September 2022
I have recently started hearing a knocking noise, apparently through the steering wheel, which is particularly noticeable when I am putting the car into my garage, The garage is at 90 degrees to my drive so the manoeuvre has to be done at low speed. The steering seems normal otherwise and the noise is not apparent at normal running speed.
Does anyone know if this is something that is a known issue on the Civic please, and can anyone suggest what the problem may be?... Read more
Among numerous clips of video I have seen over the last few days, I couldn't help but notice the prominent Mercedes haerse [mis-spelled to avoid censor] carrying the Queen's coffin in Scotland, and one or two (what seemed to be) royal Audis amongst the more numerous Rolls Royces and Range Rovers. With funeral proceedings now going ahead in London, I noticed what seems to be a gleaming new Jaguar-based "State haerse", which has an illuminated glass rear area. A practical solution to the events we are all seeing over the next few days, and a far more regal conveyance than the spartan Land Rover which Prince Philip had commissioned some years ago in preparation for his own funeral.
I couldn't help feeling a small burst of pride that it will be a Jaguar carrying out this key role for the next few days, together with the still magnificent 10 year old royal Bentley, as the world watches the unrivalled combination of pageantry and dignity which marks a British state funeral.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_state_car A fascinating rundown of the major "state cars" used on happier occasions around the world reveals some interesting changes, notably BMWs and Audis now taking over from Holdens and Fords in Australia and New Zealand after their local car production came to an end.
Good to see that there are still a few stately Rolls Royces, Bentleys and Jaguars around on the list, though! Read more
Need to take a lesson from Prince Albert of Monaco. Being surrounded by Germany, France and Italy and having guests from all over he has opted for a Lexus.
What a diplomat !
New ones recommended by main dealer at over £200. Seems a bit steep given that they seem relatively easy to replace or repair. For anyone unfamiliar these are the lights on the front wings that have a clear lens and yellow bulb. Not sure why when they come on with the main lights and not the indicators. Seems to be a common issue but does anyone know how to prevent it reoccurring please? Read more
I may be wrong but I’ve been advised that they can be left not working and it’s not a mot failure. Just in case yours is an expensive wiring issue.
Our 69 plate Sportage has a faulty Electronic Parking Brake (it doesnt seem to engage and not does the light come on). We took it in around June and the dealer has told us it's fine to drive but the parts may take some time to arrive ( as of today they still don't know). We also haven't noticed any issues parking on hills etc.. but obviously waiting for the parts to come to get it fixed.
The MOT is due next month and I was wondering if this would be a fail or not. If not we are ok, but if it is we are going to have a problem where we can't drive the car anywhere.... Read more
The epb switch is more than just an on - off switch. It contains electronic circuits . So although the switch may be faulty, it may not be preventing the epb from working.
My Mazda3 (gen-1, 1.6 petrol) threw an engine check light the other day whilst I was out on a shopping trip. The car seemed fine otherwise, and managed to get home without issue.
When I returned, I used my OBD-II scanner to check what code(s) it was, and it came up as:... Read more
That’s crazy money to replace a lambda sensor . It’s likely the manifold would need to be removed to carry out the job , but sadly main dealers don’t have the expertise or equipment to get the sensor out . Their only option is fit new , they don’t repair.
Even my local (supposedly respected) indie couldn't get it out, or as he said, he didn't want to use so much force that it stripped the threads, necessitating the housing to be replaced.
As I said on my other comment, he obviously didn't feel comfortable or able to bore out the hole, fit a collar and a new thread for the sensor, as some US mechanics offer to do (saw this offered in more than one YT video). He also wasn't able (capable or facilities to do so?) to fit a new manifold either....
Travelling to France and back weekly via the ferries on the Dover Straits, I have noticed that recently there has been a surge of UK right hand drive cars coming to the UK with Romanian number plates.
I am not sure why it is necessary to drive these cars all the way to Romania and then bring them back, rather than just leaving them as UK registered cars, except that now the cars would be impervious to speed cameras and parking fines. A lot of the cars seemed to be poorly maintained. You would also wonder if you had an accident with one of these Romanian registered cars and it was the other drivers fault, what your chance of claiming to repair your own car would be? Non existent I would guess.... Read more
I worked in Romania a few years ago and many of my colleagues would buy secondhand cars in Germany, ex-company Audis, BMWs and so on, at three years old and 100km on the clock. They were cheap to buy and still had a lot of life in them.
The people were professional engineers and could have afforded a new one, but they chose these cars as they could seel them on again in Romania after a few years with very little depreciation....
Just read in the Times that 8 million vehicles are kept for an average of 13 years by their owners and potentially causing a threat to other drivers due to age, poor maintenance and what have you.
Apparently the average time an owner keeps a vehicle is 8 years. I believe the report emerged from a well known large motorists retail chain that we’ve all for sure visited over the years for car wax, oil, wipers , car radios etc.
Surely a car will easily last 13 years if it is properly looked after with services,MOTs, etc?….
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OK, if we are having another "my obvious point is more obvious than your obvious point" competition...
Veteran cars in the London Brighton run built before 1905 DO prove that all cars if properly maintained will run for 117 years or more....
Just read that most EVs come with a level 1 charger which for someone with a 40 mile or less need is fine....takes some time to charge though. If you want faster a level 2 type is needed but seems costly to set up or you can visit a commercial fast charger which is much quicker but will obviously cost to use. Anyone have reliable information on this? Read more
I had a conversation with a colleague yesterday who told me he once worked with someone who drove with no shoes on because the discomfort kept him alert...
IIRC, my brother-in-law did this about 50 years ago, not because of any discomfort, but because he thought it made his throttle-foot more sensitive, thereby helping his fuel consumption. Disbelievers used to suggest that combustible vapours might have helped ....
Hi all,
Need some advice. We are looking at buying a 2012 Skoda Roomster 1.2 TSI. It has 107k miles on the clock and has a full service history.... Read more
Our 2014 Roomie is a 1.2TSI 105 with DSG, so asking for it really.
It's been no bother, although it only has 35,000 miles on.
I wouldn't buy a second hand DSG. Too easy to abuse by holding on the accelerator, which a lot of auto drivers do habitually.
It's surprisingly agile and does 40mpg on average. It will do that even on short journeys as it warms up very quickly.
I recently got caught out by a nice little earner run by one of the leading car hire firms. I knew in advance that the standard limited mileage might not be quite enough to cover my three days' hire, but it was likely to be roughly the same as paying the extra for a flat rate. So far so good.
I also knew that amongst the hundreds of add-ons, there would be a "Premium Location Fee" for the privilege of picking up the car from an airport, rather than miles away in a muddy field, and with the home comforts of a freezing Portakabin to sign all the forms in.... Read more
Thanks. Curiosity quelled!
It's too late to edit now, so I'll leave it!
Hello All,
Although a different model, I also did as per the link below, as well as the in/out up/down process. Thank you to all the contributors suggestions. Lovely smooth steering now !...