December 2005
Imagine this situation on the motorway. You're making good progress (70mph...ish) and suddenly you see brake lights flare in front of you. You realise you need to stop, and fast. You have no ABS. Is it best to:
a) Try and brake progressively up to the point of locking the wheels...
or
b) Push on the brake pedal as hard as you can, both front wheels locked and sliding (in a straight line, hopefully!). Ie, the maximum possible force on the brake pedal. Read more
We have been to our local Asda this afternoon and they have entered into a partnership with Leeds CC over the disabled parking bays. A Traffic Regulation Order has been approved starting from Monday 12 December and anyone parking in the bays without a valid blue disabled parking badge will be issued a fixed penalty notice.
You have been warned.
Pity it won't cover all of what me and my wife saw when we came out. Fiat Punto parked in one of said bays, no blue disc, no tax disc, driver sat in car. Passenger gets in, driver leaves the bay with three unstrapped kids on back seat, the oldest of which (no more than 8 or 9) is holding a baby. I don't mind natural selection relieving us of the adults, but the kids shouldn't be subject to such stupidity. Read more
My wife has just called and she has been to Asda for her lunch today - three cars with tickets on.
Most of you backroomers will know what I do for a living and I must share this funny experience.
I have hung up my Pro Laser and am now in the Training Dept. and responsible for new recruits. Anyway we are now on the Traffic phase with the latest intake and yesterday I was a role player who had failed to stop for a school crossing patrol and the student were expected to deal with me as they saw fit.
Anyway one is talking to me and the other looking round my car (which was my own), He comes back and says "You have failed to stop for a school crossing patrol AND you are using the vehicle with a fraudulant excise licence."
Thought provoking moment! Then remembered I'd taxed both cars together and must have put the wrong one in. Quick look revealed that the car is a 52 plate and the PO cashier had written in 02 on the VEL. Ohh Err!.
Rang the post office who issued and they told me that they could have rectified it on the day but now I have to visit my local MVLO. Marvellous! Wonder if I can get a free month for me being inconvenienced? Some hope.
Sharp eyed lot my students so beware!!!
Fullchat Read more
I used to know a Special Constable who was known in the Leicestershire Police Force as "Being able to spot an out of date tax disk at 50 paces".
His attention to detail was unique. The number of reports he made on this subject I'm sure stood him in good stead when he got into the Regular Police Force.
A motoring question in that I've had a small accident with a large and very badly designed can of Magnatec in my boot.
It could have been a lot worse as the can was inside two plastic bags, but I've had to discard two (mercifully cheap) road atlases that bore the brunt of the spillage.
Much of the remainder of the oil ended up in a fleece fabric travel rug and a fleece jacket.
The rug is almost saturated in the oil. Is it salvageable or should I not risk clogging up my washing machine? The fleece jacket is less badly affected so any tips would be gratefully received.
I won't know how badly affected the boot carpet is until daylight but I had to mop up quite a lot of the oil from it. Does anyone have any recommendations as to how to clean that?
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Carpet cleaning? Sorry to mention this again, but 1001 does a brilliant job on most spillages. Fleece - dump it!
Phil
Vauxhall Carlton Jreg 2.0 gli the ABS light stays on! all the wheel speed sensors have been checked and cleaned..any ideas please! Tony..
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Check the brake light bulbs. Had a couple (notably Cavaliers) which put the light on when both bulbs had blown.
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Simplicate and add lightness!!
A week ago I couldn't start my car because the battery was dead - Hubby took it out and charged it and it was fine.
This afternoon I couldn't start my car again (hadn't used it for 3 or 4 days) (Skoda Favorit, 1995) - sounded pretty much like a dead battery again. Clearly time for a new battery.
Called breakdown to start it - firstly, managed to connect their starting battery the wrong way (smoke came out of his leads before he noticed) and then failed to start it mumbling probably the ECU or injector need replacing(?).
Well, not trusting his competence, Hubby down to Halfords and a new battery. Tried to start again - was turning over much better but still didn't catch. Then, after a long period of trying the oil cap, I kid you not, flew a couple of feet away (plus puff of whitish smoke from oil cap hole). Nearly hit me!
Help - what's happening? What's the likely problem? Hubby's pulling his hair out (mainly at incompetence of breakdown man who he reckons probably fried everything).
Thanks guys
Rose
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Is the oil level high ?
I came across the exploding oil cap once on a old Renault 12, the fuel pump diaphram had split, allowing petrol to be pumped into the sump. The R12 wouldn't start (not enough fuel getting to carb) and it had difficulty turning over (possibly due to excess oil/fuel in the cylinders).
Recently replaced fan - fan has a integrated control module. Its not working - is there an inline fuse or cut-out that may effect its performance ?
{Spelling of Laguana changed to Laguna, should anyone using the Forum Search wish to find reference to one. DD} Read more
Its a 97 guano, no idea bout them
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TourVanMan < yes its RF reborn >
Can anyone tell me where it is?
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I read often, only post occasionally Read more
From the puravent website:-
snipurl.com/ko5k
Hello
We just purchased the above vehicle as a Golf GTI decided to rear end and write off my wifes car.
The insurance payment as you can imagine on a H reg nissan was not good.
Does anybody know when the timing belt needs changing on these cars.
Is there a service manual for these I tried Haynes but nothing.
I would appreciate any help guys
Thanks Read more
Thanks for reply
The garage we bought from has fitted a new belt and given us a MOT.
I will look for a Bluebird/Stanza manual.
I owned a Stanza in South Africa way back in 1984 the only thing I ever changed was a water pump and I drove that car for three years and guess what?. Yes I had the Manual.
Cheers
Not so long ago young drivers considered it "cool" to drive with rear foglights permanently on, day or night. I haven't noticed this lately so has this fashion been superseded by something else? Or have their rear foglight bulbs all burnt out through over-use?
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L\'escargot. Read more
Blimey Dave, Fido Dido transfers, thats going back a bit. I don't think I've seen one of them for about 4 years!! along with three spoke alloy wheels.
Browse
Yes, and I suggest that whenever anyones on a long straight road with nothing behind you you stamp on the brakes to see what happens. See what the difference is with the brake hot and cold (worryingly high in some cars), see how straight the car stops, see just how much force it takes to lock the wheels in the dry and in the wet.
Its a lot better to find out when there's no other cars on the road than when your and other lives are in danger.
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I read often, only post occasionally