October 2008
Does anybody know the law in relation to tinted windows on vehicles (side windows and windscreen)? Read more
My Astra (Coupe 2.2 Auto 2004) fuel gauge is playing up and I need some help please. When I fill up the gauge shows full and it appears to work fine when I'm driving around locally. If I go on a journey after a while the fuel gauge will show FULL. If I stop and switch of the gauge shows zero and if I then switch back on it still shows full but if I leave it for about ten minutes and then switch on the gauge then shows what I believe is the correct reading. I have replaced the tank unit (v0009117491) but this has made no difference. Also the trip computer range shows anything up to 445miles. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks Bertone Read more
hi.. i know this is a long shot but i'm wondering if you mange to sort this promblem out because its happening to me now i'm having the same problems as you, so if you did sort it could you let me know thanks ants
Anyone have any experience of the volvo s40 circa 2000, good or bad?
Looked at car by car breakdown and seems to be that reliability was an issue.
Going to look at one in next few days, a 2.0 petrol. Read more
I owned and ran a new S40 1.6 in 1999-01, and later on a used V40 1.6 in 2001-4. Both were faultless. Nothing broke, and no recalls other than a replacement dipstick at a routine service.
Late 1999 (V-reg onwards) had a slight equipment upgrade over my S40, whilst the "Phase II" facelift in 2001 was actually pretty fundamental, with changes to steering, tracking, handling etc. below the surface. Probably best to try to find one of the 2001-onwards cars.
Volvo did a 1.8 lean-burn petrol engine in conjunction with Mitsubishi which apparently is to be avoided, requires de-coking at 75K miles or something?!
2.0 petrol fine, but I wouldn't expect more than low 30s mpg. They are quite heavy cars!
Now that we're getting near winter windscreen scrapery again, I'm interested in getting a car cover to ease the morning pain.
Looks like 25-30 quid buys you a basic one, 60-75 buys a breathable zipped lined one and more than that I can only surmise buys you a butler to take it on and off again.
Any views on whether the really cheap ones are adequate or a false economy for some reason?
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Thanks all - looks like the general consensus is don't bother, but one or two good tips there. I'll mull the possibilities.
Hi all, I noticed the other day a pool of water under my car and just assumed it was the normal drips from the aircon condensation. going to work this morning my heater didn't work but the car didn't overheat at all. The water level was down and so I topped up and noticed water steadily dripping from somewhere around the thermostat housing. I drove home, topped up slightly again but this time no leak! I left it running but still no leak even when the engine turned off. Any ideas?
Cheers, Read more
Decided it was time to change coolant in Hyundai (been in at least for 3 years and maybe more) and whilst checking how easy it was to get the lower hose off, noticed a strange white thumbscrew thingy fitted in a boss on the lower water chamber of the radiator.
Wonderfully enough this turned out to be drain tap, thoughtfully designed so it unscrews but doesn't fall out and disappear. Coupled with the radiator filler cap being at the highest point, this made the job a five minute doddle.
I've not seen a drain tap for years, but have had to struggle with hoses that won't come off and then leak when put back, so this was a welcome change. It would be interesting to know if there are any other vehicles similarly equipped as, like the ease of changing headlamp bulbs, this may be a pointer to DIY servicing friendliness.
On the downside, whilst checking the small print on my newly purchased 5 litre container of Holts antifreeze to determine the correct dilution strength, I found it is now sold as ready mixed so I'd carried home (and paid for) 3 or 4 litres of water :-(
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id noticed alot of those pre mixed antifreezes for sale
what a scam packaging tap water mixed in with it
I have a 2005 Sorento XS CRDI which has 3 faults which I believe to be caused by software.
1. Throttle sticks (the throttle is a digital transducer) when accelerating under load; i.e. 1st or second gear when declutching to change gear the throttle remains open for a short while.
2. The main selector switch for cruise control is intermittent (again another digital device)
3. The Low range 4 wheel drive selector does not work at all and I suspect this is again digital.
The car went back to the dealers whilst still under warranty but they said they couldn't find anything wrong after two days!
The car is now out of warranty but I will be taking it back to the dealer as I will be needing the 4 wheel low ratio for launching/recovering a boat. The other faults I have been 'living with'!
I believe the main digital controller is at fault and could possibly be fixed by re-programming.
Watch this space. Read more
I would like to know what people think... Read more
I think Chrysler servicing is quite expensive, this could put a lot of people off. Don't know about reliability and safety, the quality of interior plastics seems to be the main buying criteria for the British motorist. ;-)
I run a business and I am a very busy person, but I am not exactly rich so cannot afford to spend a lot on a car, especialy as I still need to spend a lot on public transport.
I love cars so much, I spend far too much time talking about them down the pub much to the annoyance of my mates :p:. However when it comes to buying them it is just so fun at all, I have no wasted about 10 hours in looking at sheds, putting a deposit down on a car that turned out to be dodgy, and to top it off there dosn't seem to be much talent on Auotrader atm.
It seems people are keeping the genuine cars, and it just ends up with the sheds being for sale :(.
I just want a reasonably safe car I can do about 4000 miles a year in :(.
I've got mates of mates asking around now as AT seems to come up with so little. Just feel stressed, so lets here your car buying hell stories so I know its not just me! :D. Read more
Screwloose:>>A trade sale can be made to anyone who asks for one - in theory. If you'll pay what they want....
Absolutely not true. It is not possible to make a sale to a private individual without coming under SoGA (Sale of Goods Act) and all other consumer protection legislation.
Never.
No matter how many times you write on the invoice "trade sale" "sold as seen" "no warranty". It is not possible to take a consumer's rights to protection away from him in the contract for sale of goods.
Ever.
You may find a garage who is prepared to take a chance, or doesn't realise this. But mostly you won't. But... Jeremy Clarkson bought a car for £50 from a dealer - no; the BBC bought a car for £50 from a dealer. A business-to-business transaction, so outside consumer protection.
I was just reading a similar topic on a focus and thought i'd ask if anyone would have any ideas on the mondeo.
I always seem to get alot of water build up on the inside of both the front and rear windows. That much that i need to wipe the water off as the window heater and blower cant clear it. Is there a filter i need to check and maybe the coolant level? Read more
Blocked pollen filters can cut the heater output dramatically. Under the scuttle trim, passenger side.
If the windows steam up while it's parked, then a water leak soaking the carpets is usually the cause.
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AFAIK windscreens must be 75% transmission, front sides 70% transmission, and that's how most cars with tints come out of the factory. The light transmission figures are shown in the 'labels' on the windows. As a result, in most cases, any additional tint on the factory windows screen or front side windows is not legal.
JS