January 2010

gazmitchy

I am having a problem with a Rover 25 radio (2001), I hope you can help?

I know the code and have successfully entered it and its shown on the display but what do I press now to register the code, I have tried holding down every button, but the radio will not come on?

I look forward to hearing from you soon
Read more

gazmitchy

Is it possible that the code has been reset and if so, would there be a standard default code?

CompoSimmonite

I've bought an early Range Rover to restore. V5 is missing. It has a "private (Northern Ireland) plate so not sure about year. I tried the DVLA web site but no record of the number.
Is this because a NI plate ?
The number is virtually worthless so doubt it's been transfered and vehicle hasn't been off the road long enough for records to be deleted.
The Range Rover is original and unmolested so I don't have a problem applying for age related with dating certificate if necessary but it's be nice to know the age from the records at least pro tem.

Anyone know if it's simply a case of DLVA don't keep NI numbers on their records acessable on line ?

Thanks.

Paul H Read more

CompoSimmonite

Thanks.

I've now emailed DVL(NI) asking (a) if still on their records (b) it's them, and not DVLA Swansea, I need to make an application for a V5

Paul H

Mister T

I am looking at getting some winter tyres on smaller rims than the current 205/55/R16 so I can have a narrower tyre. I spoke to Ford and they said they couldn't be sure if a 15" rim would fit on the Mondeo and I would have to 'just try it'. I don't want to get some to find they foul on the brakes.

Does anybody know if 15" will fit and what other car I can get 15" rims from, i.e. will focus rims fit? He did say he thought the offset on the focus may be different. What spec (offset, etc.) wheel do I need.

I confess to knowing very little about wheel sizes. Am starting to wonder if it will be easier to just get winter tyres on the same size rims. Read more

Grape

Hi
I read a few of the threads on this matter and want to put in a general comment.
I am posting this from Sweden were we have quite a bit of snow combined with -20 temperatures each year. Only one of my colleagues have a 4x4 (subaru) but by law they do need to have winter tyres fitted (studded or non-studded) each and every winter. I have a 1997 Audi A4 and with winter tyres (unstudded) I can get around no worries.
I should also add that (at least in the UK) unless you are an essential worker why do you want to drive out in poor weather? One must remember that although you might be in a bullet proof 4x4 the guy in the Fiesta skidding into your rear, or the 20T lorry jack knifing across the road isn't. My advice is that in the few and seldom days we get snowy weather, keep patience and stay indoors.
Grape.
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madf

My experienced of packed snow at -17C last week is that it is like a skating rink.

I was running at the time with trail shoes - as grippy as they come without studs or chains.

I just kept my feet... (Touch wood I have yet to fall running in snow.. In summer yes, in mud yes, in snow no)

Spospe

See HJ himself show his advanced one handed driving skills!

www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=421 Read more

gordonbennet

Some dry quips there from HJ humour and hamming up for thinking people maybe against the more obvious stand up routine from JC and co with piped laughter from the hyped 'audience' to let you know when to laugh.

I've always liked the Cube, and recently the Soul and Materia such a relief from the endless lines of cloned euroboxes that fill our roads.

IanC123

Can anyone help. Today I have had the car out and every time I have turned the engine off the engine cooling fan has run for hours and has obviously run the battery down to nothing.

I have checked all the books and also online to try and find what the prob could be but have gotten nowhere.

Can anyone please advise.

Many thaNKS Read more

Englishbullterrier

My 99 HDI is a three wire coolant sensor if it is disconnected the fan
runs constantly.
Steve.


Failsafe mode ?..............ebt
Hugo {P}

Silly question, but I'm thinking it would be a good idea to try cleaning the ABS sensor on this car before I do go and buy a new one.

Even though the mechanic thought it needed to be changed, I've read much on the net about cleaning them off.

Where would I find it on the hub, and is it feasable to clean it on this car?

