Fire risk In VW Group Cars

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Fire risk In VW Group Cars

Fire risk In VW Group Cars
Fire risk In VW Group Cars

Fire risk In VW Group Cars

This article is now old news, original article was on April 12, 2022. However, we are still hearing about fires caused by the batteries in EV and PHEV vehicles across the world. Most recently, Luton Airport parking area.

“Safety First: A Closer Look at the Recent Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Recall”

It is crucial to keep our consumers updated about the latest automotive world advances in Halifax, where we have been serving the community with our garage business and advertising websites that offer batteries.

Our focus today is on a worldwide recall of around 10,000 plug-in hybrid electric cars (PHEVs). manufactured by Audi, Volkswagen, Cupra Seat, and Skoda due to fire safety concerns. Now that we’ve established that this is a problem, let’s look at additional instances where EV batteries caught fire.

Recall Across the Globe-Fire risk In VW Group Cars

Imagine a fleet of elegant PHEVs from brands like Skoda, Cupra Seat, Volkswagen, and Audi gracefully cruising the beautiful highways of Halifax and beyond. Among our local clients, these vehicles are highly favoured for their fuel efficiency and reputation as eco-friendly options.

A number of worries have been voiced in light of recent events.

Because of a possible fire hazard, the automaker is recalling around 10,000 PHEVs around the world. This recall is evidence of our unwavering dedication to prioritising safety above all else. The significance of our clients’ road safety is paramount to our garage business.

The worldwide effort to resolve any issues with the batteries in these PHEVs includes the recall.

Although these kinds of accidents are very troubling, it is important to remember that the car industry is always working to improve safety standards and quickly fix any problems that may arise.

Interesting Facts About Halifax’s Automobile Past

As we go into this worldwide recall, it’s interesting to consider Halifax’s own automotive past. From the humble beginnings of the motor industry to the cutting-edge, environmentally sensitive cars of today, our town has seen it all.

Lots of influential car dealerships had their start in Halifax in the early 1900s, when the city was still relatively young. Although these garages, the latest being Dews Vauxhall dealership, have closed their doors for good, the creativity and forward momentum that characterised our community are a lasting tribute to their legacy.

Additional Incidents Involving Batteries- Fire risk In VW Group Cars

Although the most recent recall is noteworthy, events involving electric vehicle batteries have garnered attention on multiple occasions. Plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs) that are part of this recall rely on lithium-ion batteries, which aren’t always trouble-free but are usually reliable.

The famous electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla was involved in one noteworthy event. A London parking lot fire involving a Tesla Model S in 2019 garnered headlines all around the United Kingdom. These incidents are infrequent, but they show how serious battery safety is for both companies and customers.

Conclusion: Making Safety a Top Priority-Fire risk In VW Group Cars

Finally, the recent worldwide recall of PHEVs from Audi, Volkswagen, Cupra Seat, and Skoda shows how seriously the car industry takes safety. If we want to keep our cars on the road in a way that doesn’t harm the environment and doesn’t endanger Halifax citizens, we need to keep up with news like this.

Even though events involving EV batteries are uncommon, they highlight the importance of constantly improving battery technology and safety regulations. Our garage is committed to preserving the quality of our clients’ vehicles, increasing road safety, and adding to Halifax’s illustrious automotive heritage while we adapt to the dynamic world of automotive innovation.

Safety is of the utmost importance when it concerns your car. Keep yourself educated, practise safe driving and continue to confidently navigate the picturesque roads of Halifax and surrounding areas of beauty.

Around 10,000 Audi, VW, Cupra Seat and Skoda plug-in hybrids (PHEV) are being recalled over concerns about a fire risk. It’s part of a global recall which totals more 100,000 PHEVs produced by the carmaker. An insufficiently

Source: Fire risk prompts UK recall of 10,000 Volkswagen Group hybrid cars

car brakes problem

Anti-Lock Brake Systems: ABS

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Anti-Lock braking systems

Anti-Lock Brake Systems
Anti-Lock Brake Systems

Anti-Lock Brake Systems

So, this is one of the things that I am most proud of. Of course, I have been a garage owner ! Is when a customer contacts my garage for a brake problem sorted out? Subsequently, it appears not to be the price that the person is worried about. Because they know how important it is to have good brakes on their car.

