Moving forward to May 2021 then the covid threat to us all is now declining due to a great vaccination campaign by the conservative government. So, MOT testing has cleared the backlog caused by the pandemic and we are now testing on a level that is par to post pandemic figures. Of course it is not all over yet but as garage and MOT station then we are all safe and happy to see all our customers again.
This is a great article. Hence, and only emphasises the reason why many small garages are doing so well. Nonetheless, we should keep up with our high standards of customer service. Of course, we would be nothing if it was not for our staff. Staff and training are in my opinion, one of the most important factors. Thus of running a busy successful garage business.
Indeed, without good reliable staff then you may as well forget it. For this reason, our customers return time and time again. Please read the article ,it is filled with many interesting facts about your local independent garage. To be a successful MOT centre, then honesty is the key word.
Another interesting MOT testing article about a dishonest tester working for Halfords.
https://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/canstockphoto88031629-scaled-e1704782691464.jpg333500Eric Robertshttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Logo_Pellon.fw_.pngEric Roberts2024-03-22 18:40:212024-03-22 18:40:21Independent garages lead MOT testing-A look at the increased use of Independent Garages in UK
So, I suppose this lesson that I am about to teach you could be a lesson for all types of business and not just garages! This type of customer has always been a laughing point when the garage guys meet over a pint of beer! Subsequently, we vey often get onto the customer who calls into the garage a says ” could you just fit a set of front brake pads, or could you just fit me a “head light bulb”. Yes these are could you just customers you have to avoid!
The sign in the car window that I have used as the image for this post. Unquestionably, this says it all. Admitably, not all small jobs go wrong! However, your staff must be made of the customer who just pops in and they are tempted to fit the “small job” between customers that are already booked in.
So the number of times that these so called “small jobs” have backed fired would amaze you. Of course the latest and most common one is the “can you just fit a light bulb“. This is one that you need to watch out for! Some a relatively easy to fit. However many are also a nightmare requiring half the cars front end to be stripped down before the bulb can be fitted.
Another similar problem is the “can you fit my own brake pads “customer.
This is a temptation to a new garage owner. So a customer walks in with new set of usually cheap brake pads and asks you if you can just fit these! Tempting as it may be we never fit customers own parts. Consequently, you will always find that its not just the pads thats gone. So, then you are in a dilemma. Probably one that you never needed. Garages and similar industries cant do “right for wrong”!
So we all know the other problems associated with the simple job of just fitting a set of brake pads. Anything can go wrong and believe me often will. My advice is to stay clear of these customers. Established garages will know all their good customers and will generally be too busy to accommodate the “can you just” brigade. My advice is to stay clear of these people and politely say that you are fully booked and in any case dont fit customers own parts.
After all as I say the image says it all.
https://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/brakes-pads-only.jpg396800Eric Robertshttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Logo_Pellon.fw_.pngEric Roberts2024-03-22 06:39:492024-03-22 06:39:49Garage Owners- Beware of the “Could You Just” Customers!
Driver of the Peugeot 406 could not switch off the engine
Peugeot 406 Lights
Subsequently, the first time that we saw this particular car was when it was in for an MOT test. Gloomily, the owner said that the car would probably fail the test. Because some of the lights were not working as they should! However, the owner’s disappointment came to an end when the car passed the test.
Surprisingly, contrary to what we thought, all the lights were indeed fine. In good working condition. The weather at the beginning of the year. Indeed, it was warm and sunny. The customer picked up his car ! and we heard nothing from the customer or his Peugeot 406 (with the suspected lights problem).
Peugeot turns back up with a central locking problem- Peugeot 406 Lights
So, we did not see the car again until later in the year. Turning up again with an unrelated problem. Hence, the central locking was not working as it should ? We checked out all the likely things and found nothing to miss. When the car was in our hands, the central locking was working fine. Subsequently, we could not find any problems.
