Jump to content
Do Not Sell My Personal Information


Leaderboard

Popular Content

Showing content with the highest reputation since 03/12/2024 in all areas

  1. As an update to this, I sent an email to SE Cambridge and they offered to pay for the repairs to be done at my local dealership. I went to pick up the car after the repairs were done, and found out that there was a breakdown of communication between the dealerships and the repairs hadn't been paid for. As I needed the car I paid for it. After another email, SE Cambridge reimbursed me for the repair cost.
    11 points
  2. It might not be crows but snakes…..windscreen vipers…. im here all week…..
    8 points
  3. You might think I am a crackpot but bear with me............We had a customer with an Aygo and the roof mouldings kept falling off, he was so peeved off he thought he would check his CCTV to see if somebody was nicking them. Every morning at dawn, CROWS could be see attacking the mouldings and ripping them off the roof. No I had never heard of that happening in 50 years in the motor trade, but we had a spell of wiper blades on the forecourt where the rubber blades were being pulled out of the wiper OR where the ends were splitting, yeah you guessed it, crows were eating the ends of the blades. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-51178250
    8 points
  4. Being a law obiding individual I took Charlie to the vets this week to get him "chipped". Very disappointed with the outcome though. No faster and certainly no better economy. (Charlie, by the way, is a half bread Bengal)
    7 points
  5. Maybe I'm alone in this, but I have noticed that drivers are getting more impatient and always seem to be in a hurry to get everywhere. When I drive, I tend to stick to the speed limit and 9 times out of 10, I end up with someone behind me, glued to my rear bumper. There also seem so be a total lack of common courtesy on the road nowadays too. Drivers force their way in front of you from side streets, and when you do let someone through, there is no thank you. Winge over
    6 points
  6. I have seen this happen a number of times, the oil cap left off after an oil change. Only last week I carried out an engine detail due to oil contamination, after the owner topped up the engine on an Audi A5 Sport and forgot to put the cap back on. He only noticed because the engine warning light illuminated. Also happened to a neighbour's Ford EcoSport, he'd had a service and MOT, the mechanic had also forgotten to put the cap back on, I found it on the scuttle panel just like I did with the Audi. No warning lights appeared on the Ford but he noticed a strong smell of burning oil coming into the cabin from the oil stained exhaust manifold.
    6 points
  7. My pal Denzel set off for the metropolis in a 1987 astra van some time ago,he did check the oil before travelling,but misunderstood the method, procedure, and indeed any part of oil checking altogether. Turned out he filled the engine with oil up to the valve cover, then fortunately forgot to put the oil filler cap back on thus preventing blowing out the core seals. Of course the excess oil blew out all over the van and everywhere else, I think they still talk about the A1 oil slick at carpenters lodge even nowadays.
    6 points
  8. Hi Ruth,the mechanic is probably right, forgetting the cap entirely is improbable during an oil change and MOT.It's more likely the cap wasn't tightened properly, causing it to vibrate loose during your long drive.With no cap, oil leaked out, potentially leading to insufficient lubrication and engine seizure as you suspect. It's crucial not to run the engine until a mechanic diagnoses the problem.If you haven't already get the car towed. The mechanic will assess the damage. In a best case scenario, replacing the oil, filter, and possibly the oil cap might suffice. In a worst case scenario, engine repairs or even replacement could be necessary. If the original mechanic is at fault, discuss compensation for repairs due to their negligence. This might involve a conversation with the garage manager. Depending on the outcome you may need to take legal advice Keep a record of your communication with the garage, If you are unsure about their response, consult a trusted mechanic or consumer organisation for legal redress and further guidance. Remember, it's crucial not to run the engine until a mechanic diagnoses the problem. Hopefully it will not come to this. Hope this helps
