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• Insurance scam, be warned. 26 Nov 2005 (Forum)
  I think I might have been a victim of a similar situation a few years ago, I followed a van across some traffic lights that were on green, the driver slammed his brakes on, I bumped him, my number plate was not even cracked though the rear door of the van was dented. The van driver seemed fit as a fiddle, he actually apologised saying he stopped suddenly because he thought the lights might have been on red, I too received a solicitors letter claiming injury, as I expected the claim went against me, it included a a couple of grand in medical expences and loss of earnings.
• Audi dealer trying it on ? 25 Jul 2005 (Forum)
  Most of the brake light LEDs still work. The central locking control unit, I have learned, is located at the bottom of the passenger door cavity - essentially at the bottom of a water tank. It's not surprising if it short circuits so Audi should eat that one.
• New BMW feature ;-) 9 Feb 2005 (Forum)
  Dubbed ********tronic, the new system is fully integrated into the car's control systems and allows a range of functions including full disablement of the indicators, perilously late activation of the brakes and an adapted radar cruise control that allows the driver to sit 4mm from your back bumper in the outside lane of the M6. Amongst other neat touches, ********tronic can also apply light brake pressure at all times, covering the wheels in dust, something that will be a particular benefit if your fleet manager wouldn't let you specify alloy wheels and you want to disguise ugly plastic rim covers or the fact that if you weren't such an aspirational little **** you'd have gone for a rather better equipped Honda Accord.
• Shogun discs 22 Jul 2003 (Forum)
  and they were more than happy (as usual) to get the car in and put it right for me. One of the complaints was a very slight brake shudder at high speeds (braking from 70mph), they inform me (after initial inspection) that they want it back to skim the discs next week. So it is going in, now after reading a previous thread I am a little concerned about getting this job done, should it not have new discs?
• Enough is enough? 26 Nov 2002 (Forum)
  If the Mercedes Pre-Safe system detects a driver braking with the sudden firmness characteristic of an emergency, or the car starts to fishtail, it tightens seat belts, moves seats and adjusts seat positions and backrests to the best possible positions for an impact.
• Fiesta noise and gearbox whine. 14 Oct 2002 (Forum)
  Although still not perfect, engine noise is much reduced, the gearbox chatter is less and I can no longer hear the exhaust booming or the brakes being applied. Seems so simple.. I fail to understand why Ford produces a very good car and then spoils it..
• Laguna - franchised dealer problems 1 Oct 2002 (Forum)
  I have just had my first MOT and 24000 mile service on my low-mileage Laguna: £240. The dealer claimed the car needed new front brake discs and pads, even thought it's never had any pads and I don't think it's been driven heavily: £200. They also claimed it need a new suspension coil spring: £200 as well. Total bill for the service, MOT and repairs £640.
• Pug lion is a duck 7 Apr 2002 (Forum)
  With only 18K showing, its been in the workshop 4 times.To get its rain sensitive wipers put right,twice,(one visit gained a new wiper motor),and twice for brakes judder. I first visited with the juddering brakes at 6K when i had just bought the car. Everything seemed fine until last week with a blast up to Scotland from Ripon. Yes the judder was back! Today, my Pug dealer has raplaced the front discs as they where too thin,(under warrenty) but wants £130 plus vat to do the rear discs.
• Not again - one for my personal team 22 Feb 2002 (Forum)
  Would I be getting warm to guess that the brake shoe has somehow locked inside the drum and, if so, how do I get it off again? I have a trolley jack, axle stands, infinite patience and an enviable reputation to preserve. Your comments and advice would be welcomed and acknowledged.
• Local fun... 28 Jan 2002 (Forum)
  The inspector at the testing grounds found 29 violations, including: *the headlights were skew *there were no dim lights *the number-plate lights did not work *one windscreen wiper was missing *the other wiper was held together with wire *the window winders were missing *one wheel had a broken stud *wiring was loose in the front panel *the hooter wasn't working *the number plate was illegible *the brakes were faulty *there were no panels on the inside of the taxi *brake boosters were leaking *the windscreen was cracked *several windows were broken *passenger seats were loose *the driver struggled to sit because his seat was so damaged and loose *the left front door was jammed *the sliding door was hanging loose *the exhaust was smoking excessively *there was a massive oil leak *tyres were smooth *wheel nuts were missing on all the wheels.