Thanks Read more

bathtub tom

Did you know there's an owners club? Perhaps a search of their forum?

www.almeraownersclub.com/

Falkirk Bairn

Jimmy Carr fined and charged £1860 court costs

Comic Jimmy Carr has been convicted of speeding for driving at 10mph over the limit through a village in Suffolk. Mr Carr, 37, drove his Bentley GT in Boxford at 50mph on 30 April 2008, an earlier hearing was told.

Mr Carr, of north London, who did not attend the hearing at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court, was caught by police using a speed gun. Mr Carr was awarded three points on his licence, fined £300 and ordered to pay £1,860 prosecution costs.


Harriet Harman

Harriet Harman fined approx £300, 3 points & £75 costs

Surely Jimmy Carr has over paid or our cabinet minister was let off lightly! Read more

Peter D

Point count on the day of the original offence not when the court deem them appropriate. Regards Peter

SteveLee

The snow chains on the rear (of the A class Merc) got me thinking about daft drivers over the years.
Back in the days where I was selling cars a disgruntled customer brought his Golf back complaining about it pulling to the left, I took it out for a spin and couldn't find a fault. I handed the keys over saying it's fine, I even slammed the brakes on without holding the wheel ? no probs. The guy became very irate saying there's definitely a problem and he'll turn up with his ?bros? if I don't fix it. So I offered to sit in the passenger seat while he demonstrated the problem, no sooner had we headed off we nearly collided with cars on the left hand side of the street. ?See? he exclaimed triumphantly. It transpired the steering wheel had been replaced slightly pointing to the right (or the tracking had been adjusted and the steering wheel had not been reseated) and this guy had it in his head that you hold the steering wheel so it's pointing straight ? regardless of what the wheels are doing! Somehow I don't think this guy had a license...

Any similar stories?
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El Hacko

in 1960s a small garage in Ewell, Surrey, Triumph agent, had Herald customer who complained about poor fuel consumption. Couldn't find problem with set up, so works manager went out with her for drive. First thing she did was to pull out the choke knob and hung her handbag on it - because, she explained, it displayed a handbag symbol; it was supposed to represent a bank of cylinders!

legacylad

Six months ago I pre booked a 4WD to collect on the 28th Dec in SF prior to a ski trip to Lake Tahoe. We duly turned up at the office the day after flying in only to be told ''sorry, we have nothing''. I was informed that double booking was de rigeur during the holiday season. After 2 hours they located a Chevy Tahoe from another office, and after a quick inspection I realized that this beast of a vehicle only had 2WD. The hire company did not permit the fitting of chains...to do so would invalidate the insurance. I declined the vehicle and an hour later they 'borrowed' a soft top Jeep Wrangler from another hire company, advising us to drive to Sacramento airport to change it for a more suitable 4WD. This we did. They had none and advised us to drive to Reno in Nevada! No chance.
We kept the Jeep for 3 days.....it was awful on Freeways, freezing driving in blizzards, had no grip on its summer tyres and no security at all. Just unzip the canvas and walk away with our luggage thank you very much! Finally we got a compromise at 3pm on New Years Eve..a Ford 150 twin cab pick up. Oh dear...as I drove away the low tyre pressure monitor was lit. Three tyres were low, one especially...15psi instead of 40psi, the others at 22psi. I returned the vehicle and the 'mechanic' took it away to put air in. One hour later the light was on again and I found a large screw embedded in said tyre. This time when I returned, at 4.50pm just before they closed on New Years Eve, they gave me a Dodge Ram pick up. Oh well, at least our baggage was secure, the tyres were excellent for winter conditions and we could use the Freeways without having to shout to one another!
Next time I shall both phone and email the rental company the day before collection..and use Hertz. Three out of nine wasted car hire days. Bother. Read more

rtj70

I've not read all above.... stopped when I read the hire company did not allow snow chains.

My brother lives just south of SF. He used to do a bit of skiing at Tahoe so got a 4x4 of his own at the time to not rely on friends. Not only was it a good idea to use snow chains (you needed them at times) but he got a 5.2l V8 instead of the next model down Jeep.