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles will be able to get their electricity from an electrochemical between oxygen and hydrogen which will generate a current. The only wastes that are omitted are water vapour and heat making the cars extremely environmental friendly.

The new cars from Toyota are expected to be in use in the USA by as near as 2015.

 

This is much earlier than thought before. In my opinion this technology will be a winner. Eventually the motorist will be able to travel just as far as a conventional gasoline cars. Without having to have the time consuming inconvenience. So, of having to charge up the battery for the return journey. That’s of course unless the present battery technology is not significantly modified.

Other car makers have also shown more than interest. The new Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles will be able to get their electricity from an electrochemical between oxygen and hydrogen which will generate a current. The new Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles will be able to get their electricity from an electrochemical between oxygen and hydrogen which will generate a current powered car.  Honda of course and Hyundai as well as Toyota, who’s hydrogen cars are expected to be able to a range of about 300 miles from a full tank and the fuel will only take three or four minutes to fill the tank.

The USA are at the forefront of supplying fuel.

 

The new Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles will be able to get their electricity.So, from an electrochemical between oxygen and hydrogen. Significantly, this will generate a string of filling stations. Naturally, with 68 stations stretching from San Diego to San Francisco, with a further 20 new filling stations to be built by 2015.

The new Toyota car is expected to be called the FV2. So, and will be made including all the latest IT technology. Making the car a real stunner. Another Toyota model will be known as the i-road . Which will be a three wheeler city car ! Of course, this car is well advanced and will be having trials in several cities. From Japan to France this year (2014)

 

 

See on www.domain-b.com

car clutch

Clutch Vibration Problem-TOYOTA AURIS TD comes in with a Clutch Vibration Problem

/in , /by
Home » Our Blog

Clutch Vibration Problem

TOYOTA AURIS TD comes in for a Clutch Vibration Problem

So, for some unknown reason.  Christmas time brings in a few cars that are having Clutch Vibration problems. Hence, these are the normal problems. So, such as the driver cannot get the gears. Or the gears grind. Thus, when trying to drive the car and so on.

The Toyota Auris was a slightly different problem. As a result, the car was sort of vibrating and rattling. Consequently, as it was been driven along. When speaking to the customer. Ryan Linton my workshop manager. Discovered that the car had only had a new clutch fitted about two years ago. So the customer found it highly unlikely. Hence, that the clutch could be causing the vibrations. Especially, when driving the car along.

Ryan explained that the only way to tell is to check the clutch for the Clutch Vibration , by stripping the housing off and taking a look. The customer agreed and he took one of our courtesy cars while we explored his car to see what the problem was.

The other clutches that were done this week were standard sort of jobs, taking two or three hours to do, but we always check with our Auto-data computer system, for the times it takes to do these jobs and this Toyota was shown to take seven hours, this included the Duel mass Flywheel having to be changed, but at this stage we did not exactly know what was wrong with the car.

Clutch Vibration Problem

Ryan  stripped down the Auris clutch housing and assembly. Only to find that the system was a Duel Mass Flywheel. To clarify, the car had only had the clutch fitted two years ago and nothing had been done to the Dual Mass Flywheel. This action had

caused the pressure plate and the Dual Mass Flywheel to wear prematurely. Causing the DMF to have more play in it. Therefore causing the Clutch Vibration.

We did not fit the first clutch. However the customer said that he would not go back there again. The cost was estimated at about the £1000.00 mark. Of course, customer gave us the go ahead to do the job. The time given by Auto-Data was pretty accurate and it took Ryan near enough six hours to complete the job. We always fit LUK clutches and DMFs because they were the company who originally developed the products along with BMW in Germany and to date we have never had any warranty problems with the LUK products in the past.

The Toyota Auris clutch and DMF was finished, tested and returned to a happy customer another job well done by my excellent staff.