March 2009
How common is it these days for car makers to team up with a rival and develop a new diesel engine ?
I know that GM had worked with Fiat to develop the 1.9 TDI engines.
These are used by Saab, GM and Fiat.
I understand (but could be wrong) that Kia / Hyundai use the CRDI engines developed from Detroit Diesel Corporation which is a bit odd if true as DDC develop big diesel engines for lorries.
So who else works together to design diesel engines ? Read more
Interesting perspective on fuel consumption here:
www.mpgillusion.com/ Read more
Ive just had a play with the GM Vehicle Fuel Economy and CO2 Calculator site, that was posted previosly.
And I love the way it tells you how many Barrels of fuel, for Example a Hummer will use 23 "barrells of fuel a year", AFAICS is does not state how much is in the barrel.
Also it allows you tailor the results, by giving you check boxes for
. My trunk or cargo bay has 100 pounds of stuff in it
and the one i find most amusing
. My Check Engine light is on
Rattle quoted in a previous thread "...you really need professional lessons (and a lot of them) to pass the test these days...".
Got me thinking whether this is really the case or not. I was taught by my father with no professional help and I passed first time and so did my older brother. That was 30+ years ago though and I know our roads are more crowded now etc. etc., but the basic control of a car hasn't changed.
I'm not shooting down Rattle's comment, but I'd like to know whether others agree. My eldest son is 15 at present and I'd love to teach him to drive like my father did for me. Read more
I would avoid two hours sessions because its too much to take in.
I would say 2 hour lessons are better. To start with 1 hour is fine but soon you will be better off with 2 hour lessons. Apart from the time for pick-up/drop-off (so learning little) you can get a lot of experience in those 2 hours.
I am hoping to assist my elderly father in buying a Honda Jazz 1.4 ES i-shift. This will be his last car since he anticipates driving only for the next couple of years.
In an effort to do the best for him I ask if it possible to expect a discount on the dealer price of £13,350 (metallic paint, Premium Option Pack, and something called paint Superguard)? It is a little more than he would really like to spend.
It seems that since Honda have a strong reputation for quality and reliability they may not negotiate as I have not seen any sign yet of a willingness to lower the price (we had a demo 5 days ago), even in spite of the economic situation.
Elsewhere you can find advertsied £1000's off list price, but I have seen nothing in any media articles about 'Honda deals', etc, incl. this very own HJohn website.
So in a sense is buying a Honda in this downturn no great advantage?
Grateful for any thoughts and opinions. Read more
Try DrivetheDeal.com if you require discount.
R Reg ZX.
My battery was disconnected, then had trouble with the alarm. Have managed to stop that but the drivers side indicator is stuck on (not flashing) I am having to disconnect the battery to save it from flattening, then the alarm goes off again, and light stays on.... Any tricks to sort this out? Read more
I would try having a look at the relay switch for the indicators. It may be that it is stuck on. Normally they are situated beside the fuses. if you are not sure what relay it is then i'd expect any decent garage would be able to check this for you fairly easily.
I've an inverter, which I plug into the cigarette lighter socket, and use to feed a 4x extension lead. Charging things from the inverter when going along, and using low-powered accessories (150W max.) is fine - however, I noticed that the toothbrush charger - the sort that you plug in and the brush "sits" on - gets pretty hot - much hotter than when using "normal" mains electricity at home.
Why does this get so (relatively) hot? Is there a danger of using other chargers (camera, telephone...) from an inverter? Read more
You cheeky (snip)!
Hi I recently did an oil change on a Picasso 1.8 while I was under the car I noticed a green plug near the sump It looks like it should have wires going to it but I can't see anything. Does anyone know what its for ?
I have a pic
i118.photobucket.com/albums/o98/stewart29992000/im...g
hope someone can help.
regrads
stew Read more
hi stew,i've just noticed that myself on my 1.8 sx picasso.it must just be a extra/top model item.hope this ease's your mind.
My fiance's youngest daughter has a '97 KA which has just passed its MOT at a cost of £300, and is probably only worth about £305 on a good day, but she loves it! It was bought for her by the Bank of Mum a year ago for £700, and fortunately has a number plate worth considerably more than the car!
If the KA has the slightest bump it will be written off by the insurers....we want to transfer the number onto our car when we get married sometime next year, but if in the meantime it gets written off, does this mean that the insurers will keep the plate?
Any advice please on what action (if any) I should take to retain this plate...daughter likes it on 'her' car. Read more
They now offer the following periods for retaining a number
1yr £105
2yr £130
3yr £155
Previously it was 1yr only, and having applied to put my J500ANT registration on retention yesterday, I can confirm no refund if you do a 3yr retention then put it on another car within a year.
Hi All
Just a heads up for anyone interested, classic cars shows are remembered in this programme, might be of interesting viewing.
Ste
Read more
they had the "uncut" version of the Vietnam special on Dave last Saturday it was on for and hour and a Half, it was really good, made it into a different programme.
Noticed that as I drove off, the speedo didn't indicate the speed - needle on 0. After a while, at less than 30MPH, it went up to 10MPH, and fluttered around a bit. After about 1/2 mile, it was OK again. What's wrong? Read more
Yes, could be wear in the VSS spindle or a loose wire either at the sensor or instrument binnacle.
Browse
Sorry jc2 the engines are also made in Poland. Check out the link from when they suspended production of it.....
www.eurocarblog.com/post/588/fiat-has-suspended-pr...e
They also have a factory (or JV in India)