The customer collected his Peugeot 406 back home, and sure enough, he returned with yet another problem ! The car’s side lights were in a permanent position. In other words, they were switched off but remained on (if you get what I mean) .So,once again, we checked all the likely culprits. Including the fuses and switches, and everything was just fine. Significantly, the car was having a number of “lights and other electrical problems” at differing times (very strange). When investigating, we found this clip from another Peugeot owner with similar problems in the forum of the Peugeot 406 web-site…
“Then, with the car locked, the brake lights came on. Then went off, then glowed dimly then stayed on. At this point I pulled the fuses for the brake lights and nothing at all happened. The lights stayed on. Disconnected the battery and then reconnected. Lights stayed off until I tried the brakes with the ignition on. “I removed the BSI (with the battery disconnected) and (with battery back on) turned on the ignition to find all the lights still lit up. Must be the dash board. Out with the dash on with the soldering iron.
Every pin and connection to the dials. Put back in; no joy. Brake lights are on with or without the dash board. removed the brake light switch. (What a swine that is to remove!)—lights still on! I looked for all the earth points around the car. I got to the drivers foot well and I could hear a buzzing noise. Could it be a relay?”…
Of course, this was a problem that we had not come across before. Surprisingly, the whole thing came to a head when the car engine would not switch off ! To stop the engine from running, we had to stall the car’s engine. Amazingly, we just could not find a problem.
Had to call in an a Citroen/Peugeot expert ! Peugeot 406 Lights
As a last resort, I had to call for help and enlisted the help of a mechanic friend called Richard. Richard had heard about this problem before and went straight to the foot well of the driver’s side.
The weather was terrible for a couple of weeks prior to the cars problems occurring ! Torrential rain and wide-spread flooding were a national problem ! Because of all the heavy rain here in the UK, the footwell had become flooded. Consequently, when we lifted the carpet at the driver’s side, we found a wet, soggy mess.
Peugeot 406 wiring was rotten with the wet ?
Specifically, the Peugeot 406 lighting and engine problems were found . Subsequently, the plugs that connected the wiring together were perished and rotten. Of course, causing all the short-outs and strange electrical things to happen. Firstly, we drilled a hole to release the water . Secondly, we re-wired the damaged wires together. So, it was very time-consuming, but a good job was done. We still do not know where the water is getting in, but I have added some advice from the Honest John website…
“Dry the interior out; remove all mats. Stay inside the car while a friend gently sprays a hose, one section at a time, for several minutes. Wait a few minutes, then inspect. Make sure you train the water on the sunroof, side windows, light clusters, rear hatch, doors, and main windscreen; these are the common areas that could leak. After a thorough dowsing, gently bounce rear and front of car to dislodge any water that may be sitting somewhere inside. Also, covering the dry car interior carpets with newspaper will show the presence of water and possibly the direction of the leak if you have a dark trim”…http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=48178
Water can cause many electrical problems in your car ? Peugeot 406 Lights
Thinking back the cars owner could relate the problems after we had had heavy rain fall. So, when the water leaked into the car then it shorted out some of the cars electrics . Of course if any water enters the car then much damage can occur. It even happened recently to a nearly new Ford transit delivery van that I bought from the local Ford dealer.
Apparently, unknown to me, the van had a new windscreen fitted before we bought the van. On a recent delivery to a customer in Lancashire, I experienced a very heavy period of rainfall. Surprisingly, the van came to a sudden stop ! Fortunately, I had just pulled off the M56 motorway. So, the engine was completely dead , refusing to start !
After a couple of hours of waiting, the RAC guy turned up and recommended that I be towed to our base in Halifax, UK. To our horror we found that the windscreen had been incorrectly fitted and water had entered the cab onto the ECU (Vans computer). So, after the shock and a couple of thousand pounds lighter, the van is now back on its delivery runs !
There is no doubt in my mind that, over the many years of being in the tyre industry, Michelin has the best reputation for quality and reliability. Michelin is one of the best-known and most respected tyre brands in the world. The company has been in business for over 100 years and has a long history of producing high-quality tyres for a wide range of vehicles.
I can honestly say that in all those years, I have never seen a genuine Michelin faulty tyre. Michelin has played a significant role in the development of the tyre industry and the advancement of tyre technology from the early days of the automobile to today’s modern tyre market.
