February 2023
Who is going to buy a BYD, XPeng, Ora, Lynk & Co, etc? I can see why the Chinese brand MG is starting to gain a foothold. And who is going to lose sales to the Chinese in the process? Read more
So I think I scratched my front bumper onto the back bumper of another car whilst going into a car parking space at Tesco yesterday, wasn't aware at the time I just thought it was tight while I was going into the space so I came back a bit then went into the space, popped into Tesco and then left.
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In the 70s my family ran a SAAB 99 Combi something or other with huge rubber bumpers. Well they seemed huge at the time compared to the chrome flimsy things other cars had.
My matiz has been fine for the few months I’ve had it. 14 years old but only 45k on the clock.
Normally it would zip up a big hill at 60/70mph but over the last couple of weeks it’s been struggling to get uphill.
Last time I drove it it struggled to make 20mph on the hills and was slow on the flat and there was an awful strong ‘fuel’ smell when I tried to push it.
It starts fine. No warning lights on the dash and no other problems that I’m aware of.
A couple of people (and Google) said it could be the fuel filter blocked so I was hoping that’s what it was.
Had a mechanic out to look at it this morning. He drove it a bit and plugged some computer thing into it and came to the conclusion that it needs a new clutch. This puzzled me because I’ve not had any problems with the clutch. He also said the alternator needs changing and that would stop the battery charging, but again I’ve had no battery/warning lights on the dash.
I know I don’t know much about the mechanics of a car but confused how the clutch would make the car sluggish uphill.
Any thoughts welcome. Read more
(Matiz is Daewoo here. Globalisation or something....
There is a Dacia Sandero dual fuel model for sale locally. Is LPG Autogas still available in this country and is there a website listing forecourts that sell it? What is the current price per litre? A lot of info on the Internet is out of date. Read more
I am in Australia and have been running my car on LPG for fifteen years. I don't use flashlube and have had no problems with valve recession. The big problem over here is that filling stations are taking their gas tanks out and it is becoming more difficult to get the stuff. Other than that I can heartily recommend it.
Are we going to see the early signs of charging infrastructure problems this summer? ask the papers (www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/18/taking...s)
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There is so much pollution going into the environment that sooner or later there will be a tipping point. Just on the point of microplastics, the UK beaches are littered with the stuff in measurable quantities in the sand. This means that is in the seas and gradually building up in creatures that live here and so it can enter the food chain.
The same to a probable lesser extent on land but with so much food being packed in plastic we are bound to consume it.No one would think of eating a plastic milk bottle or plastic bag where the particles are dissolving or rubbing off. ...
hi all, My A3's Satnav has the 'not enabled' message, on the pop up screen.
The Multimedia unit, in the glovebox, does have 2 slots, horizontal, about an inch long each, marked 'SD1' and SD2'... Read more
If it does have satnav I I would be cautious about spending much money to activate it. If it’s the same unit as my 2018 Golf, the satnav is next to useless. I have used several over the years, stand-alone and inbuilt and the VW is by far the worst. Ironically the car is a Nav model.
The menu settings are correct but it still recommends daft long routes. It’s not a matter of current traffic avoidance, it’s got hard wired diversions of several miles that have consistently come up for four years on my regular routes. Oddly these are usually in one direction only. It’s fine for in town use but long distance it’s a lottery. It’s a well known issue on the forums....
I still have not found a replacement car. Still driving a now 17 year car (less then 50k). I have been wanting to upgrade for a considerable time. I do see a good deal, but they are often 150 miles from home.
I saw a 2012 Lexus. I had a quick peek on the underside, and was shocked by the amount of underside rust. It was beyond reasonable. The car dealer told me this is common with this brand. This is supposed to be a premium brand and the price when new is £48k. He said Hondas have the same issue. I have been watching Scotty Kilmer on Youtube, he raves about those Jap brands, but I think he is wrong about their quality. ... Read more
We need to remember that the Rover V8 was designed in USA and introduced in 1961 as the Buick 215 with 150 bhp at 4,400 rpm as Americans like low-revving engines so I suspect the whole design was initially limited to 5,000, not just the hydraulic lifters - Subaru used hydraulic lifters in their flat-four from the start, with a much higher rev limit.
Hi all,
So I got rid of my Renault grand scenic, sold in part exchange towards my 1.5 sport honda civic (19 plate).... Read more
Back in the mid eighties I was issued with a Volvo 360 GLT company car. Shortly afterwards I developed some sort of problem with my left leg/knee, never had any injury or trouble with it before. After 30 to 40 minutes it was painful enough that I needed to stop the car, get out and walk around if I could, if not able to do that I just had to put up with the pain.
I tried various adjustments to height, distance, lumbar support etc to no avail....
Hi, have just joined in hopes someone can help with this.
My car has broken down and not worth repairing. The address on my driving license and lig book is out of date I know I need to change asap or face a fine. There’s a complication that means I cant use online service so will need to send driving license and logbook away to make the change at it could take 6 weeks. But I need a new car now.
Will the out of date details be a problem when buying a new car (will not be trading in the old one as will sort the log book and address out etc before selling/scrapping).
Thanks Read more
Thank you! Much appreciate the advice.
Does anyone now understand just what we are paying for electric and gas. Bills are going up 20% why? What has happened since last Nov/ Dec when bills were reasonable. Since then bills have gone through the roof and we have this Energy Price Guarantee with credits due to end but this EPG continuing throughout the year. Our electric consists of wind solar and about 40% of Gas which is variable when the wind and solar fall. The price of Gas has fallen considerably and is still falling. We are charged for electric on the price of gas with no credit given for the cheaper wind and solar. Even so our electric bill should be falling. The excuse that energy suppliers have to buy in advance only holds true for so long. Just how far ahead do they buy?
As regards the gas some reports are quoting 70% reductions in price. There no longer seems to be a shortage of gas? Something just not make a lot of sense to me and nobody seems to challenge Ofgem Read more
OVO energy's Boost has undercharged thousands of prepayment meter holders up to £700due to an error going back to last September and wants the money from its most vulnerable customers Contrast Octopus who made a similar error has written the debt off.
The energy market just gets worse from smart meters that do not work to new increases in standing charges and no reductions in tariffs despite the fall in gas prices. We are continually told this is because the supplier buys ahead just how far is the million dollar question. Something really needs doing and fast to protect the consumer as the present system does not work. If and when the energy market starts to move I do not think the average consumer will have a clue what to do.
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They are a major polluter due to the ammount of items they produce for us here in the West though.