Before we remove the wheels, we examine the brakes. So, generally, we have a blank canvas to work from. We know that most cars get to the stage of having practically no brakes! Then the braking system will be in pretty bad shape. Believe me, they usually are.

Back in the old days! Then the car’s brakes were a much simpler affair to diagnose and repair. Of course, with only the upper end of the market cars. Having any type of electrical modification in order to aid  better braking. As in almost all the car developments. So, brakes were originally tested and tried on motorsport vehicles. Long time before being tried and tested on average road cars. Including the beginning of the ABS braking systems! Importantly, those are in common use today.

At first, Anti-lock braking systems only came out on prestige cars such as BMW and Mercedes

but many drivers had not heard of them before; in fact, we still get customers today who do not know what it means when their ABS warning light comes on and have to be investigated. Twenty years ago, many vehicle owners were given the option of having ABS brakes or not, a similar sort of thing to fitting alloy wheels or steel wheels; they were an optional extra.

Anti-Lock braking systems: work differently to a standard braking system

ABS brakes do act differently from a normal braking system. The main two advantages are that when you are braking on a wet, slippery road surface, or, say, on ice, your car will stop quicker; this also applies to normal roads, of course. Also, the car will handle much better when the driver has to brake and steer at the same time. Once again, in bad weather conditions, the car will handle much better than when using a conventional braking system.

In any normal driving situation,

such as stopping at traffic lights or at a road junction, the Anti-Lock Braking Systems do not activate, but if you need to brake sharply and suddenly, the Anti-Lock Braking Systems will be activated and assist you in braking more safely.

The Anti-Lock Brake Systems send out pulses of pressure instead of the single pressure that is asserted when braking a normal car. You can actually feel the pulses coming through the brake pedal when you have to exert pressure on the brake pedal in an emergency stop. It’s also crucial to keep in mind that if you do encounter a challenging situation, such as snow or a non-tarmac road, you will still need to slow down because your ABS system won’t be able to assist you.

The main benefit of Anti-Lock Braking Systems is that the driver has full control when braking and steering at the same time, which can help the driver steer away from danger; they prevent the wheel from locking in certain conditions.

Practice your ABS brake system—Anti-Lock Brake Systems

In my experience, it has always been a good idea to take your car and practice with the brakes if you are driving a car fitted with ABS brakes for the first time and get used to the different feel of the brakes when going straight and when steering.

The in-cab ABS warning light may come on if there is a fault with the ABS system or the normal braking system. If the warning light comes on, then you should have the brakes looked at as soon as possible. In our experience it is usually something simple, such as a faulty electrical connection or even that the car needs a set of new pads. You can also find problems with Anti-Lock Brake Systems and other Anti Lock Brake Parts. Once the problem has been found and rectified the ABS warning light can be re-set with a computer.

Also sell Firestone Tyres online from our website www.pellontyres.co.uk. By using the tyre selector and choosing your tyre size. We offer courtesy cars to local motorists who need to go to work. Also an official MOT testing station who carry out checks for high standard of equipment and workmanship.

Steel-Belted Radials

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Steel-belted Radials

Steel-belted Radials
Steel-belted Radials

Steel-belted Radials

What Causes Steel Wires to Protrude Through Tyres? The Unspoken Risk of Degraded Rubber

Despite being one of the most crucial safety features on any car, many drivers ignore their tyres—until something goes wrong. At **Pellon Tyres**, one of the most concerning things we occasionally witness is a customer driving in with tyres so worn out that the **steel wires inside the tyre are peeking through**.

This is extremely risky and might lead to a **catastrophic blowout** if ignored. However, what is the real cause of this? And why, exactly, do steel wires appear in contemporary tyres? Let’s examine it more closely.

Why Are Steel Wires Inside Tyres? Steel-belted Radials

There are layers of **steel wires embedded inside the rubber** in modern tyres, which are known as **steel-belted radial tyres**. By strengthening the tire, these steel belts help it keep its form, withstand punctures, and last longer.

Prior to steel belts, earlier tires were constructed with **cross-ply (bias-ply) construction**, which involved crisscrossing layers of fabric to add strength. However, they made cars feel unsteady at greater speeds, were less stable, and tended to wear out quickly. The industry underwent a revolution when **steel-belted radial tyres** were introduced, enhancing handling, safety, and fuel efficiency.

