December 2002
I was travelling along the M27 this morning, when I saw in front a Focus with an almost flat rear offside tyre. Being in a helpful mood I pulled alongside (he was in the middle lane and I in the outside), sounded my horn and pointed to the rear tyre. He nodded and moved over into the clear nearside lane. I pulled away feeling a warm glow of satisfaction having perhaps prevented a blowout and the subsequent possible consequences.
After a few hundred yards I looked in the mirror expecting to see him on the hard shoulder. But no, he was pulling back into the middle lane ready to pass a lorry. Oh well I thought, I tried. Just then a cloud of smoke appeared as the tyre burst. As far as I could see, no accident resulted.
The rest of my journey to work was occupied by wondering what's the best way to tell someone they are about to have a blowout. Obviously sounding the horn and pointing wasn't understood by this chap, as he thought it meant move over and don't hog the middle lane.
Any ideas?
Chris M Read more
I recently flattened my battery after a trip to a bodyshop and after MOT'ing it etc... found the garage could not start it up again. They tried jump starting it using alternative batteries and a mains charged pack that showed a full charge. The engine would turn over better than normal but it simply refused to start. At one point they were considering looking at the fuel pump as it WAS sparking.
Only by getting a van in, revving the nuts off it whilst attempting to start my car with its battery would it do so. After a 2 hour drive ts the battery appears to have recovered, it cranks sluggishly but always starts after 2 audible turn-overs even though it sounds much less lively than when they attempted other sources that failed??
Is this a volts Vs amps thing?
Regardless its worth remembering not to give up on the battery as the source of the problem unless you've tried to start it with a starter pack directly linked to the mains...
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No its only a couple of months old.
Hi, i am thinking of buying a number plate from the dvla for £250. If i buy it I will move the number next to the three letters to spell part of my surname. I know recently the old boys in blue have been cracking down on this a bit so I was wondering if they are enforcing it rigidly. Anyone done a similar thing and been pulled over for it?? Would apprecaite it if you could let me know your views on this. Personally i think it is a bit stupid because it will still be clear what the number is. Read more
Guys,
Back to number plates - does anyone know (I know it is illegal) where you can get number plates printed that can be tweaked very, very slighlty. No major re-working just slight enhancing?
From a someone who has just got her own number for Christmas,
Cheers,
DiamondTolley
Quote from www.whatcar.co.uk
"The new Micra is built from quality materials that feel as though they will out-last many owners"
Depending how the word 'many' is stressed, this can either be an indication of good build quality, or of the target market!
/Steve Read more
The old Micra certainly has an image problem.
I can see why but, if thats the case, then the more fool those who ignore it because I've found it to be a great little car for nipping around town.
And, back to my original point, with a new model out, there will hopefully be plenty of cheap nearly new ones up for grabs and I could well take advantage.
Splodgeface
OK, we've discussed brand loyalty -- how about dealer loyalty. I'm the support manager for a company highly regarded in certain fields, and I've always believed that if a piece of kit never has any problems it doesn't mean that the customer will buy that brand again. However, a bad aftersales experience will definitely put him/her off while a good experience in fixing a problem will tend to make him/her stick with the brand. I always try to make sure my customers are delighted with our support, but how about cars?
I suspect this may be a candidate for the shortest thread in the history of the Backroom, but what experiences have you had that made you want to stay with a particular dealer/garage?
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I think, whatever the make of car you have, you can always find people who have had a "never again" problem. My brother said that about a volvo dealership who, amongst other things, managed to get caught speeding on the M25 (a feat within itself) whilst collecting his car for a service. He tried the Volvo as a change from a Merc and no guesses as to what he now drives. I have a more modest budget and the issue of dealership trust is much higher on my list of priorities than issues such as image and quality of drive.
Splodgeface
My daughter is thinking of buying a diesel Clio 1.9 (P Reg.) with 46K on the clock. Full main dealer history, but no indication whether the timing belt has been replaced. Does anyone know when Renault advise this to be done?
Many thanks,
P. Read more
An update on the Clio. My daughter and I took a test drive this afternoon (7 miles mixed motorway and city) - we were very impressed with the car, my daughter decided to go for it and the salesman agreed to knock £150 off the price of the car towards the cost of timing belt replacement.
Many thanks for all advice.
P.
i have a 6 yr old Seat Toledo gt with 55k on the clock
it makes a funny noise when I reverse.. a loud groaning type noise. I have assumed that it is either a sticking brake or a worn/ binding wheel bearing. I only get this noise when reversing.
Any thoughts?
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Look at the wheel bearing or the brake caliper.
Don't know if it's been featured before but
www.uglycars.co.uk
is moderately amusing
:o)
Terry Read more
I have recently heard some horror stories about traffic in South London and assumed they were urban myths. These stories include "it took me 2.5 hours to get from Clapham North to Vauxhall" (This is a journey of about 2 miles).
Last night however on my motor bike I swear that the roads all around Elephant & Castle were completely grid-locked. Nothing was moving. It must take car drivers hours and hours to go a couple of miles. What is going on - why is no one accountable for all this misery? These roads are always busy but for years the traffic has flowed reasonably well.
Ken Livingstone and his bearded vegan, cyclist collegues should be ashamed of themselves and their mad ideas. Read more
Don't worry lads. London's pre-eminence as a financial center is not tied to the Pound any more than Singapore's is to the Sing $. Neither is it necessary to have warm bodies sitting on seats physically located in London to ensure its survival in this day and age of IT. Euro neither, London will embrace that and move on and adapt.
The motoring bit? Oh, yes, just that congestion charge, Mickey-mousing with traffic lights etc won't threaten any of that per se.
Hi
I recently used the Rotherhithe Tunnel and noticed somethings I had not seen before.
On the South side of the bore there were two wall mounted circular, reflective glass (?) constructions one one covering each carriage way. These constructs appeared to consist of 3 lenses (?) mounted in a triangular shape.
Additionally, yellow boards by the road reminded drivers to maintain a safe distance between the vehicle in front.
Questions:
1) has any one else seen these things?
2) Does anyone know what they are for?
regards
Vercin Read more
Hi
Galaxy: thanks for looking, I should have said that there are 2 Gatsos, at either end of the tunnel and yes there is a 20mph limit, although not if you a local (apparently)
BrianW: I like that idea. Plausible
thanks for feedback
regards
Vercin
Browse
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My horn has genuinely saved my life (well probably) on one occasion, when a huge Toyota pickup came bearing down on me on the wrong side of the road. A frantic blast from me and he looked up from the radio and veered back onto the correct side. :) Unfortunately I had no time to take any other avoiding action as I had just rounded a corner to see this thing almost on me!
If I hadn't had the horn he would almost certainly have slammed into my (old) Fiesta, and I think I know who would have came off worse!
HF - Believe me, if some big bloke got out of his car and started running towards me, I would be scared, I like my face in it's current design! :) Plus I worry that even if they didn't get me, they could give the car a good kicking...
Blue