November 2005
I hope The Lawman and P2501 don't mind me posting this but here goes nothing.
Insured myself on the Lexus. Get the certificate. All sorted for picking it up this week when I get a call.
The gearbox has given up basically. Keeps jumping out of gear. Could cost loads, or might cost not loads. No-one knows and to be honest, I've got a perfectly good car and am not really willing to risk it. If I had some money behind me, I might have still gone ahead and seen if I could have fixed it but I would have been knackered if I couldn't.
It was an old car and I guess I'm lucky that this never happened next week as I'm not out of any money - just hurt pride after bragging about it on here.
However, as my Dad said. It could be a lot worse and after going out for a refreshing (quick) spin in my car, I've realised that he's right.
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If a driver is seriously incapacitated or just pretty unwell at the wheel, what can / should the passenger do to control the vehicle.
My question has arisen since I changed to an auto and I realise my wife, a non driver, is not familiar with an auto box.
In the old old days, ideas like - steer first, turn off the ignition, select neutral heave on the handbrake and pray might have worked.
Today with column locks, power steering, servo brakes etc. switching off the ignition might not be a good idea.
It is a whole different situation these days.
Has anyone experience this situation?
Any advice would be useful. Read more
That reminds me, years ago my mate had an Audi Copue 2.2 and one time one a journey with him I operated the imaginary brake pedal on the passenger side as he was a bit late stopping - the slight problem was because I was tall I inadvertently stopped the car abruptly as the real brake pedal operated on a shaft between right hand side to left hand side foot wells with the brake servo being mounted on the left. My long legs / big feet had operated the brakes directly. Nice car though..
Was that a very early one, because I don't remember my 90 Quattro being like that (exactly the same as coupe except for saloon rather then hatchback shape). Pretty sure the servo was on the right....
My Ford KA brakes squeak when I am braking moderately to hard. Is this something I need to get seen to early?
Also sometimes when I turn the steering makes a motor whir type sounds. I assume this is the PAS. Is this also something I should get seen to early?
Any help appreciated. Thanks. Read more
or it could be a build up of dust/ ditt in the drums at the back. Normally easily solved by cleaning out with brake cleaner spray and application of copper grease to the moving bits.
A friend of mine picked me up from the station the other day in his W plate mk.4 golf 1.6. All fine, until whilst queueing in traffic, the car made a beep noise and i noticed a red sign illumintated on the dash that instructed us to stop the car. We couldnt at the time, so i stuck the heater on full and opened the windows.
The needle on the temperature gauge almost went to the maximum. After 5 mins or so the temperature had gone back to normal. He has not had the problem before or since, and has had the car a few months now. What is the likely cause of this problem, and what can he do about it? Clean a connection or sensor somewhere?
Thanks. Read more
I will get him to do that, but I think the problem may be intermittent, as he has not experienced he problem again despite commuting in heavy traffic.
Hi Guys,
Well after your previous advice on cars I've decided to buy a silver Ford Mondeo X reg 1.8LX plenty of little extras 30,000 miles Full service history £3,600 looks good, pick her up Friday.
Now the problem I've got is, I've not driven for 8 months so thereofr not been insured for 8 months, but on my old insurance policy I had 7 years No Claims Discount, I've got the certificate with proof etc for whoever my new insurer will be, just wondering will there be a problem with the NCD because i've not driven in 8 months? or will i still get my 7 years? might sound a bit silly but im just not sure?
Thanks in advance everybody, and thanks for the advice on the Ford that everybody gave.
Lee Read more
Thanks guys for you replies,
Lloyds TSB my old insurer have sorted me out with my NCD.
Got the car this morning, its good stuff, new shape Mk4.
Thanks again
hmm I have recieved a fleet quotation for 4 cars from a broker which I find acceptable.
