July 2007
Hi all,
The 'check engine' light is lighting up on my Mazda 323 (2003 1.6GSi petrol manual). I first noticed it earlier today. On two journeys since, it's gone off as normal after the engine starts, only to light up again a couple of minutes later.
Engine sounds normal, and car performance seems OK. I only had my 54000 mile main-dealer service (including timing belt change) a fortnight ago, and that all went through fine.
The manual gives one possibility of a certain fuse blowing, which I've checked and is OK.
Anyone got any other common causes for this, or will I have to give the main dealer a call in the morning?
Thanks,
Sam Read more
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Next question ~ does a text to a UK number in USA cost the same as in the UK?
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L\'escargot.
hi, my mum is on the lookout for a small automatic car, budget £3000.
any ideas on what she could get?
anything to look out for or to stay away from?
any with low insurance (she has just passed!)?
thanks
Read more
And your 1k car should last two years, following which the risk of a prang is much reduced.
Hello all,
I found an old thread on this topic, but it was 3-4 years ago so it seems to have gone quiet, so I'd be pleased if anyone can help with this shiny new envigourated thread :-)
On the topic of blocking driveways, it was mentioned about it being an offence to block a driveway if there is a car in it - i.e. depriving someone the use of their car (but that blocking so someone can't get in is not an offence). Anyway, I wanted to know if anyone knows what specific offence or law this comes under.
Any help on this specific question appreciated, thanks.
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n.b. If you're nostalgic, the old thread was at:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=20...# Read more
Thats always been my take on it along with evidence that there is an actual obstruction to a person at that time, in your case that the person needed to get out of their drive now not maybe at some point in the future.
I just had a cold call from AA warranties tonight and for the first time ever, have actually bought one.
The gist of the policy is that it covers everything except:-
Brakes
Tyres
Windscreen
Exhaust
All of the electrics, engine components and other greasy bits are covered.
The cost is £21 per month over 24 months for 2 years cover at 0% APR. (Total cost £525 inluding deposit)
I can take the car to any garage that I want, and am covered for problems occuring whilst away from home with associated recovery costs etc.
The only downside is that there is a £50 excess in the event of a claim.
So, is there a downside that I've missed or does it sound like a decent warranty? I specifically asked whether the head gasket was covered and they advised that it is (well obviously as I own an MG I am certain to experence HGF aren't I? :-)
I've got 14 days to cancel and get my money back, I'm going to have a read of the policy document when it arrives, the only nagging thought that I have is that I could just put an extra £20 in a savings account every month (I already set aside £60 per month to cover servicing and tyres) and that would pay for a lot of repairs, but would take a few months to build up to any meaningful level.
Blue Read more
I abandonded private health care about 10 years ago when I got turned down on
what I though was a simple case. Since then I've just paid the premium amount
regularly into a savings account - there's a huge amount in it now.
I agree. I have as little to do with insurance companies as possible. Family was covered for many years with one of the big health insurers. Stuck with them despite rapidly rising premiums. My wife had to have a minor op, which they initially agreed to pay for and then at the last minute changed their minds. Very difficult to argue with them, just as with these mechnical breakdown policies. I cancelled the policy and now put the money into Building Soc.
I don't like the way they call them 'warranties' - they are in fact just an insurance policy.
I attended the Uxbridge Auto Show yesterday after many years away. A really nice day out in a very friendly environment. Quite well managed too.
While looking at all the sellers I bought one 13 mm socket to use on my oil sump nut. It had flat not corner stucture which should make rounding off less lickely.
The question is, why did sockets that grip on corners ever become the mainstream, when ones that grip on the flat of a nut can't round the nut off.
Do corner sockets have any advantages? Read more
Filing a nut down to the next size - had to do that a couple of times over the years! Although I think most cars these days seem to use better quality bolts as I havn't had to do that since I found a rounded bolt on the brake caliper for an old 1990 Renault 19 we used to have.
