Car prone to skidding... Advice needed

[Loyal White]

Now just to warn you in advance, I know absolutely nothing about cars...

I've had a Fiat Punto for about 3 months now and in recent wetter months it has become apparent that it is prone to skid when I hit the breaks a bit harder than ususal.

Due to the fact that i'm a reasonable driver it has only happened a couple of times, but the latest incident was this morning where only some massive evassive action prevented me from going into the side of someone.

I had my car serviced a few weeks ago and nothing was said.

I've spoken to a few people about this and have heard different opinions from everyone so hence why i'm trying to get a few more.

My dad personally thinks i'm just braking too hard - but this was never a problem before I got my Punto.

My mate, who knows more about cars than I do and has been in the car when it has skidded, thinks that the front tires need replacing and that once i've done that it will be fine.

The other piece of advice is to replace the actual brakes themselves.

Obviously it is a problem and is dangerous. Can anyone offer any suggestions or recommend a place where I could get suggestions?

[Bruce Rioja]

Might it be that your last car had anti-lock brakes and that your new one doesn't, LW? Sorry if that's a silly question, I know Jack-Shit about cars. I'd have thought that if your tyres were down then the place that you had it serviced would have (a) Inform you, and (b) Tried to flog you a new set.

[Loyal White]

Might it be that your last car had anti-lock brakes and that your new one doesn't, LW? Sorry if that's a silly question, I know Jack-Shit about cars. I'd have thought that if your tyres were down then the place that you had it serviced would have (a) Inform you, and (b) Tried to flog you a new set.

Yeah old car does have ABS, new one doesn't - but has never been a problem in other cars I have drove.

Tires aren't worn down - my mate just reckons they're crap.

[Athers]

I would say it's likely the tyres. They could be £20 jobbies and no good in the wet.

I drive a hatchback without ABS and in the wet it's often easy to skid if you brake too hard I'd advise pumping the brake pedal at times if you don't already.

[bobo the clown]

It's unlikely to me tyres ... unless the front & rear are unmatched. Again, the garage would normally mention it.

Brakes ... maybe the front brakes aren't performing, but again that'd be an odd response in that case as you'd expect them to pull to one side or even induce spin if front & back are working unevenly.

If you are a member of the RAC or AA call them on a 'non-emergency' basis & see if they can advise. Indeed, if you aren't, then join one. It'll be cheaper than going to a garage with the 'open cheque' type remark "I don't know what the problem is, but ... ".

[Athers]

To my knowledge Puntos just have brakes at the front, so if the car is skidding the brakes are working too well for the tyres?

I might well be wrong on both counts

[Zulus Thousand of em]

Check that you haven't got a cross-ply and a radial on the same axle. (Cos that's much a much quicker route than "Three Steps to Heaven!")

[TANGODANCER]

Check that you haven't got a cross-ply and a radial on the same axle. (Cos that's much a much quicker route than "Three Steps to Heaven!")

Id that tyres, or crepe-soled shoes?

[Loyal White]

Now just to warn you in advance, I know absolutely nothing about cars...

Check that you haven't got a cross-ply and a radial on the same axle. (Cos that's much a much quicker route than "Three Steps to Heaven!")

I'm embarrassed to say that I don't know whether that is a joke or useful advice!

[Zulus Thousand of em]

It's useful advice. the garage should have pointed it to you, if it was the case. But nothing garages do (or omit to do) surprises me any more.

[Gravedigger]

They might be simply over-inflated. Get the garage to check the air pressure of the tyres, don't rely on car manufacturers specs. If you're skidding with correctly inflated tyres then a touch of "Big foot" might be the problem. If the road is puddling you'll hydroplane in a Punto at about 40mph so get on your local supermarket car park in the rain and practice. If everything else fails think about your brake pads.

[Montreal Wanderer]

I'm assuming you bought this car second hand. Tyres last more than three months as a rule. Mismatched tyres (especially radial and non-radial) can cause all kinds of problems. Assuming the tyres are matched and not worn, you are skidding in wet weather. In fact you are probably hydroplaning - i.e. the tyres cannot get rid of the water between them and the road fast enough. Sometimes this is caused by incorrect inflation.

In any event (take this from one who often drives on ice) if you start to skid you should emulate the ABS brakes by pumping them, on and off, rather than holding them on. This will not only slow you faster but also allow you to maintain some steering control.

[bobo the clown]

You know ... the more I read this the more I think there's only one real, straightforward reply.

Get the fecker checked out by a good mechanic.

You only get one life & spending 60yrs of it a paraplegic because you took advice about your faulty brakes off some numb-nuts on a web site doesn't seem a good deal.

Really.

[CAPSLOCK]

You know ... the more I read this the more I think there's only one real, straightforward reply.

Get the fecker checked out by a good mechanic.

You only get one life & spending 60yrs of it a paraplegic because you took advice about your faulty brakes off some numb-nuts on a web site doesn't seem a good deal.

Really.

Exactly

[TANGODANCER]

Contact your nearest Fiat agents. Tell them you've been discussing the problem on a large website on the internet and see if that makes the manager sit up and take notice.

[CAPSLOCK]

Having had a quick read, it would seem the Punto is very light - less materials, less cost

Very shit as well, according to plenty

Get it checked, but there may be nowt wrong with it, and just something you'll need to live with - else get shut

[Loyal White]

Cheers to everyone who's commented.

Like Bobo's said, the best thing for me to do is going to be to go and get it checked somewhere I basically just wanted some advice as to possible suggestions, like someone earlier said going into a garage and saying "I don't know what the problem is but..." is normally a licence for them to print money. At least now I can make a couple of reasonable suggestions as to what the problem is. Saying that, i'lll still probably get ripped off.

Thing is, I do love the car - it's so much more comfortable to drive than the previous Vectra and Astra that I drove, obviously though I just hope I can sort this problem out.

[CAPSLOCK]

Where do you need the garage to be

Maybe you can get somewhere recommended

[norm the jedi]

Could I reccomend you're local
Ministry of transport testing office... or whatever it's called now
[google it] Local Vehicle Licensing I think?
They are experienced independent MOT testers
and although they won't do the work they'll tell you what's what and what you need doing..
and I'd trust them more than some spotty oik at Quick fit..
Or a mechanic with an eye on an easy few quid...

[Gravedigger]

Just tell them Capslock, Gravedigger, Bobo the Clown, Norm the Jedi, Tango Dancer, Zulus, Thousands of 'em, sent you.