June 2010
Am I alone in being increasingly irritated by car manufacturers who no longer supply a full size spare wheel with their new models?
My MG came with one of those useless foam spray cans in the event of a puncture, other makers have adopted the practice to supply a "space saver" spare on most new cars, with a 50 mile range to "get you to the nearest garage". No explanation as to what to do if it's a Sunday or Bank Holiday and all the "nearest garages" are closed. Anyone who has been caught out in this way, would not consider embarking on a long journey without a full size spare. I had to obtain mine by scouring sc***yards on the internet.... Read more
After 2yrs ownership I thought it might be a good idea to look at the plugs [no idea when last changed] but I can't see them! It looks like a morning's work to remove vast quantities of black plastic airways and widgetery to enable application of a plug spanner!
My son and I would greatly appreciate any advice........perhaps we should just leave well alone as plugs seem to last for ever these days! Read more
While undergoing its annual service in May the garage rang me to say that the steering ram was leaking and would have to be replaced. I have a policy with Warranty Direct, so I rang them and asked if this was covered. They said no, and as I needed to have the repair done for the car to pass the MoT I asked the garage to go ahead and do it.
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A chance to put on record for posterity, your predictive abilities on technological advances that will surprise us in 2020.
I`m thinking of how some changes seem to come out of nowhere (at least to the general public)... Read more
the big invention of the future will be the trithingyum diode! - i cant tell you too much about it because it hasn`t been invented yet. It is rumoured to run so fast that it knocks five minutes off half an hour!
If someone else is paying for a holiday that you are taking with them, with their name on the invoice, if you subsequently buy travel insurance just for yourself, and you find you have to cancel for a valid reason, would the insurance company pay out seeing that the invoice was not in your name and not paid by you? Read more
Can a cyclist trigger one of those 30mph Slow Down warnings.? As a 50+ overweight cyclist with a very strong wind behind me on the sea front . Inspired by "The Worlds Fastest Indian" I launched my unfit self and Halfords Mountain Bike in the direction of the sign but not even a flicker. I have no idea what speed I reached but it was definately over 30. It is now my aim to trigger this sign. Whats required. More speed? Metal area? Heat? or is it a sensor in the surface. Obviously I would never break a speed limit so this is written on behalf of an anonymous friend. Read more
Getting 30mph+ on the flat is more diffcult than you think. With a headwind, I doubt you would do it, and on an MTB..... I am a reasonably fit regular cyclist and know full well how hard it is to hit 30mph+ on the flat, even on my carbon road bike.
I am sure you are correct Dave. I just stuck in MTB in my post because I couldn't be bothered to put aluminium framed hybrid with kevlar reinforced high pressure smooth tyres ( seemed a bit long winded as I only wanted to know what triggered the sign). Its a pretty good place to pick up a bit of breeze its in line with a wind farm . The 87 breeze ripped the roofs off some of the buildings along this bit of the sea front. Probably never will manage it but I'll keep trying.
I have at present a Fiat Panda Duallogic which will be 3 yrs old in Oct, I found out yesterday they are no longer doing this gearbox as an option in the Panda, it was standard in the model I chose, I love it, salesperson forgot to tell me you need to put it into reverse each time you start it up to get it going so it was a very jumpy ride home which is probably how the battery had come adrift next day when I went to start it the thing was dead, was ready to return it at that point but gave it another go and glad I did.
Now I need to find another car that works as well with a similar price tag etc.,I have severe arthritis in my lower limbs and sitting with my foot on the clutch due to traffic jams or rapid gear changes are very painful for me now hence the change of gear box type.... Read more
In a simlar class to the Panda is the Peugeot 107 / Citroen C1 / Toyota Ago, all of which I believe can be had with the clutchless "robotised" transsmission.
Could also try Renault Twingo, Honda Jazz, VW Polo etc depending on budget
Hi Guys;
I bumped with this nice website through internet search and have just subscribed !
May be you noticed TESCOs offer on Castrol oils ? So, I picked up the 5w-30 A3/B4 for my 1999 model Petrol Vauxhall Vectra (60K miles).
Usually, I use Vauxhall oil 10w40 A3/B3.
However, I thought the Castrol 5w30 will be more synthetic and convenient for my driving pattern: which is daily several short trips around (in-town). And hence, several ONs & OFFs.
Any recommendations or comments are very welcommed.
Please accept my thanks in advance.
With kindest regards;
Firas Read more
I think you're right, if your short journeys mean the oil never really warms up properly, a 30 should be better than a 40. However, the only way to decide is stick it in and see, listen to the engine and feel if it seems better or worse. All engines are different, oils are different.
You may find a 40's better first time you go over ten miles on the motorway. I once tried 5-30 in my Probe, which is what Ford recommend, but soon went back to 5-40, it just felt better. 100000 miles later I guess I was right and Ford were wrong....
Hi fitted new plugs new HT leads,start engine runs ok.when warmed up,turn off engine restart eratic idle,any sugestions,apart from change car. Read more
UPDATE -- found my notes, I did much research - for some people it was a bad idle control valve, others it was the coil pack, others had a firetrap (breather filter) put on which stopped it recurring aftyer breather & rocker cover clean (I tried that firetrap also), on mine the problem remained when I sold the car and the only part I'd not changed was the O2. However, go to vauxhallownersnetwork forum and have a look, you'll see a variety of causes, hopefully not he O2 on yours as they ain't cheap.
Hi, my 2003 Fiesta's engine keeps cutting out, and the EAC Failure Warning light comes on. The RAC have been out, and have read fault code P0604, but they didn't seem to know which part needed to be replaced. Does anyone have any ideas?! Many thanks Read more
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I would like to add to this thread. My son's ZR had a puncture in the wilds of Wales and the tyre was beyond the repair with the canister of squirty stuff. The RAC deemed the car not to have a spare wheel and charged for taking him to a garage.
My protests were ultimately agreed to and the RAC refunded the charge with shopping vouchers....