What do the various transmission components do?

• Clutches - The job of the clutch to create a smooth engagement between the engine and a non-spinning transmission.  The clutch allows engine power to be applied gradually when the vehicle initially pulls away, it interrupts power to the transmission for gear change and stops the engine stalling when bringing vehicle to a stop.  When clutch is fully engaged (clutch pedal fully raised) this allows power from the engine to the transmission creating drive at the wheels.  When the clutch is disengaged (clutch pedal fully depressed) this stops the power from the engine to the transmission allowing the engine to keep running without creating drive to the wheels.
• Flywheel -The flywheel is the interface between the clutch system and the engine.  When your foot is off the clutch the clutch disc presses against the flywheel, locking the engine to the transmission input shaft.  When the clutch pedal is pressed the clutch is released from the spinning engine and the transmission disengaged.  It’s the friction between the flywheel and the clutch plate that determines the amount of force that the clutch can hold.
• Dual Mass Flywheel - Exactly the same principles as a conventional flywheel but Tasked with the difficult job of reducing vibrations between gearbox and the engine, usually on diesel and high powered vehicles.
• Clutch Cable – The clutch cable connects the clutch pedal to the lever which operate the clutch.  These levers are responsible for engaging or disengaging the clutch and enable the driver to change gear.
• Concentric / Slave cylinder -Instead of using a clutch cable to engage or disengage your engine from your transmission, hydraulic clutches are hydraulic mechanisms that force pressurised hydraulic fluid through to the clutch disengagement mechanism
• Driveshafts- Driveshafts transmit the engines power from the gearbox to the drive wheels
• Constant Velocity (CV Joint) - The CV Joint is on the end of the driveshaft.  CV joints are designed to be able to bend in any direction while continuing to turn the drive wheels at a constant velocity.
• CV Gaiter/Boot - The CV gaiters job is to prevent the ingress of dirt and water as well as keeping in the CV grease to prevent wear to the CV Joint.

The post Transmission & Clutch appeared first on Cheshire Oaks Service Station.

What do the Exhaust Systems and Components do?

Exhausts have four main functions: to control noise, to direct exhaust fumes away from passengers, to improve the performance of the engine and to improve fuel consumption.

The tailpipe is the part of the exhaust that you can see extending from the back of the car.  The silencer joins onto the tailpipe, and then a series of further pipes joins the silencer to the catalytic converter and then the engine.

Exhausts can corrode from both the inside and outside. How long your exhaust lasts for depends on how far and how often you drive your car rather than the length of time it has been fitted.  Vehicles used for short trips around town tend to corrode their exhausts in a much shorter time and distance than cars used predominately for long journey.

It’s only when you hear or drive a car with a damaged silencer that you realise what a huge difference it makes to reducing noise levels, and the way a silencer works is quite fascinating.  It contains a deceptively simple set of tubes that are finely tuned to reflect the sound waves produced by an engine so that they cancel each other out.  If there is a hole in the silencer then the sound waves are no longer forced through the tubes and escape outside – increasing the noise level.

The exhaust manifold acts as a funnel.  It collects exhaust gases from all cylinders of the engine then releases them through a single opening, often referred to as the front pipe.  The exhaust centre section works with the silencer to reduce noise and the tail pipe at the rear carries gases away from the vehicle.  All of the components of an exhaust system are connected with a series of clamps, hangers, flanges and gaskets.

How can I tell if my exhaust needs attention?

The noise your exhaust makes can tell you a lot about its general condition, if you notice any of the following you should have your exhaust checked by us to find out whether any components need replacing;

The silencer is the part of the exhaust that usually needs attention first, as it is the furthest away from the engine and is the most likely to be corroded by acidic moisture.  This is because these parts remain relatively cold and give exhaust gases a chance to condense and form pools of corrosive acid inside the system.

Noises

• Rattling – a rattling noise may indicate loose brackets or clamps holding the system in place
• Roaring – a roaring noise could be a potential problem with the silencer
• Hissing– this could be a sign that the silencer, gasket or one of the pipes is leaking
• Chugging-this could be a sign that one of the silencers could be blocked

Visual appearance

• Rust or corrosion on the pipe as well as cracks, especially where the pipes connect could indicate a problem
• Rust or corrosion on the silencer or hangers as well as loose outer skin would have a affect of the parts becoming insecure

Catalyst converters are an integral part of a car’s engine management system, not simply a part of the exhaust system.

