April 2004
No Dosh, didn't you have an Avensis? I just changed the batteries in one of my 1998 Avensis' black keys. Now the key will remotely lock the car, but not unlock it. It will unlock the car manually via the driver's door, but the alarm goes off when I open the door. I understand that I have to reprogram the key, and I found these instructions on the Toyotaownersclub.com:
"You can program an additional key into the Avensis 1998 - 06/2000 by following this sequence:
Open driver's door and insert programmed black key into ignition. Close door.
1). Within 15 seconds
Switch ignition on and off 4 times.
Switch ignition on.
Open and close the driver's door.
2). Within 20 seconds
Open and close driver's door 5 times.
Remove key from ignition.
3). Within 10 seconds
Insert black key to be programmed into ignition.
Switch on and leave for 1 minute.
Remove key.
Repeat step 3 for further keys.
To exit programming open and close the driver's door."
But I cannot get it to work despite many attempts. (I am of course using my other black key which works fine to initiate the sequence). Can anyone see a mistake in the above instructions? And when it says within 15 seconds, does it mean within 15 seconds of completing the previous step, or within 15 secs do all of the following? Can gaps be left between steps?
Once after step 2 the hazard lights flashed a few times - did that signify anything? Can't seem to repeat the occurrence.
I'm very reluctant to pay Toyota 30 or 40 quid to do this 2 minute job. Help, please!
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I recently traded in a BMW 318CI for a BMW 325CI. The 318CI was bought used by me from a BMW dealer under the approved used scheme with 10K on the clock. Shortly after I did this I got a letter from Vehicle Mielage Check asking me to confirm the mileage when I bought the car and when I sold it.
I thought no more of this until I got a letter today saying that the information I had provided conflicted with other information they had on the vehicle which said it had 19K on the clock at the time I bought it and asking for proof of the mileage I stated. I can provide this proof from the orignal invoice.
If it eventually turns out that the vehicle had 19K on the clock when I bought it and hence 9K more miles than stated when I sold it, where do I stand. Can I be held liable and could the dealer whom I bought the new car off claim from me. Or is it a case of buyer beware (the dealer) and does the fact that the transaction has been completed remove any further liability from me.
Having said that I\'ll be pretty upset if I\'ve paid a premium for an approved used car and been sold one with a changed mileage!
Any advice / thoughts appreciated. Read more
Vehicle mileage check is part of the experian group.
A similar group - Independent Vehicle Mileage Association
is run by HPi.
They are trade only databases. All reputable dealers, auction
houses etc will have access to one of these.
Data is sourced from the DVLA, BVRLA, RMI etc.
Recently experian has set up a stand alone mileage check
to the public. The site is www.wisemileage.co.uk, although
it is currently under maintenance. Halford also offer this
over the phone.
Who are "Vehicle Mileage Check?"
The most recent road safety messages (maybe something that varies form one are to another) have been more general, for example TV campaigns highlighting the consequances of going too fast for the conditions (although within the limit) using the slogan "THINK!"; and another aimed at speeding, jumping red traffic lights and the risk of being intimidated by aggressive following drivers. There's also a very good illustration of the danger of being distracted for split second, even if you think you're a better driver than most, and are within the speed limit. Another slogan used in these is "Be your own man".
The problem is that for every piece of "education" aimed at telling drivers what to do, there is another influence telling them the opposite. Drivers have historically refused to obey speed limits, so these limits have been revised downwards and more enforcement measures taken. Result - certain people spend huge chunks of time encouraging people to break the law. Who do you think some drivers are going to follow? They will not accept being told that what they are doing is wrong until it affects them personally. An NIP will change their behaviour when they realise how much more their insurance will cost them and when they get close to losing their licence - it would chnage it more if the fines and penalty points were higher.
I agree with what you say about cameras not catching the worst offenders, but some of the responsibility for that has to lie with the individuals concerned, and with those who encourage them. I saw a quote recently from a senior police officer (can't remember which area) that if things keep going the way they are, we will go back to hidden, mobile cameras that will be harder to detect or track. Good move, in my opinion. That WILL change driver behaviour.
I would like to know what proprtion of NIPs issued are for those who only drifted over the limit by a couple of mph. This argument is often quoted, but I don't ever remember seeing any facts to back it up. I suspect that many people assume you get 10% (or 10%+2mph) leeway and try to use that to go aim at 35 - they will always push for the most they can get away with. Let's not foget that most people doing 31 would have a speedometer reading up to 34/35, and if they can't keep their speed at 30 there are a whole lot of other numbers below that to choose from! If they can't keep their speed below a given figure maybe they should use the bus! Read more
70? That's a bit slow isn't it? :-)
Is anyone aware of any rules about the right of way in a car park? I am frequently amazed at the way some people park and then walk off, apparently oblivious to other motorists manoeuvring and careless of their own safety. A car park is surely not the same as a pedestrian crossing with the the green man illuminated, but who should give way? Read more
Working on the basis that the majority of shoppers at the larger supermarkets have arrived by car I never cease to be amazed by their lack of traffic awareness. It would appear that the majority of the population is pro car when in a vehicle but pro pedestrian as soon as they get out of one!
As to reversing into spaces, I always try to, unless boot/rear door access will be restricted, simply because, regularly driving a van, I find it easier to reverse on mirrors.
