Scary ...

[hajj]

Well the east of Europe seems to be very relaxed on these things, sadly. I am really worried about the rusting lorries I see on the motorway, some dont even have brakes :shock: :shock: But those countries will enforce new laws.

Over here in Germany every car has to do these test after 3 years and then again every 2nd year, and this is good. After 3 years are car can be in really bad condition, if you havent done any maintenance in those 3 years. These test are good, that you dont need to do them in Canada or America, might be because of the lower traffic density in some parts of the country, if you dont meet any other cars the chances for an accident are much lower.

 

[Jostyrostelli]

Yeah- imagine having to use a handbrake to stop on a highway.

As far as I know you should never try braking with handbrake if you're going over 40km/h..

And you guys are happy you don't have these test for cars? At least I know the cars on the road today are safe (IF they are tested of course, if not, then that's illegal). It's alot more relaxing to know the car behind you has been tested for brakes, not so sure how I would drive if there were no rules/tests for cars on the road..

 

[pdanev]

But those countries will enforce new laws.

and sadly, corrpution will be still a way to bypass these laws...

when i go home in summers to bulgaria, i sometimes wonder how people even dare to drive things that look like they once have been a car... :? yet, they still "pass" these test and are allowed on the road

 

[hajj]

Yes sure corrpution is always an issue, I can buy the test stickers here, but not the report coming with it. In the end it's not worth the 40? you would save.
I dont really care about the cars from Eastern Europe since they are relatively light, but I am really afraid of those lorries since they can weigh 40tons.
Why do people always save money on the brakes? Afterall it is one of the most vital installtions in the car.

 

[Leppy]

Yeah- imagine having to use a handbrake to stop on a highway.

As far as I know you should never try braking with handbrake if you're going over 40km/h..

And you guys are happy you don't have these test for cars? At least I know the cars on the road today are safe (IF they are tested of course, if not, then that's illegal). It's alot more relaxing to know the car behind you has been tested for brakes, not so sure how I would drive if there were no rules/tests for cars on the road..

how come? granted you shouldn't yank it up and lock the rears... but if applied slowly I don't understand what the problem would be.

 

[bone]

why did it need to be tested if it's only 5 years old?

one post above

each car needs to be tested once it reached the age of 4

 

[pdanev]

Yes sure corrpution is always an issue, I can buy the test stickers here, but not the report coming with it. In the end it's not worth the 40? you would save.
I dont really care about the cars from Eastern Europe since they are relatively light, but I am really afraid of those lorries since they can weigh 40tons.
Why do people always save money on the brakes? Afterall it is one of the most vital installtions in the car.

dunno what your location is, but in bulgaria its pretty much the same. and yep, trucks are really scary and dangerous. to make things worse, they always overload them like shit. they can hardly brake when no loaded...

few years back, i witnessed a pretty tough accident. it just started to rain, i was going for a family visit with my parents. was a pretty twisty and steep mountain-ish road. there was a guy with an old "moskvich" infront of us, my father was following him with about 50/60kmph or so on a 2nd class road. suddenly after a sharp corner this really massive truck appears out of nowhere, guy infront of us just touched the brakes, pulled away the steering wheel to avoid hitting the truck, lost control completely, spun around a few times, hit some bushes/small trees and landed on his roof next to the road. he was pretty lucky that he climbed out the car with no injuries, and that there was no traffic from the opposite direction. but damn that fucking truck

they always go downhill in 1st gear, barely moving, being overloaded and having no proper brakes or whatsoever and in such an unlucky situation, with really slippery road and a corner with no insight, accidents like this happen all the time...

 

[Jostyrostelli]

Yeah- imagine having to use a handbrake to stop on a highway.

As far as I know you should never try braking with handbrake if you're going over 40km/h..

And you guys are happy you don't have these test for cars? At least I know the cars on the road today are safe (IF they are tested of course, if not, then that's illegal). It's alot more relaxing to know the car behind you has been tested for brakes, not so sure how I would drive if there were no rules/tests for cars on the road..

how come? granted you shouldn't yank it up and lock the rears... but if applied slowly I don't understand what the problem would be.

I dunno, I heard it somewhere. I could imagine it though, they probably didn't make more brakepower at the front of the car than at the rear, maybe the car gets unstable really fast. And I don't believe you can brake gently with the Handbrake, you need twice the force than normal to stop in the same distance. But now there are only 2 wheels to handle the brakes. I wouldn't try it, just use the gearbox to slow down.

 

[fbc]

Yeah- imagine having to use a handbrake to stop on a highway.

As far as I know you should never try braking with handbrake if you're going over 40km/h..

