May 2010
As opposed to parking in at least, inconsiderately, at worst dangerously, to answer the phone.
this from my own local observations.... Read more
Hello, I have just bought an 06 plate vectra 2.2 auto. When the car is stationary and the shift in either P or N a little red light comes on between the P and R position and goes off if I press the brake pedal. Is this just a status indicator or is it a warning? I am not clear from reading the handbook. regards,... Read more
The red light is actually a symbol and is supposed to represent a foot just above a pedal.
It's to remind you that you need to press the brake pedal before trying to move the gear lever from N or P....
My 2007 Volkswagen Golf V GTI seems to have developed a leak in the driverside (Left) footwell. Has happened 3 times now after the car was left outside in the rain. Seems to have to do with the ventilation system as i get wet shoes as soon as i start the car.
Anyone with a similar problem? Read more
I believe this to be the usual VAG problem of blocked drain holes in the air intake/ventilation system plenum chamber. The water level builds up and overflows into the car interior. Get it sorted soon because I believe there are electronic boxes under the carpet that can suffer terminal damage. You should find more details if you search this site. Good luck.
... Read more
Lots of experience.
Firstly, MPV style gives good space for the money....
at 1200 revs this noise sounds from under the bonnet/engine compartment, just sounds like a valve openning or a relay kicking in, no disruption to the running of the car, fuel economy perfect, approx 15 miles per hour, any ideas guys. Read more
Hi, Some body parts of my red V reg Skoda Fabia show signs of oxidation. I buff them up and apply wax but a few weeks later they go matt again. Is there a more permanent solution and what products do you recommend?... Read more
Hi All,
Had a look under the bonnet of my other half's 2001/Y MK1 TDDi Focus to see that coolant had been spraying out from the pressure cap. The coolant is foamy and a dark yellow colour, and has stayed that way once cooled down. There's a layer of foam with coolant liquid underneath in the expansion tank. I had a quick Google and am worried it might be the head gasket. The oil cap isn't emulsified on the underside, the oil is jet black.... Read more
I'm no expert but mixing antifreeze brands should not matter, but mixing different types of antifreeze may well matter. Car manufacturers seem pretty insistent about the type of antifreeze in their engines and this is because they know all about the different metals and plastics and rubbers used in their engines and rads and ahat types are compatible with them. It is best to stick with the recc'd type, e.g glycol based or organic acid based. Using the wrong type may result in long term corrosion or seal failure due to chemical reaction. What happens in the short term depends on exactly what gets mixed together. Some time ago I faced the dilemma of using the "wrong" type of antifreeze or waiting till I could get the right type, so I experimented by mixing samples in a glass jar. The result was a glutinous stringey deposit and I certainly did not want this inside my engine, blocking narrow water ways. If you have any unused samples an experiment may be enlightening. It is possible that the mixture in your engine is no longer a homogenous free-flowing mixture, If the foam is being generated deep down rather than just at the surface where it is in contact with air then it's coooling ability may be reduced. I would be inclined to flush the whole system and refill with the recc'd stuff.
Regards
In-laws have recently written off their motor and are wondering how much they may get from their insurance as they are pensioners and a little cash strapped!
This is their motor when put through Parkers: ... Read more
No those days have not gone haggle and haggle and then haggle some more,get adverts for similar cars with similar mileage and have them on hand The assessor will look at the paperwork and if he thinks its worth looking at in the flesh will look to see if the car has been well maintained ie brake discs and pads,tyres and the condition of the car etc if its been well maintained and looked after you have a better chance of getting a price towards the top of its value band and conversally it goes the other way.
Has anyone experienced electrical failure on a Jaguar XJ6, as a result of water entering the spare wheel compartment under the boot?
I took my car into the local Jaguar dealer, for what I thought was a minor electrics problem, and ended up with a bill for over £4000 to replace the electrical system. The vehicle has been serviced regularly by the same dealership since new (6 years) and has never been involved in a collision.... Read more
Been checking on my local Ford dealers site and there are quite a few 57 plate 1.6 Focuses for sale for £ 6995. What are running costs like for this and are they reliable? My old man hated Fords and always told me to avoid them and some of this prejudice has carried on for me as I was always told they were a lottery to buy. However, from what I gather the Focus is a very good looking and reliable car with good resale and reasoable servicing costs. Read more
Sorry about this I've only been on here for a week and didn't know.
HJ
Has Inspector Clueso "struck again"...