It's a few weeks ago that Shifty had another AB service. This is a combined oil and filter change with an inspection service. These come along approximately every nine thousand miles.
I'd asked the garage to strip and re-lubricate the rear brakes. Jazz cars seem to need this bit of TLC once in a while. However this time the report came back that I needed new pads.
I think the last pads on the back were replaced at 60, 000 so no surprise that a new set are needed 50, 000 miles later. I didn't see the last set but the garage kept this set to show me. They were almost down to the rivets - I.e nearly pushed them to the limit. Feel like I was being told off for being a bit neglectful. Not nastily - just a little disappointment from the service foreman.
Inspection also revealed that my Yokohamma BluEarth tyres are now below 3.0mm. That's well above the 1.8mm legal minimum but for ideal grip in the wet it's better to have more tread. Agreed with garage that November this year will be change time. I'll probably get the FastResponse tyres on the front put on the back and go for a matching pair on the front. The FastResponse's have been good so far - slightly quieter than the BluEarth's. They are also supposed to be better in the wet too but my driving style doesn't really test tyres. I'm an early pensioner when it comes to driving - an eye on keeping driving costs down both in terms of fuel and in encouraging mechanical longevity.
So that's it for news. Car is currently averaging 60 mpg which matches it's usual Spring behaviour. It was about 59 MPG overall this winter. It was a mild winter though. So no surprise there.
All in all, apart from a few occasional squeaks over roadhumps taken too enthusiastically and the odd clunk from something in the front suspension settling down for my morning commute, all is well. And, yes I did ask the garage to check for the causes of these subtle wee moans but nothing was noticeably worn to any worrying degree. However I expect these will develop to the stage where component change will be necessary.
So nothing in the front suspension has been changed so far which is great considering for the first three years of Shifty's life twice a day, four times a week, it had to drive over a quarter mile long potholed farm track. Now it has just has to suffer ten road humps four times a week.
