March 2006
Hi
I know this is a lot to ask, but I could do with some help with a piece of coursework I have to do.
I have to look at the differences between the Automotive Engineering practices and set-ups between Germany and UK. (We can do it on Electronic, Chemical or Construction engineering but Automotive interests me more).
As guidance we've been told to look at: - Attitudes to work, research and development, investment and expected returns, and also size of operations or facilities.
So far I've just searched on the internet and apart from one webpage I've not been able to turn up anything that matches what I've been asked to find.
Any opinions or links to web sites or magazines offering information would be much appreciated.
I've also read these posts from a few years back www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=13573&...e
TIA
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I've always assumed the real advantage of alloy wheels was to save weight. But changing over some tyres at the weekend I took the opportunity to weigh an alloy wheel and its steel equivalent. Both weighed precisely 14lb.
They are more easily damaged, and difficult to clean, so do we fit them purely for cosmetic reasons? Or are Volvo alloys (like everything else Volvo) twice as heavy as everyone else's? Read more
I dont understand how you can have difficulty cleaning alloy wheels.
You wait until you're my age and suffer from chronic Sciatica!
However, each wheel has nine (I think) recesses into which I have to apply the appropriate sponge/brush and cleaner (shampoo) in order to loosen brake dust etc. I then valet the rubber on the tyres etc, before hosing the lot off and patting dry with my 'leather.'
Before all this nonsense all I had to do was give each wheel a fairly swift circular cleaning motion with a sponge and then rinse down. What was behind the wheel trim did not concern me.
With regard to using proprietary acidic alloy wheel cleaner I think that they are better left well alone IMO.
I have never seen any advantage to tailgating, so why do we do it ?
I don't tailgate and I an usually the one doing about 60mph on the motorway in the outside lane, watching as one car overtakes anouther but as doing so a whole group of cars brake to avoid this one car and rarely does one move to the inside lane so as to stay at the speed they were doing.
Tailgating leads to accidents, on a driving lesson doing 60mph down a single carridgeway I saw a lorry coming towards me but so close (tailgating) was anouther lorry which decided to pull out infront of me, The instructor was as shocked as me because he haddn't see this lorry either, so we slowed to 40mph pulled tight into the verge the lorry being overtaken did the same and the lorry performing the overtake came through.
The main problem facing the second lorry was - he couldn't see round the lorry had no idea what was there, his second problem was because he was very close to the first lorry he would have been passing it as he pulled out thus he would not have been able to pull in again.
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I don't condone tailgating in any way Nick but maybe if
you weren't doing 60mph in the outside lane you could avoid
it! ;-)
I will clear up your small confusion issue - I had three driving instructors ( just from moving three times in a period of 4mths ) Two of them both class the outide lane of a motorway as nearest to the Hard sholder or furthest from traffic traveling in the oposite direction. With one of these instructors I drove on the A2 between Strood and Gravesend ( the busiest part and while they were building the forth lane ON the wrong side !!
only one of the instructors (from sweden)classed the outside lane as nearest traffic traveling and furthest from the hard sholder But Just to clarify I do 60mph in the left lane (nearest hardsholder only ) always treat the two other lanes as overtaking lanes only - but would like to see a law introduced which would give a Minimum speed on the overtaking lanes of 70mph - This would stop large lorries from performing stupid overtakes which snarl up the traffic.
I know that Europe would like all countrys to go DLR and I think I have found a soloution which would interest most partys.
DLR's have always been Headlights, but in this day and age with ever brighter bulbs and 4x4's with headlights at eyelevel this is just asking for trouble.
so here is the solution we use front foglights, I can find a whole ream of reasons why it would be better including;
The beam isn't so powerful as to distract you.
we won't have problems with boyracers since we all will have the frontfogs on.
Bulb changes will be less frequent since at night we switch to dipped beam, so are only using the headlights the same length of time as normal,
If you need to flash someone they are more likely to see you flash.
Some manufactures are fitting headlights and indicators within the specifed distance this means approaching a car with headlights and an indicator going is harder to pick out.
Foglights on 4x4s are fitted nearer to headlight level (factory fitted jobs in the bumpers)those with them mounted on a bullbar may cause the same problem.
My final thought on the headlamp subject is dim-dip should be reinstated and used around town and the 4x4s need to have the beam aimed at max 5% not 1.25%.
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Well at least we agree on the roadsigns ! - I have visions of drivers doing 50 in a 30 zone.
