August 2022

Bolt

Thoughts on this electronic braking control system from Brembo (looks good imo)

The Biggest Change in Car Brakes in 40 Years - YouTube Read more

edlithgow

Parking brakes - quick search shows that the vast bulk of issues relate to vehicles 10-20 years old when the technology was fairly new (generally). Trad braking systems suffer from a whole range of different symptoms as they age:

  • seized cables so the handbrake is ineffective or useless
  • stretched cables making application difficult
  • corroded pivot points
  • damaged ratchet mechanisms meaning once applied it may not stay applied
  • generally very low or ineffectual emergency brake performance

Suggesting electrically operated brakes "will never reach that level of reliability" is without evidence. Trad braking systems have numerous failure points - in fairness 50+ years development has engineered most of them out but some I have personally experienced:...

Russeler

Anyone know if it is possible to change the road tax rate on a car if the band of CO2 emmisions has changed

... Read more

RT

if you leave a trailer/ caraven on the public highway unatached to a trailer the the council will be allong to remove it

Only where they have by-laws - in other areas it's fairly common.

GazKaz

Hi everyone

Which is a good diagnostic tool to get that would work on both VW and Ford?

Got a budget of around £300.

Thanks in advance.

?? Read more

elekie&a/c doctor

Depends what you want to do . There are plenty of reasonable price multi make scanners out there that will give faults and live data on both Vw and Ford , but if you want to do programming of modules, then we are talking a load more money .

edlithgow

Google translate comes up with this - ‘hello everyone, good day 95 model 1.6 baleno car coil module reader spark plug all idling engine throttle potentiometer or something works catalyst tested not clogged car just a starter but we can't move the car with gas pressure it starts to give and receive thank you in advance for your help’.

Car starts and idles but cuts out when accelerator is applied. They've either tested, or replaced, or have codes for the components listed (I'd bet replaced, since international arms controls have not been effective against the spread of the parts cannon). The catalyst is not clogged.

All sounds a bit modern for me, but I suppose the fundamentals still mostly apply... Read more

edlithgow

If the pump is clogged, it should work on LPG.

Seems reasonable, though I didn't realise LPG was involved....

Vic_S

Good afternoon,

Sorry in advance for the lengthy first post.... Read more

Heidfirst

I recently have gone through something similar although my car was still fully drivable.

Neighbour reversed into rear bumper of my car damaging both mine (doesn't look like it but over £1k to remove replace etc.) & his. No problem with him accepting liability. ...

MikeHen

Hi,

Please can anyone help me out with my radio keycode.

Serial Number is M484868

Thanks,

Mike Read more

FP

The S/N M484868 should have the code

4857.

_

Next week driving to Aix-la Chapelle via Houyet south of Dinant, where there is a lovely lttle hotel for 3 nights of gastronomic treats, wishing to avoid the madhouse that is the Bruxelles motorway network..

Had thought of driving the "old " A25 motorway down from Dunkerque to Lille, the across to Namur then down to Houyet.... Read more

Manatee

If you are going to wander around France you may as well apply for one, they cost less than a fiver. ...

elekie&a/c doctor

Technology strikes again . www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1650017/Handbrak...p Read more

Steveieb

Honda had a problem with the ratchet mechanism of the handbrake lever when they shifted production from a Birmingham sub contractor to a Spanish one.

After a few incidents they quickly reinstituted the UK supplier contract and replaced the faulty levers !...

badbusdriver

citytransformer.com

Ok, shape shifting might be an exaggeration, but the width (track) of the car does change from 1(!) to 1.4M depending on whether in city mode or performance mode (maybe also an exaggeration for a 20bhp vehicle!) for stability. In truth, city mode would really just be for parking, or squeezing through narrow gaps, as you are limited to 25km/h. But in performance mode it will do 90km/h (56mph), plenty fast enough for its intended use. ... Read more

Terry W

I'm not convinced by the ability to alter the track which seems only to benefit parking and add complexity.

But I suspect that for urban dweller (most of the population) it will meet most of their personal needs for commute, shopping, social assuming two seats and modest luggage space....

edlithgow

Alternator temperature

How hot do/should they get?... Read more

edlithgow

Pulley not so convincingly wrong with alternator off. Maybe some slight wear "shoulders" but not bad. I cut the old belt and, holding its end in the sheave V could still see daylight under it.

Fitted a slightly wider belt which should be better but still seemed to need a lot of tension to give 14.2V. This declined to 13.6V with headlight and fan load, which is a biggish drop and just out of spec for the Mk2 Charade CB-23 engine (range 13.9 to 15.1V) but this is a CB-22 so perhaps it might still be acceptable...