wiper blades-lady drivers

WIPER BLADES-Could Be a Thing Of The Past? “Ultrasonic Transducer” could replace them?

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WIPER BLADES

Could this be the beginning of the end for Wiper Blades?

Of course, when you fit a new set of wipers. Definitely test out the wiper blades before using them in real rain situations. Therefore,you can go to a car wash or spray your car down with a water hose. Of course then click the wiper switch. Hence, you have successfully install your new set of windshield blades if all goes well.

Usually there is a locking mechanism that attaches the windshield wipers to the wiper arm. Of course, which is in turn, connected to the blade motor. Unlocking this portion will enable the old wiper to come loose. Consequently, all you have to do is snap the new one in place. Then lock the mechanism up again. Ensuring that the replacement wiper is secure.

Just like anything else, the very best windshield wiper blades can be very expensive. Since there is usually a rainy season, possibly in winter and autumn. Of course, one can buy winter wipers for that one time of the year. Then wait until the next year to buy new ones. Also they can be an MOT test failure!

MODERN WIPER BLADES can be expensive?

It is no secret that some of our jet planes do not have Flat Wiper Blades fitted, but use another method of clearing the winter weather from their windscreen.

The windscreen is kept clean by an instrument called an “Ultrasonic Transducer” which sends ultrasonic sound waves across the windscreen surface that clears all screen from such things as snow and insects apart from the normal rain. Another added bonus to making the car lighter would be that the cars would not need a wiper motor and the cables and things that go with it.

This would be great for use on today’s cars as it would also increase the effect a more efficient air flow, as the car is driven along, making the car more aero- dynamic and also more fuel efficient due to slightly less drag, as the screen would be cleared instantly all the time and not just when the Flat Wiper Blades were applied.

I have a friend called Peter, who would not clear the windscreen until the very last minute that he could not see the road in front of him. This system would keep his screen clear all the time, thus reducing the chance of an accident happening because of the lack of vision.

WIPER BLADES invented in the USA by a lady driver?

Just for the record the Window Wipers blades that we use today were invented by an American lady, she was called Mary Anderson and the idea came to her whilst she was on a trip to New York, when she noticed that the early car drivers were sticking their heads out of the door windows, so that they could see where they were going when it rained.

As a result, the first wiper blades were very simplistic. Just a metal arm device with a rubber blade. Operated manually by the driver. Thus, using a sort of lever inside the car. The invention was first thought of in 1903.By 1916 her invention became standard on all production cars in the USA. Only a year later in 1917 the first automatic wipers were invented by another lady in America called Charlotte Bridgewood, these were known as the   (Charlotte Bridgwood’s “Storm Windshield Cleaner”).

Charlotte invented this electric wiper system whilst she was the president of the” Bridge-wood Manufacturing company” in New York.

The Mclaren super car maker to end the wiper blade. 

Rumours are rife that the McLaren car maker are considering are to introduce this type of technology into their new models, it would be great to see if this idea works, but not if you are a wiper blade manufacturer.

 

brakes pads only posts

Car Hand brake- Car Repair MYTHS ? Hand Brake (Parking Brakes) Customers always want it Checking?

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Car Hand brake

Things that motorists still ask for when having a car repair.(Car Hand brake)

Consequently, this is an article about some of the things that motorists ask for or ask us to check. Hence, when they leave their car with us for servicing. I have to admit that most of these guys are male. Thus, from the older generation of motorists.Naturally, who remember some of the problems that they used to encounter in the past. Of course, on some of the older model cars that were driven then.

Therefore,one of the most asked questions is “Can you just adjust my Car Hand brake”. This comes from the days when I was a young mechanic. So all you had to do to adjust the hand brake on most regular cars. Was to take out a split pin, and turn a screw thread. Of course, to either lengthen or shorten the hand brake cables.Thus giving you more leverage from the handbrake in the brake shoes.