Michelins History
The history of Michelin began in 1888. Of course, when the company was founded by brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand, France. The company began by producing bicycle tyres. However, they quickly expanded into the automotive market. In 1891, the company developed the first removable pneumatic tyre. Importantly, this revolutionised the tyre industry and made it possible for cars to travel at faster speeds.
throughout the early 20th century. Michelin continued to innovate and develop new tyre technologies. In 1946, the company introduced the radial tyre. which had a stronger and more flexible sidewall and offered improved fuel efficiency and a longer tread life. This innovation quickly became the industry standard and was widely adopted by other tyre manufacturers.
Michelin became well-known for the excellent mileage that their car tyres could achieve. Other tyre companies could just watch and try to follow. The secret was in the steel chords that were part of the radial tyre mix. These were patented by Michelin. making it very difficult for other tyre companies to copy.
The result for some tyre companies was a mess. when the steel chords were broken, say, by a puncture. The steel belts would rust and cause all sorts of problems. Michelin coated their steel belts with a copper coating. So, the steel is protected, and a nail or screw that goes through the steel belt won’t let water in and cause problems.
Moving quickly on
In the decades that followed, Michelin continued to push the boundaries of tyre technology. The company was one of the first to make run-flat tyres, which let a car keep going even if one of its tyres gets a hole. They also made tyres that can fix themselves and have sensors that keep track of the pressure and wear.
Today, Michelin is known for producing high-performance tyres that offer superior grip, handling, and overall driving experience. The quality and performance of Michelin tyres are demonstrated by the fact that Porsche, Ferrari, and BMW all use them on their high-performance vehicles.
Michelin ruled supreme when it came to innovation, recently developing the Michelin CrossClimate, a summer tyre with winter capability.
Michelin is also a major manufacturer of commercial vehicle tyres such as trucks and buses. The company has developed tyres that are specifically designed to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, which is important in today’s world where there is a growing concern about environmental impact.
Michelin and the environment
In addition to producing high-quality tyres, Michelin is also committed to sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of its operations. The company is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and has put money into projects to use renewable energy and recycle.
Finally, Michelin is a tyre brand that has made significant contributions to the growth of the tyre industry and the advancement of tyre technology. From the invention of the automobile to the modern tyre market. As I have said earlier in this post, Michelin has been at the forefront of innovation and has consistently produced high-quality tyres that offer superior performance, durability, and safety. Michelin Quality Pays
6 reasons why I am happy to have run-flat tyres on my car
Safety: Run-flat tyres can help to maintain stability and control of the vehicle even in the event of a puncture, allowing the driver to safely navigate to a repair shop or service station.
Convenience: Run-flat tyres eliminate the need to change a tyre on the side of the road, which can be time-consuming and dangerous.
Peace of Mind: With Bridgestone Runflat Tyres, you don’t have to worry about getting stranded on the side of the road with a flat tyre.
Space saving: Run-flat tyres do not require a spare tyre, which can save space in the trunk and allow for more storage options.
Cost-effective: Run-flat tyres have a longer lifespan than traditional tyres, which can help save money on replacements over time. However, this is not always true. Some of my customers say that the tyres have less mileage. Due to the weight of the extra rubber layers. Therefore, they can be less economical.
Better fuel efficiency: Bridgestone Runflat Tyres are designed to maintain their shape and structure even when deflated, which can help improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
Bridgestone tyres
So, Bridgestone Tyres first started to develop the concept of the Bridgestone Runflat Tyres. Of course, in Japan, it is part of a type of aid for disabled people. The tyre that was used was a 175/70×13 that had a strengthened side wall. Consequently, this was fitted to the Honda Civic. As a result, this was done in the “International Year of the Disabled.”.
Later this side wall protection technology was used on the Porsche 959. Bridgestone called the new tyre the Potenza RE71.
This new development proved to be a success.
So, in the 1990s, Bridgestone developed the TPMS, or ”Tyre Pressure Monitoring System” . This was to enable the driver to know when a tyre had lost pressure. Henceforth, a light on the dash would light up when the tyre pressure dropped. Subsequently, warn the driver if a tyre goes flat.
