December 2003
Having moved recently I decided to send off for one of the new drivers licences.
Seriously - It needs four different pieces of paper telling you how to fill in two separate forms.
It took me the best part of an hour to read and complete the forms and I reckon I'm pretty clued up.
The other thing is - the Post Office will check the forms are correct for you but they charge a fiver for the privilege.
I am also without my licence and passport for up to three weeks.
Why can't they make these things simple? Read more
There's a monitor of some sorts on a busy road near us (A316 at Twickenham) and my husband and I are arguing about what it could be. He says it's an outlet for the local sewage plant, but I think this is nonsense! (why would they allow that??) Please help us solve our dilemma with your suggestions as to what it could be for. Whoever loses has to pay for the next dinner for two so there's a lot at stake! The monitor/outlet is the same height as a zebra crossing beacon, but the pole is entirely black plastic and the head is also encased in black plastic and is flatter and taller than a zebra crossing beacon head. There are no other markings and it's just by the side of the road...I can't find a picture of one on the internet anywhere. ANY IDEAS ANYONE?! Read more
Does the box at the top of the pole contain solar panels?
I have seen some black poles, about the height you say, which are used to power weather instruments at the side of the road.
I have a Micra 1L year 2000 a couple of times in the past week the brake warning light has come on for a few seconds mid journey then gone out and not come back on. The brakes are working ok and the brake fluid hasn\'t gone down.
Any ideas anyone. Read more
Thanks for your replies. I had the brakes checked this morning and they are ok, the mechanic thinks it is the switch to do with the handbrake as bertj suggested. He topped the fluid to the max and I am going to check that doesn't alter, although I don't think it did before as it was never on the max mark.
New Year is a time for predictions. So here is my guess at the top threads we will see in 2004; with some typical posts.
S**** C****** (yes, that\'s \"Safety Cameras\", which is on the swear filter for the simple reason that they are burger all to do with safety and everything to do with revenue - ND)
The police should spend less time trying to catch burglars - after all they have to pay for their drug habit and rarely hurt people(the burglars that is) They should concentrate on speeding motorists who are responsible for thousands of casualties!
Top Gear
Jeremy Clarkson and his dwarf accomplice should not spend so much time on mundane everyday cars. What we want is them showing off by demonstrating 4 wheel drifts in real supercars. That is far more relevant for the average motorist.
Optimax
I travel the same journey each week. When using Optimax it takes 1.5 tankfulls. Using Supermarket fuel I do the same journey on less than a tankfull, my acceleration is much better, the car is much quieter and I know the the supermarket additives will produce cleaner emissions.
However I do take heed of HJ\'s advice and I buy all my groceries from the local Shell garage.
Mobile Phones
I propose an amendment to the law. Hand held mobile phones should be legal if you are driving a 4 x 4 fitted with bull bars. After all in one of these you are not likely to hurt yourself if you hit a stupid pensioner who doesn\'t know how to use pedestrian crossings.
Moderating Policy
(From Mark RBLS) Thank you for your constructive criticisms of Backroom moderating policy. My fellow moderators and I have carefully studied the points you make and now appreciate the flaws in the \'small print\'. As you say we are all \"Men of the World\" and we should be more tolerant of profanity and swearing. Likewise with regard to \"free speech\" we now share your confidence that multi-national corporations will not sue us regardless of any slanderous comments we allow in the Backroom.
We will contact you by email when we lift your suspension from the site - but we are rather busy just now.
Any More?
Read more
"BMW drivers should be allowed to use any lane.."
Only fair, as they own the roads.. :-)
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Illegitimi non carborundum!
C by C mentions a chip for Freelanders available at Rover dealerships. Anyone got experience of using one? Did it cost a packet on insurance? Read more
Haven't chipped one, but for sensible insurance on a chipped diesel ring Liverpool Victoria www.liverpool-victoria.co.uk
In many cases they won't load at all for TD chipping.
Seeing as it is that time of year again, has anyone else got any motoring resolutions?
My resolution is to stop using supermarket petrol and fill up with proper stuff!
teabelly Read more
PG,
Sorry, only just this sec saw your reply to me.
