August 2006
I am running a 2005 mondeo 1.8 LX estate at the moment and cannot for the life in me find a panel light dimmer the handbook shows a rotary switch adjacent to the light switch but this does not exist.Perhaps it does not have one if so its the first car in recent history that I have had without one or is it a test like finding the bonnet release . Read more
The rear wiper blade on the Ford Focus II seems to be about 2" too short and when in use a wide untouched band is left at the top of the rear screen which is just where a tall person looks through.
Does anyone know of a larger suitable replacement ? Read more
So why do some manufacturers fit too smaller wiper blades rear/front ?
It seems such an easy thing for them to get right, I don't understand !
What are your opinions and experiences of 50% brighter headlight bulbs ?
The car mag reports sound impressive, anyone used these bulbs ? Read more
I thought Osram == Philips?
A female friend is looking to replace her 97 Civic with the new shape Civic. At this stage not interested in any other cars.
As with any car purchase, I am recommending that she buys used rather than brand new but these Civics seem to be few and far between on the used lots, and certainly seem to be holding their value.
What should we be looking at, she probably does less than 10k a year. Will the 1.4 be enough or is it underpowered for such a big heavy car? Are there any issues which we should be aware of? I have already told her that as part of the test drive she needs to take it to a car park and practice some reversing due to the rear windscreen visibility issues.
Any help / advices gratefully received. Read more
Yeah they are. I think on the base model there is only one and then all others have two.
My Astra 1.7dti suffered from a flat battery I started it using jump leads then when I disconnected the leads the car shut down. I've had the fuel pump ecu replaced a new alternator and battery, yet the EML is still illuminated apparently reading fan relay faults the air con isn't working either. I've replaced the fan contol unit with a second hand one and still have the same fault could I have two faulty fan relay units or is there something else I should look at. Read more
Hello ralph,
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Having followed the oil change / VAG long life service threads here for a while now I have to say I'm torn between sticking to the long life regime on my Audi Tdi which is saying that the first service will be due at 19,000 and getting intermediate oil changes at a cost of £100 ish (it needs 8+ litres). I was wondering if anyone had any experience of getting their oil analysed to check how it was wearing. I found 'theoillab.co.uk" on google who seem to offer a full analysis for possibly as little as £22.95 which seems good value if it saves an extra oil change. Read more
Thanks to all those who replied.
I think I might give the oil lab a try when I get close to the 19k, which should give an indication of the condition after the last 9k miles. Will post anything useful here in a few months.
SWMBO'd Rover 214 (1997) has a strange vibration coming through the steering wheel.
Travelling at low speeds the wheel rocks from side to side, but slowly pulling the car to the left. As speed increases it becomes quicker and is more of a vibration like the wheels need balancing except it does it whatever speed.
If crawling in traffic it can rock the car at 5mph or so as the steering wheel is moving.
Strange thing is it can sometimes be really bad and then after stopping at a junction or getting in the car the next day it is much better, however not completely gone.
I have checked the tyre pressures and were a little uneven however made no difference and went through the MOT with this problem so assuming its nothing loose in the steering rack etc.
Had an issue lately with the brakes as the drivers side caliper had shed its bolts and garage said it must have been due to vibration - not a great experience loosing 1 wheel braking.
Has anyone got any ideas as its driving me mad when I drive it and dont really think its safe if its causing things to come loose. Read more
Sounds like you have an out-of-shape tyre. Jack the front up and spin the wheels by hand, I bet you'll see a lump/bulge.
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groups.msn.com/honestjohn - Pictures say a thousand words.....
Time for a game of spot the numpty. After a bit of exuberant DIY, despite my best efforts I now have spots of undercoat over the car. What is the best way to remove these? Thinners and T-cut, or patience, long fingernails and elbow grease?
Don't be too hard on me please . . . . . .;->
Read more
Yep, a clay bar should shift it.
Follow the instructions carefully.
Don´t drop it on your gravel driveway (if you have one....).
snipurl.com/vdys
may prove a useful guide. Good luck.
Hi,
I hope someone can advise. I have an elderly Volvo 240 estate ( ours since new!) 160000 miles but still runs fine, getting a bit tatty, but we still love it.
Only problem is the bulbs on the instruments have failed. Not the fuse, checked that.
Handbook just says "Difficult to replace, get the dealer to do it"
Is it a job I could do myself, as I can't see an obvious route to the back of the intruments?
Should I just get a dealer to do it at vast expense?
LeighB Read more
Have you got a Haynes manual? They are usually quite helpful.
Just got the car back and the mechanics told me that he found a leak on the metal hose that runs in front on the radiator where the bracket is ( i know thats the weak point on these cars)
I just wanted some advise for when it goes back in a couple of weeks. The car is 2001 (y) so id love to have the air con working. Obviously theres a posibility that there may be more than one leak so wheres the best place to get the pipes from etc and what sort of cost am i looking at with the hope that the rest is ok?
Read more
This link will give you some idea of costs.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=i&t=10...8
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I always have mine on full brightness, i cant stand darkly lit dashboards.