January 2008
I think that the issue of corrosion on the zetec 16" alloys is quite well known.
Even with weekly checks and reinflation, I still feel that I'm driving around on marginally uninflated tyres for some of the time.
I wondered if some of that puncture-repair type slime that you introduce through the valve would be a solution to my problems? As a mountain biker I am aware that similar latex solutions can be used to assist seld-sealing in tubed and tubeless applications.
The only drawbacks that I can think of are a) it not working, b) mess, c) wheel balance
any thoughts? Read more
I'm looking for a luxury car to drive to work in and for long motorway journeys. I have a budget of about £12K. The car needs to be spacious, extremely comfortable, have a very smooth and refined ride, near-silent in the cabin at motorway speeds and have a few toys like climate control, satnav, etc. It needs to be reliable (3-4 more years without any issues). I'm not bothered about fuel economy or servicing costs.
So, can I get luxury motoring that meets the above for £12K? Which make and model should I be looking at? Read more
>>Beyond that I would really only look to a Volkswagen Phaeton,
which really does go into a different league of quality,
and has the understated look of being a Bentley in Passat clothing.
>>
I agree but they START at £16K on Auto trader.
Nowadays nearly all SUV type vehicles claim that they are 4x4 while in fact they are 2WD with a viscous coupling(VC)/Limited Slip Diff (LSD) for on-demand traction on rear wheels (if front ones slip).
I understand that following layouts are possible.
[1] Standard FWD with open differential (most cars nowadays)
[2] Standard RWD with open differential (Mercedes, BMWs etc, Mazda RX8 probably has a rear diff lock)
[3] FWD with viscous coupling to drive RWs if FWs lose traction (many 4x4s like Panda 4x4, Toyota RAV4, BMW X5 etc.)
[4] Permanent 4WD with a central lockable differential (Land Rovers, Daihatsu Terios)
[5] Part time 4WD - usually RWD but transmission shaft can engage FWs manually. Should not be driven on paved roads.
[6] Permanent 4WD with lockable diffs on front/rear/center (Hummer has front & rear torsen diff and a lockable central diff)
[7] Any other configuration?
Now my question is whether VC/LSD cars (in most soft roader) have any off road ability at all. Or they are just marketing gimmick?
I personally never did any off roading :( but was surprised to see what some of the true 4WD cars are capable off!
Without a lockable diff, how well cars behave off road? Also, can a car go off road if it doesn't have low range gears?
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Just remembered a very unusual full time (ish) 4x4.
The very early (1949) landrover series 1s had the most unusual full time 4x4. Before the war, rover had a freewheel option on their cars, and they used it to transmit power to the front propshaft in the first year of production. So you had full time 4x4 (I believe no central diff) on normal driving, but on the over-run (eg. going downhill) the front wheels freewheeled). Not quite sure how it worked in reverse, but I believe the freewheel could be locked for offroad use....
Stupid question time!
I have just got some genuine roofbars for my 406. I've fitted them, using the holes handily supplied in the car!
There is an allen key sixed hole as you look at the bar end on. The instructions give a random mention of 'turn 4 times' (French) but no mention of why.
Does anyone know what this is? Without turning 4 times it seems to be solid enough....
Cheers,
DB Read more
Aha! I have it sorted. I ignored the instructions and applied a bit of logic......
My c5 with traffic master has come back to life after being swithched off since the license expired 2 1/2 years ago, the voice is driving me nuts keep asking to renew. I have tried turning to manual mode which I thought was off but she keeps butting in.I can get this abuse at home I dont want it in the car as well.Can annyone tell me how to dissable her,Traffic Master that is not the wife.
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Thanks for the info,this may be the next step. Its strange after 2 1/2 years it should just re activate.
When they make their minds up about climate panic, will some body let me know please .
'Cutting the speed limit to 20mph could increase greenhouse gas levels, claim AA experts.
They say tests show a cut from 30mph causes a 10 per cent rise in CO2 emissions. Speed bumps add another 41 per cent.
The alert comes as other areas look set to follow Portsmouth's 20mph blanket limit. AA president Edmund King called for "a common sense approach". Read more
Well, if you're using the same gear at either speed then probably not. I've certainly driven plenty of cars that are quite happy in 4th at 30, and my old-tech Xantia TD would even go down to 32-33ish in 5th without seeming laboured.
One of my ( two ) key fobs is defective in that it will not "open" the alarm/central locking ( it otherwise works ). Nissan tell me I have to take the car plus both fobs to them for the defective fob to be reprogrammed. Now always ready to save a buck, I wonder if anybody knows if this is a job you can do yourself. Thanks in anticipation.
{year added to subject header, as per the ignored request to do so!} Read more
If you can't find anyone to repair for a reasonable price, you can buy the fob new/used on Ebay.
Just need to make sure you get the one
Mine is 433.92 MHz - On the side of the key.
oil light and buzzer coming on sometimes ,levelis ok and pressure is 4bar .
light comes on even with wire disconnected from switch , any ideas? Read more
thanks for info i will have a look and message back
Hi All,
Looking at a 1999 T reg, Passat 1.9 TDI Estate with digital climate control, 90k miles and cambelt change a year ago.
Is there anything in particular to watch out for on these?
I have heard things about these cars leaking?, do I just check for wet carpets?
Anything else? :D
These cars apparently aren't as reliable as VW hype would have it (not a big surprise..always known that)...but is it worth staying clear?
Thanks
Matt Read more
My insurance is due for renewal soon. Changed ins company last year to what was a good deal after using a comparison site. This year they said I could renew it for same price (£254) but thought I would do a quick check for better deals and found several cheaper. As a result I rang my present company and pointed this out and got a new quote for £183 - saving of £70!
Maybe you all do this already, but thought it worth mentioning - saving of £70 for the price of a phone call ain't bad!
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The interest free monthly payments seem to be an internet only offer. I find these days that internet quotes are the best, after all they save the company paying staff. I found the Saga quotes by using 3 different insurance search websites and their quotes were the best by miles.
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this goes back quite a long way, but I've had a breakthrough!
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