In my opinion, this made the Bridgestone Runflat Tyres much safer. Of course, this system was going to become very popular as a safety feature. So, it was fitted to many of the German-made cars, such as BMW.
Runflat Tyres are Safer allowing the driver to carry on driving the car with a flat tyre. Bridgestone Runflat Tyres
There are restrictions, though. Specifically, the car must be driven at 50 mph for a maximum distance of 50 miles. This enables the driver to drive the car to a safe stopping place. explicitly, without the car swerving or deviating off course. Those cars that are fitted with this Runflat Tyres Safer system. Therefore, do not carry a jack or spare wheel !
In my opinion,this lets the system down.
Some car makers will tell us that this makes the car lighter. As a result, it is more fuel-efficient and, thus, greener. In my opinion, I feel that, in general, it is a good idea and makes the vehicles much safer. Significantly, if the car experiences a sudden loss of air (blowout),. Assume you’re on a busy highway. Of course, with run-flats, the car will not deviate. Keeping it in a straight line makes driving with Runflat Tyres much safer.
The odds of this happening though are not as high as the motorist having what I call a “normal puncture”,
this is where the grey area is and this is what Bridgestone says…
“With certain types of punctures in the tread area, the Bridgestone Runflat Tyres technology tyres may be repaired subject to certain conditions (depending on how far and at what speed the car was driven after the puncture). Please consult your nearest RFT-authorised dealer to have yours inspected. Before attempting a repair, consult the vehicle owner’s manual for restrictions. “The vehicle manufacturer may restrict the use of repaired tyres on its vehicles.”
“In my opinion we would repair a runflat tyre only if the customer says that he has had a slight loss of pressure and we can find an object such as a screw or nail within the legal area of a normal tyre puncture for example ¾ of the tread width from the centre of the tread outwards and the tyre had not run whilst in a totally deflated state, we would have to take the drivers word for this, so we always take caution and inspect the tyre for any signs of running under inflated, such as
carbon dust or creasing and cracking on the inside of the casing. If we are not sure, we will always fit a new tyre.
In my opinion, the answer is no, but the following text from Bridgestones website does open a slight gap…
“Bridgestone EU do not recommend mixing tyres with Run-Flat Technology and standard tyres on the same vehicle, even if paired in axle sets. If you have a puncture, tyres with Run-Flat Technology are designed to permit you to proceed to a tyre dealer where you can have the tyre checked and replaced if necessary with another tyre with Run Flat Tyres Technology. In exceptional and emergency circumstances, a conventional tyre of the same size can be fitted. It must be noted that standard tyres do not have Runflat Tyres Safer characteristics and should be removed at the earliest opportunity”… http://www.runflat.eu/english/qa/
In my opinion, they should say that the two different types of tyres should not be mixed, but they say that you can mix them in an emergency. Could the fact that the car owner just can’t afford them be classified as an emergency?
Ring your insurance company is the advice that I give to all you 2nd and 3rd hand BMW Mini owners when you fall on the floor at the cost of replacing runflat tyres.
Pellon Tyre and Auto-Centre offers car and van servicing and repairs for all makes of vehicles. We sell cheap runflat tyres online from our website, www.pellontyres.co.uk. Of course, by using the tyre selector and choosing your tyre size. Offering courtesy cars to local motorists who need to go to work Naturally, they leave their cars with us for work. official MOT testing station.
As a guy working in the tyre industry all my life then this subject fascinates me. Especially when I was young and working in tyres for the very first time. Little did I know then but my interest in tyres and the surrounding industry was to last the rest of my life. I even sometimes lie on my back in bed and try to real off the tyre types that say Michelin or Pirelli produced when I was a young tyre fitter in Dewsbury West Yorkshire UK.
The guys in the paragraphs bellow dont know what they started all those years ago, in different parts of the world. The pneumatic tyre was first invented by Robert William Thomson in 1845. However, it was John Boyd Dunlop who developed the first practical pneumatic tyre for use on bicycles in 1888.
Thomson, a Scottish inventor, came up with the idea for the pneumatic tyre as a way to improve the ride comfort of carriages. He filed a patent for his design, which consisted of an inner tube made of India rubber, filled with compressed air and surrounded by a casing. However, the patent was not granted and the invention was not developed further.
