July 2020
Hi guys I have a 2014 insignia 2.0 cdti only done 33k miles but is coming up to 6 year anniversary and so will be needing cam belt and water pump doing, can somebody recommend me a Vauxhall Indy garage in Manchester (preferable Blackley/Moston) don’t fancy dealer prices but would like a specialist in Vauxhall if poss.
TIA Read more
If you externally charge up your 12 volt car battery, using say, an intelligent charger, just before making a long familiar journey, you can enjoy a significant fuel saving for the whole round trip, that will yield an indicated fuel economy similar to that achieved by HJ Real mpg readers running similarly sized but much more expensive hybrid engined cars such as the Toyota Yaris Hybrid.
For example, improving fuel economy from 51 mpg to 59 mpg in June/July 2019 on a 94 mile round trip, with the car driven gently (no aggressive acceleration or braking) but cruising at around 65 mph on dual carriageways. That is a 16% improvement in fuel economy. The 51 mpg figure is what the car has achieved on the same journey without the battery pre-charge before hand. My car is a 3 cylinder, 1 litre, five door hatchback, with gasoline direct injection and is rated at 100bhp, first reg Dec 2016, driven two up with some luggage.... Read more
Another thing to consider - On a modern car with stop/start/regenerative braking the car will have an advanced charging control system, which can be confused if the battery is charged from another source.
I've known a few people have issues of this post lockdown when old battery chargers have been pulled out of the shed etc - some requiring a trip to the dealer to sort!
We have a flat in Hammersmith, and live in Surrey. We visited at the weekend for the first time in a while.
The A306 Is now a 20 mph zone from the south circular all the way to the closed Hammersmith bridge. It's around 2 miles. I personally don't mind 20 zone in some built up areas or in busy side roads but this seemed excessively slow for what is in most parts a wide boulevard with big push houses.... Read more
The other thing is that although I followed the 20mph speed limit, it was clear that a large proportion of locals don't judging by the the number who had overtaken me on these roads,
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I've been reading recently about delays with DVLA.
As I am approaching a significant birthday (70), I am expecting an invitation from the DVLA to renew my licence.... Read more
The odd thing with the situation with the DVLA, and the Passport Office seem to be very hit-and-miss: both here on this thread and from accounts in newspapers comments sections, some people have somehow managed to get what they wanted as if times were normal, others having terrible experiences with very little difference in circumstances, if any.
In terms of DVLA I think anything that's done on line is working normally. The issue is with documents. Medical reports and passports will have to be kept under lock and key and would not be permitted to leave the area of the building in which they're worked on. Even scanned copies might be regarded as too confidential for home working. The staff member may be vetted but their families etc are not. ...
Hello,
I've just bough this used car and want to fit a reverse camera. I've seen both wireless and wired versions available and many to choose from. Has anyone recently fitted one they would recommend?... Read more
If you are looking for a stand alone unit , I’ve fitted these , and found them good value with an excellent display . Either wired or wireless . Autovox M1 w .
I cannot understand why an ordinary hatchback can cost £15,000 but the electric equivalent is £30,000.On the £15,000 petrol engined cars there is the engine,gearbox,catalytic converter,fuel tank,pipe work etc that is missing on the electric car.This makes the petrol car at least £5,000 less,then add in the electric motor,batteries and control gear would only add £10,000 to the price so an electric car should be around the £20,000 mark to buy.I think we are being ripped off somewhere? Read more
As for Electric cars, actually the one that has got me most interested is the Skoda Citigo e IV, a good £8-9 K cheaper than a Renault Zoe
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I have access to a car leasing scheme at work that is inclusive of insurance, RFL, routine maintenance, repairs and tyres.
Recently, I've been configuring cars as potential replacements for ny current PCP funded Octavia VRS, and have noted electric vehicles seem to be reasonable value at the moment, especially when considering reduction in fuel costs. The cars to have caught my eye are;..... Read more
There are Chevrolet Volts that have done starship mileage:
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MyFord Focus has been off the road since late Oct 19 after the MOT expired. I tried to start it after recharging the battery which I'm pretty sure needs replacing as it's 6 years old . The engine started immediately; but there was squealing from what seems to be the drivebelt followed by smoke. I tried another similar but larger battery (70 amh) which whilst not new it had been fully charged, although I've been told it only holds a charge for 3 days. The engine started immediately; but the squealing and smoke started again.
When I last drove the car in Oct 19 there was no squealing or smoke from the drivebelt area. The car is parked with it's rear wheels on wheel ramps and it was in this position when I started the engine so I'm not sure if starting the engine with the car in this position had any influence.... Read more
Seized waterpump or alternator? Or even seized aircon pulley?
My Driving Licence expires 16/09/2020. Applied on-line 7/07/2020 - took me three goes to get it right mind. (72 year old “Technical Idiot”)New licence arrived 10/07/2020! So I reckon the secret is dispense with filling in the paper application and apply on-line. Best Regards Steve Warner (Derbyshire Read more
Dvla give this section 88 out to people like myself knowing many insurance companies will not insure you l, if your GOV account says no license their while you wait for your license to be dealt with you have no leg to stand on the back log of covid why they haven't got better resources then Swansea is unreal
The back log is all they can say waited since March. My insurance is ending cause more stress to be able to get back into a job. It's not what you need, I appreciate the issue of covid but they should atleast have better well planned resources (back up plan) has they are struggling and being very stressed towards you when they have nothing else they can update you with. Which doesn't help me oh others in this situation.
I don't get why they give section 88 of insurance companies will not help people like us out the needs to some clarification between dvla and insurance companies to help people in our situation. Otherwise scrap the section 88.
Hello!
Wondering if anyone can help this damsel in distress?! I have a Mini Cooper S Convertible 2006 plate.
The car was serviced and MOT’d on Thursday and all was fine. A few bits under the car were recommended to do but the mechanic told me not to bother.
Friday I drove approx 100 miles and no issues.
Saturday I drove for 10 minutes and suddenly smoke started coming out of the bonnet (white steam style smoke).
we turned the car off. Opened the bonnet and it seemed water was hissing out of a round orange component above the engine if looking Birdseye and was hitting a silver plate (that was partially bent below) then going into the floor and running under the car.
Has anyone experienced this before or know what this is?!
?thank you! Read more
OP says he just had a service so prob not run out of oil.
It is not unknown for a distracted mechanic to fail to refill it, although unless it's a Honda I doubt if it would manage 100 miles on an empty sump - although with an old loose engine you never know........
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Having had a cambelt fail in the past - I'd have it done!