Ask a Shiter

[Lacquer Peel]

I done goofed. I bought a used towbar and I'm not sure it has all the right bits to fix it to the car with.

 

 

The 'chassis strengthening mounts' marked 'C'. Are they necessary? I've read of people not using them on the reliable* source that is the VOC forum, I'm not going to be towing the QE2 or anything with it.

[spike60]

If you're towing a small garden trailer locally once, no. If you're towing a twin wheel humongus caravan shit loads, yes. Anything inbetween your guess is a good as mine....

[Lacquer Peel]

I'd rather be on the safe side. Bums.

[Luckythirteen]

As long as the Unremarkable Clio is taxed, tested and insured here (which it will be), there shouldn't be a problem with it living in Euroland for a few months, should there?

I'm thinking mostly of France, but Germany is lurking too.

It's one of those things where I've checked, but I'm feeling I've missed a detail that could be a problem! Like the non-functional speedo.

Any advice from well-travelled Shiters appreciated.

[steve_earwig]

I dunno about the rest of Yurup (probably similar) but I can't drive a forrin car here for more than 6 months and it must be legal in its country of origin.

[dave21478]

No problem really. If its legal in its home country and you are not a resident in the EU country, you can use it. Not that it would be any kind of issue but the speedo cable snapped that very morning officer, honestly.

 

Your insurance will vary. If you have tpft or fully comp, check your policy, most will only work for 30 days abroad (some do 90) then revert to third party only. If its third party anyway, no issues.

[Cavcraft]

Speedo knackered? Got a smart phone?

 

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/speedometer-free-speed-limit/id557871911?mt=8

 

I've got that on my old iPhone and it's great. I (loosely) tested it today against one of the signs that flash if you're going to fast.

[trigger]

Just a quick question. A work mate took his 2002 Focus in for a mot yesterday and it failed as the ABS light doesn't work. Surely that bollocks isn't it? It should be the other way round.

[twosmoke300]

Prob cos someone has taken the bulb out to hide a fault . That's why the abs light must operate as per the guide on the check sheet .

[panhard65]

Prob cos someone has taken the bulb out to hide a fault . That's why the abs light must operate as per the guide on the check sheet .

I had a discovery a couple of years ago where the previous owner had switched the wires on the back of the speedo so instead of the oil warning light they hooked it up to the ABS bulb just to get it through an mot

[twosmoke300]

Dad once had a David brown 990 where someone had wired the oil light into the charge light circuit

[beko1987]

When looking at parts and their listed as RH or lh, is that generally from the perspective of looking at the bonnet or Sat in the drivers seat?

 

Thinking of changing the rear caliper that's rounded it's bleed nipple off but funked up with the lh RH thing before

[spike60]

Sat in the seat.

[Cavcraft]

It should be offside (driver's side) and nearside (passenger side) rather then left hand or right hand. 

[steve_earwig]

Unless you drive a left-hooker. Someone asked about nearside and offside a few years back on the 406oc so I did some digging. Turns out nearside and offside have nothing to do with which side the kerb is and which side the steering wheel is because the word's origins have nothing to do with cars, they're equestrian words.

[Luckythirteen]

Speedo knackered? Got a smart phone?

 

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/speedometer-free-speed-limit/id557871911?mt=8

 

I've got that on my old iPhone and it's great. I (loosely) tested it today against one of the signs that flash if you're going to fast.

I know what speed is what gear vs revs, thankfully. And I have a sat-nav for long trips.

 

Thanks for the advice peeps!

[jonny69]

Can I SORN without my log book/reminder?

 

I don't think you can.

[skattrd]

What is the law with regards to bull-bars?

I thought they were banned/illegal but every now and again I see motors with them on.

[dave21478]

I think if they were fitted before a certain date you can leave them on. Anything fitted after that date has to be the soft foam/plastic style.

[andy18s]

Anyone know where my disco's logbook is?

Been offered a tidy Celica as a swap but obviously the redbook is nowhere to be seen.....

I've literally turned he house upside down looking for it but to no avail

I'm now wondering if I even received it from our friends at the doovla

Is there anyway of checking at all?

[MarvinsMom]

its where you left in, in the second draw on the right in the kitchen, where the flat batteries and the half empty fag lighters live.

[fred]

its where you left in, in the second draw on the right in the kitchen, where the flat batteries and the half empty fag lighters live.

 

No its the drawer underneath that one - drawer you are referring to has Gentlemens Relish magazines ensconced under a tea towel 

[drum]

A 2000 X reg 2litre car should be £230 VED should it not?

Or is there a reason why autotrader's tech spec should be showing £485 for an old C class merc?

[skattrd]

A 2000 2litre car should be £230 VED should it not?

Or is there a reason why autotrader's tech spec should be showing £485 for an old C class merc?

 

It might be worth checking DVLA site yourself if the reg is visible https://www.vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/

[Richard]

I am almost certain that CO2 banding only applies to Y plate and newer, with a different set of bands for post-2006 cars. I can remember being annoyed that I had to pay full whack on my Xantia because it was a 2000 car.

[drum]

Thanks skattrd, it is £230 right enough.

Autotrader's app not to be relied on then.

Just checked the ad for the car on the autotrader website and it says no annual tax details available.

[Ghosty]

Ronda question.

Old Man has a 2000 Civic and wants some Atlantic Blue touch-up paint but can't find any.

Are there any identical or similar colours on bubble Rover 400/45s?

[320touring]

Ronda question.

Old Man has a 2000 Civic and wants some Atlantic Blue touch-up paint but can't find any.

Are there any identical or similar colours on bubble Rover 400/45s?

Paints4u.co.uk should sort ya out:)

[twosmoke300]

Has he tried a Honda dealer ? Not too dear for touch ups iirc

[HillmanImp]

When I ring up the local motor factors and give them my reg, they then look up the parts I want on their computer. From this they can look up parts number and cross check them with parts that will also fit the same vehicle made by different manufacturers. 

 

How does this work? Is this a listing they receive from each manufacturer or is there a combined listing? Do they just type in the reg 3 times for each supplier?

 

Is there an easy way of doing this online?