Amazingly tonight I saw an elderly gentleman in an '04 reg Skoda Fabia with the cardboard sign in the rear window that I haven't seen for years.. 'running in please pass'

Apart from raising a wry smile, the question I ask is is this really neccesary anymore? do you really need to treat a brand new car with kid gloves anymore? Run the engine below 4000 rpm for first 1000 miles and no heavy braking for first 500 so you can bed in the brakes?

Now I drive plenty of new cars with less than 1000 miles on the clock and I treat them the same as any other. I make no provision whatsoever for it being new.

I seem to remember Ford years ago had a 1500 mile first service in order for oil changes to rid engine of swarf that may of occured during bedding in but that's disapeared a long time ago.

So my question again.. is running in neccesary or is it a waste of time? Read more

Hi,

I am visiting friends in Southampton/Winchester, its my first major long trip and hope you guys can answer some of my questions (stupid as they may seem). I've been driving to work on the motorway for a good couple of months now, so i have got some good experience of this type of driving.
I am driving to Southampton from Exeter and unfortently there is no motorway for the majority of the trip.
My route is as follows leave the m5 at junction 29 on to the a30, at Hontion take the A35, continue along the A35 until i reach the A31. Continue along the A31 which turns into the M27=Southampton.

Will roads be sign posted as e.g A30? I am worried i won't have a clue where i am going otherwise. Roads never seem to look the same in the Atlas as they do in real life lol.

Thanks for your help
Read more

First, let me say hello to you all - just came across this site and you may be able to help.

Earlier today, I had a minor accident and I'm trying to work things out, so here's the story (hope it makes sense!)

Location: Westferry Circus roundabout (lower section) in Docklands.

It's a fairly big roundabout, with 2 lanes in, 2 lanes on it, and 2 lanes on the exit I wanted. I go round and see a guy on my left, going very slowly, and nowhere near level with the exit. I go past, indicate left to take my exit (I needed the right lane of the exit). Next thing I know, bang... he's hit my rear left with his front. Looks like he decided not to take that exit and to keep going round, and didn't indicate.

We stop to exchange details: it's not his car, it's his brother's, doesn't know who the insurer is. I copied his details from his driving licence (which he first said he didn't have on him), took his brother's number and will call him tomorrow. Car in on German plates, took the registration details. Went to the local police station to report the accident, just in case I can't get in touch with the guy (better safe than sorry). Had a quick word with my insurance and they'll send someone round to assess the damage in the next couple of days (visible damage: big dent in rear quarter just above the wheelarch, slight marks on bumper & the wheel took a fair knock, so I'm a bit worried about possible damage to the suspension and/or exhaust).

Now for the question, what are the chances of it being classified as a 50/50 (no witnesses), or is it likely to be 100% his fault, or 100% my fault?

The guy said that damage on his brother's car wasn't bad (scraped front bumper) and depending on how much my repairs would be, we should try and sort it without involving the insurance. Does that make him admitting liability? Read more

Just picked up a MK2 golf GTI, with a thatcham approved laserline immobiliser.

Thing is, the seller lost the installation certificate. And I need it to insure the car.

Is there any chance that somewhere will inspect the installation and provide a certificate?

Or do I have to get another fitted and have two of the annoying things? Read more

Hi,
I am planning on spending a few days in Brugge in November and am looking for ideas on places to visit i'm driving down there so have a car in which to go further afield if necessary any ideas?

Joe Read more