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Driving on Bad tyres

Potholes Damage Tyres-every mile on Calderdale Roads – Halifax Evening Courier

Potholes Damage Tyres

‘One pothole every mile’ on roads Halifax Evening Courier It added that UK councils had received 32,600 compensation claims in 

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

Potholes damage tyres

This is the sort of thing that we have been harping on about for years. Year after year, we all complain about the potholes, but nothing seems to get done.

Most of the potholes are due to poor road repairs by contractors, but I suppose that the local councils should have guys check the contractors workmanship along the way.

Potholes Damage Tyres

I must admit that this year in the Kirklees district of West Yorkshire,

we seem to be having road works come out of our ears. Indeed, the main Bradley to Barnsley road was closed for total resurfacing because of the potholes for at least two weeks, but they have repaired all the horrible potholes and the road is now a pleasure to drive on.

When Will Councils Resolve the Pothole Crisis? West Yorkshire and Our Halifax: A Glance Home
Hello everyone! What’s the status? Now that I’ve got your attention, if you’ve ever driven through West Yorkshire, particularly here in Halifax, you’ll understand what I’m about to say about those blimmin’ potholes.

Sometimes it feels like driving on the moon, I swear. So what’s going on? Will local government ever be able to control the pothole crisis? Let’s get started, shall we?

The bane of West Yorkshire’s roads are potholes.

Like me, you’re tired of it all. You’re riding along one second, and then BAM! You’ve come upon a crater. Not only is it bothersome, but it also poses a risk to your safety and wrecks havoc on your car’s suspension. It’s also not an uncommon occurrence. It seems like there are potholes everywhere in West Yorkshire, especially around Halifax.

Councils, why the delay? Potholes Damage Tyres

Why then the delay? Choose between money, resources, or bureaucracy. Whatever the cause, it is nevertheless a truth that the problem persists. We pay our council tax and road tax, however the roads are still in disarray. Councils, hurry up! Make it right!

Are there any changes? Potholes Damage Tyres

The local councils are reportedly receiving additional funds to address the issue, according to rumours. At least it’s a beginning. Yet, it moves about as slowly as a snail hauling a bag of potatoes. There have been rumours, though, that these potholes are being filled using more effective techniques. Better materials, new equipment, and the like. Let’s hope they have an impact, huh?

A Salute to Halifax, Our Home

As a native of Halifax and owner of a garage company, I can now clearly see how this problem is having an effect. Due to these potholes, I have seen several customers arrive at my shop with wheel and suspension issues. If local authorities are listening, Halifax urgently needs your attention!

The Future Route

Overall, the pothole situation in West Yorkshire and Halifax leaves much to be desired, despite the fact that there are some glimmering signs of promise. The councils need to step up their game and begin tarmacing immediately.

In summary

There you have it, folks. We’re still waiting for the local government to effectively address the pothole situation. But hey, we’re British; aren’t we accustomed to waiting? We can only hope that the additional funds and innovative approaches will begin to make a difference in the issue.

Thank you for listening to my whine about our moon-like roads. Keep avoiding those craters, and you know where to find us if you require any repairs.

The effects of these potholes are that Potholes Damage Tyres,

including wheels and suspension. Especially the coil springs. There are many drivers now claiming pothole damage compensation. Putting claims into the local councils for pothole damage tyres

At one stage, we were having to fail a large percentage of MOT tests. Because of the broken springs due to potholes and speed bumps here in the Halifax area. This excellent article tells of some of the figures and costs relating to these holes in the road.

We are now in the year 2020! Potholes are still a problem all over the UK. Consequently, the government has thrown millions at the problem. However, potholes are still a major problem. Including on our high-speed motorways.

MOT Test Combined with Car Servicing

MOT Test Combined with Car Servicing

MOT Test Combined with Car Servicing

MOT Test Combined with Car Servicing
MOT Test Combined with Car Servicing

MOT Test Combined with Car Servicing

Unlike a vehicle MOT test, servicing is not a legal requirement for your vehicle. However, you will probably find that regular servicing can help to keep everything.