What Does My CAT Do?

• Catalytic converters are designed to reduce:
• Carbon Monoxide (A colourless and odourless poisonous gas)
• Hydrocarbons or Volatile Organic Compounds (A major component of smog, produced mostly from evaporated unburned fuel)
• Nitrogen Oxides (NO and NO2 (combined called NOx) which contribute to smog and acid rain causing irritation to human mucus membranes.)

So the oxygen sensor, catalytic converter and ECU all work together to help to achieve the lowest possible output of dangerous and polluting gases.

How A CAT Works

When gases are emitted from the exhaust chamber, they pass into the exhaust system.  A lambda sensor measures and adjusts the air / fuel ratio and stops un-burnt fuel reaching the CAT directly.  When the gases reach the CAT they are exposed to a coating of precious metals which act as a catalyst on these gases, converting them from harmful to safe fumes.

All modern petrol car exhausts manufactured from 1993 include a catalytic converter.  This reduces harmful emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.  Catalytic converters are so efficient that the difference in emission readings for cars with converters and those without are huge.

Main Causes of CAT Failure

Carbon Pollution

As a direct result of too rich fuel mixture and/or oil or antifreeze entering the exhaust system, deposits build up on the internal monolith, leading to a partial or complete blockage.

This blockage or partial blockage can have the following effects:

Carbon deposits can reduce the surface area which allows the thermal reaction to take place.  If these carbon deposits are allowed to continue over an extended period, eventually all will become blocked and you might notice a reduction in the performance of the vehicle. If the vehicle is used with the monolith blocked the catalyst might become noisy.  This is a direct result of the exhaust gases seeking an alternative route of escape and destroying the substrate, which separates the monolith from the stainless steel casing.  This renders the catalyst completely inactive.

Converter Meltdown

If neat fuel enters the exhaust system, the fuel will ‘superheat’ the catalyst and the monolith might be partially or totally destroyed. This may block the exhaust or just be burnt and blown out of the system.

A catalyst suffering this type of failure is easily recognized.  The converter glows red in operation, or is externally discoloured by the effects of the extreme heat the catalyst has experienced.

Common causes of failure are:

• Lack of servicing
• Some catalysts contain ceramic bricks which can break if they suffer a knock
• Engine misfire or bump starting a vehicle
• Leaded fuel can poison the catalyst
• Leakage of welds or pipes can change the air / fuel ratio
• Sudden cooling of the catalyst ie. Driving through deep water.

Another device that helps to reduce carbon emissions is the oxygen or lambda sensor and transmits information to the engine management system or electronic control unit (ECU).

The lambda / Oxygen sensor measures and sends oxygen content information back to the engine management system (ECU).  This monitors the percentage of oxygen present in exhaust gases which makes second by second adjustments to the fuel and air mix being used by the engine.  This makes sure that harmful gases are burnt efficiently in the catalytic converter.  If the lambda sensor becomes faulty, the engine management system sends a default amount of fuel to the chamber – it’s as if you are driving with the ‘choke out’.  You may be using more fuel than necessary and might notice your car is not running as smoothly

The ECU (Electronic Control Unit) — using information obtained from the oxygen sensor — constantly adjusts the air/fuel mixture so that the cleanest and most efficient combustion is achieved under all operating conditions.  Sometimes, a ‘failed’ catalytic converter can be due to a fault in the engine management system.  In these circumstances a new catalytic converter may not rectify the problem.

So the oxygen sensor, catalytic converter and ECU all work together to help to achieve the lowest possible output of dangerous and polluting gases.

The post Exhaust Systems appeared first on Cheshire Oaks Service Station.

Tyres

At Cheshire Oaks Service Station we offer a huge range of tyres including car tyres, van tyres and 4×4 tyres, with a choice of big brand names or budget tyre brands, all with different performance characteristics; whether it’s an economical tyre for your family car, low mileage for executive motoring or performance tyres for high speed driving, Cheshire Oaks Service Station has the right tyres for you.

Wheel alignment

Incorrect alignment can result in rapid irregular tyre wear and can even affect the handling and safety of the vehicle.

