December 2009
Hi, first post - so hello! Just moved to the country and quickly realised the need for a vehicle more rugged than what we've got at the mo' (Jazz 1.4 SE Sport). The need for 4WD seems a priority especially with this snow and ice...and probably mud and floods! Priorities would be 3ish years old (I assume to get best value), good MPG (40+ as I commute 200miles a week), reasonably cheap to maintain i.e not a Roller! Does this vehicle exist? Thanks for any advice PS forgot budget but somewhere in the £6-8K category though preferably less :) Read more
Well?
Seems odd that nowt but a 2.0 litre diesel available
considering they do a 1.2 petrol Read more
Hard to say, Skoda seems to be denied a few VAG engines e.g. most 2.0l Octavia diesels get the (imho) awful PD lump with a DPF although the 1.6CR is available for lower powered variants to be fair.
Probably to allow differentiation between the brands? VAG seem to make a habit of finding themselves with undersupply of certain engines e.g. the 1.4TSi 122PD at present, the 1.9 PD 115 a few years back. I guess Skoda will have to wait if brands with higher margins are monopolising supply ?
Falling ice causes closure of the second Severn bridge
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/8426267.stm
Read more
No you certainly wouldnt want to be hit by a lump. It did happen last year. Never heard it happening on any of the other big bridges, Humber,Forth etc.
Workmate setting off- Pajero+Hobby-Ecosse-Boulogne today
20yr old Pajero+Hobby Caravan (24ft) setting off Central Scotland heading for Dover-Boulogne ferry for Xmas in France.
Any comments? Read more
The only weather induced holdups are likely to be in the UK!
Montpellier was 14 deg C this am on its way to 17! Why did I leave on Sunday?
For French roads conditions see my thread
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=2&t=81...1
Last 4 days my Vectra will only start with Easy Start.Roughly, anry advice on how long you can use it for before damage occurs?Thanks Read more
Have you tried to fix the problem yet?
Eazi start is not good to the engine it washes the bores.
Has the vectra had a service?
My Grand Voyager is having electrical problems meaning that the windscreen wipers and heating system does not work. This has been intermittent for several months, but not noticeable till the winter. Engine has been slow to start for last couple of winters, and now really bad. Battery failure at weekend when sub zero temps has blown all chances of wipers and heating working at all now!
Can anyone advise if they have experienced similar problems or how to fix? Has been in a non dealer local garage with an electrician looking at it, he got it fixed till the battery failure at weekend which now means back to square one?
Really want to keep car on road for another couple of years, but not if going to have costly problems of this nature.
New to this site, would appreciate some good advice.
Thanks Read more
Hi, Thanks for getting back to me. The blower did work with cold air, now does not work at all. Have had car jump started twice over hols and no power to heater or wipers at all, ditto window and doors actually (which I did not mention in first post). Is this a general electrical failure then or specific to certain parts? I complelety clueless with regards to an auto matters and very much appreciate your advice - escp re the possible recall on wipers (although not sure that all electrical faults apply to that?).
Car is a Sept 01 (51) 2.5 LX version.
Thanks
After all the snow tales of woe, at what point do you say "It's too deep / icy / slippery / dangerous to drive. Read more
I usually take the mutt out at 6-30am but when I stuck my nose out of the door and saw the ice & snow I just kicked him out into the garden instead.
When I put the local radio station on I heard stories of doom & gloom on the local roads - ice, snow, black ice, accidents, and the oft repeated warning of "Don't venture out "etc., etc.
So, come 7-55am I ventured out onto the ice and snow - used my 38 years driving experience, and covered 28 rural A & B miles sensibly and returned safely.
Re: At what point, well - I nearly didn't go, I could have 'dodged the column' but decided to give it a go anyway and all went well.
Some have mentioned the eedyots, others have mentioned the numpties - can I just mention the thicko's as well :-D
diesel put into tank by mistake and the car no longer starts, could you please tell me the prceedure to flush the system thanks Read more
all sorted, thanks lads
Are actually actually very good, this despite being absolutly useless in the wet.
Came over the mountain last night, hard packed sheet of solid white, 50 easy( daughter in the car , otherwise would have been faster) tried the brakes gently at first, then stamped on them, amazing retardation afforded. Snow was frozen too.
PS
I do slow up for the corners Read more
My new car came shod with some horrible Chinese tyres (Wanli) they're usless in the wet but my goodness they're gripping well in this weather and holding the road even when the Pirellis on the rear have let go...
Can I claim the Incompetency Award if there is one?
Got stuck in the snow on the drive this morning - literally two yards progress to get out of the garage, then waited for Mrs D to get in, then stuck fast.
Lights all over the dash, engine roaring, engine tickover, forward, reverse, rocking, nothing would shift it.
Went through all sorts of ideas with Mrs D - pushing, shovelling, finding something to go under the wheels, calling breakdown service, neighbours, tow rope - all sorts of ideas.
Tempers rose. Heavy sighing and hand gestures. Alternative arrangements for day discussed. Telephone calls to make, plans to put in place for cover, working from home, an ever increasing imbroglio.
Then I discovered I'd left the handbrake on, so I took it off and we drove to work. Read more
Bah humbug
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some of us can read through the haze Manatee :-)