The Volvo system is OK but the newer cars which I have seen have the most dreadful light systems rather akin to the BMW garish and overlight bright and poorly angled. The reason the Volvo system is OK in the UK is that most drivers are sensible, considerate and don't upgrade from the Standard stock lamps infact at least 50% have the dealer change the bulbs.
Other cars and there owners seem to change the standard stock bulbs for yellow tinted, Blue tinted, Hid kits (for about £300 you can change a standard H1 or H7 or for £400 you can change a standard H4 without any modification so no leveling )then there are factory fit Hids which have a stupid leveling system which fails to operate correctly.
headlights as part of there beam have a Kick to the left- this blinds people on the pavement even if lights are angled correctly
main beam -at night you can see the main beam from your lights, during the day - no chance and for those who say what about the tell-tale well how meny cars forget to turn off the rear fog which is anouther point headlights are linked to the fog light circuit if we drive around with headlights on all day how meny will have the rear fog on?.
Most front fogs are designed as rain usage lights so no need for headlamps and because they don't bounce a solid 80mtr beam down little or no chance of reflections in puddles.
If front fogs were made Day time running lights they would be inspected as part of the MOT.
but I still prefer a no lights during the daytime but that was the way I was taught
Sidelights to be seen Headlights to see
please can anyone give me some info on where i can get dump valve for my turbo diesel, yes i know it wont make a performance differance, i just want the sound ex fast car boy now turned family man, come on keep me smiling :-)
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Sad, It's a diesel for gods sake.
I am looking into these and prviously thought the cmax only came with the Ford/PSA 1.6 TDCI or the Ford 136PS 2.0. Now I look around for discounted ones and see they are offered with the 1.8 TDCI as well. I assume this is the same unit as in the Focus?
Why are they offering this engine as well? It only has a few more hp than the 1.6 unit, but I guess it doesn't have the particulate filter for ultra low emissions of that unit. I seem to remember HJ saying something about supply problems of the 1.6 unit. Is this the cause? Read more
Just to clarify the 2.0 in the new Focus and C-Max is also a Ford/PSA unit closely related to the 1.6 and not the 2.0 unit found in the Mondeo and X-Type.
Increasingly these days, car buyers simultaneously discuss the day when they'll get shot of the car, in 2-3 years or whatever, and its expected residual value.
My argument is, "Fine, I accept that my car's depreciating, but I have no intention of selling it in the foreseeable future because I am 100% happy with it." So am I the world's most boring car owner?
Unique? Or just 'old'?
Oz (as was) Read more
non-stop in 8 hours
I'd have had to stop for a call of nature though (at my age) agree with the sentiment though, I had to change for tax reasons......Mind you I did a 4 hour blast tonight without stopping.
Whats the common fault you get when your front bottom wishbones are on their way out ? With a car that sees a lot of speed ramps and 130,000 miles on the clock , do these wear out ? Read more
At 130,000 miles, may as well change them anyway, they're only £95 each on ebay.
I recently noticed a Ford SUV that caught my eye as being compact and looked quite good (a bit like a Freelander shape). It is a Maverick but not the same Maverick as the Terrano shape. Looking on Autotrader they are called 'XLT' and seem only to be petrol. I'm surprised they aren't more widely known. Does anyone know the background to these models? Read more
Sister car of the Mazda Tribute. Available as a 2.0 4 cyl and a 3.0 V6. Good looking in my opinion but not many around. Ford version looks better but I gather Mazda comes in more options including 2WD only with more trim.
Massively successful in the US where it's called the Ford Escape.
I reckon it would have done better here if it was available in a diesel. Ford dropped it from their lineup earlier than Mazda.
Im thinking of changing my rear subframe mounts on a 1995 306 td due to continous knocking. According to Haynes its as simple as jacking up the car, support the subframe, go in the boot and undo the mounts and remove them.
I was wondering if it is as simple as that? The other thing is I know theres a front set and a rear set on the rear subframe. What sort of cost am I looking at for them?
I have had a price of £9 each for the rear. Should I do all four mounts or just play it by ear?
thanks Read more
All you need to know:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=38...1
Change all four - it's the front ones that make the noise.
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RichardW
Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
Browse
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Anyone ??
I've managed to find a bit more info now but am lacking anything about Attitudes To Work and Expected Returns on Investment.
I guess a greater return is expected on the same investment now compared to a few years ago but i don't know how this differs between the two countries.
Aprilias' first hand experience would be welcomed