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Yorkshire Car drivers-BEWARE of the M62 Speed Camera Gantries

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Yorkshire Car drivers BEWARE of M1 and M62 Speed Cameras

So, I am a resident of Kirklees and have been a user of the M62 motorway ever since it was built. In my opinion it has been a great asset to the people of West Yorkshire and Lancashire. In fact I do not know what we would have done. Including, how the roads would have coped without this motorway.

The big problem with the motorway, as we all know. Of course, is the stretches between junction 25 (Brighouse turn off) and junction 27 (Gildersome turn off). Over the years this stretch has many accidents and hold ups. So, making it one of the major black spots on the UK motorways. It came as great relief to the Yorkshire Car drivers, “including myself”. When it was announced that this section of the M62 was to be upgraded and turned into a controlled system. Similar to the one in Birmingham on the M 42 and part of the M 1 Motorway south of Sheffield.

50 MPH Road works

The work began about three years ago. Strangely, we were all subjected to a 50 mph speed limit. With many delays due to accidents and vehicles breaking down. Eventually the work progressed and we started to see the rise of the gantries covered in Motorway Traffic Cameras over the road. Which would be used to control the traffic in the various lanes. I could not wait and gradually the work was competed. AS a result, the speed signs directing us to what speed we should be doing.

In my opinion I think the new system is really good and it is nice to see some development on the road system for the Yorkshire Car drivers in the North where I think that in the past we have been heavily neglected by various Governments in all fields of investment. As I drive all around the country I cannot believe the investment that has been poured into the South and places like Wales and Scotland, I truly think that we have been starved of money here in West Yorkshire at the hands of politicians to please other regions of the country.

However we must not complain the car driving population of Yorkshire have now got a new controlled section of the great M62, knowing that we will see less holdups and witness less delays.

Keep your car speed bellow 70 mph?

There is however one thing that we should all watch out for, “DON’T TAKE YOUR CAR ABOVE THE 70 MPH LIMIT”. It is now known that when the gantry lights are off that the speed cameras are still working and have been “flashing” drivers who have been exceeding the speed limit. I am an older driver and rarely take my car over the limit, but there are thousands of Yorkshire Car drivers who think that the limit is now 80 mph. So when you are driving your car on this section of the M62 beware, the speed cameras are there to get you.

Speed Camera gantry signs now in operation ?

As an update I have observed that the gantries are regularly switched onto the white cross over each lane. Signifying the no speed limit signs . The information box on top says “Speed Camera”. In my opinion this is a good developments ! Because I presume that this is a clear signal and any driver exceeding 70 MPH will be flashed and prosecuted. Other gantries will not be be switched on as “Speed Cameras” . So giving a definitive line not to cross ?

According to the Huddersfield Examiner “West Yorkshire Police refused to comment further but the Highways Agency has now confirmed the new £150 m overhead gantry system between Huddersfield and Leeds CAN catch speeding Yorkshire Car drivers, even when it is not being used to slow the traffic”…More Reading…http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/highways-chiefs-reveal-m62-cameras-6152759

Falken all weather and winter tyres

Quality Winter Tyres -Autocar Says that Winter Tyres Really Work for your safety in winter- Etyres

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Autocar extols virtues of Quality Winter Tyres

“I was running a long term BMW 1M at the time, and at BMW’s insistence the car was fitted with a set of

The Bridgestone Blizzak Quality Winter Tyres are a great choice.

Michelin Alpin winter tyres.

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Winter tyres

Of course, there has never been any doubt about Quality Winter Tyres . Significantly, including the fantastic job that they do when winter arrives. Including, most in the Northern hemisphere, no matter what country you live in.

It is always an advantage when great car magazines !

The likes of Autocar reinforce what us tyre experts have been saying for years. So. the reason that we tend to harp on about Quality Winter Tyres. Importantly, is the safety aspect of the product. These days the cars are getting much faster and powerful and we also have had the recent influx of SUV’s and crossover cars. These vehicles are next to useless when it comes to coping with the winter conditions of snow and ice. They are large and powerful and are absolutely useless in the snow without Quality Winter Tyres fitted.