    6 points
  9. My uninsurable bundle of joy arrived at the dealers today 🙂
    6 points
  10. My faith in Toyota has been restored, they have agreed to refund my claim.
    5 points
  11. Just to say hello. I've down sized 15/03/24 from RAV4 Excel 2WD 2022 to a Yaris Cross Excel 2WD 2024 ex demo 800miles 7 weeks old very pleased it's a mini RAV4 😀 gone are the days of driving to South of France and Spain me my partner and 2 dogs I don't need the space now but have wonderful memories just me and a very small dog . very very pleased with the Yaris Cross . Thank you for reading. If I get stuck rest assured I'll be I touch
    5 points
  12. You’re not alone, Bob - most of us experience the faults you describe on a daily basis, along with a whole list of additional bad behaviour. I deliberately keep a good distance behind traffic I am following. This allows me to slow gently, even if the vehicle in front suddenly brakes hard, and greatly reduces the risk of being in a “shunt”. Also, the narrowing of the ‘blind’ angle ahead gives me much more visibility of what’s ahead. Why do supposedly intelligent people become clowns immediately they get behind the wheel?
    5 points
  13. I find the best mode for climbing a hill, when I am moving forward, is to have the gear selector in "D". Sorry, I couldn't resist
    5 points
  14. Private parking companies in the UK can be a source of major frustration for drivers. For years we have complained about their underhanded practices. Regardless of our frustration they are not going away. This is an article that highlights the problem. The Good: Clear Rules, Fair Enforcement: In theory, private parking companies provide clear rules for using private car parks and enforce them fairly. This can deter misuse and ensure everyone has a space when they need it. Regulation: There's some level of regulation with approved operator schemes and codes of practice aiming for fairness. Appeals Process: The ability to challenge a fine you believe is unfair offers some recourse. The Bad: Unfair Fines: Parking charges often feel excessive, especially for minor mistakes like overstaying by a few minutes. The cost can feel punitive rather than a deterrent. Confusing Signage: Signage can be unclear, poorly placed, or contain lengthy legalese that's difficult to understand at a glance. This makes it easy to make unintentional errors. Predatory Practices: Some companies might use unclear signage or place hidden parking restrictions to catch drivers out. Aggressive debt collection tactics can add further stress. Limited Appeal Process: While an appeals process exists, it can be time-consuming and daunting for many drivers. The burden of proof seems to fall on the motorist to contest the fine. The Frustration: Feeling Trapped: Once you've parked and made a mistake, you're stuck with the potential for a hefty fine. There's little room for genuine errors. Lack of Transparency: The way fines are calculated and the appeals process can be unclear. It's not always easy to understand your rights or how to challenge a fine effectively. Power Imbalance: Motorists often feel like they're at the mercy of the parking company. The system can seem weighted in favour of the company, making it difficult to fight a fine. What Motorists Want: Clear and prominent signage: Easy-to-understand signs with clear terms and charges displayed upfront. Proportionate fines: Fines that reflect the severity of the offence, rather than just a revenue stream for the company. A fair and transparent appeals process: A clear and accessible system for challenging fines, with the burden of proof not solely on the motorist. Overall, while the motorist doesn't have an option other than to accept that parking companies serve a purpose, motorists feel like the system is stacked against them. A fairer system with clearer communication, more reasonable fines, and a simpler appeals process would go a long way in improving the experience for drivers.
    5 points
  15. https://mag.toyota.co.uk/toyota-gb-statement-on-vehicle-theft/?fbclid=IwAR2Po8PYgLuYjt64wPia4MlfIjb6zuQ0s_F-1a92MmCZLAl0I6kb7z7JFGo_aem_AaGjzyW1sqIiU-kzcq12hvAKpiJUcC9v2ls5rw7mWK6ZUhvn6FTa_HJjEdhdo6QxctA Its taken them a while
    5 points
  16. Hey Colin. My insurance renewal came. Lexus UX 2023 with legal and enhanced courtesy car cover - £411. I don’t think that’s too bad.
    5 points
  17. I've also never heard of such an occurrence on a Yaris! I've always had the opposite problem and struggled to unscrew the filler cap even if I don't tighten it very strongly, so I reckon either it wasn't put on or it wasn't screwed down as there's no way it could come off on its own if it was screwed down even slightly tightly! I winced when I read you tried to start the engine - Running an engine with no oil in it is one of the worst things you can do to it; Hopefully that hasn't done irreparable damage, but will likely have shortened its life if it's seized up... Bper's advice is spot on as usual!