• Changing CV boots. 26 Jan 2002 (Forum)
  Finally got round to putting my 280mm VR6 brakes on my ancient Jetta 16v the other day. Unfortunately, when I took the passenger side wheel off I found everything covered in grease. Oh dear. New CV boot needed. I haven?t done this job before and wondered if any of the knowledgeable people here could offer some advice?
• Emergency stop by passenger 27 Jan 2025 (Forum)
  In the old old days, ideas like - steer first, turn off the ignition, select neutral heave on the handbrake and pray might have worked. Today with column locks, power steering, servo brakes etc. switching off the ignition might not be a good idea. It is a whole different situation these days. Has anyone experience this situation? Any advice would be useful.
• Mazda 3 - Tyre speed rating/types 24 Nov 2024 (Forum)
  However the CrossClimate2 in my size (195/65/R15) are speed rated H, unless I go for the reinforced ones which are V (91V specified on drivers door sticker) Reinforced seems a bit overkill for the Mazda 3, no? Would it affect normal handling/braking negatively? (Largely town driving, some m'way and some muddy lanes) Any thoughts appreciated, thank you!
• any - Tyre Tread depth. 1 Aug 2021 (Forum)
  I recently replaced mine with a set of leading brand tyres. On line facts give noise level, braking and fuel consumption performance. I was surprised when I measured the as new tread depth as 6mm. giving only 4mm of wear. I can remember getting 50,000 miles out of a set of Michelin tyres many years ago (unfortunately no recollection of tread depth.)
• Vauxhall Movano. 2005 - Indicacators/ central locking inop. 28 Jan 2021 (Forum)
  I took my Movano to a garage for some MOT remedial work on the rear brakes. Got it back, but the indicators, hazards and c/l dont work. The only thing unusual that happened while they had it, was that it ran out of diesel, and they had to bleed it of course. They didnt say whether the battery was flattened or not, during this.
• What happens if..? 6 Jan 2021 (Forum)
  Idly watching some of these dash cam clips on you tube which, tbh , a lot of aggro could be avoided if the dash cammer, was the bigger person and just let it go, anyhoo, I’m sure you’ve all seen the car in front takes umbridge at being honked at and decides to take action usually by brake testing the driver behind even coming to a complete stop daring the car behind to run into the back of them, so what would happen in this scenario? would there be any defence if it was shown that the other driver made a dangerous manoeuvre and the car behind ran into the back of them?
• 2011 BMW X1 1.8d - Stop/Start failed 19 Aug 2020 (Forum)
  Have had a new coded battery on dealers advice, fully charged by driving and AGM charger but still not fixed. dash fault code is CC ID 397 andd the "A" with an arrowed circle warning..forums suggest brake servo  vacuum sensor, gearbox neutral indicator calibration or I think the most likely the gearbox electrical connector as the dealer reluctantly changed the sump a while back due to threading the bung and it leaked oil everywhere (now fixed at dealers expense).
• Hyundai Santa Fe - Cost of owenership 22 Jul 2019 (Forum)
  Clearing out the file I couldn't resist a tally-up. The all-in costs for service, repairs (brake pads & discs at 60K), tyres (a set of Michelins at 41K) and depreciation have been £257 per month of ownership. Could have been worse. Had a good dealer too. Great car, used for towing and you could drive all day and still get out at the end able to move (I'm not in the first flush of youth let's say!).
• Vauxhall Adam - MoT advisories 8 Jun 2019 (Forum)
  My wife has just had her Vauxahll Adam MoT'd by Halfords - it was a freebie, an offer she saw a while back on Money Saving Expert. It came back with two advisories a leaking rear shock absorber and non aligned brakes. She was quoted a price to fix the shop absorber. She has the car serviced at our local garage, so she took it there to get prices and advice on the advisories. They have inspected to car, including putting in on the rolling road and found neither of the advisories.So one garage says there are issues, one not and a bit frustrating.
• Honest John’s Motoring Agony Column 29-12-2018 Part 2 2 Jan 2019 (Forum)
  He bought the Pagid disks & pads for £100 (Pagid are the OEM) - jacked the car up & was snookered by the electronic brake system - you need a electronic diag tool to retract the old pads. He put the wheel on & left the car as was - he is still looking for help on this as far as I know.