July 2011
For example, South Africa, they seem to get along fine.
The compulsory insurance in this country is just a licence for the Banks to rip us off!... Read more
Now. I think its time to discuss something which sometimes literally keeps me up at night (like now, for instance). The short sightedness of 'shared space schemes'. Now i bring this up because ive been reading about the protests in Southend from a disability rights campaign group who are demanding a crossing, and wheeled out zebra-crossing type matt thing and staged a protest with it. Now its not often i agree with people who hold up the public highway to stage a protest but on this occasion i do and i am pleased no legal action has been brought. After all they were quite clever in their protest, they just kept crossing the 'road'. And if they must insist on declaring the shared space isnt a road and 'nobody has right of way' then how can you possibly arrest anybody for holding it up?
Ive experienced a few of the more minor ones recently, im not going to Southend and i sure as hell am not going to Blackpool (type in Blackpool shared space into Google and find out the furore that has caused) but i decided to give it a chance and see what pans out. I feel ive been fair in my assessment, and i have to conclude, they are absolutely bonkers. Ive listened to both sides, and it just doesnt stack up. Firstly my mother is disabled and cannot walk very far at all without considerable pain. Now in the past, our local little shopping bit was a street she could drive up, park outside the shop she wanted to go, on double yellows using her disabled badge, get out, walk in, come back and drive off. Well now that, say 150 yard stretch of road has been turned into a shared space, and where you used to be able to fit a good 60 cars down there on either side, they have marked out 'disabled spaces' for approximatley 8 cars, on a good day, if they're small cars and people park properly. Now basic maths tells you some disabled people will have to park elsewhere. So now, my mother has to park either in a nearby street or a main car park and take a 9 minute walk (we timed it the other day) where it used to be a 30 second walk to wherever she wanted to go, and this is too much for her and due to the idiocy of the town planners she now basically has to avoid the town the majority of the time, and is another place she cant go to. And there are other factors to take into account, the fact you used to be able to park close to the shopping area just to get the odd thing was a major feather in the cap of the area and a bonus for the local traders, the rapid turnover of cars was quite something (nobody used to stay for more than 20 minutes really in most cases), well now the fact people have to walk from the moon to get there inevitably means people will be put off and ive seen a few To Let signs going in the shop windows since the scheme opened. Obviously you could blame the economy, but i would argue in a time of economic difficulty, introducing ill thought out schemes which will only compound the problem isnt a wise plan.... Read more
I have checked and i have asked the authority and disabled parking is permitted ONLY in the marked out disabled bays. Where you can fit maybe 7 or 8 cars in if you're lucky, where you used to be able to fit 60 cars down that bit of road, alot of them with blue badges as this is an area with a large elderly, disabled and retired demographic and simple maths tells you 8 spaces isnt enough. You have maybe a 10% of getting a space where it used to be nigh on guaranteed. So my mother can only visit the town on 1 out of every 10 weeks then. Thanks council. And only people who are not disabled or have not had to help a disabled person for 15 years say 'theres plenty of space they can go elsewhere' and unfortunatley the people in charge of such horrific designs also havent had to experience the serious shortcomings and overall impracticality of such a stupid idea. If i got hold of the town planner and had him spend one day with my mother he'd realise what an awful mistake the shared space was. Awful mistake. And will not be rectified until its dug up and turned back into a road.
electric door windows not working checked for voltage at door switches none found.anybody know of fuse location or relay. any feedback greatly accepted Regards Mickeybo Read more
Some of these map sensors on these tdci's. Some have a 3 terminal plug others have a 4 terminal Need to get engine code and model for a more positive responsive RegardsMickeybo
The rear brake pads on my V50 need replacing. The handbrake also operates the rear disc. Would anyone please let me know the secret to replacing the pads? The handbrake is off but I cannot compress the cylinder to release the pads. Presumably I have to release the mechanism somehow and then readjust it afterwards. Any information would be gratefully received. Read more
Go back to your post and if you can edit it and remove your email address. Regards Peter
I am trying to remove the front cover to expose the timing chains, but the bottom right corner appears stuck. I do not want to force it but I can not see any obvious reason it will not come off. I am obviously missing something, can anyone help? Read more
Bolted to the sump?
I noticed one number plate light wasn't working,I changed the faulty bulb now both bulbs are not workinhg. I've looked in Haynes Manual for fuse number but no joy. I've checked for power with a multimeter and there is no power to the contacts so suspect it's the fuse.
Can anyone tell me the fuse number for these lights? In other replies I've seen they say it is the same fuse as the dashboard lighting.... Read more
Hi,
I had the engine of my Vectra (Z18XE) replaced & need to inform the DVLA with the new engine number.I found a 7digit number on the block which I assume is the one, but in the registration certificate the old eng number is 8 characters (7digits & 1 letter).... Read more
Personally, I wouldn't worry about it, one less job to do.
It is difficult to move away from rest in first gear.
The car begins to move, then hesitates briefly before picking up speed normally.... Read more
Hi, I have had a major ATF leak in my 607, I am going to have a game of hunt the leak later, as it only leaks when it's running I am guessing it's in the pipework somewhere.
I can not however find any info on how to check the fluid level or top it up. Does anyone have any clues?... Read more
Recently I buy an mb star c4 diagnostic tool, and after using, I would like to share something needed to pay attention when we use it.
... Read more
In recent years, Chinese forgers, who excel at making fake copies of everything from Louis Vuitton purses to Guess Jeans to Rolex watches, have set their sights on the MB STAR market (and other automotive diagnostic systems for other marques). This has resulted in a cottage industry whereby one could purchase an MB STAR system for anywhere between $600 and $1,200. Over the past year or so, as Chinese copies of the MB STAR C4 system have come onto the market, the prices of the MB STAR C3 system have come down to a typical range of $250-450, depending on the vendor and the items included in the package. These "clone" systems are easily available on sites like eBay and also Alibaba.com from hundreds of vendors. As with any Chinese copy of anything, quality varies and quite often -- but not always -- one gets what they pay for. The recent reduction in price of the MB STAR C3 systems has made even relatively good quality systems very very affordable for the DIY mechanic and/or MB enthusiast -- providing them with the same diagnostic power as the dealership mechanic (but not the same level of training and knowledge). Typical options that are available with MB STAR C3 systems available on the Internet include: an array of cables; a multiplexer; a hard drive containing the MB STAR software package; and instructions on how to set up the system. The software typically includes: MB Xentry, WIS, EPC, STAR Utilities; EWA net; Star Browser; Star Finder; and a recent MB parts price list (which goes out of date quickly). Quite a number of vendors also provide Internet support, including the ability to remotely control systems over the Internet (with the user's permission, of course) to diagnose installation and software problems.
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Crushing the car only gets rid of the car. It doesnt stop the driver acquiring another one by whatever means and committing the crime again does it? I dont see why the car should have to suffer, wasnt the car that committed the crime was it?