    5 points
  18. Top tip posted by another forum member which saved me time:- When removing the plastic panel on the front of the seat to get at the battery, it has a couple of black plastic rivets which need to be removed. Push the centre of each rivet in with a small screwdriver and then prise them out. When refitting them push the centre of the other end of the rivet out so it's proud, push the whole rivet back in and then poke the centre flush. Ps Halfords stock the plastic rivets.
    5 points
  19. I’m afraid if I was head honcho at TGB and the books, accessories and the insurance (competitive) weren’t all ready in a month before launch, I’d be kicking some backside.
    4 points
  20. Maybe you should have bought a VW Golf R with 300bhp. Mine is only £480 with max NCB 61 years young and not the safest area for crime/theft.😁
    4 points
  21. I believe it's the other way round for the temperature - the petrol engine has to be running for you to have heating but the air conditioning is electric so will run without the petrol engine. As long as the car is in ready mode, the 12V battery is being charged by the hybrid one. This happens even when the petrol engine is off. When the hybrid battery charge drops to a certain level, the petrol engine will start up to recharge it a bit. This cycles as necessary depending on charge level.
    4 points
  22. There’s little substance to your claim Joe, other than you can’t get your own way and you want to lash out at them. I agree that there are one or two cheap things that let a Yaris down like the interior lights and sound deadening but they are fundamentally much better than the competition. I liked both of my Yaris’s and if I could get the spec I wanted, I’d have another without hesitation. There are tens of thousands of owners that would agree and the order books for every European built model are full. There are better ways of presenting an argument.
    4 points
  23. One subtle difference not in the brochures - you can get insurance for an Excel but not a Premiere 🤦
    4 points
  24. On the day the papers report private parking companies are netting £35,000 per day, I received a PCN. Our Vet shares a car park with a restaurant. It is a huge car park and a charge is unnecessary to deter fly-parking. I had probably mistyped the registration into the check machine. After the indignant shock I rang the Vets, gave them the PCN reference. Five minutes later EuroParks cancelled the PCN. My SiL was caught by the 'no return within 4 hours' when unknown to her her husband had been in the car park earlier. She paid up. She should have complained to the retailer. Problem is the shops don't own the car parks.
    4 points
  25. Same here, people don’t really get to where they are going any quicker but must overtake and get in front, if you watch these dash cam vids there doesn’t seem to be any spatial awareness, consideration or observation any more and a lot is from the cammers themselves, driving seems to be a dying art…
    4 points
  26. It must be the South Stack Insurance premium influence as I only live twenty miles away😄 Just had my renewal quote £266 for the coming year which seems reasonable. Able to find comparable cover on a comparison site for £235. That is with a £250 excess ,no claims protection and legal cover. After reading so many horror stories about large premium increases for many forum members I have been pleasantly surprised.
    4 points
  27. Hi John, I used to use rice rice crispy packets but ever time i put it on It would "snap crackle and pop"😂
    4 points
  28. Went to the dealership for a quick first-1000 miles oil change (cheap, too, and quick). Spotted Corolla 2024 with the new color. The color in the picture is pretty accurate. I can confirm, it's VERY green, at least from inside the dealership. Not really Teal in that lighting, just a nice metallized green. Corollas are getting expensive... .
    4 points
  29. On my 2019 Corolla, the only thing I turn ON, on every journey is the brake hold, and that annoys me. As for the speed limit system, well it just doesn’t work. Signage is c**p and therefore it can’t work. School signs with recommended 20mph between certain times that don’t have an exit sign are just one example. If you come into my town past the school, the car thinks it’s 20mph until you next go out the town😡 if my car kept bleeping all the time I was in my home town, well enough said!
    4 points
  30. Oooh ooh is it a free Trunk Monkey Theft Retrieval System??? BTW, these protection plates, are they visible? If so that'd be a decent deterrent. If they are only visible after they pull out the wheel arch liner that's less handy...
