Ask a Shiter

[cort16]

What are those A2's like to drive? I've liked one for a bit.

 

They're pretty good. We've got the 1.4 with 75bhp so not fast but definitely okay. The 1.6 Fsi is pretty quick but prone to a few issues and the 1.4 diesels are able to do mega mpgz. The thing I find weird about it is it's so light. Going around corners or roundabouts there's hardly any understeer as there's just no weight in them. The interiors are nice too and all oily bits on the 1.4 is VAG parts bin. I did oil, plugs, air filter, new egr valve and 02 sensor and it was 140 quid for the parts.

[fatharris]

Has anyone used DVLA form V888? It's the form to find out info held by DVLA on vehicles and I have recently bought a car and wouldn't mind knowing who/where etc. What do I need to put on the form for " what information do you want and why?" and " how are you going to use the information?" Presumably "cos I'm a nosey bastard" won't be good enough!

I filled one in about six months ago.

 

I bought a SAAB without a V5, or any paperwork at all really. The "dealer" gave me the sellers previous postcode which wasn't the right one, which meant that whilst we were potentially applying for a V5, the car couldn't be used for up to six weeks.

 

I filled in a V888, and asked for confirmation of the registered keepers' address. I even supplied a picture of the car and a pic of the VIN plate.

 

They sent a letter back saying it wasn't a reasonable request and refused to help.

 

A week later, I found a subsequently friendly dealer who took it in PX for a Rover 220D and we've lived happily ever after.

 

Fuck DVLA, they're a bunch of unco-operative, unorganised arseholes, and the closing down of their local offices just serves as a reminder of how bad it is.

[Station]

It's taken two months to get a log book on the Corsa with just the green slip - I had to make an etching of the vin plate (!) and they are saying it will be processed on the 4th December. I bought the car off Shadow on here and he was selling it for his friend I think. I had to provide previous owners address, how would I know that?

Take your time DVLA.

[Asimo]

Is there a American version of Parkers/honest John type thing were I can while away my days reading American car reviews from the 90's.

Yep.

 

Also Consumer Guide for new cars. I have a few old copies in the mag. rack in the loo.

[nacho man]

Cheers just ordered a couple of copies

[drum]

Time to try and get my sister's land cruiser through its mot again. On the list of things to do is a front wheel bearing. How difficult a job is this and any tips like needing a 30 ton press?

[Matt]

It's taken two months to get a log book on the Corsa with just the green slip - I had to make an etching of the vin plate (!) and they are saying it will be processed on the 4th December. I bought the car off Shadow on here and he was selling it for his friend I think. I had to provide previous owners address, how would I know that?

Take your time DVLA.

 

That doesn't bode well... I applied for a V5 recently with no part of the existing V5! A letter from the registered keeper stating that they want to transfer with signatures from both parties will supposedly suffice. I'm not holding my breath.

[D Spares & Tyres]

I'll be fine, the only way you won't get a v5 is if the registered keeper disputes it

 

Even if they ignore the dvla's letters you will still get a v5

[stephen01]

If you have to start a car with a screwdriver will it still pass the MOT?

[scaryoldcortina]

Depends on the age of the car, and if the screwdriver is small enough to not interfere with the driver's controls.

[LC Torana]

Here's a stupid question - I've never driven in snow and almost certainly never will.

 

Would putting four "space-saver" wheels/tyres on a car help traction in snow?  I know it would not be legal, but would it work?

 

I ask purely as a thought exercise.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Here's a stupid question - I've never driven in snow and almost certainly never will.

 

Would putting four "space-saver" wheels/tyres on a car help traction in snow?  I know it would not be legal, but would it work?

 

I ask purely as a thought exercise.

The narrowness would be good in fresh snow but the lack of decent tread and unsuitable compound wouldn't.

These might look like space savers, but. I'm guessing they're quite sophisticated studded tyres.

A couple of years ago I had a puncture in the snow and had a 275 on one side and a 135 space saver on the other. The spacesaver would sit slowly spinning on tick over.

[tooSavvy]

^^^ ... Aixam on ACEEED

 

TS

[bub2006]

M6 toll question. Tonight on way back from Cannock I accidentally ended up on the m6 toll. Slightly annoyed I'd have to pay £5.80 but hey ho. Anyway get to junction to come off and there us no other cars at all or in sight. All lanes had a red traffic light bar one green light. Now having never used toll road before I believed red lights mean lane closed,green open. Anyway on approaching I noticed the barrier was up and sign said toll paid. I waited a couple if minutes but barrier didn't come down and no one was around so I drove on. Now I know there is cctv or so it says but did I actually do wrong? Will I be ok or do I get prepared for toll police smashing me back door in and punching me in the tits before thrown in the cells ? Await with anticipation. Thanks

[MarvinsMom]

on the m6, is the toll road free after say 9pm?

