September 2003

FP

My 306's remote locking key's batteries have lasted just 3 months. I seem to remember someone here saying that poor contacts in the key cause the batteries to run down.

One: are there any fixes for this?
Two: does anyone know of a source of cheap batteries (they are lithium)? Read more

David Horn

A battery can only be measured properly when it's under load... otherwise, it will read the correct voltage. Put it under load and if it's going flat the voltage should drop.

Difficult to do with a button cell, though.

FP

Thought people might like to know that I was at Carrefour (big hypermarket) in Nice (S. France) last week and picked up their special offer of 7 litres of fully synthetic 5W50 oil for petrol or diesel engines, costing 22.25 euros (= £15.50 approx.). You may like to check to see if this is available in other branches of Carrefour. Read more

Sooty Tailpipes

I just picked up another 4 x 5 litre packs of Vauxhall branded Delphi 5W40 Fully Synthetic oil for £41 inc. VAT. with a trade card that costs me £20 (club membership fees)

The RRP is £27/ 5 lites so that's £108 full price.

5w50 is a bit thick for most applications.

Question Mondeo washers
BobbyG

I have just been given the use of a V Reg Mondeo Ghia. Problem is windscreen washers - it would appear that a pipe has came adrift somewhere - every time I press the washers, the water comes leaking out the bottom of the car, just under where the bottle is.

Is this an easy fix - at first glance I couldn't see how to access the bottle?

Any help would be appreciated. Read more

FatDogMendoza

From what I remember, it is underneath the resevoir, follow the tubes all the way down - this should be accessible (if you have small hands). To help, get someone to activate the washer - you should be able to feel the fluid comming out from the resevoir.

My car was a 96N - yours may be different.

HTH

JohnX

Not a thread related to buying cars , but probably may interest anyone planning to buy a trafficmaster system.
Saw an offer on savastore.com where you can get the trafficmaster freeway setup for £25.Normally the price of this thing is £80.
Anyway being a complete offer sucker i ordered it without thinking.
Waiting for mine to arrive and then will post about how useful/less it is!
And yes I have to purchase a car first before i get to test it!
Hopefully sometime in the next 2 weeks.


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scotty

I have traffic master fitted to Omega, but I'm too tight fisted to pay the subscription. I've driven hire cars with the system fitted and found it ok on the motorways etc. but it got out of itself once I got off the M6 at Penrith.

I live an hour from the nearest motorway and TM coverage seems a litle light around this neck of the woods, but then so are roads.

Perhaps if I lived elsewhere it would be worth the dosh.

Question Mondeo TDCi
Kenneth

I have a Mondeo TDCi 15 months old with 26000 miles.Since May it has spent some considerable time at the dealers with a reoccurring fault.ie. Management light comes on and shuts down to "limp home mode". Cold starting is not good with rough running and smoke.The car went in last week for three days came out, ran fine for three days and went again. Now after another two days they cannot solve the problem,and we now await the visit of a guy from Fords,in 9 days time. The car has had 2 sets of replacement injectors. Anyone had similar problems and if so what was the outcome?
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Kenneth

Thanks for your comments.Every time the car has been in the dealer has consulted Fords Technical Dept.In fact they have been instructed By Ford to consult with them problems with TDCis. The dealer has no answers except to say they have been working under the instruction of Ford .Test upon test has been done,even a compression test!! My dealer assures me they have not had a problem with any other Mondy except replacement pump etc.,the same as me, some 11 months ago.

Blue_nova

i have only seen a few of these cars around. I think they are dam good cars, but my friends think different please point me in the right direction.


Well look at that Read more

BaseRSXmanual

Nice. But the S2000 is a better car all the way around for less money. I think the only reason to get a Z4 is if you are really set on the idea of having the status of a BMW.

greaser pv

Does anyone know a suitable pattern filter for an auto carisma R-reg. orig. part no. MD 752072

Cheers Read more

Torque

Go to the Federation of Automatic Transmission Engineers website, www.fedauto.co.uk, a member local to you should be able to supply you with a non o/e filter.

Forum Car songs?
Vin {P}

Following on from an earlier "driving songs" thread and the "Classic - Pah!" thread, I remember that the Hillman Avenger was immortalised in a song by an ex Steeley Span member: See

www.geocities.com/mccormick_cj/index.html

Mini Metro - in the Toy Dolls version of "Drivin' along in my Automobile", titled "Drivin' along in my Mini Metro"

Cortina - "Nina, I've got a Cortina" (or is that just in my imagination; I can't find it on the web)

Any more British cars so honoured?


V
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DavidHM

On the subject, Will Smith's Men In Black (Galaxy Defenders...)

Sorry.

bradgate

Can anyone offer any tips on how to master this technique?

I have recently been trying to teach myself to 'heel-and-toe' downshifts in my Impreza without, i must confess, much success. I am finding it physically difficult to 'blip' the throttle with the side of my foot while simultaneously braking. My ankle does not want to twist in the necessary direction and my knees are obstructed by the bottom of the wheel as i try to contort my feet.

I have big feet (size 11). Does this make heel-and-toeing more awkward?

All advice from driving gurus would be gratefully received!
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GrumpyOldGit

Bradgate - another one here who uses h&t all the time, purely for the satisfaction of being able to.

Of course you can teach yourself on public roads. You don't have to be driving at high speeds to use the technique, and I can't believe you would be any more at risk than a newly-qualified driver improving their basic skills.

I brake with the ball of my foot and blip with the heel as the pedals are a toush too far apart in my car. You just suit your foot action to the pedal layout of the car.

In an old MGBGT I used to own I took the throttle pedal off and used heat to bend the shaft so it was closer to the brake pedal. Then I could keep my foot more or less straight, braking with the ball and rocking the right side onto the throttle.

Have fun!

AR-CoolC

One for Renault fans

I've just seen on the Renault.com site that there is a Megane estate (sport tourer). For some reason I can't get onto the uk side of the Renault site to look at prices, trim levels etc, all I can see is pictures on the .com site.

Has anyone out there any knowledge of these ? I'm now a little upset because I wasn't aware of the estate version when I placed my order for a Focus estate, if I'd know I would have taken a look at them.

Thanks Read more

MisterMethane

The new Twingo will be based on the next Clio platform and it is planned that a RHD version will be made. About time they a had a city car to compete with the Ka , C2 and new 107 etc