My main worry when working in supermarkets is that I drive a Transit style van with no rear vision other than door mirrors and when reversing someone 'always' walks across behind me. I take great care and always reverse veeerrry slowly but that just seems to encourage them! Ultimately you can only look in one place at a time and pedestrians have a responsibility too. One guy I had nearly knocked over told me that if I was going to reverse that slowly he wasn't going to wait as he hadn't got all day, he didn't seem that pleased when I told him that if he carried on like that around vehicles he would have an eternity....
Cockle
My wife has just bought a Skoda Fabia 1.2 ( 64 hp ). The handbook is rubbish. Can anyone tell me
1) What sort of oil i should have for it for topping it up ?
2) Any particular wax or polish i should use on it. It is a bright red colour.
3) Is the engine ( 3 cylinder ) chain driven??
thanks Read more
With respect, I think that the Fabia handbook is one of
the best there is.
It's not badly set out or written but it is confusing because it's the same one regardless of model. It therefore has to cover every engine type and extra bit of equipment. There are very many possible permutations, not all of which reach the UK market. It's actually quite hard to work out which bit of information is relevant to your model and which isn't.
I have a 1.4 engined model. I don't have the handbook to hand but it does tell you what spec oil to use. I needed to top the oil up when the car was new but this hasn't been necessary for some time. The oil will be changed at the first service shortly.
I bought Castrol Magnatec which states that it's especially suitable if the handbook specifies the VW spec that mine does. It doesn't actually state that it meets that spec. I'm not sure whether this is a clever bit of verbal trickery.
HJ
If you are referring to the article of Martin Churchill you surprise me with your sympathy.
Here is a guy that gets zapped 3 times for speeding in 14 months.
The first being 68 in a 50 limit (roadworks?) on the A.1. Come on we all know that there are cameras amongst all the signs. To do that speed even at night is really chancing his arm.
The other two are marginal 40 in a 30 and 37 in a 30. But again he puts forward the hoary that he doesn't know what speed he is doing and has to clock his speedometer all the time. Come on this a bloke with admitted 30 years driving experience on four and two wheels. Time he learnt by visual reference as to what speed he is travelling at like the majority of the rest of us.
His last encounter which will lead to his disqulaification was 81 in a 60 limit on two wheels. Didn't know he was speeding?. The speedo on the bike would be right under his nose.
Doesn't look as if he has friends or family to help him to get to Court. No wonder the way he drives. He's risked it, lost and is now wingeing,
An accident waiting to happen.
BR jury whats your verdict?
DVD Read more
The interesting thing about this debate, though, is that ppl who
dislike cameras try to find flaws in the studies which show
how cameras reduce the number and severity of accidents where they
are installed ... but they cannot point to any studies which
fail to show such a reduction.
Err, yes, but....
The only people who have full access to the raw data and who are able to demand that it is collected in the way they ask are HMG. So it's not surprising that HMG are the only ones that can carry out major studies. So those that disagree with HMG have little option but to look at the official studies and ask whether the data justifies the conclusions reached.
There are two main things that make me sad:
- first that major changes have been made to our system of road policing, but our roads as a whole seem no safer and the death rates back this up
- second that those who query current speed camera policy are often automatically regarded as being in favour of speeding and against enforcement of any description. Not so!
I need to travel from Sheffield to London on the afternoon of Saturday 1 May, returning on the Sunday morning. Taking the train for the whole route looks like it will be expensive and take forever (engineering works etc).
If I drive the whole way are there any relatively cheap parking places in Central London? Or does it make sense to drive to a local station and take the train in - I was thinking about places like Harpenden or Luton but any suggestions would be gratefully received.
Thanks
Pete Read more
Have no experience of leaving my motor 'on the streets' overnight but when down in the Big City for the day I always use roads close to Brent Cross tube station then take the 'rattler' down to Charing X! Have never had any 'trouble' but last week had to look at streets further afield than normal as Barnet Council(?) have now made bays/roads closest to the station available only to Permit Holders. Finally ended up on Montpellier Rise!
Best...
I am told it is possible to program a new key plip, does anyone know the procedure for doing this?
many thanks
Taxi driver (Southampton)
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I have had this issue and sadly didn't know that you could reprogram the keys in your car. Sadly had to go to Peugeot and pay £30 to get it sorted!!
ib141
Just changed the plugs in my Mondeo (2000W), and want to check the HT leads are ok as the car has now covered 103k miles. Is it possible to do this by measuring their resistance with a common multi-meter? If so, what value should a lead not exceed if it is in good condition?
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Ben,
I've heard that your lucky to get 30k out of an original Ford set and less from OEM ones. Though to be fair I've just changed mine for the fourth time at 152k so they can't be that bad. I've also had to change back to the old set of Motorcraft plugs because the new Platinum Champions started to break down. I had trouble with NGK a long time ago in an escort so have avioided them in recent years, maybe it's time to give them another try!
First time I caught this show today!
Has it been on long? Can't believe I never noticed this before. Bit annoyed about that.
Can anyone summarise Mike's deals to date from the £300 starting point?
Thanks! Read more
Fair enough, just thought the disassembly of his site went a little too far.
Browse
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Sorry for not responding, was enroute to Poole from SE1, via a meeting in Reading.
As it happens, mine was a very early car and I only had it for about 7 or 8 months.
Well done for sorting it and thank you for posting such a comprehensive list of instructions.
ND