November 2008
I was driving in my car near my home in Stockport on Thursday evening.
At 19:20 as I started the decent of what is locally known as Dan Bank (a part of the A626) towards a "T" junction with traffic lights at Dooley Lane (A627), I became aware of blue flashing lights approaching from the rear.
The traffic heading up Dan Bank towards Marple was normal for that time of evening and probably represented a vehicle every 30 to 40 yards. The traffic in front of me was also normal, about one vehicle every 100 yards or so.
The vehicle with the blue lights (Police) came up behind me on my offside quarter, headlights on, siren going and horn blowing. The separation between our vehicles was I should think, under two feet. It was impossible for the Police car to pass me due to the oncoming traffic.
At the time, my speed was 30 mph (it is a built-up restricted zone).
Had I braked, even slightly, a collision would have been inevitable.
There was no pavement on the side of the road leading to Dooley Lane, so nowhere for me to pull in out of the way.
Eventually, at the Dooley Lane traffic lights, I managed to pull to the nearside (my journey required me to turn right at this point, but that would have been dangerous with the Police car where it was).
The Police car passed me on the offside and went through the traffic lights on red.
I am at a loss to understand what I was expected to do.
I found the whole experience intimidating and frankly dangerous.
I have written to the Police stating the above.
Would BackRoomers care to comment / offer me advice?
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Hey guys,
I?ve had permission from the Admin (HonestJohn) to post here on behalf of The History Channel, about season 2 of Ice Road Truckers, A show that seems to have some followers here. We are currently looking for your feedback and thoughts on the series, all of which will be taken on board.
We also have a great chance for all fans of the show! We want you guys to submit your questions to Hugh from the show, we will put the best ones to him in an interview later this month?
So, ever wondered how cold it gets, how treacherous it is, and what it?s really like to be trucking out on the Ice Roads?
Post your questions here and the best ones will be asked to Hugh? Of course, we?ll let you know of the answer?
Thanks for your time, and we look forward to hearing your feedback/questions.
:)
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I'm like GB, I watched a couple of episodes and it did nothing for me.
Having done a bit of filming in a lorry I know just how remote from real life it is and I suspect this is just the same.
Pat
I've bought at auction a number of times ( 5 times in 25 years ? ) including my first ever car, a Citroen GS X2 in 1984ish, and my current car, a 51 Focus 1.6 Zetec that I bought for 7500 in Mar 2003.
I'm no expert, but have always picked up a decent motor for sensible money.
I had a 'window shopping' look at BCA Newcastle yesterday, and saw some good bargains, but sorry didn't take notes for a detailed report.
My Focus is still a going well. and is still on original exhaust, clutch, battery, starter motor, alternator etc.
Apart from regular servicing, tyres and brakes, the only bills i've had are sub £100 to replace a hydraulic pipe (between clutch pedal and gearbox), and sub £100 to diagnose loss of power and replace HT leads and plugs to fix.
I don't need to change, but I am tempted and may keep the Focus in the famly and move my mother's Punto on.
Anyway, enough background ....... to the point
There were some uber bargains yesterday in the Finance Section (reposessed), for cars with no V5 or other paperwork.
I know , if it was reposessed might not have been well looked after etc.
I know, future value is a problem, but I buy cash and keep cars for a good while.
I'm not averse to a little risk. I can afford to take a hit, but I'm tight and like a bargain.
So, how does it work when there is no V5 at auction ?
Presumably, the seller does own the car, and I'm covered by auction procedures and conditions there.
I guess I apply to DVLA for a new V5, and can't put the car on the road till that arrives.
Is there a special form or procedure ?
How long does that usually take, and are their any horror stories out there ?
Keeping the car in my garage for a few weeks while I move the Punto on wouldn't be a problem, if it meant making a bit of a killing.
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Make sure both sets of keys are there. I bought one, and found the owner was very local to me.
Problem I only had one set of keys. Who had the other set was my worry. Also seconds keys nowadays can be very expensive to replace.
Just something to watch for.
Does anyone out there know if theres a problem with steering pumps on Mondeos?I have been told that it is a common problem and currenty in the process of having mine changed.I didnt realise this was a problem with mondeos and find it odd for a car of this age.
When you turn the steering wheel it makes a grinding/grating noise,could it be something else apart from the steering pump?Thanks for your help.
Moved to technical matters Read more
I've had mine done. The problem, IIRC is that it is piggybacked onto the water pump with only a simple seal between the two. When the seal starts to give way the pump gets wet and fails.
Can you help please as I have just been quoted £152 by BMW to change the battery on my 530i. I have found some good deals on the Internet for a new battery but where does it go? If someone could let me know and how to change it I would be very grateful, it can't be that difficult surely? Read more
Whenever I hear of difficult battery changes, it always reminds me of early Saab Turbos.
You had to remove the turbo to replace the battery.
My experience of trying to replace the battery on my wife's car prompted me to send them this e-mail today. Just felt like I needed to get it off my chest.
Dear Sir
Last night my wife's Punto was diagnosed by the RAC as requiring a replacement battery.
Late last night I accessed your website and typed in the registration number (**** ***) of the car. The website gave me three replacement options {website snipped as partly censored by the OP anyway} which were: -
1. Calcium Standard £67.99
2. Heavy Duty £59.99
3. Standard £78.99
I cannot understand why number 3 is cheaper than number 2.
I duly reserved a Calcium Standard Battery last night and drove my wife's car to my local branch (Newcastle-under-Lyme) this morning. In the shop I asked that the battery be fitted for me as I am recovering from spinal surgery and was told that there would be a charge of £4.99 which I have no problem with.
