January 2008
When we used to be able to buy a Haynes manual for most of the common cars around, we could look up disc pad wear limits and easily decide when to replace them.
Nowadays it seems to be a matter of guesswork, not only for the DIY mechanic but also in the dealer's workshop. I have a New Panda 4x4 and the dealers have been suggesting pad replacement, based on a fairly arbitrary assessment of pad wear, at a number of recent visits. With a bit of squinting I can more or less assess how thick the remaining pads are.
Does anyone have a generic minimum pad thickness that I could work from? Don't worry, I know what I'm doing and the pads do still have sufficient friction material on them. Out of interest, I have found a figure for the minimum disc thickness and, at 25,000 miles, my discs are almost at that limit. Therefore, I will be replacing pads and discs together. Read more
I was just wondering how important it is to change the fuel filter during the 60k service on my 03 passat pdi?
If it needs to be changed then is there a big difference between a VW part or one I can pick up for half the price from a motor factor?
Thanks in advance,
R Read more
It's vital. Buy an OE, Bosch or Mann & Hummel filter only, from the cheapest supplier. The filter clamp bolt may have a triple-square head. To overcome this VAG idiocy, take it right out with a hex key (which doesn't fit very well) put the bolt in the vice and cut a saw groove in the head. You can then use a good old-fashioned screwdriver to release it next time.
Be careful with the plastic Tee under the "mickeymouse" clip if your engine has it. They are fragile. Renew the blue and black 'O' rings supplied with the filter, in the right order.
Prime the new filter by connecting everything except the outlet and applying a vacuum to it - I use a 1 litre Wanner oil gun in reverse which works a treat. Cranking the engine with a dry of even partially filled filter (they are difficult to fill completely when new) is not recommended.
Observe clinical cleanliness at the filter outlet (covered with a bung on a new filter).
659.
This is a question I was looking for an answer and couldn't find anything conclusive yet.
I consider myself as a bloke having poor navigational skill (I lost roads many times especially inside large towns). In these situations I wished I had a Sat Nav (I still don't use one).
However, I have no problem in calculating my route from maps and I find it bit funny when people use Sat Nav on motorways or other major roads.
I am considering buying a Sat Nav now and will be only using it after I entered on a town or after I left motorway/A road etc.
I like to know whether using Sat Nav actually improves or deteriorates one's navigational skill. Or it has no effect on it?
I know with proper training and experience, one can improve one's driving skill. But is it ever possible to improve navigational skill or people are just born with it? Is it anyway related to someone's IQ?
What do you think?
PS: This is somewhat in line with this thread "Aids to avoiding speed cameras counter productive?". But since it is on a different context I thought of creating a new thread. Read more
I put my satnav on the little triangular side window on my C-Max. It's not in my primarly line of sight, but is easily viewable at a glance, just like when I glance to check my wing mirrors.
I find it invaluable for long trips, mainly because I can concentrate on the driving rather than having to keep a watch out for approaching turn-offs. I also like knowing exactly where I am, and the reassurance that if I miss a turning it will re-calculate to get me back on track.
I have the pocketgpsworld speed camera database on it, with voice warnings, not because I speed, but because I want to make sure I don't get caught out by unexpected speed limit changes.
I don't treat what it says as gospel, and will often ignore it if it seems to be telling me to make an illogical or wrong turn.
The best thing is it's given my wife more confidence to drive around our home town to visit friends or take our children out.
Hello there,
my car has developed a fault - your help would be greatly appreciated!
side story...
...The central locking key fob for my Ford Focus (W reg) stopped working a few months ago, however after receiving my car back from its MOT the other day it began functioning once more.
Anyway, I started up the engine, and the boot popped up?
It seems to happen when I unlock/or lock the car too - whether it be through pressing the central locking button or putting the key in to lock it.
I have no idea why, however someone mentioned that it is likely to be an electronic fault.
Any thoughts? It is becoming rather annoying having to go back round my car to close the boot!
thank you for your time. Read more
I've had the same problem on my 05 C-Max. Rear hatch would open while stationary when all doors open and also while driving.
Took it into Fords, they diagnosed a faulty switch where you open the hatch. No problems since.
X-type's seem overlooked miss out on the Jaguar brand which its other models have, and there seem to be some good deals as a result, new and used. Are there issues with it that the BMW doesn't have? Or is it just another of those image things with little tangible to complain about? Read more
The diesel system is improved vastly over the mondeo which actually makes for a very quiet diesel & keeps steam up till the red line.
