March 2004
Recently I read the comment to the effect that "I do not want to open the bonnet to do things in there" which raised the following thoughts.
That sounds reasonable for most folks.
What is the current situation supporting this approach.
On non executive cars:
Low brake fluid indicators are normal.
Electronic dipstick is available e.g. Renault Scenic.
Low coolant / overheating. Yaris has no temp gauge just blue thermometer on start up and red if things overheat.
Batteries sealed for life but charge indicator obviously standard.
Low washer bottle contents warning e.g. Focus.
So why open the bonnet? All the vehicles I have been involved with have the washer bottle in with the engine or in the front wing and you need to lift the bonnet for access.
Why not have a little external flap like the fuel flap?
Cost and appearance spoiling the line?
But many vehicles pump washer fluid from the front to the rear washers so why not have the bottle at the rear with a little flap and a small filler tube, then pump fluid to the front. Or have the filler pipe in the boot. There must be some volume available there somewhere. The bottle could be any shape.
My logic suggests that with available sensors etc it should be reasonable to leave the bonnet shut. The only thing the user needs to top up is the washer bottle so make that easily accessible elsewhere. Perhaps half litre bottles of 25 percent strength washer fluid could be available so you just emptied it in with no fear of overfilling?
If implemented it may require be a major retraining exercise.
Are the car makers listening or have I missed some key factors? Read more
Can anyone tell me if the above cars, I am assuming they have the Rover diesel engine and not the pug engine like its 218 predecessor. My question is this, Do the above cars suffer from the same head gasket problems as there petrol stablemates? Read more
Good, strong & reliable engines, these L Series...
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groups.msn.com/honestjohn - Pictures say a thousand words.....
RE HJ's report on the Ford Mondeo. If you had £20,000 would you buy that Mondeo? It will be worth £10,000 after just 1 year.
I predict that the Mondeo will be discontinued by Ford within the next 5 years. The large family car market is rapidly disappearing. People buy either small executives or MPVs. Mondeo man can't afford to lose £200 per week on depreciation, however well it drives.
Read more
Even if there is a financial advantage to buying a BMW over a Mondeo, if I had to choose between the two, I would take the bus!
A mate of mine has built a Cobra replica in his garage, with the proper chevy 51/2 litre V8. He is having trouble setting the carb up, and I gather that it is one of these Holley jobs. Is anyone able to suggest an expert? My man lives in Great Yarmouth, and I am anxious that he sorts this out soon, as he has promised me a spin (not literally I hope) Read more
My 306 lights were fitted with 100 watt bulbs when I bought it second hand and used to provide adequate lighting. Since both of these have now blown (on seperate occasions) I had to replace them with standard 60/55w bulbs. I do a lot of driving in the dark (5am starts at work!) and find these dreadfully underpowered. I cant seem to find any 100w bulbs anymore but have come across a set of 130/90w bulbs off ebay. Will the standard wiring cope with this extra load? if I do have to upgrade the wiring is it just a case of ripping out the existing wires and replacing with thicker gauge?
Thanks for your help. Read more
Just get the top quality bulbs as mentioned above - more lumens for your watt should solve your problem without any nasty side-effects
hi everyone,
last week i was told that the mark 4 ford fiesta has the brake cable and clutch cable in one!
can anyone elaborate on this? Read more
general question.... a friend told me something happen to his car but i couldn't remeber the full facts that his garage told him... just wanted to clear that up!
cheers
am i right to be pleasantly surprised that my recent purchase of a hyundai accent Yplate, shows signs of a car built far higher than the reputation gives credit for. Away from the image, and the boring dash, handling, etc. The car really does feel a whole lot better screwed together than the fiat punto, ford galaxy, suzuki alto and peugeout 206 i've had in the past 5 years.
Is my car a one off, or have in fact hyundai really improved their build quality.
Also, if the car is given a full service at the inreerval (10k) and looked after, how many miles can i expect out of the 1.3 engine, as this is the first car ive coinsidered keeping for good.
One issue, the paint work isnt great and they do rust a little to easy. Read more
"Personally, I've just invested in a new Saab"
Let's hope it's brand new and not a 1997 Saab 900, which seems to have done as well as the Hyundai.
V
A bit of local humour. Seen on your favourite vehicle today "Rand Lover!" Read more
RANDY LOVER stickers can be bought over e bay in the same type setting as the Land Rover decals that appear on the leading edge of the disco bonnet.
They're actually very subtle.
Hugo
This little cameo on the anticlock M25 last Wed night .
About 3/4 of a mile from exit to A1M . Ahead of me in lane 2, lorry 1,lane 2 someone in Honda CRV . Ahead of lorry, another lorry (2) .
Lorry 1 decides to oevrtake lorry 2 , comes out without signal into path of CRV, gap between them is now about 20 yards at 60-70 mph .CRV hasn\'t anticipated this move, is spooked by lorry 1\'s move , so goes to lane 3, without signal . In lane 3 is a very fast-moving BMW which manages to brake in time .
Lorry 2 turns off at the exit, not having signalled in advance , so lorry 1\'s manoeouvre unnecessary - he reverts to lane 1 . CRV goes back to lane 2.
I doubt any of them had any idea of the danger they , and other road-users had been exposed to .
After all, driving is just what we do between the important bits of the day Read more
Morning all,
I have a Golf Gti mk 8v that shudders and shakes when maintaining a constant speed over 50mph.
Seems to be only occuring in 5th, over 50 mph, and does not occur on full throttle. Any ideas?
Thanks
Read more
You said it does not do it when accelerating thus the driveshaft very worn suspension bushes. i.e. on the throttle the front wheels pull forward biasing the goemetry but on the cruise the things are moving around and get a wobble on. It could be a damaged tyre but I assumed you had already checked that out. Regards Peter
Browse
Not on my A2 - there is a tool to remove the hub cap, but I\'ve never used it to get the cap off - nor did the tyre fitter down the road!