June 2003
Traveling around the M25 last night, anti-clockwise just past the M40 junction, there had clearly been an incident some time before but the road was now clearish and free flowing. However the overhead signs still indicated a 40 limit.
So being the cautious type I got over to the inside lane and passed the sign at 40, much to the annoyance of the guy behind me who was poddling along at 60 and had to overtake for probably the first time in his life. Across the other four lanes the average speed was roughly 75/80.
Now question, given that the road was clear and the signs had just not been switched off, are these guys (assuming the camera was working properly) going to get done? The guys doing 80 being 40 over the posted limit must be in instant ban territory must they not? Read more
As I am sure everyone agrees, rubber-necking is not only dangerous but annoying with the resultant jam.
Would it be possible for the police to erect a temporary screen around the crash site (often quite a small area which has been moved on to the hard shoulder) to obscure from view of BOTH carriageways.
I realise that the police already carry alot of kit in their cars but surely, something can be organised to keep the flow of traffic on the go (and in particular the traffic on the opposite carriageway).
It seems that this is an area of motorway driving that does not seem to have changed over the years, when everyone is aware of the problem. As mentioned before on the board, the French police wave everyone on, but I do not think that this is the solution. Read more
I've often wondered why they build the two carriageways of motorways
next to each other. Surely it would be much safer to
have them hundreds of yards or even miles apart. This would
also allow a hard shoulder alongside lane 3 ; plus better
access for emergency services.
Just my madcap scheme for the day ;-))
I think that you might be right when you say that it is a madcap scheme, although good in principle.
Planning permission would not accept it (except on the M6 thru the Lake District), environmentally unsensitive to ruin 2 places rather than just the one, maintenance (can you imagine contra flows if they were miles apart), but basically cost.
Ive been reading about this nice Mazda RX8, and the reports keep refering to it as a 1.3 rotary engine.
So it got me wondering, I know the new ones will be taxed on co2 emissions, but the older ones like the RX7 - would they be classed as a 1.3 on the log book and qualify for the under 1500cc road tax discount?
Just wondered, as I was sat here, bored!
Tony Read more
Tomo,
If you return to your normal tricks, you'll be straight back through the door again.
Mark.
There seems to be in the locality where I live, a lot of what I can only describe as motorised toy scooters. These are being ridden, some have a small seat, in an aggressive way in amongst the traffic.
Does anyone know the legality of these motorised toys?
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Almost right. The incident I remembered concerned a man with an existing drink drive ban who was detained on a motorized skate board/Goped.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/568853.stm
The other incident you recalled concerned a man who was convicted of being drunk in charge of a motorized skateboard.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/424126.stm
I think we can safely assume that the constabulary will regard these things as vehicles and not toys.
The third link concerns a round Britain trip by someone driving a motorized toilet. It?s not relevant to anything, but I found it whilst searching for the other items and feel obliged to share it with you all. Sadly, it is not powered by natural gas.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/426726.stm
Can any of you B.R. Petrolheads explain why, - when I remove the dipstick from my 320d, the reading is absolutely zero, but after wiping with a rag and replacing it, and then withdrawing it again, - it thankfully is on the correct level?? This has been puzzling me for some time, so would appreciate an explanation, because if somebody went by the original reading and over-filled the engine, I don`t think it would last too long !!!! Thanks in anticipation Read more
When checking engine oil or auto transmission ATF (latter with engine running in 'P') I always take the dipstick out, wipe it thoroughly clean and leave it out for a few minutes. Then put it in and take the reading. This allows the dipstick tube to 'vent' and any oil carried up the tube when you pull the dipstick out can drain back down - the oil can settle at the right level. In my experience this is particularly important when taking ATF levels - if you quickly shove the dipstick in and out you always get the wrong level.
Apologies for my ignorance.
Car is eight years old over 100k. If fill the coolant level up via the expansion tank and you overfill, I assume that the excess will drain out and via the overflow pipe when the car gets going. Now the question I have is.
1. If you over fill your coolant, will this cause any damage to any engine parts, gaskets etc, whilst the excess is draining off? If so why have the overfill/flow pipe?