Eric Roberts‘s insight:

We all must be responsible for our cars servicing and  test

Sometimes I find it a great shame. Incredibly, we are in the motor trade. Insistently, you have to keep harping on about servicing your cars. One of the main excuses in recent times! Of course, there has been a recession. Recently, car drivers just haven’t had any spare cash to spend on their vehicles. Consequently, we have all seen people just putting £10’s worth of fuel into their cars at the filling station? Ridiculous, but true !

In my opinion,

I think that these people should have some kind of budget. A sort of “piggy bank” and save to have their vehicle serviced. Including any mechanical work required when it goes in for its annual vehicle test. Incidentally, it is estimated that 4.7 million people miss their mot testing date. I am sure that drivers either just flaunt the law or are not aware that driving your

A car without a valid MOT test certificate is an offence referenced in Section 47 of the 1988 Road Traffic Act.

Also, driving without an MOT test.

will make your insurance invalid, and you may receive a fine of up to £1000. Is it really worth it when you can have a vehicle test and a service for most average family saloons for around £150? If you are not sure where you can go to have your vehicle serviced, you should go online and look for your nearest local independent garage; they will offer you excellent service at a fair price.

Once you have had your MOT test and service you should be safer for another year, although I recommend that you have an engine oil and filter change in between the tests to be on the safe side. Also, do not forget to check your levels at regular intervals, say once a week, and top them up when required.

Here we are now at the back end of 2024, nearing Christmas time, and the price of fuel has plummeted. The only problem is that the price of oil and petrol is not following as fast. The experts say that it may take a little longer for this to take place, but I was just wondering if services for cars would also be coming down. I am not so sure , but I suspect so.

car brakes problem

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY: Could Save Your Life ?

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY
CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY

Along with your tyres , your car’s brakes are the most important (and sometimes most neglected) part of your car. I have been guilty of neglecting my brakes. Especially, when I was a young man. When I was a young mechanic, I borrowed a car from my then-boss, Peter.

Peter said that I could, but I must check the car’s brakes. Also. the engine levels before setting off on my journey. I was heading for Blackpool. a seaside resort on the west coast of the UK. On our return home, we started to pass through a town called Preston.

I was doing the statutory speed of 30 mph

and was approaching a pedestrian crossing. Of course, I should have had to stop. But, when I pressed the brake pedal,. Then there was nothing there. Hence, the pedal went straight to the floorboards.

Consequently, I had to swerve the car to miss a guy walking across the crossing. Ending up on the pavement (sidewalk). I rapidly pumped the pedal and managed to get some brakes. Thus, on the pedal. Luckily, the vehicle came to a stop. My  friends and I managed to push the car to a garage filling station. Of course, a hundred yards down the road.

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY

 I lifted the bonnet (hood) only to find that the car brake fluid was at zero level.. in the fluid reservoir. I felt a cold chill down my spine. Because I remembered what my boss Peter had said. Just the day before we set off. We managed to buy some Tesco brake fluid and top up the reservoir.

The car brakes pumped about halfway up. Luckily, the car would stop when I pressed the pedal. So, we limped home back to Yorkshire, UK. Subsequently, it was a rather terrifying experience. Of course, which I vowed would never happen again. Lessons were learned that day. As a result, I am going to spell out a few important things about the care of your brake discs. Hence, for your understanding,. Before you embark on a journey or indeed at any time that you own a car,.

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES regularly Your brakes are a life saver

The British MOT test has been a great step forward towards the safety of our cars and our roads. When your car is having it’s annual MOT test, we check everything on that car ( to the  VOSA MOT test specifications). One of the problems with old was the checking of your car brake pipes.

Brake pipes connect all four-wheel braking systems and the cylinders and brake pedals and are fixed under the car, exposed to all the elements. A special coating of wax, oil, or occasionally just grease protects them.

Despite all the protection,. The corroded brake pipes would rust and then start to leak the brake fluid, eventually causing the brakes to fail, similar to what happened to me in Preston.

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY for corrosion

The MOT test makes sure that all your brake pipes (lines) are in good working order, and if not, the car will fail the test and the pipes will have to be replaced. If you are not sure about the condition of your brake pipes, you can get them checked out at your local independent garage, free of charge, or at the local garage that you use at the moment.

