June 2011
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_corres...m
I went on the buses in Malta just before they went to yellow paint. It's a shame that such enterprising spirit and the elegant old fashioned buses are going, to be replaced by Arriva ones!! Nevertheless, the Maltese do drive like nutters. Read more
Yeah, I know driving instructors tell you that your car will fly off the road if you do it but does anyone else coast in a bid to save fuel/spice up slow driving? There's a hill near where I live and starting from the top I managed 1.9 miles as measured on the trip. Then I hit the junction. That's the longest downhill stretch around-and I really wanted to hit the magic 2.0!
[you need a new hobby-Ed] Read more
Although I'm not in the habit of coasting myself, apart from rolling slowly in downhill traffic queues, I can't see it's particularly dangerous in modern cars as long as you keep an eye on the speed. After all, automatic cars more or less coast on the over-run, providing very little engine braking.
But turning off the engine while coasting is a no-no. Like someone said, it could activate the steering lock depending on how far you turn the key - but also the power assistance the steering will stop and the assistance to the brakes will disappear after a couple of applications.
My 2005 "pulls back" when accelerating up a hill, or when accelerating hard on the flat. There is no noticeable black smoke, or fault codes appearing. Someone has suggested that it could be a turbo problem. I wonder if any members have any thoughts on the subject?
Sorry for the delay in replying. I am very pleased to confirm that the problem appears to have been resolved.
As the car was due for a 60,000 mile major service, I booked it in with a VW dealer, with a request to check the "pulling back" fault. When they returned the car to me, I was told that the firm had not had time to check the fault and it would have to be taken back to them at a later date, which I thought was very inefficient of them (especially as they are 1 hours drive from my home). What they did not notice was the fact that, after the service the problem had dissapeared....
Inside of three miles this afternoon
(i) Pootling along a twisty country road, sees a car in front stationary , but not parked in the slap /lane end exactly where it was stopped. Approaching car so I pulls in behind Mrs No-brain, I indicates and pulls out round her at which point she decides she is moving off... Read more
Actually I forgot the best/worst example.
A "wheen" o days ago at the local set of traffic lights (& hey we got 2 sets in the "toon")
I am patiently waiting at the red, handbrake applied in neutral etc etc,
Now when my lights go green I attempt to proceed except a blond bimbo ( yes definately young & blond and by her actions a self-defined bimbo) ...........tootles blythly through on the red directly across my front.
As I fell in behind her I observed that she was texting (head down) whilst apparently steering with her knees (evidenced by the erratic steering behavouir)
Her insurance premium should be at least 10 times mine.
I was hit yesterday by a couple in a focus. Although the owner of the car was insured, she was riding in the passenger seat. The driver, whom I thought was a named driver on the policy, turned out to be uninsured. Of corse by this point I had already given a statement to my insurance company, and the 3rd party contacted me and asked if I could cover up who was driving. I understand the pressures of modern motoring, and from a legal point I know I have done the right thing, but that doesn't help me, as I now have to claim against my own policy for repairs. Can a mutual agreement be made with the 3rd party, and assuming they sort out their flagged insurance, avoid contacting the Police, or should I drop them in it with the police ad well? Read more
If in the relatively unlikely event that they are both insured with the same company the claim would be handled as a normal claim would be. Th OP would just need to recover their excess from the third party insurer.
If they don't want to claim off their own insurance they could approach the third party insurer (Their own) and claim directly off them or enroll the use of a claims handler etc....
After recent accident (40mph, slammed brakes on) I noticed a vibration from the rear. It turns out that both rear tyres are flat spotted. Insurance company said its impossible to flat spot tyres with ABS and implied that I'd done it doing a handbrake turn (I'm 46 and drive an Audi A4 TDI for heavens sake!) which blatantly isn't true. Audi also pointed out that you cant handbrake turn this particular model because the of the handbrake configuration. Any help appreciated, I dont want to cough up for new tyres! Read more
Very good pointer. Thanks for the advice.
Hi, I am trying to find out if my Mercedes should have the transmission fluid changed. I am about to get it serviced by my local trusted garage and have heard mixed answers regarding the transmission fluid change, some say should be changed, others say should only be changed if there is a fault, Can anyone help??? Read more
About the only similarity between German taxis and the cars sold to the public is the external body-shape.Many of the components on the taxi are designed for heavy duty and longer life.Some members of the publc buy taxi-spec vehicles because of this and also, the prices are more competitive tho' options are limited.
I was going to be buying a Ford Fusion on Saturday - subject to new MOT.
I have had a quick squizz at the VOSA mot database as i have a copy of the V5 and most recent MOT provided by the seller.... Read more
Spoke to dealer and without any need for cajouling offered up the details of the MOT fail and that the shocks have been replaced.
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www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-13887579
Anyone live near any of these? They're all pre-existing sites and as someone who has very recently left the nuclear industry, they're no surprise either.... Read more
That's (one of) the problems with wind. The power that the turbine can extract from the wind varies by wind speed cubed which gives a comparitively narrow useful envelope of wind speed. High wind speeds put massive stresses on the structure and the gearbox-meaning that a large turbine on the west coast of Scotland will struggle to meet its designlife of 25 years. Most PWRs have a 40 year licence with a view to extending to 60 years.
My girlfriend went sailing a couple of nights ago and her car key got wet. She drove home but when she went to use the key yesterday morning it did not work and she couldnt get in. Her spare key has never worked. I have read the forums and got into the car through the secret keyhole on the passenger side. The ignition failed to start (the dashboard showed the airbag off light and at some stage the battery light showed). I tried to jump start with no avail, and the fuses are all in tact. As the spare key does not work I am unable to open all the doors which it says is required to go through the re-programming procedure for the keys. Can anyone help please before I am left with having to tow the car to the Nissan Garage and pay them? Read more
Browse
That bus looks very bare t o how I remember them in the 70s. There would have been decorations around the front windows and a lot of stuff inside