Of course you're absolutely right, and I acted in haste (again?!). It's just that to me, courtesy on the roads (and elsewhere) is a very important thing, and I try to extend it to others as often as I can. When I don't get it back then usually I put up with it. I guess this was another HF blip. It's not my normal behaviour, however it might seem on here!
Guess one of HF's many NY resolutions must be to accept being bullied on the roads, with the reward of an easier and less Deathwish-style life.
Cheers
HF
I'm half-tempted to buy a Vauxhall Corsa or Astra as there are some good deals at the minute and my local Vauxhall dealer is excellent. However, I'm unsure of their reliability, etc. and would like to have your opinion, Dear knowledgeable posters, would you buy one ? (it would be our second car and would only do 7,500 miles a year, for, hopefully at least 10 years) Read more
There's the survey over on the AutoExpress web site for starters(under the 'specials' part of the web site). It's a 3Mb pdf file, so may take a while to download via dial-up.
Hi,
I have a Pug 306TD 1993, which seems to take longer than usual to heat up inside. I dont know whether its just me, or whether this is normal.
0 mins: Starting with a cold engine, external temp 3 degrees C. Blowers on speed 1, temp control on full hot.
3 mins: later doing 30mph (no traffic), and very slight warm air.
5 mins: approach motorway (slight warm air), blower on speed 2.
7 mins: good run on motorway, coolant temp approaching 80 degreees C. Internal heat getting warm.
10 mins: still on motorway, coolant rises to 94 degrees celsius, and then drops back to 82 degrees celsius (fairly sharpish). I guess this is when the rad thermostat opens.
13 mins: getting off motorway, coolant steady at approx 85 degrees celsius. Blowers now warm (but not hot).
15 min: journey end, car is now just approaching warm internally.
Note the internal heater is much quicker to heat up at lunch time, and does get fully hot.
I have bled my coolant system fully, so I dont expect that is a problem.
I just want to know whether this what other 306 users experience?
Only really became apparent when I noticed my My wifes A-class heated up in a few minutes from cold. But then again it is only 2 years old, and my 306 is 10+.
Cheers Read more
My 330d has a 'kettle' at the back of the engine bay, which heats the coolant, so that the engine and car interior get warm quickly. Mine is electric (with a huge thick cable from the battery), but on the 5-series I believe it is diesel powered.
The diesel oness are available for retrofit from webasto - about £650 fitted I think, so expensive. But they have a neat trick in that you can warm the coolant before you go out to the car - ie. instantly hot interior and engine.
Sorry folks, I know it's been covered before but....has my 2.2 TiD SAAB definitely got a chain driven cam? If so, does the drive belt and tensioners referred to in the service manual mean that belt that drives the alternator etc. or is just that SAAB can't be bothered to modify the service manual for its diesel customers? Read more
Im going to change my car, im down to my 3 final choices on what to get and i need helpon which one to decided on....because i can't.
First is a vw golf v6 4motion about £15k (ive had several golfs love em)
second is a honda type r love the look good drive
third peugeot 206 gti (180).
I have a last option which is keep my BMW 328I and really go to town and soup up
What should i do
thanks in advance Read more
Ive actually found another car to go for and the missus likes the sound of it (she cant understand my need for speed), its the diesel golf with 150bhp sounds very enticing. Ive also found a company who reckon they can remap the ecu by up to 30% on the diesel engine.(well thats what they claim on thier website and im well up for that as 150 bhp vw reckon 7.6sec 0-60)
180 bhp on a diesel, loverly, also ive found some reports written by owners who have raved about this vehicle. One even reckoned that this vehicle is actually 170bhp + remap 200bhp ... nice!) Getting very drawn to it have found a garage which has one so gonna go there in the morning. I used to have a G reg 1.6 golf td and it was a great car, so considering the advancement of these engines am very keen
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H - have to agree with you. I've just done the same and spent a happy few moments going through the INF1D "how to" booklet - all 18 pages of it.
My PO charged me £4 to do the check - thought this a better bet than risking my passport in the post or getting lost at the DVLA.