    4 points
  31. I dunno, I reckon the Mutlu would be pretty dead after 3 years of sitting on a shelf waiting to be put back in You'd have to leave it connected to a trickle charger for the whole 3 years for it to have any chance of surviving. Left unplugged it'd be dead within half a year I reckon - Lead acid batteries generally don't like being left for long periods. Why does the turkish battery have to go back in anyway? It's a consumable part so just leave the Yuasa in and say it was replaced as part of normal wear and tear. There's nothing stipulating it has to be that exact battery, that'd probably be a breach of block exemption rules or something. I've always wondered how effective the solar chargers are - The one someone posted, rated at 4.8W for instance; At 12v that'd be 0.4amps! Most USB ports put out more current than that! And that's peak! On a cloudier day it'd likely be far lower... I had a mate with a 40W one but that was the size of a suitcase and concertina'd out to about the area of a picnic blanket
    4 points
  32. Could well be, although Cykers people are talking to my people about joining one of our Sunday night meets up here at the McD near the French quarter massiff. Ravey Davey with the nutter turbo Saxo is not keen, but hands across borders an'all that.
    4 points
  33. Well it's a pain for you guys itching to get your hands on the new car, let it all be sorted out pronto. I think the other premiere is cyker secretly ordering to boy race to the local mcD.
    4 points
  34. Hello anchorman, Thanks for your very kind offer to fit a new battery for me, but I won’t trouble you. I didn’t want to do it myself, if I was going to “shoot myself in the foot” so to speak, by voiding any warranty with the car, but, from what I understand, that seems not to be an issue. I don’t mind dusting off the old socket set and do the replacement, as and when necessary, but thanks again. Kind regards, Bob Sutton.
    4 points
  35. As a 20 year old I became the owner of a 1969 rusty MK1 Ford Escort and was proud of the fact that I could do my own servicing. In those days replacing spark plugs, points, topping up the various fluids, changing the air filter and engine oil was fairly straightforward. However, after completing a service and taking the car for a run, I noticed steam belting out of the radiator grill. After carefully opening the bonnet and preventing myself from being scalded, I noticed that the radiator cap was missing. At first, I thought there was no damage but the cylinder head gasket had blown. My mate managed to repair it a minimal cost but to this day I often wonder who the silly person was who either fitted the cap incorrectly or forgot to put it back on. 🤔
    4 points
  36. Never ever heard of an oil cap come off. For some reason, I have experimented with this and you really do not need to tighten them much at all. They just don't go anywhere. As Bob said, the only possibility is that the mechanic didn't tighten it (at all) or forgot to put it back. I think the cap has been missing a while. It takes some time to empty out all the oil through the filler hole. My guess is the mechanic had a 'senior moment' and forgot to put it back - as unlikely as it sounds. Keeping fingers crossed you get it sorted in the end. 🤞
    4 points
  37. why turn the key if it's running ?? all your are doing is smashing the starter gear into the flywheel, and in time you will kill the starter and/or flywheel leading to £££
    4 points
  38. Lighthouse keeper is the cheapest I think. I’ll strap a flashing led to my chimney….
    4 points
  39. I'm pretty sure not since they only have the 114bhp on the lists... That's just weird! I'm 74 and probably lower miles than you... (4000/yr?) Lol! Nothing that exotic! Retired. That's the other problem they have on their form. They have three questions on the form regarding employment status. The first two can be picked easily (Retired) but the only option for the third (Employment status) is "Not currently in employment" (which implies something different) and there should be a "Not applicable" for picking which would be more appropriate.
