October 2004
Rover 420 SLDi. I had the coolant and brake fluid replaced yesterday for £37.50. ATS carried out the work. Their staff proved friendly and helpful. Well recommended. Two weeks ago they replaced the engine oil and filter, using Helix 10/40 & a Cooper filter for £22.99. All in a good place to use. Nor did they recommend any "extra" work. Read more
Call me old-fashioned, but I always thought red meant STOP - don't enter the intersection, etc. etc.
The current and increasing trend seems to be to tailgate the traffic through the lights long after red has appeared.
By stopping I run the risk of being rear-ended. (So that's it!)
Maybe I should get out more.
Oz (as was) Read more
I've been commuting from Northallerton to Leeds on this road for a year now and currently a lot of work is taking place including the Wetherby by-pass.
All well and good but there are a heck of a lot of matrix signs now erected, with induction loops in the tarmac, but also now columns are being installed for cameras as well. Traffic flow monitoring cameras I hope, but I question why this is all necessary.
It's never that busy, not even on bank holidays. It slows down a bit around Wetherby on a Friday night, but that will be taken care of when the new section opens.
I just don't see the point of all this expenditure on a road that already works and flows very well.
Does anyone know of anything?
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Surely it would make more sense to turn the single-carriageway bits further north in to dual as a priority, then worry about easing traffic flow further south. This northern section of the A1 is quite a death trap at times.
As for widening, surely the Western Bypass is also more than due? Although how it can be widened in places will be a tricky one - should have been built 3-lane to start with.
Lets hope the changes to F1 lead to a more entertaining season next year. F1 is going down the plug hole regarding entertainment value.
If the powers that be want entertainment get rid of Hungary, Barcelona, and Magny Cours. These 3 races are normally the peak of tedium every season.
It may be great for M.Schumacher to win every championship but Ferrari are killing the sport as a spectacle. Best driver in best car = dull. Sorry, but I wish he'd retire. It would be so much more exciting when 4 or 5 different drivers could win each race. As it is I just hope Schumi crashes or has an off day, just to make the race interesting.
Nothing against him, he's just so much better than everyone else it hurts.
How about sprinkler systems around each track. Seems as though the most exciting races are normally wet or mix of wet and dry.
Am i totally out of touch or do others of you think/feel the same?
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I totally agree, absolute tedium. The worst race - if you can call it a race - is Monnaco. What's the point? If your not on pole that's it. I've said it before but will repeat myself, Aussie touring cars is where its at. Big V8s and lots of overtaking.
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\"Nothing less than 8 cylinders will do\"
We bought a Suzuki Wagon R+ Special (1.3 16v Auto) for my mother. Two years old, 15,000 miles.
I have been driving it for a couple of days and about 120 miles on a variety of roads inc motorways and urban jams. What fun! Great revvy engine, loads of room and cubby holes, easy to get and out of, clear undemanding dashboard and controls. Not bad for £5K.
My only complaints are a slightly bouncy ride, no adjustment on the steering wheel and the elec mirrors are not heated. In fact given the size of the car, I can't complain about the ride really; its not that bad given the matchbox length of the wheelbase.
Just goes to show that you can enjoy driving without breaking speed limits.
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive? Read more
check for rust.
especially around the rear axles.
to late now anyway.
i like suzuki - shame the vitara doesnt come in a 1.3 yet
the wagon r seems better than the agila.
With HJ's indulgence I'll let this one stand. Much of my early motoring (come to think of it, much of my present motoring) has been accompanied by bands discovered by Peel. A great loss to the nation. I'm off to listen to some Joy Division whilst reflecting on the pleasure this man bought to so many.
ND
I just heard earlier this evening that John Peel has died today of a heart attack. I know, I know, it's not got much to do with motoring. Please indulge me here mods - I just think that a lot of other Backroomers will, like me, miss the easygoing nature of one of the greatest broadcasters to grace the airwaves. Plenty of people will have had their car journeys shortened by listening to him over the last 40 years or so, and he introduced thousands like me to some fantastic music. I for one am sorry to hear that he's gone, but equally glad that he was here.
I do remember a motoring anecdote of his - he was once a guest on Room 101 and one of his pet hates was ... motoring in Essex! He claimed he would take huge detours just to avoid the county, because of the number of boy racer lunatics he said he would otherwise have encountered. He recounted how he liked to drive like a flat cap, as it were, and wind up the speed merchants overtaking him with exaggerated "go ahead, son, you can do it" gestures as they roared by. He reckoned this good-natured encouragement from an old geezer would annoy them far more than sticking up two fingers!
He didn't take himself too seriously, was no slave to fads, had a fantastically dry sense of humour without being cruel, and his wry observations on "Home Truths" got many of my Saturday mornings off to a good start. Thanks John.
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andymc
Vroom, vroom - mmm, doughnuts ... Read more
I'm afraid I agree. I was going to post somethign yesteerday, and didn't.
I suspect that John Peel himself would mock too much outpouring, so lets leave it there.
The sentiments and points have been made.
drivin back from the lakes g/f asked when did they turn the cats eyes on . hahahah i said feel sorry for the bloke who changes the bulbs hahahahah Read more
Reminds me... Apparently, when I was a toddler I asked:
"What holds the sky up?"
cheers, SS
Hi all,
The front tyres on my wife's 1.5TD Corsa are just about legal so need replacing.
Given that she is pregnant with our first child I'd like advice on the best all weather tyres (165/70x13 I think!) please.
Thanks in advance.
Darren Read more
I really don't think you will go wrong with them.
Now, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking I have the motoring equivalent of hypochondria - I haven't really - I'm just being a perfectionist.
Brakes - as you may have guessed is the problem I've decided on today.
The car does stop. The brakes don't seem to grind leading me to believe it isn't the pads.
I wouldn't even say there was excessive travel in the pedal - nor is it spongy but it doesn't seem to have the bite it used to have. Before you say "pads wear down" I know this. The pedal doesn't travel to the floor but I do seem to be pushing it ever so slightly more to get the desired effect...brakes. When you press it, the car stops but it doesn't seem as sudden as normally.
I realise it's probably the vaguest question ever in the backroom but I wouldn't mind some thoughts on this. If it's just a case of pads wearing down then fine. I suspect that someone's going to suggest air locks or something but any advice would be appreciated.
Yours,
A needlessly worried Adam.
Have I got a headache...or is it a brain tumour?
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Adam Read more
Thanks for everyone's replies.
For some reason, I completely missed Steve's second post - I musn't have refreshed before replied to Matt's post.
Hopefully this week, I shall take the car and mention everything that has been suggested. Before you go thinking I'm being cavalier in not getting them sorted today, I was just on my way home and someone pulled out - needless to say, RF was right - in an emergency, they most certanly work!
I shall keep you informed of whatever happens.
Many thanks again,
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Adam
Hi all i have pug 406 hdi where the lights stay on when car is off ie brake lights side lights oil light batt light Read more
Browse
They've changed a set of lights near me from 'take your chances' to 'monitored filters'. While it makes things better in the rush hour as often only 2 or 3 cars got through on one cycle, you seem to spend a awful long time staring at an empty junction waiting for your filter to come on. (These are of the arrow for all directions type) Also, the sensor appears to be very picky as to where you stop to activate it - I've seen many times out of the peaks it's missed a cycle althogether when cars have been waiting to turn.