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Author Topic: Breakdown advice  (Read 5619 times)

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BazaJT

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Breakdown advice
« on: 28 July 2018, 21:33:07 »

A spokesperson for Green Flag was on TV yesterday giving out their advice on how to avoid breaking down in the hot weather.She began by saying you should check coolant level,oil level and tyre pressures before starting your journey[shouldn't you do that anyway regardless of weather conditions?]and then she said you should open the car windows to maintain airflow through the car and turn off the aircon to save the strain on the engine operating in the heat :o :o
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Migv6 le Frog Fan

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #1 on: 28 July 2018, 22:07:00 »

I wouldn't want to pay for cover to a company stupid enough to allow someone that thick to be their frontline media spokesperson.  ::) ;D
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2boxerdogs

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #2 on: 28 July 2018, 22:17:35 »

What happened to plain old commonsense ? Some of the advice being offered must make the average Briton look a complete moron.
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TheBoy

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #3 on: 29 July 2018, 08:21:57 »

must make the average Briton look a complete moron.
I'm afraid the average Briton is a complete moron.

Look how every local rag is full of stories about dogs being left in the car, look at the number of fuel assist type breakdown vans in most petrol forecourts, the list is endless.
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TheBoy

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #4 on: 29 July 2018, 08:23:32 »

A spokesperson for Green Flag was on TV yesterday giving out their advice on how to avoid breaking down in the hot weather.She began by saying you should check coolant level,oil level and tyre pressures before starting your journey[shouldn't you do that anyway regardless of weather conditions?]and then she said you should open the car windows to maintain airflow through the car and turn off the aircon to save the strain on the engine operating in the heat :o :o
If I saw the engine temp rising, I would turn off A/C and turn the heater up full, and open windows and sunroof.

So there is some truth in what was being said, but I suspect the silly bint had heard it 3rd hand without understanding.....
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Andy B

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #5 on: 29 July 2018, 08:39:40 »

....
If I saw the engine temp rising, ......

You'd be lucky to see the engine temp these days .... an engine temp gauge is getting to be a rarity  ???
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TheBoy

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #6 on: 29 July 2018, 08:52:18 »

....
If I saw the engine temp rising, ......

You'd be lucky to see the engine temp these days .... an engine temp gauge is getting to be a rarity  ???
Again, because Joe Public is too stupid to understand them.

Fortunately, all my cars do have one.  I suspect they are heavily damped, but at least there is something
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STEMO

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #7 on: 29 July 2018, 09:08:04 »

Temp gauges will stay in the middle as long as the engine temperature is 'within a range'. That's why, if they do start moving upwards, you should pay attention to them.
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Kevin Wood

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #8 on: 29 July 2018, 09:42:02 »

Temp gauges will stay in the middle as long as the engine temperature is 'within a range'. That's why, if they do start moving upwards, you should pay attention to them.

Yep, they've been dumbed down to do this these days, otherwise, the aforementioned morons get hysterical every time it moves a mm from the central position. ::)
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Andy B

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #9 on: 29 July 2018, 10:12:39 »

Temp gauges will stay in the middle as long as the engine temperature is 'within a range'. That's why, if they do start moving upwards, you should pay attention to them.

Yep, they've been dumbed down to do this these days, otherwise, the aforementioned morons get hysterical every time it moves a mm from the central position. ::)

It's been dumbed down to a blue or red thermometer icon in SWMBO's Citroen
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Field Marshal Dr. Opti

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #10 on: 29 July 2018, 10:34:23 »

Temp gauges will stay in the middle as long as the engine temperature is 'within a range'. That's why, if they do start moving upwards, you should pay attention to them.

Don't have one......or a dipstick. :-\

No idea how dirty the oil is or even if it has been changed.
« Last Edit: 29 July 2018, 10:36:37 by Field Marshal Dr. Opti »
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Field Marshal Dr. Opti

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #11 on: 29 July 2018, 10:40:46 »

......and as for the oil level readout. I can get it to read just about anything from "add one litre' to " too much oil"
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2boxerdogs

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #12 on: 29 July 2018, 10:43:09 »

must make the average Briton look a complete moron.
I'm afraid the average Briton is a complete moron.

