April 2008
I've been running my 3 litre CR auto D-Max for nearly 3K miles now, and I get about 29mpg running around, dropping to 25 when I tow 3 tons.
My old '93 Landcruiser 4.2TD auto does around 25mpg, dropping to 22 towing 3 tons.
So considering the LC is 15 years old, has a 6 cylinder engine, permanent 4wd, old style auto, 600kg heavier, bigger tyres, and is less aerodynamic, why does it not use much more fuel? It's also got more torque lower in the rev range, and is much smoother and quieter that the Isuzu. So what have I actually gained?
It looks to me like I've gained nothing at all, except a super complicated engine that's unlikely to run for 200K miles without issue (like the LC). And when it does go wrong, it will probably take the garage a month (and numerous attempts) to fix, and require a second mortgage to pay for it. If CO2 is a direct result of fuel consumption, they'd have been better off putting the old LC engine in the new Isuzu, and I'd had had better power, fuel economy, and reliability. Read more
is it still legal to sell a car without the full vo5, only the new keepers supplement?
I have a 99' mk4 astra td estate i would like to sell, however i bought it recentley and have not recieved the new logbook yet, i know you used to be able to sell with just the new keepers slip, but have heard the law may have changed regarding this and couldnt find any information to clarify this on the dvla's website 0r gov info.
any help clarifying this for me would be greatley appriciated Read more
My car had Bridgestone Potenza tyres at the front and I replaced these with Falken 452 as I read they were very good tyres and for the price, match high premium brand tyres.
However, after fitment of the Falkens, whenever I brake from high speeds (70+) to a stop (say at roundabout), the traction control kicks in and I can feel the brakes kick on and off feeling this thorugh the steering wheel. I never experienced these prior.
I had all my brake discs and pads replaced last year prior to changing the tyres.
Is this being caused by my new Falken tyres or trouble with the brakes? I have heard that different tyres have different braking resistance and ifso do I need to replace my front tyres to a premium brand with a harder compound, stronger side wall?
Any help on this would be appreciated
Read more
Front tyres are 235/40/18
Back tyres are 265/35/18
5 mm diameter difference between the front and rear tyres isn't enough to upset the ABS system. New tyres have 7 to 8 mm of tread, and the legal wear limit is 1.6 mm. You do the math.
Hi. I have a T reg Vectra. I went in to hospital 4 weeks ago and forgot to leave the handbrake off my car as it will not be used for a while. My daughter was going to take it for a run tonight for me but the car wont move.
Years ago (many years ago) I had a Viva that done the same thing and I forced the car forward. It gave a loud stap/bang and I freed it. Should I do the same for the Vectra or is there another way it can be freed more gently?
Thanks for any help. Read more
I got it freed. I've left the handbrake off now.
Thanks for all the help.
Dave
Hi,
I have an Audi A3 1.8T 03 which has been largely trouble free.
It had a fault with the factory-sit radio which was draining the battery so I had that fixed under extended warranty but 2 weeks later the battery went flat so i had the AA jump start it and now the radio is completely dead (sure that'll be covered under parts guarantee) but the EPC warning light has come on and stayed on.
The rest of the car seems fine, no loss of power etc.
Would the radio fault cause the EPC warning light?
Best regards,
Gordon Read more
Gordon
No; the EPC light is, supposedly, for a fault with the fly-by-wire throttle system.
Get the codes read to determine the exact fault.
Does anyone know where the diagnostic plug is on a 1.9 gti and what it looks like?
Cheers Read more
The last models of the 205 1.6 were fitted with single point injection and a catalyst.These have a 2-pin Amp diag socket located by the o/s suspension turret.I have never seen a diag socket on a Gti.However there is a 3-pin socket that is usually clipped onto the cam box cover that is used to set up the ignition timing.hth
I know this subject has been aired before but there are signs that things may be starting to move.
The article:
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008...l
Plus lots of responses.
My response is - lets start with a regular comprehensive eye test for ALL drivers of all ages.
I siuggest this could be implemented within a couple of years ( to allow the ramp up of testing slots).
Read more
Move to Scotland - we don't pay for eye tests - they're free under the
NHS!!
yes and we all know who is subsidising your NHS bill..... tax revenue from all that English oil in the north sea ( when its flowing that is)
Excellent article here with Mr Marchione, boss of Fiat.
tinyurl.com/55q69t Read more
I would love another Fiat as they are now making some cracking cars. Would buy from a well known broker that HJ recommends but the dealers were useless when I had my Fiat and I bet they would give me grief if I took said car to them for servicing/warranty work. My local FIAT dealer went under as ihad such a poor rep.
Love HJ's 500 but I'm waiting for the Turbo Twin(so it sounds Something like orignal). Hope the dealers will have learned from their awful Auto Express rating by then. Would have to go to a dealer for a 500 anyway.
Any suggestions for number plates for famous people. Peter Aliss has ''Putt 1'' for a start.
Read more
COM 1C was owned by Liverpool comedian Jimmy Tarbuck.
MAG 1C was owned by magician Paul Daniels.
The Japanese bank Fujibank had FUJ 1 on Merc saloon.
There was cream Rolls Carmargue I saw several times around Mayfair in London in the 80s with the reg, as far as I could make out, 007.
With Volkswagen and Fiat having petrol and diesel twins waiting in the wings, what advantages and disadvantages are likely over the `normal` 4 cylinders?
I had a twin in a Fiat 126 (best not remembered) and a flat twin in a 2CV, but these new engines seem in a different league re power and economy.
What about torque from two cylinders though? and what sort of design can we expect re cam drives and injectors in the Diesels?
I must say, I find the proposition a `breath of fresh air`in basis engine configuration,for city cars, but with a clean slate, no excuses for design inadequacy.
Well, I`m assuming they are something totally new, to get the power and economy. But are they going to be fussy over stretched, and shimmed `bike` engines needing a lot of attention?
regards
Read more
"700cc is a bit big for two cylinders"
350cc per cylinder? Pah!
www.motorcyclistonline.com/roadtests/2004_kawasaki...l
:-)
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Whenever a new model comes to the market, consumers are made to believe that unless they ride on the latest model, they won't look cool. So, they buy the latest model and then next year, another model is out and last year's model is termed as "obsolete" so that public can be enticed to buy the new one.
And the cycle continues.
Old cars were made to last.
New cars are made to last too but only till CEO of the manufacturer leaves for fatter pay.