May 2003
On Sunday afternoon I parked my Mondeo 2002 2.5L on an 8° hill, obviously I engaged first gear and hand brake. After 10min, I went back to my car, only to realize that it was 50m downhill embedded with a telephone post. The hand brake lever was still on position. Can anybody help me? I can\'t understand what happened. The car that was parked in front of mine didn\'t hit mine. I know this because it\'s my friend\'s car.
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Hi,
first car, first MOT due soon - can someone answer these please:
1. Cracked front No. Plate - Fail or Pass?
2. Both Reverse lights dont work (think it is faulty gearbox switch) - Fail or Pass?
3. Handbrake doesnt fully bite until fully pulled up. Fail or Pass?
4. Spare Tyre has slow puncture - Fail or Pass?
Thanks.
Also, my brakes have started squeaking quite badly when braking. New pads were put on front last year. Other causes?
Thanks Again,
Murray Read more
Yes, I know not strictly true Richard, but effectively so if you know your MOTer. I have always found it pays to build up a friendly relationship with a strict but fair garage. If like me you only ever visit a garage for MOTs, then it is worth using the test as a way of getting an overall expert eye cast over everything. I also make a point of asking the actual tester whether there was anything he was a little doubtful about, or anything that might be a possible failure next time.
I did once get a car through on a promise to fix it soon - I had the new shoes on order. Honestly!
M25 on Sat I was driving in the inside lane at about 65mph - only about an hour's drive. I felt a bit sleepy so I turned up the aircon and the radio. Next thing I knew I was on the hard shoulder having been woken-up by the rumble strips. I quickly managed to get back on line with no mishaps.
I must be getting older because this has never happened before. If I have been in the fast lane it could have been nasty. I had my two youngest in the back. Scary moment. Read more
I've always thought similarly that the lanes were named illogically. Where I live it is indeed the case that the lane nearest the kerb is called the outside, or "slow" lane and the others are referred to as center and inside or "overtaking" lane respectively.
Apparently the locals have been complaining about the screaming engines and squealing tyres at Dunsfold where the series is shot. Wonder if they complained about the roaring jet engines when it was occupied by British Aerospace testing Harriers. Read more
Would you move into an area near a motor racing circuit
and complain about the noise? Bit like moving next to a
sewage works and complaining about the smell.
Ha Ha! Within a mile of my place there is
a) A racing circuit (killarney)
b) a sewerage works
c) An oil refinery
d) a fertilizer plant. (I love the smell of Urea in the morning)
Not to mention the airport flight path ... or the Nuclear Power Station a few miles up the coast!
I must be Bl**dy mad!
Call to ban 4X4 vehicles from school run is condemned
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Manufacturers have reacted angrily to a MP\'s demand that four-wheel drive vehicles should be banned from the school run and trips to the supermarket.
Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Norman Baker said off-road vehicles intimidated other road users and damaged the environment.
But the role of 4x4 vehicles was defended by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) which said the vehicles were becoming \"an easy target for political opportunists.\"
And the RAC\'s campaigning arm, the RAC Foundation, said people should have the freedom to travel as they pleased, while the AA said the state should not dictate which vehicles drivers should choose.
Mr Baker said his constituency of Lewes, East Sussex, suffered from a heavy traffic problem where cyclists and pedestrians were often forced up against the wall by four-wheel drives.
He told the BBC: \"Manufacturers have identified that there are only so many vehicles they can sell to farmers and others who would legitimately use such vehicles. The slogans which they are using to sell their vehicles are aimed at urban users.
\"There are real questions whether or not someone needs a two-and-a-half tonne, 22-gallon vehicle to nip down to Tesco\'s or take the kids to school.\"
Mr Baker continued: \"The consequences of ever-increasing use of these vehicles means that other road users often feel intimidated, pedestrians and cyclists certainly do, use of fossil fuels increases dramatically, and our small urban towns, particularly historic towns, are being overwhelmed in some cases by these vehicles.\"
SMMT spokesman Al Clarke said: \"There is a danger of victimisation here. First it was White Van Man, now it is off-road drivers. What\'s next? Sports car owners? Drivers of soft-tops?\"
He added: \"People have to choose the best way to get around in built-up areas. Until there is a situation where there is a real alternative to public transport, people have the right to drive around as they please.\"
Drink Lager Talk Piffle Read more
Thanks DVD, that was what I was looking for. Most enlightening.