It has 5 stage injection pulsing which reduces the diesel knock & is also fitted with DNS to reduce noise further.
IJ
A thought for the New Year - what would you do if you were Gordon Brown and really wanted to reduce the UK's carbon emissions?
My suggestions (Some are motoring related)
1. Sales tax on non-energy saving light bulbs to close the price gap.
2. Sales tax on all new cars with over 200g/km CO2 emissions (after all you can get a large estate which comes in well under this. Say 20% on 200-300, 50% on 300-400 etc.
3. Increase road tax on cars with CO2 levels f over 200g - seriously increase them to the 000s per year, after all posh won't mind if her Bentley is more exclusive will she!
4. Tax aviation fuel at the same rate as motor fuel - after all most of flights are non-essential.
5. Make all shops fit revolving doors - stop them having open doors and heating on full!
6. Deal with the blocks on moving home (Consistently good schools and stamp duty etc.) so people can re-locate rather than commute.
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With regard to your original points...
1. Yes agreed
2. No, pointless - a 420g/km car driven 2000 miles a year e.g. Aston DB9 emits far less CO2 than a 140g/km Focus driven 20k a year. It's about how much you use it more than what it is you use. Put all the duty on fuel.
3. See above
4. Taxing of aviation fuel would have to be done worldwide to be effective otherwise you will increase carbon emissions as planes fly to the UK fully laden with fuel and then stop off in France or Spain to refuel at lower cost.
5. Agreed
6. Agreed.
Safest way to avoid speeding convictions is to stay within the limits, but are aids to this sometimes counter-productive ?
I used to just stay within the limits (following past problems:( but a few years ago used a Radar Detector briefly. Quite a revelation to know that only one of the cities speed cameras operated at any given time.
But that solution, created another problem. Before, I was contented to follow the limits, but with the Radar Detector, I started to speed up.....
After a while I realised I was safer without it and it went into the back of a drawer somewhere.
However, I have just bought an easier to use Sat Nav (Garmin Nuvi 250) to replace an older more complex Pocket PC type.
But it has an unwanted (presumably UK only) POI Camera database........
I am considering this though. While I can understand its application for anyone who tends to be over the limit, what is opinion on using the camera alert option amongst those who generally stick to the limits?
Do you find it tends to encourage higher speeds and increase vulnerability to Vascar and other detection? Or is it just useful on unfamiliar ground? I also noticed that there are third party POI camera databases for France, surely illegal? Or is that for `active` Radar Detectors?
Regards
NB, Sat Nav mainly bought for use in Europe in finding Hotels in unfamiliar cities.
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Thanks Peter
Hello there
I'm new to this forum but need some advice. I'm starting a new job in a month and will be facing a 100 mile round-trip commute, probably 3 days a week. I don't think my 2003 Citroen C3 Pluriel is quite up to it and I'm looking for something more economical (diesel probably), safe, comfortable and reasonably fun.
I've got GBP4k plus whatever the dealer will give me as trade-in for the Pluriel - around GBP4k I should hope as it's done less than 18,000 miles.
I've test-driven a Citroen C4 1.6 Diesel Coupe but to be honest, was not exactly blown away by it.
The new car needs to be good on the motorways (bulk of my commute will be M25), but also good for short trips as well. There are only two of us so no need for a "family" car.
I'd really appreciate any advice you might have!
Thanks.
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I did that and got the 130 PS 1.9 litre PD diesel. The performance and economy are both outstanding. It's comfortable.
I'm pleased with it - nothing has stopped working yet but the dealers seem to be technically and morally compromised.
659.
I've just discovered that my 'spare' car has picked up a slow puncture and may have been sitting on this 'flat' tyre for the last couple of weeks.
Has the tyre been damaged by this, even though the car has not been driven at all in that time? Read more
i would say take it to a trusted reputable tyre repairer and ask them to give the inner casing a good inspection prior to a possible repair
happy new year btw yb
hi room , im after some car ramps and a trolly jack....any suggestions please, i looked on ebay recently but theres nothing local and i hate paying exorbitant p&p on there anyway thanks....mj Read more
These items come into Aldi and Lidl but are not there all the time. The quality is good and the prices are excellent. Depends how long you are prepared to wait to buy them.
Browse
Replaced pads and discs this week. The inner faces of the discs were particularly corroded and one disc locating pin on each side sheared off. Probably a lot of this is my fault for actually using the car off road. Any how, feel much more confident about the refurbished brakes now. Next job is to assess the wear on the rear discs and pads.