A Brief Overview of Radial Tyres with Steel Belts- Steel-belted Radials

The first steel-belted radial tyres were created in France by Michelin in **1946**. The French swiftly adopted the new radial technology, while the rest of the world stuck with bias-ply tyres. The advantages were obvious: **radial tyres provided better grip, increased fuel efficiency, and lasted longer**.

Steel-belted radials had become popular among European and Japanese manufacturers by the 1960s. The transition was slower in America, though, mostly because large tyre manufacturers were reluctant to give up their traditional production techniques. Radial tyres **improved fuel economy by lowering rolling resistance**, but they weren’t widely adopted until the oil crisis in the **1970s**.

Nowadays, practically all tires on the road are **steel-belted radials**, demonstrating how durable and successful this design has been.

Steel-belted Radials
Steel-belted Radials

What Leads to Steel Wires Visible Through a Tyre? Steel-belted Radials

Although they strengthen tires, steel belts should **never be visible**! It indicates that the tyre is **totally worn out** or damaged if the wires are visible. These are the most typical reasons:

The outer rubber layers of a tire will gradually **grind away**, revealing the steel belts underlying, if the tire is pushed for an extended period of time after the tread has worn down.
– In actuality, tyres should be replaced before they reach the legally required minimum tread depth of **1.6mm**. They should **never** be driven below that amount.

2. Under-Inflation—There is excessive wear on the edges** of the tread when driving with low tyre pressure.
– The steel belts, which are often found on the tyre’s outer edges, become visible when the rubber wears off more quickly.

3. Excessive inflation—Steel wires protrude in the middle of the tyre due to **severe wear in the centre of the tread** caused by excessive air pressure. Regularly checking tyre pressure and adhering to the manufacturer’s suggested settings are essential.

4. Wheel Alignment Issues—One side of the tire may deteriorate significantly more quickly than the others, exposing the steel.
– This problem can be avoided with a quick **wheel alignment check**.

5. Hard Driving and Burnouts—Aggressive driving techniques, such as strong cornering, abrupt braking, and burnouts, or high-performance vehicles, can quickly wear tires down to the steel belts.
– Owners of sports cars should pay special attention to tyre wear because strong vehicles place **a lot of stress** on the rubber.

6. Driving on a Flat Tyre—When a tyre is **completely flat**, the sidewall may rupture, and steel wires may become visible.
– Never drive on a flat tyre; have it fixed or changed right away.

7. Low-cost or part-worn tyres—Some low-cost tyres **have less tread depth or wear resistance**, which means they might deteriorate to the steel belts considerably more quickly.
– Cheap tyres may seem like a good deal, but their rapid wear and tear might jeopardise safety.

What Takes Place If You Continue to Drive on a Tyre with Steel Wires Visible? Steel-belted Radials

You should **stop driving immediately** if you observe steel wires passing through a tyre. Due to the tyre’s loss of structural integrity, it may:

Experience a total blowout at any time.
Lose grip and make cornering and braking very risky.
Inflict harm on your wheels, suspension, or steering parts.

The significance of **regular tyre checks** is something we continually emphasise at **Pellon Tyres**. Replacing a tyre **before** it reaches this hazardous condition is far preferable to running the risk of an accident.

Concluding Remarks—Pay Attention to Your Tyres!

Though they are **the only thing keeping your car linked to the road**, tyres are frequently disregarded. It’s important to replace them right away if you see steel wires showing through, bald patches, or uneven wear.

If you are uncertain about the condition of your tyres, stop by **Pellon Tyres in Halifax** and let us check them for you. We also provide **free tyre inspections**. We’ll make sure you’re driving safely on the right tires for your car, whether you drive a high-performance sports car, a family SUV, or a small hatchback.

Be careful and **pay attention to your tyres!** 🚗💨

 

Michelin Tyres For Nissan GT Sports

Michelin Tyres For Nissan GT Sports

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Michelin Tyres For Nissan GT Sports

tyre maintenance
Michelin Tyres For Nissan GT Sports

Michelin Tyres For Nissan GT Sports

A near-miss at Pellon Tyres involving a Nissan GT-R sports car with dangerous tyres

An automobile that draws attention occasionally pulls into our garage. It was a gorgeous **Nissan GT-R** this time, a real beast of a vehicle that had stopped in for a routine tyre check. Or so the proprietor believed!