Look how every local rag is full of stories about dogs being left in the car, look at the number of fuel assist type breakdown vans in most petrol forecourts, the list is endless.
.



I'm so thankful for being above average, just old & sensible.😎
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Nick W

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #13 on: 29 July 2018, 11:12:43 »

What happened to plain old commonsense ? Some of the advice being offered must make the average Briton look a complete moron.


Common sense is just short hand for stuff that I learnt so along ago that I've forgotten that I didn't know it.
And let's not forget that ignorance is common: that advice is for people who don't know how their car - a complex, but everyday consumer item - works. That describes all of us in someway, not only do I not know how the TV converts a radio signal from the aerial into moving pictures on the screen but I don't care!
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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #14 on: 29 July 2018, 11:41:06 »

Wow, at last I know something that you don't, Nick = I DO know how that telly thing works! :) :y

Ron.
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Andy B

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #15 on: 29 July 2018, 11:42:43 »

Temp gauges will stay in the middle as long as the engine temperature is 'within a range'. That's why, if they do start moving upwards, you should pay attention to them.

Don't have one......or a dipstick. :-\

No idea how dirty the oil is or even if it has been changed.

Is there not the provision for a service dip-stick like those Mercs without one? eg https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Engine-Oil-Dipstick-Tool-For-Mercedes-Benz-C240-C320-SL-CL-SLK-CLK-CLS-C-E-S/113166867117?hash=item1a59455aad:g:VfgAAOSwdaBbV92d YOu appear to use these arse about face from a normal dip-stick in that you insert it till it hits the bottom of the sump & you take note of how 'deep' the oil is.

Mine does have a normal dip-stick
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Field Marshal Dr. Opti

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #16 on: 29 July 2018, 13:15:43 »

Temp gauges will stay in the middle as long as the engine temperature is 'within a range'. That's why, if they do start moving upwards, you should pay attention to them.

Don't have one......or a dipstick. :-\

No idea how dirty the oil is or even if it has been changed.

Is there not the provision for a service dip-stick like those Mercs without one? eg https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Engine-Oil-Dipstick-Tool-For-Mercedes-Benz-C240-C320-SL-CL-SLK-CLK-CLS-C-E-S/113166867117?hash=item1a59455aad:g:VfgAAOSwdaBbV92d YOu appear to use these arse about face from a normal dip-stick in that you insert it till it hits the bottom of the sump & you take note of how 'deep' the oil is.

Mine does have a normal dip-stick

I'll check, Mr Beanz.......but not for the first time I don't think I have a hole to put it in. :o
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Andy B

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #17 on: 29 July 2018, 13:41:41 »

..........but not for the first time I don't think I have a hole to put it in. :o


Oooer  ;D
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2boxerdogs

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #18 on: 29 July 2018, 13:48:49 »

No dipstick & no spare wheel the world has gone crazy! Fortunately I have these on all my vehicles, old fashioned I know but they serve a purpose.
« Last Edit: 29 July 2018, 13:51:20 by Tilbo »
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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #19 on: 29 July 2018, 13:56:53 »

No dipstick & no spare wheel the world has gone crazy! Fortunately I have these on all my vehicles, old fashioned I know but they serve a purpose.

Practical. Useful.

Why should people have to pay extra for a spare wheel? :-\

Try fixing a blowout with a can of poxy foam.
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Sir Tigger KC

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #20 on: 29 July 2018, 14:08:50 »

Can a tyre be fixed properly after a can of goo has been squirted in?  ???

I had an inexplicable flat on the Mondeo a few weeks ago.  It suddenly went down, I put the spare on and a couple of days later took the wheel to a tyreshop where they could find nothing wrong.  :-\  No puncture, no corrosion on the rim, valve was OK.. Nada!  ::)

If I had squirted a can of goo in to get me home, would I have wrecked the tyre?  ???
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2boxerdogs

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #21 on: 29 July 2018, 14:27:43 »

No dipstick & no spare wheel the world has gone crazy! Fortunately I have these on all my vehicles, old fashioned I know but they serve a purpose.

