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Brakes work by converting friction into stopping power. When you push on the brakes, the brake fluid goes through the brake lines pushing the brake calipers which in turn push the brake pads onto your rotors or drums, causing them to stop. It's just like rubbing something between your hands, if you hold it loose or not at all, it moves freely, but the more pressure you put on it, the more it slows down and eventually stops.
Common Brake Issues
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Grinding or scratching noise – This occurs when the brake pad has worn down or away entirely and the metal plate that once held the pad in place is now rubbing against the rotor. This is very serious because you now have no braking material and the two pieces of metal rubbing against each other can melt causing your brakes to stick, which could prove fatal.
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Loud screeching or high pitch noises – This often means that your rotors are glazed. Glazing is caused by excessive braking which burns the rotors as they get too hot. You can tell this has happened because the rotors will have a dark ring or blue marks on them. You can prevent this from happening by avoiding sudden braking when decreasing your speed quickly. Slamming on the brakes causes a lot of friction which turns to heat and causes the burn on the rotor. It may also cause the rotors to warp which can lead to vibrations.
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Vibrations while braking often means your rotors or drums have become warped. This is caused by heat making them lose their shape. The best way to determine whether the vibration is coming from the front or back is to drive down the road, pushing the brakes until you feel the vibration. If you feel it through the steering wheel then it’s the front brakes that need replacing as the vibration is being transferred through the front wheels.
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Brake Pull is when your vehicle pulls to one direction when you brake. This can be caused by one brake caliper not applying the brakes evenly with the other, usually as a result of a fluid leak in the caliper. To determine which side it is, you'll just have to look at the brake caliper and see which one is leaking; it is advisable that this is carried out by a professional.
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Why is it Important to Check your Tyres? |
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There are many things that you should be looking for when checking that the tyres on your vehicle are roadworthy. Your tyres are extremely important to the efficiency of your car and also your own health! Under inflated tyres are prone to overheating and if over inflated they can cause real problems when steering and driving your car properly on the road, which could lead to an increased chance of a collision. It’s reported that around 6% of fatal accidents on the UKs roads are caused by under-inflated tyres suddenly failing, and it is such a problem that you could be fined £2,500 per tyre if they are over or under-inflated enough to be considered un-roadworthy.* It is also vital to check the depth of you tyres tread. One sign that your tyres need changing is noticing deterioration in performance. For example, your car does not handle or grip the road as well in poor weather conditions as it normally does, or it takes longer to stop when you apply the brakes. It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that the tread has not worn beyond the legal minimum limit of 1.6mm. A way to test the tread is to use a 10 pence piece. If you put the coin down into the tread it should cover the dotted rim just around the inside of the coin (see image below).
 
When Should you Check your tyres?
You should always check your tyre pressures when the tyres are cold. Under driving conditions the tyres will warm up and give you a false reading so if you have driven further than roughly a mile leave your car for an hour or so for the tyres to cool down.
Common Tyre Issues
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Both edges of the tyre are worn - This could signify under inflation. Check your tyre pressure!
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Centre of the tread is worn - This could signify over inflation. Use a pressure gauge to test and if on checking the pressure, you have found that one or more are over inflated then you should take some air out (See image below. Check your vehicle user manual for exact pressures per wheel).
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Worn on one side only - Your wheels may be poorly aligned.
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Whining, clunking and other noises - Your wheels may be poorly aligned or you have worn shocks or tyres.
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Scuffs on edge of front tyres - You may be driving and cornering too fast! Slow down.
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Treads worn unevenly - Your wheel balancing and/or tracking may be out.
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Unevenly spaced bald spots - Your wheel balancing may be out or your shock absorbers are worn.
If you have found any damage or wear the best advice is to take your car to a garage or tyre centre to repair or replace the tyre as soon as possible.
* Source: www.safermotoring.co.uk/CheckingTyrePressure |
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10 Fuel Saving Actions
- Drag Factor - Remove roof/bike racks, they create drag and increase fuel consumption. Don't drive with you window open over 35 mph creates drag and increases fuel consumption
- Tyre Pressures - Under inflated tyres have increase rolling resistance and increase fuel consumption. Also worn tyres.
- Drive Smoothly - Avoid harsh acceleration and heavy Braking. Pulling away too fast uses up to 60% more fuel.
- Gear Changes - Changing gear at a modest engine speed, between 2000 and 2500 rpm reduces fuel consumption by up to 15%
- Speed Limits - Make you fuel go further. Driving at 70mph uses 30% more fuel than at 50 mph. Driving at 70 mph along the motor way instead of 80mph can save 40% every 10 miles.
- Start up and Go - Drive off immediately when starting from cold. Idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and causes rapid engine wear.
- Avoid Short Journeys - A cold engine uses much fuel and catalytic converters take miles to become effective.
- Switch Engine Off - Stuck in a Jam. Turning off the engine after 2 minutes will save fuel and cut all emissions.
- Air Conditioning - Having your air conditioning on will increase you fuel consumption.
- Replace the dirty Air Filter - A dirty of clogged air filter can reduced your mpg by 10%.
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7 Things to Check Weekly Between Your Vehicle Service |
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7 things to check weekly between services
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Check oil level
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Check coolant level
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Check brake fluid level
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Check lights
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Check tyre pressures and tread depths.
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Check washers and washer fluid level
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Check wiper blade condition
If you haven't time visit us and we will do it for you free. For more information about Car Services click here |
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