And you guys are happy you don't have these test for cars? At least I know the cars on the road today are safe (IF they are tested of course, if not, then that's illegal). It's alot more relaxing to know the car behind you has been tested for brakes, not so sure how I would drive if there were no rules/tests for cars on the road..

how come? granted you shouldn't yank it up and lock the rears... but if applied slowly I don't understand what the problem would be.

I dunno, I heard it somewhere. I could imagine it though, they probably didn't make more brakepower at the front of the car than at the rear, maybe the car gets unstable really fast. And I don't believe you can brake gently with the Handbrake, you need twice the force than normal to stop in the same distance. But now there are only 2 wheels to handle the brakes. I wouldn't try it, just use the gearbox to slow down.

Nothing wrong with using the handbrake to stop the car - obviously it's only something you'd do in an emergency (or when drifting!), and when you do it you have to keep the button pressed in so you can modulate the braking pressure so as to not lock the rears and destabilise the car. Doing so will slow the car a hell of a lot faster than using the gears.

 

[Leppy]

Yeah- imagine having to use a handbrake to stop on a highway.

As far as I know you should never try braking with handbrake if you're going over 40km/h..

And you guys are happy you don't have these test for cars? At least I know the cars on the road today are safe (IF they are tested of course, if not, then that's illegal). It's alot more relaxing to know the car behind you has been tested for brakes, not so sure how I would drive if there were no rules/tests for cars on the road..

how come? granted you shouldn't yank it up and lock the rears... but if applied slowly I don't understand what the problem would be.

I dunno, I heard it somewhere. I could imagine it though, they probably didn't make more brakepower at the front of the car than at the rear, maybe the car gets unstable really fast. And I don't believe you can brake gently with the Handbrake, you need twice the force than normal to stop in the same distance. But now there are only 2 wheels to handle the brakes. I wouldn't try it, just use the gearbox to slow down.

Since when?? Next time you drive roll up a red light and slow pull up the hand brake... yOu can brake more gently with that than you can with regular brakes... regardless of speed.

 

[Jostyrostelli]

Yeah- imagine having to use a handbrake to stop on a highway.

As far as I know you should never try braking with handbrake if you're going over 40km/h..

And you guys are happy you don't have these test for cars? At least I know the cars on the road today are safe (IF they are tested of course, if not, then that's illegal). It's alot more relaxing to know the car behind you has been tested for brakes, not so sure how I would drive if there were no rules/tests for cars on the road..

how come? granted you shouldn't yank it up and lock the rears... but if applied slowly I don't understand what the problem would be.

I dunno, I heard it somewhere. I could imagine it though, they probably didn't make more brakepower at the front of the car than at the rear, maybe the car gets unstable really fast. And I don't believe you can brake gently with the Handbrake, you need twice the force than normal to stop in the same distance. But now there are only 2 wheels to handle the brakes. I wouldn't try it, just use the gearbox to slow down.

Since when?? Next time you drive roll up a red light and slow pull up the hand brake... yOu can brake more gently with that than you can with regular brakes... regardless of speed.

Ok but with 120km/h and it's an emergency, I wouldn't use it at that speed because I don't know what's gonna happen.

And with gentle, I mean gentle but firm, you wanna stop as fast as possible, I would go for outside lane, and use gearbox rather than using handbrake.

Doh, I just remember it was on Dr. Phil or something like that, so no need to discuss this because that had to be a housemummy advice...

I still wouldn't do it though..

 

[fbc]

Yeah- imagine having to use a handbrake to stop on a highway.

As far as I know you should never try braking with handbrake if you're going over 40km/h..

And you guys are happy you don't have these test for cars? At least I know the cars on the road today are safe (IF they are tested of course, if not, then that's illegal). It's alot more relaxing to know the car behind you has been tested for brakes, not so sure how I would drive if there were no rules/tests for cars on the road..

how come? granted you shouldn't yank it up and lock the rears... but if applied slowly I don't understand what the problem would be.

I dunno, I heard it somewhere. I could imagine it though, they probably didn't make more brakepower at the front of the car than at the rear, maybe the car gets unstable really fast. And I don't believe you can brake gently with the Handbrake, you need twice the force than normal to stop in the same distance. But now there are only 2 wheels to handle the brakes. I wouldn't try it, just use the gearbox to slow down.

Since when?? Next time you drive roll up a red light and slow pull up the hand brake... yOu can brake more gently with that than you can with regular brakes... regardless of speed.

Ok but with 120km/h and it's an emergency, I wouldn't use it at that speed because I don't know what's gonna happen.

And with gentle, I mean gentle but firm, you wanna stop as fast as possible, I would go for outside lane, and use gearbox rather than using handbrake.

