January 2002
How often should I change the oil in a Nissan Micra if I purchase it from new.
Should I change both the oil and filter after the first 1000 miles, and then every 4500 miles which is twice the manufactorers recommendation.
Is is worth waiting for the new Micra to hit the Market place, and when this year will that be please. Read more
I called for gas on my way home from the office last night and forgot to tighten the cap the required 'three clicks'.
As usual, after about 4/5 miles the car reminded me by illuminating the SES light. This got me thinking...
Since all new cars sold in the U.S after 1996 (I think), have to comply with Federal emmission control regs called OBD II (On-board Diagnostics Two), will a European model that is also sold in the U.S tell you that you haven't tightened the gas cap fully ?
For example, does a Merc/BMW/Audi purchased in Germany have all the OBD II functions or are they deactivated on Euro-spec models?
Kevin... Read more
I don,t think European OBD II will be quite as comprehensive or as standardised as in the US, For example I have yet to see any kind of standardisation on the diagnostics ports yet, it's getting better but I still have two instrument cases full of adaptor leads and breakout boxes for all the different applications!
Just seen a LHD Smart parked nearby with Windhoek (Namibia) plates.
Judging by the road dirt, I'd suspect it has been driven down here - about 1600 km. Rather him than me ... Read more
Ian,
Never been in a Smart, but I've driven that road between Windhoek and CT a number of times. Not a journey I'd look forward to doing in that vehicle.
Kevin...
Hi
Does anyone know how to turn off the annoying auto-locking on the otherwise excellent Jaguar S-type?
In the manual it says it can only be done at a Jag dealer which is silly when most other cars tell you how to do it in the manual.
Please can someone shed some light?
Thanks
ic Read more
I think I am right in believing that as from Jan 1 2002 anyone applying to the RAC for a Competition Licence as a novice will have to attend a days training and testing in basic safe driving skills as well as a written test based on specific areas (presumably safety) from the Blue Book - the competitors bible. the training/test days are to be held at nominated competition driving schools and will cost £130. Until the course is passed in full the applicant cannot hold a Competition Licence.
What I am trying to find out is that as a Competition Licence holder for a number of years, competing in both seats on rallies with a few pots as souveniers, but going into retirement in 1997 - ' family forces sale,' and seeing no requirement to renew my licence. Would I have to undertake this training should I wish to renew my licence after I win ' the rollover'?
Anyone any knowledge on the subject? Stuart B might even be interested!!!!!
Andrew Read more
Thanks for your reply. Dug out the old licences and blew the dust off.
NON RACE NATIONAL B. Not EV ( whatever that means?)
Andrew
I have just acquired a 1993 Honda Prelude 2.2 VTEC Automatic which is a japanese import on L reg. The speedometer is marked up to 180 kmh max which works out as 111mph. I understand japanese cars (and motorbikes?) are restricted to this top speed. Is there a way of derestricting the Prelude?
Fitting UK spec speedo will allow a theoretical 160mph maximum but there is probably a restrictor fitted somewhere. I think on motorbikes it is simply a contact behind the speedometer needle which shorts out the engine once maximum speed is indicated. Is it that simple on a car? Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks. Read more
had a mate who thought the same!
belting its b******ks off when he got nicked at 200 km/h (ie quick. circa 125mph) on a camera.
Cost him a massive fine and a 6 mth ban.
Having just had starting problems with my 15 month old diesel zafira (injector seal) S&it happens but this was nicely deoderised by the local dealer f.o.c. and a car for the day.
However whilst the problem was ongoing, my German colleagues recommended mixing petrol with diesel fuel in a 2 to 30 litre ratio. and claimed that this was the special winter additive by the fuel companies. Can anybody enlighten me on this subject.
regards
Bob Read more
This guy has converted his Audi to run on "chip fat" ..
news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/england/newsid_175000...m
A Friend has recently died and left a 1947 M.G. TD as part of his estate and which is now to be sold.
Could you give me (H.J.) some idea as to the value of this vehicle, which is in sound codition, both mechanically and bodily.
I would also appreciate if you could advise the best place to advertise this vehicle Read more
The MG Car Club is the legitimate older club, for older models. The MG Owners Club is the usurper, catering more for rubber bumper MGBs. (No criticism of either implied here.) The '47 TD is worth between £5,000 and £15,000 depending on its condition, in particular the integrity of the ash body frame which is easily tested simply by opening the doors and checking if the hinges move. Upcoming BCA and H&H classic sales are listed in the news at www.mysterymotors.com . It's obviously better to get an entry in early so it appears in the catalogue rather than as an also ran at the end of the sale.
HJ
Richard Halls thread in "Diesel a bad buy" makes a valid point in suggesting that emission reducing multi valve engines require to operate at higher rpm's to extract the best from the torque and power curves.
reflecting also on threads from HJ and indeed other contributors, on the need to to let turbochargers idle after high engine rpm/constant speed driving in order to stop the carborizing of oil in the turbo's bearings.
Is this a "eureka" moment for the supercharger?
Plus points:
No turbo lag
A flat torque curve over a wide rpm range.
No problems with carburized bearings
Higher torque and HP values for a specific engine.
Arguably, lower emissions.
Minus
Cost, I guess.
Regards,
Julian Read more
O Thats all right then...
Searching through the recent threads, I found one referring to 'Mondeo heater smell' in August.
On my '97R Mondeo 2litre estate, the heater fan has worked intermitently for a couple of months, before recently packing up. At on point, I certainly noticed an acrid smell like smouldering socks, and I wonder if this is the resistor block problem as outlined before. However, although the fan doesn't work at settings 1,2,&3, it does operate at full blast.
Could this be the same problem/cause as previously described?
Is it something easily tackled?
Is the offending bit approached from the cabin, or engine compartment?
If from the cabin, are the plastic panels easily yanked apart without destroying the fasteners?
Many thanks, chaps. BigAl
PS I wonder how Jonathan Shaw, the original correspondant, fared with this one. Any luck? Read more
Is there anything you blokes don't know?
Cheers BigAl
Browse
Yes yes yes yes and yes. And don't use a full synthetic until she hits 15-20k to allow it to bed in fully.