stuff for the car?

LongLensPhotography

LongLensPhotography

Th..th..that's all folks!
Suspended / Banned
Messages
18,695
Name
LongLensPhotography
Edit My Images
No
Hi, I am just looking for general pointers what would be good / sensible / practical things to get for the car.

- leather seat covers to protect the fabric? What would be considered good ones? Not so much bothered about the rear seats.

- winter tires? 2nd hand 205/55/16? chains...

- a remap. I've got one of those 1.9 TDI PD 105 / 5 gear jobbies, it would be simply nice to get a few more mpg - taking into account the initial cost and implications on insurance. careful town driving is around 42-45:thumbs:, motorway - about 48 at 70mph:cuckoo::gag: - I expected 60.

- any way to get speedo to show the 'real' speed rather something random 5-10mph higher than reality?

P.S. It is a Toledo mkIII
 
pink_dice.jpg



Sorry ... couldn't resist it :D
 
daugirdas said:
- any way to get speedo to show the 'real' speed rather something random 5-10mph higher than reality?
Click to expand...

All car speedometers are set to over-read by around 10%, the only ones you'll find that give the true speed are the calibrated ones fitted to Police vehicles.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
All car speedometers are set to over-read by around 10%, the only ones you'll find that give the true speed are the calibrated ones fitted to Police vehicles.
Click to expand...


My previous car (let's forget the rest about it for now) was spot on.

That 10 or shall I say 15% is making me more likely to go over the limit - as I have no real idea where the limit on the dashboard is. eg. 70 is somewhere around '80' mark :cuckoo:
 
Get a satnav. I have only had mine a few months and would never want to be without it. I feel sure that the mph shown on the satnav should be dead accurate, as the info is coming from satellites.
 
andsome said:
Get a satnav. I have only had mine a few months and would never want to be without it. I feel sure that the mph shown on the satnav should be dead accurate, as the info is coming from satellites.
Click to expand...

Just sold it - too much hassle putting it up and down, and just plain overkill to get a tiny mph display in the other corner of the windscreen. They do have a lag of 3-5s seconds sometimes so could be too late.
 
daugirdas said:
My previous car (let's forget the rest about it for now) was spot on.

That 10 or shall I say 15% is making me more likely to go over the limit - as I have no real idea where the limit on the dashboard is. eg. 70 is somewhere around '80' mark :cuckoo:
Click to expand...

Why would it make you go over the limit? If the speed limit is 70 and your speedometer says 70 then that'll do...
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Why would it make you go over the limit? If the speed limit is 70 and your speedometer says 70 then that'll do...
Click to expand...

except I am then going at 56 and can't even get to lane 2 and all lorries are trying to overtake me :nono:. This is how I noticed it wasn't quite right.
 
daugirdas said:
except I am then going at 56 and can't even get to lane 2 and all lorries are trying to overtake me :nono:. This is how I noticed it wasn't quite right.
Click to expand...

I can feel another "what's wrong with my car?" thread coming soon.....:lol:
 
Flash In The Pan said:
We're showing our age here, anyone under 30 is probably looking at that pic and going "eh?" :thinking:


:lol:
Click to expand...

Probably - what does Toledo have to do with a British car anyway?:thinking:
 
daugirdas said:
My previous car (let's forget the rest about it for now) was spot on.

That 10 or shall I say 15% is making me more likely to go over the limit - as I have no real idea where the limit on the dashboard is. eg. 70 is somewhere around '80' mark :cuckoo:
Click to expand...

I very much doubt it was spot on, I have never driven a car thats speedo was spot one. if it is 15% out I would check that someone hasn't fitted the incorrect size tyres.

daugirdas said:
Just sold it - too much hassle putting it up and down, and just plain overkill to get a tiny mph display in the other corner of the windscreen. They do have a lag of 3-5s seconds sometimes so could be too late.
Click to expand...

