May 2003
On the way into town, a dual carriageway (2 lanes each way) terminates at a smallish roundabout, with 4 'regularly-spaced' single carriageway exits - the straight ahead one being the continuation into town.
The lane markings on the roundabout approach show the LH lane as straight on and LH turn, whilst the RH lane is marked for RH turns only.
So during the early morning commute, many drivers have taken to sliding by (in the RH lane) dutifully-queueing motorists in the LH lane (wanting to go into town), then driving 'all the way round' the roundabout and on into town.
According to the letter of the law, has any offence been committed by these drivers?? Thankfully, I don't actually commute that way - but on the few occasions I've used this roundabout, I've noticed one or two angry 'exchanges'! Read more
There's a report on the BBC news site now about an OFT crackdown on rip-off garages. Perhaps someone more technically able than me will post a link here. Read more
That is a good news story - it shows that asertive and proactive behaviour does bring improvements. I was particularly pleased to see the comments by some motorists of their experiences where they had complained and obtained redress from garages without too much bother. As I have said elsewhere, making your views known in the right place in the right way can achieve better conditions for fellow motorists. The bbc link invites motorists to tell their good/bad stories there, so go ahead and take that opportunity.
Around here a number of cycle lanes have been introduced which, due to the amount of parked cars blocking them 24/7 are totally useless ! These lanes are carefully marked out with white lines and have a red or green synthetic surface applied to them and accompanying signage - all of which I would guess makes them very costly.
What is the point of laying down cycle routes which few people bother to use and those who do must find highly irritating if not dangerous ? Read more
Brilliant Site!
I now plan to spend my weekend looking for examples in Blackpool - I hope I\'m disappointed.
Anyone visiting Blackpool should bring a bike just for the ride along the cliffs from Gynn Square to Anchorsholme - superb views, smooth tarmac, a few hills and bends to make it interesting (but still pedestrians walking their dogs on the wrong side).
But if you choose to go on the lower promenade only go Southbound, \'cos there\'s a no cycling sign coming the other way and you\'ll get nicked :-)
Did anyone watch Fifth Gear?
The adaptive steering looks like a true innovation ? useful option - I guess once you get used to it you will be able to steer a car very nicely.
True as the presenter said, the front is fine. But are the sides and the rear that flabby? I feel that people will warm to the shape with time to come. That said, if people dislike the car the residuals will plummet, and we will have a better chance of laying our hands on a second hand at realistic prices.
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At least they have had an attempt to come up with something new in the way of styling. In a world where too many car companies trade on their heritage, it is refreshing to see a car company who could have rested on their laurels try something different.
I was just wondering what real life mpg people get from the new model Toyota Corolla with the 1.6 petrol engine? Read more
I'm 6ft tall but the problem is all my height comes from the waist upwards which means with the seat on its lowest setting I end up looking at the sun visor. It's a blooming nuisance as it rules out quite a lot of cars.
I've been having a few problems with my Peugeot 205 1.4 XS.
These started off with a fuelling problem that led me to change the fuel filter, then fuel hoses, then fuel pump, then stripping down the carb and cleaning it and finally fitting a secondhand carb. The fuelling problem now seems to have cleared (the problem was that the car would stall/judder at low revs, but still worked fine at higher revs resulting in a jerky ride to say the least).
After changing the carb I took the car for a test drive. I had already noticed that the battery (alternator) light was coming on dimly at low revs (< 2500 rpm) the day before, although this seemed to be intermittent. I got to the petrol station, stopped, filled the car up and returned home. On the way home things got worse. The rev counter dropped to zero revs whenever I put the lights on full beam and returned to normal readings when the lights were dipped again. The headlights and indicators all still worked fine. I stopped the car to open the garage door and now it won't start at all! The engine doesn't turn over when the key is turned. All the lights still work including main beam and the brightness seems to be okay (so not battery?).
Any help/suggestions would be very much appreciated.
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I had the same problem with a 205 XE with the battery being working fine but the engine just was not turning over. The problem was that a connection on the starter motor was not connected properly. I had to fiddle around with a couple of times because the connection was always comming loose. I reckon it is some kind of loose connection but I could be wrong.
Michael
After replacing the thermostat on my 1.6 escort (oncore), the engine idle speed increased, I dont think i replaced the rubber seal around the thermostat,Can anybody tell me is this the result Read more
Thanks for the info...Tried this and it worked :-)
I have just replaced the discs and pads all round (£180 all up -not bad for a Beemer)on my 1990 E30 318IS and am interested in a few things. Firstly, what is the best/most effective way to run in the new brakes ie. what driving style to adopt in order to prevent warping/pitting/grooving/glazing etc etc. as I have heard that these brakes a vulnerable to the above. Secondly could someone explain why having rear discs improves braking performance so much and what percentage of the braking is done by the rears? Why do manufacturers insist on fitting apparently obsolete rear drums on so many new cars? Also how does the balance valve work on my car (apparently there is one!) and would it be possible to improve braking performance by removing it - I recently saw an E30 325i (same brakes as mine) lock up all four wheels simultaneously and while I realise this is not very clever, it does at least show that maximum braking potential was available in the split second before lock-up. Probably not the most exciting question for you guys to answer but I really am very interested to find out the answers! Thanks in anticipation...
Matt Read more
My mates car a Pug 206 GLX has ABS added as a factory option. He also has drum brakes at the rear. I used to have a Rover 214 SEi mk2 that didn't have ABS and only had discs at the front. My current car a 306 Cabriolet has ABS EBFD with discs all round. I have yet to "properly test" the brakes (lets hope I don't need to!) I won't be getting a car ever again without rear discs. The braking is excellent. I had a few scary moments with my Rover, the rear drums locked and a huge plume of black smoke at the rear of the car at 80mph in the outside lane of the M6.
306 2.0 SE Cabriolet
A V plater was advertised on our works intranet today for £2250.
Not sure it is good value, but it was described as "looking like a Toyota Yaris".
To Mr Magoo maybe .....
clariman Read more
I think even Mr Magoo would struggle to see the similarity between a Perouda Nippa and a Toyota Yaris!
Although a friend has a Perouda (all 850cc of it) and drives regularly on the motorway in it. She says it's quite acceptable on the motorway. I think she's lying......
Her daughter goes to the same school as mine and when it's picking up time she brings her car. I tell you, there's not many cars that can be dwarfed by a Suzuki Wagon-R, but a Perouda Nippa is one of them!!
Can anyone supply me with the list of regional areas for first two letters of plate......... thanks Read more
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I think the main trouble is that roundabouts are a compromise. They keep traffic flowing where a number of roads meet and traffic levels are low. However, during busy periods they are more of a hinderance than a help. Junctions with lights are better when there is a lot of traffic flow or limited space, but at quite times they can seriously hinder traffic flow. The alternative would be a spaghetti-junction like arrangement with multiple fly-overs and duck unders for all possible combination of routes.
Personally, I find roundabouts worrying as no matter how careful you are to follow the road markings and common sense there is always someone who will have their own interpretation or simply will take no notice and do what they like.