June 2008
With the apparent trend toward larger rim sizes and lower height of tyre sidewalls, which configuration gives the lowest rolling resistance, large rims and low sidewall height, or small rims and large sidewall height? (Assuming all other variables are the same) Read more
There was an article this weekend about Willi Betz who are the largest haulage company in Europe the owner is in prison at the moment one of his offences was for buying HGV licences from the old eastern block countries for his drivers.These licences were readily available to anyone for a modest sum and then could be exchanged for a German licence or in fact any EU member states licence the point being how many drivers are now driving on these licences as they cannot be revoked even if they could discover them as to all intent they are genuine bits of paper gestimate is in the many thousands.Frightening. Read more
For the last few months now I have noticed that this facility seems to be seriously abused in my local supermarkets.
Even when there are loads of spaces around, there are people who park in these spaces
where there is no sign of a child. When I come out of the supermarket I often see some mother trying to get 2 or 3 kids out of a car in a normal (tight space).
Interestingly I have noted that in many cases it is always an older couple (40 - 60) or
2 or more "lads" in their saxo .
It is very tempting to print off a leaflet saying "We have noted you have parked in a space reserved for parent and child parking, if you continue to abuse this facility, your vehicle maybe clamped".
...Yes and I do take my Toddler with me to the supermarket...
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My wife won't let me use these even when I have my daughter with me.
My daughter is 24 in a few days!
Still parent and child, she will always be my child - even when she is a pensioner!
The supermarkets should either enforce them (at risk of losing a customer or two) or not mark them - the same with disabled spacess.
Just bought a Weekend estate for a short term stand in. Problem is that it really suffers from wheel wobble/ body shake at about 60mph. Had all the wheels balanced and tyre pressures checked, which was needed, but still suffers from this body shake though not as bad as was. It doesn't seem to be coming from the sterring. Any ideas pls, preferably cheap. It's got alloys, but does that really matter. All tyres in good nick. Read more
Hi, can anyone please help. After heavy rain my diesel estate refuses to start. Called out rescue, towed to garage, guess what the car started. This has been happening for months. The car will go for weeks then no go again. Seems like the imobilizer. Also the bonnet lock is faulty. Any connection. Joe.
{Volume lowered, ie - got rid of SHOUTING!} Read more
Would've helped to know what engine; there isn't a 1.9 and the 2.0 diesel has two different types.
...does it make a sound?
Suppose you were driving up to a junction with traffic-lights. As you drive up to the traffic-lights, you see that they have turned red.
However, this is a junction with which you are very familiar, there is unobstructed vision for a long way along all the roads, weather is perfect visibility, and there are no other cars anywhere near the junction. There are no cameras or cops anywhere near.
What would you do?
Would you jump the lights?
Or would you stop and wait until they have turned green?
Personally, I would jump the lights. This is because laws are blunt instruments and not always the absolute decider of what is morally right. I am well aware of the law requiring me to stop at a red light; but, in this situation, it is morally acceptable to act above the law.
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It's the nanny state phenomenon. I have no plans to go into politics to seek
to change things but if other backroomers would be so good as to do so
I'd be most grateful.
'Lud for mayor'...now that has a certain ring to it. I'd vote for him...:-)
It was suggested so I thought I would give a report so far on the lilac wonder.
Dealer: Perfect, did everything as asked and car was handed over in presentable condition.
Practicality: Boot is a reasonable size but more importantly, a good shape as it has decent width, unlike our Picanto.
Interior space is exceptional - my mum today sat in the back on a two hour journey and sitting comfortably still had 4 inches infront of her knees, even though my dad was sitting with his legs strecthed out in the passenger seat. It is narrower than soem cars but its not so narrow that you knock elbows.
Seats are pretty good comfortwise, no complaints having done 200 miles today.
Driving: Performance is very good, no doubting that, due to the lack of weight. Steering is nicely weighted and neither too quick or too slow. Grip is not a strong point but in normal driving it is absolutely fine and the car can still be thrown round the backroads.
