December 2009
Speaking to a German today on the ham radio he tells me that it's illegal to drive in germany in winter without winter tyres fitted, he says you can drive but should you have a bump the insurance won't pay out?
So my guess is they have 2x sets of wheels or drive all year on winter tyres?
And just to rub it in he said petrol is cheaper!
I was going to say a spitfire was much better plane than the meshersmit but i declined.! Read more
Moving to 'B' from 'D' in a Prius II introduces a slight engine-braking effect. On any significant downhill incline, however, the car will accelerate more than engine braking can prevent and braking is required when for any reason, such as a limit, congtrol of pseed is necessary.
I use the example of my Prius, but imagine the same problem may appply to other 'CVT' transmissions.
The cold snap makes me ask whether this absence of effective engine braking is not a danger when driving in icy conditions, in which I have always relied on having the option to change down manually, or to select a lower range in an automatic transmission. Prima facie, I would not like to be unable to avoid accelerating down an icy hill with nothing to stop me except the brakes.
What is the approved answer in a Prius or other 'CVT' vehicle? Read more
I suppose we're coming up to Christmas Mystery time.
Here's a nice family saloon to start us off.....make and model ?
tinyurl.com/yhe3voo
A virtual mystery prize to the winner.
Ted Read more
Trojan...you spoil mine, I'll spoil yours ! :-)
Ted
the wiring to my heater blower motor is melted. how can i change it. the plug is totaly knackered. could you tell me were it joins the main loom and which trim parts i need to remove to get to it. many thanks rich Read more
A new loom is available
I remeber hearing on the radio 'If you see an Armstrong Siddely...salute' is Siddely spelt correctly? Made me think how many makes have gone in my time. We are heading for a market dominated by the big boys but that is how the world seems to be going. Austin, Morris, Simca, Rover, all gone.
Must be many more.
Maybe the backroomers should start a car company................... Read more
The list of British Leyland's victims is interesting.
At least one of them made an escape though. Alvis was bought by United Scientific Holdings and is still making vehicles, albeit of a military nature.
I have to say that we had some pretty freezing and snowy conditions last night causing some very dangerous driving conditions on non-major roads.
However first thing this morning a saw, in just a couple of miles, 4 or 5 drivers in 4x4's (mixture of Discoveries, Audi Q7 and BMW X5), driving as if it was 25 degrees and hadn't even rained for weeks !
No I dont care a bit if they wrap themselves around a lamp post, but its a different story if they take someone out with their huge hunk of metal by driving like this.
Even with 4WD, there is no way on standard tyres that it can have been kosher driving according to the conditions, so I must conclude that their thought processes had been altered in some way by the vehicles they were driving ?
Read more
The most common "ditched" vehicle in the Scottish highlands?
An "out of area" skiers 4x4.
Hi Guys.
My fiesta stopped blowing hot air a while back it hasnt had any effect on the car, runs at normal temp, not using loads of water, etc.
checked the relays and they all seem to work ok.
any ideas what may be causing it...? one person has said it could be a valve or something, any help gratfully recieved! anything to stop me getting frost bight on the way to work! lol.
cheers. Read more
Enjoy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEoYhjEVn-o
The music "rejoice" from Handles Messiah says it all
If link doesn't work just type "YOU TUBE - BENTLEY SOMERSET" in to Youtube
Guy Read more
Fantastic!
That is what motoring is all about to me!
its not the arriving, its the getting there!
A quick Friday quiz. I'm just about to go and collect my company Qashqai from the local main dealer after it's second service. It had had its first one before I was given it. Not aware of any other work required.
Now, I've not had a car into a main dealership for servicing for years but my new employer wants it fettled by Nissan. Fair enough.
I have not the vaguest notion what the bill will be, not a scooby doo.
I will make a £1 donation to charity this evening on behalf of the nearest guess.
What do you think my bill will be ? Read more
Sounds good legacylad. I'll pop a little contribution in our local Macmillan in return. Mrs
B got the all clear on a little something yesterday. Quite a good Christmas present
all told.
Thats one service well worth paying for then. ;)
I have a Honda 2004 Stream 2.0l i-VTEC (K20A) semi-automatic engine with a fault code P1739.
I have noticed a flashing D (D4) indicator light at the dashboard when driving. The flashing is intermittent and goes off when I shut and re-start the engine. It had happened at least 4 incidents in 2 months time. The transmission is shifting normally and could not notice any problem.
What's the cause of the fault? We have a long journey this week-end (about 70 miles each way). Is it safe to drive the car with this fault and would not harm a serious damage to the transmission? Is there anything really I have to worry?
I would really appreciate your help.
Thanks again,
Read more
This is a transmission fault indication. It could be a pressure switch, wiring fault, faulty solenoid or hydraulic fault. It will need to go to a transmission specialist for proper diagnosis.
these transmission have a habit of wrecking their diff bearings, then swarf gets into the rest of the transmission and causes more damage.
I would drive the car as little as possible and get it to a trans workshop ASAP.
Browse
Agreed, i couldn't get a 57plate prestige German car onto the truck last week without extreme difficulty, all the others no problem at all, then i noticed the new high quality Chinese ditchfinders (lowest priced everywhere) proudly mounted on the rear 19" alloys, unbelievable.