February 2025
I have been issued a NIP for driving 40mph in a 50mph zone. The reason is that a 30mph sign was not visible due to fog, therefore I had no notice or any chance to slow down. This was at 4:30 in the morning in heavy fog (21/22 Jan).
If I appeal the ticket I'll have to go to court and argue that I was speeding but the mitigating factor was heavy fog, which doesn't sound too good. Is there any point?... Read more
Hello All,
I have a Golf MK8 1.5 eTSI, engine code DFYA, year 2020 current mileage 44,038 miles and I would be grateful for any advice on when I should be looking at having a new timing belt kit installed? I have looked online and have seen that the timing belt kit for this car includes a timing belt, tensioner pulley and deflection pulley. I am keen on preventative maintenance with regards to the timing belt and two pulleys. Please can anyone provide an official source or reference from Volkswagen confirming the recommended mileage and time interval for the replacement of the timing belt kit for engine code DFYA? Thank you.
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Vag have changed the timing belt replacement schedule on these . It’s now 120k miles . There’s no specific time limit .
Had my renewal through this morning on the Merc, which is a 2.0 Turbo C200 Estate. £338 with younger SWMBO on the policy too. Not bad actually, and even shopping around made only a token gesture of a difference so I’ll just stick with Halifax insurance because of their sensible renewal policy.
Car is performing without fault and continues to be a very comfortable companion on my morning commutes. Read more
That’s an amazing deal SLO. My similar car E 320 D is double what you pay because of my age . So there’s one down side about being a baby boomer !
Regarding the MB Estate . ...
Have a dacia sandro stepway do notice a slight movement on sterring only slight movement if it feels like it's pulling to the left I've had tyres checked and wheel alignment is fine it seems only to do it when driving slow when you pick up speed it feels ok any help what you think it could be before I book into a garage
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Despite statement tyres are OK if the tyres aren't directional I'd start with swapping the front wheels around.
This was one of my favourite ever programmes, especially with Robert Llewellyn and Lisa Rogers doing the presenting. The chemistry between the two hosts, the comedic nature of the programme and (of course) the creations were just a fantastic combination.
I had actually been thinking just the other day that I wish they would show them again. Well low and behold, while idly scrolling through the channel listings this morning, I discovered that an episode was being shown on "Challenge" channel!. This was at about 9.25, so my first thought was to look for Challenge+1, alas there doesn't seem to be one. So I then scrolled through the Challenge listings, as most of these type of shows are repeated two or three times at least during the course of a week at various times, but no such luck. Went all the way to next Sunday and found that there are three episodes shown consecutively starting at 7am.... Read more
I and two work colleagues were contestants on Sc***heap in 2001. The guest judge and team experts decided beforehand the two different methods to achieve each objective and the machine required to be built.
Some specific items were put on the sc***heap because to build each machine within the 10 hours allowed totally from scratch would be impossible....
My daughter’s Mazda 3 has developed a strange knock once the car has come to a stop with brakes off.
The indie can’t find a cause and as it’s intermittent she has been told to wait until it gets worse.... Read more
Thanks Andrew.
Its been back to the workshop twice and they can’t find the source of the noise but they say the car is ok to use .
It happens more when turning the steering wheel. To add some more info to this, sometimes once its activated i can feel the brake pedal lower a bit more ( if braking) and make a slight grinding sound
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Seems strange it only started happening once the new tyre had been fitted by the tyre fitters
My guess would be the fitters have damaged or disturbed something while removing/refitting the wheel....
Is this worth paying approx £495 for? We get awful honeydew residue 3 months of the year, so was wondering if it's worth the investment?
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I had my car ceramic coated when it was new, about £300 10 years ago - it has protected the paint very well as it's parked near trees and often gets taken down tracks where the vegetation encroaches both sides - but if not done when new then extra cost to prepare the paint.
Hi. This website won't let me post an image here to show my car. I have already asked what I ask in this post on Stack Exchange's car sub-forum, where I was able to post the picture. To see the picture, please copy-paste the following into google and then just hit the first Stack Exchange link you see.
How do I find the exact model-details for my Nissan Micra? stack exchange motor vehicle maintenance & repair... Read more
Thanks.
Hi All,
We have had a parasitic drain on our 2005 Combo van, which has proved difficult to trace. Had to resort to disconnecting the battery if van parked so as not to drain it. As a last resort, we fitted an isolator switch to make it easier to cut the battery circuit when van is parked. Installed this via the negative terminal on the battery. All seemed OK for a few days, then found battery flat after van had been parked over the weekend. Wouldn't hold charge and was fitted in 2018, so time for a new one. Garage replaced it today, but mentioned the isolator in the negative circuit may have led to the battery's demise, as the battery is "searching" for earth/ground so leaching charge when switched off. They also mentioned the switch should be closer to the battery, rather than inside the cab (cables around 2m but size/capacity was recommended by the supplier). Don't want to damage my new battery, so should I switch the isolator to the positive circuit, or relocate it closer to the battery? We thought the negative post on the battery was the right way to go, but if this is not the correct way to fit an isolator, please could someone advise.... Read more
With my simple mind I would have thought removing one of the main battery connections should be OK for a 20-year-old vehicle - assuming the battery is reasonably accessible. It is naturally more convenient to arrange something in the cab, but a diesel takes a high starting current, hence the need for heavy cabling - is that worth it ?
It's what I do with my 1991 Pug 205, but that is a simpler petrol car ... ! Takes about a minute to connect or disconnect when needed.
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<< Possibly the 30 sign was one of the temporary sheet metal on a metal stand type (as used for roadworks) which are less visible than gantry ones. Still a failure of observation, which has been noted as possibly being 'due care and attention'. >>
Would a speed camera take account of something as impermanent as a roadworks speed limit sign ?