When the handbrakes finally snapped with rust or age. Then, all you had to do was replace it with a new cable,”simple”. This type of hand brake system was always failing. Especially, when you pulled on the hand brake.So, the cable would snap. This, was responsible for many an accident.With cars parked on hills running away. However, this is the type of Car Hand brake that some motorists think their car is fitted with. Thus,thinking that it is only a ten minute job to adjust (at probably no cost to him ).

(Parking Brake)

As the modern car progressed. So it was clear that better braking systems had to developed. As a result, cars were getting faster, then they had to stop more efficiently and quickly. This brings us up to date. Consequently, with more and more car manufacturers using discs on all four corners of their cars. Not fitting the drums system at the rear. (Some newer cars still have drums at the rear, but more are favouring four wheel disc systems, for greater braking efficiency). Modern cars also have a separate handbrakes system. Including, their own drums system. Thus, working in conjunction with the rear discs. of course, which are virtually a separate system from the main brakes. Many cars are now fitted with duel cables. So, that are better protected from the outside elements (corrosion) .Most Car Hand brake on modern cars are much more complicated to service. Of course, now are one and two hour jobs to complete. Some smaller cars have still got rear drums. A Car Hand brake that works by connecting to the Rear Brake Shoes. Requiring freeing off from time to time. Also and lubricating as part of a regular service. But I am afraid that the cables still seize up and have to be come to us for a Car Hand brake Cable Replacement  from time to time especially as the car gets older.

brake is now a different animal?

In the more up to date modern car with disc brakes all round there is an additional lever and cork screw mechanism that is added to the calipers piston. When the driver pulls the hand brake on in the car, the lever forces the cork screw against the same piston that activates the foot pedal system.

This system also has problems with seizing parts and will take more than ten minutes to free off and lubricate for further use. There are other systems such as used by Volvo, that incorporate a separate drum with its own Ferodo Brake Shoes that is connected to the rear discs, this can also be a long job to service correctly.

To summarise the “can you just adjust my Car Hand brake” days are over, we as a garage need to take more time to repair and adjust the modern car hand brake system and indeed what we do is to offer a separate service just to do the cars braking system justice and to offer a first class brake service.

mot testing and car servicing

Check Your Levels-Top 5 simple maintenance tips everyone should know-

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Check Your Levels

Look after your car Check Your Levels in this Easter hot weather 

This is very good and important advice to every motorist. So, to get your car through this Easter hot weather! Without causing any damage to the engine, brakes or indeed anything else.

Make sure you Check Your Levels. Including, water levels, your engine oil (Make sure that you top it up using the correct grade). If you are not sure do ! do not just use any old engine oil. Ask your local service centre to sell you the correct grade of oil for your car.

Consequently, you will most probably have Synthetic Engine Oil in your car. But if you are not so sure what to use then refer to your Engine Oil Guide. We have computer software. So, that tell you the grades for all the cars and will advise you accordingly.

Watch out for the traditional traffic hot-spots, such as the roads to the coast and set off early if you must travel in the heat, it will not do your car any good held up in slow traffic for hours on end and the kids and the dog in the back wont thank you for it neither, try and go for a quieter route and avoid all the traffic.

Make sure that your Air-Con is working and do not be tempted to lower your windows the temperature in the UK is expected to be in the 30s C this weekend, so the air coming into the car will be very hot and uncomfortable, keep the windows closed and let the Air-Con cool you down.

Make sure that you check your tyres as well as Check Your Levels before setting off.

Your tyres are made by a heat process and the hotter the air and the roads, the more likely that a tyre could blow out , we have all seen the large strips of tyre tread on the side of a motorway,(mainly from lorries) but this can happen to cheap car tyres that have been badly repaired as in some part worn tyres, so do not get caught out and buy good quality new tyres, this is a good investment in safety for your family!

Believe me this will happen, we get many customers that will turn up to my depot on a Monday morning with a blown out tyre, that could have been prevented before hand. The biggest cause is that the tyres were run under pressure, or under inflated . This only makes things worse when the weather is going to hot, so please check your tyres and your tyre pressure, and please

remember that cheap new car tyres are far better than part worn tyres, you just do not know where part worn tyres have been before you bought them.

