How not to maintain your car

[The _Don]

The following is taken from halfords results statement

Wild said Britons were driving less and deferring maintenance when they could avoid it.
"The rate of MoT failure has now gone up to 41 percent, five years ago it was 28 percent. Around 40 percent of the tyres that we see are illegal because customers are waiting until the last minute before they change them," he said.
"More and more people are reluctant to check the oil, they wait until the light comes on before they top it up."
Cash-strapped British consumers are feeling the pinch as disposable incomes are squeezed by rising prices, muted wage growth and government austerity measures, and as they worry about a stagnant housing market, job security and a fragile economic recovery.

 

[Troon]

"More and more people are reluctant to check the oil, they wait until the light comes on before they top it up."

There ought to be some sort of public services announcement (or perhaps a Halfords ad) that points out that the oil light in most vehicles is actually an oil pressure light, and if it comes on due to low oil level, you're probably already screwed.

 

[John]

Short-sighted false economy.

I hear lots of people moan about the state of things.

Then when you probe a bit deeper, they have Sky, iPhone4SGSi24vTurbo, 50" TV, PS3, Xbox 360, they smoke, they drink at the pub a lot etc. etc.

But you have no money right? How is that so...

I don't doubt everyone is the same but I think people like this do need to wake up...

 

[Dieselman]

It's nothing to do with lack of money, most people are too thick to think about looking after cars.

 

[Schuey]

Iphone4sgsi24vturbo,

PMSL - Too funny

 

[lordlee]

I must say that I appreciat Halfrauds' ad campaign about blown bulbs in cars. I see so many cars with lights out these days and its just not acceptable. The Police should start a campaign around it and issue some strong fines. That would hopefully start to sway the public towards better maintenance.

 

[Palfrem]

I must say that I appreciat Halfrauds' ad campaign about blown bulbs in cars. I see so many cars with lights out these days and its just not acceptable. The Police should start a campaign around it and issue some strong fines. That would hopefully start to sway the public towards better maintenance.

Maybe not strong fines immediately. A bulb can blow anytime.

How about 48 hours to get it fixed and report to Police Station to prove it's now OK?

THEN strong fines.

 

[Shude]

Maybe not strong fines immediately. A bulb can blow anytime.

How about 48 hours to get it fixed and report to Police Station to prove it's now OK?

THEN strong fines.

In the case of my GF's focus a rear lamp change requires torx bits and the complete removal of the lamp housing. Not really something for the side of the road.

 

[BlackC55]

Have you ever done a Megane headlamp bulb? 1/2 hour job

VW Phaeton headlamp bulb is front bumper off.

 

[Troon]

In the case of my GF's focus a rear lamp change requires torx bits and the complete removal of the lamp housing. Not really something for the side of the road.

Same with our CMAX, but the Torx screws also accept a flat-blade screwdriver. It's worth learning how to do it, as it's actually very quick and easy, quite possible as a roadside repair.

My previous Mondeo had metal pull-out tabs holding the lamp unit in. Although a bulb-change looked invasive (grille and headlamp out), it involved no tools and could be done roadside in under three minutes.

I think it should be a legal requirement on manufacturers that standard filament bulbs can be replaced without tools in under five minutes. I'm not looking forward to explaining the non-replaceable HiP rear filaments, front xenons and LED sidelights on my 211 to a bored French copper...

 

[BTB 500]

Of course in many European countries it's a legal requirement to have replacement bulbs with you, whether you can fit them at roadside or not ?!

 

[lordlee]

Ok there are caveats but I see the same few cars nearly every morning running about with blown headlight bulbs. One guy has decided that his fogs are a worthy substitute. They are not. The 48hr rule seems quite acceptable but maybe 1 week to get it replaced and a night driving ban on that car until the work has been carried out.

 

[Frankie]

If I notice a bulb out I replace it instantly,as with anything safety related. I know on the Ford Ka you also have to remove the front bumper to change the bulbs. My skinny wrists just about get in there though,slightly more difficult getting the hand out again afterwards though.