With a reputation for lightning-fast speed and incredibly precise handling, the GT-R is a serious piece of equipment. However, even the world’s greatest sports car is only as good as its **tyres**, and what we discovered was shocking.

Michelin Tyres For Nissan GT Sports
Michelin Tyres For Nissan GT Sports

Steel Wires in Dangerous Tyres Are Revealed!

We soon discovered that two of the tyres were in **a very unsafe state** as we examined the vehicle. The steel wires inside were **poking through** because the rubber was so worn down! For a high-performance vehicle like the GT-R, where grip is crucial, this is a recipe for catastrophe.

When we pointed out the damage, the owner was shocked. Because sports cars like this **put a lot of stress on tyres** and deterioration can begin sooner than expected, he had likely been unaware of how bad they had gotten.

Michelin Tyres For Nissan GT Sports
Michelin Tyres For Nissan GT Sports

Why Do Tires Get Damaged Like This?

A tyre may wear down to the steel belts for a few reasons:

1. Severe Under-Inflation: When tyres are regularly operated at low pressure, the outside edges deteriorate quickly, resulting in **exposed wires** in the sidewall area.
2. Over-Inflation—Conversely, excessively hard tyres may cause the tread’s centre to wear away too soon, leading to similar problems.
3. Aggressive Driving: Although a car such as the Nissan GT-R is built for speed, the rubber will be worn down far more quickly than it would be on a normal vehicle due to **hard acceleration, abrupt turning, and forceful braking**.
4. Incorrect Wheel Alignment: Uneven tyre wear results from improper alignment. This can occur even more quickly in a performance car because of the **high speeds and loads** applied to the tyres.
5. Track Days and Hard Use: Many owners of sports cars take their vehicles to the track for enjoyment, which is fantastic, but if they are not watched, it can **shred tyres in no time**.

In this instance, the tyres were destroyed by a combination of **aggressive driving and under-inflation**. We typically recommend routinely checking the pressures, especially on a car like this one, and the owner acknowledged that he hadn’t done so in a while.

Michelin Tyres For Nissan GT Sports
Michelin Tyres For Nissan GT Sports

Putting on a New Pair of Michelin Tyres-

After removing the hazardous tires, we installed a brand-new pair of **Michelin high-performance tyres**. One of the best options for a vehicle like the GT-R is Michelin, which provides **excellent grip, durability, and handling—exactly what a vehicle with more horsepower** under the hood needs!

We provided the owner some sound advice on **regular pressure checks and tyre maintenance** after fitting, and we checked the alignment to make sure the new tyres would **wear evenly**.

Michelin Tyres For Nissan GT Sports
Michelin Tyres For Nissan GT Sports
A Contented Client Leaving in Safety- Michelin Tyres For Nissan GT Sports

The owner drove off with **a big smile** when everything was resolved, and more significantly, with a car that was safe to drive. Knowing that we have contributed to the maintenance of a high-performance vehicle on the road is always gratifying.

If you drive a sports automobile, pay attention to your tires! For a free inspection, bring your vehicle to **Pellon Tyres in Halifax**. We’ll make sure your tyres are safe and suitable for the road, whether you drive a high-performance vehicle or a daily commuter.

Michelin Tyres For Nissan GT Sports
Michelin Tyres For Nissan GT Sports

Be careful and pay attention to those tyres!

 

 

Exploding battery

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Exploding battery

Exploding battery!
Exploding battery

Exploding battery

You wouldn’t want to encounter the following in your own garage, by the way. This is a classic instance of a battery that has made the decision to waver significantly. Our customer approached us, slightly perturbed, and stated that the battery was defective. I’m willing to wager that this was not their initial intention when they obtained it.

At this moment, we are examining what is commonly referred to as an “exploded” battery

. It is somewhat misleading in that there is no tangible detonation as depicted in films. Quite literally, it appears to have experienced a calamitous internal hissy fit and been unable to hold itself together. This occurs when the internal components, which are intended to be separate and comfortable, determine they no longer prefer to be apart and combine in an, um, less-than-ideal fashion.

