March 2011
Anyone know of a checkist of things to do when buying a new car?... Read more
In his review HJ mentions "Reports of repeated EGR valve failure on 2.0HDI 136, possibly from trying to drive at too low revs." Well having bought a 407SW (but with the 140 HDI engine on which I assume the comment is still valid) I would like to understand more.
I am generally aware that letting an engine struggle at too low revs is not good, but that engine has so much torque that it is easy to let it struggle on sometimes without realising. I appreciate this is about feel and common sense but wondering if anyone has got any views or gudelines?... Read more
It suprises me how few people know about the rules regarding towing for people who passed their driving test after 1st Jan 1997. I passed myself in 1998 and a couple of years back bought a caravan. I was not aware at the time that the gross weight of the outfit, (car & trailer) has to be 3500kgs or lower. (Exceptions for a trailer under 750kgs where GW can be 4250kgs as long as the towing vehicle does not exceed 3500kgs.) I checked the cars ability to tow (1500kgs) and the caravan max weight (950kgs) so all was ok in my mind. It was only after caravanning for a while I noted the exact rules. (I am complying thankfully).
Recently being a father of two, the tow car has changed from my Astra to the wifes Galaxy for the space and we now just come under the limit with a Gross Weight of 3455kgs. Again we are looking at upgrading the caravan to something bigger which means a larger Gross Weight. Due to this I will be doing my B+E test shortly. The point is, if we bought a caravan with GW of 1300kgs we could legally tow on a B licence with the Astra, but not the Galaxy which is ridiculous as the Galaxy is the safer car to be towing with due to the extra weight. I thought laws were there to make the roads safer.... Read more
The thought of a complete novice .. towing a 1500kg trailer at 60mph without any training is frightening enough and that's legal on a B licence!
only 60? most i see are doing well over that and sometimes in the third lane....
Hi folks
Can someone help please. Been a niaive idiot and purchased a vehicle that I now realise is a ringer. I understand now from a hpi check that it is a Cat C but I just phoned the DVLA and there has not been any VIC done on it. What I can't understand is why the DVLA issued me with a new V5 and I've bought road tax for it if this hasn't been carried out.... Read more
If it was a private sale I believe the seller does not have to declare a cat c nor does it need a VIC check in every case, I think you are panicing unduly.A car that is is ringed is entirely different to the circumstances you have described.
I am looking at one of the new car broker deals where they keep the log book for 12 weeks so that the vehicle manufacturer doesn't claim back the discounts that let them give me the price that they are offering & I become the 2nd owner BUT
Are there any dangers???????????????... Read more
Not being listed on the logbook can be a big problem with some insurers. I have a client at the moment facing total loss on a car which caught fire because the insurer is claiming she did not have an "insurable interest" as she was not on the logbook. Furthermore her finance company are suing her for the settlement value rather than the value of the car. The OP asked for the risks and I think they were outlined pretty well in the two links I posted. Not every deal will go bad but there is a heightened risk to any deal which involves the retention of the logbook.
can not fing haines manual anywhere, does anyone know how to clean or change valve please was running fine yesterday come to go out today and lack of power rac says egr valve needs cleaning need urgent help please Read more
Hi guys
Just joined up and looking for some views. I have an 02 1.6 zetec (assuming it must be 115 as it feels pretty punchy ). It's got 105k on it, was an ex demo and then my mums. It's been awesome; haven't owned a better car. ... Read more
Hi all,,I am going to change the oil and ffilters on my Patrol,,it has 84000 miles on it and as sweet as a nut,,
I have heard that using fully synthetic 0w30 is the best,,and helps fuel economy.... Read more
out in Reg and you will get their offering(s)
I was driving down A494, at the back of a white BMW X5. We were proceeding down a slope when I saw the BMW stop, and then signal to turn right after a traffic light, which was green at that time. So I quickly hit the brake pedal and slowed down and then he started to move off. Then, the BMW braked unexpectedly at the middle of the road and I jammed my brakes too, but it was too late. Before we had time to react to the shock or even take down his car plate number, he drove off. I drove into a side road to assess the damage done to the car. The car’s bonnet was bent, and one of the headlights was gone.... Read more
This is a rear end shunt with no frontal damage to the front car. That is insurance insustry shorthand for the rear car being at fault.
There is usually a reason if anyone leaves the scene. I would guess the wife may have been drinking given the circumstances you describe but there is no proof of that and it will almost certainly be settled against you.
would any one know if i can run lpg with my diesel and who does these conversions Read more
the gas conversions I have seen on diesels are a booster to the diesel system, rather than running on one or the other. The gas is fed into the air intake system which vastly enhances combustion and reduces Nox etc
Diesel burns more efficently with gas added to it so it improves power and economey etc....
Browse
Ok thanks both.