November 2005
There is a section of the road between juntion 10 and 11 (I think) where vehicles over 10.5 tonnes are barred from using the outside lane, between 7am and 7pm. I was travelling on that stretch of road yesterday, at around 2pm, and there was a long line of cars being held up by a large articulated truck, which was in the outside lane. The said truck must have been over 10.5 tonnes (six axles). What I would like to know is, how is this trial being monitored and what happens to any lorry driver spotted in the outside lane, when they shouldn't be there? In addition, what is the value of applying this to a stretch of road that is just three miles long? If a truck driver is overtaking before they get to this stretch of road, I can't see them pulling in to get out of the way.
To end my story, the said truck was quickly replaced by two car transporters, after he had got past the line of lorries he was overtaking (which he didn't do within the time trial stretch), and I didn't manage to get past the line of lorries for several miles as a result.
Does anyone know if these trials are being done around the country? Read more
www.seriouswheels.com/top-2005-Holden-Efijy-Concep...m
The new concept holden shows how cars should be designed.
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I like my big cars BB....no wait - I like my saloons!
:-)
After an oil change a couple of months ago, I've noticed that I can't unscrew the oil filler cap on my 2002 Focus 1.8Tddi. It turns and 'clicks' constantly but doesn't come off!
I've heard this is common, but it there an easy way of getting it off? I dont want to have to remove the rocker cover and replace the gasket etc unless I absolutely have to. I also don't want to just smash it or I will have to do the above to remove any pieces! Read more
I know that, you know that, but I wish someone would tell the garage who changed the oil on my car!
Hi all, a 98 on 150,000m.
Most of the time the car runs fine. However occassionaly and becoming more frequent it's as though the engine misses a beat and is then ok.It can be just once or continuous for 2-3 seconds,when this is the case,if I ease of the throttle and then accelerate again it clears it. It does not seem to make any diff if hot or cold or under load or not and is across the rev range. Car is reguarly serviced and all filters changed.
When problem occurs management light flickers on but does not stay on. It may occur soon after moving off,or not for 10 miles or more and then may occur 3 or 4 times within a few minutes.
Before I take it to be 'plugged in' at Peugeot (of whom going on past experience I don't have much faith) I hope someone may have an idea where to look.
Thanks
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Thanks gsb. Your theory does sound like a logical possibility. I hope this cures it for you, and I will bear it in mind with regards my 2.1td.
Reggie
I have been reading about the issues with "fronting" where an insurer might refuse a claim if they can prove that the car was insured by, for instance, a parent to save the main user of the car, their young offspring, a small fortune.
However does this effect a husband and wife who have two cars and who both use both cars approximately equal amounts, could the insure take a similar line if they suspected that, for instance, the car insured by the husband was used more by the wife? Also is the matter of to which party the car is registered a factor?
Lastly, another scenario, what about the aged parent who lives locally and has a nice comfortable car that is not really being used who puts his married with family daughter (who has her own car and car insurance) on his policy as a named driver so she can take him shopping, to the doctors, hospital etc though she ends up doing more mileage in the car than him?
Thanks. Read more
When daughter was away at uni she had her own car and own insurance, but generally kept her car at home. However as a named driver on my policy she would occasionally use my car for convenience, reliability and/or safety reasons. I remember discussing the issue of 'main user' of a vehicle with a major uk insurer. They could not define if it was the mileage, time or number of trips. We then somehow got into a conversation about if it was in the charge of a (named) driver for 24, 48 or 72 hrs or longer. I even spoke directly to an underwriter to get some intellectual input to the conversation and to try to define the parameters and was presented with the conclusion that the 'main user' was the person who was driving the car at the given point in time. So much for intellectual input!
The basic outcome was that you would not want more than one claim arising from a (named) driver over an undefined period of time to ensure that no difficulties (or questions) would arise.
All very academic as there were no accidents or claims involved, but shows that if you try to get clarification for sensible reasons you end up in a minefield of misinterpretation and misinformation!
--
pmh (was peter)
As you probably kow I have always considered this to be a bunch of worthless tosh for road use.
Those that have argued with me have stated that it is safer because they have triple jointed knees and can hover their foot over the brake allowing them to apply the brakes one zillionth of a non-second before anybody else.
I was out to dinner last night with someone who would know - a rally driver who manages to keep the wolf from the door with his exploits.
Interestingly he agreed with me that the reasoning is utter tosh although rally drivers do need to have the skill. The reason, he says, that rally drivers left foot brake is in order to be able to reapply the THROTTLE quickly, not the brakes.
Therefore left foot braking on the road would only be valid if one was worried about acclerating as soon and as fast as one can. This seems much more likely and certainly in keeping with the driving styles of those people I know personally who have promoted the idea.
