January 2007
Hello,
I changed the oil and filter on my mother-in-law's 02 Focus 1.6 auto recently, when I bought the filter I was told that there are two that fit, one slightly longer than the other, no recomendation for one over the other. I bought the shorter one (the diameter is the same) though when I came to fit it the car had the longer one already fitted.
It has just occured to me that the longer, higher capacity, filter may be specified for the auto, does anyone have any info on this?
Thanks. Read more
I saw in one of this mornings papers - daily express, can't spot it online, that some guy in a village who put up a dummy gatso has been told to take it down as it was dangerous as people were likely to brake suddenly and cause accidents. Read more
I would have thought it was dangerous to exceed 30 mph
while negotiating an urban roundabout, especially if there is other traffic
requiring your attention!
I doubt he was doing over 30 on the roundabout itself, but if he has missed the sign saying that a 30 zone has started, then he's going to exceed the limit on the other side of it.
Just coming in out of the snow and notived a 10cm long resistor hanging down from the F/O/S bumber of my MkIII Golf 1995. Clearly a bracket has corroded or something but what is the resistor for. Regards Peter. Read more
It is to dim the headlights whilst driving when you only have the side lights turned on. My resistor broke into two parts, and I replaced it from one off a mk 2 with slightly different resistance, mk 2, about 0.6 ohms, mk 3, about 0.8 ohms, if my memory is still active. I drove the car for up to two years without one with no problems.
I have one problem with my Vauxhall Astra, when a speed above 60mph is maintained at a constant, the car cuts out after maybe 10 - 15 minutes. If this speed is altered and changed every so often the car delays this problem. when the car cuts out i have to pull over, but the car starts straight away after the car comes to a stop. Any ideas to what this may be would be greatfully recieved. Thanks... Read more
>>Yes the management light does come on...
It is possible that a helpful* trouble code may be stored. See;
www.topbuzz.co.uk/info/fault_codes/fault_codes.htm
to find out how to read the codes.
Don't just fit the part related to the trouble code - the trouble code is just a starting point for diagnosis. Post the code on here, we might be able to help track the fault down.
Number_Cruncher
* of course, it's always possible that a) the trouble code won't be stored, or b) the trouble code stored is not related to this fault
Motorists with three unpaid parking tickets could have their cars clamped anywhere in the country under plans due to be unveiled by the Government within the next few weeks.
The same threat will apply to motorists who have three unpaid penalty notices imposed for failing to pay the London congestion charge.
Full details at
tinyurl.com/2dbcdt
The motoring organisations have raised the problem of recently purchased vehicles possibly being clamped due to the previous owner's failure to pay parking fines. Well what happens if your vehicle is cloned? Under this type of law you are guilty until proven innocent. There must be safeguards built in besides the use of a bond of £250. If you are wrongly clamped then you should also be allowed compensation for wrongful clamping denying you the right to use you vehicle and disruption to your normal life.
What do you think?
--
Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
Read more
If you are wrongly clamped then you should also
be allowed compensation for wrongful clamping denying you the right to
use you vehicle and disruption to your normal life.
How many are unjustifiably clamped? Not many, I opine.
--
L\'escargot.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/6268499.stm
"She has now written a book aimed at helping other women succeed. "
Any takers ? Read more
In surrey, in 1973 (33 years ago) I paid £8
a lesson. My son is paying £25 a lesson.
North South divide again, in Glasgow in 1972 I paid £2 a lesson for the 12 lessons I needed in a Triumph Herald Convertible
Moderators,-please bear with me, there is a motoring link!
Looking through some old colour slides yesterday, I came upon a series that I'd taken of the Red Arrows at an air display.
I was reminded of an interview I'd seen a few years ago, where the pilot was asked if he was nervous about flying in close formation at 450mph.