More safety information to read about your car in the heat

“Make sure you Check Your Levels and the  washer fluid is topped up. If you are going on a long journey the last thing you want is to run out of washer fluid, especially if the weather is bad. You don’t want to be stopping off for bottles of water to clean away the dirt from your windscreen. Check out our great video” ‘Topping Up A Windscreen Washer Bottle’.

“W e can’t re-iterate how important it is to check your tyre pressure. If your tyres are incorrectly inflated it has an impact on fuel economy and tyre wear. Add or remove air as needed to keep your tyres performing at their safest. View our great video” ‘How To Check Your Tyres’.

Hope you have a great time in this sunny weather, now in the past.

hydrogen cell cars

Hydrogen Fuel cells-GREEN DRIVING- Hydrogen Cars Look Better for the FUTURE

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Hydrogen Fuel cells cars could be here sooner than you think ?

Of course, plans are already being set out to build a network of Hydrogen Fuel Cells filling stations. These filling stations will start out across London . Of course, and then across the whole of the UK. In my opinion this will be great news.So these cars will be sold as an alternative to the Lithium-Ion  battery cars. That are out at the moment and of course the so called dirty oil based fuels. Such as petrol and diesel.

The car is being developed by Hyundai. Naturally, the company hope to build over a thousand of these cars by 2015. The Hydrogen Fuel cells engine has been developed in many different countries. I am very impressed by the work done in Australia at the RMIT University in Melbourne Australia. I have linked a video demonstrating how an Hydrogen Fuel cells engine works. Made by RMIT University…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7_QYTAi1-E

Hydrogen makes up about 75% of the Universe that we all live in.

We all know that eventually fossil fuels will run out. Although the timing of this has probably been extended. Significantly, by the advent of “Fracking”. Both in the USA and here in the UK,(although on a much smaller scale). This may have prolonged the life of the combustion engined car .So, that we are all familiar with, or at least be part of the fuels mix in the long run.

Of course hydrogen is a much more efficient fuel than fossil fuels. The process of passing hydrogen through a fuel cell is much more effective than the petrochemicals. Consequently, used in the conventional fossil fuel engines. That we still use today in large numbers. Also unlike the electric powered cars, hydrogen can store the energy that it creates.

Another great advantage of Fuel cells is that it produces “zero”emissions and will not pollute the Planet giving us all a greener future, this has got to be the way forward and not the all electric cars that a been produced at the moment, although I still think that the electric car will be part of the mix.

Six hydrogen cars filling stations for London to start with

The main aim will be to open over a million Hydrogen Fuel cells facilities and eventually the hydrogen pumps will integrate with regular pumps selling petrol and diesel on the forecourts of large companies such as Salisbury and Morrison’s super markets, who are showing great interest in the new program of hydrogen expansion. The expected cost to fill your car with hydrogen will be around the £40 mark which will give you about 400 miles in the new Hyundai ix 35. This will be about the same range as the conventional fossil fuel engined cars, and a great advantage over the electric cars that at the moment can only go short distances before requiring a recharge of their car batteries.
The new ix3 5 drives without any noise and only emits water from the exhaust. It has no gearbox and has drive selector say like an automatic gearbox.

It will take time establish itself but to me this technology, Hydrogen Fuel cells, will be a winner, it sounds almost too good to be true ?

To see a great article about this new car…http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/green-motoring/2013-07/hydrogen-powered-cars-step-closer-to-production-reality

Another great web-site to check out about Hydrogen powered cars is…http://www.planete-hydrogene.com/en/hydrogen-energy-1/hydrogen-powered-car/how-it-works-1.html

Scrap Tyre Dumping Returns

Second Hand Tyres Causing Problems-Don’t Forget £575 fine and penalty points for defective tyres.