Thanks in advance
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Thanks John, very detailed answer, just what I was hoping for. If only I could have asked this last night, before I was trying to pump out the coolant at 11.30pm, standing on my drive in the rain wearing latex gloves with a manufactured hand pump made out of a, cleaned household disenfectant spray bottle, and a washing up bottle to catch the excess. (I know coolant is very poisonous). :-)
Asked by a neighhbour to advise on what her car is worth - I'll have a look around some other sites, but some of you lot may be able to help.
Honda HRV 1.6i CVT auto 5 door 17000 miles reg July 2000 (W).(Leather seats)
Cheers
(she's lost her husband and feels ignored when she goes into a showroom - so I said I'd help out (love haggling but don't know so much about 4X4's -in fact is an HRV 2WD!) Read more
If she wants a new one (WHY??) IIRC they are on a kind of run out, Honda pruned the range a few months back so it may soon be an obsolete model. Why doesnt she just buy a few years of extended warranty for her current one? Hell, she could buy a cherished number from the DVLA, put it on & have it valeted and tell all (well some) of the neighbours that its a new car - liked the old one so much blah blah!
Tony
I lost my full licence as a result of the 'New Drivers 2 year rule'. Basically I made a couple of silly transgressions, got 6 points for them & as a result had my full licence taken off me and am now back as a learner on a provisional licence.
Despite originally passing first time, since being back as a learner I keep failing and seem destined to not regain my full licence. (If I sound fed up with it, that's because I am... in fact I'm on the point of giving it up altogether) I've had enough mickey-taking from friends, plus lessons & tests are getting a bit expensive.
MY QUESTION IS THIS... Am I right in thinking that if I took a test on a moped it would give me back that full entitlement, plus full for a car as well. This could be another way back, although I'm sure I wouldn't be that lucky. ANY IDEAS ANYONE ? Read more
Some people have the mistaken belief that advanced driving is performance driving and includes taking the racing line and so on. It isn't. It's about safe and smooth driving. IAM and RoSPA should teach you better driving techniques than an ADI. But generally trying to pass an advanced test is not recommended until you have had a few years driving experience. Presumably this is so you can get some experience on which to build. I know one IAM observer (i.e. instructor) who passed his IAM test at age 19.
My 1997 Escort 1.8 Zetec has started to stutter and doesn't seem to be running at it's best, fuel consumption is normal, all fluid levels fine.
The vehicle has 53000 miles and a full Ford service history.
The problem is quite difficult to describe but it seems to hesitate at certain revs and when travelling on the Motorway it feels like it's holding back intermittently when I'm maintaining a steady speed.
The problem seems to disappear if I accelerate briskly.
I've tried a couple of Redex treatments but with no change.
Any ideas please?
Charles old chap, u seem to be full of Ford info, can u shed any light?
PP Read more
PP
Assuming you have a 105PS engine the Ford part numbers and costs are as follows including VAT:
Lambda sensor (get it tested first!) 6847908 £93.01
Spark Plugs 1077002 £25.72 for 4.
HT Leads 1012436 £34.24 a set.
Charles
Settle a pub argument. Please what is the CORRECT usage of the Auto-box when a car is at a standstill - at traffic lights for example. I know a driving school would teach you to put a Manual car in neutral and put the handbrake on. But what about an Auto-boxed car? Should the Auto lever be shoved in Neutral or Park, or just left in Drive? I would guess you are still meant to put the hand brake on.
When I say CORRECT, I mean as recommended by BSM or the Government/Highway Code etc. As in, what procedure is expected for a pupil to pass the UK Autobox driving test.
I think most people (NOT those on driving tests!) just leave the box in Drive. I do.
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...and something my dear old Dad was taught in the Army (RASC) that he passed on to me.
Terry
Browse
The M25 variable Speed Limits Regulations - known affectionately as the 'ROAD TRAFFIC SPECIAL ROADS M25 Motorway (Junctions 10 to 16) (Variable Speed Limits) Regulations 2001' specifically says: 'Nothing in these Regulations shall prejudice the operation of any other regulations made or having effect as if made under section 17 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.'
This means that when the 'Special' Reg's are not in operation
then the 'Normal' Regs apply. In other words @ 95 mph you'd be nicked.