Ask a Shiter

[somewhatfoolish]

On the subject of winter tyres, why are mine rubbish?

 

Just put them on last night, they are Bridgestone Blizzak with plenty tread, I bought them second hand but I don't think they're that old. 

 

On my way to work I've had loss of grip on the rear going through a mini-roundabout fairly slowly, and the fronts locking up under medium braking. 

 

The temperature here is 5°C and the roads were mostly dry.

 

Are they going to be loads better if it snows or am I on for a fiery death?

How old are they? Tyres have dates on them, plus if they've been stored in a poor environment(not in the dark) or exposed to chemicals or chemical vapour they can go off like a week old souffle, they still look ok cosmetically but secretly and sneakily turn into ditchfinders. This seems to be exacerbated by winter tyres being softer compound.

[Jazoli]

£15 for a 30 day classified ad

 

Yes, there is no other way to sell a car on ebay, an auction is shite as you'll get all the muppets and a buy it now gets the twats pressing buy it now then disappearing off the face of the earth, only you can end the classified ad, once the buyer has picked the car up and you have the cash in your hand, its the only way.

[sierraman]

I can imagine the agg I'd have with an auction.

[jonathan_dyane]

My car has the uncommon green antifreeze which I understand comes in both OAT and glycol varieties but should you mix the two you create a world of pain. How can I tell which I have?

[fatharris]

What kit do people generally take on collections? I'm having to resort to the train amongst filthy commoners so I'd ideally pack light.

[martybabes]

What kit do people generally take on collections? I'm having to resort to the train amongst filthy commoners so I'd ideally pack light.

 

I'd take a spare 12v battery if I was you.  And maybe a spare, spare battery too.  Jump leads you can wrap around you like a Sam Brown belt of spare bullets.  A "snap-on" type mega-sized mobile tool-chest would be good, and as it's on wheels, it'll be easy to push around.  A couple of Jerry cans of fuel might be useful as it saves stopping on the way home.

 

Good luck!

[Richard]

When I collected the 850 I took my AA card, some pants and a car stereo.

[jonathan_dyane]

Were the spare pants needed?

[Kiltox]

What kit do people generally take on collections? I'm having to resort to the train amongst filthy commoners so I'd ideally pack light.

Phone charger, cable ties, trade plates, small cheapy tool kit with pliers and screwdrivers, gaffer tape.

 

Served me well so far!

[doobietoo]

On my last but two collection I took an RAC card cash and a passenger side front wing, the last cash and a recovery lorry... You may not need the wing...or the lorry...

[Richard]

Were the spare pants needed?

They were because I stayed over before going home. There might have been socks too.

[Guest Hooli]

Bank card & phone.

[tooSavvy]

Well... Who thought he wouldn't WIN, then.. ??

 

 

 

TS

[Pillock]

I generally take the cash to pay for the car, and a general air of optimism.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

XM Coolant - this stuff ok?

 

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-accessories/engine-oils-and-car-fluids/antifreeze-and-screenwash/blue-antifreeze/?523770501&0&cc5_865

 

there is currently only tap water in as I wanted to confirm I had fixed the leak, and I'm planning on replacing the radiator too.

 

Need to sort this sooner rather than later as the weather is starting to get very cold

[beko1987]

Pretty sure I just used euro car parts coolant in mine when I did it, cant remember if it was pink or blue though.

 

I keep meaning to change the coolant in the xantia before it gets too cold, but keep forgetting. I cant imagine it's past shiter owners have neglected that part too much though

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Pretty sure I just used euro car parts coolant in mine when I did it, cant remember if it was pink or blue though.

 

I keep meaning to change the coolant in the xantia before it gets too cold, but keep forgetting. I cant imagine it's past shiter owners have neglected that part too much though

 

cheers, blue it is then

[twosmoke300]

Prob iso 46 hyd oil if it was from ecp . Or possibly a bulb

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Prob iso 46 hyd oil if it was from ecp . Or possibly a bulb

 

haha more than likely!!

[The Moog]

Do the rear seats in a car provide much ridgity?

 

Or more specifically - if I took the rear seats out of the Starlet would it go a bit more floppy

[Kiltox]

Seriously doubt it

[chaseracer]

No.

[Cavcraft]

Can you change taxation class of vehicle on line or is it a Post office job? I have tried an internet search but can't seem to find out much.

[Kiltox]

Can you change taxation class of vehicle on line or is it a Post office job? I have tried an internet search but can't seem to find out much.

Post office I'm afraid

[Cavcraft]

Post office I'm afraid

 

 

Thanks chief.

[Lacquer Peel]

The heater blower in my Caddy has stopped working. The fuses I can find seem to be ok but I'm sure there's a hidden fusebox I've forgotted the location of. Any ideas?

[DodgeRover]

Can you change taxation class of vehicle on line or is it a Post office job? I have tried an internet search but can't seem to find out much.

Post office can also change fuel type and engine size on a good day...

[320touring]

The heater blower in my Caddy has stopped working. The fuses I can find seem to be ok but I'm sure there's a hidden fusebox I've forgotted the location of. Any ideas?

Is it not just the resistor that packs up in the control?

 

Like dis

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370625832332

[rainagain]

Coincidentally, I was coming on this thread to ask a very similar question about my Santa Fe.

 

At first I thought it must be low on fluid, but if wasn't. Sometimes the pedal won't fully return which made me think master cylinder, but my main suspicion is the pressure plate. I think it might be a Hyundai thing.

 

I'm contemplating replacing the fluid first to eliminate that before spending lots of dosh.

I hope this helps you, my colleague took it to a garage recommended by another colleague. They replaced the clutch, as this made no difference they then replaced the master cylinder and hey presto working clutch. So if I were you I'd check the master cylinder

[myglaren]

Are second hand windscreens a thing?  Might have a grotty old Astra van coming in soon but it will more than likely need a new screen to get through a MOT 

I changed mine on the Volvo.

It was a very hot day which softened the adhesive.

Took me about two hours to release it with sharp thin knives and cardboard (to insert where the knives had cut through the adhesive, stop it sticking back together again).

 

It was pretty filthy and when I had put it onto the car in place of the old one and then cleaned it, there were multiple scratches in it where someone had run the wipers with no rubbers in them

 

Fortunately these polished out with Autosol, a power drill with a polishing mop on and many hours and much sweat. Was OK in the end though.

So do check the replacement before removing it and remove with great care - maybe with a friend and a heat gun in this weather.