It is, however, extremely uncommon;

When it does occur, there are several potential causes. Overcharging is a prevalent factor; consider consuming an excessive amount of food on a daily basis while expecting your trousers to remain in place; something must yield. Alternately, a short circuit may occur, which is analogous to connecting the incorrect ends of a pair of jumper cables by accident; negative sparks will erupt.

This means that our customer,

as well as anyone else in a similar situation, requires a reliable substitute; this is precisely where we enter the picture. We will ensure that they obtain a high-quality battery that meets their requirements, and we will also discuss maintenance tips to prevent them from ever having to observe the internal workings of their battery externally again.

Keep in mind that the battery is the beating core of your vehicle.

Maintain it charged without overcharging it, and it will serve you with the utmost loyalty of a Yorkshire Terrier. Furthermore, should you have any uncertainties, feel free to visit our garage or explore our battery-selling websites. We have the knowledge and equipment necessary to propel you along the winding roads of the United Kingdom.

Solar Storage Batteries

Battery Storage systems

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Battery storage systems

Battery Storage systems
Battery Storage systems

Battery Storage systems

Because of the way that we built our national power plants. Interestingly, in some cases over a hundred years ago. Importantly, will have to change in the future! Of course, to meet our electrical needs. So for the production of solar energy and its distribution. Through our home solar panels collections and solar collection farms. Including the wind turbine installations.

So the original “national grid” plants were originally owned by the government. But in recent times, were privatized here in the UK by the Conservative government. Of course, led by “Margret Thatcher“. These massive coal and gas powered installations distributed power all over the “British Isles“.

Subsequently, many of the power stations were located in coal mining areas of Yorkshire. Importantly, where the coal was transported locally. Resulting in the electricity being sent across the country. Carried on massive power line systems. Then diverted into smaller sub-stations. So, then before distributed to homes and businesses. Of course, usually in an underground power network.

Things are about to change: Battery Storage systems

In recent times we have seen massive investment into the solar energy collecting market. Including, the introduction of new technologies.  Such as wind turbines and solar panel farms that turn the sun and the winds energy into producing electricity. Most people will now have seen these giant turbines across the countryside of most countries.

Technological advances

including battery storage systems will soon mean that things may have to change in the near future. Importantly, for these nationalized electric companies. Increasingly, as the end consumers start to install solar systems to their homes. Including many businesses across the world.

The price of fitting

a solar system to your roof has come down dramatically. mainly because things have become mass produced and affordable. Helping people reduce their electric bills. The only other problem has been that the power produced could not be stored! Until recent years when battery storage systems have become widely available. So, becoming more easily installed using a few simple instructions.

Advantage to isolated communities- Battery Storage systems

This has become of great benefit to cut off people who live in the country. Or in larger countries the “wilderness” . Of course,who are now able to make the production of electricity.  Storing it for the night use when the sun goes down. This can also lower the cost of their energy . Consequently, which has gradually become one of the most expensive household items in recent years.

Interestingly, I have electricity-collecting panels on my roof.

Selling the electricity back to my provider. Thus reducing my electric bills by half. Here in the UK, we are limited to the number of solar panels to one roof. For this reason, I don’t think that we are allowed to be self-sufficient. Of course, by producing all our own electricity. However, some countries are different. Such as the USA, where consumers can go their own way.

In many people’s opinions, the day is not too far away when our roof panels will generate electricity, which will be stored in a battery storage system. The householder will own an electric car, and along with powering the rest of the house, the battery bank will also charge your car battery at night, making you totally self-sufficient in electric power.

As I have said this is a perfect scenario for the perfect little houses in a perfect little village, but what about the rest of the population who live in multiple units and don’t even have their own roofs? Could we be looking at communal units of solar panels and storing the electricity in a battery bank, or is that a dream?

Island communities go solar-sufficient- Battery Storage systems

Perhaps not, because I have heard of some island communities that have become self-sufficient by using this method. The batteries are packed into a 20-foot cargo container, and the battery Storage systems will store electricity to be used at night. This also eliminated power failures due to storms and broken cables causing outages. The sun-reliant system was fitted using up-to-date technology and now works perfectly, leaving the island self-sufficient by using the sun’s energy and storing it in batteries.

