December 2001
I work in Switzerland for quite a lot of the time. The Swiss are supposed to be the most anti-car bunch in Europe. So why....
- is petrol about 55p a litre
- do they have road planning that works
- do they have an integrated public transport system so I don't NEED to drive in town
... of course Tony's Crony at Transport tells me I "simply don't understand"..
The Swiss also have the highest standard of healtch care in Europe and one of the lowest rates of personal tax and low unemployment and low inflation..... they also have a directly accountable political system. Ho hum. Read more
Does anyone have any experience using dashboard mounted radar detectors? Are they worth the money? Do they work as expected?
It is a serious question. I am not looking for a tirade about speeding motorists or law enforcement ? one of which I support and the other I abhor and I will leave you to decide in which order!
As an enthusiastic, but I hope careful, motorist I just want to protect my wallet and licence from moments of inattention.
Thanks
Mike Holland Read more
Correct, it is not illegal to have a device which tells you radio frequencies are present, which is essentially all these do. It was pointed out in court that these devices do not actually RECEIVE and thus contravene the Wireless Telegraphy act so perfectly legal.
Not got one myself but I reckon I'd go for a Geodesy...
The cost of tyres is now the third highest element of car ownership, after depreciation and fuel. This is because service intervals have increased and wearing parts last much longer, while tyres wear out quicker because of "better" rubber compounds, tread patterns and suspension design.
What we need is published comparative data for tyre road tests so that we can choose which tyres for our cars. It's easy to find performance, price, economy comparisons for cars themselves, but not for the tyres. Read more
Cheers for that Mike, very interesting reading...
I realise coolant expands when hot, does it contract much when the air temperature outside of the car is say +4c to -2c. Many thanks. Read more
Guy
The fact max. density occurs at 4C is also the reason why ice forms from the top downwards, and the bottom of the pond is at 4C. Goldfish are very grateful!
regards
JS
What do the backroom members think of automatic car washes?Lack of time,bad weather, and seasonal illness have prevented me washing my car as often as I would like. I normally wash my car by hand and I was thinking that using an automatic car wash might be better than nothing. What are peoples' experiences good/bad? Read more
I recommend triple wax car shampoo - white bottle, green label.
Best shampoo I've ever used and its got 100% extra free on at the moment.
Not that I'd think of using an auto car wash, but with a white car I doubt it'd clean it properly anyway.
The only problem with doing it yourself is willpower! Washed the astra earlier today and its as dirty again as it was before I washed it! Kinda makes you think whats the point...
Mark
Yesterday I posted a message about a very low mileage car I was being offered - an L reg Clio with a genuine under 11K on the clock. HJ replied that many people are still taken in by low miles etc etc. Surely, though it means that the interior will be almost new, bearings and running gear will not be worn, brakes will be okey dokey etc? Or not? What are the main things which might go soon - the whole engine? Read more
I have bought several very low mileage used cars and have never suffered any major problems.
Of course if you are lucky, the car may have been used on a few long trips only. (second car perhaps)
Anti-roads lobby hails rejection of new routes
14 December 2001
Green campaigners hailed a change in the Government's transport policy yesterday as it rejected a series of controversial road-building schemes on environmental grounds.
The Department of Transport announced it was giving the go-ahead to just 15 of the 44 major road projects submitted by English councils.................
..............Transport groups said the package showed a shift against road-building in government.............. [?!]
...................In addition to £555m for road improvements and bridge strengthening, local authorities will receive £620m for smaller schemes for buses, public transport, cyclists and pedestrians.
Mr Spellar approved 110 schemes to speed the movement of buses, 1,700 local road safety schemes, up to 50 new or extended park-and-ride sites, some 600 extra miles of cycle routes, 100 miles of new footpaths and 2,400 new or improved road crossings.
Larger schemes include a £17.9m revamp of Barnsley bus station, a £20.9m plan to develop bus lanes into Leeds and an £8.9m park-and-ride facility to reduce congestion in Durham.
"The Government is listening to motorists...................
From: news.independent.co.uk/uk/environment/story.jsp?st...4
So what is it that they have been saying to him? Read more
ill vote for that
Sourcing stocks of these professional products seems to come up regularly on the backroom. Try www.fortelubricants.com or 02476 474069.
(source Car Mechanics Magazine, Jan 2002) Read more
My ploy is to find a garage which stocks it, go in & do a bit of serious grovelling/ charming with the 'foreman', (or whoever's in charge), and I get a 'free' can, for whic I 'tip' him a fiver. This has worked 3 times, so far :-)
The first time I was so surprised when he GAVE me a can, I didn't even offer a 'tip'!
I see that star prat Micheal Meacher is at it again. He says that pollution across the North of England is bad at the moment, mainly due to PM10 particulates not being shifted 'cos of the still weather. He is urging drivers to 'use their cars less' and walk *or use public transport*.
Would this be the public transport that uses ancient diesel engines which belch out more crap than 50 cars? The same public transport that uses 30% MORE energy per passenger than a car? Do me a favour, Micheal - put a sock in it! Read more
Why do parents buy 4x4s...?
They think they are safer due to their monstrous size (I presume).
We are thought somewhat eccentric as the only family to walk their kids (6 & 8) to school whatever the weather.
funniest thing ive seen all week is the special forces trucks driving around afganistan with "i love new york" stickers on the back... Read more
a God is not just for Christmas !
Browse
As Billy Connolly (comedian) rightly said....
" the desire to be a politician should automatic exclude you from becoming one".