Dunlop, a Scottish veterinarian, was motivated to develop the pneumatic tyre for his son’s tricycle.
He observed that the solid rubber tyres on the tricycle caused a rough and uncomfortable ride, and sought to improve the situation. It is also great to know that once again it was the British who were at the forefront of yet another great world invention.
He experimented with different designs and eventually came up with a tyre made of canvas, filled with compressed air and sealed with a layer of rubber. He filed a patent for this design in 1888 and established the Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Company to manufacture and sell the tyres. Dunlop were the first tyre company that I worked for and still have fond recollections of this great British icon.
The pneumatic tyre was a significant improvement over solid rubber tyres, providing a much smoother and more comfortable ride. It also had better traction and durability. The invention of the pneumatic tyre revolutionized the transportation industry and is still in use today.
Dunlop’s invention was not the first attempt at pneumatic tyres, but it was the first practical one, that could be mass produced and that would work well in real-world use. The invention was a response to the need for better tyres for vehicles, which would provide a more comfortable ride and increased safety.
Profound impact
This invention has had a profound impact on the transportation industry, making it possible to travel faster, longer, and more comfortably than ever before. A great story from Scotland Who would have thought the car tyre would keep rolling on right up to today?
1845: Robert William Thomson patents the first design for a pneumatic tyre
1888: John Boyd Dunlop patents the first practical pneumatic tyre for use on bicycles
1891: The Michelin brothers begin producing their own version of pneumatic tyres under the brand name “Michelin”
1895: The pneumatic tyre is first used on automobiles
1908: The first pneumatic tyre for motorcycles is developed by Dunlop
1971: Radial tyres become the standard for cars and light trucks
As you can see, the development of pneumatic tyres was a gradual process, with several key inventors and companies contributing to its evolution over the course of many decades.
https://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/tyre-were-invented-for-old-bikes.jpg419463Eric Robertshttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Logo_Pellon.fw_.pngEric Roberts2024-03-20 06:39:152024-03-20 06:39:15History of Car Tyres
As I am sat here writing this article. I must admit, that I am envious of all the people who are now buying their caravan batteries. So, in preparation for the new caravan season. The year has been a poor year for car batteries, because of the very mild winter.
I suppose though that we battery dealers should not really complain. As we have had a decent run of very cold winters. Hence, we should have known that we were due to have a mild one. So, and we certainly did. In fact, it is the first year that I can ever remember in my 65 years. Where we did not have any snowfall whatsoever.
We have now written last winter off as a bad year.Especially, for car batteries sales. Thus, we are already looking forward the leisure and caravan batteries season. Which has already started with a bang, (what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabout) as the saying goes.
Britain is now largest touring caravan market in Europe. We took over from the then number one country Germany in 2003. Of course, we were still number one in 2006 when the latest figures were released by… http://www.politics.co.uk/ .It is estimated that there are over half a million touring caravans in the UK. Including another 330,000 static caravan holiday homes. I am going to write about the growing number of motor-homes in another article.
Caravan Batteries
Over the years, many caravan owners have asked me the same question? Is there a difference between caravan batteries and car batteries? And the answer is YES. In the early days, car batteries were used to power the minimal electrics that caravans would use. There were no TVs, Fridges and all the other modern day electrics that you can see in today’s modern caravans, just a few light bulbs and an electric pump. The normal car or truck battery would have done the job perfectly.
Now we have seen the development of the new type of leisure batteries. The most popular one that we are now selling is, in fact, a 100 amp battery that is made and developed by the largest battery maker in the World Johnson Controls. They decided that the design of the car battery was fine, but it needed to hold more storage than starter power. This was done by using thicker plates that were able to store more power to supply the caravan with the electricity that it needed for the evenings.
This type of battery is known as the LV26 was then marketed as a leisure battery and would provide the caravan owner with auxiliary power, which as able to be
charged by the car’s electric system on a route, or as now with the use of solar panels, on a sunny day. You can upgrade to an AGM battery system, which will work better with solar panels, because of the better charge and discharge rate, but for the average caravan trip the LV26 will be perfect for the job, these caravan batteries have now been tried and tested over the years and generally do a good job and will give the caravan owner good service for about four or five years.