Wheel alignment can be affected by driving against a kerb, hitting a pothole in the road or by excessive wear to steering or suspension components. Alignment of wheels and tyres to the specification required by your vehicle is an important way to guarantee a smooth ride and to get the most out of your tyres.

The direction and angle at which tyres are set are both important. Wheel alignment or ‘tracking’ involves checking the direction and angle against vehicle manufacturers’ specifications. These are often described as toe in, toe out, positive camber or negative camber.

“Toe” refers to whether the front of the tyres are closer or further apart than the rear of the tyres. Different types of vehicles need different toe settings to allow for the way that wheels pull either towards each other or apart.

“Camber” is the inward or outward tilt of a tyre. The camber is set by the vehicle manufacturer, and can be affected by potholes in the road and may need to be adjusted periodically.

What do the Suspension components do?

Your vehicle’s suspension system is effectively a complex series of components designed to work together to limit the vibrations and undulations from the road surface, providing a smooth, controlled and comfortable driving experience. Great brakes and tyres need to be in full contact with the road to work most effectively. In fact, at 30mph, worn shock absorbers can add up to 2 metres to your braking distance!

The principle suspension components include a coil spring and shock absorber or dampener as it is sometimes referred to. These components work together to dampen down and cushion the vehicle by absorbing the impact from potholes and other minor imperfections in the road. This keeps your vehicle stable and your tyres firmly in contact with the road surface for the maximum amount of time. Maintaining a healthy vehicle suspension system is vital if you are to gain the optimum comfort, stability and handling characteristics from your vehicle

It is not always obvious that a problem in your vehicle suspension system is present. This is generally due to a gradual loss of performance in the principle suspension parts and because this happens over time a motorist may not always feel the gradual decrease in suspension performance.

The main components are:

• Shock Absorbers- The shock absorber is a vital part of the vehicle suspension, its prime function is to keep your wheels in contact with the ground at all times by absorbing the energy from the coil spring.If your car is too tight, too stiff and too bouncy even or if you find that your car isn’t handling as well as it should, hugging the road or taking corners easily then you could have a shock absorber problem.
• Coil Springs- coil springs play a major role in any car’s suspension system. Coil springs are the metal coils which allows movement between the chassis and the wheels as the car is driven. The way coil spring is built allows it to ensure the smoothest ride even on good roads.
• Suspension arms / Wishbones-The suspension arm / wishbones are an integral part of your car’s suspension system and helps support the vehicle body above the chassis and axles. It is important that your suspension arms are working efficiently as they play a vitally important role in helping dissipate shock and making sure that your car is handling properly.
• Anti roll bar linkages- these are designed to minimise body roll and improve the overall handling of your car, also known as a stabiliser link, anti roll bars consist of a bar fixed to the anti roll bar then either attached to the lower control arms or both shock absorbers.
• Suspension Bushes- these are usually made from rubber and are in between the suspension components allowing components to move without metal to metal contact and ensure a smoother ride.
• Suspension Arms- The suspension arms are usually connected to the vehicles chassis and the wheel hub, these allow the vehicle to keep in contact with the road whilst providing a smooth ride.
• Suspension Top Mounts- These rubber coated mountings are usually made from steel or alloy connect the suspension shock or strut to the body of the vehicle, top mounts are also fitted with bearings to allow the steered wheels to move from left to right.

The post Tyres, Tracking & Suspension appeared first on Cheshire Oaks Service Station.

What do the various Coolant and Air Conditioning components do?

Radiators - Your car engine generates an enormous amount of heat.  If the engine block gets too hot the pistons will generate excessive friction and run the risk of seizing the engine.  In order to keep the engine temperature to manageable levels, water and anti freeze are passed through the engine absorbing heat and taking it to the car radiator where it is dissipated.

Expansion Tank - The expansion tank is a vital part of your car’s cooling system and acts as an overflow reservoir catching the water/coolant mix that is forced from your radiator as it heats and builds pressure in the system.  As you run your car, the temperature of the coolant circulating through the water jackets naturally increases causing increasing pressure in the cooling system.  Most of the coolant that is forced into the expansion tank returns to the radiator naturally after a few hours or when the engine is cold.

