December 2017
I have a canadian nephew studying here for 5 years. At home he drives a choice of family cars from a BMW328ix, a mercedes c250 4wd and a humble toyota mini MPV (which is what he goes out and drives when he doesn't want to go fast but enjoy pushing it a bit.
Last week I took him off for a well deserved week in spain, and he hated the fiat punto i hired, which was strange as he didn't drive it in spite of pestering me as he had forgotten his IDP...... Read more
I've noticed in an advert reference to a tonneau cover. I've searched but I don't find any of the definitions clear as to what it means in practice on a car.
In simple ( I need that) as possible terms what benefits/drawbacks is it for a car ? Read more
It is an advert for a Honda Civic. I've a cover like that with my C30 . I didn't know it is called a tonneau. Thanks for the posts
Right to make it clear from the outset this doesn't concern a matter in connection to any motor vehicle! Hoping my post will still be accepted though.
Looking for some knowledgable advice regarding Consumer Rights.... Read more
Is it really worth the time and hassle ?
A really interesting (to me at least) article in today's Guardian:
www.theguardian.com/money/2017/dec/16/motoring-myt...e Read more
Where is this?...
Over the past year there have been several hundred requests for radio codes - it seems that 95%+ are for Fords - predominantly Fiesta or Focus.
Is there a particular issue with Ford motorists, that doesn't affect drivers of Vauxhalls / VWs / Toyotas etc. that they don't make a note of the radio code and pass it on to the new owner when selling the car? Read more
Ford was one of the last makers to use an owner input radio code system.From around 2010 a pin is not required. However ,in line with many other manufacturers,radio systems are "married " to the electronics of the car,so fitting a s/hand unit is not simple.
Is it possible to lock the doors of the car without the battery on
... Read more
If what you are trying to do ,is lock the car with the battery disconnected..The best way is to open the bonnet,lock the car with the remote,and then disconnect battery and shut the bonnet. Hopefully you have the procedure for emergency door opening with a flat battery.
As i am sure, regulars know I asked for some advice for car hire in malaga for last week.
Here is what happened..... Read more
Frequently the passenger front door fails to lock when using the hands-free or remote locking. (Recently the indicator flashes only 9 out of 10 times when locking.) All other doors operate correctly. Read more
It's a 2014 Toyota. It's still under warranty. Take it to a Toyota dealership.
Around our way, in the Welsh countryside and upland areas, there's a need for what I call a proper 4 x4, a genuinely tough utility vehicle. One of my favourite vehicles, which I have never had the need to own is of course the Land Rover Defender, or Series1,2, or 3. There are still many of these around here. I remember a holiday job I had, where we literally did pull trees out of the ground with one and pulled huge static caravans across muddy fields. It seemed there was nothing this thing couldn't do. I've driven a few in terrain that would have initially looked impossible.
But now it's not made anymore and JLR concentrate on the luxury SUV market, having moved away from utility. Even if these vehicles are as capable,( are they?) they're not as practical for an everyday farmer or outdoor person day to day. And they're exteremely expensive to buy and run. And dare I say fragile, stuffed with electronics and over complicated suspension etc. So what is there out there that replaces the Defender as a proper rugged, immensely practical, genuine off roader? That is affordable? That can go anywhere, pull impossible loads and keep doing that for years? To answer my own question, I think that the pick-up truck has taken over that market, the Hi Lux springs to mind as about the toughest thing on the market right now. But I'm no expert, merely writing what I observe. Interested to hear others opinion. Read more
Mercedes Unimog. Not cheap but very capable.
Dear All,
I am an unfortunate owner of a 2014 Passat 2.0 TDI and have since driven 103K KM / 64K Miles.... Read more
If VW cannot fix it I would be trying another garage which is more competent and helpful. Whenevere I had repeat problems that the dealer was incapable of fixing I used a BOSCH service centre. They were very thorough and did the real fault finding to fix the problem(s). They have service centres in most big towns.
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I'd look for a 2004ish Honda Civic Type S (5 door) a slightly frumpy looking car perhaps, but it's one of those cars that's (real world) much quicker than the figures suggest as the bullet-proof 2 litre engine is tuned for mid-range grunt – unlike the over-priced, abused (and expensive to insure) type Rs. It has softly sprung but well damped suspension so is comfortable - leans a bit but actually grips very well. A car you can make very good progress in by being smooth. Just like any Honda of the era - I'd recommend you change the brake fluid straight away and then every two years to keep the ABS modulator from dying of internal corrosion. The Type S is a much underrated warm hatch - reminds me a bit of a Triumph Dolomite Sprint in a strange kind of way – a car that can be rowed along fast on mid-range torque and rewards the driver with decent md-corner speed by progressively leaning on the suspension rather than chucking it in. Get one with the stock 16 inch rims, larger rims spoil the enjoyable characteristics of the car IMHO....