Your representative fitter then checked his local documentation and informed me that he was not allowed to fit batteries to this type of car as the store had received a directive (DNF or something similar (Do not Fit)). After discussing the issue further I was told that he would fit the battery but I would have to be prepared to take the risk that it may not start or something may go wrong. As I had travelled some distance, am currently recovering from surgery and the current battery was on its last legs, I decided to take the risk. I'm sure that you will agree that this level of customer service is not ideal.
As I had a pending hospital appointment and was running out of time, I asked if I could leave the car whilst the battery was fitted. I was told that it 'will only take fifteen minutes'. The old battery was removed and it became clear very quickly that the Calcium one that I had purchased was larger and would not fit (despite the fitter's efforts) into the battery holder. Clearly this battery is not suitable for the car as advertised on your website. The fitter was courteous and I have no issues with the way that he personally dealt with me.
After further investigation (and a refund on my American Express card that seemed to take an eternity to transact) I was told that the store had three HB202 batteries in stock and i chose to buy and have fitted one of these. After a further wait I was told that these batteries could not be physically located in the store but another local ******** store were showing them in stock if I wished to travel there. At this point it was clear that I was going to be late for my hospital appointment so somewhat exasperated I ended the matter there.
At three o'clock this afternoon I phoned a local small independent battery supplier and made an inquiry about a replacement battery. The right battery was fitted within five minutes of me entering the workshop for £51 and I drove away happy.
Is this a problem that is unique to Fiat Puntos and ********? Read more
OP = Original Poster! i.e. the person who posted the original message.
Reading some threads on technical about clutches that have failed early. As a driver what can you do not damage the clutch?
I assume balancing the car with the clutch at hills is a big no no (I don't do that anyway but know people that do).
I can't think of any reason my drivign style would cause premature wear to the clutch. And I am spending a bit on brake work on Monday so I don't want to ever have to repalce the clutch while I own the car (its only a £150 job on my car, but its a lot for a banger).
I failt o see how you can burn it out easily unless you do wheel spins at all traffic lights etc. Read more
It is probably nothing more than me not putting enough gass on ;). Doubt it is a problem with an engine as it it very very smooth, I know these engines well and mine is one of the best I have driven. Sometimes I over rev but it always seems to be at tricky junctions where I know I cannot stall, so it is me putting too much gas on.
However I have only stalled my car once, when parking and accidently driving up a curb without realising.
My mechanic has told me I am paranoid but I have still insisted he changes all my brake pipes and pads (they are making a noise and the pipes are rusty).
I suppose every old car has it quirks, I always find getting into 3rd hard on my dads, yet my dad has no problem and isnsits it is not a problem.
My wife has a corsa with a factory alarm, when using the fob the alarm switch's off
when unlocking as it should. Unlock the car with the key in the door & open it the alarm goes
off as it should. BUT the alarm is still going off when you put the key in the ignition &
switch on & even start the engine, I don't think it should happen. Pressing the remote fob
will turn it off ok.
What worries me is that if the remote fob packs up & have to unlock the door manually I will not be able to turn the alarm off.
So there must be a fault somewhere, I have access to a tech2 but it has been no help
so far. Any suggestions? Read more
hey there i kno its late but i recently bought a corsa 1.498 2000
and have the instructions to overide the alarm using the key in the ignition
so email me if you still have the corsa and i will send u the instructions
peace!
richard.charles@live.co.uk
I own a 2005 2.5D Kia Sorento XS coming up to 32 K miles.
Today it was in for its annual service and having been contacted by a salesman the evening before (obviously touting for business) I thought I would give it a whirl. I quiet like the look of the Kia Ceed estate.
Anyway after all the usual questions and the customary visit to the Sales Manager back he came. £15,745 on the road and £9745 to swap. Thats £5000 for mine. "We have a yard full of them and they aren't shifting"
Well I know there is a crisis in the 4X4 market but this is ridiculous.
It would seem other than keeping the Sorento the other option would be to negotiate a cash deal without PX, maybe save, say £1,500 to £2000 in the current climate which would bring the value of mine down to £3000 max to fall in line with the original offer and then bide my time on a private sale. Its gotta be worth a bit more come what may.
Am I thinking logically on this one? Of course logic would say just keep the Sorento but if I really want to change.
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FC, further info, i spoke to my lads mate today and he tells me that they have done the whole deal including trade in with the online company.
Apparently the company has given a reasonable trade in offer and they, his company that is providing the car, are very pleased overall.
Its either buyacar.com or newcaronline.com
Don't for a minute think that i have those speelings correct, i'm sure you'll find them if you think its worth a look.
Are they really that fragile? If so, how come top Jap manufacturers still use them? And the all-new Toyota Avensis will have one as well.
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"There is a known problem with Jazz CVT gearboxes. Our Jazz developed a judder when pulling away".
Having just bought a new CVT Jazz this was a question I asked prior to purchase. It was well acknowledged by the workshop foreman at my local dealer but I was assured that it was, indeed, due to the fluid and the new spec oil now has rectified the problem. I gathered that the warranty isn't now specifically extended but would be very hopeful that any future problem beyond the first three years would be sorted by Honda.....provided.....that it had been Honda serviced - which effectively prevents independant servicing for the foreseeable future.
Browse
i'm sure the person who has dialled '999' for whatever reason wouldn't be inclined to agree with you
Sir Paul Stephenson's comments related to 'at night' when the siren's need is far less for other traffic....but inebriated pedestrians are the main problem then...plus the fact people from right hand drive countries habitually look the wrong way
my point was the damned if you do and damned if you don't angle i.e. if you don't use the noise you're keeping the local public happy and seemingly the Met Commissioner..but if you run someone over you're hung drawn and quarted for failing to abide by driver training policy