March 2005
www.abd.org.uk/jjleeming.htm
John Leeming was County Surveyor of Dorset and was a firm believer that road accidents could be reduced by a scientific and dispassionate analysis of their causes. He was strongly opposed to the view that accidents are caused by the wilful misdeeds of drivers, who must therefore be punished for their 'crimes'. Indeed, he pointed out that this blame culture leads to drivers being reluctant to talk openly about their actions to accident investigators for fear of prosecution, with the result that the true contributory factors may never be established.
I had never heard of him until now but he seemed to be a switched on fellow that abhored the poor use of statistics and believed in using control sites to assess road safety improvements properly.
The article is on the ABD website so I am assuming some selective quoting might have occurred :-)
teabelly Read more
I have a problem with my peugeot 206, common rail diesel, millage 78,000. It's suddenly started making a diesel rattle when pulling away and accelerating, but after 2000rpm quietens down and will cruise very nicely. I took it to a local dealer to have the cam belt changed approx 10,000 miles before it was due. I asked them to check the noise and was told nothing was wrong. I have had the injector nozzles changed, which was a waste of time and money, as the problem is still there. Has anyone come across this problem before? I would appeciate your advise.
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I really like the clear style side repeater wing indicators,but cant seem to locate any for my model,plenty for p10s/p11s,but no p11-144s 99-02 models.A friend said he had read somewhere that either the p12 or skyline r33/34 repeaters would fit,but the local nissan dealer didnt seem to know,and as they would after be ordered in especially that if they where wrong they could not give a refund,so i need something a bit more concrete before i order them,any ideas guys.Thanks Read more
Have recently acquired a 2.4 5cylinder diesel VW Transporter off a friend, which is 8 years old with 84k on the clock, serviced in a variety of places. I intend to run it for 3 years plus, with 20k miles pa, meaning 3 annual oil changes. At this age, should I use fully synth diesel oil, such as Halfords own, or any cheap stuff from my local factors? Will the better oil prove beneficial long term to the engine longevity. Presumably it makes no difference to mpg...my only concern is reliability as I cannot afford a newer vehicle in the foreseeable future.
Thanks
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You cab buy VW's own brand semi-synthetic (Quantum) from your dealer for £14 a tub if you ask for discount.
I have a problem reversing my Legacy up the garden path. Can?t see the low wall, path is narrow and very steep. Keep touching wall and knocking blocks off onto neighbour?s side with loud noise (600mm drop). The car only has only one reversing light, which is set too high and to one side.
So, I discuss with dealer?s service manager the fitting of two after-market reversing lights, almost hiding them below the rear valence, as high as I can without affecting the beam. I to provide the lights and fabricate two brackets. I fit one light, lying on the path in the snow. Can?t fit the other, the exhaust box is in the way. Service manager agrees to fit the second light during the first (12000 mile) service, to raise the car on ramps and drop the exhaust box to get in with a drill. He also agrees to supply and fit an ultrasonic reversing alarm.
I go in to show the manager the light I have fitted, and the bracket I prepared for the second. We both agree that it will fit. First service booked for a week later. Hand over and agree a list of requirements, including said reversing alarm.
Arrived a.m. to deliver car, lady says that the alarm has not been ordered - gentleman says they thought that I hadn?t wanted one. Asked them to order alarm and arranged to go again one week later.
Arrived p.m. to collect car and paid £310+ for additional work, full geometry realignment (tyres wearing unevenly), change auto transmission fluid and gearbox oils, fit reversing light.
Next morning, in daylight, look at the lights. Body has been drilled but in wrong place and holes left raw. (Had to paint the holes myself.) Light is fitted below plastic valence. The light is two inches lower than the other, and if I do reverse (say, over a block) and hit it, the valence will tear and the lamp fall off. More difficult to hit the other, but if I do the bracket is long and thin enough to bend.
Went today to have the alarm fitted and pick up my bracket. Auto electrician informs me that he cut up my bracket to make stiffeners for the plastic valence. Pay £290+ for alarm and fitting. Car is Silver, alarm sensors are very dark grey, almost Black. (I think that they forgot to specify the colour.)
I can now see the wall beautifully, and tomorrow will put waste paper bin on path to familiarise myself with the alarm. When weather improves I will make another bracket, drop the exhaust box, re-drill the holes and re-fit the light.
Don?t ask me to go back, age HAS dimmed me !!
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Oh dear. Have a narrow drive, but level, slightly dog-legged. Neighbour on opposite side of road has damned security light, thoughtlessly aimed to throw candlepower onto our side as well as his, so we can be blinded, esp. in damp conditions etc. To be sure of not rolling off (200mm drop onto adjacent neighbours side) I fit reflecting "cats eye" thingys onto an aiming point, a handy drain pipe. Picks up reversing lights clearly. Works well, if there is an aiming point of course!
My father in law has asked me to look up buying a Ford Focus Soft Top, which I believe will not be available in this country for a couple of years yet. Does anyone here know of any companies that would be able to import one for him.
Having never owned an imported a car myself would aslo like any thoughts on pros and cons of purchasing this vehicle in this manor.
Many Thanks
DFTD. Read more
Is it the Focus Vignale you're on about? I remember posting a thread on it a while back but I can't help with regards to importing one.