Going back further, my first car was a 1972 Ford escort Mk2, I think the bolts on that came pre-rusted and rounded from the factory....
On second thoughts, maybe the reason for seeing less rounded bolts is that not so many people do DIY mechanics anymore?
I currently have four P6000 tyres 225/50 17" on my Volvo S80. Just managed to get a nail in the back left tyre, and rather than replace with another the same, may fit two Goodyear Eagle F1s, on the basis that the ride on my car is too bumpy, and I was hoping these tyres (on rear axle only, too cheap to fork out £500 for 4 new ones) might fix the problem. Is this a bad idea? Waste of time? Just stick with the P6000s? Read more
Flunky,
The point is that a FB is not a VAT reg company however they can claim a vat refund on a managed service not on a purchase. What I was really getting at was two fold firstly that things that were seen as a no no twenty years ago ie remoulds or plugging casings are now very common as standards have risen.
About 25+ years ago there were cars on the road which came without a rear screen demister. I got a kit from Charlie Brown. You stick the heating element on the rear screen and wire it up. Can you still get this kit nowadays? Friend has a Nippa Peruda and is fed up cleaning the rear screen in today's wonderful summer weather :-(
If the kit is unavailable what is the best solution for reducing condensation of the rear screen? I have suggested..
1. get a sponge on a long stick so she can wipe the rear screen from the driver's seat
2. smear fairy on the inside of the rear screen, or
3. slightly open the rear windows, thinking that inside the car will be humid. Read more
One final word on this tangent I seem to have spun off onto...
"The Lotus Carlton - the family car for the Fittipaldis" (Jasper Carrot)
Just been awarded high mobility of DLA which enables me to get a car on the mobility scheme. Need something with higher seating position in order to make it easier to in and out of the car. Hence the above selection. Any advice which one to go for? They will be basic model probably 1.6 or 1.8 petrol engine. Would like an automatic but will be happy with a manual.
{Typo in subject header corrected - DD} Read more
Story so far..
Have been to the dealers. Went to a local Ford which also sell Mazda. Had a look at C-Max and Mazda 5. The mobility guy was very helpful. C-max was fine but Mazda5 is bigger and roomier with extra 2 seats making it a 7 seater. No car was available for test drive. He said he will arrange the Mazda5 for next week.
Went to the VW dealer to see the touran. Helpful assistant. Unfortunately no demo but she arranged for me to take a showroom car for a quick drive. Nice car but felt the seat was lacking support for my thigh/leg. Also found it awkward to position myself so i can be comfortable with the positioning of my feet on the pedals. Need a longer drive so i can adjust. She will give me a call when they can get a demo.
Vauxhall. Felt like they was doing me a favour by talking to me. No test drive without appointment.
So far Mazda 5 seems favourable. Will need a test drive to confirm my decision.
Toyota models demand a high advance payment. the above cars require less than £500 advance payment.
Hi there
My parents have bought a car on PCP, I know contract details vary, but I'm looking for some general opinions
They had someone else as a named driver on their insurnace, who crashed the vehicle. There is some debate at the moment, as to whether the car will be written off or repaired.
Should they choose to return the car to the dealer at the end of the term, obviously if its repaired, this is fairly straightforward, as they will make a judgment on the condition of the vehicle and the mileage
But if the vehicle is written off, and replace with something of equivalent value, how does this affect being returned to the dealership at the end of the deal?
Are they only interested in the age and condition of the replacement and hence its value? does the car have to be identical age and model?
Thanks for any thoughts on this
Nick Read more
I'm not sure if they took out gap insurance
I guess if its early on in the deal, then the settlement figure may well be more than the value of the vehicle
As it is, I think they are approaching the end of the finance agreement
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Thanks for the replies. It's still doing it, but very intermittent. Once it's on, it stays on for the rest of that journey. But if it doesn't light up within 10 mins of setting off, it doesn't come on at all.
As performance, fuel consumption, engine noise all sound normal, I'm not too worried at this stage! One of those things, I guess.
Cheers,
Sam