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• Where does the fault lie? 29 Nov 2004 (Forum)
  Stops just short of centre line when second vehicle is spotted Second vehicle (by all accounts driving in excess of the speed limit) coming from the left either panics or brakes (though no skid marks present) and ends up colliding with the REAR(!)nearside of the first vehicle, i.e. swerves onto the other side of the road. Happened to our childminder this morning, no injuries thank godness despite three kids being in the car, although the r reg Rover 25 is probably a write off.
• 306 d-turbo smoke 30 Nov 2003 (Forum)
  Hey Thanks to everyone who tried to help with my brakes.... I do still have the same problem though. Does anyone know what would cause one of these things to kick out white smoke on startup? Every time it's started (Especially when cold) it runs really rough for about 5-10 seconds and spits a cloud of white smoke out.
• Stale odour from climate control 18 Sep 2003 (Forum)
  It clears very quickly and doesn't return until I start the car again after it's been idle for a while. I left it with the dealer to sort that plus a squeak from the brake pedal, but although the squeak is sorted, the smell with the aircon is still there. Before I go back, I'd like to hear any opinions on what it could be. I'm wondering could anything (stray leaf?)
• Ford Escort Many Problems 27 Jul 2003 (Forum)
  In the 18 months I've had I've spent in excess of £1000 just to keep it on the road. This includes (not exclusively!) New brake drums, disc, shoes etc, two new sections of exhaust, new cam-belt, several sections of suspension, blocked radiator, new radiator fan, new power steering fluid tank, not to mention the locking system that's been serviced once already - now only one key unlocks every door other keys unlock varius other things except the boot!!
• Speed Bump Humour 3 Jun 2003 (Forum)
  (Motorbikes & Push Bikes only) The maximum amount of air is obtained on each hump and possibly a quick mid air wave or table top achieved. An Eco Destroyer. Braking sharply metres before the hump then accelerating to warp speed before slamming all on for the next. Nip 'N Tuck. Driving between widely spaced humps. What Hump? Usually heard inside large offroaders transporting offspring to an from educational establishments.
• Keeping Calm on the Road 10 Apr 2003 (Forum)
  I am finding it difficult keeping calm on the road these day. What with idiots pulling out of junctions in front of me, making me brake sharply, then pootling along at well under the speed limit. Grrrrrr. I overtake as soon as I can and regretably take risks to do so. i know I shouldn't but I just lose my rag more and more on the roads these days.
• Vx Omega Airbag light ON 11 Feb 2003 (Forum)
  My car also has one 16 pin diagnostic port in the fuse box and one 10 pin diagnostic port?? in the engine bay on top of the suspension strut next to the brake fluid resevoir i.e. drivers side of engine bay. What is this 10 pin port for? I would really like to know. It must be possible to do this airbag thing in a DIY manner, same as it is possible to read the P-Codes.
• Bullying HGVs on M'Way 6 Feb 2003 (Forum)
  I was half way along an HGV trailer this morning, busy M6 minding my own business traffic moving well, when he decided he wanted to pull out whether I was there or not! He pushed me from the middle to outside lane and he wasn't for braking to let me pass, god forbid an HGV might slow down and let a car pass. With some forsight the car in the outside lane must have seen what was happening and created some space for me to be pushed into, seething anger doesn't come into it!!
• Tried to follow HJ's advice... 16 Jan 2003 (Forum)
  The car's a scream to drive though, very quick, really nice seats that grip you securely, and when I realised that I'd over done it on the approach to a roundabout during the test drive, I pressed the brakes and the car practically stood on it's front end! Fantastic stopping power :) Now I just need to get on her insurance.... Blue
• Car mat warning! 9 Jan 2003 (Forum)
  I then lifted my foot, only to find the accelerator caught under the front of the floor mat, with me hurtling towards the chap in the Beemer in front of me. Cue frantic de-clutch, sounds of 5 cylinders on the rev-limiter, heavy braking and desperate attempts to tug the mat from the pedal with my left foot. The mat in question is the proper Alfa 156 mat, complete with lugs to hold it in place. It seems that over time the front edge has started to curl up and in doing so has reached the point where it will hold the accelerator at 3/4 throttle.
• Golf Mk 2 - Lots of repairs needed! 3 Nov 2002 (Forum)
  And as I've just bought an ole Golf (1988 1.6 CL) that needs a bit of work doing to it, I will probably test your patience several times! It needs an oil change and the like and new brake pads and discs (which shouldn't be a problem) But there are a few things that puzzle me and any guidance would be most welcome! One thing that strikes me about the car is that the wipers have to be switched off manually, i.e. they will not stop when you switch off the ignition.