Ride is very good for a small car, body control does suffer due to narrow track but its not very noticeable in the normal run of things, just when you get quick changes of camber.
Engine is gruff but it is a nice sound, far better than any 4 cyl unit( and very refined for a 3 cyl ), accompanied with some gearbix whine, but in a way, its akin to driving a 3cyl Austin Mini, however with a very slick gearbox. Its generally a pleasent car to drive, happy on the motorway at 75 or buzzing around town.
Needless to say, due to size and great visability, its a doddle to park.
Bits and pieces: Chrome rings around the dials - a nice little lift along with the interior door handles, saves it from that cheap feel completely taking over.
3 cup holders although not for tall bottles!
Quality is good - fair amount of hard plastic but its durable and screwed together well, nothing flimsy and feels more substantial than it looks. Seat trim is some sort of nylon which while not attractive is again hardwearing and inoffensive.
Paint quality looks very good.
Has elec windows/mirrors and c/locking as standard, great for a cheap car, not to mention ABS and twin airbags, which prob help towards its 4 star NCAP rating.
Running costs: twice easily managed 59.5 mpg average mainly around town. Road tax is £35 a year and it seems to be a proper jap car that needs nothing but routine servicing.
Overall, we dont regret buying it whatsoever and have been very suprised at just how capable a city car can be, not to mention the silly amount of space. Anyone want to ask anything about the car, will do my best to answer! Read more
Im very happy with the fuel figures. To get a regular 59 mpg from a petrol city car is good even today, the best part being that its not hard to get it either. On more gentle weeks I get into the low 60's.
What is especially good is that it demonstrates the way forward is light weight, as this increases performance aswell as improving economy at the same time - why more effort is not being put into this is beyond me.
Also owning a Picanto, which is a class rival, it is great to compare them alongside eachother, day to day.
What it has underlined to us, is that the Charade is a packaging miracle - it is shorter than the Picanto yet has a far bigger boot that not only has more depth, but significantly more width.
Rear legroom is the same story - there is easily 4 inches more in the Daihatsu if not more and it means a normal sized adult can travel without knees jammed against the front seats. And all this yet the Charade is 200kg lighter.
There are many points that you can compare them on, but overall, I would have no difficulty choosing the Daihatsu over the Kis, even if teh Kis is a decent enough car in its own right.
toronto.ibegin.com/diamonds/
You would not want to be a pedestrian hitting this. You would end up looking like that baddie from a recent James Bond movie...and end up being sued for return of your diamond rash.
WP Read more
I read all the above, and for some reason imagined all to be speaking a high pitch, and with a lifp.
He said in a gruff voice. ;>)
If I leave my Ulysse for a few days (be quiet at the back :)) the handbrake seizes on and needs a bit of brutality from the engine to free it off. In daily use all is well - anyone have any experience of these? no Haynes manual available for these so will be going in 'blind' Read more
no Haynes manual available for these so will be going in 'blind'
This electronic manual may be useful (is it not, essentially, the same vehicle?):
www.electronicmanuals.co.uk/peugeot-806-workshop-m...l
110bhp diesel: with a distinct crack, both sides of the front suspension of this car seemed to collapse, simultaneously and at low speed. The engine stalled and would not re-start. Suspension on both sides appears to be down on the stops.
Suspension on one side giving up I can understand, but both sides at the same moment? Anyone any ideas?
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Able,
One of the front springs was replaced recently and the only way I noticed anything wrong was a "click" when you turned the steering - the suspension had not dropped appreciably on that side of the car. The current state is that both front wings have dropped so far that you cannot see the tops of the front tyres - it looks as though the suspension is right down on the stops.
However, all my specualtions will soon be at an end when the garage gets the car up in the air later on today. I'll let you know what they find.
Anyone know how to diagnose a dual mass flywheel about to give up?
Browse
The area the tyre touches the road would be the same given the same weight and pressure in the tyre, the contact patch would have a different shape though. A wider tyre would have more frontal area and create more drag because of it.