Couldn't do my job without one, I cover the whole south of the UK so cannot remember the exact locations of all the accounts that I look after. lol The speed on sat navs is closer to the true reading but I still wouldn't trust it 100%. All I can say to your last comment is if you are speeding and you get caught except it you were speeding.:)


daugirdas said:
except I am then going at 56 and can't even get to lane 2 and all lorries are trying to overtake me :nono:. This is how I noticed it wasn't quite right.
Click to expand...

Sorry this one doesn't tally with the last comment quoted above this one. If the lorries are overtaking you then you are doing less than 56mph as most if not all are limited. Out of curiosity how long have you been driving? as the above quote, with no disrespect, sounds like you are not a very confident driver, if this is the case maybe book some lessons with an instructor for motorway driving, my mum and dad made me do this when I past my test, it was a great help. I say all of this as some one who drives approx 1k miles a week and you can always tell the people who are not happy or confident at driving on motorways or even dual carriage ways.

As to what to get for the car

First aid kit
Hi viz jacket for in case you breakdown.
a decent pair of sun glasses for when the sun is out or low, It is amazing the different this can make to your visibility, I have a pair of Serengeti, not cheap put make driving in the above conditions so much easier.
 
Davec223 said:
I very much doubt it was spot on, I have never driven a car thats speedo was spot one. if it is 15% out I would check that someone hasn't fitted the incorrect size tyres.

It was +/-1mph what satnav indicated. I have no idea what it had done to it but really doubt it ever belonged to the Police

Couldn't do my job without one, I cover the whole south of the UK so cannot remember the exact locations of all the accounts that I look after. lol The speed on sat navs is closer to the true reading but I still wouldn't trust it 100%. All I can say to your last comment is if you are speeding and you get caught except it you were speeding.:)

I don't drive around for work, so hopefully my android will suffice for my needs if I don't know the way


Sorry this one doesn't tally with the last comment quoted above this one. If the lorries are overtaking you then you are doing less than 56mph as most if not all are limited. Out of curiosity how long have you been driving? as the above quote, with no disrespect, sounds like you are not a very confident driver, if this is the case maybe book some lessons with an instructor for motorway driving, my mum and dad made me do this when I past my test, it was a great help. I say all of this as some one who drives approx 1k miles a week and you can always tell the people who are not happy or confident at driving on motorways or even dual carriage ways.

Thanks so much for that. I've done 10k+ miles on motorways (excluding A/B roads which would be another 10k+ at the very least, so I know my driving well enough to be safe and get everywhere I need.
I do try to stick to the limit (and the silly thing said 70mph NATIONAL SPEED LIMIT when it wasn't eve close, and that was that when I gave up on it), which was the whole point of the question, but perhaps I need to get back to the instructor who made me go at 50 in 30 zone.:cuckoo: Many people go as fast as the car in front, which I somewhat disagree with in some cases (why go at 60 on 3-lane M-way -cough M4 in wales cough-, or 40 in 30 zone (anywhere in Somerset)?). The roads are full of dangerous drivers, that don't indicate, don't stop at lights, overtake from the left, etc - avoided at least 10 of them this week alone.
Also if you think that all lories are actually limited you would be surprised how many are not - particularly the smaller ones - I've been driven in one at 80!.

As to what to get for the car

First aid kit
Hi viz jacket for in case you breakdown.
a decent pair of sun glasses for when the sun is out or low, It is amazing the different this can make to your visibility, I have a pair of Serengeti, not cheap put make driving in the above conditions so much easier.
Click to expand...
 