• Jazz Test Drive 28 Feb 2002 (Forum)
  I'm going to sleep on it though, but the ride quality is what has let it down in my eyes. Everything else seemed fine. Nice little engine. Good brakes. Light clutch. Looks like I may have to hang on for the D-4D after all. Thats assuming Toyota can bother to let anyone know when it's going to be available.
• Jensen Interceptor - A day with an Interceptor 23 Aug 2014 (Forum)
    However, wet roads need some caution – it soon becomes clear that the car weighs not far off 2 tons, and has relatively skinny tyres – adhesion is lost faster than you might think.  Brakes were of their time:  they stopped the car well enough, but needed a VERY firm foot.  Nearly 2 tons of car, no engine braking and period Girling gear mean forward planning is strongly advised.
• Spent £826 on repairs this year on a reliable car 23 Oct 2009 (Forum)
  . £90 2) Two new rear springs £50 (Ted very kindly did this for me, I just bought the springs) 3) Two new rear tyres (old ones were perfectly legal but side walls had small cracks so replaced them to be sure) £60 for a pair of Barums 4) Two new front brake pads £45 inc labour 5) New front wiper blades £15 inc fitting 6) Two new front springs £156 got ripped off but it was an emergency 7) New catback exhaust £100 8) New MAF sensor (did this myself) £86 for a genuine Bosch 9) Resprayed wheel trims (cosmetic) £6 for the primer and finsih 10) Resprayed wiper arms (cosmetic) £1 paint from £1 land 11) New coolant and brake fluid £25 inc labour 12) New front tyre £45 (emegency) 13) New rear shock absorbers 14) New ball joint 15) New CV boot £156 fir 13, 14 and 15. 16) Some body work treatment done by me just treated a tiny rust spot etc.
• Suzuki Vitara - Join motorway and changing lane 27 Nov 2023 (Forum)
  Any shorter, I will need to slow down after merging or changing lance just to maintain the 2 seconds rule and force others behind to slow down as well. However, people tell me  that I should not make others to brake or slow down for my actions.  
• Citroen C4 - Citroen C4 08 - Inner Drum Sticks? 5 Jan 2023 (Forum)
  I can feel some play in the steering wheel, however the car doesn't pull or wander when driving or braking. I notice it clunks over bumps and potholes, and there is a creaking noise when turning into roads from stationary position. The car was a freeby, and due to big dents and scuffs isn't worth anything, so wondering how to treat the situation.
• Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer - Numerous problems 7 Feb 2020 (Forum)
  He didn't buy their warranty as he couldn't afford the £400 they wanted for one year. Since then the rear brakes have locked on (2 new calipers) a road spring has snapped clean in half (2 new rear springs) a speed sensor has stopped working and it is now having a front wheel bearing replaced. He thinks he might have some comeback with the dealer due to all the problems but I don't think he will get anywhere with them.
• Car accident where other driver is trying to rip m 11 Aug 2019 (Forum)
  We were both stopped at a red light and I didn't realise that after I had stopped the car, it started moving again (like when you let go of the brake in an automatic car). This meant that it hit the car in front of me at something like 2mph (or thereabout). Now I left some scratches on the car in front of me from my grill, which should be a simple repaint of the bumper (£200-£250).
• Hyundai ix35 - ix35 Stick or twist? 26 Nov 2018 (Forum)
  I do around 15,000 miles a year, combination of urban and regular long trips and need to carry a couple of sea kayaks (up to 60kg) on the roof. The ix35 is comfortable, but drinks derv and has cost me much more than I would have expected (brake discs, calipers and the inevitable TPMS valves snapping no matter how carefully you look at them!) plus the dealer is a long way away. Short list is 2016 Auris Hybrid tourer (£16-17k at a Toyota franchised dealer and I'm not averse to an auto) or a 2012-2016 petrol Civic 1.8 (a fair bit less and I can get serviced locally).
• Honda Jazz 1.4 - Old Honda Jazz driven - still good! 22 Mar 2018 (Forum)
  That old Jazz pulled like a train, scampered up the road like a startled rabbit, and didn't seem to notice 200 lb of kerosene in the boot! Still felt tight, braked, steered and stopped like a new car, no rattles. Trim still good, seats looked like new, just needed a bit of a valet. If you need a neat little runabout, and you can find a good one - buy it!