He replied 'I find driving on two lane roads far more worrying - when we're flying in a display, we know all the other participants, they're healthy and trained to the nines, we're usually travelling in the same direction,and we practice for every eventuality. On the road however, you're sometimes only 4 feet to one side of a car closing with you at a combined speed of up to 120mph plus, and you have absolutely no idea of the ability, health or mental state of the driver'
Worrying...
P. Read more
My daughter, who lives in England, so is a bit far away for my practical help, has recently bought an "R" registered Fiat Ulysse , with the 2l. petrol engine.
She has a problem with engine lumpiness, particularly on the over-run. The breather tube seems to become clogged up after around 500 miles - cleaning it temporarily solves the problem
There seems to be evidence of some "mayonnaise" in the oil filler cap, which I understand from her is difficult to inspect in the normal run of things.
These symptoms suggest to me either a cracked cylinder head or a faulty head gasket.
Does this accord with backroomer's views and if so can anyone give an idea of likely rectification costs?
Roger. (Costa del Sol, España) Read more
I chuckled out loud. It's the next step that you don't see that is really funny - she sets off again, but this time with a better grip as she winds it across her shoulders, and renewed determination on her face.
But the pipes aren't really like that - in my experience the reels are quite easy to uncoil. Also, amazingly, they do wind in properly, unlike the flex on a vacuum cleaner, twhich refuses to go back in, and lies ready for you to trip over.
Following on from my 5.5k review of my Leon, my opinions after 5k miles with my wife?s Octavia 2.0TDi L+K estate. Thought this was a good time to post and would make interesting comparison with Mr. Freezer?s review of his 1.9 Octavia. Generally my wife (main driver ? lease car) is very happy with the car. I agree with Mr. F?s comments on the seat width ? not a problem for my wife, but I am to the edges of the seats (6?4?, 14 stone) and if my derrier was any larger it might be uncomfortable. However, this is compensated for by the overall seat comfort, which is excellent especially the electrically adjustable lumbar support. I have been in a 1.9 TDI hatch, and the refinement around town didn?t seem any different to our 2.0, but at motorway speeds, the 2.0 is better. I can?t comment on the power as I have not driven the 1.9.
Pros
Refined drive especially at speed with little wind noise
Fuel economy ? not fab but 44mpg average for a car that is used for as many short journeys as well as long, and it is a big estate (gives 48mpg on a run)
Electric memory drivers seat/mirrors linked to keyfob ? very useful when two very different sized people drive the car regularly!
Auto-dipping nearside mirror when reversing ? surprisingly useful, something you don?t miss until you?ve tried it.
Massive and practical rear loadspace, and plenty of other storage space within the car
Useful ?multipurpose? boot floor with hidden underfloor storage, or use it to divide the massive loadspace and stop things sliding around. Also creates a completely flat load deck with no lip from the rear door when in place (without it, there is a significant drop from the boot lip into the boot)
Cons
Short first gear
Lack of electrically-folding mirrors ? my Leon has these and I find them very useful, especially when parked on narrow roads.
Lack of curtain airbags as standard ? come on Skoda this is a £19k+ top-of-the-range vehicle, these should be there.
Lack of standard ESP ? ditto above, I know they have to differentiate from VW, but on the most expensive model, this should be standard.
No lights over the vanity mirrors ? even my old Toledo had these!
Read more
I'm now looking for something just a tad bigger (pref. longer) in the boot than my A4 Avant. I want a diesel and a non-economy sapping automatic.
It'll be my money I'm spending too and I may well give this one (2.0) with the DSG gearbox a go. My A4 Avant 1.9TDi multitronic will be 3 years old in September (36k miles now) and although I've never actually driven one I can't see the Skoda being too different. The quietness at speed sounds promising. I don't think I'll bother dropping one rung to the Passat - I'll do it all in one. The local Skoda dealer keeps pestering me for a test drive and I think I'll take him up on it.
Alternatively the new, new Ford Mondeo estate due in the Spring, looks a tasty machine.
Browse
Thanks guys, no not ease of access, the filter is easy to get at at the front of the engine, loads of room around it, even the longer one.