Practical. Useful.

Why should people have to pay extra for a spare wheel? :-\

Try fixing a blowout with a can of poxy foam.
.


Been saying this for years Opti & I still get idiots trying to tell me the benefits of a can of goo it's all 'dangle berries' , would never buy a car that had no provision for a spare wheel, and as for no dipstick that beggars belief.
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Lizzie Zoom

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #22 on: 29 July 2018, 16:46:44 »

No dipstick & no spare wheel the world has gone crazy! Fortunately I have these on all my vehicles, old fashioned I know but they serve a purpose.

Practical. Useful.

Why should people have to pay extra for a spare wheel? :-\

Try fixing a blowout with a can of poxy foam.
.


Been saying this for years Opti & I still get idiots trying to tell me the benefits of a can of goo it's all 'dangle berries' , would never buy a car that had no provision for a spare wheel, and as for no dipstick that beggars belief.

Agreed :y

I would never trust a can of that goo. I would always prefer to put on the spare or get the AA to do so if tipping down with rain and windy!! :D :D ;)
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STEMO

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #23 on: 29 July 2018, 18:05:33 »

Yes, but as I've explained before, it's a fuel saving device. Every ounce counts when you're trying to increase your advertised mpg.
Stop/start is another useless piece of dung, but it does save fuel.
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STEMO

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #24 on: 29 July 2018, 18:07:46 »

I thought my astra had gained a good few bhp the other day, it seemed to be quiet and the acceleration seemed effortless. Then I remembered I'd emptied everything out of the back to clean it.  ;D
Weight uses fuel, no ifs or buts.
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Andy B

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #25 on: 29 July 2018, 19:48:25 »

No dipstick & no spare wheel the world has gone crazy! Fortunately I have these on all my vehicles, old fashioned I know but they serve a purpose.

I have a dip-stick .... I mean my Merc does  ;) but it also has one of these https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQuJZSRC4WQ not sure I'd want to maul about on the hard shoulder inflating it though  ???
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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #26 on: 29 July 2018, 19:59:41 »

No dipstick & no spare wheel the world has gone crazy! Fortunately I have these on all my vehicles, old fashioned I know but they serve a purpose.

I have a dip-stick .... I mean my Merc does  ;) but it also has one of these https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQuJZSRC4WQ not sure I'd want to maul about on the hard shoulder inflating it though  ???

So they have found room for a pump, but can't find room for a proper spare or even a skinny space saver?  :-\
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BazaJT

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #27 on: 29 July 2018, 20:25:26 »

In answer to Sir Tigs question once the can of goo has been used on a tyre no it cannot be repaired even if the puncture was within the limits for a repair to be done.The goo is a temporary fix to basically get you to nearest tyre place-although I suspect many people will run about for a lot longer than that-and the punctured tyre is/should be scrapped.
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Andy B

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #28 on: 29 July 2018, 20:26:11 »

No dipstick & no spare wheel the world has gone crazy! Fortunately I have these on all my vehicles, old fashioned I know but they serve a purpose.

I have a dip-stick .... I mean my Merc does  ;) but it also has one of these https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQuJZSRC4WQ not sure I'd want to maul about on the hard shoulder inflating it though  ???

So they have found room for a pump, but can't find room for a proper spare or even a skinny space saver?  :-\

There's plenty of depth where the spare lives ..... just lacking in diameter  .....  ::)
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Andy B

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #29 on: 29 July 2018, 20:28:22 »

In answer to Sir Tigs question once the can of goo has been used on a tyre no it cannot be repaired even  ....

Pretty sure that's not true. Some goo is water based, some is solvent based but tyre place aren't always prepared to clean the tyre of even the water based goo & have a blanket statement of no repair when goo is used.
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STEMO

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #30 on: 29 July 2018, 21:00:09 »

No dipstick & no spare wheel the world has gone crazy! Fortunately I have these on all my vehicles, old fashioned I know but they serve a purpose.

