August 2019
I managed to break a metatarsal bone in my left foot yesterday (slipped on the stairs at 2am while going to see why the puppy was barking). I’m not even going to attempt to drive either of my cars for a good few weeks, and will ask at the fracture clinic tomorrow about driving generally. But I think I will drive my wife’s auto.
I can’t find anything in the insurance small print, so might ring them as well, just to be sure. I don’t think there are any insurance implications, but others may know otherwise!
Another question is, assuming I can drive an auto, where might I find an auto van to rent? We are going camping in 3 weeks, so might need to rent an auto to fit everything in (the Yaris Hybrid isn’t big enough). An automatic car is a lot more than a van to rent, it seems, so I wondered if anyone rents auto vans?
I’m not sure camping will be much fun with my foot in a big boot, but it’s all paid for and we are going in a bigger group. At least it gives me a good reason/excuse to put my feet up! Read more
Neighbours down the street acquired a 2013 DIG-T (Renault Tce?) last year, and although fairly happy with it they are having to top up the engine oil about a litre every 2k miles so asked my opinion, noticed some report of a similar issue on the French press https://www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/Renault-cars-have-severe-defect-says-consumer-group from May this year, dd anyone came across this before? Read more
What makes the RenaultNissan unit so problematic? Apart from Ford other manufacturers dont seem to be having issues.
Actually, many do. Sometimes it's a fundamental design problem, e.g. Vauxhall's grotty camshafts, Porsche's weak camchain intermediate sprocket bearing; sometimes it's inappropriate use of specialised technology for general purposes, e.g. nikasil cylinder liners; sometimes just a bad batch of faulty components e.g. Peugeot's puretech BIO cambelt or, as here, dodgy piston rings. ...
So a few weeks ago I bought my girlfriend's car, it hadn't had the oil changed or been serviced at all since she'd owned it. 5 years, roughly 60k miles. Somehow she never had problems with it. She only Ever had minor issues and never broke down etc.
Now, I changed the oil and filter as soon as I got it a few weeks ago. I've driven it everyday, twice across the country and it *seems* absolutely fine. Drives smoothly (it's a 09 fiesta), isn't too loud etc. ... Read more
<< perhaps there are more avenues for water contamination in a big marine diesel, and perhaps the bulk oil temperature when the engine is running is lower. >>
Anyone know how often a large marine engine gets an oil change ?...
If you have a keyless entry car then keeping your keys (both pairs) in Faraday pouches, round biscuit tins, aluminium foil, the fridge or your microwave oven and/or "well away from the front door of your house preferably upstairs at the back of the house" - will NOT be a long term solution to beat keyless entry car theft.
The Faraday Pouch and cheaper solutions only afford a defined amount of signal attenuation - maybe as little as just 20 to 30 dB and if the criminal relay attacks become less reliable - from the thieves point of view- then they will simply turn up the sensitivity on their relay receivers (and /or get more sensitive ones manufactured) to compensate for the reduced signal strength coming from your key fobs.... Read more
"... earthing the enclosure, box, tin or pouch doing the screening"
I understand the point, but all I can say is that my pouch works without earthing. I can approach the car and it does not respond (i.e. the doors cannot be opened)....
I tend to buy a car and run it till it dies (around 13 years old ) and now is the time for a newer car, the last two cars model a zafira which not being a fan it was reliable and a xsara picasso which I got cheap but have never been happy with ,with regards reliability so much so that it's time for a newer car.
In terms of price I'm looking at a 2012/14 zaf tourer , I'm leaning towards a diesel but I would like some help looking for information about the car. Any reliable information with regards to reliability ( maybe relative to other cars ) and what to check for when buying. , Service schedule and what needs changing and when is canbelt, water pump. Etc. Also how long stuff lasts ,when will the clutch go, does it have a dual mass flywheel, how long does the for last / cost to replace and best ways to keep it good working order. Etc etc. ... Read more
@SLO76 when you refer to the older 1.6 PSA diesel, which years are you talking about? I'm just wondering as our 2014 Zafira Tourer 1.6 has just needed its turbocharger replaced. It only has 57k on the clock but if this is type of engine you are talking about, we may consider selling it rather than continuing to use it. It's been in and out of the garage with one thing or another since we bought it last year. I think one of the main problems is the majority of our journeys are short and at peak times, so often stop/start and travelling 10 or 20 mph for half the journey. Weekends we do longer trips but not always on the motorway, so only occasionally reach above 50 mph. I'm starting to feel this car isn't good for these types of trips.
The Zafira Tourer 1.6 diesel uses a Fiat engine, not the PSA one. TBH, for your usage, pretty much any relatively modern diesel wouldn't be a great choice....
Hello,
My 2014 astra gtc 2.0 cdti, has what i believe to be a six speed conventional automatic gearbox. ... Read more
Cool, thanks for the input guys. It is always good to have a few perceptions on technical related issues!
Hi all.
Found a garage local to me to service the Honda crv. They are good garage scheme and which? Rated. They have given me a great price for a full service. They say they will use millers trident 5w30 low saps c2/c3. ... Read more
im swaying towards millers trident. been reading up on specs, the cover
bmw ll04...
I'm new to this site so bear with me if I ramble on...... Read more
I have a 2018 one of these but it is the DSG box and get none of these problems. Only regret is I should have gone for the estate format.
Hello, I'm new.
We have bought a Honda crv car for the family car. Always wanted one for 15 years but always talk myself out of it some some strange reason. But glad we finally got one. Its lovely and smooth. And want to try our best to keep it that way.... Read more
The original handbook oil spec for the 2.2 honda diesel in 2007 when I bought my Civic new was 5w-30 fully synthetic. This was changed shortly afterwards by Honda to 0w-30 to improve fuel consumption, and improve the CO2 figure.
I am having problems with the battery on a 2017 (registered Jan 2018) Fiesta. After parking up for 2 weeks the battery was completely flat. Even after long runs (300 miles) the battery is testing at 50% charge. The Stop-Start ceases to work as the battery is below 85%. The dealer has so far fitted 2 new batteries but I feel that there is a more fundamental issue with the electrics either draining the battery or not charging it properly. Any views? Read more
The only issue I have seen on these Fiestas with battery drain problems , is a faulty Bluetooth module.
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Hi Johnny
In your situation the only person who knows if you are fit to drive an automatic car or van is you. If it's an option, then I suspect that the best thing is for you to not drive until you have 2 functioning feet. However, if the only way that you can get on your holiday is for you to be the driver than I think you have to work out if this is possible. I would initially try driving your Yaris when the road is empty and If that goes ok to progress from there...