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Second Hand Tyres

Old tyres like these are ending up as £20 Second Hand Tyres

£575 fine and penalty points for Second Hand Tyres

Impartial Reporter

District Judge Liam McNally said it was a bad case as Kalis “knew quite well” that his tyres were defective.

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Bald Tyres

This article in the “Impartial Report”.thus, proves that motorists do indeed get caught by the police . As a result, are prosecuted for having illegal part worn Tyres on their cars.

Although the police are not as abundant as they used to be. Then, it is no use risking a hefty fine. Such as  the fine that this guy received. He would also of course have to buy another set of tyres . Hence, in some cases he could have also received a ban from driving . As each tyre is three points on your license.

As in the picture of the British Police. Often have roadside checks. Consequently, stopping motorists to check the cars documents . Also other important things. As a result we have often have drivers coming to us with what we call a ” Pink slip”. The slip has to be taken to any MOT station . Once the defect has been corrected. Then the car is deemed as OK.

Therefore, if say the car requires two tyres. Then we will check the car again. Once the tyres have been fitted . We then sign the slip to say that the work has been carried out. Moreover, the driver then returns to the police station .Showing the police that the defection has been rectified.Without any further prosecution.

Second Hand Tyres-Another very important problem that we are coming across

Consequently, there is the number of our regular customers that are getting caught out. hence by buying illegal Second Hand Tyres . These tyres are deemed as legal. Especially, if they are checked out and tested with a certified suppliers stamp . But this is not usually the case.

Only the other day (late October 2014). Then,we had two customers call into us . Thus, had recently bought Second Hand Tyres. Because they had some tyre problems in a  near by town (Huddersfield). Both cases were in very similar circumstances. as a result, the first customer had come into us complaining . Because, his car was making banging noises. As a result, he thought it might be his brake discs and pads. When we removed the wheels . So to check out the brakes . Then we could not find anything wrong with the cars brakes. However , with the wheels removed from the car. We noticed a large egg shape . This  went all round the tyres tread and sidewall area.

When we told him he said that this could not be so because he had just paid £40 at a tyre dealer in Huddersfield. He then went on to say that according to the guy who sold him the tyre, then the tyre was brand new. This had only been two weeks earlier?.

Second Hand Tyres

So the guy had paid £40 for a tyre that lasted only two weeks? crazy. We recommended that he took the tyre back to them for a refund, but as in many of these cases the guy felt

stupid for buying it in the first place and instead bought a proper new tyre from us for £59.90, he could not believe it for only just short of £20 he could buy a brand new tyre, wow.

For full information about your tyre safety and legal requirements  take a look at the following web-site,,,www.tyresafe.org.

mot testing and car servicing

Local Auto Centre-“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” – Waterloo Record

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Local Auto Centre


Your Local Auto Centre will advise on timing belt change times

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure Waterloo Record Some of the most important maintenance services to have regularly performed at Local Auto Centre on your car include tyre rotation, four wheel alignment, transmission service, differential service,…

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Car servicing

So. this is a great saying ! and of course it is correct”an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Of course the moral of the story is all about having your car serviced at your Local Auto Centre. So, and by doing so you are taking a preventative measure finding future faults and possible failures. Importantly, things like rotating your tyres, wheel alignment, checking brakes and steering before a more major fault appears, all these things will be checked out at your local service centre.

Of course, you should also be advised. Especially, about the time that you should have your timing belt changed. Hence, this is very important . Because it could mean a massive bill . Of course, for a new engine fitting . Thus, should you fail to change your timing belt . Especially, at the correct time. Please make sure that you have a regular service carried out on your car at a Local Auto Centre, here in the UK I recommend that you go online to find a Local Car Care Centre in your local town or look out for tyre prices online.

Back after Corvid 19

So, like many other auto centres then we are back to full strength. We have suffered the same millions of other small businesses. However we are pleased to say that our service and tyre business is picking back up nicely.

I would like to thank all our loyal customers for their support both now and in the future.

So here at Pellon we have a great tyre price portal called www.pellontyres.co.uk.

