September 2006
Hi
I have a 16 year old Celica with a 5 year old Exide battery (date shown on the battery). I have only had the car for 6 weeks.
Now when I tried to start the car today, the battery was dead although I did a short journey 3 days ago without problem. Questions:
(a) Is the 5 years a normal lifespan for the battery, so therefore I should replace it?
(b) Or should I suspect something else e.g. the alternator?
(c) Also Halfords are selling a replacement battery for £60. Does anyone know where to get a cheaper one in South West London?
Many thanks. Read more
When you buy abroad . I have noted it is possible to buy the car ex vat . my question when i import back into the uk . I presume i pay at the uk rate correct and it goes to the uk customs etc or to the uk customs take the vat and forwarded back to the export country? can anyone help? thanks Read more
From experience when I purchased my UK spec V70 in Breda, Netherlands; as indicated above, yes, you pay UK VAT on the tax free price paid in the foreign EU state. The actual exchange rate to use is calculated by HM Revenue & Customs. What hasn't been mentioned so far though (forgive me if I'm blind) is that when personally importing a car to the UK you are not liable to the special car tax that you'd have to pay if you purchased the same car from a UK source. This nets a saving to you. I don't know if any other EU member states also have special car tax equivalents for the converse case of importing to one from the UK.
Exchange rates had all but wiped out the advantages of personally importing (to the UK) when I last looked, but back at Christmas 2002 (when I placed the order for March 2003 delivery) we saved a hill of cash, bettering even the best UK broker for a UK spec car. It was so easy to do, and the "how to personally import" pack so easy to follow, that I'm glad on this basis alone that I didn't pay a broker commission.
These dumb Americans !!
For those who don?t know (I?ve just found out) CAFÉ is an acronym for corporate average fuel economy. The American Congress has tried to pass a bill requiring an increase from 27 MPG to 33 MPG it was not passed. This would have required the American automobiles manufacturers to make a larger number of small cars to balance their production of SUVs, but they are not willing to do this. Also, the oil companies certainly don?t want to sell less fuel when they are having such a good time. Instead, the industries and the unions have lobbied congress and succeeded in getting the government to change the method of calculating the fuel efficiency so that it doesn?t look so bad. The old method used the vehicle weight. The new method will use the vehicle ?footprint? or wheelbase. Thus they have given to foreign importers the market for fuel efficient vehicles. What an effective way of burying your head in the sand.
The relative figures per area are reported to be approximately :
USA 24 mpg
Canada 31mpg
Australia 34 mpg
China 36 mpg
EU 44 mpg
Japan 47 mpg
Read more
can some1 tell me the 2 temp senders in the water housing on front of engine r both black or is 1 black and 1 blue which 1 goes to the top and which 1 to the side and wot are there 2 for.thanks frankie
Read more
frankieyeha,
Can I ask that you drop the "txt" talk please? You're not limited to 160 characters here ;o)
Not the first time it's been mentioned to you, I hasten to add.
DD. BR Moderator.
Interactive traffic model demonstrating the ripple effect and traffic density of filter in lanes. For mixes of car/ lorry traffic. IIRC it was based on a circular motorway with on/off ramps.
I am sure that it was linked from this forum probably about 12 months ago but after 20 mins of Forum Search and Googling I can not find it!
Anybody got the link please?
--
pmh (was peter)
Read more
Thanks very much, that is what I was looking for.
--
pmh (was peter)
Hi all, we have a Pug 306 1.9TD. every now and then it wont start, thought it might be glow plugs and so on as not sure when last seviced. Just had it serviced and still same problem. Im now thinking along the lines of the immobilser. Ive read on sites that these can be a problem so we want to disarm, or bypass it. Any ideas how or who wil;l do this for us.
Also any ideas how it works i.e. does it work on the fuel pump or starter motor????
All help would greatly appreciated.
Cheers
See the other thread started on this www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=44516 - DD Read more
Put code in as normal, start engine, with engine running remove centre console and unplug the keypad, this renders the immobilzer inactive.
This year seems to be an almost bug free year for driving. I have had hardly none on my windscreen. Is this the same with other BR's?
--
Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
Read more
Getting stacks of moths and crane flies in the house in the evenings over the past few weeks, and the lavender bush in the garden is buried under bumblebees as usual but only encountered a handful of wasps and flies so far. Noticed much fewer "splats" on car and bike too.
Cheers
DP
Later this month I'm going to be going on a weeks holiday to Devon with some friends. Thee's enough of us that we'll be in 2 cars, so I thought it would be amusing if we could pick up some sort of 2-way radio to allow us to communicate between the vehicles.
Anyone know of anything available which would work?
Obviously not willing to spend an overly large amount, since it's just for a laugh.
Also, if I can find one, I'll be needing lessons on CB speak... Read more
'PBR Street Gang, this is Almighty. Do your read me? Over.'
Sorry folks if this in the wrong section, may get more views/responses here.
Currently own an Audi A4, few problems with it, just wondering what the causes could be:
Firstly, the car is idling too quickly, the rev meter is moving very slightly up and down and sitting in the car the car is giving a slight shake with the gearstick moving slightly aswell, doesnt happen all the time but noticable when your sitting at traffic lights etc.
Secondly, the car is giving out extensive smoke in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears, the car isnt pushed hard when going up in gears but the smoke is still there
Thirdly, the sound of the engine has got much louder recently, possible cause could be from point one?
Any help would be grateful, the cars covered 62k and out of warranty
Many Thanks Read more
Looks like it could potentially be that thinner oil was used i.e 5W 40 instead of something like 10/15W 40, could this pose a problem, thinner oil ??
Hi, I have just bought a new car. If I am the registered owner of the car, can I insure it under someone else's insurance policy as a named driver? Or do I have to get my own insurance?
Hope you can help me!
Thanks. Read more
Yeah that is what I mean. I think I'll just give a few different insurance companies a call and see if they allow it.
Thank you both for your responses and help!
.jpg)
OK, why can't we have voltmeters fitted, I don't suppose they would cost much.