My interest in all this is

that I sell solar storage batteries. Subsequently, I am very interested in the whole sun collection project. I cannot see the end of the national grid model! But alterations are going to have to be made in future. So, to accommodate the public’s wishes to produce their own electric power on their own premises,. Neither do we know what new future technologies will be available. Especially for collecting the sun’s power. Significant ideas are coming along all the time.

There is one thing for sure that governments are going to have to face:. Give this greenhouse gas  problem much thought in the years ahead. Of how we use the power of our sun in years to come.

Oil Filter Collapse

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Oil Filter Collapse

Oil Filter Collapse
Oil Filter Collapse

Oil Filter Collapse

The Value of Routine Maintenance: A Peugeot Partner Case Study from Halifax’s Pellon Tyres

We recently had a Peugeot Partner vehicle come in for a standard service at Pellon Tyres in Halifax. As part of our routine inspections, we removed the oil filter and found it in terrible condition—old, worn out, and clearly beyond its time for a change. This incident is a clear reminder of the importance of routine maintenance for all vehicles, but particularly for dependable vans like the Peugeot Partner.

What Causes Oil Filters to Degrade? Oil Filter Collapse

Because they capture dirt, debris, and metal particles that naturally build up in engine oil over time, oil filters are essential to maintaining the engine’s cleanliness. A car may have a number of issues if its oil is not changed for an extended period of time.

Clogging: The filter gets clogged when impurities build up, which lowers the engine’s oil flow. Increased friction and wear on important parts may result from this.

Filter Material Breakdown: The paper component of the filter may degrade over time, letting unfiltered oil flow through the engine and causing more contaminants.

Oil Degradation: Without frequent replacement, oil loses its lubricating qualities and becomes a viscous sludge that further impedes oil flow and increases the risk of engine damage or overheating.

Neglecting Oil Changes and Its Effects: Oil Filter Collapse

Given the Peugeot Partner’s degraded and outdated filter, it appeared that the car had outlived its stated servicing interval. The engine must work harder when filters and oil aren’t changed on time, which might result in:

Fuel consumption rises as a result of the engine’s decreased efficiency due to dirty oil.

Increased wear and tear: Unfiltered impurities hasten engine deterioration, which may necessitate expensive repairs.

Possible malfunctions: In severe situations, a blocked filter may potentially result in total engine failure.

The Local Aspect: Driving Conditions in Halifax Are Important- Oil Filter Collapse

Vehicles frequently encounter difficult driving conditions in Halifax, including steep hills and stop-start traffic. Because of the additional pressure these conditions place on the engine, routine maintenance is even more crucial. Vans like the Peugeot Partner are essential to businesses that depend on them in order to prevent unplanned downtime.

Avoid Skipping Your Service—It Will Pay Off! Oil Filter Collapse

We at Pellon Tyres consistently emphasise the value of regular maintenance, particularly for commercial vehicles with significant mileage. Maintaining regular oil and filter changes helps your car stay dependable and fuel-efficient while also extending the life of your engine.

Now is the perfect time to schedule a service if you have been putting it off or are unaware of when your last one was. Regular oil filter maintenance is a minor investment that may save you a lot of money over time. Don’t let a neglected oil filter lead to expensive repairs.

Come see us at Pellon Tyres in Halifax for skilled maintenance and knowledgeable guidance. We’ll make sure your car remains in excellent condition and prepared for anything the roads may bring!

car brakes problem

Brake Juddering Causes: What is it?

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Brake Juddering Causes

Brake Juddering Causes
Braking Problems Highlighted

Brake Juddering Causes

Foot pedal vibrations lead to the brake juddering experience

So, one of the first signs of Brake Juddering Causes. Firstly, you can feel a vibration coming through your foot pedal. Secondly, when you press the clutch pedal,. So, brake and stop your car. Some of our customers say that it was a long drawn-out process. Eventually, though, the brake began to get worse. Including the vibrations starting to come through the steering wheel.

Unfortunately, some of our customers think-Brake Juddering Causes

that the vibration is a wheel balancing problem! We also have to check out the problem with a correct diagnosis. However, a braking problem will usually come through the brake pedal. So then this is a sure sign of a brake problem.

Unfortunately, one of the main causes of brake jerks comes from elderly drivers. Significantly, they always cover the brake pedal with their right foot. This applies to manual gear changes or automatic; they are what I call “ride the brake” Some drivers also do this with the clutch, but that’s a different article to cover.