Davec223 said:
you can always tell the people who are not happy or confident at driving on motorways.
Click to expand...
In my experience they are the ones who sit permanentaly stuck in the middle lane at 50-55mph aaand if it's a 4 lane motorway, they are usually in the 3rd lane which causes tailbacks and jams in all lanes and everyone gets slowed to their speed.:cuckoo:
 
Thanks so much for that. I've done 10k+ miles on motorways (excluding A/B roads which would be another 10k+ at the very least, so I know my driving well enough to be safe and get everywhere I need.
I do try to stick to the limit (and the silly thing said 70mph NATIONAL SPEED LIMIT when it wasn't eve close, and that was that when I gave up on it), which was the whole point of the question, but perhaps I need to get back to the instructor who made me go at 50 in 30 zone. Many people go as fast as the car in front, which I somewhat disagree with in some cases (why go at 60 on 3-lane M-way -cough M4 in wales cough-, or 40 in 30 zone (anywhere in Somerset)?). The roads are full of dangerous drivers, that don't indicate, don't stop at lights, overtake from the left, etc - avoided at least 10 of them this week alone.
Also if you think that all lories are actually limited you would be surprised how many are not - particularly the smaller ones - I've been driven in one at 80!.
Click to expand...

As I said, What I said was meant with no disrespect and I meant no malice with it.:thumbs:

I understand that there are some dangerous drivers, but I certainly would not say they are full of them as you say.

Not indicating yes some people do not I agree.

Undertaking, Well if they are undertaking I would question why you are in the lane you are in, if they can undertake then surely you should be in that lane unless you are turning right then they are entitled to pass you.

I have only seen one driver jump a red light. going through on amber is not not stopping, you are allowed to do this if there was not sufficient time to stop safely.

As for the driving instructor that "made you" do 50 in a 30, I am sorry but you were in control of the car so I would have refused to and if he had made you then I would have changed instructor and reported him.
 
nilagin said:
In my experience they are the ones who sit permanentaly stuck in the middle lane at 50-55mph aaand if it's a 4 lane motorway, they are usually in the 3rd lane which causes tailbacks and jams in all lanes and everyone gets slowed to their speed.:cuckoo:
Click to expand...


Its that and also the people in the inside lane doing 50 ish who's backs are not touching the seat backs because they are gripping the steering wheel so tight and pulling themselves foward.
 
Davec223 said:
As I said, What I said was meant with no disrespect and I meant no malice with it.:thumbs:

I understand that there are some dangerous drivers, but I certainly would not say they are full of them as you say.

It depends when and where you drive. Crete is the top spot :lol:, but getting more serious Friday at 9PM you will see plenty of them. I hardly ever drive around midday during a week.

Not indicating yes some people do not I agree.
And these are the type that will undertake. You can tell it when you see a pearlescent orange 206 with horns sounding like hell. Usually I just slow down to minimise the risk - and give fool the way as its safer for everyone.

Undertaking, Well if they are undertaking I would question why you are in the lane you are in, if they can undertake then surely you should be in that lane unless you are turning right then they are entitled to pass you.

The only 2 types that do that are complete chavs as above, and idiots in Bentleys doing 120mph. Oddly, both happen every now and then. I don't think I need to discuss that any further, do I? BTW. You may disagree but I see little point to shift between lane 1-2 on M-way, full of lories. Frequent changes = greater risk, FACT

I have only seen one driver jump a red light. going through on amber is not not stopping, you are allowed to do this if there was not sufficient time to stop safely.

Many cross just after it's gone red. That's technically illegal. But roundabouts are more dangerous place - some just go. I've witnessed a nasty crash near Cribbs not too long ago, and seen many near misses as some chav couldn't be asked to slow down:bat:

As for the driving instructor that "made you" do 50 in a 30, I am sorry but you were in control of the car so I would have refused to and if he had made you then I would have changed instructor and reported him.
Click to expand...
 
nilagin said:
In my experience they are the ones who sit permanentaly stuck in the middle lane at 50-55mph aaand if it's a 4 lane motorway, they are usually in the 3rd lane which causes tailbacks and jams in all lanes and everyone gets slowed to their speed.:cuckoo:
Click to expand...

And I guess they think they are doing 67mph and wonder what the hell is going on

In reality you get those doing 55, and those at 80+, with fewer in between. A safer situation would be everyone at similar speeds, currently 70.
 
I am not going to reply to all of the your reply but.

