Have You Checked Your Brake/Clutch Fluid Recently?

The blog this week is about the importance of checking your brake & clutch fluids regularly, so you can be aware of issues such as leaks so that you can act quickly to get the issue fixed. Running a car has become a major expense, especially with the ever-increasing fuel prices. Everyone wants to save money on a monthly basis, maybe for that annual holiday or your children’s university fund or for home improvements. Maybe it is to counteract the constant increases in your weekly food shops or increased utility bills. Read on to find out more:

If you are unsure what to do – google it or consult your owner’s manual. Or ask your local independent garage to take a look with regards to your fluid levels. The following situations are signs that you should take your Volvo or Toyota to your local independent garage for investigation if after topping up the fluids the problems continue:

Do You Notice Vibrations when Changing Gears?

When all is well with your Volvo or Toyota engine, changing the gears should be a relatively smooth process. You know your vehicle and if there is a change in the way your car is reacting when changing gears, you should investigate it.  If you find there is stuttering or other resistance during gear change it is likely a sign of declining transmission fluid levels. Check your fluid level immediately, top up the level if required, and keep checking on a weekly basis to spot the signs of a possible leak early! If after topping up the levels the issue persists – seek professional help.

Do You Experience Gear Slippage?

When the fluid levels in your Volvo or Toyota are low, the hydraulic power required for smooth gear shifting is missing. This could result in gear slippages. You’re likely to experience the slip in the clutch pedal’s point of engagement. This leaves your Volvo or Toyota stuck in a neutral position. You will need to get your Volvo or Toyota booked in for investigation and repair at your local Independent Volvo or Toyota servicing and repair specialist. 

Are You Experiencing Sluggish Gear Shifts?

If you find that more effort is required to change gears in your Volvo or Toyota this could be a sign of low fluid levels. Again, check your fluid levels and if they are low top them up and try driving your Volvo or Toyota to see if the issue has been rectified. If it has, great! But check your levels every week to make sure there are no leaks. If it frequently needs topping up you may have a leak – get yourself down to your local independent
Volvo or Toyota service and repair specialist for investigation and repair. 

Is Your Vehicle Lurching?

Another sign of low fluid levels is if you experience lurching – again check the fluid levels and top up if required. Keeping an eye on the levels on a
regular basis will ensure you spot signs of a leak early on – you should not need to have to keep topping up these levels every week – get yourself
booked in to your local Independent Volvo or Toyota Garage for investigation and repair – leaks will not go away on their own.

Are You Experiencing Loss of Spring in Your Clutch Pedal?

The clutch pedal on your Volvo or Toyota should spring back into position quickly when released. If it doesn’t, then check your fluid levels and top up if required. If the problem persists, seek the expertise of your local independent Volvo or Toyota garage.

Is There a Grinding Noise Present When Changing Gears?

If you start hearing a grinding noise when you are changing gears, you should check your fluid levels first. Check the levels and top up if required. If this does not solve the problem, take your car to your local independent Volvo or Toyota Garage and seek expert advice. Don’t ignore this noise as it could indicate a more serious problem that could be an expensive repair if not investigated. We cannot stress enough the importance of keeping an eye on all your fluid levels in your car on a regular basis. Preventative maintenance is always going to be cheaper than reactive repairs. Don’t skip your servicing and do basic maintenance yourself inbetween servicing schedules to save money. Happy Safe Motoring Folks!

ACC UK Limited
Farnborough, Hampshire
Serving surrounding areas across North Hampshire and Surrey

Call us today to book in your MOT, service or repair

Here at ACC UK Ltd, Winners of The Motor Trader Independent Garage of The Year 2015, 2019 & 2020, GRA – Outstanding Automotive Service Excellence 2025, GRA – Outstanding Customer Service – Automotive Sector UK 2026, Motor Trader Indies Garage of the Year Award 2025, The IGA Big Awards 2022, The Inspire Customer Service Excellence 2016 Award, The Eagle Radio Customer Focus 2017 Business Award, The Workshop Magazine Workshop Manager of the Year 2017 Award, The LiveWire Excellence In Vehicle Servicing 2019 Award and The Aftermarket Excellence Award for Best Website 2019, The Eagle Radio Biz Award – Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 & the SME News Magazine Most Trusted Car Servicing Provider 2020, we pride ourselves on offering an outstanding customer experience for a fraction of the cost of a dealership. Give us a call and let us quote you for your next service or repair on your Volvo or Toyota. We service all areas around Farnborough, Fleet, Aldershot, Farnham, Guildford, Frimley, Camberley, Hook, Sandhurst, Crowthorne, Yateley, Hampshire and Surrey. We offer free collection and drop off services. We also have a fleet of courtesy cars to allow you to get on with your schedule whilst your Volvo or Toyota is with us. Happy Motoring from all at ACC UK Ltd – Independent Volvo & Toyota servicing, repair and MOT specialists based in the heart of Farnborough, Hampshire