Quality Winter Tyres are now an essential safety commodity

Significantly, to be used on our modern day vehicles. Winter tyres will even give you  significantly safety advantage when driving on the motorway on a stinking wet day. So must be considered before the winter sets in. We at Pellon Tyres in Halifax recommend a couple of makes that have been proven to us over the years. They are Nokian and Jinyu ! Although Jinyu are an economy brand. Importantly, we have tested these on our own vehicles over the past few years.

 

Of course winter is on its way yet again! So, I wonder what the 2020 winter will bring us. However it is important to keep you and your family safe and consider winter tyre if new tyres are required.

batteries

017 EFB Batteries-Numax and Lucas Car batteries are back again

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017 EFB Batteries

017 EFB Batteries-here in the UK

So,  bringing this post up to date in 2021 then the EFB battery is becoming very popular. Happily for us the winter of 2020/21 has become a very cold snowy winter. Whist most people hate the bad weather then of course we love it. Cold weather means a little more business for us. Specialist products give us a few more sales than normal. However, this year is the year when batteries on new car sales from a few years ago are due to be replaced! Including the start-stop batteries known as the EFB and the AGM.

Vehicle owners will have noticed by now that these batteries are more expensive than a regular car battery. Of course the batteries are different due to technology and more expensive parts inside the battery.

Numax EFB batteries a great mid range battery

So, when sourcing a good priced battery for my customers I finally chose the Numax brand.  Firstly, Numax are available at the moment! Like many other products then batteries are suffering shortage problems. Mainly due to the massive demand from consumers after battery factories were shut down due to the “Corona Virus Pandemic”. This is causing, massive shipping problems with stock orders going out of the window.

However, Numax and Lucas are now the same products and are coming through at regular intervals.

Lucas brand AGM Batteries

There has been an increasing degree of partnership with Japanese corporations. Such as with Sumitomo on car-body systems . Or Yuasa Battery Company. In response to the growing likelihood that Japanese components firms. Therefore, will make inroads into the European market . So as deeply as they already have in the United States. Lucas Automotive have had  success in 1989 in attracting orders. From BMW and Saab-Scania . Thus, for fuel injection systems . Was an indication of its ability . Hence, to compete directly in Europe… http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/lucas-industries-plc-history/

As we can see in this. History of the Lucas company . Then, Lucas were doing cross country deals. In the expanding car component sector. Including, a deal that was struck with Yuasa batteries of Japan. As a result, these batteries went under the Lucas batteries brand name. They were imported with many battery part numbers .Coming into the UK and the USA that were unfamiliar to the British battery manufacturers .

Yuasa batteries actually started producing batteries in the USA in 1979. Producing car and AGM batteries . Hence, in 1996 the great Lucas empire. Merged with the American company Varity Corporation and the UK part of the company.

017 EFB Batteries

More reading…

“Now trading under the name of ‘Lucas Electrical’ . Then the company concentrates on after-market component supply. Rather than as an original equipment supplier to manufacturers. Initially, the Lucas name was used on Elta’s existing products . Automotive light bulbs but has been gradually expanded to cover much the same range as the original Lucas company- light units, batteries, switches and controls, ignition components, re manufactured starter motors and alternators, wiper blades and electrical accessories. Operations and manufacturing take place at several locations in the UK as well as overseas”… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LucasVarity

This is the stage that the Lucas battery label in the famous green and white Lucas colours was sold off to a British Battery company in the Midlands.

 

car suspension parts

Suspension Arm Bolts-BMW 1 Series Car- Breaks Suspension Arm Bolts

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Suspension Arm Bolts

BMW 1 Series Car in for He found that when the car had skidded and hit the kerb it had snapped the Suspension Arm Bolts

Sadly, on one of the worse windy and rainy days of the year. So, one of our good customers was out and about in his BMW 1 series car, 2008 model . Consequently, finding himself having to swerve his car. Thus, having to avoid a broken branch ! That had just snapped off a tree due to the high winds.

