December 2008
I know there was a topic posted not long ago about this, but I'm just looking for tips on how I could improve the economy.
Its a Ford Focus 1.8 petrol. I Have had the car 18 months, and used to get around 31-32 MPG on a day-to-day use, going up to around 38 MPG on a longer journey. This is included winter weather last year.
Now I am getting a max of 27 MPG.
I have had an engine tuning (proper tuning, not boy racer job) to try and improve the fuel economy. The ECU settings were changed and new spark plugs were fitted. It has made a different to engine, feels a lot smoother, but the economy hasn't really changed.
Anyone got any tips of what modifications i could possibly do to improve the economy.
Thanks Read more
Hi All,
Its just over a month since I got my 1st car. So far it had the engine oil, oil filter, air filter and the spark plugs changed.
Concern: It now seems less "nippier", e.g. when I'm trying to get away at the lights, seems to take slightly longer to speed up.
People say its not the car, its me, I just got used to the car etc.. Is that right?
I just think that it was much more responsive before....
I will need to change the front brake disc before the next mot. Is it safe to buys these disc+pads set from eBay?
Thanks.
{header amended to make less vague - ie, a brief description of question being asked} Read more
>> The handbrake adjustment was my first thought also. I think the Focus is usually meant
to be about 5-6 clicks.
hmmm my 01 1.6 focus handbrake holds on 2 clicks! Do you think mine might be too tight? 5-6 seems quite a lot!>>
Just picked up a '96 C class 280 auto petrol at the auction tonight for £500 with 80k on the clock pulled away from the place OK driving along fine until it gets to the 50mph mark and it seems like it will not go into 5th once it gets to the 50-60mph area it starts to "bunny hop" engine revving up and down will not go past the 60 mark and revs to 6000rpm gearbox fault or ECU issue?
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I bought a 307 SW SE 110 (52 plate) model last week. the car is fine, been well maintained and everything appears to work well. I noticed one little problem that doesn't seem to appear in the handbook
When I bought the car it was obviously in daylight and I was shown all of the controls and they all work. However when I go to the car of a morning, start it up and put the lights on every thing works, the LCD displays, radio buttons etc light up - but none of the controls or buttons on the Automatic Air Conditioning unit light up. I am having to feel the contols as I am driving if I want to boost the heater or switch on the rear demister etc.
Should all of the buttons and contols light up or is this a design fault?
If they should light up, has anybody any idea what the fault might be?
Thanks for your help Read more
Is the unit itself fully functional? If so it's presumably a backlight bulb somewhere that's gone.
Im getting a whiring noise from the vacuum pump more noticably in cold weather. The breaks arent feeling any different but I was wondering if anyone else had this problem on a Hdi,
I know there was a recall for these pumps in 2001 but as far as i know my car is upto date with recalls.
any advise appreciated
thanks Read more
Has it got good oil flow to the pump?
It won't cost a great deal to replace but if fails you will know about it.
My Citroen Synergie HDi has thrown it's under engine tray (plastic) on the M5, and I'm half thinking "Is it actually worth replacing?"
Does anyone have an opinion on these strange and wobbly bits of plastic under our cars? Are they vital?
Love the car though, superb old bus. If you lot think I need one, so be it.
Car's website - citroensynergie.wordpress.com Read more
The price of a new one is the deciding factor. It is designed to cut down noise from the outside, keep the engine warm when parked, and reduce drag under the car.
PROBLEM: we need some help with diagnosis please.
CAR: Ford Galaxy X 2000 TDi (the MkII) 100k approx.
DESCRIPTION:
DAY 1: car freezing cold inside for 25 miles, temp gauge dead, then suddenly kicks in and showing 90, and temp in car warms up.
DAY 2: car cold again (very hard to start) heater doesn't come on, temp gauge stays on bottom, then suddenly says overheating. Limp to garage, no coolant, but car was serviced same week, so has lost coolant?
Q: Is there some sort of temp sensor perhaps controlling inside and outside temp? Help. Read more
I think the key words here are "no coolant".NO water in the engine will give erratic running and temp gauge indication and also heater problems.I think you need to find out where the water is being lost.hth
Hopefully an easy one that will attract a variety of quick-fix solutions: drivers' window glides down silently but makes a noise like fingernails on a blackboard on the way back up......I don't fancy squirting WD40 under the rubber, what could be causing this and are there any solutions out there? Read more
Silicon spray (Halfords sell it) would be better as it won't leave a sticky residue that silicone grease may well do which in turn can attract dirt, dust, belly button fluff over a period of time making the problem return again.
Our County council plan to make Grange Road (see map link below) a one way to eliminate the problem of vehicles forcing oncoming vehicles onto the pavement at a narrow part of the road that has parked cars along one side. The main reason is it is near a school with children in danger of being hit. The problem is made worse at school drop off / pick up times and is on a bus route. Several ideas have come forward but have been rejected as unworkable or not allowed. The junction of Grange Road and Stoughton road are controlled by traffic lights. One suggestion is to extend the traffic lights to control the narrow part, but has also been rejected as parked cars and drive ways are not allowed to be in the traffic light controlled zone. If a one way scheme is undertaken this will put extra traffic on neighbouring roads and the bus route will change, leaving a lot of bus users without a local bus and also cause more problems with congestion elsewhere. The parked cars belong to people in a Victorian row of houses without anywhere else to park. The council seem reluctant to move these vehicles. The question is does anyone know of a junction that has a similar set up ie parked cars or driveways within the traffic controlled zone that we can compare with, or can come up with a alternative solution. At the moment the County council are asking and conducting a consultation.
The suggestions that have been rejected :
Remove one footpath
Raise kerbs
Install bollards
Widen road
Close road to all through traffic
Thaks for any suggestions
maps.google.co.uk/maps?near=gu29xp&q=maps&f=p&rl=1...8
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The junction of Halbeath Road (A907) and Linburn road near Dunfermline has two (I think) driveways within the traffic lights. They have vehicle sensors in the pavement and turn all the traffic lights red, as there are no traffic lights controlling the driveways cars can exit.
is it possible to rep[lace the front top mounts in situ? i.e. can I simply compress the springs and wriggle the new mounts in or must I remove the entire strut? any help gratefully received Read more
no you realy need to take the strut down
Browse
An engine tuner. Hmmmm ! Check spark plugs are OK, air and fuel filters good and clean (and air filter a proper Ford item). If no improvement, at next full fill up try a tank of Shell V Max which will clean through the fuel system (avoid stuff you bung in the tank).