January 2004
Last night I endured the worst journey of my life.8 hours in terrible conditions and total gridlock to travel 25 miles home.My toyota corolla D4D thankfully didn\'t let me down but it ran solidly for this time crawling along. It has only covered 1500 miles since new last month. Will this journey have done any lasting damage to my car, should I have the oil changed earlier than the initial 10 k service etc???
Thanks Read more
Hi Folks,
Is anyone aware of any "deals" on batteries from major chains at the moment?
Or any other recommendations, likely best motor factors, etc?
Yes, the XM battery is in it's twilight years. It's the original stamped June 96. It did not want to warm my equally mature glow plugs this morning. I was aware of both of them being elderly and frail, and finally this caught me out. It's surprising how the cold weather causes sudden failure. Just the same happened to my Monterey.
Cheers
rg
XM 2.5 VSX '97 81K Read more
Don't slag off Halfords batteries. SWMBO's 106 is running on 1 six years old.. replaced after 30 months under warranty with no quibbles..
madf
Helicopter Junior is in India backpacking with two mates - I just thought I'd share with the backroom his friends report of the latest bus trip they took -
' As we rattled along (the state government buses don't run to the wanton excess of providing suspension), we took part in some of the most audacious overtaking manoeuvres I have ever seen. In one memorable swoop, our bus took on three goods lorries, taking the first two, swerving in front of that second to narrowly avoid an oncoming coach, and looping out again to thoroughly skin lorry number three. I needn't have wondered any longer why the conductor, experienced in such matters, had taken a moment as he boarded to remind his god that he was on the road again, and needed a watchful eye ... '
Should I be worried?
Read more
Very friendly it seems!!
I notice that the price of petrol is creeping up.
Given that uncertainty over Iraq has decreased (allegedly) and the falling dollar vs the pound (1.82 - I've just checked) why aren't we seeing price falls.
I know what my cynical thoughts are, but does anyone know of valid reason / excuse.
Regards
Les Read more
Hello
If i was stuck for fuel i would buy it but i would not if i was able to go somewhere cheaper.
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(iam not a mechanic)
Martin Winters
will Mk3 Golf (14 inch)wheels fit on my MK2 (13inch) and will the extra size make any difference to performance. Read more
provided they are both 4 stud there is no problem at all, the rolling size of the wheel should be the same, on a mk2 with 14" wheels, ie the gti and driver came with 14" as standard, the tyre size should be 185/60/14
Anybody know what it is? Read more
Thanks Matt, i must admit it does sound pedantic at the moment, but i'll give it a chance to grow on me anyway, maybe with practice and training i'll see the error of my ways!
In keeping with the Life Mechanics theme:
"It'll be a case of reading the fault codes, re-programming my ECU, then taking it slow until it becomes as simple as block changing"
We had our 1992 230E 124 Mercedes broken into last week via a smashed rear quarter light. Not much taken and a steering wheel security bar probably helped. The insurance put a new window in and all is now well. In previous cars I have used a very good red flashing dummy 'car alarm light' that works by using a positive power source from the radio supply, and connecting to one of the leads going into the back of the steering wheel lock. When the car is running, this is energized ie. positive, and with the other positive lead gives 2 positives so the light will not work. When switched off, we have a dead lead ie. negative earth, and the red light automatically flashes.
My problem is getting to the back of the steering lock which seems to involve removing vast amounts of dashboard (does it). Is there another way I can pick up another positive lead that will go dead when the engine is switched off, so the light will automatically flash. I thought possibly the fuse box (which lead and which side), but I don't want to mess up any dangerous and delicate electrics. Any ideas?. Read more
I *think* you will find that there is a junction unit (with screw and eyelet terminals) behind the kick plate at the side of the driver's right foot (i.e. by the accelerator pedal). There are ground and switched/unswitched live terminals there.
I?ve just received through the post a pair of H4 Osram Silverstar +50% headlight bulbs (plus a free pair of Philips Blue Vision sidelight bulbs worth £9.95) from Powerbulbs.com. Unbeatable next day delivery. However when I opened the package I was surprised to discover that they were 60/55 W compared to the 55/50 W rating of the OE bulbs. I had taken Powerbulbs.com at their word that the Silverstar bulbs would be suitable for my car and there was no information on their website regarding ratings of the products they sold.
Will the increased wattage compromise either the car wiring/fuses or the headlight reflectors? I?ve read somewhere that too high a wattage bulb can blacken the reflector.
The other contentious point is the expected life ~ Powerbulbs.com claim a ?service life comparable to that of standard H4 and H7 lamps?. However, Osram themselves (on their website, www.sylvania.com/auto/sstar_faq.htm) only estimate ? a lifespan of up to one year under average driving conditions?. I?ve never known OE bulbs have such a short life ~ those on my car (Focus) are nearly 5 years and 72000 miles old already.
Any comments on these issues would be much appreciated.
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L'escargot by name, but not by nature. Read more
Your car requires E-approved H4 bulbs these are 55/60w by definition.
Most car bulbs c;aim to be rated for 1000 hours use, (roughly 24/7 for a month)
We often see UK reliability surveys which some people claim are inherently flawed for a variety of reasons. Does anyone know if any global comparisons are made/collated? It strikes me that in these days of fewer car/component maufacturers and 'world' models it shouldn't be too hard to gather basic reliability information from all major markets to see whether they broadly agree or conflict with eachother. Doing so might show, for example, that the quality of local servicing is a primary factor in overall reliability. On the other hand it might confirm the popular belief here that some, once highly respected marques, are losing the plot worldwide. Read more
Two new Kia models are coming out this year in the most popular segments, the newer ones seem to be styled quite nicely. I think Kia will continue as the fastest growing car company in the UK for a while.
Mrs smokie has just asked why tax discs are round.
I told her it was so that they fit into tax disc holders but she wasn't convinced.
Anyone know? Read more
Have just herd on the radio that the cunning plan to
scrap road fund tax and pay for it via a petrol
tax levy has raised its head again. good idea or not?
rustbucket (the original)
Not. Cars will need to be registered and no doubt there will be various escalations in the cost of that. Eventually we'll be paying as much, if not more, for registration as we did for road fund tax.
Browse
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I don't think you needed to boil yourself to keep the engine temperature down - remember that your car will have been tested in real extremes of heat and cold - honest, the car will be able to cope with much worse!