August 2007
Driving back from Derby to Cheshire yesterday, on the Derby - Ashbourne - Leek road.
It's mostly a 50 limit. Of course there are trucks with sheep-like queues of Micras etc all following and going 38mph.
So I do my usual stepwise overtaking to get past the queue -- without cutting in, and ONLY when I am not causing any other driver to have to swerve / brake / take any avoiding action.
Yet you get these silly old duffers flashing / honking horns etc at you, just for trying to make progress.
So what is it about the motorist's psyche that makes them so upset about being overtaken? I can honestly say it doesn't bother me. If someone wants to go past, fine, off they can go as long as they don't cut me up. Read more
Cananyone tell me the correct tyre pressures, or suggest a website that might have this type of data, for my Corolla
It is 1994 5door Hatchback 1.6 GLi
Tyres are 175/65 R14 from what I can read off the scuffed sidewalls !
haynes manual suggests 37psi which sounds ridiculaously high, and makes car skate around and unstable.
Haynes manual is reprint of USA-spec manual, so wondering if US psi is different to UK imperial ?
Thanks !
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28psi front-26psi rear, thats what i use whether laden or not.
Now there's an interesting, if off-thread, thought.....what was the last model to be sold with a carburettor and choke? I think everything now on the market is petrol or diesel injection.
Moved over from PCP Thread.
Well Avant, its generating interest of its own so let's re-thread it ! - PU Read more
And, the previously mentioned, Kia Pride.
Mine was first registered March '94.
I have a Y reg 2001 new shape mondeo with 105,000 on the clock with a full service history.
Recently, the engine has sounded a little loud when sitting idle, almost like a rattle. I have also noticed an intermittent noise when accelerating a little when in gear. It sounds like a rattle and only lasts for a second or two. Other than this, the car drives fantastic but am just wondering what it could be and the costs expected?
Thanks in advance
Subject tweaked to show problem - PU Read more
I have a 51 1.8 and had a similar problem. It was worse when put under a bit of load (ie put the aircon and headlights on).
Local garage diagnosed alternator springs (I think). Replaced them and it's been fine since.
Hello
A friend of my wife has a new pcp contract with ford.
She has a ka (Not another one)
She is unsatisfied with the fuel economy and wants to change to a Diesel Fiesta. (She drives 300 miles a week)
Can the PCP contract that she signed for 3 years be shortened to 2 or even scrapped?
All help and tips appreciated.
--
(iam not a mechanic)
Martin Winters Read more
Hello
I will pass all the good comments on to her.
I will not pass the sexist jokes on.
Having been driven around by my older sister i can testify that i had to hold onto the door handle especially around corners.
The granddaughters ka is also a bit thirsty and i know she does not drive too fast.
Many thanks for the replies.
P.s In my replies iam only quoting what the wifes friend has said re fuel tank size etc
--
(iam not a mechanic)
Martin Winters
Hi there, I recently bought a 1997 mk4 Ford Fiesta and it came with only one key (a black one with a red bit on the top). I know this isn't the master key, and I've heard that if I wanted another key (which I do) I'd have to go to my Ford dealer to get a "Red Master" key which costs around £100.
I can't really afford to do this, so I'd like to get all the info I can before I have to shell out on the key, but I'd like to know what's so special about the red master key? What's inside it? Why can't I just buy a blank key from eBay and get my local locksmith to program it for a tenth of the price?
Secondly, on a completely unrelated topic, how feasible is it to get central locking in my car or even to go as ambitious as remote central locking with remote boot opening?
Thanks for all your help in advance,
Ali Logan. Read more
Surely it does though, as you are making a new working key and rendering the red one useless; because if you were to program a new key using the car, wouldn't it just give the transponder the same code as the first key would have, so both methods would produce exactly the same result, so the cloning method bypasses the PATS system by rendering its key copying facility useless.
OK, I admit it doesn't completely bypass it because you still need a key with a correctly coded transponder to start the engine, but it does bypass the copy protection it has where you are meant to have the really expensive "red master" key in order to be able to make a new key.
Thinking of buying a Passat 1.9 diesel (105PS), 12 months old (Sept 2006) only 5k on the clock from a non-franchised dealer. What should I look out for and are there any characteristic faults that I need to be wary of? I've heard mixed reports of VW's reliability recently. Read more
I was assuming (maybe incorrectly) that as it was '06 registered it was probably a B5.5 runout rather than a B6, especially as it is for sale in a non VW dealership. The new B6 Passat has a transverse engine - a quick look will confirm.
The B6 transverse engine cars don't have the lunatic front suspension (I'm sure VAG will never do that again). They do have interior rattles galore and electric auto handbrake which could politely be described as an acquired taste.
659.
hi
what is the best way to respray a plastic bumper??
mine has bubbled up and has a patch of paint falling off.
ive started to rub it down but it just keeps flaking and getting bigger....
with metal it was always SO much easier!!
or i may just take it to be sprayed..
incidently its an FTO ive just bought to play around with and "tinker" Read more
what ive decided to do is....jetwash it off as said above..then let a REAL car sprayer finish the job!!! thx again for the tip
I have had a new PAYE Coding notice today and my tax code has been reduced.
Aged in the 65 to 74 group my allowance should be £7550 before tax. This was the case in my notice earlier in the year but in this one just arrived the tax code has dropped considerably.
Took quite a while to figure out why but eventually found the answer in the ?Understanding your Tax Code?was that for every £2.00 your income goes over £20100 your allowance drops by £1.00.
My circumstances haven?t changed and as most of my assets are in either a PEP or ISA which I believed were protected from all tax, (apart from dividends taxed at source) I would have been under that limit.
However having searched the web I can find no reference to whether your income includes PEPs and ISAs. for the purpose of calculating Personal allowance tax codes.
My question only relates to personal Allowances for persons aged 65 and over.
Any advice would be welcome before ringing the tax office and talking myself into having to fill in a new tax return.
wemyss
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>>Presumably its put some better roots down this year
Unlikely. The rain means that it won't have had to bother growing its roots this year. Waste of effort - instead it has put its effort into the top.
***** This thread is now closed, please CLICK HERE to go to Vol 13 *****
As the title suggests, this thread is for all things Formula One and other general motorsport related stuff.
This is Volume 12.
Usual rules apply. When we get to around 100 posts, the thread will be locked and the next volume will start.
PLEASE NOTE
As with the IHAQ & the Computer threads, When posting a NEW topic, please "Reply to" the first message in this thread, i.e. this one. This keeps each topic in it's own separate segment and stops each new topic from getting mixed up in amongst existing topics. Also please remember to change the subject header.
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is that why Alonso is at Spa whilst the rest of the team (inc Hamilton) are in Paris?
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Well said, Westpig.
Unfortunately, there are far too many cars on the road in top gear with their drivers minds are in neutral. Good observation and anticipation are skills which require some effort on the part of the driver. Sadly, in-car toys, gadgets and passengers seem to occupy many drivers' minds at the expense of roadcraft.
Speaking, tangentially, of Roadcraft, I have found that the 'correct' use of the horn or lights when overtaking can actually make the overtaken driver react in an aggressive manner!