See on www.therecord.com

Scrap Tyre Dumping Returns

Part Worn Guys Fail legal Requirements-Vast majority of part worn tyre retailers failing to meet legal requirements

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Part Worn Guys Fail legal Requirements

So, this comes as no surprise to me. Part worn tyre sellers will never be stopped unless the law clamps down on them. Not to mention that the car owning public supports them more than ever. Of course money has much to do with the problem. When times are bad then people have less money available to spend on their cars.

As a matter of fact we are entering one of the worse economic recessions on record . Of course due to the Corona Virus pandemic. Here at Pellon Autocentre we are already experiencing a rise in phone inquiries for part worn tyres. Fortunately, the price of cheap economy tyres have dropped in recent times. So, making it possible to up sell from part worn to cheap new tyres.

Another observation is the number of young people that are asking for part worns. Unfortunately when I speak to them they are totally oblivious, to the dangers of part worn tyres. Luckily, we find it easy to change their minds and they usually go home with some new tyres fitted to their cars.

However unless the government crack down with more and stronger tyre laws then these people are here to stay. In the light of this, I have now been in the tyre trade for over 40 years and nothing has changed. Part worn tyre shops are on every street corner in some cities. In addition, to the expansion of the “car wash” guys. Car washers are also turning into part worn tyre shops.

Finally as long as motorists buy these dangerous tyres there will be a market for them. Tyresafe are constantly keeping an eye on the subject but I fear they are alone in their efforts.

The majority of tyre retailers investigated by Tyresafe have been found to be selling tyres illegally. Of the 250 retailers investigated in the past five years, 93 per cent failed to comply with regulations. What’s more,

Source: Vast majority of part worn tyre retailers failing to meet legal requirements – Garagewire

catalytic converter

Automotive Catalyst Diagnostics: How, Where and How Much

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Automotive Catalyst Diagnostics: How, Where and How Much

Automotive Catalyst Diagnostics: How, Where and How Much

The catalytic converter is one of the most important devices which make up the vehicle system. It was designed and implemented to solve emissions problems and make a growing number of cars more friendly to the environment. But a cat performs its functions properly only when the device is clean inside. The worse the quality of fuel you use, the sooner shallow holes of the honeycomb inner structure of the converter get clogged. When this happens, the airflow is restricted and metal parts can crack under the strain. In the worst case some engine problems occur.

That is why it is required to keep the cat unclogged. This is useful and pragmatic, since it is much cheaper to maintain the device rather than buy another one prematurely. But before contacting an automobile repair shop, you should get to know how the procedure is conducted.

How Emission Problems Can Be Solved

A comprehensive vehicle inspection consists of the following steps:

  • Obtaining the vehicle history and to answer the questions concerning fuel consumption, whether the engine is hard to start, the cat has been repaired or replaced, etc.
  • Correcting codes of the engine. You should know that typically codes from P0420 to P0424 and from P0430 to P0434 in order indicate some catalyst problems.
  • Identifying and fixing exhaust system leaks.
  • Checking cat temperature, back pressure, O2 sensor, and internal cooling system.
  • Fuel system inspection.
  • Measuring emissions with the help of a gas analyser.
  • Running a cylinder balance test.
  • Examining the mechanical condition of the parts and devices.

If you have noticed some exhaust system troubles, the vehicle doesn’t need to undergo a full technical inspection. Contact a repair shop for just a catalyst testing.

In case the inspection has revealed a crucial catalyst problem due to which the device should be replaced, we suggest you look for a new one on the website https://autocatalystmarket.com/us/en. This is the biggest catalyst market where you can select a catalytic converter for any car brand and model. The range comprises over 24,000 items! The company has been working in the market of catalytic converters since 2005. Each device on the website has real pictures and a detailed technical description for you to facilitate the selection process.

