October 2001
is there a source which publishes 'actual' mpg figures - witness the recent post on the vag 1.8 T engine. 'actual' seems to be around 25mpg, 'official' combined around 34mpg. ?? Read more
I own a base spec Citroen ZX, and while I am happy enough with it for day to day use I am worried by its lack of an engine temperature gauge,the only warning you get of any problem is when a warning light comes on, but I hate to think what the consequences would be if the bulb or wiring failed for this light, surely all cars should have a temp gauge.
I have noticed this is also the case in other base spec french makes, Peugeot and Renault as well as Citroen. Read more
Robin,
This is one comment I must pick up on from your nights work.
Now and again you see a vehicle with a temperature gauge that is slow to react, or possibly even goes to the same position regardless of the actual engine temperature. And that may be broken.
But I wouldn't want others to be put off temperature gauges by your comments.
They do indicate the present rather than the past in most cases, and knowing the normal behaviour of your cars temp gauge can save an engine if you take notice of an abnormally high reading.
For example if you push your luck with en exceptionally heavy trailer and the gauge is heading into uncharted territory then you can ease off the pace a little.
The temp warning lights are, however , completely useless as normal behaviour is off and abnormal on....no warning betwen those two stages.
The XUD engine isn't prone to problems, it's prone to operator induced failure..... helped by many not having temp gauges!
David
Posted this as part of another thread lower down, realised after it will probably be missed so apologies to all for a repeat, well repeats are OK when it comes to the box.
To follow up on another thread from ages ago about how to improve the profile of the site, how about a Backroomers team in Scrapheap Challenge on C4? Must be some ace bodgers......er..... inventive engineers out there. What d'ya fink guys n gals? Read more
Rebecca,
Sorry to try and chase you down. As there are so few girls here, and Rebecca was on the site credits, I wondered if a post a week was part of the contract with Martyn to keep the stats up.
David
Why is it always reccomended that brake disks should be replaced when they become grooved.
To my way of thinking grooving increases surface area between pad and disk.
Is there something I'm missing here.
Alvin Read more
John,
You've been looking at posh cars with the separate brake drums inside the disc. Citroens and the like have the handbrake working on the normal pads via a lever/screw arrangement inside the caliper.
Hence the aggro in the early nineties with the Xantia's rolling away some time after being parked.
David
When I took my car into the main dealer for its annual service today I asked if the technician could look at my front tyres because they are 'feathering' slightly on the outside edges, especially on the NSF and adjust the tracking if necessary.
Upon collecting the car, I was told that the technician did not adjust the tracking because he thought that the tyre 'feathering' and the wear was normal.
They did however say that they had swapped the back tyres with the front tyres.
When I was driving the car home, I noticed that the steering wheel was not pointing directly ahead when travelling straight ahead (as it used to) - the steering wheel is now approx. 10-15 degrees to the left.
The car does not seem to pull to the left or the right when going straight but it is just niggling me that it is not straight.
Might it be something to do with them swapping the tyres around?
I would be grateful for any suggestions.
Is it anything I should be concerned about / should I take it back to the dealer?
Thanks in anticipation Read more
It does not matter about setting the track rod ends equally on a rack and pinnion system, other than to ensure enough thread is screwed in. On a steering box it it critical, as it will alter toe out on turns.
Mike
Folks,
If you look at this US site you will see a full explanation of the short amber scam and also that safety engineers were told to use "enforcement" by shortening the yellow light time rather use safety by making it longer.
freedom.house.gov/auto/rlcreport.asp
Take care Read more
Inspired.
I am setting up a company with no premises, a website based car retailer. How do I obtain trade plates and can they be used on an unregistered car?
Thanks
Andrew Read more
Thanks HJ, I'll try Norton.
C
(Genuine Question! I'm hoping that at least one tractor driver will reply!)
Is there some kind of code that Tractor drivers use to communicate with the cars behind them on public roads?
Specifically, if you've been behind the tractor for a while and unable (in your opinion) to overtake safely, then the tractor starts to indicate right continually, without slowing or turning, is he trying to tell you that the road is clear to overtake? No hand signals as a further clue and no visibility of oncoming cars while this is happening.
There's a Hampshire based tractor that I've been behind a few times that's done this.
I'm not sure I'd want to trust his decision anyway, so is there some way to communicate thanks, but no thanks? Read more
He/She always reminded me of that character in the Simpsons, the comic shop owner.
Jonathan
I'm insured for SD & P.
Yesterday I drove myself to the Airport on Biz.
I will claim a mileage allowance.
I called my insurer who said MY SD & P cover *would* cover me for this.
I then called again to double check. I was told the same again by a different operator.
Is this true? If so why does anyone bother with Biz cover? Read more
Penny wrote:
> I'm insured for SD&P as well as to and from work.However,in view of what
> I've read today it would appear that I'm not insured when driving to the studio.Now i am worried.
What does it say EXACTLY ? If it says to & from PERMANENT place of work, then yes you do have an issue. DEpending the company, the business use definition changes also. Just because it says business use, you still need to check what that means.
BTW, if you wrote on your original proposal exactly what your use is, then you don't have an issue. An accompanying letter does not count.
I bought a Rover 216 a while back and have just the changed the front tyres (Pirellis with Pirellis) again and since then the steering wheel vibrates above 50 mph, though above 80 mph it is much better. Have the tyres not been fitted correctly or is there a more severe problem which had not shown with the old tyres on. As it was only £1400 and I only want to keep it for 1-2 years any cheap ways of repairing it would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Tim Read more
Guys,
Actually the skewed reference to Good Vibrations now seems the best bit.
Anyway first major girlfriend was a huge Beach Boys fan, an unrelated fact was that she told the biggest porkies to impress....including going to a UK Beach Boys concert, being right at the front and meeting the BBs etc etc......yawn.
Never believed it for a moment but years later I was looking at a Beach Boys live LP recorded in the UK........and who was on the front cover crowd shot large as life right near the stage.......yes *****.
Really must learn to be more trusting.
David
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Ray,
Given you have an extra 30bhp plus 4Wd and a heavier body than a Golf that is pretty much in line with what I would expect; and much better than the earlier posts.
Bob