Doh, I just remember it was on Dr. Phil or something like that, so no need to discuss this because that had to be a housemummy advice...

I still wouldn't do it though..

Seriously, it's not going to do anything drastic - you grab the handbrake lever, hold the button in and slowly the pull the lever up. You feel it grabbing and slowing the car. It happens very gradually, provided you don't just yank the handle all the way it's fine and very very easy to modulate. Trust me, in an emergency with no brakes, it's how you want to stop.

The reason you hold the button in is to prevent the ratchet from operating the locking the lever in position.

It won't unsettle the car provided you do it gradually - even at 120km/h. It's the same as when you brake using the pedal - if you just hit the pedal you lock the brakes and unsettle the car - the handbrake level works the same way.

It's a technique I'd suggest you try - it could save you and your lovely bettle one day (that's not meant to sound condescending, it's my genuine advice)

 

[AutoMX]

Well the east of Europe seems to be very relaxed on these things, sadly. I am really worried about the rusting lorries I see on the motorway, some dont even have brakes :shock: :shock: But those countries will enforce new laws.

Over here in Germany every car has to do these test after 3 years and then again every 2nd year, and this is good. After 3 years are car can be in really bad condition, if you havent done any maintenance in those 3 years. These test are good, that you dont need to do them in Canada or America, might be because of the lower traffic density in some parts of the country, if you dont meet any other cars the chances for an accident are much lower.

i think its because americans love their old cars. i see so many 70s 60s and 50's cars here that there is no way they would allow a law to pass that would ban these cars. usually its not a problem though, americans spend way too much money on cars anyway so the old ones get fixed up alot.

 

[Jostyrostelli]

Yeah- imagine having to use a handbrake to stop on a highway.

As far as I know you should never try braking with handbrake if you're going over 40km/h..

And you guys are happy you don't have these test for cars? At least I know the cars on the road today are safe (IF they are tested of course, if not, then that's illegal). It's alot more relaxing to know the car behind you has been tested for brakes, not so sure how I would drive if there were no rules/tests for cars on the road..

how come? granted you shouldn't yank it up and lock the rears... but if applied slowly I don't understand what the problem would be.

I dunno, I heard it somewhere. I could imagine it though, they probably didn't make more brakepower at the front of the car than at the rear, maybe the car gets unstable really fast. And I don't believe you can brake gently with the Handbrake, you need twice the force than normal to stop in the same distance. But now there are only 2 wheels to handle the brakes. I wouldn't try it, just use the gearbox to slow down.

Since when?? Next time you drive roll up a red light and slow pull up the hand brake... yOu can brake more gently with that than you can with regular brakes... regardless of speed.

Ok but with 120km/h and it's an emergency, I wouldn't use it at that speed because I don't know what's gonna happen.

And with gentle, I mean gentle but firm, you wanna stop as fast as possible, I would go for outside lane, and use gearbox rather than using handbrake.

Doh, I just remember it was on Dr. Phil or something like that, so no need to discuss this because that had to be a housemummy advice...

I still wouldn't do it though..

Seriously, it's not going to do anything drastic - you grab the handbrake lever, hold the button in and slowly the pull the lever up. You feel it grabbing and slowing the car. It happens very gradually, provided you don't just yank the handle all the way it's fine and very very easy to modulate. Trust me, in an emergency with no brakes, it's how you want to stop.

The reason you hold the button in is to prevent the ratchet from operating the locking the lever in position.

It won't unsettle the car provided you do it gradually - even at 120km/h. It's the same as when you brake using the pedal - if you just hit the pedal you lock the brakes and unsettle the car - the handbrake level works the same way.

It's a technique I'd suggest you try - it could save you and your lovely bettle one day (that's not meant to sound condescending, it's my genuine advice)

Okok, then dr. Phils advice isn't so accurate :lol:

Imagine what he does when he gives those advices to broken couples

 

[hajj]

Yes sure corrpution is always an issue, I can buy the test stickers here, but not the report coming with it. In the end it's not worth the 40? you would save.
I dont really care about the cars from Eastern Europe since they are relatively light, but I am really afraid of those lorries since they can weigh 40tons.
Why do people always save money on the brakes? Afterall it is one of the most vital installtions in the car.

dunno what your location is, but in bulgaria its pretty much the same. and yep, trucks are really scary and dangerous. to make things worse, they always overload them like shit. they can hardly brake when no loaded...

few years back, i witnessed a pretty tough accident. it just started to rain, i was going for a family visit with my parents. was a pretty twisty and steep mountain-ish road. there was a guy with an old "moskvich" infront of us, my father was following him with about 50/60kmph or so on a 2nd class road. suddenly after a sharp corner this really massive truck appears out of nowhere, guy infront of us just touched the brakes, pulled away the steering wheel to avoid hitting the truck, lost control completely, spun around a few times, hit some bushes/small trees and landed on his roof next to the road. he was pretty lucky that he climbed out the car with no injuries, and that there was no traffic from the opposite direction. but damn that fucking truck

they always go downhill in 1st gear, barely moving, being overloaded and having no proper brakes or whatsoever and in such an unlucky situation, with really slippery road and a corner with no insight, accidents like this happen all the time...

