December 2008
If you were unfortunate enough to have your car stolen and it was subsequently recovered would you have to take it back? Would you even want it back? Not sure if I would, it just wouldn't seem the same again Read more
'Think about the mourning after' as Force launches Christmas Drink DriveCampaign
?Think about the mourning after' is the message to motorists as Leicestershire Constabulary launches its annual Christmas Drink and Drug Drive Campaign.
Officers from the Force's Road Policing Unit are reminding motorists that they could still be over the legal alcohol limit the morning after a night spent drinking.
Last year in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland a total of 159 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol ordrugs. Inspector Viv Brenchley, commander of Leicestershire Constabulary's Road Policing Unit, said: "Last year 27 collisions occurred over the Christmas period in Leicestershire as a result of drink driving. Any alcohol can affect your ability to drive, impairing your reaction time and your ability to judge both speed and distance. Drivers should always be aware that alcohol takes effect quickly but wears off slowly - so even if you don't drive until the next morning after a night out, your driving can still be impaired.
"Drinking and driving is a serious concern for the police and our communities. We will step up our enforcement and do all we possibly can to keep death and injury off our roads over the Christmas period."
The Christmas Drink and Drug Drive Campaign runs from Monday December 1 to Thursday January 1, 2009. Leicestershire's campaign supports the national Think! campaign - with brand new radio, internet and in-pub advertising - to remind drivers, and young men in particular: If you get caught drink driving you'll be processed like any other criminal. The consequences of being caught drinking and driving include:
* You WILL be arrested, taken to a police station and charged.
* You WILL receive a drink drive conviction and a criminal record.
* You WILL receive a minimum 12-month driving ban.
* You COULD be fined up to £5,000.
* You COULD go to prison for up to six months.
* You COULD lose your job or miss out on future jobs.
* You WILL have higher insurance costs.
* You WILL have to explain yourself to family, friends and your partner
The Department for Transport has also funded new digital breath testing equipment which will be used by many forces, including Leicestershire. These devices will allow officers to record information about drink driving electronically, as well as providing a much clearer picture about those who drink and drive.
Leicestershire Constabulary is encouraging anyone with information about people who are drinking and driving to report them to police by calling (0116) 222 2222 or Crimestoppers, which is free* and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.
* Please note some mobile phone service providers may charge for this call. Read more
Well, the lads can't be everywhere.
They use technology to assist them.
I was driving along and pulled up at some traffic lights in my 04 plated 1.6 Vauxhall Zafira. I then noticed that all the lights on the dashboard came on as if I had stalled but I didn't stall. I then turned the ignition key a couple of times and nothing happened. After a couple more turns the engine started to turn over then so I kept turning the key and pressed the accelerator button in and eventually got the car going again. Throughout my journey one light remained on and that was a picture of a car with a spanner on. Think the light indicates a electrical problem. Prior to this the engine made no noises or anything, Just cut out on me for no apparent reason and after a bit of persuasion it got going again. I completed my journey without any further problems but the light remained on. When I returned to my car and turned the car on the light was no longer on like it was before.
The car was due a service about a month ago but haven't had the funds to do so yet so could it be possible it has something to do with that?
I also drove over a pot hole the other day and ever since when I have to brake harshly the brake pedal doesn't feel right, Feels rough and shaky. Normal braking is fine it's just when I brake harshly that it does that.
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a service wont go amiss if over due but most certainly a code read would be first port of call then you can start from there, also a quick look over at the susspension would be a good idea,regards TB
I'm in the position of wanting to change cars fairly soon, and have a budget of about 7K (px of about 2.5K). I'm looking for something ideally newer than my current car (2000) and that is V.reliable and is fun to drive. If it could get about 40MPG that would be great too!
Current thoughts were the Fabia VRS (or Seat Ibiza FR), Fiat 100hp or maybe Toyota Yaris T sport. Have driven a 2006 plate VRS and thought it was great, punchy engine, good ride and seemed well built. Also drove the 100hp and was suprised at how good the build appeared to be (I wasn't expecting much!) and the ride (often complained about) wasn't too bad.
V.nearly went for the VRS I drove (although more money than I wanted to spend) but thought I'd check out the forum and was astounded at the level of problems for what I thought was a v.reliable car, and not just niggly ones (leaky door seals a prime example). I know a forum magnifies the grumbles of a car but nonetheless I had my confidence shaken and it's not quite recovered.
