December 2005
The handbook says change the oil every 10k - my mechanic says it's better to change it every 5k? I've been doing it every 5k but its a real chore removing and refitting the acoustic cover under the engine to gain access to the drain plug and filter (AHU engine fitted)
Will I compromise longevity by changing the oil every 10k?
I use Millers XFE, cover 1000 miles per month mostly commuting on fast dual carriageway - return trip of 80 miles. Read more
Further to the excellent news in another thread of a pedestrian being held at fault in a motorcycle crash I also read on the BBC website that they are toughening the penalties for bridge-bashers: 5,000 pound fines and six points were mentioned.
About time too; as a rail commuter I wasted countless hours when the service had to be suspended after a road vehicle clobbered a bridge; and as a Blackwall Tunnel user I suffered from over-height vehicles got stuck in the tunnel (multiple ones per rush-hour, sometimes, despite nine warning signs).
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You couldn't make it up. A granny gets a £30 fixed penalty because the blue hair on the Marge Simpson figure on her dashboard had blue hair that could be mistaken for a flashing police light.
Doh!
tinyurl.com/bg8f3
No doubt there is a bit of journalistic licence here, but it's hardly good PR is it? Read more
If, as someone here delicately put it recently, they indicate "a gentleman seeking the company of another gentleman"...
>Firth-t I've heard of it, thweetie.
I've heard it before, t'was a truck driver who told me.
Can anyone help here. The lights on my dashboard go on and off for no reason. If I hit the dashboard they will come back on. I believe there is a short somewhere. Has anyone had a similar problem? Can any of you help??? The car is a Ford Mondeo 1.8 TD Ghia X 97 P reg Mark One.
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Cheers for the info. However light dimmer working fine. No problems with the dimmer. Dashboard lights will be working then next minute not. Any further suggestions.
Thanks again.
VMT
Anyone else got a problem with their convertible roof? Mine is only 18 months old 12,000 miles but the roof is badly marked from the inside with the pile being rubbed off. So far Saab is denying responsibility but to me its clearly a design/build fault. I had no such problems on my previous car. Anyone had any success claiming against Saab? Read more
Cant speak for Saab, but I have an A4 cabriolet of the same vintage, and no roof issue at all, so I would say saab need to take responsibility for this
I am looking to get a parcel shelf for my dad's 806, Y Reg. I want the one that covers the boot area when the two rear seats are removed.
I have tried ebay, and also the HJ recommended site, which directed me to findapart.co.uk.
Anyone recommend any other companies that I could try? Read more
Phoned dealer today - price is 153 pounds + vat. Ouch!
I should like to buy a CD player from ebay to upgrade the current casette/radio I have in a 2002 Astra (dash display and steering wheel controls). What concerns me is that most are supplied with the code but no mention of a manual. When I first bought this car it took me ages to workout how to enter the code Etc and I don`t think I would have managed it without the handbook. Can this info be easily obtained from another source? or is it not worth buying without the handbook? Read more
Thank you for enlightening me. I can now put this thread to rest.
Walking in to uni this morning witnessed someone starting their car in the cold (-1 IIRC). Seemed to start OK, but owner then revved the nuts off it for the next five minutes. This was at 7.30am, and I don't imagine the neighbours were thrilled with the noise or the black smoke....
Felt sorry for the car, though. :) Read more
I'm only 50, but when I recently hired a Toyota Echo (Yaris?), I had some initial difficulty. The engine was very quiet (and small), it had no tachometer, and the clutch pickup point was at the opposite end of the travel to the one on my Mini. I didn't commit any of the horrors mentioned above, but getting the revs, clutch and navigation sorted late at night after a long flight did test my powers of concentration. Added to that, it was severely underpowered, being just usable around town, but with no acceleration in 5th, a little in 4th. My classic Mini (1275) would run rings around it. Again, with no tachometer and a near-silent engine, it was hard to tell, on first driving it, whether it was stressed or not. The next day, it was much easier, and I soon got used to it. Years ago, I'd probably thought nothing of it and adapted instantly. I hope I don't turn into one of those clutch-destroyers as I get older...
(sorry a link to a newspaper 'the scotsman')
news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=2343112005
A PEDESTRIAN was ordered yesterday to pay £184,728 in damages to a motorcyclist who knocked her down on a Shetland road.
Now if everyone was made responsible for their actions....
Martin
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They'll be putting a speed camera up next. It will add to the accident statistics
Anyone know if the front suspension struts of a Pug 306 TD are interchangeable with a Citroen ZX TD.
Have seen people saying the Citroen and Pugs are the same with the suspension, brakes, engine and transmission etc.
Having problems finding a ZX in Dismantelers, but can find Pugs.
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The parts should be interchangable as the ZX and Pug 306 share the same floorpan and many other platform parts.
But check on the GSF forum or GSF parts website.
Andrew


I don't think there is a basis other than habit for changing oil frequently, if the pattern of use is not severe. Used oil analysis has shown very little wear so long as the specified oil is used. HGVs run the oil for much greater mileages, and none of the fleets would take a chance on compromising their 10 or 11 litre engines.