November 2022
Hi all,
I'm looking at buying a used car from a dealership, and I asked if they had done an HPI check on the car. They said that they had, but were not able to share the results with me due to data protection rules under GDPR. Is that correct? I can't see why HPI should be affected by data privacy considering that I could easily just pay for a check myself and get access to the same data anyway. Could they perhaps be trying to hide something from me?... Read more
I'm sat in the local supermarket car park waiting for some keys to be made up and can't help but notice how some people really struggle to park. Admittedly it is a small sample size, but most of the problems seem to arise as people try to reverse into a space. I usually drive in nose first and reverse out, based on the simple reason I find it easiest. So it got me wondering, am I right? Or should I be reversing into a space and then I have an easier exit? My logic in a supermarket is that by driving into a space I have easier access to the boot area for the shopping. But I also find that I am reversing into a much larger and less constrained space. Any views? Read more
A hundred poxes on the council planning departments that so often stipulate far too many undersized parking spaces early on in the planning process, regardless of the difficulties these will make for future car parkers. "Coming soon - new out of town shopping centre with parking for 3000 cars" (even if 2500 spaces is already pushing it!)
And contrary to popular belief in these blinkered departments, apparently staffed by determined non-drivers, a car cannot easily be parked in a snappy, perfect 90 degree perpendicular swoop, either in reverse or forwards. But time and time again, we see endless rows of perpendicular, rectangular spaces marked in geometric perfection, which have as little bearing on the realities of 21st century mobility as a penny f***hing!
I have just noticed that my Audi dies after 1 second. The dash cluster DOES NOT respond, or light up, at all!
I've disconnected the battery for 10 min, no difference!... Read more
Hi, I’m currently having the same problem
On my 2010 Audi TT Tdi, also have no damp, did you ever get to the bottom of it?
Cheers
Just looked round the Vitaras at a local Suzuki dealer as the wife is looking for a new car. Several of the ones with sunroofs were quite badly misted up inside. The non sunroof cars weren’t. All the cars looked like they had been recently washed.
Does anyone have any similar experience - or ideally a completely different one? Read more
Sat in sun until falling into shadow around 14:30.
That's the perfect mechanism for a misted-up screen. The car gets warmed through during the day, then the upper parts cool off rapidly, especially the screen, which is sloped while most other glass is more vertical. If there is any moisture in the car it will condense on the windows every night unless it is removed. Then you have to avoid adding more....
Hi, I have to replace the injectors in my T5 transporter, the bolts that hold the clamp in place are stretch bolts and have to be replaced.
I need the correct torque settings to retighten please, it is a 2012, 2.0 diesel engine.... Read more
First turn is 8nM then 270 degrees final turn . Make you fit new injector washers.
This was discussed way back in 2004 .....
(www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=25296) .... so rather than resurrrecting a long and out of date thread I thought it was worth re-visiting as 'expert' advice varies depending where you look. E.g. the AA advise adding if below halfway between max and min on the dipstick, Halfords if below minimum, and Ford at minimum or below. The general consensus seems to be the level is OK anywhere beteen the two marks - and that is what I have always thought; rarely adding any until it reaches the min mark. Why would you? If the engine is nearing an oil change, it is a waste of good oil! ... Read more
Much olbliged for that link BT, 1.5 engine scrubbed from possibles list :-)
At least it's still got a chain cam drive (for now) and not a cotton belt inside the engine ;>)...
So in the morning the car starts fine, but when I press the accelerator it tries to rev up but stalls (Before I remove my foot from the accelerator pedal).
Some times I can start the car, start moving and even change to second but still it jerks and is about to stall again every time I change gear and press the accelerator. ... Read more
Yup, it is on my list on what to get next! I can find them for about 67 quid on ebay or around 50 on chinese websites etc (should be the exact same product). Not genuine of course as I can't seem to find a genuine one.
Final Update (Hopefully):...
I've got a Zoe with around 25,000miles at under 2 years old. I heard a rubbing noise from the back brakes so took it into the dealer for them to have a look. They have diagnosed that both rear discs need replacing due to severe corrosion and scoring and quoted £480 for the work. They told me that it would not be covered under warranty as it's normal wear and tear and to be expected for a vehicle of that age(!). It looks to me as if the caliper may have seized?
Does that sound reasonable?... Read more
Problem can be if the discs are allowed to get too thin they don`t dissipate the heat quickly enough to prevent brake fadeI would have thought the opposite is true. Thinner disc=lower mass=quicker heat loss. Not thay I'd advocate wearing discs too thin. There should be adequate information available on minimum thickness.
I suppose as vented discs wear thinner that might be true. With solid ones I'm not so sure - imagine the limit situation where a disk is only 2mm thick, I suspect a thicker disc might transfer heat elsewhere faster ?
Hi I am looking for some advice please! I currently drive a 2016 model Honda Civic and I absolutely love it, it's without a doubt the best car I've owned but unfortunately I have to look for something else. The reason being that my elderly grandfather's mobility is becoming more and more limited, he's 6ft plus and finds getting into the Civic an absolute nightmare as the car is low and he keeps hitting his head trying to get in and he has terrible trouble with his legs/muscles.
I've been looking online and it's leading me to believe that I may have to look into getting a small SUV. Not thrilled at the thought of getting one as I am used to driving smaller vehicles but needs must at the moment! ... Read more
Both the Renault Captur and Skoda Karoq have doors that cover the cills. It looks better too.
Hi all,
Sorry if this is asked a lot on here, I’ve been forced to quickly replace my car which was written off by someone reversing into it. I have a limited amount of time before returning the hire car and have little car knowledge.
Needs:
Max budget £7k-£8k
Space (my Ibiza was far too small for growing family)
Bluetooth audio (as a working musician I use this every journey)
Hoping for no older than my Ibiza, which is 2014
Hoping for as little hassle in terms of garages/issues - reliability!
I usually average around 30-50 miles per day, with the occasional longer motorway journey a few times a month and a roadtrip to central France a couple of times a year.
My first question is - should I disregard diesel? Most journeys are in 30-40mph zones with less frequent long distance ones
My shortlist at the moment is:
VW Tiguan (2.0 diesel)
VW Tiguan (1.6 petrol - yet to find one suitable within budget)
Kia sportage
Seat Leon
Seat ateca (seems beyond budget)
Seat altea/Altea XL (although I think this is probably bigger than what I need!)
For various reasons (friends’ advice/ones the wife thinks are ugly etc…) I have ruled out Dacia, Skoda, Ford and the Nissan qashqai.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Read more
The other issue that revolves around buying a diesel is where the OP lives/works - if its in or going into a ULEZ regularly, its highly unkilely they'll be able to afford a EU6 rated diesel vehicle to avoid the high daily entry / usage charges.
Not so much of an issue if that is rare, though as you say, BBD, owning a DPF quipped diesel second hand can prove a real financial pain, as you'll not know if buying it comes with a failure in short order (possibly the reason why the previous owner is selling it), rather a lottery unless you personally know the owner and can guarantee it was sympathetically driven....
Browse
Its lack of updates or even the odd thanks that is helping so many forums to die off, this is an old fashioned place in many ways (despite it being inhabited by so many lefties :-) ) and many knowledgeable posters who gave real expert advice have disappeared over time, one such was a long time mechanic who really knew his stuff, so many times he would give freely of his expertise quite likely saving the poster £hundreds and invaluable time only for the OP to completely ignore him afterwards, it annoyed the hell out of me let alone said mechanic...sadly basic manners are vanishing everywhere, they say a fish rots from the head down.