September 2021
I have just moved into a new house in April 2021.
The previous owner parked 2 cars on drive for over 13 years no problems.... Read more
Can anybody tell me please, if the car suffers a complete electrical failure (no lights on dashboard when ignition turned, engine does turnover, windows won’t work etc), but battery is fully charged, whilst the car is parked with the electronic hand brake on, will the hand brake remain on or will it release?
Many thanks. Read more
Epb needs electric power to operate. So if it is engaged on , it will need battery power to disengage it . Likewise, if the battery is disconnected, the handbrake remains on .
Just done a trip from Basingstoke to Oban for a fortnight with many outings up there too. 2008 V70 coped excellently and did the whole 500 odd miles back on one tank with a hundred miles to spare. 3 adults, one largish dog and luggage crammed in. Car cost £8k 6 years ago and has clocked up 157k now...bit of a bargain really. Read more
Truly magnificent.
It appears that from May the Nat Grid is to take control of all new EVchargers. The GOV are at last admitting that they have serious concern about charging capacity at peak times and by having the ability to switch off chargers will guarantee supplies. Something new to consider when you buy your EV. Read more
Note - at night overall energy demand is typically ~30% below daytime levels. Total capacity will need some increase over the next 10-20 years to meet increased electrical demands for EVs and domestic heating.
Electrical demands wouldn't be high if geothermal heating had been installed on new builds years ago. It's not new technology, there is a huge natural heat source sitting under our feet and it's not going to run out. Drilling deep holes to lay vertical pipes (horizontal method cheaper but much more space dependent) is not cheap but best when done during construction. Pumps will still need powering but more efficient than air source heat pumps. And you have the ability to cool the house during the summer, something that might be relevant if the current trend continues.
I agree about the solar panel installation on an earlier post.
www.gov.uk/guidance/new-rules-for-towing-a-trailer...1
I know many will likely trumpet the health and safety implications. Personally I do not think drivers passing their tests on or after 1st January 1997 were any less capable of towing than those passing prior to that date and it was an unnecessary hindrance. Some motoring freedom going in the right direction for once! The caravan industry was likely going to implode with time as well. Read more
you should be ok to tow now .put on the L plates and have wife as supervisor
Hi
A family member is selling her 2017 Mini Cooper, not trading in, not buying another car. Wondered what the best way to do this is, given the used car market at the moment?... Read more
Apart from WBAC, if the car has a low/average mileage, if the car has full Mini service history, it maybe worth pitching a couple of Mini dealers to give a price.
Twice since June, I've had calls from two Mini dealers asking whether an 2012 convertible we had was for sale. They had buyers waiting. Unfortunately it wasn't. ...
While working the other day, I noticed that a customer at the other side of the road had a new car, a Toyota Corolla estate. But while I was doing their windows, I glanced at the car and noticed a Suzuki badge in the centre of the wheels. Yes, it was a Suzuki Swace, not the otherwise identical Corolla.
So I started wondering why they'd got the Suzuki rather than the Corolla. First thought was that surely the Suzuki would be cheaper right?. Err, no, the Corolla is cheaper. In addition, the Toyota has a better warranty. May be the case that the Suzuki is better equipped but I haven't looked into that in detail. I do know that the Swace is only available with the estate body, only with the 1.8 hybrid (it isn't getting the more muscular 2.0), and is only available in two trim levels. ... Read more
The Toyota dealership in my town is a big corporate outfit, the Suzuki dealer a family run affair, I would go for the Suzuki but as others have said it appears more of a stop gap measure.
If I recall correctly, the Suzuki versions get slightly softer suspension and additional sound proofing, I am sure I read that somewhere as I spent a while once googling the differences on two cars I would never actually buy..
I have a 2011 1.8 Zafira Energy.
I've been looking for a suitable replacement.... Read more
Vauxhall Combo Life
Comes in 5 seater or 7 seater
It replaced the Zafira
It comes in a petrol 1.2 that pulls it along fine, had one for a few days and was impressed. Sat at 80mph without issue (on a private road of course).
Very versatile and based on a van so cheap insurance.
Would recommend it and think it’s the current cheapest 7 seater you can buy (until the new Dacia Jogger arrives in the UK around March 22).
The Citroen Berlingo MPV and Peugeot Rifter MPV are the exact same vehicle but more expensive.
What do the Backroomers use to clean diamond cut alloy wheels?
The acid based cleaners are not suitable and some of the universal products are incredibly expensive. What about soap and water or car shampoo (assuming regular cleaning of the wheels)?... Read more
Whatever shampoo i'm using, hot water and a microfibre wheelbrush.
Having largely black wheels also helps!
Hi all, looking for some advice on an issue I have.
Recently there’s been a noise coming from my car on the front centre/driver side which only occurs when the car has been driven for a bit. The noise is a bit like a knock/creak. As I break and accelerate between 0-20mph you can hear it whether turning or not, and you can also hear it when completely stationary and you turn the wheel, but as mentioned it only happens when the car has driven a few miles and warmed up. I took it to the garage, they said they had a look at everything and couldn’t find the cause. They have told me to keep going until it gets worse so they can find the problem. Any help will be much appreciated! Read more
Hi, after much googling, I’ve come across a ball joint being the issue. Do you think it’s possible that is the issue and could have made it through a visual inspection?
It is possible and could be if it has them, a drop link on the anti roll bar, common for these to be missed and very annoying when they are intermittent like that
If the council are questioning the legality of your access, you could ask them about the house on the corner of Woodside on Street View with the camper van. Looks similar to yours and the kerbs on the corner look to have sunk.