Haven't driven the toyota, but did used to own an Ignis sport which is v.similar in power / size. Obviously Toyotas have a great reliability reputation - but I'm now suspicious of these JD Power type claims!
Any thoughts? Missing candidates? Suggestions or deals to check out?
Sorry for the rambling 1st post!
Steven Read more
FIAT PANDA 1.4 16v 100HP 5dr BRAND NEW are available for 6995
Anyone recommend a motor [Saloon] thats fairly quick and economical either diesel / petrol looking for mid-range ie mondeo/passat/ audi /lexus Bhp around 130-150. 1.9-2.2 engine age around 2005-2006.
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Whats it like on fuel any idea.
I'm honing in on a used X3 with the 3.0 twin turbo, 286 BHP engine. Anyone own/driven one? I guess it's essentially the same engine as the well-received lump in the 330D? Impressive performance figures! Read more
Andy P - regrettably Yes, some 4WD capability is essential for the extensive gravel/mud tracks where it's going to be used. I'm not a BMW-addict, but do want something a bit more refined than a heavy "truck" and don't need the enormity of a full-size 4WD. Add in diesel and automatic, and there isn't much out there to choose from! I guess that's why Audi have the Q5 and Volvo the XC60 coming...
a brief history, cam belt went and all relevant work was apparently done, car was driven for over a thousand miles with no problems, 1st full tank of deisel about 2 months ago started to produce some white smoke under heavy acceleration and gradually as i worked my way through that tank of fuel it got worse, heavy acceleration produced a cloud of black smoke, upon reading many forums i took a look at the air filter and indeed it was clogged, nice easy job, new filter in and i still have the same problem, second full tank of diesel and and smoke is getting worse, 0-60 in 2 minutes to keep the smoke lvl down, car has full power and drives lovely as long as i dont look in the mirrors, i have also changed the fuel filter, it may be coincidental but the internal heater wires connection became black, crispy and intermitent, that has been fixed and is working fine, also i have noticed in the past week that the engine temp is not getting higher than 70 degrees even on a 80 mile trip, not sure why that is but i put some hardboard between the two rads to block airflow, with one eye on the temp guage and one hand on the internal fan switch i kept the temp around the 90 degree mark, but still the smoke, no matter what temp the guage sais i am getting lovely hot air in the car, also i have added diesel redex in these last two tanks of fuel, but everywhere i read sais redex is good,
any good advise on how to resolve this and get my car back to not poluting everyone who is behind me will be gratefully recieved Read more
thanx everyone for all the advice and info, i drained the tank of fuel containing redex, refilled with fresh diesel and just succesfully driven 80 miles with no sign of abnormal smoke, it seems that redex is the least popular additive on the market, and it certainly has a thumbs down with me and my 406, amazing to think that a bit of redex in a full tank of fuel can cause so much smoke and hassle
I am just about to sell my car hopefully and I've noticed the MOT ran out in October this year.
Normally I would check when I come to tax the car, which would be in March.
The question is : would the buyer of my car have to have an MOT to get it insured ? I know you need the MOT to get it taxed but does it affect the buyer being able to insure the car when (if) they come to pick it up ?
It's not a major problem as I can easily get it MOT's this week, just curious really
Thanks
jdc
Made vehicle non-specific, mmmm its good to be back. Read more
That's an interesting point. It's true I read about it on an MOT failure notification, but I don't recall that it actually said it applied only in the event of failure, rather than anticipated failure if the work were not carried out.
The open door sensor has failed on the drivers door, I can't for the life of me find where it is or how it works. Annoying, cos it means the auto-locking doesn't work. Any ideas? Read more
Spoke too soon, its failed again.
Can the sensor be replaced easily?
Hi,
Was just reading HJ's review of the new Avensis and I notice there are no prices listed for a hatch version - anyone know if it has a hatch or is it just like the Accord now with just a saloon and an estate version?
Thanks,
T.
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UK built Avensis hatch? Yes, I would have given that serious consideration when looking to replace my aging Mazda6 in a year or so.
What a shame.
Clk Sec
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This is the sort of story which used to be saved for the last item on the news a few years back, presumably to cheer us all up after the previous depressing items. Well, thanks HB, you have certainly brightened up my evening !