Radiator Cap - The radiator cap is a pressure release valve designed to build cooling system pressure at extreme heat.  Normally designed to hold between 8 and 15 PSI, it’s important that radiator caps have the capacity to maintain sufficient pressure.  An under-pressurised system may result in the car overheating.  So that the system doesn’t become too pressurised, at maximum PSI the radiator cap valve opens and coolant escapes through the overflow tube into the bottom of the overflow tank.

Thermostat - Car thermostats help to keep the engine warm, as well as in regulating the coolant to keep the temperature down.

Thermostat Housing - The thermostat housing is the essential covering designed to protect the thermostat and ensure that your car runs at a proper working temperature.  At one end is the thermostat, which usually sits on the lower intake manifold.  At the other end of the thermostat housing is the radiator top hose.

Cooling Fan - When the temperature of the coolant rises above a set level, perhaps if the car is stationary and there is no cool air moving through the grill to dissipate heat from the radiator, the fan kicks in, blowing cooler air through the radiator to help the cooling process.

Coolant Sensors - The job of the cooling fan sensor to identify the coolant temperature properly and start the cooling fan to protect the engine if the coolant is too hot.  When the coolant is back down to a manageable temperature the sensor stops the fan.

Water Pump – It’s vital that your engine operates at a proper working temperature. Car engines can get extremely hot and quickly suffer serious damage as a consequence.  The job of the water pump is to draw hot water from the engine and circulate it around to the radiator to cool before re-entering the engine.

Coolant Hoses - These hoses are made from rubber and are designed to withstand the high temperatures and extreme pressure to carry coolant around the cooling system.

AIR CONDITIONING

Compressor - Usually resembling a pump with large rubber and steel hoses It’s your car compressor that supplies the power to a vehcles AC system as well as pressurising and circulating the heated refrigerant vapour

Condensers - The task of the air conditioning condenser is to change the refrigerant from gas to liquid and expel heat from the car.  Normally located in front of the radiator, Condensers take hot air from the compressor and use air flowing through it to removes heat from the refrigerant.  The radiator’s cooling fans move the air through the condenser when the car is stationary.

Evaporators - Like the condenser, the car evaporator is designed to remove heat from your car.  Unlike condensers car evaporatorsare located inside the passenger compartment.  The evaporator receives cool liquid refrigerant which has been cooled by change of state in the condenser, the warm cabin air flows through the evaporator which causes the air to cool and liquid refrigerant to increase in temperature and change to vapour.  The Vaporised cold, low-pressure air absorbs heat from the cabin and swaps it for cool air that is blown in.

Accumulators and receiver driers – Air conditioning accumulators are used in car air conditioning systems that have an orifice tube to meter refrigerants to the evaporator.  An air conditioning accumulatoris your air conditioning system’s main protection against any damage caused by moisture, particularly liquid refrigerant.  Accumulators also remove debris and moisture from air conditioning systems, but their main role is to store excess liquid refrigerant and thereby isolate the compressor from any potentially damaging corrosive acid formed by liquid refrigerant mixing with moisture.

Pollen Filter - A Pollen Filters job is Keeping your car comfortable and ventilated you must make a point of regularly changing your pollen filter.  Heater fans rely on a clean air flow so be aware too that any restriction caused by leaves, bugs and debris blocking or clogging pollen filters can shorten their life-span.

The post Coolant & Air Conditioning appeared first on Cheshire Oaks Service Station.

What do the various brake components do?

Today’s vehicle braking systems involve many different components working together to help you to stop and manoeuvre your vehicle in a controlled manner. The typical braking system is made up of many different components, all designed to work together to slow or stop your vehicle depending on the amount of pressure applied to the brake pedal. Braking systems are hydraulic and work by moving brake fluid around a system of pipes to bring components into contact with each other in order to generate friction and to slow the wheels.

