May 2005
Can nyou please recommend a good, secure conversion kit for central locking to remote central locking, preferably (easy)self-fit. I've seen several on the net quite cheap (#30 ) but have no idea of their quality and, in particular, which are the more secure ypes/makes. I'm sick of fumbling with keys and trying to avoid paintwork scratches!
Many thanks.
frmarcus Read more
I have a horrid suspicion I just ran a red light at a pedestrian crossing in Leeds city centre. Heading along the main road from the M621, rounded a corner following another car into the square. Car in front continues straight on and I follow close behind.
However, as I drove across the crossing (which I belatedly saw) a whole bunch of yoofs (baseball caps, hoodies etc, proper Bluewater stuff) stepped out and I just missed them.
Question 1: Is this becoming more common (people stepping straight out into the road)?
2: Are more people running red lights?
3: Did the car in front of me shoot over it just as it turned to red and I followed him not noticing?
4: Do they have cameras at pedestrian crossings? There are little CCTV things on the top of the traffic lights around here.
Finally, what in the world suggested to the city planners that they should put a set of traffic lights and a crossing on the other side of a blind corner on a fast road? I didn't even see the lights so can't tell you what colour they were.
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Are you sure the lights had changed at all and that the yoofs were not just playing chicken with you?. Knowing that junction it certainly contains lots to be aware of as all foot traffic to/from the station has to cross busy roads on the level. And as you say drivers need to lane plan not just for the upcoming junction but he one after as well.
That said peds stepping off the pavement is an eventuality one needs to plan for in City centres and I think the comments about speed hold water.
In London "last one through on red" is pretty universal.
What do you use to stop the squeeks & creaks that come from your dash and interior trim?
I'm thinking of using a PTFE spray or maybe talcum powder.
Thanks Read more
Also try silicone grease (can be less messy than the spray) and self adhesive felt pads to go between squeaking surfaces. I used to keep a few business cards in the glovebox to fold up and shove into any creaking cracks! These days I drive a new 'squeak-free' Audi...
El Dingo.
Could anyone give an estimate of the price a garage will charge for fitting new brake pads and discs to a Micra, year 2000 1L. Would you say it is best to have the discs replaced at the same time as pads if there is just a little corrosion. Thanks. Read more
Discs should only really need replacing when
they're either scored heavily, or worn down to the manufacturers recommended
minimum thickness.
This is 10mm for the Micra.
Can any one recommend a good place to find quality value overnight stops in boarding houses or anything other than the souless Travel Inns and Welcome Breaks. I spend way too much time driving around the UK, attending a meeting etc then have to spend the night in a boring naff hotel.
I want to see some of the areas that I visit not just sit in a motorway hotel listening to the traffic. Heres the question:
Is there a central resource for good quality B&B stops around the UK which cater for business travellers?
Budget is not huge though!
PS Im off to Stafford next week, any good examples there?
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\" Keep doing the same old thing, youll get the same old thing, try something different today!\" Read more
Type 'b&b Falmouth" or wherever into google and it comes up with links - found a great place near St. Ives on the Thurs. before last Bank Holiday that even took the dog! Found this system from a friend who is on the road all the time and spends 20 mins on the internet each Sunday evening booking up for the following four nights.
Hope someone can point me in the right direction, I have obtained a HP IPAQ 3970 and want to use it as a sat nav device in my car. It is completely standard out of the box and what I need to know is:-
1) what software do I need?
2) what GPS Receiver do I need?
3) Can I get a power lead to plug into my cigarette lighter to power the IPAQ when on the move?
4) Is there anything else I need to do/get before it will work?
Sorry if these questions are a bit basic but I have never used any sat nav or an IPAQ before. Also I would like the cheapest options on all questions please.
Thanks in advance
Jensen Read more
The 3970 has bluetooth but it does not have a compact flash slot without using a jacket, it does have an SD slot for memory though.
On my 3970 I use a NAVMAN GPS Jacket (which has a cf slot for memory) combined with ALK CoPilot V4. I'm a great fan of this software due to the easy planning of complex journeys with varied waypoints, TomTom looks good though and great vlaue at the mo.