What happens if you ride the brake? Well, one of the problems is that you are applying extra pressure to the brake pads that are constantly in contact with the brake discs (brake rotors in the USA). These in turn heat the discs, and the discs then warp and go out of shape.

Brake juddering is a bigger problem in hilly areas

In my opinion, though, driver fault is not the main reason for warped brake discs. I think that the main cause is the terrain. We here in Halifax are in a hilly area, and we get a high occurrence of warped brake discs and brake juddering faults from our customers.

In areas where there are very steep inclines, drivers are more likely to keep their foot on the brakes. Some of the hills in the Hebden Bridge area are like alpine passes with 180-degree bends to contend with. When you come down these roads, you have to keep the car in low gear and be prepared for a vehicle coming up the hill without braking all the time.

This constant braking is what overheats the discs and causes them to warp and vibrate, giving your brake pedal. Some garages have a machine that will skim the brakes and stop the vibrating, but I think that once they have overheating, they do not work to their full potential, and a new set of pads and discs is the best option.

Brake Juddering Causes

Improved brake technology-Brake Juddering Causes

Over the years, car manufacturers have brought in new technology to balance out the disc overheating problem and try to eliminate the brake jerks. Including different metals that can stand more heat and also the disc parts

that now come out with holes drilled in the metal at calculated intervals for heat dispersal. This can work very well; you can see brake discs actually glowing red hot on some motorsport cars when they have to brake very often at high speed; some can be seen to be glowing white hot in the dark.

This has the same effect as a regular car driven by a regular driver. So, try to avoid heavy braking, especially at high speed.  Keep your distance, and try not to brake heavily. When you are driving down a steep hill, use a low gear and use the car’s engine as a brake. Try not to press the brake pedal constantly.

Have your brakes inspected at regular intervals-Brake Juddering Causes

when the car is serviced. Of course, the garage will pick up any worn discs or pads. Importantly, we can even spot a disc that has been overheated in the past.  Because the disc has a blue-colored sheen on it. Remember, like many other things to do with a car, prevention is better than cure.

Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre offer car and van servicing and Car Brake Repairs to all makes of vehicles.

Nissan Navara Clutch replacement

Fiat Punto Clutch problems

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Fiat Punto Clutch problems

Fiat Punto Clutch problems
Fiat Punto Clutch problems

Fiat Punto Clutch problems 

So, recently, we have noticed that we have done more than our fair share of clutches. Especially on the Fiat Punto model of car. Interestingly, I decided to do a little research. Finding some real horror stories. Subsequently, going back to the 2002 Punto models.

One unlucky customer was in for a car service. The owner of a “52” plate Punto 8 valve version. He complained to me about several problems that he had encountered. Including a very bad transmission judder and other small irritants. Unpleasant things, such as engine noises and various oil leaks,. Recently, he had just had a clutch fitted! But 1400 miles later, the juddering had returned.

Checked out his car on Fiat forums: Fiat Punto Clutch problems 

Inquisitively, he too looked up the Fiat forums. Noticing the number of Fiat owners who were experiencing various clutch problems on their Punto’s. So, the cars came mainly from the main dealers. Coming from different parts of the country. However, it looked as though Fiat knew about the problem. Subsequently, I did little about the Punto problem.

Interestingly, other Fiat owners were experiencing problems. Especially with a low-biting clutch pedal and rattling noises. Increasingly, when changing gears,. It sounded as if there was a broken spring rattling.

This can be a common sign that you have a clutch that needs changing.

But disgruntled customers did not get much joy from Fiat. Indeed, many Fiat drivers opted to have their clutches changed by an independent garage. In some cases, a mechanically minded friend or relative was called in to help ?

Other owners complained about their  pedals becoming hard when pressing to change gear. This then developed into them hearing scratching and clicking noises coming from the pedal area of the car. Once again, this is a sure sign that you need a replacement In fact, this is similar to the latest customer car that we fitted a new clutch to the other weekend, and sure enough, when we stripped it down, the Punto needed a new clutch.