The key components of your vehicle braking system include:

• Master cylinder and Brake Servo- The heart of the braking system is controlled by a servo linked to the brake pedal. When you apply pressure to the pedal, the servo controls the amount of brake fluid that the master cylinder moves through the brake pipes to either the disc brakes (at the front of the vehicle) or drum brakes (usually used on a vehicle’s rear axle).
• Brake calipers, the role of the Brake Calipers are to apply the pressure needed for the brake pads to grip the rotating Brake Disc and slow or stop the vehicle. Brake Calipers hydraulically operate Brake Pads to create the friction onto the Brake disc.
• Brake fluid- The lifeblood of the braking system. When you press the brake pedal this force is transferred through the brake system to the caliper or wheel cylinder by the brake fluid.
• Wheel cylinders, the Wheel Cylinder is located inside the Brake Drum in between the tops of the Brake Shoes, they are connected to the brake hose and expand when the brake pedal is depressed, pushing the Brake shoes onto the Brake Drum to slow or stop the vehicle.
• Brake discs and Brake pads -The disc brake assembly consists of a steel disc which is connected to the vehicle axle and a caliper which houses two brake pads – one either side of the disc. When you press the brake pedal and brake fluid is moved through the brake pipes to the caliper, pistons inside the caliper force the brake pads onto the disc to slow its speed of rotation and in turn slowing the axle and wheels to slow or stop the vehicle.
• Brake drums and Brake Shoes- drum brakes consist of a drum that is connected to the vehicle’s rear axle which houses the Brake Shoes. When you press the brake pedal, this time the brake fluid is forced down the brake pipes into a wheel cylinder which pushes two brake shoes outwards against the inside of the drum, causing the rotating axle and wheels to slow or come to a stop.
• Brake pipes and Brake hoses- the brake pipe is a rigid pipe made from steel or copper and carries pressurized Brake fluid from the Master cylinder to the Brake Hoses. The Brake hoses are flexible and are made from reinforced rubber to withstand high pressure and temperatures, these link the Brake pipe to the Caliper or Wheel Cylinder.
• Handbrake Cable- The handbrake operates the emergency brake usually located on the rear of the vehicle. The handbrake cable is used to connect the handbrake lever to the parking brake to secure the car from moving when stationary.

All the components are linked by a series of brake hoses and brake pipes containing brake fluid, so when you press your brake pedal the vehicle slows down and stops. The rate at which your brakes reduce the vehicle speed is determined by the amount and duration of foot pressure is applied to your brake pedal, and of course your braking system’s condition.

Most modern cars are now also equipped with ABS (Anti-lock Braking Systems) and ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) which use electronics to control the brakes and apply them when the system considers it necessary to assist the driver.

Regular brake checks are an important part of any vehicle preventative maintenance plan. Brake checks can identify a problem before it begins to impact your braking efficiency, thus providing an opportunity to restore the effectiveness of your vehicle’s braking system to its intended operating performance. The effects of a sudden brake failure can be devastating and in the event of an accident attributed to faulty brakes, the consequences of not maintaining an effective braking system could result in prosecution. Your vehicle will also fail its MOT test if braking efficiency is below specification.

Brake fluid is designed to withstand normal brake system operating temperatures, however under the extremely high temperatures caused by heavy or prolonged braking, brake fluid can deteriorate and lose its effectiveness – and if the temperature rises above its boiling point it can even lead to total brake failure. As it moves around the brake system during its lifespan, brake fluid also absorbs moisture and gradually becomes contaminated, significantly reducing its effectiveness. We can check the levels of contamination using a Brake Fluid Tester, however most vehicle manufacturers recommend that brake fluid should be replaced every two years.

The post Brake – Safety Checks & Replacement appeared first on Cheshire Oaks Service Station.

Electrical Diagnostics & Repair

We do replacement parts for car electrics and car lighting systems that include the norm, such as Bulbs, Fuses and Batteries but we also replace such things as Starter Motors, Alternators, Headlight units, rear light clusters, electric door mirrors, Window regulators and much more.  Under the bonnets of many modern cars are numerous electrical components that we replace that include the obvious Spark Plugs, Glow Plugs, Ignition Coils, HT Leads and vital components like Air flow Meters, Crankshaft Sensors, EGR Valves and Coolant Sensors.

Batteries-The main function of a car battery is to supply electricity to various car systems.  It powers the starting system through the starter motor and the ignition system.

Alternator- The alternator is an essential component in a car engine’s electrical system.  In essence a car’s alternator charges the battery and powers the car’s electrical system when its engine is running.

Starter Motor- The starter motor is a powerful electric motor that provides the initial impulse to turn over the engine to start it.  It requires a very high current to crank the engine, which is why it is attached to the battery with large cables. When you turn the ignition key to the start position the battery voltage goes through a circuit to energise the starter motor.