I wouldnt now recommend using a jacket unless its very cheap as its toooooo large to put in your pocket when leaving the car, go for a wired (fit and forget) GPS or Bluetooth GPS(you always have to remember to turn on GPS unit and make sure you ipaq has BlueTooth turned on, still needs wiring for power or you use lots of batteries)
I find its great for using satnav and listening to mp3's at the same time, the directions are read out over the top of the music.
Hi, My sister's boyfriend's car recently expired on the motorway, which turned out to be a snapped timing chain.
The car, a Nissan micra 1.0 16v on an N plate is not really worth much. So he took it to a garage just for a quote,
the garage said they'd take a look and get back to him.
So they phoned him up a few days later and said they'd taken the head off and couldn't see much damage so the major problem would be on the bottom end and they'd have to take the engine out to see what was wrong. When he asked how much it was going to cost they told him they couldn't say without taking the engine out and wouldn't say anything about cost to complete the quote. He doesn't know much about cars so he said "go ahead" to take the engine out. When they came back to him they gave him a quote of nearly £1000 to repair, which obviously is a bit too much given the value of the car. But to add insult, they said the bill was £300 vat for the work done already and it would cost another £200 to put back together and more for the scrapping costs. Well two minutes on the phone found a local scrapyard to the garage who will pick it up with no engine in for nothing.
The problem is, although he authorised them to take the engine out, they didn't tell him it would cost so much and were evasive when asked about cost before taking the engine out so he didn't really authorise work to that value.
So what is the best course of action. Pay the £350 to get the car out or is there a case for him to argue?
The garage have obviously seen him coming and decided to try it on. Should he offer them something, say £150? or because they didn't say the diagnosis would cost anything should he pay nothing. What is the worst they can do if he decides not to pay?
Thanks,
B. Read more
I too can't imagine a good reason why they'd remove the engine. If you should examine the car, I'd note the engine number and ensure it corresponds with the V5.
Since I bought my megane a year ago for my son to learn to drive in, it has had a persistent bonk from the nearside front suspension. The garage (not a Renault dealer) took a look at it a couple of times. First time they reported replacing a worn bolt (location unspecified). Second time they noted a shock leaking and that this could be causing it, so I had the pair replaced with no effect. I've had a poke round & can find nothing loose or amiss - checked anti-roll bar bushes etc. Last week I thought I could feel a knock in the top mount of the strut, so had that replaced. Some change - noise less pronounced but still there. It wasn't an issue for the MOT. The offside front is no problem, perfectly quiet. Has anyone else had this this & solved it? Read more
By the way, my guess is that this is exactly the
sort of thing that happens when people habitually bump across kerbs
to park on pavements. Interesting that your problem is NSF too.
Well, it did start life as a hire car.....so god knows how it was treated in the past. Overall, it's remarkably up together, but it's just one of those things I guess that sounds worse than it is - in fact, one of my my son's driving instructors commented on it, concerned that the car wasn't mechanically sound! Ah well, perhaps I'll have another rummage round when the weather's warmer, at least my labour is free. I'll also try the lubrication trick.
I've got a Rover 414SLI 1990 H with an intermitent running problem - after about 1o mins running it starts to miss fire but only as if on 1 cylinder then picks up ok - its got new plugs, leads, dist cap & rotor arm, air filter. The coil was changed about 20K ago - is it dirty petrol as it seems to be worse after say a motorway run but will 'miss' going up/down the off ramp? - Any help will be appreciated as its driving me mad! Read more
Do let us know how you get on...
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groups.msn.com/honestjohn - Pictures say a thousand words.....
The Megane is supplied with a custom fit radio, but there seem to be an almost infinite variety of Philips radios fitted to Renaults that all look identical. Can anyone shed any light on the differences. The reason for asking is that the radio on my 1996 model has packed up (estimate to fix "over £100"). I have been looking for a replacement, but the particular model that was fitted to mine seems as rare as hens teeth. It is a DC379/62B. Not understanding the differences between the various models, I don't know whether an alternative model code would be suitable.
I have an aftermarket model fitted at the moment, but ideally I'd like to hook up an original so that the steering column controls can eb used. It's adequate, but an original would be better. Read more
Hi,
www.vagparts.com do one for a Mk3 golf as an add-on. May be worth calling them to see if it will work on a polo. Just a thought.