Brake Warning

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

The Brake Pad Wear warning came on whislt driving to work this morning. I have a couple of questions for those that know more about these things than I.

1. How many miles is it "safe" to drive after this warning comes on?

2. Does cruise control use the brakes to slow the car or is that done using the engine and gear box?

I'm in a bit of a quandry because the car is already booked in for a B service on 14th Dec but says it has 900 miles until the service is due. I could quite easily do 900 miles between now and then but may not depending upon work. Just to make matters more intersting, I don't want to bring the service too far forward because it is also having an MOT at the same time which is actually not due until Jan so if I bring it much further forward I'll lose a month.

I guess the questions all boils down to; do I get the brakes sorted before the service on the 14th?

 

[television]

The Brake Pad Wear warning came on whislt driving to work this morning. I have a couple of questions for those that know more about these things than I.

1. How many miles is it "safe" to drive after this warning comes on?

2. Does cruise control use the brakes to slow the car or is that done using the engine and gear box?

I'm in a bit of a quandry because the car is already booked in for a B service on 14th Dec but says it has 900 miles until the service is due. I could quite easily do 900 miles between now and then but may not depending upon work. Just to make matters more intersting, I don't want to bring the service too far forward because it is also having an MOT at the same time which is actually not due until Jan so if I bring it much further forward I'll lose a month.

I guess the questions all boils down to; do I get the brakes sorted before the service on the 14th?

Good morning Omni, brake pads should go a couple of 100 miles, it depends on your driving.
Re cruise control, nothing to do with brakes as engine/gearbox braking is used.
I think that there is a little flexi time on the MOT ask your garage. I think the pads will need changing before all this, you could do it yourself in 1 hour.

Malcolm

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

I've got this Service Plus thing so it's all paid for. I'll let someone else get covered in brake dust. The garage told me it should be ok for about 500 miles. I assume from your comment that is a little optimistic.

 

[Blobcat]

You can get the MOT done up to a month early and the end date will still be the same. If you are covered under the service plus contract I would get it booked in for the brakes now. I had my MOT done then the brake warning light came on later the same day. I then did 167 miles before getting them fixed. You may find that you need discs as well.

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

actually the disks look ok. It's 150 mile round trip to the office (which I am currently doing unpleasently often) so I guess I need to get it booked in asap.

 

[ba9rn]

You can get the MOT done up to a month early and the end date will still be the same.

I thought that, but I checked the faq (http://www.ukmot.com/faq.asp#q11), and it contradicts the theory. Maybe they have stopped that - worth checking with a MOT centre.

On the above link, click on "My MOT is due on the 5/7/2000. Can I take it before that date?"

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

The garage says that based on the last service they will replace the disks as well as the pads. Got it booked in for Thursday.

I asked if they had a plug somehwere in their waiting area so I could plug my laptop in and work whilst they did the work on the car and they said they have a couple of empty offices and I could use one if I want. That seems quite good service!

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

I thought that, but I checked the faq (http://www.ukmot.com/faq.asp#q11), and it contradicts the theory. Maybe they have stopped that - worth checking with a MOT centre.

On the above link, click on "My MOT is due on the 5/7/2000. Can I take it before that date?"

My MOT expires on 2nd Jan, it's currently booked in for the 14th Dec and they have confirmed that they will extend the MOT to cover the gap

 

[ba9rn]

My MOT expires on 2nd Jan, it's currently booked in for the 14th Dec and they have confirmed that they will etend the MOT to cover the gap

Great - I'm glad the faq is wrong.

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

well, we'll wait and see what happens on the day.....

 

[Blobcat]

From the horses mouth http://www.direct.gov.uk/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Mot/MotArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4022112&chk=AU9YkF

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

yep, that's pretty much as I understood it. Ta