May 2003
Is there any advantage in changing the spark plugs from say WR7DC down to WR6DC or in fact upwards to WR8DC. I am going on a long touring holiday with a Volvo 740 and anything to improve the mpg would not go amiss. Buying another car is not an option.
Thanks Read more
I've heard various blokes in various pubs profess that automatic transmission is a variably desirable option, depending on the capacity of the engine driving it (ie. small auto = ok, large auto = fine, medium autos = pants).
Can any BR'ers offer any technical guidance as to why this might be the case?
I'm thinking in terms of power/torque curves, not efficiency.
Ed Read more
Agree with your summation of automatic v manual, however fuel economy is nearly always worse.
Check out the 'Official CO2 figures' for manual v automatic and
auto's are between 20-30% higher.
Remember the official figures are usually no load, one person and only a couple of gallons on board (let's face it - they are trying to sell a product!).
Rover 75 diesel and auto-box is excellent, combination of high torque at low rpm suits the box very well.
Diesel economy makes extra consumption bearable.
In HJ's book and car-by-car breakdown, HJ says all Hondas should be serviced by the franchised dealers etc. For 3/4 year old Honda cars is this really necessary? Is the VTEC engine really that technical? I have a good local garage with experienced reliable mechanics who charge £45 an hour. Read more
Depends on your point of view. As far as I'm aware, nothing in the official Honda service schedule relates specifically to the variable valve timing technology. If I owned a Type-R VTEC, I'd at least seek out independent specialists, or stick with the dealer network out of superstition.
Since my local dealer charges the best part of £200 for a glorified oil change, and managed to miss a fault during the warranty period which looks set to lumber me with a large bill, I take a somewhat dim view of Honda servicing. Their dealers vary in competence and attitude like everywhere else; the common factor seems to be high cost.
Its another day at the office, but the boss has given himself a day off so lets start a new thread just for the sake of it.
So.... What gets your goat.What makes you mad, even though it makes no difference to your life in any way at all.
e.g.
People who own cabriolets but drive around on a sunny day with the roof up.
People who call Reliant Robins, Robin Reliants.
This should be fun !! Read more
DHP: Thanks!
In the shower this morning, getting set for another day's graft. SHWMBO yells through the door, pupil is on the phone wants me to ring back urgently.
On the blower five minutes later to Daryl, whose test is at 9.37 this morning. Odd time I know, but thats how it works. He's a nice driver, should do it easily barring cock ups.
Conversation goes like this:
"Morning Daryl, whats up?"
"Hello Tom? Bit of a problem"
"Whats that then, Daryl?"
"My mum's just checked the appointment letter. The test was yesterday"
Ah well. Only a seven week waiting list round these parts. Read more
Tom
The story is incomplete, what did you do then?
Go back to bed
Wash the car
Fix something in the house that needed fixing for ages
Watch daytime TV
Drive out somewhere and take in a view
Do the washing up/vacuuming
Mow the lawn
Check out the Back Room
I think we should be told.
H.
I have notices that grit has resulted in my electric windows scratching my windows.....
Does anyone know of any products that can remove stratches on glass?
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Previously discussed many times. If you goto the site search box at the top of the page and enter 'glass scratches' (without the quotes) you'll find them.
eg,
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=i&t=72...5
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=i&t=79...5
etc, etc.
I noticed the popularity of the thread concerning the drop in petrol prices, but does anyone have any tips on how to save petrol apart from the usual, dont over accelerate amd turn off A/C etc...
Please dont suggest 'dont drive at all'.
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Keep the car well serviced and consider changing the oil and filter, also fuel and air filter more regularly than the reccomended interval.
Choices:
Daihatsu Copen (but keep the 5 door hatchback for heavy duty uses); or
Peugeot 307cc, trading in my other car.
Requirements: Basically a hard top, retracting automatically. Under £20k.
I know both cars are yet to be issued in UK.
Anyone have any knowledge of these cars?
clariman Read more
Agree with most of what Mab23 has said.
I would add some comments from the driving point of view. SWMBO is on her second SLK the first was an auto 230K - the internal trim was not of a high standard but she looked after it and it looked fine when she traded it.
However, the 320 is different class. There is a much improved quality about the standard of trim. The engine is their stock v6 which is a gem. The standard wheels give a better ride plus the geartronic gear box is more fun and gives you better control (I was not happy with the older auto 230k as it can drop a cog half way round a corner in the wet - with alarming consequences).
I know the price may be a bit up - but the difference more than makes up for it IMO.
Just found an old advert:-
\"Interested in making a Triumph TR4A an even better Triumph TR4A? then...Drive on Discol Cleveland Discol - the only petrol with Alcohol.\"
Any substance to this claim? (Calling all chemists)
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No chemist I but I always sensed whatever I was driving ran a bit sweeter on Discol. Definitely my Bonneville (Triumph, not Pontiac) was less prone to pinking with it and I imagined it ran cooler in that scorching summer of '59.
Still remember the blue and white spread wings on the pumps. Discol was often sold by independent garages along with other brands, so you might find Esso, BP and Cleveland on the same forecourt.
The "Oil Service" indicator light has just made an appearance - so I'm off to the garage anyway to have the black stuff changed.
However, my other half has decided to enlighten me to the fact that our beemer is juddering upon foot braking to junctions etc -she tells me it is similar to a manual stalling.
Is this a cue that the auto oil needs changing too?
Please share your experiences with me so I can put the bank manager on standby! It is a 1994 "M" 320i, straight six with 101k on the clock.
Stu Read more
Slightly warped brake discs?
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The number in the middle of the part number (Bosch in this case) refers to the heat range of the plug.
There is no economy advantage in putting plugs in of a different heat range and it could cause the symptoms already stated by PeteF.
Best way to achieve maximum economy IMO would be to make sure the car has been serviced properly before going on holiday and avoiding a roofrack or towing if at all possible.
HTH
Charles