Dangerously, his car skidded and crashed into the curb. causing damage to the underside of the car. Of course, the customer suspected that something had broken the front suspension. Perhaps an “Arm Rubber Bush” or the “Suspension Arm Bolts.” Carefully, his car  limped into my garage in Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Manager the garage department examined the BMW

Ryan Linton pulled the car onto a ramp. Of course, we examined the car to see what had happened. Ryan discovered this when the car had skidded and hit the curb. Indeed, it had snapped the suspension arm bolts on the multilink suspension that these BMW cars have.

Also, the TPMS sensor lights were illuminated! So when checking the BMW’s tyres . They were discovered to be inflated to the incorrect pressures. Unfortunately, we later thought that this could have caused the car to swerve. As a result, the car hit the kerb while attempting to avoid a tree branch.

So, the problem was discovered, and the hub had to be removed to solve the problem. Also, the broken stud was drilled out, as the stud had been snapped off flush with the hub. Subsequently, the bolt was drilled out and the hole was re-tapped. Of course, I’m up for a new stud. The other suspension arm bolts were BMW parts (supplied by the local BMW dealer in Wakefield, the nearest one to my garage in Halifax) that were also changed, and the assembly was re-fitted.

BMW car had low tyre pressures

In conclusion, we now think that the guys’ low tyre pressures were the cause. of the car correctly, not handling it when he swerved to miss the branch. Finally, we also checked and inflated his tyres to the correct pressures. Our happy customer went off on his way three hours later.

Pellon Tyre and Auto-Centre offers car and van servicing and repairs for all makes of vehicles.

 

BMW rear hub area where the Suspension Arm Bolts sheared from

brakes pads only posts

BMW Mini Brakes-must have regular servicing for your safety

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BMW Mini Brakes

BMW Mini Brakes How your Mini brakes work

 With millions of the new BMW Minis driving about on today’s roads, it is worth thinking about your brakes. When did you last think about your car’s stopping ability?

Just think about your brakes when speeding down the motorway. If you have a soft top Just imagine the sun on your face and the wind in your hair. This is the type of feeling that you get when you are at peace with the world and your Mini Cooper is driving like never before. feels great, doesn’t it? This time, imagine having to slam on the anchors as a car hurtles towards you on the wrong side of the road, then finding out that your cars do not work. That would be a bad thing, but if your BMW Mini Brakes were serviced on a regular basis, you would have no problem stopping your Mini and continuing your journey.

The braking system of automobiles has been constantly updated and modified over the years, particularly in recent years. The modern BMW Mini Brakes system has now become extremely reliable. I can remember when, years ago, cars were always having problems with faulty brakes; in fact, the brakes were one of the parts that failed the most. But with modern cars, such as the new Mini, the braking systems have been developed by the manufacturers, with some of the development coming from motorsport.

6 signs of bad brakes on your BMW Mini

  1. Squealing or grinding noises when braking: This could be a sign that your brake pads are worn and need to be replaced.
  2. Vibrations when braking: If you feel vibrations in the brake pedal or steering wheel when braking, it could be a sign of a problem with your brake rotors.
  3. Soft brake pedal: If the brake pedal feels “soft” or spongy when you press it, it could be a sign of a problem with your brake master cylinder or brake booster.
  4. Pulling to one side when braking: If your car seems to pull to one side when you brake, it could be a sign of a problem with your brake callipers or brake pads.
  5. Brake warning light: If the brake warning light comes on, it could be a sign of a problem with your brake system.
  6. Burning smell when braking: If you smell a burning smell when braking, it could be a sign of a problem with your brakes. This could be caused by brake pads that are overheating or by a fluid leak in the brake system.

BMW Mini Brakes

The BMW Mini Brakes system generally consists of disks all round. The front and rear brakes are usually discs and pads. The brakes are connected by a system of low-pressure metal pipes. Hence, from the rear and the front discs and wheels to the “master cylinder.” For this reason, the system also includes the hand stop mechanism, or parking brakes. Consequently, the anti-lock system that most cars have these days.

when you apply the BMW Mini Brakes pedal. Thus, to stop or slow down your car, The pedal operates a plunger that applies pressure. As a result, the fluid in your brake pipes. Then it’s on to the master cylinder. The pressure from the pedal is then spread to the other wheels by the master cylinder. It is important that your master cylinder is topped up to the correct level, because it is impossible to stop your car without brake fluid in the cylinder at the correct level.

