What people are saying about F1...
Apr 30, 2012
I would just like to thank your company for the excellent service you provide. I live just down the road from your Cambridge branch and have been going past it since it opened a few months back. It really does stand out. Last week I decided to start looking around for new tyres for a caravan I own, I located the cheapest tyre online and that was with your company. I went into the Cambridge branch late yesterday to check and to order the tyre I required. The gentlemen behind the counter ensured me that it would be in the following day. I received a call early today saying that the tyre was in; I finished work and headed to the branch. Straight away I was served and believe it or not, but when I said I?ll get the wheel out of my car, the gentlemen replied "Don't do that sir; you will get your hands dirty. We will get that out of your car for you". Excellent, Thank You Mark, Cambridge
May 7, 2012
I had a good chat with the staff and all very friendly. Work was done in the time given and the products fitted exactly to spec. Thanks. Eugene , Bedford
May 6, 2012
Very Pleased with the overall service, would definitely visit again and again loumeshrao , Ipswich
May 1, 2012
I find the staff really friendly and helpful, whilst offering a good qualitity of service, would defaintly recommend to friends and family. Mark , Ipswich
Apr 19, 2012
F1 provide an excellent service, with good staff who promote a feeling of professionalism. James , Chatham
May 13, 2012
I have always found the staff friendly, knowledgable and helpful on every visit. martyn , Canterbury
Apr 25, 2012
The Guys were extremely helpfull and assisted with a leak - advised me on next actions - how to order tyres etc - Very good and would definately recommend you to others Terry , Canterbury
Apr 24, 2012
We Always use FI @ Lye for Mot's & Tyre's. Manager ( Colin ) at Lye is very friendly and helpful .Well done F1 Victoria , Lye
Apr 22, 2012
I have repeatedly used Formula 1 in Chelmsford as I find the staff extremely helpful and honest and I do not feel like I am being ripped off donna , Chelmsford
Apr 19, 2012
Have used Formula One for both my cars servicing & maintenance for a few years now, always brilliant service & everything explained properly Chris , Southampton
Apr 26, 2012
I just wanted to commend the crew at the Lincoln centre for their fantastic and fast service. It's the first time I have been into a garage and not felt like I had been ripped off. In fact, I felt respected, which is unusual, being a woman driver in these times. Normally I feel overloaded with things I don't understand, but Adam explained everything clearly and went through everything in terms I could understand. I will definitely be going back to Formula One for the rest of the work, because they put their customers above the money and give you the very best deal they can. They've definitely got this motorist as a loyal customer, and I would recommend them to anyone! Thanks again, to the fabulous crew in Lincoln Hannah, Lincoln
May 3, 2012
Excellent Service, staff helpfull and effiecient I will be using the Derby branch again Jerry , Derby
May 4, 2012
Impressed with the friendly, helpful and flexible staff working in clean and attractive premises. Neville , Cheltenham
Apr 25, 2012
The staff were amazingly helpful and explained things clearly. My car was only not ready due to failing it's MOT, and they fixed it up very quickly for me. I've recommended F1 to everyone I know Hannah , Lincoln
Apr 26, 2012
used regularly for major work, seemed genuinely trustful, helpful and knowledgeable. so booked MOT through website. would definitely use again. scott , Redditch
May 3, 2012
Staff are exceptionally polite and friendly. The works completed were very reasonably priced and I have recommended the Crawley branch to my friends and family. David , Crawley
Apr 27, 2012
will be using again for future services for my husbands and my car and aircon etc. very pleased with service and price. helen , Lye
May 3, 2012
the staff where very friendly and could.nt do enough for you, mentioned a couple of thing about car and they had a look for me, the service was brill Helen , Harlow
May 9, 2012
Really pleased with Formula one, have now been using this garage for three years. The men who work here are very helpful, polite and I will not be looking for anywhere else to take my car. The best! Thanks Kim , Maidstone
Apr 29, 2012
i always go to Formula One for MOTs, and if i have any concerns about my car. i had my MOT done a few weeks ago and was advised my 2 front tyres needed replacing, i booked online and got a very good price. While i was there i was offered a tracking check and it showed my allignment was out, not knowing a great deal about cars it was nice that the mechanic showed me in detail what the problem was before i decided to go ahead and get it done, showing me an illustration from the computer. very happy with F1 and will continue to go to them first. very friendly staff, dont blind you with jargon (not knowing alot about cars myself!) have recommended to my friends & workmates :) Kelly , Stevenage 1
Apr 25, 2012
I Formula one in Ipswich. I will continue to use them as I find the staff friendly and helpful, whilst offering a good qualitity of service Graham , Aylesbury
May 4, 2012
Quick and professional service, would recommend F1 as a company to use. Thanks Damon , Luton