The only 2 types that do that are complete chavs as above, and idiots in Bentleys doing 120mph. Oddly, both happen every now and then. I don't think I need to discuss that any further, do I? BTW. You may disagree but I see little point to shift between lane 1-2 on M-way, full of lories. Frequent changes = greater risk, FACT
Click to expand...

Highway code
Lane discipline
264
You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. If you are overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past. Slow-moving or speed-restricted vehicles should always remain in the left-hand lane of the carriageway unless overtaking. You MUST NOT drive on the hard shoulder except in an emergency or if directed to do so by the police, HA traffic officers in uniform or by signs.
Click to expand...

I am sorry but lane changing is not increasing risk FACT. If you are a competent and safe driver it is totally safe to do. So all these "idiots" that are undertaking you what do you think they are saying about your driving? BTW I am playing devils advocate here, partly. ;)
 
Davec223 said:
I am not going to reply to all of the your reply but.



Highway code


I am sorry but lane changing is not increasing risk FACT. If you are a competent and safe driver it is totally safe to do. So all these "idiots" that are undertaking you what do you think they are saying about your driving? BTW I am playing devils advocate here, partly. ;)
Click to expand...

If you are overtaking, staying in lane 2 is perfectly legal. Let's say lane 1 is full of lories, with gaps for maybe 5-8 cars max - fairly standard situation. Would you keep changing to lane 1-2 just for the sake of it? When it is quiet then it is obviously a different story.

I could bet money that those "idiots" are merely poor idiots, rich kids, whose game console broke down, or dead horse looking for insurance payout. Not a single one of them looked like a decent motorist by a long margin. Well, and if I am doing actual 70mph following a car in front of me from a safe distance, why the hell would someone undertake me? Get in behind me and overtake if you need, but that's too ordinary and no fun:bang:

changing lanes = risk, however small. Just like cliff walking = risk. There is always a slim chance of something somewhere going wrong, and that is called statistics. Falling out of bed is also a risk... Nothing can be totally safe, there are just risk factors

PS. NO more car threads from me in here
 
Last edited:
Last comment seems the most sensible. (The PS)
 
Last edited:
daugirdas said:
Hi, I am just looking for general pointers what would be good / sensible / practical things to get for the car.
Click to expand...

Things I carry..

1ltr Oil
1ltr Water
Jump Leads
Jump Starter
Tow rope
Windscreen Scraper
WD-40
Petrol Can
Extending Wheel Brace
Wheel Chocks
Sunglasses - generally more useful (up here ;)) in low winter sunshine.
Map
Bulb Kit
AA/RAC/Greenflag etc
Tyre inflator
Torch


Might seem a bit overkill but at some point or other I've required the above. I am more often than not away from civilisation so prefer to keep myself on the go then having to rely on breakdown help. Most of that list above is stored inside/around the spare wheel well so doesn't take up any room.
 
Last edited:
Things I carry:

Torches
Map
High vis jacket
Warning triangle
Jump leads
Umbrella
In car phone chargers

In response to your initial query:

I have never seen the car seat covers so don't know how good they look but would be interested to find out!
 
as above but also

snow chains - but lets face it a toledo isnt going out in the snow anyway

can of reflate - for blowing up tyres/ sealing small punctures

torque bar and socket - because the crappy little wheel wrenches supplied wont undo a wheel nut put on with an air wrench

bottle jack - because its considerably better than the crappy supplied jack

tow rope

jump leads
 
big soft moose said:
as above but also

snow chains - but lets face it a toledo isnt going out in the snow anyway

can of reflate - for blowing up tyres/ sealing small punctures

torque bar and socket - because the crappy little wheel wrenches supplied wont undo a wheel nut put on with an air wrench
bottle jack - because its considerably better than the crappy supplied jack

tow rope

jump leads
Click to expand...

I've never had a problem with the standard Ford wrenches. Perhaps it's just me,:shrug: If it don't budge by hand, just stand on it.
 