When you apply the foot pedal to stop your car, the pressure is spread out throughout all of your brake pipe system, and when the pressure is released then the pressure goes back to normal and the brake pads are released so that you can drive your Mini normally. These are some of the reasons that it is important to have your brakes serviced at a reputable Autocentre and by using manufactures approved parts, your car will be safe to drive in all weather conditions and will stop when you want it to stop, not an extra ten feet further on than you wanted to be.

BMW Mini Brakes

If there are air bubbles in the brake fluid your Mini will not stop efficiently. Air bubbles are caused by a leak in the braking system. When the fluid leaks then the leak allows air to  penetrate your brake system.    

This can be detected during a brake inspection or on the floor where you park your Mini. You will see a small patch of what looks like oil on the floor where you park your car. If you see this, then please have your brakes checked as soon as possible; it could be very serious and perhaps lead to a total loss of your brakes.
In Halifax, we offer a complete Free brake check on all models of cars, and we love Minis.

Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems

BMW Minis Run Flat Tyres-Many drivers with older BMW Minis find the tyres Expensive?

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BMW Minis Run Flat Tyres

BMW Minis Run Flat Tyres-Many owners of BMW Minis are are just coming to terms with run flat tyres. Here in Halifax, we pride ourselves on our excellent client base, from mini drivers who trust us to carry out servicing on their cars. Trust is essential when it comes to advice about your car.

BMW Minis Run Flat Tyres-Price is important when selecting the correct run flat tyres

 A few years ago I could see the writing on the wall. Of course, regarding a popular car. BMW mini and the high cost of parts including BMW Minis Run Flat Tyres. Hence, when the cars were becoming second and third hand. This time has now arrived. Therefore, with drivers looking for Cheap Run Flat Tyres.

The original Minis (British Leyland) were build, for the main masses of the population. Thus, to enable working class motorists to afford a good reliable little car. I myself have owned five minis (old type) in my time and loved them all. You could get the up-market minis. Such as the mini cooper.

But you would expect to pay a higher price for such things as new tyres. The normal tyres for Mini Cars were 145×10 and they would cost the same price for years on end (except for inflation). You knew that if you went on to a mini cooper you would have to pay more, because the tyre size was 16570×10, Get what I am on about ?.

Run Flat Tyres

Then bringing us back to the present. Hence, came the BMW mini. Naturally, a completely different animal. This car has all the modern gadgets on board. Hence, to help in the battle against greenhouse gases. Therefore, is fitted with many things that were not dreamed of when the old minis were around.

Cars must now be made much lighter, and one of the first things they did was experiment with spare wheels and no spare tyre in the boot. In my opinion, this had a dual effect: it reduced the weight of the car while also lowering the cost of the tyre and wheel, which adds up to significant savings when multiplied by millions. Most BMW minis started to come out on what we now know as “run flat” tyres. This simply means that if you have a puncture, the tyres will remain strong enough to get you to safety, provided you only drive at 50 mph.

Run Flat Safety Tyres

In my opinion, the theory behind this idea is a good safety feature: the strength of the tyre does not allow the car to move, thus keeping the car in a straight line and avoiding other traffic. The problem occurs when the driver shows up at the local tyre centre.
most run-flat tyres will not repair once they have had a puncture

The people that buy second and third hand BMW minis are usually young people, and mostly females and when they realise the cost of new BMW Minis Run Flat Tyres they freak out, some of the sizes now cost £180 each, that’s buying them online at cheap tyre prices.

Cheap BMW Minis Run Flat Tyres may be bought in budget brands but do not go for part worn  run flat tyres as it is more important to know where they have been and used for (the history) than normal tyres.

catalytic converter

Catalytic Converter Care-Regular Car Servicing can help look after your Cat

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CATALYTIC CONVERTER CARE; Why does car servicing affect your Cat?