May 13, 2012
Good price, helpful and friendly staff and an easy to use website. A good experience from start to finish. Thank you! Benjamin , Basingstoke
Apr 30, 2012
I am quick to complain if I get poor service or goods, so I must be as quick to reward good service, the young man that worked on my car at your Maidstone branch was a credit to your company as was the rest of the staff. Keep up the good work, Many thanks Peter, Maidstone
Apr 26, 2012
I booked and paid for an MOT online at the special price. The whole process was very simple, the depot was expecting me and everything was done on time. I waited whilst the MOT was completed and was able to catch up on the snooker in the waiting room. I will need two tyres in about 3,000 miles and will definitely visit my local Formula 1 to have them fitted. Staff are friendly and efficient. Ian , Harlow
May 11, 2012
Staff were very friendly from start to finish. Will be the first place I check when shopping around for tyres in the future. David , Canterbury
May 10, 2012
Excellent service. Advice given without any pressure to have the additional work done by F1. Denise , Hemel Hempstead
Apr 20, 2012
I found the staff very helpful and so friendly it was a pleasure waiting while my car was fixed GRAHAM , Lincoln
May 4, 2012
Friendly, knowledgeable staff who give an honest opinion, provide good value, quality products and service which has had me back for more. On-line booking a bonus too. Rik , Gloucester
May 4, 2012
Very helpful guys, no messing about, straight forward and convenient, not exactly the cheapest but for us it's worth the little extra to get good service. Sunny , Crawley
Apr 20, 2012
Always good service no matter what the issue. I have all my tyres done at this branch and have done now for a few years. They will not be beaten on price and are always very courteous and helpful. Thanks! Howard , Milton Keynes
Apr 19, 2012
A small criticism is that tyres are left with a white residue on the tyre wall after fitting. Could this be cleaned off just to finish the job neatly? Otherwise I can't fault the service and response when tyres weren't available. I was emailed promptly and ordered an alternative. There was no delay and a refund of the difference was made next day. Excellent service thank you. Stephen , Crewe
Apr 20, 2012
Tyres ordered earlier over the internet were fitted immediately on arrival with no delay. Staff were approachable straightforward & friendly. Prices were very competitive & the price quotation kept to without attempts to persuade me to additional expenditure. Would recommend & use again Ian , Cheltenham
May 1, 2012
The gentleman on the front desk (Vic) was very helpful and friendly... excellent customer service Martine , Harlow
May 3, 2012
Used the online tyre booking and pleased with service, and the price promise which matched and beat a competitor. Glenn , Chelmsford
May 9, 2012
Very helpful staff and took the time to explain what needed to be done in order for it to pass the MOT. They gave me a quote and the car is booked in for the work. Many thanks. jill , Poole
May 6, 2012
Excellent booking process. Very understanding staff. Cheapest tyres and fitting on the web. Sarah , Portsmouth
Apr 30, 2012
This is my second visit, I recommended them to my husband after my first (new battery) and he had great MOT service. I took my car for it's service this time and the staff were really lovely. Great - will definitely be back when my MOT is due. Mikala , Doncaster
Apr 19, 2012
Good prices, very good friendly service and the guys were helpful but not pushy Charles , Southend
May 8, 2012
It's a refreshing change to visit a garage that is always helpful and friendly and you always get a great value, honest, well done job. julie , Erdington
May 11, 2012
I would like to make you aware of the excellent customer service provided by Barry (don't know his surname), the manager of the Mitcham branch of F1 Autocentres. After suffering a puncture, and going into the Mitcham branch for a tyre quote, Barry rang around and got me a replacement tyre at a very cost-effective price. He then showed excellent knowledge about my particular car, explaining the technicalities of the adjustments he was making to the set-up of the tyres, which will improve tyre wear and the life of my tyres going forward. Barry was extremely helpful, informative and friendly, all the way through the process, and as a result of the way he runs the Mitcham branch, I would have no hesitation in recommending my friends/family to F1 Mitcham. Its very rare to get this level of customer service these days, and I think F1 Autocentres are fortunate to have such a knowledgeable, and committed employee. Will, Mitcham
Apr 26, 2012
EXCELLENT SERVICE AND ADVICE GIVEN. WILL MOST CERTAINLY BE USING FORMULA ONE AGAIN ! CARL , Rayleigh
Apr 25, 2012
Free spring 10 point check revealed a few upcoming issues (brakes & pads). Without this my next service would have a few surprises! Helpful staff and thorough work ethic. Many thanks. Matthew , Swindon
Apr 29, 2012
Very helpful this is the third time I have use your services and I shall be returning for in September. Thank you for a good service. ann , Southampton
Apr 20, 2012