 

or did i make that up?

 

maybe i dreamt it....

[bub2006]

I think its 1 price 6 till 11 and 1 price 11 till 6

[forddeliveryboy]

If you have to start a car with a screwdriver will it still pass the MOT?

 

Didn't work in my case, it failed on lots of other stuff. But the screwdriver wasn't a problem.

 

 

Here's a stupid question - I've never driven in snow and almost certainly never will.

 

Would putting four "space-saver" wheels/tyres on a car help traction in snow?  I know it would not be legal, but would it work?

 

I ask purely as a thought exercise.

 

Stupid question, stupid answer. No, because they're entirely wrong for a car - often less ground clearance, for a start. And yes, in very particular circumstances where 2 or 3 inches of snow had formed a frozen crust which wider tyres wouldn't cut through as effectively. It's a rare case where a narrower tyre really does have a smaller contact patch and greater 'pressure at a point', because of the high psi inside it.

[The Moog]

What was the first Roffle?

[Tayne]

On 02/12/2015 at 22:53, The Moog said:

What was the first Roffle?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Richard]

It was the Shitpeas Volvo 850 T5 that went to cms.

[Frogchod]

Is C-Matic fluid still available ? Can another fluid be used instead ?

[scaryoldcortina]

Try Castrol TQF?

[DSdriver]

Is C-Matic fluid still available ? Can another fluid be used instead ?

Wot Scary said.

 

Here is the full version shamelessly copied and pasted from Aussie Frogs

Since the c-matic became obsolete, it has become an ongoing problem gaining access to Total "T" the fluid recommended by Citroen for use in that type of transmission. History has shown that many non Citroen service mechanics consider the c-matic as a form of automatic transmission with one instance where a transmission "specialist" told the owner that the 'bands' needed adjusting. The c-matic is effectively a manual transmission with a torque converter taking the place of the clutch & operated via an electro-valve (or solenoid) which allows for gear changing.

Recently I spoke to someone who had a problem with changing gears on his c-matic; a condition which came about following a fluid change in the transmission. The owner had contacted a Citroen service specialist to enquire which oil to use & was told to use Dexron 111 which is the fluid used for late model AUTOS which do have bands & require a fluid with friction enhancers aded to get the grip. A c-matic gearbox does not require this feature & in fact this can be detrimental to its operation & life expectancy.

The oil companies recommend "Castrol TQF" or equivalent, which was an auto transmission fluid developed for the very early Holden & Ford boxes...

[LC Torana]

Castrol TQF (the correct ATF for old Borg Warner boxes) is now obsolete - it has been replaced by Castrol Transmax Type F.

 

 

(I wouldn't use Dexron III in anything, even if I got it for free.  Not if I valued what I am putting it into.)

[daveb47]

Ovlov has slow puncture in rear tyre,takes several days to go down.

No sign of nail or anything.

Is it worth using tyre weld stuff in it?

[steve_earwig]

I've never used that tyreweld stuff, mainly because I worry about what the fitter's reaction will be when he pulls the tyre off and it spunks out all over him...

[Sloth in a bowl]

M6 toll question. Tonight on way back from Cannock I accidentally ended up on the m6 toll. Slightly annoyed I'd have to pay £5.80 but hey ho. Anyway get to junction to come off and there us no other cars at all or in sight. All lanes had a red traffic light bar one green light. Now having never used toll road before I believed red lights mean lane closed,green open. Anyway on approaching I noticed the barrier was up and sign said toll paid. I waited a couple if minutes but barrier didn't come down and no one was around so I drove on. Now I know there is cctv or so it says but did I actually do wrong? Will I be ok or do I get prepared for toll police smashing me back door in and punching me in the tits before thrown in the cells ? Await with anticipation. Thanks

 

 

I suspect that at quiet exits, it's cheaper to leave the gate open than employ somebody to collect the money overnight.

You should be fine.

[Stroller133]

Most of the booths are unmanned most of the time in my experience. However maybe there is usually one real person present at most exits and they leave it open If it's completely unmanned.

[steve_earwig]

I've had that here, I'm not sure if it's the same system but you collect a ticket from a machine that opens the barrier when you go on the motorway and pay the toll to a human when you leave. One day I got to the ticket bit and the gate was open, I waited for a few moments and decided that, as it was a Sunday, it must be free. Wrong. Huge fine when I got to the other end for not having a ticket. I complained but nothing ever came of it, as usual.

[Des]

Ovlov has slow puncture in rear tyre,takes several days to go down.

No sign of nail or anything.

Is it worth using tyre weld stuff in it?

 

Get some soapy water on it, lay it flat, remove it from the car makes it easier, and have a good look for bubbles where the rubber meets rim.