Top up bottle of oil - refer to handbook for correct spec

Spare bulbs - with winter coming its much easier than having to dash to halfords etc because a bulb popped.

A coat - if you do get stuck / break down / need to change a wheel keeping warm is useful.

Don't worry about seat covers, they'll look naff, just look after the seats.
 
well i wouldn't know about that because the one that came with my focus was missing - something i didnt find out until i got a flat

however the one on our work landrover is awful - i stood on it and it bent - hence the torque bar
 
My essentials:

iPhone, iPhone charger, fags, Diet Pepsi, more fags, a coat, RAC card, satnav, camera and some fags :D
 
SarahLee said:
Never mind the car stuff.
I want to know when you've seen the M4 in Wales moving at 60. I use it daily and it's usually clogged up and crawling along at 30-40 :lol: ;)
Click to expand...

When? Evenings and weekends when the regular commuters are long gone...

andy_fozzy said:
My essentials:

fags, Diet Pepsi, more fags, ... and some fags :D
Click to expand...

a good list NOT to take :lol:



Seat covers - well I am mostly concerned when I get in the car wet, muddy (after having an afternoon in Weston-Super-mud of course, or in the woods), or spilling a drink, rubbing in some chocolate. You know **** happens even if you are careful.

Winter tires - now look like a necessary purchase. The current ones (new Pirelli stuff) don't like too much water on the road, so ice and snow would be pretty bad.
 
A fart can exhaust and one of those air filters that adds an extra 500 horsepower, as well as those blinding blue headlights that seem to be all the rage these days.
 
BandyQuill said:
surely if youve been driving for a while you know what to put in a car :S

:suspicious:
Click to expand...

Sorry my question is too ambiguous - I meant specifically those few points about the tires, and the rest. This just exposes our ability to selectively read and interpret things... as few even tried to answer any specific points in the OP.

To stop further redundant replies - this is already in

- all kind of chargers
- high vis jacket
- dirty warm jacket
- spare shoes
- coolant
- fire extinguisher
- manual
- 2x first aid kit
- AA card
- some (cheap) tools
- spare fuses
- OBDII Bluetooth test kit that I don't know how to use
- scraper and cloths
- getting more windscreen fluid next week
- never had any problem with the sun (I am just too tall to notice those 5 min in any given year:lol:)
- nothing expensive in case anyone wants to rob my car
 
Screen Scraper and a can of de-icing spray.
Spare wiper blades.
AA (or similar) road atlas.
 
I wouldn't buy part worn winter tyres. They are not very effective with anything less than 4mm or so on them.
 
daugirdas said:
Sorry my question is too ambiguous - I meant specifically those few points about the tires, and the rest. This just exposes our ability to selectively read and interpret things... as few even tried to answer any specific points in the OP.

To stop further redundant replies - this is already in

- all kind of chargers
- high vis jacket
- dirty warm jacket
- spare shoes
- coolant
- fire extinguisher
- manual
- 2x first aid kit
- AA card
- some (cheap) tools
- spare fuses
- OBDII Bluetooth test kit that I don't know how to use
- scraper and cloths
- getting more windscreen fluid next week
- never had any problem with the sun (I am just too tall to notice those 5 min in any given year:lol:)
- nothing expensive in case anyone wants to rob my car
Click to expand...

oil, antifreeze and spare bulbs would be good too.
In a diesel I would also carry an extinguisher with CO2 in it in case you are unfortunate enough to end up with a runaway engine.
Jumpleads would be good, maybe even a spare battery.
A tire pump in case you got a slow puncture.
I personally wouldn't be without a pair of polarised sunglasses as my eyes are very sensitive and they work wonders in cutting through the winter sun glare.
torch and/or lantern, the latter would be useful if you got caught or stuck and needed light, save draining the car battery.
pocket heaters, gloves and hat for the same reason as above.

obviously some of the above would probably only be necessary in winter and on long drives, but it's good to be prepared...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top