Just to add to what's already been said, if you can't run to 312mm brakes, then I'd recommend investing in some super dot 4 fluid, and uprated discs (grooved?) :Dand pads which should increase the feel of the brakes and also the bite

Chris

Hi guys' date='

Okay here's the issue....I don't like the brakes of the Fabia and never have but never made anything of it until today...why?? Because I had a tiny accident today...I hit my girlfriend's car from behind on a bridge...her Pug 206 sustained no damage, but my plate bent in and the bumper has come off alignment..nothing major at all...point is, the brakes are crap, and given the distance I was at my car should have stopped easy to avoid hitting her.

What are the steps I need to undergo? How much are 312mm brakes, from who should I buy them and how much would they go for? Also, do I need to buy 16"s to be able to have them fit or can I still keep the 15s?

I figure if I'm gonna keep the car for quite a while, I should upgrade because they are completely ****. I've had three to four frontal accidents from the time I bought the car and I blame alot of it on the poor brakes....funny enough, I've never been hit in the rear.

I'm taking my car in tonight for a number of things including this...PAS doesn't seem to be working properly, sometimes the steering hardens when I drive, and the doors lock on their own still.

Please advise.[/quote']

Bought a set of caliper off ebay from golftubo u need 16" alloy to use them, think he has more. Cost me

Eddy - I'd agree - 36PSI in HOT HOT HOT climate would be pretty bad. I suspect the tyres might show excessive wear in the centre, and obviously if the corners aen't touching the tarmac = less rubber on the ground = worse traction and therefore stopping distances.

Never run mine above 32psi except on track days.

Mil - Do as the man says. Little bit of private road testing with an accurate pressure guage to use on each wheel.

I used to run my tyres all on 32 PSI.

When I told my service manager, he recommended 36PSI for the front and 34PSI for the rear as they are low-profiles, and the lower the profile you go the harder they need to be. I just put 36PSI for the rear too. I ain't just runnin' any normal tyres, these are proper Falken sports tyres. I don't doubt this guy's knowledge, cypriots are in general great mechanics, really into cars, and he's been in this field over 20 years.

As far as I'm concerned, the car runs better on this pressure level, even though the ride is quite a lot more rough and I don't have any more intense side-wear when I do hard corners.

Skoda design the car and work out the tyre pressures. 'Propper' tyres or not the tyre pressures should really remain the same, yes they are low profile tyres but still the standard size are they not? So tyre pressure should be 2.1 Bar front and 2.0 bar rear for three passengers and luggage (32 psi front 30 psi rear).

Y wont get side wear with higher tyre pressures anyhow, what you might wll get is a lower band of tread in the centre of the tyre. Also you will get less tyre contact on the road in extreme cases.

I used to run my tyres all on 32 PSI.

When I told my service manager' date=' he recommended 36PSI for the front and 34PSI for the rear as they are low-profiles, and the lower the profile you go the harder they need to be. I just put 36PSI for the rear too. I ain't just runnin' any normal tyres, these are proper Falken sports tyres. I don't doubt this guy's knowledge, cypriots are in general great mechanics, really into cars, and he's been in this field over 20 years.

As far as I'm concerned, the car runs better on this pressure level, even though the ride is quite a lot more rough and I don't have any more intense side-wear when I do hard corners.[/quote']

Its just that the car wont stop !!

Seriously expensive to replace arnt they. If you're adamant that its the brakes and NOT your driving style thats at fault, then I suggest that you get them uprated. IMO deflating the tyre is NOT an issue here.

May I suggest driving slower (Too difficult I agree) OR Anticipation (Easy)

Mil

In the UK we have an annual MOT test ( roadworthyness ) test once a car is three years old, part of which is a brake load test. If you have similar testing you could go along to one of the garages and have a load test done. I'm sure our tech or apprentice tech will be able to advise on the mimimum acceptable for front brakes. As far as I remember it's 50% or manufacturers kerb weight. If not reaching these levels visit the dealer.

Skoda design the car and work out the tyre pressures. 'Propper' tyres or not the tyre pressures should really remain the same' date=' yes they are low profile tyres but still the standard size are they not? So tyre pressure should be 2.1 Bar front and 2.0 bar rear for three passengers and luggage (32 psi front 30 psi rear).

Y wont get side wear with higher tyre pressures anyhow, what you might wll get is a lower band of tread in the centre of the tyre. Also you will get less tyre contact on the road in extreme cases.[/quote']

Mil's tyre size is 195/50 R15, I run 205/45/16's on the Ibiza and use the recommend tyre pressure without complaint. I run even lower profile tyres on the Octavia but still run standard tyre pressures. I've never heard of increasing the pressure due to a lower profile and to me it doesn't make sense. The tyre pressure is dictated by the car manufacter based on vehicle weight and suspension design AFAIK.

I'll double check with him and let you guys know. Usually his advice always works so I will look into it.

Thanks all. Ross, your pick up is looking good. There's a modified one at our garage at the moment too, looks pretty good...