January 2009
Story from Cape Town...
This weekend saw some horrendous winds blowing - still howling outside, and hasn't stopped since Saturday.
Last night a huge tree was blown over onto the road, missing a motorist "by inches".
She had just braked, as there is a speed camera there, and she wanted to bring her speed down to 60km/h!
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In a similar vein does the number of crashed indicate that those who can buy these should be banned from doing so!
For our safety! Read more
Speaking of idiots (sorry Portugese footballers) someone has posted photos of a Red Ferrari crashed in a Manchester tunnel on wreckedexotics.
How do you do that much damage - limit is 50 and I guess he hit the brakes straight away so how fast was he really going!
Looks like foreign plates as well!
I guess Manchester footballers don't get done for dangerous driving in Manchester!
Does anyone have an idea what could be causing this? tends to be more noisy when the temperature is low and only at low speeds. I think it is coming more from the rear rather than the front. The car is still in warranty (just) so if it's something that I can claim for that would help. Read more
Hi All
whilst driving my golf the engine cuts off, usually when its warm. After a minute or so itl start again. Iv taken it to a few agarages who cant seem to diagnose the problem, wev had the obvious things changed i.e. fuel filter, coolant sensor etc but still got the same problem.
has anybody else had this problem, any advice would be appreciated. Read more
If you look up into where the relays and the fuses are in your car, Look for a relay labelled up as 109, if it is black then you need to replace it with an upgraded grey one from VW, the relay is mounted on a PCB, after a long time the soldered joint cracks, if you can solder, re-flow the joint and keep the relay as a spare.
Hope this helps.
What would you recommend as your favourite car-related television show? Try and think beyond Top Gear as it's really more of an entertainment show but if it really is your favourite, by all means cast your vote!
I think the Used Car Roadshow was pretty good before they copied the TG-style studio & audience set-up. I've seen a few good programmes featuring Mike Brewer but these seem only to be shown on sky, along with Auto Mundial et al.
As I said, try look beyond TG and for that matter Fifth Gear as it has basically become a clone, although I am under the impression that both have improved (slightly) recently. In any case, I'd still rather watch Road Wars! Read more
A Car is Born and TG. Both entertaining and with good presenters
My xtype 2.0d Classic does not have an onboard computer. Is there anyway to enable this? Im surprised to see a car costing this much doesnt have one. Read more
I recently had an argument with some black ice and lost which resulted in my car skidding into a 1ft high concrete verge. The passenger size copped it. Damage was not horrendous and car is still drivable. Front bumper obviously smashed and passenger wing got bent and wheel was pushed back a little bit. Apparently the chassis leg has got a bit bent. Not being a car mechanic this means nothing to me so can anyone explain what this bit is, where, etc and how does it get fixed. Read more
Yep, new wing and front bumper. Have been told that it will need to go on a jig to get complete wheel alignment. Insurance approved garage said it could be repaired but due to the cost of labour was classed as a 'total loss'. Have been given a cash settlement so can take to another garage to get fixed. Car is an 02.
Just wanted to know really what the chassis leg was so thank you for your reply. Am a little bit clearer now.
Help please,car been running fine for 56000 miles now just turns over and over,no hint of firing,There is a spark so i'm thinking fuel pump or relay??.Can i test these?
What about fuel cut off?
Crankshaft sensor?
When i turn on ignition i do not here the fuel pump priming.
Is there a diagnostic plug on these?
All views welcome Thanks Rob. Read more
Hi Rob
Fuel cut off is inside the drivers or passenger kick panel, look for a hole about the size of a two bob bit. Put your finger in and you will feel the top of the trigger button, needs to be pushed down. Fuel pump relay is above your right knee. As you have a spark the crank sensor is working.
Diagnostic socket is in the left side kick panel under a kidney shaped cover.
Fuel pump can be accessed under the back seat, try running a live feed directly to it.
Andrew
Wouldn't it be nice for a change if some of the billions they take off the motorist via the myriad of taxes was actual used to benefit them for once.
'Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has suggested plans to widen the M6, M1, M62 and M25 will be dropped.
He said a trial on the M42, using the hard shoulder at busy times, had shown it was possible to ease congestion without concreting over more land.
Mr Hoon told Sky News it also meant increasing capacity without the "difficulty and expense" of widening.
He announced plans to roll out use of the hard shoulder across the core motorway network on Thursday.
The Observer reported that plans to widen more than 220 miles of the M6, M1, M62 and M25 had been scrapped in a £5bn cost-cutting exercise.'
I've travelled on just about every mile of this countries M-Way network and really can't see that a few feet extra on each side is going to turn the UK into a barren , concrete wasteland. This country has more than enough empty land and green spaces.
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There would't need to be any motorway widening if there was proper lane discipline or you could pass either side....
Oh Noooooo.... ;-)
Hi All
I bought my Hyundai I10 in September 08. I really love the car, it's great to drive, park and it has all the mod cons what more could anyone ask for.
There is just one little sniggle that bothers me and I've had it back to the garage and they can't find out where my little draft is coming from, so I thought I would type away and see if anyone else is having the same draft that I'm getting.
When you have the the vent setting on windscreen and feet, fan setting 1, there seems to be a really cold draft that comes out of the steering column. It isn't so noticeable unless the setting is on either feet or windscreen and feet, has anyone else experience this or is this me just being picky?
typo in subject line corrected - in case someone thought you were selling some rather pleasing real ale in your car ! Read more
Gday B
I had the same trouble with my BMW. I found it was the matrix which had a sticky flap as well as a duct which had come adrift. I beleive the matrix is the large plastic box that changes the direction of the airflow. I had cold air passing around the stuck flap coming through the gap in the duct right onto my left leg. I would have thought its something like that or a gromit in the fire wall has dropped out.
Good Luck
Browse
and if you didnt hear it or see it - did it actually fall?