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Adam
What is going on with the M25 Jct 9 to 5 anticlockwise this week. Every day at 3:00PM some idiot has run into the back of someone else and the reulting choas has resulted in a 2.5 hour drive home instead of the usual 1 hour.
Why do people drive so frigging close to the car in front...It drives me mad.
You have all seen them on the hard shoulder exchanging details as we crawl past them having spent nearly 3 hours in the hold up they have caused. Accidents happen but most of these cowboys get away with this mass hold up day after day...
Any one got an easy fix? Roadside courtrooms with me as the judge and jury perhaps?? Ok Rant over thanks for listening Read more
I wonder if the traffic slows down if two of you just park up on the hard shoulder for half an hour or so swopping details?
Had a collision with a cyclist this evening. Thankfully, the cyclist was unhurt but his pedal was bent and my bumper holed and number plate cracked.
It was on a busy six exit roundabout in a non residential area. The road on which I was approaching splits into two lanes about 5 or 6 car lengths from the junction with the roundabout. The road was backed up some way - the lh lane was full and the rh lane empty. I needed the third exit so as the road became two lanes I moved from the queue into the rh lane. With no cars in front of me I was naturally looking to the right, watching traffic already on the roundabout. Unknown to me the car at the head of the lh lane queue of traffic had signalled to a cyclist on the nearside pavement to cross in front of her.
This was all in half light, we all had headlights on but he was not brightly dressed. He appeared from behind the queue of cars and in front of me before I knew what was happening. I don't believe I was driving aggressively but clearly I was going too fast for the conditions as I didn't stop in time. There was no skid involved. Post collision, reactions from myself and the cyclist were fairly muted - I asked if he was OK, he said he was fine - no accusations or admissions from either party. The driver who signalled the cyclist was amazed I didn't see him cross (it was twilight and he was behind her car - should I have?). She was in no position to say the whole road was safe to cross, anyway.
As a cyclist who does a good 40-50 miles a week I often feel aggrieved at drivers who just don't see cyclists. In this situation, though, I can't help thinking I am not entirely in the wrong. This is a congested but not fast flowing junction at a roundabout that has no pedestrian crossings, traffic lights or cycle lanes nearby. I can understand why he didn't want to tackle the roundabout alongside other cars but he must take some responsibility for his own safety crossing against the flow, surely?
The question is, what now? I gave my name and number to one witness. I have the cyclist and the other driver's name and number. I was not asked for, nor did I offer my insurance details. I don't believe I will pursue him for damage to my car - it doesn't feel right. Big car, little cyclist. But should I report this to my insurers? It feels like it ought to be material fact but will it alter my premium if no claim from him is forthcoming? And by not informing them, am I in any way accepting responsibility should a claim later emerge?
Thanks to those who persevered this far. Opinions gratefully received.
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Just to clarify, are you saying that the cyclist was crossing
the road as a pedestrian would?
He was cycling across the road. I hit him square on, his pedal pushed into my bumper and the pedal bent back in to the frame.
It sounds like the other driver would not be a good witness
for you, the reverse in fact - Statement "I am suprised you
didnt see....."
I took this as a defensive reaction as she must have known what she did, whilst well meaning, initiated the incident.
I have resolved to tell my insurers but have been thwarted as their call centre is down until tomorrow.
Over the past few months i've noticed more and more customers deciding to have reverse park sensors fitted.
Now on something like a landcruiser i think they are a good idea but most of the people having them fitted are buying Yaris and Corolla's. Whenever i have to move a customers car with the damn things fitted the bleeping annoys me as i manouvere.
Surely if you can't park a Yaris without park sensors you surely shouldn't be on the road?
Also what about using a car with park sensors on for doing your driving test in? Would you be ok doing the reverse park using them or are the not allowed? Read more
The standard toyota units are pretty similar in their instalation and also in the way they operate.
Cost including fitting and VAT is £338 - if you wanth them colour coded add another £20.
How is it that when you fix one thing the next crops up straight away? 1994 Mondeo 1.8 TD. Noticed a couple of times recently that ther's a high pitched squeal when the steering is in full lock. After driving 45 miles home today came round a roundabout and lost the PAS (which is makes things EXTREMELY difficult in this car!) and got squeal at the same time. Had to drive another 4 or 5 miles after the car sat parked for 20 mins, and not only did it do the same all the way home, the amount of turn needed to get it squealing seemed to become less and less. Put simply, before I start fiddling around, is this going to be the auxiliary drivebelt for the power steering pump...? Apparently it's hard to get to in this car bt once you're there fairly easy to change...!? As the cap to the power steering fluid is impossibly difficult to unscrew (so far...), before I check the level, is it even worth doing so or is it that unlikely to have anything to do with it? Any help much appreciated as always! Read more
Good of your Father to do it.Motor factors may have been a better bet.But that depends on whether you have one in your area..And whether its a part ford only supply.Though I doubt for belt..Another good reason to check for belt wear at regular intervals. Alternator belt as well..As for dealer they are usualy busy on a Saturday morning..For the price would suggest getting a spare inc alternator belt..They can fail at any time
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Steve
Browse
Well said DVD.