General car slows down

[panda_owner]

The list of my car problems is very long, so here is another:

My car seems to be 'braking' a litle bit all the time more then other cars I have driven, for examlpe if I go down the hill I have to accelerate from time to time. I am sure about this because I driven fiat Uno at my work and that is not the case. Now, I've checked hand brake on rear wheels, it's OK. Lifted car and turned all 4 wheels with my hand, they don't seem to be braking more than usual. Could it be connected to low level or bad gearbox oil?
Any ideas?

 

[Enzo]

My thought goes straight to the front calipers...check if the cylinders are free to move when the pressure isn't applied :idea: !If these are ok I'd bleed the circuit, as an air bubble dilates under the heat produced by the brakes and can apply a pressure even when you don't touch the middle pedal :slayer: .The last option is a clogged brake hose...but this is very uncommon .

 

[panda_owner]

please, explain me the term 'calipers'.

But then, the brakes or some of them would be warm without any braking, right? That is not the case, I've checked that.
How can I remove air from braking hoses?

 

[Alex]

the calipers are the bit that holds the break pads on either side of the break disk. there is a hydraulic piston on the inside of the caliper that pushes the break pads on to the disk thus making you stop.

My advice would be to take the car for a drive long enough to get everything up to normal working temperature, and measure the friction on each wheel (by feel) and see if there is any difference. Also to test the break binding theory, when going down a hill, put the car in a low gear (such as 4th or 5th, or if you're daring enough neutural) and see if the car accelerates or not, it may just be the gearbox ratios that are slowing you down.

Hope this helps.

 

[John H]

If the brakes aren't binding at all, and the car will coast or free-wheel down the hill in neutral without slowing, it's almost certainly the very low ratios on the 750, and no fifth gear:
according to "Haynes" the final drive ratios on later models are
4.231 to 1 on the 750
3.733 to 1 on other 4 speeds.

Regards


John H

 

[Nacho]

I agree with John H, the problem is most likely because the 750 is not geared for real high speed driving. Probably when you go down hill while driving if you removed your foot from the gas the car will slow down. This is just because of the high gear ratio for the tiny little engine. Since you checked your brakes and found that the tires turn freely. I would say that the problem is just that these cars are not made to go fast. Even though you can make them do it.
Nacho

 

[panda_owner]

I'm talking about driving in 'idle' gear, or with clutch pressed, NOT in any gear!