January 2007
We have a Mazda Tribute 2003 2 litre, with 30 000 mls on the clock. 2 questions:
1) What sort of timing belt is it? (i.e chain or rubber belt)
2) When is the best time to have it changed in order to avoid any serious problems?
Any advice and help greatly appreciated. Read more
Hi,
Could somebody please advise me the differences between the VW 'Midline' computer (new Touran SE) and the 'Highline' computer (Touran sport)?
Thanks Read more
This all depends whether one is an inveterate fiddler or not. There are/is already too many things to fiddle with in modern cars and that can distract one from the actual driving of the car.
However, having said this I'd love to disable my seat belts' unfastened 'gong' on my VW Golf that is only fitted with the midline computer.
Presumable VAGCOM could do this at the dealers, but I like to keep as far away from these 'experts' as much as is possible - much like the medical profession!
Mrs B is supposedly on her way from Leeds to Manchester Airport, but cannot exit her housing development as the power is off and the only access in or out is an electric gate at the end of the driveway, which is also off, and shut. Surely there has to be some maual override to open it from the inside? Tricky to be hugely specific about the make/model of the gate, it gets pulled open by a telescopic bar at waist height on the inside when you waft a tag near a sensor oa pad outside, that´s about all I can remember. Any advice in the next half hour much appreciated.
Cheers,
Barchettaman Read more
ALL Scaffolders should be Shot, Hung Drawn and Quartered and then we'll decide what to do with them. This has to happen at least once. Weekly may, just may alter their attitudes, but I am not holding my breath..........As for the lawn!
MD
Hi,
I am in the process of changing my car, test driven my options and am now down to 3 possibilities:
S-Max 1.8 TDci Titanium X Pack
Touran 2.0 Tdi SE DSG
Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 Hdi Exec
The citroen is probably too new for you input but if you have an S-Max or Touran diesel, could you please give me an idea on what MPG you get in the real world.
I travel approx 40,000 miles per year so economy is important. Most of my driving is at a constant 70MPH on motorways, long journeys.
All input most welcome
Thanks Read more
Not driven the S Max, but if it was the chariot of hades, I would opt for that rather than the touran.
Its a shame because on the face of it the touran does stuff incredibly well. sometimes
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
Choices, choices...
Car no. 1:
The all-new KIA C'eed.
1.4 petrol, 110 horse, air, metallic paint, 6 bags & all the usual bits like electric windows, CD and so on.
7 years warranty.
Car no. 2:
Ford Focus.
1.6 petrol, 100 horse, air, metallic paint, 6 bags & all the usual bits like electric windows, CD and so on.
Oh, and that heated windscreen heheh.
2 years warranty.
Two brand new cars, same price. What would you choose and why ?
- - - - - - -
Free enterprise is the basis of western economy. Read more
>>Telegraph review
It mentioned that the C'eed is not due to be released in the UK until 1st Feb. So all UK BR's will have to wait a short while before we can see one in the flesh.
Still would go with the C'eed over a Focus as mentioned before.
--
Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
Hi i have a 2001 406 estate, The problem is with the fuel guage.It behaves very eraticly, basicly it just does what it likes from telling me theres nothing in it then its three quarters full.I have been told that the prob can sometimes be solved by having the BSI reset, how would i get this done (if i can).Everything else seems o.k just wondered if anyone else had had the same prob and if so if they found a fix .Thanks in advance for any help, cheers. Read more
No advice, other then if it was a petrol or normal diesel the hole would have been plenty big enough.
Peugeot never though the 406 would get a HDI lump.
I'm fitting a new aerial to the car, but don't want to run the new cable all the way through. What's the best way to splice the new cable to the existing one? Read more
Thanks guys. I managed to get hold of the connector that TU recommended from my local car radio place. I'll be sure to wrap it well, and it will be inside the wing that has a liner, so it won't be subjected to any water unless I wade through water more than a meter deep.
Has anyone tried Shell V-power diesel yet and if so how does it compare with BP Ultimate diesel in terms of noticable performance and economy ? Read more
I suspect the benefits of using a premium fuel is much greater for petrol vehicles. In my experience of using a single cylinder research engine using a fuel of a higher cetane rating does nothing for power output (running straight vegetable oil of very low cetane rating actually had a slight power advantage over pump diesel in the work i did). Diesels may benefit from additional additives to control injector deposits but it might be cheaper and more effective to use an injector cleaner additive.
Petrol is different. In the case of older vehicle's higher octane rating allows more ignition advance to be set to the benefit of power..similarly in newer vehicles knock sensors effectively allow more ignition advance as the knock threshold is raised. I suspect this is the basis of the making a '1.8 engine feel like a 2.0 litre claim. Benefits greatest for turbocharged petrol cars.
Does anyone have specific information on this? Everything I've read here in the FAQ's and forum search seems to relate to new cars.
This is the situation as I understand it. Hopefully if anyone knows more we can have the definitive answer for forum users
Importing a used car from Europe is fairly simple. Some of this information may be wrong currently- I need help to correct the innacuracies
You need a certificate of EU conformity (the vendor should be able supply this if he is a car dealer)
Then if you are importing from Germany you need to get a set of plates made up as cars there are sold without plates. The dealer can't do this for you and it may take some time to get these plates ie a whole day waiting around some office. (any details about this plate process would be VERY helpful- I presume they are just temporary transit plates)
You need to sort out insurance with your UK insurer- they should be able to do this through the VIN number. One problem here is that there are reports that some UK insurers will not provide an insurance certificate without an english reg number ie a catch 22 situtation.
Drive the car back to the UK.
When back in the UK you are not allowed to drive the car on the transit plates except to your place of residence or to the MOT test it will require if over 3 years old.
To pass the MOT you will need either new lights or if your car is equipped with them it is just a matter of using the adjustment lever to switch from LHD to RHD. Which models this applies to I don't know but I'd imagine any car with HID lights would have it
You then need to apply to your local DVLA office with your certificate of conformity, certificate of insurance, form V55/5, the original paperwork and reg doc from Germany, the MOT test certificate (if it needs one), the invoice from the vendor, the MONEY ie reg fee and road tax.
They may wish to see the car in person and I have no idea how long the above process takes to complete.
I'm also confused as to whether you need a MPH speedo or not. You can pass the MOT with a KPH speedo so this one is not clear cut as far as I can see.
If anyone can add information or shed any light on these questions then it would not only help me but everyone else as well.
Thanks in advance. Read more
I would probably go the route of an IVA test. The best people to talk to would be your nearest VOSA (or whatever they call themselves this week) test station. I used to take alot of cars to the VOSA test station in Edmonton and at that time there were alot of Japanese imports being tested there on the SVA test scheme.
I keep seeing adverts for cars where the seller claims to be selling on behalf of a friend. Often a friend who has emigrated.
It sounds like a good way to get round the name/address on the V5 being different to the person I'm talking to. And for them not to know much about the car.
I've walked away from two in the last week - am I right to be so suspicious? Read more
Doing anything "on behalf of a friend" is such a euphemism
for dodginess or embarasing complaints that it's a wonder
'Nothing personal, you unnerstand? I'm doing it on behalf of a friend of a friend.'
BAM!
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OK, very useful, thanks a lot to all of you for your kind help.