This is an interesting point; I suppose that regular car maintenance has an effect on all your car parts in the end. Your Catalytic Converter care, (CAT) is a crucial part of your vehicle. Therefore, is fitted with your engine and the rest of the exhaust system. Thus, some are attached to the manifold, onto the engine, these are known as manifold cats, and some are fitted at the end of a short front pipe on the rest of the exhaust system.

Bigger models of cars sometimes require two cats, cars such as BMWs and MERCs usually have two cats fitted, (very expensive to replace).

Your cat’s primary job is to clean the engine particles that the engine omits. Catalytic converters are made out of ceramic. Thus, with added precious metals (another reason why Catalytic Converter care is critical). Naturally to filter the dirty particles from your engine. Thus reducing the pollutants from entering the atmosphere, this helps us to clean the environment and is part of the UK MOT test.

Catalytic Converter Care

Your cat will only work correctly if the engine operates with the correct ratio of air to fuel. Naturally, this was your car servicing comes in. aged.

Catalytic Converter Care

So, since writing this post then the catalytic converter has become even more important. Especially with the tightening of exhaust emissions regulations coming from European governments. Of course this important filtering of the gases system is on every new petrol and diesel car produced these days. So, diesel cars and vans call them the “particulate filters“.

However they work very similar to each other, filtering out poisonous gases from the vehicles engine before emitting the gas into the atmosphere. I t may be interesting to know that the catalysts are made up using some precious metals.

Precious metals used in catalytic converter

So, one of the main reasons that many catalytic converters are stolen  from vehicle. Thus, is because many of them contain some rare metals. Given these points, the main metals are rhodium, palladium and platinum.

Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems

BMW Runflat tyres-“How they Work” they really are a great safety feature.

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BMW Runflat tyres  are now a common feature on today’s modern cars. This advice is given by Pellon tyres of Halifax West Yorkshire.

Higher safety levels with BMW Runflat tyres

Here at Pellon tyres we sell all types of car tyres. Of course, including the BMW Runflat tyres. Thus, found on many of today’s BMW and Mini cars. The usual thing that happens when confronted with having to buy

replacement runflat tyres. of course, is the moaning customer complaining about the cost. This is from people who have bought second or third hand cars. Accordingly, such as BMW minis or older BMW’s and Mercedes saloons.

I suppose you can’t really blame them in these days of recession. Of course, the idea of BMW Runflat tyres was to give the car added safety features. Because, that’s what these tyres do. So it’s understandable that the price of the tyre is more expensive. Because the tyre has more materials in during their manufacture. As a result, with research and development costs to recover.

The runflat tyres have special side walls that are made to take the weight or your can when driven on in a deflated state. (IN OTHER WORDS IF YOU HAVE A PUNCTURE, THE TYRE WILL NOT TEAR UP AND ALLOWS YOU TO GET HOME AT A LOWER SPEED).

If you have a puncture this will sometimes be detected by a tyre deflation warning light.(TPMS) Some drivers are not even aware that they have a puncture, only noticing later that the tyre “looks flat”.

BMW Runflat tyres

If you have a flat tyre do not travel long distances or at high speeds. You can check the correct speed from your local tyre dealer or tyre manufacturers, the usual limit is 50mph but check this out for yourself, check for the speed and distance, then you can travel home safely with the flat tyre. Check your runflat tyres regularly

It is important to check all tyres on a regular basis. Thus, preferably at least every week. This is especially important with runflat tyres. If you don’t have a TPMS system you will not notice that the tyre may be flat or at best have low pressure. When run on, “under inflated” tyres may cause the “inner tyre” to be damaged without detection. But this will be detected with regular pressure checks.

To sum up the BMW Runflat tyres are a great invention. But, I can foresee that all cars will have this safety feature in the future. You must expect to pay more for your runflat tyres because you are getting much more for your money and check your pressures at a regular interval at all times, remember you don’t have a spare wheel.

Kumho tyres offer an excellent runflat tyre.

Pellon Tyre and Autocentre offer car and van servicing and repairs to all makes of vehicles. We also offer tyres online from our website for BMW Runflat tyres Prices.