My daughter recommended F1 to me when I moved to Chelmsford and I have never regretted my decision touse them the staff are knowledgeable and friendly and dont talk down to you because you are a woman but also understand there are things you may not quite understand. Great job. Anne , Chelmsford
May 4, 2012
Booking via the internet was esay to do. The site manager at Harlow was particularly helpful as was the fitter who actually did the work. Andrew , Harlow
May 5, 2012
everything was explained in plain english, phoned at work to say what problems there were and solutions given, excellent service Heather , Newcastle
Apr 18, 2012
I have been going there for many many years with different cars, and so have people I have recommended. Prices can't be beaten - and if they are F1 will price match and knock a £5 off! Can't ask better than that. Always helpful and professional. Thanks Richard , Hertford
Apr 18, 2012
Great garage with a very good helpfull team! F1 Autocentres are only garage i will ever use. Top job at bottom prices!! ALAN , Aylesbury
Apr 22, 2012
The staff that I have dealt with at this Branch have always been very helpful and polite. Which is why we always return. Sarah , Harlow
Apr 28, 2012
Previously used your rayleigh road, eastwood outlet. Basildon is as good as they are, thanks Daniel , Basildon
May 13, 2012
Very helpful staff that explained the all the advisory points from the MOT with good recommendations. Kirsten , Northampton 2(Gambrel)
May 10, 2012
I visited your site in Southampton on 06 may 2012 and I would like to say that I found the staff to be very friendly and and the manager I think it was Dustin Goodridge to be very helpful. The place was tidy and welcoming and I will be returning time and time again because of this. Thank you for the service and keep up the good work. Jason, Southampton
geometry check
Looking for wheel alignment in the UK? Formula One Autocentres offer a state of the art, specialist wheel alignment service in branch and when you buy tyres online. The Supertracker alignment system displays a comprehensive, diagnostic analysis of your existing wheel alignment, and produces a printed report so you can clearly see any misalignment which may need correcting.
It is recommended that a car be aligned every 10,000 miles or at least once a year, depending on how the vehicle is driven. Having your car aligned at F1 Autocentres will have many benefits to your overall driving experience, including:
- Improved fuel economy due to the decreased tyre resistance which results from un-aligned tyres.
- Add thousands of extra miles to your tyre life through a reduction of tyre wear and friction.
- Gain a more secure handling and grip of your car by eliminating drifts to the left/right.
All of these improvements will result in a safer and more comfortable driving experience for you.
Before your Geometry Check takes place we will also:
- Check Tyre Pressures / Sizes / Condition & Wheel Damage
- Check for Suspension Damage
- Check for worn Suspension Joints
- Check Wheel Bearing Play
- Check Calibration of Equipment
- Manufactures Data
- Flat / Level Surface
- Check for Body Distortion / Road Test
- Radius Plates / Slip Plates
- Check Ride Heights / Loading
Common Reasons for Poor Alignment:
A common problem that causes misalignment is the Camber Angle. The camber is the angle of lean IN or OUT of the road wheel from the true vertical.
- Positive camber is when the wheel leans OUT from the true vertical
- This can cause the vehicle to under steer resulting in loss of grip whilst cornering
- Negative camber is when the wheel leans IN from the true vertical
- This can cause the vehicle to over steer resulting in greater grip on cornering
Incorrect camber can cause the following:
- Smooth wear on the edges of tyres
- Excessive wheel bearing wear
- Pulling to one side
- Poor handling
Another common cause of poor alignment is the Caster Angle. This is the angle that the strut leans forwards or backwards as viewed from the side of the wheel is the caster angle. The caster is the forward or rearward tilt of the steering axis, in reference to the vertical when viewed from the vehicle side.
- Positive caster is where the steering axis is sloped towards the rear.
- Negative caster (not common) is where the steering axis is sloped towards the front.
- This angle can be described as the line the wheel will always follow.
- It is most effective in controlling straight line stability at road speeds (vehicle motion)
Thrust Angle / Axis:
- Measured on the Rear Axle!
Incorrect thrust angle can cause the following:
- Misaligned Steering Wheel
- Excessive Rear Tyre Wear
- Poor Handling of Vehicle
- Under Steer / Over Steer
- Vehicle Crabbing
Toe (Front and Rear)
Incorrect toe can cause the following:
- Feathering across the tread
- Misaligned steering wheel
- Poor handling
- Increased fuel consumption
Toe In - Excessive feathering on the outside edge
Toe Out - Excessive feathering on the inside edge
Possible causes of incorrect toe:
- Incorrect adjustment
- Incorrect vehicle specifications
- Incorrect ride height
- Bent steering components
- Calibration of equipment
Adjustment Order:
Some angles are adjustable on vehicles. This is the suggested order to minimise your time spent making adjustments to this level:
- REAR CAMBER
- REAR TOE
- CASTER
- FRONT CAMBER
- FRONT TOE
If you are experiencing any of the above problems, contact your nearest F1 Autocentre for more information, or book your Geometry Check when you buy tyres online.