He also pointed out that in a real rally car the brake is not under the steering column as it is in a road car, but further to the left allowing the leg to be bent and the heel to rest on the floor and still be over the brake pedal. He felt that applying such an approach in a car was likely to be dangerous since the resulting contortions and inevitable cramp in the left leg would impede braking efficiency. [manouvering being an unlikely, but possible, exception].
Makes sense to me. Read more
>>I'm fed up with No FM2R constantly rubbishing other backroomers opinions because he doesn't agree with them.
and ?
Could anyone out there please refresh my memory as to the name of manufacturer of the piece of kit used to test for head gasket failure, by looking for carbons ( hydrocarbons perhaps ) in the coolant system ?
Thank you, Pete Read more
Thank you both for your replies. The reason I ask is because I have had several occasions in the past six months, where having such a device would have been useful, so perhaps it is time that i actualy had one. Will check out B Bros in the morning and I now understand that SP make a device which checks by reading pressure on a guage, though this is more expensive to purchase in the first instance.
Thank you again, petel
Hi All,
Was finally offered a new job today, which I've gratefully accepted! However, it seems I'm to leave my fairly cushy life in a warm office in the world of marketing for a new life as a glorified sales rep! (I have bills that need paying! ;-) )
I've been given a fairly free reign of what I can have, so long as I stick with these rules:
* Max spend £18k (can prob negotiate a few quid here and there, but not 000's)
* Must have 4 doors
* No more than 2.0 petrol or 2.2 diesel
And thats about it! There were raised eyebrows at Alfa, so I guess thats a non starter - I ought to be keeping these guys happy till we've established a relationship!
My personal requirements are:
* Comfortable - I'm covering everything south of Stafford so expect up to 50k/year.
* Reliable! I've no desire to be on the side of the M5 in a snow storm in my best suit!
* Fairly quick - not looking for Impreza quick, but enough to have a play when the mood takes me.
* Firm yet not harsh - had a Passat Sport until recently (53 plate so older shape)...seemed harsh with no real benefit in the twisty stuff
* Wont cost the earth in Tax, but dont mind paying a little extra for the right car.
Picky - me?!
With the help of PoloGirl, we've narrowed the field to these:
* VW Golf GT TDi
* VW Passat 2.0 TDi SE
* Seat Leon 2.0 TDi Sport DGS
* Skoda Octavia 2.0 Tdi "L&K"
* Skoda Octavia 2.0T vRS
As you can see, we're VAG group fans! I do like to have some "toys", and the Octavia looks like amazing value for money. I am certain to be working with non-car people, and am prepared for the laughing if I order a Skoda - I'm working on the basis that I'll get the last laugh.
Anyone tried the new Passat? Just looks a little stodgy?
Is the Leon any good for long distances? (will be doing anything upto 4/500 miles a day sometimes)
Oh - and we considered the TDCi Mondeo...I know it "makes sense" but I fancied something for me this time...and the Mondeo just isn't it!
Thanks all! Read more
Good choice - I have had mine for 6 months averages c 45mpg at 8000 miles. I too have read about fuel consumption issues but part of it might be the sheer joy of flooring it when I suspect it does drink a bit! One niggle I do get is on these frosty mornings, its the first car I've had where the window rubbers don't clean the glass when you open them and the blind spot at the A pillar is bit big again when the forst is piled up by the wiper. Soon get used to it - and the heated seats help too!
Took a slowish cruise along the M25 today in not too much of a hurry to a non important business meeting, so this involved plodding along in lane one.
During my trip I was overtaken by countless HGV's who left it quite a long time before returning into my lane maybe because judging the distance between them and me is quite difficult? I dont know.. never driven a HGV.
So my question is simple to the truckers of the backroon, do you want us (in cars) to flash you in when it's safe to do so? or shall we leave it to your HGV colleagues only? Read more
As a fellow Class 1 man,I always appreciate being flashed in,much in the same way as described,by use of the indicators.
When you've a combination sat under your arse,thats 60 foot long,every little helps.
So thank you,car drivers.
Ken.
I am a complete novice at buying cars having driven the same one for the last 8 years (it was even my old company car). Now I am thinking about buying new Fiat Panda 4x4. I have always said I would never buy a new car due to the high initial depreciation but the dealer who gave me a test drive has said he will let me have one at Dealer Cost if I register it this month. I understand that this means he is selling it to me at no profit to him. Why would he do this or am I being thick? Is it a deal worth looking at ( he hasn't comitted to any figures yet) or should I just wait for a decent second hand one to come along?
Help!
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R reg is 1997 or 1998, likewise 1996 is N or P. Nevertheless if in very good condition you might sell the Renault for £1000, reckon £500 would be fair trade in. So if the dealer gives you £50 for it you can see where he is making his money.
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"M42/A42 time trial"
Oh - I thought you mean a challenge for motorcyclists to tackle it in the rush hour without putting their feet down! ;-)