That is really scary :shock: :shock:
I live around an hour from Maastricht just behind the boarder. It is 40km to Venlo. Luckily I only see those trucks on motorway, and in case there is a traffic jam I will keep to the left lane as long as I am at the end. The police here is really going behind those bad trucks, but they can only get few each day At the other hand I also see a lot of really new trucks from Eastern Europe which I really like, but then I dont know how these will get serviced.

 

[oliB]

Well the east of Europe seems to be very relaxed on these things, sadly. I am really worried about the rusting lorries I see on the motorway, some dont even have brakes :shock: :shock: But those countries will enforce new laws.

Over here in Germany every car has to do these test after 3 years and then again every 2nd year, and this is good. After 3 years are car can be in really bad condition, if you havent done any maintenance in those 3 years. These test are good, that you dont need to do them in Canada or America, might be because of the lower traffic density in some parts of the country, if you dont meet any other cars the chances for an accident are much lower.

i think its because americans love their old cars. i see so many 70s 60s and 50's cars here that there is no way they would allow a law to pass that would ban these cars. usually its not a problem though, americans spend way too much money on cars anyway so the old ones get fixed up alot.

Old cars are not banned by those tests.
You can still drive around in a classic or an oldtimer, it just has to be in good condition!

Oliver

 

[CyberMonkey]

Glad I don't live in Belgium ...

Are you joking?

"oh my god, they are forcing the people to drive around in a safe car! How dare they!!"

I mean, maybe YOU take good care of your car, but do you really want that other guy with his old, rusty car to have failing brakes right when he is supposed to stop for you? Or to start slipping because his suspension is rubbish, right when you are on the other side of the two-direction road?

Face it, the average human being is stupid as shit. It should be protected against itself.

 

[aqualung]

We have that kind of tests here in Finland too. If I remember correctly, the first inspection is after 2 years, then again after 2 years, after that it's every year. Not sure if there is an inspection on the 3rd year, since I've never owned a car that young.

The obligatory inspections include brake, suspension etc. testing mentioned above. They don't appreciate serious modding, even a humble chiptune is comparable to a whole engine swap in the eyes of the law. That's why one has to take the 5 minutes before and after inspection to swap the stock chip in for the duration...

Other than that, I've never had any problems with them.

With the psycho car taxes we have, we don't get the same new car-favoring culture as in Spain. Instead some of us stick with some old death traps from the 80's and just keep them in good shape. I wouldn't be caught dead in one, but it's good to know that at least less than a year ago every car has had functioning brakes, steering, suspension and lights, as well as enough treadwear left in the tires.

I wish the EU dog would bark soon, and make the greedy SOBs in the gov't to overhaul the car tax system enabling people to buy newer, safer and more eco-friendly cars instead of the stinking rustbucket Corolla DX's from the 80's...

 

[jarborra]

The MOT in the UK is pretty low-key. I don't actually know exactly what they do, I just drop the car at BMW and they take care of it for me.

 

[bobo_1314]

To say that I'm glad I live in Spain where these tests are obligatory is to greatly understate things.

The test did its job.

Do they not have any test like this in the States or Canada at all?

I thought you lot were all for a bit of (over)regulation.

nothing in canada, in USA they have some kind of emission tests though

Actually in B.C. there is an emissions test called AirCare, which is mandatory when the insurance is due for renewal after the first year (eg. when you purchase auto insurance, you don't have to go through AirCare, but after 1 year you have to get your car inspected or you won't be able to renew your insurance). After AirCare, you have to go through it again the year after (so it happens every 2 years; however, you still have to pay for the year in which you're not getting your car inspected, which really sucks ). Basically the inspectors check for anything that is going to pollute the air, ranging from exhaust fumes to leaking engines. They also check to see if the catalytic convertor is installed (for some modified cars people don't install it since the CAT robs power). In Ontario, there is a similar emissions check, but I don't know what they actually inspect since I've only moved here in Toronto for 1 year. But as for rust, corrosion, brakes and all those stuff, no one cares here (other than getting caught during road blocks by the cops; well, that's a different story )