    4 points
  40. No it won't - As we've been saying the whole problem is the system is not fit for purpose because its accuracy is just not good enough - It won't stop you getting a speeding ticket if it thinks the speed limit is 120mph in a 20 zone!! Conversely, can you imagine it beeping at you for the entirety of a 2 hour journey because it thinks the speed limit is 20mph on the motorway? Or, as is also common, 20kph!! The system needs to be *much* more accurate before being deployed into the real-world, not this beta-test quality garbage that we currently have. Like the Smart Motorway, all this system is doing is training drivers to ignore the warnings because they are so inaccurate and can't be trusted. Anyway, these systems are just a reaction to the real problem - Driving standards. I've not gotten a single point for speeding in my entire life without needing such systems, because I don't drive like a cock. Attempts to control driving behaviour with such half-ubiked systems is just going to make people push harder against them.
    4 points
  41. Well demonstrated! 🙂 Old fashioned cars had a decent sized 12V starter battery - used to drive a starter motor to get the engine started and then recharged via an alternator. Our hybrids have done away with the starter motor and alternator altogether. Instead, there is a relatively powerful traction battery that drives one or more electric motors to move the car in EV mode and automatically start the ICE as and when needed. (So that traction battery is both the "main" battery and the one "that allows to run in electric mode".) We don't need a traditional starter battery at all - but we do need a 'small' 12V auxiliary battery to keep the car's electronic systems 'alive' while it is switched Off. And, obviously when you think about it, that auxiliary battery will run flat if we leave the car switched Off for long enough - two or three weeks isn't a problem; seven weeks may be long enough. The 12V auxiliary battery is recharged (from the traction battery) while the car is On - i.e. in Ready mode. And Toyota recommend that the car be left in Ready mode (On) for an hour each week to compensate for standing the rest of the time. Whether your son needs to sit in the car while it is in Ready mode will depend on where the car is laid-up. If it's parked on the street in a higher crime area then 'yes' that would be advisable. If is on a private drive where it can be reasonably watched then you/he could largely leave it to its own devices. In Ready mode the engine will run periodically so it's best not done in a closed garage. But if it's in a closed garage the smart trickle charge would be a far better option anyway.
    4 points
  42. The Recaro seat adjustment tips are useful, however they does not fully apply to Toyota as our cars seats has limited adjustability. Note: The recline position of the seat base is controlled by the seat height position. Some drivers find uncomfortable seating in Toyota cars especially those who came from other brands that allow extra seat adjustments. Here the tip is to play with the seat height, usually lower it more than you like or higher than you like respectively. Adjusting the seat base up or down changes the seat base angle, the seat base only rotate in one axle and it’s on the front, lowering down the base lower rear end of it, while setting up higher lifts up the rear end and and these fine adjustments change the base and backrest angle 📐 . Here is my tip how to adjust your Toyota drivers seat. Lower it to the bottom, set distance from pedals, start lifting up until you see road and feel comfortable on the base, then adjust backrest. Readjust steering wheel rake if needed. Adjust headrest. Remember the seat position against seatbelt on the c pillar for future reference. Job done.
    4 points
  43. Insurance, whether car or house, has been subject to high percentage increases generally.
    4 points
  44. I think it would be a bit cramped fitting two adults and a small child into the trunk ................. sorry, I couldn't resist. 😁
    4 points
  45. I would love a politician's salary. £91000 per year, paid lunches, reimbursed taxi fares, get to sleep at work, get a second London home, and... I can have a second job too. Whats not to like??
    3 points
  46. A bent A arm aka wishbone or there is something up with the rack, get the car 4 wheel aligned on a rack
    3 points
  47. I think they are aware at this stage. It was funny to see them trying to snatch the same PHEV twice from the streets of Londons and they failed both times 😆
    3 points
  48. And did they include all the other manufacturers whose cars are frequently stolen and becoming nearly uninsurable? Ford Fiesta, Range Rover etc? Perhaps if the thieving toe rags were dealt with by the police and courts as they are in other countries, we wouldn’t need additional security measures. Why blame the manufacturers because our courts are too soft?
    3 points
  49. Direct Line said that it takes 3 days after a vehicle is registered for the information to filter through to the insurance companies. Obviously this is a different situation but, given that Toyota GB had their pow wow on Friday, then hopefully the 3 day rule applies and the details will be available to them tomorrow
    3 points
×
×
  • Create New...




Forums


News


Membership