Brother's just about to buy a 306 turbo diesel and has a choice of two:
1997 306 DTurbo, 3 door, e/w, e/s, 74k, alloys v.good condition but no ABS for £3600
or
1998 306 tdlx, 5 door, e/w,ABS,A/C,rain sens. wipers, 105k, not good condition but still drives well etc. £3700
What is the general consensus? How important are the extra miles - he loves the ABS and Aircon and doesn't mind about a few chips etc. Would be grateful for advice as the deal will happen tonight. Many thanks!
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I don't think there will be a difference of 2 bhp between the two cars unless the 97 was a Mk1 and the 98 a Mk2. Most Dturbos were 3-door though some 5-door ones came later. The most noticeable differences I can recall (apart from the sport seats) is a top spoiler on the tailgate and a one-piece rear seat squab (i.e. not split).
Will it be possible to fit wheels from a Mk3 onto a Mk2? Both are 14inch. Read more
I have just acquired, perhaps ill-advisedly, a 'grey' 1997 Legnum
It has a multi communication system that looks after Sat/nav, radio, Aircon, CD etc. via a 7 inch 'touch screen' monitor.
Yes - you've guessed - it's all in Japanese!!
Does anyone know where I can get an English CD for the Control Unit?
Unfortunately, the UK supplied Galants do not feature this highly desirable piece of kit as an optional extra.
Chris W Read more
The problem with japanese sat navs, is that basically satelite navigations systems are computers. They run an operating system. The operating system has to generate the display and characters. Japanese is very different from other character sets, and hence is not easily changed (unlike a european language). So to get the sat nav to work in european you will need a new operating system. Now while it may be possible to apply upgrades or patches to a sat nav operating system, you cant usually change it totaly as it imbeded on a chip. A european map cd will not work on a japanese operating system.
Can anyone out there give me a sensible answer to a simple question? Citroen UK and France have both been less than helpful with their answers.
I have a 2002 XSARA 110bhp HDI SX. My handbook says that I must use Total Quartz 9000 (or equivalent).
It does also list Quartz 7000, but says that this must not be use in HDi engines which have a particle filter.
To the best of my knowledge my car DOES have a particle filter.
I recently had my car serviced by Citroen, and they used Quartz 7000.
Citroen UK say that 7000 will be \'alright\'.
Citroen France say that 7000 is fine in my car, but it must NOT be used if a \'dust filter\' is fitted. (Presumably a translation error form \'particle filter\'.)
All I really need to know is whether the 7000 oil is in OK until the next due service in 12,500 miles, or should I take the car back and get them to replace it with 9000.
Anyone reading this able to get to someone in the technical department at Citroen? All I can get through to is \'Customer Services\' who do not seem to be worth the price of the 0800 phone call.
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Sounds like a really nice car. My C5 is black. The dealer said he had never sold a black C5 before and even since I bought my one, he says he couldn't even persuade a local taxi driver to have one - he bought a white one!
It's got to be seen (clean!) to be appreciated I reckon. I know what you mean, though about 'the colour the car was designed for' and I don't think black was maybe that for the C5 - because all the black plastic trim 'disappears'!
I chose black because I've never been too keen on the 'cheesy grin' of the C5. The black paintwork diminishes this a lot and enhances the 'chrome' brightwork. Newly washed and polished it's outstanding. A mile down the road it's mucky and unremarkable.
Don't worry about the oil - use a good fully synthetic and you should be fine.
Graeme
Where can I buy a recon engine from for a 96 2.0GLS Vauxhall Omega please in the Essex/Suffolk/Cambs area?
Alternatively annyone know anyone that replaces pistons??
Many thanks
Daz Read more
Many thanks, will give them a try.
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As far as I am aware all new shape Mondeos were subject to a recall last May/June for a modification to the handbrake as there were reports of cars rolling away. Presumably Ford sent out a letter to all owners.
There was a delay on me picking mine up (6 month old 01 model at the time) because the dealer was waiting for the handbrake modification parts before delivery.
I have the LX with the plastic wheeltrims, the handbrake works fine but the rear wheeltrims have distorted with heat for some reason. On the last service however the dealer said there was nothing wrong with the brakes.