January 2010
Happy new year, all.
Mrs O's Micra is experiencing strange problems with the radio. A few weeks back it began turning itself on, but this happened on only one evening.
Then last night when I was driving it and turned on the radio it had different channels stored on the buttons and started changing from radio to CD.
I turned it off but it kept turning itself on again, sometimes coming on at CD and sometimes on MW which we've never used.
The only thing I can see in common in the two occasions is the very cold weather.
Any thoughts or similar experience?
Thanks. Read more
www.parkers.co.uk/News/New-Cars/First-look-Honda-C.../
{link to rival website made non clickable}
The new CR-Z has been finally unveiled at the Detroit motor show, due 'Summer 2010'.
Interesting that its an IMA car, not a 'full' hybrid, so unable to run on leccy alone. In many ways, not dissimilar to the original mk1 Insight, with a manual gearbox.
Power seems puny and no official performance figures from Honda yet. That said, if it can hold the road like an old Ford Puma did (lovely handling car) then it will win some friends.
Before someone else says it, yes, a turbo-diesel Scirocco would probably go further and faster than this. So the main debate must be, whats the point of it? Quite a pretty design though, imo.
SM Read more
"So the main debate must be, whats the point of it?"
In the UK possibly little point as we buy diesels, in the US lots of points.
My car is currently in the garage, having £800 worth of repairs done on it... It's done about 45,000 miles, and they are replacing the belt (cam belt?) and doing something which is costing about £200 to the front brakes.
The guy said that it was the 'brake holders' which he was replacing. But I've never heard of brake holders? Are they made up...?
Am convinced he's cheating me, not least because he was trying to charge £350 (inc VAT/Parts/Labour) for the belt, but the VW dealership said they charged £295. He dropped that price to £300 when I asked about it but am still pondering the rest (which i'd already asked him to do... )
Any ideas? Obviously I can't do much about it since he's done the work now but reassurance would be nice... Read more
Note that cambelt is less than £300 at a VW dealer, and you get your car valeted for free.
Over the last couple of days the car is blowing out white smoke even when up to temperature. Oil and water levels are fine. Is it safe to continue driving? Read more
Unburnt diesel only comes out as black smoke when the engine is under load, at tickover its blue/white.
Hi
attempting to turn right this morning into another minor a few yards from home I completely lost traction and the car slid towards the opposite kerb, hitting it with the car at an angle of 45 degrees and the wheel on half right lock as I attemted to straighten the wheel to ride up the kerb with the wheels square. the car came to an abrupt halt.
There is no visible damage, but should I take this to a garage or is it within what the tolerance of the alloy/ steering/ suspension system ( I was travelling at 1-3mph at impact but obviously it took the weight of the car)
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Sorry, the spare is a steel wheel, my mistake, just fitted it. The alloy definitely needs replacing , but quick internet searches indicate I could get a complete new set for under £200 ?
I am thinking my local tyre place would fit my ( 4 month old) tyres to these for £50?. There were some minor rust spots developing on some of the wheels when the tyres were replaced, I intend to keep the car, would I be better just ordering a new set of alloys? The Dealer wants the money upfront for the one new alloy so is hassling me to order it. I am thinking ''hold on a minute....what makes sense here ?
Hi there,
few days ago someone stole my bag with my 1.8lt LPG/benzine ford mondeo "series 1" keys and immobilizer Remote Control. I've spare keys, but I've not the spare for the RC and I haven't any code (I bought the car used, 2 years ago). So at the moment I can't switch on the engine!! The immobilizer was Ford Original, built with the car. I rememer only that when I used to push the RC button a "click" was audible near the CAR RADIO. Does anyone know how to "disable" the immobilizer? Thanks in advance.
Nemo79blu from MILAN-ITALY Read more
Excellent response....well done!!
The topic came up today in the office about the effect of the snow and the pro's and cons of FWD RWD and 4*4. I was really surprised at the lack of knowledge especially a BMW owner who had no idea hers was RWD and a CRV owner who said his was FWD only. Now while 99% of the time it makes no difference to the average motorist driving in normal conditions, surely its key in this weather. If this basic lack of knowledge is common then it might explain some of the difficulties people get into for example stopping with their driven wheels in the icy gutter when exiting a drive or not allowing for another car having less grip than theirs if you are one of the 4*4 drivers who apparently doesn't know he's got it. I suspect its all part of people just trusting to the technology and letting the car and electronics do the work rather than "driving" in its fullest sense. Read more
can Mr Average Driver tell the difference?
Probably not, they are buying their BMW based on reputation, image, prestige however wrong or right that is, not on the fact that you can tell that the cars handling is better or it has a lack of torque steer. They are enthusiasts cars. That should be the reason you are buying it, but we all know that it doesn't work like that.
A list of MOT failures by model is now available....For details see here..
www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/opensecrets/2010/01/mot_failur...l
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Not sure about that, some makes obviously missing despite plenty of them still being on the road, eg Hillman Imp, Sunbeam Stiletto etc. I noticed a 100% failure rate for Wartburg knights (2 of) both brake related. Quite a few Suzuki SC100s which I'm surprised about because I was looking for one a few years ago and couldn't find one for love nor money! Only 8 Opel Senators left on the road? I simply don't believe that!
Hi All,
I have a polo 6n2 GTi and have damged it in the snow. My problem is that i cant decide what to do with it, should i break it and sell the parts or repair it.
look on this forum for pics of the damage www.uk-polos.net/ its under 'victim of the big freeze' {this is the direct link - tinyurl.com/y89x4xg - DD}
please read the thread on the aformentioned forum and give your honest views, im really confused.
Thanks,
Dan
{Subject header given a more meaningful title. 'Please help! is vague and doesn't give people a clue as to what question you're asking} Read more
If you want to break it, advertise it on ebay, or at least advertise one wheelnut and mention that all other parts are available.
It will take a few weeks and you'll have to dispose of the shell at the end.
I am having a problem with a Rover 25 radio (2001), I hope you can help?
I know the code and have successfully entered it and its shown on the display but what do I press now to register the code, I have tried holding down every button, but the radio will not come on?
I look forward to hearing from you soon
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Is it possible that the code has been reset and if so, would there be a standard default code?
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Further exciting info.
As I originally posted, problems have appeared when temperature according to car thermometer is zero degrees or below.
Temperature today seven degrees. Radio ok.
BTW. We had a new steering wheel fitted last March because old one looked as though it had distorted. Steering wheel controls various aspects of radio. Poss defective electronics within?