Fiat Punto clutch went again after only 2 weeks: Fiat Punto Clutch problems 

Thank goodness the one that we did the other week was good, and the car ran well after we fitted it with a new clutch, but for some owners, that was not the case. One unlucky gut had recently had a new clutch fitted, only to find that a few weeks later, the same problems had come back to haunt him.

The car had also had a new clutch pedal fitted, but after a few weeks, it once again became difficult to change gear, back to the same problem as the pre-new clutch?

The problem turned out to be Fiat Punto Clutch problems ,

with the clutch bleeding. The mechanic who repaired the car did not know how to bleed the clutch because the Punto’s do not have a normal bleeding nipple system as do many other models of cars, and for some reason some air had entered the fluid system of the clutch, making it difficult to change the gears again.

Fiat Punto Clutch problems 
These Fiat Punto Clutch problems were corrected by the garage.

Who had just fitted the new clutch, and the mistake was just put down to a lack of Fiat Punto experience. So, this can very often happen in a garage that repairs mixed makes of cars.

Going back to the Fiat Punto Clutch problems, in my garage. Well, it was only the second clutch that this particular car had fitted since 2004 (ten years), so I do not think that that was at all bad.

The job of fitting a Fiat Punto clutch is one of the easiest to do, and the car was back on the road in a couple of hours. The customer was delighted, and off he went, a few hundred pounds lighter, but happy?

Pellon Tyre and Auto-Centre offer car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles. We are not now members of Unipart Car Care centres and give a nationwide guarantee for all our work and parts.

Daewoo Matiz Engine management light problem

Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems

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 TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring systems).

Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems

So, “Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems” have been around for quite a while now. it was developed to compliment  cars that were fitted with run flat tyres or cars that did not have a conventional type spar wheel and tyre.

When a run flat tyre loses pressure, there is no way of knowing so a special valve with a sender, was invented and when there is a loss of air pressure in the tyre the sensor in the tyre valve picks this up and sends a message to the cars computer which lights up a warning light in the cab and alerts the driver that something is wrong with one of his/hers tyres.

The idea is a simple one really,

but it is not that long ago that a driver would not go anywhere without his spare wheel? How things have changed. Now most cars are fitted with in cab warning technologies and it is very common for us to see on a daily basis.

There is however one thing that has cropped up, those drivers may not know. This is that the Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems in susceptible to temperature changes. This is basic science, when the temperature rises then the air expands and when it cools down then the temperature lowers.

Monitoring Systems valves.

When the temperature drops on cold freezing night. Then so does the air pressure in your tyres. Pressures can drop as much as 10 psi on a really cold night. This can then trigger off your tyre pressure warning light in the car.

It may not happen to all cars! But it is worth noting that if this happens to you. So then you will know what has been happening on that cold dark winters night. In some cars the light will correct itself. Going back out as the air temperature rises. Subsequently, you could increase the air pressure in your tyres and this will stop this happening.

The second temperature related part is the way a summer tyre acts when they get cold too!

Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems

TPMS and summer tyres in the cold

This temperature issue is probably a little bit better known, but here goes. Summer car tyres and winter car tyres. Importantly, have different chemical compositions in their tyre compounds. The main difference is the addition of “silica” compounds. Into the mix that makes the winter tyres.

The different compounds are there to give different characteristics to the tyres in different weather conditions and heat and cold. Summer’s will get much stiffer and harder in cold weather, making the tyre more difficult to handle when braking and cornering. This change in character starts to come in when the temperature gets below 7 degrees.

Winter tyres remain flexible in the cold-Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems

The winter tyres with their different compounds will remain flexible and pliable in colder weather and this combined with a tread design that has been developed to dissipate water, slush and snow, makes the winters  the perfect fitment for your car from November to march here in the Northern hemisphere.

If you are looking for a set of tyres for your car at this time of year then I would strongly advise fitting winter tyres, they have been proven time and time again to be the safest option for your car and your family.

As an update then the Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) have increased to nearly all car makes and models. So, the importance of tyre pressure to save fuel and emissions cannot be under estimated! So, moving on a few years since I first wrote this post then a few things have happened! Firstly, as reputable tyre dealers then we have to keep a large stock of electronic valves to replace old ones that break or just need replacing.

Going forward we are finding that most problems are caused by seized up metal valve caps. So use plastic valve caps where possible. Importantly, when the warning light comes on please check out the tyre and the tyre pressures ?

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