I have a dip-stick .... I mean my Merc does  ;) but it also has one of these https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQuJZSRC4WQ not sure I'd want to maul about on the hard shoulder inflating it though  ???
Call me geeky but I think that's great  ;D
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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #31 on: 30 July 2018, 08:13:39 »

No dipstick & no spare wheel the world has gone crazy! Fortunately I have these on all my vehicles, old fashioned I know but they serve a purpose.

I have a dip-stick .... I mean my Merc does  ;) but it also has one of these https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQuJZSRC4WQ not sure I'd want to maul about on the hard shoulder inflating it though  ???

My Touareg has the same useless POS,once its 14 or so years old and the rubber has hardened the compressor supplied has no chance of pumping it up,don't ask me how I know :-X
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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #32 on: 30 July 2018, 08:34:03 »

No dipstick & no spare wheel the world has gone crazy! Fortunately I have these on all my vehicles, old fashioned I know but they serve a purpose.

I have a dip-stick .... I mean my Merc does  ;) but it also has one of these https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQuJZSRC4WQ not sure I'd want to maul about on the hard shoulder inflating it though  ???
Call me geeky but I think that's great  ;D


Wearing your full Roy Orbison full-nerd spectacles, you take the expandable spare out of the wheel well where it fits tightly, connect the compressor before doing anything else(being a nerd, you have previously read the instructions and know that it takes a while to inflate), jack and remove the wheel with a flat tyre, fit the whizzy spare wheel, and take the car off the jack.


  What a cool idea you think.


Then, you try to fit the full size wheel into the wheel well.


What oppsing IDIOT thought of this? is your next thought, as the damn thing doesn't fit. This is a common problem with spacesaver spare wheels too.
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aaronjb

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #33 on: 30 July 2018, 08:58:26 »

I believe the advice on current theory tests is that you should not under any circumstances, try to change your own wheel at the side of the road.

So.. why would manufacturers waste money putting a spare in, when all you're going to do is call Green Flag/RAC/AA/etc? ;)
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2boxerdogs

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #34 on: 30 July 2018, 09:40:46 »

I believe the advice on current theory tests is that you should not under any circumstances, try to change your own wheel at the side of the road.

So.. why would manufacturers waste money putting a spare in, when all you're going to do is call Green Flag/RAC/AA/etc? ;)
.


A lot of folk would not have a clue how to change a wheel nowadays, unfortunately this nation is turning into a bunch of wimps.
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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #35 on: 30 July 2018, 10:08:17 »

......and as for the oil level readout. I can get it to read just about anything from "add one litre' to " too much oil"

You so need some sw updates  ;D
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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #36 on: 30 July 2018, 10:44:46 »

I believe the advice on current theory tests is that you should not under any circumstances, try to change your own wheel at the side of the road.

So.. why would manufacturers waste money putting a spare in, when all you're going to do is call Green Flag/RAC/AA/etc? ;)
[/q
uote]

I'm guessing my feeler gauge and contact breaker will see little use in the event of a breakdown. :)
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aaronjb

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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #37 on: 30 July 2018, 10:55:01 »

I'm guessing my feeler gauge and contact breaker will see little use in the event of a breakdown. :)

Depends if the recovery driver is an attractive lady...
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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #38 on: 30 July 2018, 12:24:35 »

I'm guessing my feeler gauge and contact breaker will see little use in the event of a breakdown. :)

Depends if the recovery driver is an attractive lady...

Or a really nice young man :D :D :D ;) ;D
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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #39 on: 30 July 2018, 13:40:36 »

As long as you have a flat outside a, hopefully open, garage/filling station, i can,t see any problem at all with that. :-[ ;D
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Re: Breakdown advice
« Reply #40 on: 31 July 2018, 17:41:02 »

......and as for the oil level readout. I can get it to read just about anything from "add one litre' to " too much oil"
There is a hidden way to get it from "average over the last xx minutes" to a try live readout. Something like going in and reading the oil level, then pressing Cruise cancel twice. Can never remember the specifics.

Handy for when changing the oil....   ….something a man of gentry wouldn't have to do himself.
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