To aid in prolonging the life of your caravan batteries, I would invest in a 12v smart battery charger, and connect it to your battery over the winter period, when your caravan is not in use, we recommend the chargers that are made by Ring Automotive and are available online. I hope that this article is of use to you and happy caravan trips.
Eric Roberts
Hi, I would like to introduce myself. I have worked in the Garage and tyre and Cheap Caravan Battery business now for 40 years.
https://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/lead-acid-car-batteries-1.jpg450800Eric Robertshttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Logo_Pellon.fw_.pngEric Roberts2024-03-19 18:39:442024-03-19 18:39:44Caravan Batteries-time to check and test them before the new Spring season arrives.
A recent customer enquiry came up with an old problem. As a result she had been sitting in her car on a cold day in Bridlington. Of course on the east coast on Yorkshire. The ladies name was Joan. Joan and her husband had decided to go for a day trip to the seaside. Unfortunately for them, the weather turned out to be very cold and wet. Consequently, she decided to have some fish and chips and keep the engine running to keep warm. For some strange reason she rested her foot on the brake pedal. Indeed for some reason the pedal had slowly crept to a stop near the end of its play. This startled Joan? However the rain stopped and the day brightened up. The engine was switched off and the pedal became hard again. At the end of the day the couple returned and home. As a result of the peddle experience she gave us a call. Consequently, we checked the Vauxhall cars records. Hence, the brakes had some work carried out on them about two months previously. Therefore to alleviate her concerns, we booked the car in for another brake check. Although we last carried any brake work out two months. Then we decided to check them out? On account of we did fit a new set of pads on the brake service. Sometimes, when you replace new pads. Hence, it is possible to forget to open the brake bleed nipple. Thus when you push back the piston to remove the old pads. Because the bleed nipple is closed, then the fluid is pushed back into the brake master cylinder. As a result of this, the fluid can reverse the seals in the master cylinder.
Brake Pedal Creep
However, this would not be the case if a professional mechanic had fitted the pads. So this would have been less likely to be the cause. Joans cars brakes were rigorously check and no problems were found. Because of this then I decided to look into the problem. Consequently, I discovered that it was fairly common on Vauxhall cars. Links have been made to incorrectly setting up the ABS brake system. Other reasons have included the development of the diesel car brakes. As a result, over the years diesel cars have become bigger and therefore heavier in weight. Vehicle manufacturers have had to come up with stronger braking systems.Thus to be able to stop these heavier cars. A thing that I did not know? Was that the low pedal problem could be associated with the addition of twin diaphragm boosters. To stop bigger vehicles then the manufacturers fitted bigger brake calipers and larger pistons. Also larger disc s were fitted and also larger bore master cylinders. As a result the master cylinder displaces more fluid, but with less pressure. I am not saying that this was the reason for my customers car or any other, but it does make some sense.
Diesel Brake Pedal Creep
car makers use twin diaphragm boosters. Hence that will give reduced brake pedal effort and the brakes more bite. As a result of this there has been incidents of the brake pedal fading. Especially on diesel powered cars. What I do not understand is that it does not happen on all diesel cars. I am sur that there would be a huge outcry if it did. If you have a vehicle with brake pedal creep at idle, what can be done? Best thing I can suggest is if your car has a hard pedal without the engine running and the vacuum exhausted. Then it is possible that the problem is not your cars master cylinder but could possibly be vacuum related. We then road tested Joan’s car on our MOT brake tester. All the readings were perfect and the wheels locked off as they should have. In fact to conclude, most diesel cars will show signs of brake pedal fading. When we explained this to Joan, then she was relieved and pleased with the results and our service.
Eric Roberts
https://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/brakes-pads-only.jpg396800Eric Robertshttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Logo_Pellon.fw_.pngEric Roberts2024-03-19 06:39:132024-03-19 06:39:13Brake Pedal Creep? Is your car affected by this ? Diesel brakes only
So, yet another “lockdown” ! What good did the other two lockdowns do ! Not sure ! However the good news is that here at Pellon Autocentre then we are able to remain open. Presumably it is to keep the key workers cars on the road. Of course all our regular customers are more than welcome to bring in their cars. of course we will require you to respect the current rules such as mask wearing and social distancing.
