September 2005
Car is a Volvo S40 1.8 1998s. During freezing weather earlier this year I was unable to stop the car completely going down a steep hill. Hill was not gritted and covered in ice.
I was able to slow to less than a crawl but not stop completely and had to resort to hitting the kerb which did the trick. Other cars were struggling but appeared to eventually stop without the aid of the kerb.
In the end I had to wait for all cars to reach the bottom of the hill and procede in 1st gear breaking when needed, luckily the cars behind saw the problem I had and waited at the top.
I immediately had the car checked out at Volvo, it had just been serviced previous to the incident, but nothing could be found. My only thoughts were the weight of the car prevented it stopping, anyone had a similar experience.
I am forced to use the same hill commuting to work and for obvious reasons would like to prevent the same ahppening again. Read more
Hello All,
I have generally been anti SUV on the basis that unless you tow a horse box or run a farm there is little justification for driving such large inefficient and dynamically poor (on the road) vehicles that offer the every day motorist very few advantages and so many disadvantages over normal cars. However after driving the best part of 1000 miles around the USA in a 2005 model Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.7 V8 I must say I now have a somewhat different perspective on the genre. The impression that 15 miles per US gallon makes on my wallet is lightened by 87 ron Gas being 75c/gal as opposed to 95 ron nearer 100p/gal in the UK, otherwise the Jeep is an immensely practical family vehicle coping admirably with the effects of Hurricane Ophelia (far less potent than Rita, yet alone Katrina!) i.e. torrential rain and flooded highways. Ok the Jeep is not a responsive handler though body roll is well controlled for such a large high vehicle, also the US roads do not offer much opportunity for spirited driving, 40mph limits being typical on major roads and only 55 to 65 on the highways/interstates. A couple of annoyances, wind noise around the sunroof/roof bars at 50mph plus also the "tiptronic" type auto transmission allows low gears to be held at higher speeds though not high gears to be held at lower speeds, i.e. selecting "2" in fact allows the transmission to use either "1" or "2", selecting "3" allows the transmission to use either "1" "2" or "3" etc, hence one cannot use the V8's torque to increase speed, any reasonable prod of the accelerator results in a rather more urgent kick down than really necessary.
A few years ago a visit to the 'states prospered very few genuinely interesting cars the average "yank tank" being a wallowing gas guzzler however it is clear now that there are some great cars available in the US that we do not see in Europe, the Acura (Honda's premium brand) TL and RL 4WD are great lookers and with 258 bhp 3.2 and 300 bhp 3.5 V6's they go a bit too. Likewise Infiniti (Nissan's premium brand) produce some great looking cars as do Lexus, particularly the 300 bhp IS350 that we do not, yet, get here. I have picked up a copy of Car and Driver mag where they test eight "sports sedans", OK the 330i wins, just, though notably the 9-3 Aero (new 2.8 V6) and S60R are beaten into 7th and 8th places by the IS350, Acura TL, Cadillac CTS etc.
Gas, the Jeep V8 produces 50bhp/litre so no surprise it runs on 87 ron petrol though how is it that US spec 255 bhp 330i's and similar can run on 91 ron when Euro spec cars "require" 95 ron with 98 ron being recommended, perhaps it is down to the local additives, any thoughts?
Regards. Read more
The point in my original post is that you cant dawdle along at 1500 rpm in any gear and expect to accelerate quickly without having to kickdown or stir the box.
Point of interst is the number of interesting cars that are available in the US and not in the UK such as the Acura's mentioned in my first post.
Also another point re the Jeep Grand Ch'kee, the 2005 restyle makes it look more compact (though it isnt) and the frontal treatment gives it a far less aggressive more friendly look.
I have a 2005 Corolla less than 10000 miles in silver metallic(nice car) except the front is a rash of chips down to the black undercoat and minor scratches seem show up easily elsewhere.
I've had many new cars and never experienced what seems to be soft or thin paintwork like this...my partners 6 year old fiesta is in better shape.
Normally paint is capable of absorbing road debris without breaking through the prime paint colour..but the dealer just says its impact damage and not covered by warranty.
I'm not convinced....has anyone experienced a similar problem or can suggest where I can get an independant test/report on the paintwork? Read more
German paint a few years ago was very poor. My flat blue Merc was a rash of white spots at the front and it had only done 13,000 miles in two years.
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
Repeat post in discussion, so deleted from here to avoid repetition of answers. DD Read more
My reversing lights are not working. I have tried testing bulbs contacts & fuses with no luck. I disconnected the reversing light switch and tested with a multi meter this seems OK, the only thing that I think it could be is the wiring reley from the switch, does anyone have any experience in replacing this, big job? I would be greatful for any input.
