Finally did it

[hanswuk]

In respect of the latter, brake fluid change two years or not, AND if its only a "recommend" then its not a warranty 'essential' in my humble opinion AND in a legal one I bet too. In the same way that an engine oil change never appears as a mere "recommend" in any service schedule, it simply states replace meaning that if you fail to do so then liability rests with yourself and not the manufacturer!

The brake fluid issue is a thorny one on this forum isn't it! Brake fluid deteriorates because it is hygroscopic ie. it absorbs water from the atmosphere which then reduces the boiling point. Water boils at 100 degrees whereas brake fluid, when new and pure, boils at around 230-280 degrees (depending on the grade used). However the more water that is absorbed the lower the point at which it will boil (with the result that you have no brakes) with fluids which started at a higher level taking longer to reach the critical level of around 180 degrees at which it should be replaced. The rate at which water is absorbed is mainly time and atmosphere related and the industry generally recommends 2-3 years for a precautionary change although in practice this is not always necessary. A car used normally in the UK will be at a much lower risk of brake fluid boiling than one used for coming down long mountain passes or constantly braking from high speeds. Peugeot's mistake is not that they don't replace the fluid automatically after 2 years but that they say one thing in the handbook and do another in practice.

 

[hanswuk]

And another particular quirk of the dealerships is choice of oil. Peugeot recommend a particular brand and type of oil, apparently designed for our cars and yet one member stated that he was quoted two prices for a forth coming service, one using this oil and another price if using a non recommended oil :eusa-think:

Peugeot have a close relationship with Total and that is why their oils are recommended by Peugeot. However there are several oil manufacturers (or more correctly blenders) who produce oil to the same standard. The essential thing is to make sure that it is the correct specification (base oil and additives) rather than the same brand.

 

[the big blue]

Hi OO58RON & hanswuk :greetings-wavingblue:

With regard to the Oil used by different Peugeot dealerships and not using the one Peugeot recommend in the service book, the one quoted in the service book is the one the manufacturer simply has a commercial tie up with and at present 'Total' being a big sponsor to the Peugeot Motorsport teams. ..BUT, should Peugeot change to another main oil sponsor we'll find references to Total Oil dropped overnight and the new oil sponsor brand allegedly being the best oil to use. Kawasaki did it with Fuchs Silkolene oil and then changed to Castrol.

I very much agree with 0058RON in respect that all Peugeot dealers should use the same brand and spec of oil and it should be the one that Peugeot recommend at the time. ..Call me a back bencher cynic BUT I very much suspect each dealership uses the the brand of oil that they can make the greatest margin on and Peugeot don't care as long as its of equal spec to the one they state ,,although i'm sure the Sponsor (Total) aren't so happy about it! :evil:
It's simple greed (commercial business decision) that causes dealerships to sway from using what the manufacturer "recommends" (remember that word for later) as the mark up they add is extortionate considering they buy the 'black gold' in bulk in those big metal drums and you can get 4 or 5 litres of the one they use far cheeper than what they charge when they break bulk. Personally I always supply the oil myself keeping to the same spec but getting the premium brand I choose as an 'oily anorak'! :sleeping-yellow:

As for the brake fluid and deterioration its the same deterioration argument applied to engine oil so "replace" is the word manufacturers use when they themselves believe there is a potential component &/or safety compromise by not carrying out a service item. No automotive manufacturer having carried out a risk assessment would risk the potential litigation of something as severe as brake failure! Plus we all know that no business would miss out on the opportunity of generating extra revenue which would be the case if Peugeot stipulated 'brake fluid' as "REPLACE" item on their 2 year service schedule.

And now I'm up and running :dance: ,,we could talk about the load index of 235 40 19 tyres, originally 96 on that size tyre BUT on the new "RCZ-R" I believe they are 92 on the factory fitted F1 Goodyears. SO, are original Z's with 235 40 19 96W or Y tyres in reality able to run a 92 load index tyre? and the reason they originally had 96's was merely because that was the only load rating available on the Conti's 3's who Peugeot had a tie up with at the time! ...I daren't ask Peugeot as they can't even commit on deciding one way or the other about a simple Brake Fluid change!! :lol:

.the big blue (..sorry to bore but it gets lonely when confined to the Back Benches applying black nail varnish to my kerbed onyx sortilege's)

 

[Abzynthe]

Interesting read :thumbup:

With regard to the load index. Each tyre must have a load capacity equal or superior to half the weight borne by the axle on which it is mounted.
The heaviest is the HDI. 1,474 kg (3,250 lb) (HDI)

So Im going to assume (I know its not right) That its a 60/40 weight distribution from front to back. So going by that the front would be 884.4kg. And if each tyre has half that it would be 442.2kg.

That would be load index 80.

At a 70/30 Distribution it would be load index 86 @ 515.9kg

Source: http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/tyres-advic ... tAodKTwA4g

 

[the big blue]

Hi Abzynthe :greetings-wavingblue: ...are :eusa-shhh: you an 'anorak' too ?? :lol: ,,not to the extent that you go trainspotting I hope as Ive seen them at Victoria station in London and am mindful that I don't want to descend that far !

With regard to the 'load index' I'm soon to get two new front tyres and some of which I noticed are only 92 load index, an example being the Goodyear F1's rated at 92 and factory fitted to the new RCZ-R which are not manufactured in a 96 so I believe. This just made me question the 96 index as I can't imagine the RCZ-R weight distribution wise and/or total weight is significantly different to all the other Z's running on 235 40 19 tyres that just happened to have been factory fitted with 96's.

I don't know what make 235 40 19 tyres and load ratings are factory fitted on newer Z's so would be grateful if anyone could advise on that. If Conti 3's at 96 are still fitted to new 235 40 19 Z's then why the change to the Goodyear F1's at 92 for the RCZ-R which you would imagine would be factory fitted with the better tyre over the lesser performance Z's.

I can get the Goodyear F1's (92 load index) at a reasonable price, the Michelin Pilot Super Sports seem to be out of stock everywhere at a good price and the Forum member who bought the Dunlop Sportmaxx RT's hasn't yet given an evaluation on them.

.the big blue (..Z' owner by virtue of the Gods and 'anorak' simply by nature) :crazy:

 

[Abzynthe]

I wouldnt say Im an anorak...just curious and willing to find answers lol.

It would appear my calculations were way off.

The Kerb weight of the HDi is: 1474kg
The gross weight of the HDi is: 1768kg
The gross train weight of the HDi is: 2325kg

The Kerb weight of the R is: 1355kg
The gross weight of the R is: 1780kg
The gross train weight of the R is: Not available on the specs.

Im not sure what weight would relate to the load index. Im guessing its the gross train weight.

 

[the big blue]

....a true ANORAK never admits their addiction to others ,,they attempt to cover it up by claiming that they are just curious and like to look up things etc!

.the big blue (..know what I mean :eusa-think: of course you don't !! :lol: )

ME, I'm just heading off to the train station with a note book and pencil BUT its only because Im curious to see what time the trains arrive and depart and like to look up and record their locomotive number!! :wave:

 

[Abzynthe]

:lol:

Im keen on the idea of RCZ spotting... :eusa-think: