March 2008
Is there a rule that says you mustn't overtake one?
Coming home last night I was stuck behind one on a single carriageway A-road, doing 30 mph. There was a long queue of cars behind it, but not a single one overtook, despite plently of safe opportunities.
There was no actual snow or frost, they were only gritting as a precaution (Pointlessly, as it turned out. Today is warm and sunny). When I got the opportunity I overtook all the queue.
I know there is a risk of a small spray of grit when passing, but not as much as gets thrown up from following a line of cars behind a gritting lorry. In any case if you pass one going the opposite way you have no choice.
It was interesting that the lorry kept on gritting even when passing through a village, spraying pedestrians and people's front doors and windows. Read more
Hi all,
It has been some time since I used a particular road that had a great overtaking lane on a uphill section of semi rural road. To my dismay on a recent visit I see that they have put diagonal white lines in the overtaking lane. Now, I'm sure I'm not alone what the exact legalities of still using this now painted lane to overtake slower vehicles going up the hill so I looked up the Highway code. Apparently you can still use the lane if it's safe to do so and only if it's really necessary.
I also did a forum search on here so save repetition and it threw up this helpful thread:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=37427
However, apparently the reason these lines were introduced was to help people turning right but where I'm talking about near Wallingford (Ariel photo: tinyurl.com/25fzfw ) there are no right turns! Why else would the council do this?
I will be using this route quite a bit more and I will use the lane to overtake slow moving vehicles as other than this there are very limited places to overtake until you get near Henley. I know I'm going to feel like a yob doing so though because many other drivers assume it's a no go area. Read more
Thank you to the last two. :-)
I did not, as it happens, pull over - I stayed in the lane. But it was a lot more than 10 seconds - he was on my tail all the way round from the exit off the M4 until the slip joined the M25. Why he didn't come past me prior to the slip I have no idea - he had been behind me for a mile or so by that point!
My car is a 1996 Suzuki Swift - very low tare weight, front wheel drive, and the boot was empty on the day in question, which didn't help. Rock solid on that slip at 50, but beyond 55 it was wiggling somewhat.
I have to wonder, though, whether getting out of the way of an aggressive limpet would constitute an emergency?
I recently had an extremely small altercation with a BMW 1 series in the car park at work, resulting in VERY minor scuffing to my VW Touareg bumper and to the BMW front wheel arch. Like an idiot (not really) I 'fessed up and the quote from BMW came in at a grand....
I've had mine repaired by the local Chips Away man for 85 quid and he's given me a quote to do hers for 125. It's a really great job and I'm really pleased with it.
She's now asking if he's authorised as if he's not it will invalidate her warranty. Is he? Will it? Any other suggestions gratefully received.
Thanks. Read more
I guess if you get the work done through a dealer then the manufacturer can't avoid the warranty (although they may well argue about it at a later date) but if you have it done independently of the dealer (or one of the manufacturers authorised repairers) then you're on your own.
I would be extremely doubtful (but am willing to be corrected) that any of the smart repairers are authorised in their own right.
Hi - My mini which has been serviced by main dealer from new has developed a 'grinding noise' when the brakes are applied. A service is due in 200 miles [mileage 54,000]. While the noise sounds like 'metal on metal' appearing that the pads may have worn out, the discs look ok, and there have been no associated warning lights appearing, to indicate that replacement pads are due. Thinking on servicing at non- main dealer [service approx £300!]
Would appreciate a bit of 'background info' on the above.
Thanks. Read more
you would think that in this day and age someone would of come up with a heat seal cv boot replacement devise , something not far removed from a breville sandwich machine
Doesn't do it when cold.
Once warm, still runs fine, until you stop for about 20-30 seconds say at some traffic lights.
When the lights turn green and you set off, car accelerates normally for about 1.5 to 2 seconds, then power drops suddenly, throwing you forward in your seat, for 0.5 to 1 second, then power returns, throwing you back in your seat again. It MAY do the same thing another once, or twice, at about 1.5 second intervals. Then it runs normally again until you stop at the next lights or junction.
Usually, the loss of power does not actually make the engine stop and need restarting (but this may be just momentum).
The engine will do exactly the same thing if you pretend to set off from lights but don't actually let the clutch out; i.e. it does it just with revving up with no load.
Idles fine though. And runs fine once got going. It's just when increasing revs after having been idling for 20-30 seconds.
Just suddenly started doing this 2 days ago.
Any ideas?
Read more
Am about to replace original equipment Bridgestones 205.55.16.W at 30k miles. Any suggestions for tyres which might create less road noise please. Read more
Pica, thanks for the thought.
Interesting article in New Scientist this week. They have finally managed to demonstrate the shockwave propagation of a traffic jam.
Apparently this was a theory developed years ago to explain why jams form on roads that are free flowing but at their capacity.
tinyurl.com/2weqk9 Read more
Shunting.
Hi, guys. I've got a BMW e46 touring (2000). The passenger side front carpet is always wet after rain. It does seem like the leaking come from the door seal as only half of carpte is wet (top right) and the other side (top left) is completely dry.
Has anyone got ideas what happened on my BMW? Thanks
{tweak to subject line to remove shouting} Read more
Certainly could be that, Bill.
The owner needs to check the drains under the pollen filter are clear and not draining out on to the bulkhead, you can turn them to adjust the flow I beleive.
Here are some pics:
www.bmw325i.net/maint_microfilter_replmt.shtml
Ive been working in the motor trade selling Fords for around 3 years now. Im desperatly trying to get out of the trade as margins have been cut and its now quite hard to make a living out of selling cars, not to mention the long hours.
Any back roomers out there in the trade? what are you views?
thanks
dave Read more
I was in the retail motor trade working up to parts manager. Pay was abysmal (worse than sales) and was going nowhere.
My escape plan was to go back to college part time (in my mid twenties) to gain some post A level qualifications. That has opened up opportunities within the motor industry but with proper pay and conditions.
Message re posted from earlier (with appropriate detail added to the subject line) - apologies !
Dear All
Anyone had an Audi that would not start when the engine is mildly warm ?
My A8 always starts from cold and from hot, but sometimes will not re start if it's only been running for a few miles and it's really trying my patience. Had to abandon it today and let it go cold, thereafter started easily. (Engine code APR)
Is there an ECU upgrade or fix or maybe something like a dodgy sensor that I should replace. The car is a dream to drive, but if I can't rely upon it, then its going to have to go!
Any help, thoughts, ideas or indeed experiences would be great Read more
No need to apologise or start a new post - details edited into the existing one for you. (Seeing as there is an answer there already)
Browse
.jpg)
Nice idea in theory. Not sure if the gritters travel that slowly.
Although picture the scene - going up the slip road trying this to get past the gritter and ironically hit some ice and spin out!