How Much Does Catalyst Inspection Cost

The price depends on such factors as the car brand and model, current condition of the device, the amount of solid fuel residue in the grid holes, etc. In general, a cat repair costs between $900 and $2500. If you fill your vehicle with the fuel of good quality and keep the engine maintained, you need to have the converter repaired not less than every 100,000 km kilometres driven.

oil and engine warning lights

Car Oils More Important-Get the Right Oil for Your CAR.?

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Car Oils More Important

Many different types of Car Oils for the modern car

So engine technology has changed in a big way in recent years. This new trend began with increasing price of fuel at the garage forecourt. Importantly, started by the car manufacturers to try new methods of increasing the miles per gallon. Of course, one of the ways was to lower the viscosity of the Car Oils they used in their engines. So, one of the first of the new Car Oils grades was 5W-30. Improved, Car Oils reduced the friction levels on the moving parts of the engines.

Also in recent years engines have had to be modified to reach much higher emission standards, by the car manufactures , making engines much more sophisticated and a need for much more finer quality Car Oils  to be used, modern cars are now fitted with much more complicated exhaust and after treatment units, requiring special low SAPS oil, which is needed to protect these units.

These new Car Oils also help with extended service intervals for cars. Special “long life oils” have been developed to help increase the length between car service intervals, thus reducing the amount of waste .

All these changes have led to the growth of the number of oil based products on the market to enable the independent Auto centre to service all the different engines out there in the market place. Many garages now have to check each vehicle to see which Car Oils to use when Servicing a Car, and indeed have to keep as many as seven different grades of oil to cope with the diverse number of grades required. The garages can not now rely on keeping a basic viscosity alone

What if you fill your car engine with the wrong oil?

As I was saying earlier in my article it is important that the motorist checks his manual to what the correct type of liquid gold that his car engine takes, the same applies if you are a garage or a regular guy who changes his own oil and filter.

Car servicing is now becoming a specialist job now and although the service intervals are becoming further apart, the service itself has become more complex. The main driver of this being the drive by car makers to make cars with less emissions, this includes the drive by tyre manufacturers for tyres with a better rolling resistance and compounds using silica, the results of all this have become staggering, changing the face of motoring over the past decade.

Incidentally according to “Warranty Direct” the cost of the average job to rectify an engine that has had the wrong oil put in, is £2000.00, so you might consider taking your car to your local service centre near you, if you dont know where your nearest one is, look for your local MOT testing station.

Pellon Tyre and Auto-centre offer car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles. Also sell tyres online from our website www.pellontyres.co.uk . Easily,by using the tyre selector and choosing your tyre size. So, we also offer courtesy cars to local customers . Naturally, who need to go to work and leave their car with us for work doing. Finally, we are also an official MOT testing station.

oil and engine warning lights

Use OEM Spec Oils-Millers Oils dispels myths: OEMs, specs, approvals, warranties and Block Exemption

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Use OEM Spec Oils

Use OEM Spec Oils

So with loads of cheap oil offers floating about our garages then it is make sure that the oil has the OEM specifications. of course most of us garage owners are familiar with the consequences of this. Most of the rules and laws that govern the way we service vehicles are set in law by the EU. Although we are no longer a member we are still part of the agreement network until things change in the future.

Car manufacturers are not able to tie their cars to their dealer network for servicing. So, this allows the independent garage network to service models as long as the same standard of oils and service parts were used. Most of the good garages are well aware of this and unfortunately others dont give a damn!

Oil companies such as Millers Oils here in West Yorkshire have to set certain qualities and standards into their oils. Thus allowing them to be used on a car that is under warranty. This means that car manufacturers  can not turn a car away for warranty work simply because it was serviced else ware.

Main dealer garages  often tell their customers this untrue story. Cars and Vans can be serviced when a new car is still under warranty as long as the parts used are of the same quality as the original equipment parts. Of course including oils such as Millers Oils.

When it comes to oils there are two phrases that are often used: “meets specification” and “OEM approved”. Whilst commonly used, Millers Oils often gets asked what the difference really is and does the difference affect

Source: Millers Oils dispels myths: OEMs, specs, approvals, warranties and Block Exemption