Now they tell me the insurer in norwhich union, do norwich union do fleet insurance as I cant see it on their site. Read more
Well as someone who used to work briefly as a motor fleet underwriter the way that a motor fleet is rated effectively means that the own damage claims are effectively a money exchange between insured and insurer. It tracks very closely - so if your own damage claims rise over the year your premiums will rise too the next year. So you effectively pay directly for your own damage claims anyhow....Alot of companies with reasonable sized fleets may feel they can finance that bit more cheaply themselves (as the insurer may add 10-20% costs to it) via their own books. Then what the fleet may pay for is a range of services from the insurer eg motor engineers' time, etc.
What they effectively want cover for is the unexpected third party risks (and even some handle this themselves and get the insurer to front the policy for cert perposes)
I wonder if anyone can help me?
I have changed every lock on my '96 (old shape) fiesta and now the ignition lock is sticking so badly I can't drive it anywhere for fear of being stranded.
When I went to remove the old lock, I needed to remove the actual ign swith on the opposite side of the barrel to where the key enters the lock and lo & behold...the key turns the lock every time! Also, if I put a screwdriver into the slot of the switch...the engine turns over & starts.
My question is...If the lock is faulty, why does it turn when not physically connected to the switch assy?
Any and all suggestions/opinions gratefully recieved
driller Read more
i havnt had time to take a lock out of the mk3 ignition barrel i have in stock but will do unless someone buys it first,no im glad you mentioned it but if you are right i will put plenty of pepper on my hat.:)
Just bought a new (to me) car and was wondering what time frame the exchange of ownership had to happen in. The car is off the road at the moment, still has valid tax, but is not insured. Would I need a current insurance certificate to transfer ownership?. If not I will do it now, but if they need proof of insurance it may be a couple weeks before it is covered.
I wanted to wait until I sold my current car before transferring the insurance as I want the cover on the car I am selling for test drives etc. Not driving the new car would also be incentive to get rid of the old one quickly, rather than hanging on for weeks and weeks hoping for that little bit extra.
Is there anything illegal about what I am proposing?. The new car is parked on a private driveway, tax is valid until end of December. Read more
I have the whole V5 in my possesion so its easy enough to send off the transfer bit as if I was the seller. The seller did sign and date so its not as if I am forging the seller's signature, I am essentially posting the bit they should have posted themselves. I can't see anywhere on the V5 where it states that I need to fill in a seperate form or pay a fee, so hopefully sending off the V5 will be enough.
I'm due to replace my car (Passat tdi, Sept 01)and the lease company have said I have to remove the towbar completly. Undoing the actual retaining bolts seems easy enough but it looks like I need to take the bumper off to actually slide the bar away from the chassis but can't see how the bumper is held on! Can anyone help!
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It's a rear-bumper off job I'm afraid. Complete pink fluffy dice of a job... it'll take you all morning!
Enjoy!
A baby car sear issue.
Just about to switch our lie-flat infant carrier (Jane Matrix) to its upright rear-facing mode only to find that both front and rear seat belts are not long enough.
Does anyone know whether it is possible to fit longer seat belts?
I've checked on securon.co.uk which suggests that the only way to do this is to buy a complete belt with longer buckle. In the front change the metal strap buckle for a buckle on a stalk which gives an additional 10-15cm length. Not sure that this is enough. Couldn't see any longer alternative for the rear belts.
Quick scan through the archives here reveals the suggestion of hanging in there with the lie-flat mode until the boy can cope with forward facing mode, but sure if he (or we) could cope with this alternative.
All legal suggestions considered.
Cheers
Rooster Read more
Not being facetious here, but have you tried it with the front seat pushed all the way back. My 25 stone uncle used to be able to belt up ok in a 205 by doing this (though the car did lean to one side rather badly...)
Browse
Definitely a lucky escape but that's why I was buying from Dad's mate - peace of mind! I didn't have to worry about it being a dodgy car. I suppose it wasn't. With 170k on, anything could have gone wrong I guess.
Oh well - I think I might go and wash the car. That'll cheer me up.