Raining Phobia - Can I get rid of it?

I have been haunted by this problem for the past one year. To say "haunted", I think it's a bit too much. Or, is it a phobia? I have no idea. It comes back again especially for the past 1 week as it rains regularly.





I have this bad experiences and worries while driving during a raining condition. I am afraid to drive too fast, tailing too close to the car in front of me and the worst one is to put on emergency brake while driving on a wet road especially when the rain is pouring. The reason is that my car's brake is just not working properly. If I put on the brake too excessively, the wheels tend get locked and my car will steer to the right side. It's still alright and manageable if braking on a straight road but not on a downhill stretch. There are couple of times I am about to hit the car coming from the opposite direction or on my right side. Thanks God that I managed to control my car (But for how long?).

Every time I send my car for servicing, I will ask the mechanic to check the brake. Yet, it still could not solving this problem. Today, I sent my car to a another tyre workshop at Taman Megah, PJ to check on the brake again.

After checking my car, the mechanic recommended a brake system servicing. The itemized bill is as follows:

1. Complete brake system service - RM88.00
2. Brake skimming - RM70.00
3. Roadhouse Front Brake - RM80.00
   
4. Drive shaft cover - RM55.00
5. Grease - RM10.00
6. Drive shaft oil seal - RM18.00
7. Steering bush - RM120.00
8. Labour charges - RM70.00

This service is to flush out the existing brake fluid (Dot 3) and to replace it with Dot 4 brake fluid. Reason? For better braking performance wor, according to the mechanic.

I tried to google for more info on the brake fluid. This is what I got:

The difference between Dot 3 and Dot 4 brake fluid is the boiling point. A typical DOT 4 brake fluid boils at about 446°F (230°C). Water boils at 212°F (100°C). Imagine your brakes are getting hot because of a long downhill stretch. Whilst the brake fluid is quite OK, the temperature of the brake components might get up over the boiling point of water. If that happens, the water boils out of the brake fluid and forms steam - a compressible gas. Next time you put your foot on the brake, rather than braking, all the pressure in the brake system is taken up with compressing the steam. Your brakes go out, you don't stop. [I still wondering why my car steer to the right.]

In short, Dot 4 brake fluid has slightly higher boiling point as compared to Dot 3 brake fluid.

Changing the drive shaft cover, drive shaft oil seal and steering bush are normal wear and tear replacement. Hint: Never jack up your car or else, the mechanic will start telling you all the problems... hah hah.

Then, the mechanic explained that one of my car tyres has uneven worn out thread. Out of sudden, I felt cheated because I bought the existing Goodyear GT3 tyres in Aug 2006 at Eneos Car Centre but the tyres (based on the DOT age indicator) were manufactured in 2005. According to the tyre manufacturers, tyres have 6 years shelf life. Tyres older than 6 years will pose a hazard.

Even though, the thread wear indicator on the existing tyres are still look okay and only 4 years old, I decided to switch to Michelin tyres. I asked the mechanic to check the front absorbers whether it has worn out. Luckily, it's still okay.

1. Michelin XM1 tyres - RM560.00 (4 pieces) [all are manufactured in 2008]
   
2. Alignment toe - RM30.00
   
3. Camber adjustment (front left) - RM20.00

After testing my car, the mechanic went to check out the spark plugs because my car does not goes smoothly when put on the gas pedal. Anyway, I am expected this because I did not change the spark plugs during the last service. But changing the spark plugs cable is the unexpected one.

1. Denso spark plugs - RM28.00
2. Plugs cable - RM125.00

The total for the bill came up to.... -.-llll




More bad news, there is a shiny and black appearance at the end of the firing end of one of the spark plugs. This might indicates:

• Excessive wear or damage to valves or valve guides and seals.
• Excessive wear or damage to piston and/or piston rings.
• Excessive wear or damage to cylinder walls.
  

I have asked around and all the mechanics are saying the same thing - my car might need overhaul. Depending on the condition, it might costs thousands. Shit!!!

The only consolation gift, they gave me this 4-in-1 digital tyre gauge.

• Digital tyre gauge
• LED flashlight - rechargeable manually
  
• Emergency hammer
• Emergency seat belt cutter
  

Got to save $$$ now..... =(