Secondly I have bought a module to place into the ICU but am having problems in locating it, I have a 1996 306 diesel turbo, I did unplug what I thought was the right sensor and placed the module into it but lost the temperature gauge any idea where the ICU is? Read more
ICU? Or do you mean ECU (electronic Control Unit)?
If the latter, there isn't one on the 306 TD's, its all mechanical injection.
I dont think the reverse light has a relay, its just a straightforward switched bulb circuit. Sounds like you have a break in the wire somewhere. Work your way back from the bulb, measuring voltages with reverse engaged. A low voltage reading of a few volts instead of 12V indicates a break in the wire or burnt out internally. Good luck with the probing.
Hi all,
I have a 95 vectra 1.8 which is beset with engine management probs amongst others! The management light appears and the engine dies. The car is revived after a brief rest, awkward in town and in the fast lane! I have a new engine speed sensor to fit, but cant see where it connects. The cable sweeps past the power steering pump where I lose sight of it. Now, how do I approach this little devil, is it a radiator removal, or can I get at it from underneath the engine?
No laughing, please help!
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Honey Bee - Are you sure that the speed sensor is the cause of the problems?
I had very similar problems which were caused by a blocked cat.
It took a long time and much grief and expense to find this out.
Its certainly worth checking if your new speed sensor does not cure the problem
We have a 2.5 year old Honda CRV which has been flawless until recently developing a severe shake on the front end/steering under heavy braking. Quite clearly the discs were warped.
I phoned the Honda franchise, newly opened near me and asked the price for front discs & pads, fitted? Answer was £220. A bit steep, so I said I would leave it (and go to a private garage).
"You may be able to claim under warranty" they said. "What for brake wear?" I replied. "How do you know that's the problem? Worth a try sir". I booked it in.
Wife dropped the car in. One hour later I get a call: "It's the front discs and pads sir, need replacing, cost £280. Also a shake at the back sir, could be a problem there as well. "Warranty job?" I asked. "No sir not for brakes".
Great, I thought, waste of time that was. Said my wife would come and collect the car again.
They presented a bill for £41.12 for Labour!
Wife refused to pay, they refused to release car. She had to pay up to go home and pick up the kids. Phoned me in tears.
Had the work done privately. Discs warped, pads fine, rear all fine, £110.
I want my £41.12 back - any ideas how best to do it?
p.s. Have had Hondas for many years and am a big fan, but not any more. Hello Toyota. Read more
To recap, phoned local Honda dealer because Honda CRV needed new discs and pads on front (judder, judder). Price £230. Said no, they said bring it in and try warranty claim "you have nothing to loose". Took it in, surprise surprise needs discs and pads, price now £280 and "back might need doing as well" ho hum. Said no, got charged £41.16 for labour!
Dealer and Honda Customer Relations worse than useless and dealer falsely claimed we were told up front on the phone and on dropping in the vehicle there would be an inspection charge - complete lies.
Finally got a reply to a formal written complaint from Honda UK today after a 4 week wait and they have given me a £50 credit against a service or other goods. No apology, just stating that the case cannot be proven and they offer simply goodwill. Nothing suggests they won't rip off the next mug they lure in on false pretences.
Better than nowt and I will use it against the Honda's service in April (2 years 11 months into warranty, in case anything needs doing). After that I will use a private mechanic before changing the CRV at 50K and sorry Honda, after many happy years of owning your bikes and cars, I will not be buying from you again.
Woody.
Hi, looking for a very mild paste for taking out scratches which are in the top coat (lacquer). The stuff I have from Turtle Wax seems to leave the paintwork looking hazy. Want something much milder and which will take out the hazyness!
What does the trade use for this sort of work? Read more
3M Finesse-It is used by a the tradeto take out minor scratches, available from good motor factors.
could you tell me if a 405 tow bar will fit a 306 Read more
If its a Peugeot part the answer is I am afraid, no.
I am looking at buying a 2002/2003 A4, a 1.8T petrol (163 hp).
I had one from new in 2002 and loved the torque, acceleration and classy cabin.
I have found one in my price range, but it is a Quattro 4wd.
What are the merits or demerits of the Quatrro over the normal model and should it influence my decision to buy?
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Just looked at a the spec (via car mag) for new A4 1.8 Quattros. They are now indeed 161bhp (163PS) whereas they used to be 180PS for Quattro and 150PS for 2WD. Not sure when the switch was.
Mark,
I will agree to dissagree on this,IMO no amount of Experience can prevent a car sliding on sheet ice.whether others have or not may be pure luck not experience
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Steve