August 2023
Anyone else noticed petrol and diesel prices creeping up recently?
It’s being blamed in distribution issues caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, despite the fact that we haven’t imported any from Russia this year. And supermarkets holding onto a greater margin on fuel sales.
But we have bought 6.2 million barrels of jet fuel from India, which came from Russia… Read more
Tomorrow sees the ULEZ take in much of London inside the M25. The cameras have been installed but 9/10 seem to have been disabled. Counties surrounding the capital are refusing to have warnings of a ULEZ coming up on their roads. Papers are full of stories on how individuals are being affected and it's mostly the poorer ones who can't afford a newer car or pay the charge, all so Kahn can raise a few million bob. Read more
A report shows that the Birmingham ULEZ have given a much lower reduction in NOx that originally expected, 7% rather than 13% - it also shows that the areas outside the ULEZ have also benefitted www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-66660039
It may well be that London's original ULEZ has already benefitted the outer areas and that the new extension achieves little or no further reduction....
Hi all, my wife has a 2004 Honda FR-V on which the blower fan stopped working. I've replaced the motor (the old one packed up completely) and that's now working ok. I opened the glove box and filter compartment to check and there is good air flow in there proving that the blower motor and control panel are working. Adjusting fan speed up and down works as expected, so the resistor seems to be ok as well.
The issue I have though is that there's no air flow out of any of the vents. The screen vent (just under the windscreen), front facing vents and floor vents - all putting nothing out. Can anyone shed any light on this or make any suggestions where I should look next please?... Read more
There are a number of car models when the HVAC fan blows opposite ways depending on whether the car is RHD or LHD - in the international world of internet parts supply it's not difficult to get the wrong one - maybe that's the case here.
Just looking for some advice, passenger interior mirror light was left on for approx 3 hours. Car started fine, then drove home on the motorway for 40 mins.
Almost home, the battery light came on. Newish battery (September 22). ... Read more
Ford smart charge alternators can be very hit or miss if they are not a genuine product. My sons focus had a recon unit from a motor factor and it lasted 3years. Check charge voltage with your meter . Needs to be over 14 volts , engine running.
Realised the other day the bays I've seen for charging are for just one vehicle. Are there charging points that make allowance for having a caravan/trailer/horse box etc too?
I will move this one into the EV Questions thread.
" Advice: This car blocks the path when they charge their vehicle. I can't get by with my mam, who is in a wheelchair, unless I use the road" #parking #uk
... Read more
“ More expensive to buy” Not necessarily, the Nissan Leaf is no dearer used than an equivalent petrol or diesel hatchback. There are compromises to be made if you travel long distance but for 99% of needs it’s a very decent car.
Just done the deal on the new Golf eTSi 150 DSG and having read the above looked at how much a new Leaf would actually cost.
Retail is exactly the same at £30,500. Discount and PCP contribution on Golf, PCP or 0% finance on Leaf. Quick tap suggests that the Golf is about £4000 less....
So Volvo are going to build an electric MPV, guessing it will try to rival the likes of the Alphard, Elgrand, Starex and the Buick GL8. Not sure any of those have full ev versions.
www.media.volvocars.com/global/en-gb/media/pressre...v Read more
Yes agreed. They do talk of a ‘global launch’ but also specifically China, which thinking about it is interesting given alot of the luxury mpv market is instead RHD. Buick GL8 is (or was) relatively popular in China tand i suppose given Geely’s ownership a Chinese launch is to be expected.
Maybe we will see it arrive here in more basic trim as a london cab!
hi,
custom exhaust for disabled access van... Read more
Wouldnt the reduction in volume as the gases cool reduce the back pressure? I'd think the boundary layer shear and turbulence friction on a long pipe is likely to be a more important factorI'm trying to recall what I learned decades ago. You have to realise, it's not a smooth laminar flow, but pulsed. IIRC that makes a difference.
Very big difference on 2-strokes, which exploit reflected exhaust pulses from the exhaust system to modify flow in the cylinder. Perhaps less of a factor in 4-strokes with cam driven valves
I have noticed a faint thud when coming to a stop or driving very slow in my 2016 Merc GLA 220d 4Matic. I jacked the car up and checked the wheels incase they were loose, or a bearing was knackered, but all was ok. I listened in the boot while someone was driving and it is coming from the rear. There was also a very faint whine too. I wondering if it's the 4Matic playing up. I have read common issues are the rear diff and the Viscous Couplings.
Can anyone give any advice or any way I can determine what's at cause?... Read more
Here in Taiwan, these tend to be driven by junior level gangsters.Thuds and whines coming from the boot are thus not unexpected, but dont last long.
Hi guys
I just needed some advice regarding No claims discount
So 3 years ago when I renewed my insurance I put 4 yrs NCD when I in reality had 3 “genuine mistake” which I just noticed now.
The problem I have now is none of the insurance companies noticed this mistake which means they have been sending me renewal letters with NCD proof every year.
Which now means that I will have 7 yrs NCD when I should have 6.
Going forward my insurance is now coming to an end soon and I don’t know whether I should keep it as 7 or maybe put 6 or none which would be quiet annoying as I would have to start from scratch.
Some people say that I should leave it as 7 as I have proof for it and some have said that my insurance would be invalidated when it comes to making a claim.
Any advice ?
Thanks Read more
Ask your insurer to confirm how many years discount you have. Whatever they say is the number to state.
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<< ... some of the filling stations - especially those on holiday routes - decided to up prices during the staycation getaway after many changed their plans from the 'hot and firey' Continent. >>
I suppose some may have done, but profiteering at filling stations is pretty short-lived, as motorists soon discover what is going on, especially with help from eager websites. The only place it seems to work permanently is on the motorway or very close to it.