Should any of our customers wish to stay at home but require their car repairing then we would like help them. Including collecting and delivering back their cars. So, just call us on 01422 351314 to make the best arrangement to suit you. Of course we are also under pressure so our customers visiting us for repairs is still the best option. Importantly, we can still carry out MOT testing.
Lets hope that the government get the vaccines out quickly and we can get back to normal in the near future.
A new lockdown ordering people to ‘stay at home’ in England and Scotland is now in force but garages are permitted to remain open. The latest government guidance for England states that “vehicle repair and MOT
https://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/car-owner.jpg435273Eric Robertshttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Logo_Pellon.fw_.pngEric Roberts2024-03-18 18:39:012024-03-18 18:39:01Pellon Tyres Remain Open-Garages permitted to remain open during latest lockdown
As we all know, driving with faulty brakes can be extremely dangerous. Of course, not only for you, but also for other motorists. Worn or damaged brakes can reduce stopping power. Therefore, it would be more difficult to stop the vehicle in an emergency. In this post, we will discuss some of the risks associated with driving a car with worn or damaged brakes. Importantly, that’s why it’s important to have your brakes checked and replaced as soon as possible.
One of the main risks associated with driving with faulty brakes is increased stopping distance. This is a slow process and is not detected by the driver. As the brake pads wear down, they become less effective at stopping the vehicle, which can lead to a longer stopping distance. This can be especially dangerous in situations where an emergency stop is needed. Emergencies, such as when a child runs into the street or a car in front of you suddenly stops.
Another risk associated with driving with faulty brakes is decreased control.
So, If the brake pads are worn or the brake disc (rotor) is damaged, the vehicle may not stop as smoothly or as easily as it should. This can make it difficult to control the vehicle. Especially in tight turns or on wet or slippery roads. Driving with faulty brakes also increases the risk of collision. If the brakes fail completely, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle, which can lead to a collision. Additionally, if the brakes are worn or damaged, the driver may not be able to stop the vehicle in time to avoid a collision.
Brake pads can also seize due to a lack of servicing. This, in fact, is what happened to me. I was coming up to a zebra crossing on my way home from a day trip to Blackpool, UK. Although the crossing was empty, I applied my brakes. The car did not come to a halt; instead, it continued on its way. My brakes had seized on! I was an apprentice mechanic at the time and pulled up as soon as possible. The brakes were red-hot and untouchable. After jacking up the car and removing the wheels, I was able to release the brakes, and we were able to drive home cautiously.
Another risk is that, when the brake pads are worn out
So, they need to work harder and hotter to perform their function, this can cause the brake disc to warp, which can lead to the need of changing both brake pads and discs, adding more cost and time to the repair. Indeed this is a very common problem. Our customers leave the brake pads too long and this eventually leads to them wanting both pads and discs. It is important to have your brakes checked and serviced regularly.
Your garage mechanic can check the thickness of your brake pads, discs, and other brake components and determine if they need to be replaced. Here at Pellon Auto Centre in Halifax, UK, we carry out this work on the car’s main service. As I’ve already said, having your brakes checked and serviced regularly can help them last longer and make sure they keep working right.
In conclusion, driving with faulty brakes can be extremely dangerous, and it’s crucial to keep them in good working condition. If you notice any signs of wear or damage, such as squealing or grinding noises, Whether you have reduced stopping power or a soft brake pedal, it’s important to have your brakes checked and replaced as soon as possible. Checking and fixing your brakes on a regular basis can help you find problems before they get worse and can also make them last longer. I know from experience, it’s not very good when you press the brake pedal and the car doesn’t stop. Believe me!
https://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/bg_servicing.jpg6722120Eric Robertshttps://www.pellonautocentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Logo_Pellon.fw_.pngEric Roberts2024-03-18 06:39:012024-03-18 06:39:01Dangers of Driving with Faulty Brakes