You must always check the brake fluid

in the reservoir under your bonnet, and top it up if required with the correct fluid. Check your brake pedal; it should feel nice and solid. If it goes too far down, then have yours checked by a professional garage or mechanic. Don’t take risks, you should not have to pump your pedal to get a good brake.

Your brake fluid should be changed every so often; this can be done when you have your car serviced, Your local garage will be able to ascertain when, by looking it up on his service
computer for your model of car, we use the Autodata system for checking out the fluid change times.

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY Including the Fluid Levels

Also, you should check your disc brakes and Car Brake Pads. These are the parts that constantly wear out and need replacing with brake pipe kits when they get down to a certain thickness.

When the pads wear down to the the metal part of the pads

then this is when you can hear a loud grinding noise that frightens the driver to death. Once again, if this happens, you should have your car’s brakes checked by a professional mechanic or your local garage.

Once again, if you have your car serviced when you have your annual MOT test then your brakes will be checked and should be fine for the next year. If your brake pedal does not feel right or goes further down than it should before you get a brake, then have the car checked out. Do not continue to drive until the car is checked by an expert.

CHECK YOUR CAR BRAKES REGULARLY- Thanks www.mot-halifax.co.uk
Right to Repair Law

Flat Tyre-A Woman’s Guide to Changing their own Wheel?

 Women Drivers do often change their flat tyre

Sometimes it may be great to play a damsel in distress. So, having a strong and well-toned man fix your flat tyre. Importantly,  I think every woman ought to know how to change to the spare wheel. After all, having your tyre blow is never something anyone plans. Of course, you may not have any ready eager boy scout waiting around to rescue you. There is no need to keep the wheel changing in a man’s domain. Times are changing and you should too. Time to empower yourself and get ready to tackle that flat tyre !

 1. First of all, if there is a place for you to move your car out of the way !

So, if there is a place to where you can get out of the way, then move your car there. Make sure oncoming traffic will be able to see you. Turn on your hazards and if you have an warning triangle. Then place where it will be clearly visible. Also make sure the place you move your vehicle to as flat and even as possible. Avoid soft ground and inclines. Whenever possible place some bricks, blocks or large rocks . Naturally, under your car to prevent your car from rolling backwards.

 2. If you have hubcaps, remove them.

These are the covers of your wheels. Check you manual on how to remove them. I highly suggest you look at this beforehand and not when you have already blown a tyre.

 3. Next you need to remove the wheel nuts.

These are the nuts or bolts that hold your wheel in place. You will need a wheel brace to do this. Of course the wheel brace comes in different shapes and sizes . Commonly known as a “Spider” . So, the spider wrench is the T shaped wrench. Of course, that should be together with all your other tools. The shape of the wrench makes for easy leverage. However, if your upper body strength is lacking the heft or muscle needed to loosen the lug nuts. Importantly, you may have to resort to step on the T-arm to obtain better leverage. Always remember, left to loosen and right to tighten.

 4. Now you need your car jack to raise your car.

Most cars have a flat plate behind the front wheels and just in front of the back ones for this purpose. Place the jack under the “jacking point” nearest to the tyre to be changed ! Raising the jack with the jack handle to meet the jacking point plate. Double check and make sure your car will be steady once it is raised. Safety is crucial whenever you are working with your car. Now raise your car about 15 cm of the ground. Don’t forget that when you re-fit an inflated spare wheel.Thus, will need room so make sure there is enough space for the spare to be placed on.

 5. by grabbing it with both hands, one on each side.

So after removing the wheel nuts!  Pull the flat wheel straight and off. Quickly,line up your spare with the bolts and slide it on. Replace the lug nuts but do not tighten them completely. When you have lowered your car, use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts in opposite pairs. Make sure these are as tight as possible ! Because you absolutely do not want your tyre to come off when you start driving away.

 6. It’s time to clean up and put things back in place.

Put all your tools together and place them back where they were stored. Always put them back in the same place so you know right where to find them in case of emergencies. Knowing where all of the tools are before you get into an emergency situation is suggested. Put your flat tyre where you spare one was and make sure to have it fixed right away.

7. Of course many cars dont have spares now !

many cars now run on run-flat tyres and do not have a spare wheel. In my opinion this is a great idea ! So when a puncture occurs then the driver can carry on driving the car. Albeit at a steady 50 mph ! Cars with runflats can then make their way to a tyre centre and have the problem attended to. Some cars only carry a can of air sealant and no spare wheel. This idea is save on the weight of the car and reduce emissions.

