May 2005
just read the latest autocar magazine the biggest story has been about the next revolution in engine technology, apparently mercedes benz have been developing an engine that can run on dual fuel both petrol and diesel, combining the advantages of both of the fuels, si it feasible ?? Read more
Just had renewal quote from Warranty Direct for my 1998, 87000 mile bmw 318 estate. Gone up by 32% (thirty two!) this year and excluded cover for 'Suspension' and 'Air Conditioning' which was covered last year. Went on web site for 'new customer' quote - guess what - increase was 6%. Be warned and check if dealing with this company. Does anyone have recommendations for other warranty insurance companies. Read more
Hello everybody,
i am looking for suggestions for my next vehicle. The budget is 8k max. My kids are into canoeing, and want to be going away for long weekends this summer camping, so will need something that can carry 4 people plus gear (canoes on roof),clothes and tent etc etc, plus reasonable fuel economy if thats possible.
Have thought about a van, but have been told i might not get insured ? and you can't get 4 people in the front of a van,so what else can you think of please.
thanks for your suggestions. Blondielocks Read more
thanks for all your suggestions.
I will take your advice and look for a volvo or Mondeo, i'm thinking that i could get a much newer mondeo than volvo for my money, so i will look at these first.
You have all been very kind, thankyou.
Blondielocks.
Hi there,
Mate with a Merc A-class 1.6 with auto box has been losing auto trans fluid. Where is the filler/top-up tube for the transmission ? No word of it in the car's manual.
Just need to put fluid in it to get him home, will of course diagnose the real problem later.
Thanks
Frank
Frank Smyth
\'95 Vauxhall Omega CDX 2.5TD
\'96 Mazda MX5 1.8 turbo Read more
91 Uno 1.0 FIRE with 75,000 - ran like a dream until I went to the shop today. Steering is stiff, won't re-centre on it own without help.
Tyre pressure are 29 lbs each side.
Your thought, ideas, suggestions please. Tax runs out in 13 days, MoT in 43 - time for the chop?! Read more
I didn't think it would be. Sudden stiffness is odd. It may be a ball/swivel joint "suddenly" partly siezes, or possibly a strut top mounting collapsed.
Now dont laugh... I'm going to attempt my first service on my N reg (96-new shape) Rover 414i.
Someone I know has a pit in their garage and I can use this.
Before I go and get the bits I need could some of you kind souls out there give me a list of everything I need for the engine side of the service. I dont mean tools etc, I mean spark plugs, air filter, oil filter etc... and what else?
Many thanks,
Regards,
Dave Read more
So its due for coolant change/brake fluid.would suggest you do change. coolant is a must on this unit.As mjm said manual is a good investment as well..Though it wont answer all your questions
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Steve
I have just spent a couple of weeks in the US and thought I would report back on how relaxed the whole experience of driving there is , certainly down in the South.
Thanks to Cardews recommendation I ended up with a 4.6 litre Cadillac De Ville Northstar V8, 0-60 in 5.8 seconds, 295 HP and only 2900 miles when we got it. Lovely leather armchairs and electric everything ( including a seat cooler as well as heater)for the equivalent of £37 a day including full tank of fuel and three drivers. Did over 1000 miles in a week.
I was pleasantly surprised by the handling, it was virtually silent at 70 mph and after the fun of playing with all the toys wore off I just set the cruise control and steered it - a seven hour drive from Memphis to New Orleans and we arrived fresh as daisies.
The Yanks are moaning bitterly that a gallon costs over two dollars ( an american gallon is around 3.85 litres ) so Gordons tax levy means we pay nearly four times more for our fuel than they do. Just as well its so cheap there as we averaged 24 mpg.
My question is why can't we allow overtaking both sides on the motorways as they do in the states ? It saves all the frustration of the middle lane hogger which is most people on this forums pet hate.
It does sharpen you up when you see one of those huge American rigs in your mirror and gaining when you are pushing 80mph and others passing you each side....
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Is the Monaro VXR 6.0 available on Vauxhall's 3 day test
drive offer? :)
Not unless the Monaro has a special edition called Breeze.
vauxhall.co.uk/offers/millionMileDrive.jhtml
I seem to be unable to clean my car to a decent standard. The car is black, and people always tell me this is a bad colour to get and keep clean, but I've had it valeted a couple of times and they have no problem getting it clean.
My main problem seems to be water marks.
Here's the method I use:
1. Bucket of hot water with car shampoo in + 1 big sponge.
2. Clean car from top down, wheels last.
3. Throw 2 buckets of cold water over the car to rinse off shampoo.
4. Use synthetic chamois to wipe down all surfaces
5. Stand back and notice all the watery wipe marks.
6. Get annoyed, go inside, have beer, don't care.
I don't have a hose that I can use, so if anyone can give some advice as to how I can improve my car washing ability, it would be greatly accepted.
Read more
Exactly. No sense of priorities, kids these days.
Following enthusiastic driving, with high engine speed, the temperature guage on my X type rapidy rose until the red light was illuminated, I stopped and was rescued by the AA. They told me that a cooling system hose had come off and the cooling system had drained very quickly. The hose was connected by both a spring clip and a jubilee clip, suggesting to me that Jaguar are not confident of the security of this hose. My Jaguar dealer confirmed that this arrangement is correct. Does anyone know if there is a design fault and/or a known problem with the cooling system on the 2.5 litre petrol version of the x type? Also does anyone know if this system has a relief valve? if not should it have relief valve? Is the coolant pump engine driven? If anyone can help me I would be grateful, as I am keen to have an informed discussion with Jaguar about this. Thank you. Read more
"Does anyone know if there is a design fault and/or a known problem with the cooling system on the 2.5 litre petrol version of the x type?"
Sorry, can't answer that.
" Also does anyone know if this system has a relief valve? if not should it have relief valve?"
Yes it will have a 'relief' valve - radiator cap. Probably set a 1 barg, which is equivalent to about 130°C boiling point of the coolant.
" Is the coolant pump engine driven? "
Without a doubt. The coolant pump should not be able to make sufficient pressure in the system to open the radiator cap.
The hose should definitely not pop off, but the belt and braces securing suggests there might have been a problem during testing...
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RichardW
Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
Most car makes seem to be represented on this forum but we don't hear much about Fiats. SWMBO is pestering me about changing her old Toyota, so far we have narrowed the choice down to another Toyota, maybe a Yaris, or a Renault Modus (my favorite), or a Panda 4x4. No she doesn't need a 4x4 but we won't go there. I value my hair colour and sanity.
Years ago we had a new Fiat 131 Mirafiori and is was awful. But I am sure Fiats are fine nowadays. What are the new Fiats like and in particular the Panda? Seems well written up to me and terrific value. Read more
Funny enough, I've been driving round in a Sciento all week
for a delivery job I'm doing. No idea what size engine
it's got and it is only a base model, wind up
windows etc but it is quite a pleasant little car to
nip about in.
Subject to knowing what long term reliability is like I would
happily own one if I wanted a baby hatch. It is
a 51 reg, no rattles or squeaks and a the engine
is nice and quiet. I should think it is well above
average mileage.
51 plate might be post the 2000 update, which put the 1108 "FIRE" engine in all versions.
See HJ Car by car.
I occasionally drive a Prius - i've never done a brim to brim test but the on board computer rarely registers more than about 45mpg. Now you can easily get 50mpg out of a corolla diesel which would be about £5k cheaper to buy.
From what i remember Toyota have looked at a diesel hybrid version but because the prius is aimed largely at the american market a diesel version just is not financially viable.