Engine Management Light / EML Light 
You don’t have to go to a dealership to find faults with your engine management system, we can take care of that for you. The majority of modern vehicles can produce a huge variety of fault codes that get stored within the vehicle’s memory system we can read these  using our diagnostic equipment.

The post Electical Testing, Diagnostics & Repair appeared first on Cheshire Oaks Service Station.

VOSA Approved Vehicle Test Centre No: 45808 – MOT while you wait!

The MOT test

You must keep any vehicles driven on the road in a roadworthy condition.  The MOT test checks that your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards.  It isn’t the same as having your vehicle serviced and doesn’t check its general mechanical condition.  The leaflets ‘Your car and the MOT’ and ‘Your motorbike and the MOT’ include a list of the parts of your vehicle that will be tested.

When to test

You must get an MOT test every year once your vehicle is 3 years old (or 1 year old in some cases – check the MOT fees table to see when).  You can then renew your MOT up to a month before it expires.  The earliest date you can get your vehicle tested is printed on the pass certificate.  You need to use an approved MOT test centre to get your MOT.  Only centres showing the blue sign with 3 white triangles can carry out your MOT.

If your MOT has expired

You can’t drive your vehicle on the road if the MOT has expired.  You could be prosecuted if caught.  The only exception is if you’ve already booked an MOT and are driving your vehicle to the test centre.

Useful Information

Your new MOT certificate and buying road tax online.

The way information is held about MOT test is changing.

Records of test results will now be held on a secure central computerised database.  This change will not affect your actual MOT test.

It will bring benefits to motorists by:

• helping us to improve the consistency and standard of testing
• eliminating certificate theft and combating fraud
• improving consumer protection
• allowing motorists to relicense their vehicle online

New style documentation

The new MOT certificate is a computer-printed document.  It is your receipt for the MOT test and shows that information that will be held on the MOT database.  The new certificate also shows if any additional work has been recommended.  Details of any such work are included on a new Advisory Notice (VT32) which will be given to you at the time of the test.

Checking MOT Status

As the proof of MOT status is now held on a secure database we recommend that you use the new internet or telephone services to obtain and validate the information whenever you need to do so, for example, before you buy a second hand car.   Checking the MOT status of a vehicle is quick and easy, simply visit the MOT website check here or call 0870 330 0444

To check the status you will need the registration mark of the vehicle and either the document reference number from the V5C registration certificate or the test number from the new style MOT test certificate.

The MOT Test

The MOT test checks that your vehicle complies with the minimum standards required for lawful use on the road.

The MOT test is not a substitute for proper and regular servicing.  Passing the MOT test does not mean that your vehicle will remain safe for the following 12 months.  All vehicles need proper and regular servicing irrespective of the MOT test.

Further information about the MOT test can be found in the following leaflets available at MOT garages “Your car and the MOT test” for cars and light vans, and for motorcycles “Your motorbike and the MOT test”.

More detailed information can also be found on the VOSA website.

The post MOT Testing, including free retest – from £49.95 appeared first on Cheshire Oaks Service Station.

Cheshire Oaks Service Station provide customers with guaranteed quality lubrication and parts in our full service; in addition to the confidence that you can trust that the work has been carried out to stringent standards.

Regular car servicing can extend the life by identifying defects are found before they become catastrophic.

A small investment in routine car servicing and repair, plus a good inspection programme results in a good return on your vehicle investment due to:

• Reduced cost of repairs over the life of your vehicle
• Reducing unforeseen and possible breakdown risks
• Reduced vehicle time off the road
• Less inconvenience and less unforeseen expense
• Less likelihood of car accidents
• The possibility of greater fuel economy
• The possibility of increased product life.

e.g. good regular servicing of your car ensures that your tyres last longer, brake discs do not become scored and in need of replacement.

We offer a choice of vehicle servicing schedules, including Oil Services, Engine Services and Full Services.

Combined Vehicle Service and MOT Test

Ask about Cheshire Oaks Service Station’s popular combined “Car Service and MOT test” package. Many of the items covered on the MOT test are also duplicated on our schedules. If, for example, should you elect to have your Full Annual Service carried out at the same time as your annual MOT test then we are able to reduce the price of the service giving you a substantial saving.

The post Car Service Packages appeared first on Cheshire Oaks Service Station.