8.I would advise most ladies to join a motoring organisation

Although that you now know how to change your flat tyre ! I would strongly recommend that any motorists and not just ladies should join one of the road side assistance companies. So we all must have noticed how busy our roads are now getting. Especially, on the motorways. Recently, I had the dis-pleasure of having a tyre blowout on the M1 motorway.

Of course, it was dark and raining and was a very frightening experience. However it is a job that I have done all my life and quickly changed the wheel at the roadside. However it did open my mind to the thought that this would have been horrific for a lady driver to attempt this task. Simply it would be far better to join the “AA” “Green Flag” or the “RAC“. Naturally putting your mind at rest !

 A woman alone with her car and a flat tyre could be a signal for the less than honourable to take advantage of the situation. If you have no recourse but to change the tyre yourself, make sure you have some form of protection nearby like pepper spray. Also make sure to call a friend or relative to let them know what happened when your tyre blows so someone is aware of where you are and the situation you are in. This will at least give people you know the information of your whereabouts.

9, Having your tyres in good condition is one way to avoid a flat tyre.

While some causes like a puncture from a nail or other sharp object cannot be avoided. So, keeping your tyres well inflated. Along with careful driving will lessen the chances of your having to change a flat in the future.

And if you need new tyres ! Contact us on www.pellontyres.co.uk as we are independently owned tyre centres across the UK . Consequently, to help you find the right tyre for your need. Its knowledgeable and professional staff will be able to give you brand neutral car safety advice to help you make the right decision for your tyre needs. And if your car needs other types of auto service, they offer than as well.

• An open and honest approach with the customers

• A high standard of work and excellent value for money

• 12 month guarantee on parts and labour

• An open invitation to inspect, review and rate the garages of your choice to make the best informed decision for your needs

 Stay safe on the road ladies!

 

car brakes problem

Noisy Car Brakes-Nice Red Citroen DS3 Pulls in with a Grinding Brakes Problem?

Noisy Car Brakes

I was surprised to see this nice looking red car 

Been the owner of a busy garage has many” ups and downs”. One of the more nicer and pleasant aspects of the job is to see the the number of different cars and car models that would appear in any given week.

This past week has seen cars as diverse as a Rolls Royce Wraith ( which was one of only 220 cars produced) to a Wolsey Hornet Mini from the late sixties, not counting the everyday cars such as Ford Fiestas and VW Golfs. Early on in the week we had a car made by Citroen, the DS3 call in to us with rattling Car Brakes. The was in my favourite  colour a very bright red, ( I love red cars). We put the citroen car with the Noisy Car Brakes on a ramp and removed all the wheels to check the Brakes, and sure enough the front pads were worn down to the metal and the friction from having “metal to metal” had also damaged the front discs. The rear brakes were cleaned and checked and were good for further use.

We contacted the customer and was given the go ahead to replace the brakes

Of course, this meant that the customer was getting good quality brakes with a nation wide guarantee. The  job was completed and the customer went on his way. Importantly, I took a couple of pictures because I am a great fan of the Citroen DS3. The colours are very bright and modern looking with a choice of 11 colours and four different roof colours, you can even have colour coded alloy wheels and also different carpet designs. There is also a sports version known as the D-Sport which comes with Blue-tooth and climate control. The car also include 17 inch alloy wheels, the one I looked at came with Yokohama tyres and looked great. They also come out with additional body modifications and really look very stylish.

This car in my opinion is a great tribute to the New Citroen DS3 designers, who had to compete with the BMW Mini and the great little Fiat 500.

More reading…

The DS3 is the first in a range of very different Citroen models that put the emphasis on style and personality, along with strong performance and driver appeal. With its stylish look and compact size, it’s easy to see why so many comparisons have been drawn with the popular MINI and Fiat 500.” msn cars

“The engine combines strong low-rev performance – 110bhp at 3600rpm and 199lb ft at 2000rpm, enough for a sub-10.0sec 0-60mph time – with a claimed 62.8mpg (combined cycle) and 118g/km of CO2 emissions, which sees annual road tax costing just £20…”EVO