dave1

Having not smoked for 8+ years I won't have to worry about being caught Mike but it does seem a strange anomaly. Dave

Smoking in vehicles with under 18's in the vehicle has been in force since 2014 but does not seem to be enforced. I can't fathom out why it is illegal to smoke whilst driving a motorhome carrying anyone under 18, but once parked they can smoke as much as they like.

Whilst they are being stupid as well as breaking the law you are acting like an idiot doing that, all you are likely to be doing is enraging them and helping to enforce bad feelings towards motorcyclists in general. Maybe you miss the "power" that you had whilst in uniform? BTW if you are caressing their window you are too close to the car and could contribute to causing a collision one day. Dave

I don't recall mentioning turning and looking....just the hand gesture! :D Pete Err...If you don't turn and look how can you be so certain that they do notice...as you stated here? "And believe me, most of them do notice. :D" ( from your post # 6).

From the list of things you had to operate it would seem that you would also be perfectly capable of using a phone whilst driving if you wanted to. I would think that there are many motorists who feel just as confident as you appear to but in spite of your fantastic abilities and your instant risk assessments it is still a potentially dangerous thing to turn and look at vehicles whilst riding with one hand as you give your handsignal to them. If you were a policeman on patrol and saw a motorcyclist doing that I feel certain that you would pull them in. Other people should be concerned in spite of the fact that you say they shouldn't.

I totally agree that these morons should be subjected to higher penalties. Replace Highways patrols with Police patrols would help and cost about the same. With your background Pete I am really surprised at your comment on hand signal. Apart from the fact that they probably wouldn't notice it if they are busy doing other things. It might be safer to keep your hands on the handlebars and concentrate on your own riding instead of adopting futile and rather silly handsignals.

Possibly but it still wont lubricate the gears as the pump is controlled via engine revs which will not be enough to turn the pump at coasting revs.

What on earth are you on about? There is always oil in the autobox with or without the engine running. If the box is in N then the oil will not be circulating/moving as the gears are static and do not need lubricating. Simple answer is that coasting in N for any reason is foolhardy.

Only way it could really damage box would be when you try putting it back into gear. Coasting in N is not a good idea at all anyway.

May be on rear shelf. With your radio on low check all possible speaker outlets to see if 1 is not connected to radio. Not certain but I don't think it is the grille you mention. Is it aftermarket? If not your handbook or local dealer should be able to clarify.

Might be worth checking if the "speaker box" for them has not been disconnected.

Mine still had the paint and lacquer top coat in original box when I sold it at 13 years old. Seems odd that Lexus can't get any paint for your car! What would they do if they had to repair it? Lexus Coventry/Cheltenham/Lincoln are all part of same group and have a fair size bodyshop in Coventry for all their franchises so maybe they could sort it out for you.

Another point is that when the Highways Agency was started in 2003 (Blunkett was Home Secretary at that time) the idea was flawed and just put nearly 2000 people doing nothing for most of the time except driving liveried vehicles. The money spent on this could be spent on police officers with far more powers and responsibilities than these HATOs.

I agree with you regarding the above, since the only thing reducing about crime is the recording by forces due to the changes in criteria for what reported crime actually has to be recorded. I would, however, rather have volunteers trained in specific tasks to having nothing. If there were more visible police both local beat bobbies and traffic officers then I think that the cost to the public purse would be very little extra since it would probably result in less crime so reducing the various costs involved with the investigation of crime and subsequent costs incurred in prosecuting criminals and also the costs involved in incarcerating them.

But the police DO rely on volunteers Pete and have done for many many years.

Massive saving. The local depot manager agreed that it was totally ridiculous to have that difference in cost. The tyres still have to be delivered to the depot who then fit them etc. and produce paperwork for it. The only difference is that instead of paying them I pay online!!!!

Just had to purchase 2 tyres 185/65/15. Decided to go for Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance as the reviews were excellent and the ratings of A, B and 68Db. Checking online Kwik Fit were by far the best price at £56 each fitted, balanced etc. I thought I would check the price at the depot in case it was cheaper but it was £187 for 2 compared to £112 online price. So if you need tyres it appears to be very worthwhile checking online as well as depot prices.

Has the car not got the small pot of paint supplied when new? Normally located in glove box.

Can't be any worse than the army of PCSOs surely! A PCSO might be seen once or twice a week in our village but only ever at times such as mid morning when it is nice and peacefull. Ours swan around in liveried cars thinking how important they look whilst realistically doing nothing....they don't even bother attending parish council meetings.

I used to be a motorcyclist but never rode like an idiot. I think that even hardened motorcyclists (several on here) would have to admit that there are an ever increasing number of idiots riding them. Another issue is overtaking and cutting in front too quickly and the all too prevalent passing on the inside............which is illegal but seems acceptable for "motorcyclists".

They will probably stay off. If they do come back on then get your codes read.

It is fairly obvious that if diesel accounted for 50.1% of sales then the 49.9% was for all other types of fuel. My point is that whilst % sales of diesel powered cars has decreased you state that diesel will outsell all other configurations which can only be a matter of opinion at this time. I assume from your post that you are not comparing sales of diesel powered cars to all others but rather comparing them on an individual basis.

That is your opinion rather than a definite fact. Diesel passenger car sales accounted for 50.1% in UK last year and in the EU 53.6% which is lower year on year from 2011.

Why do you think that it would need a new engine? An engine can cover maybe 500k miles if serviced correctly and if it has done that sort of mileage it probably has been well maintained. If the car was 10/12 years old then you wouldn't be so concerned. Same with suspension parts....why would it be so certain that major parts need replacing? Were there advisories about suspension on the last MOT? I have covered many thousands of miles over the years clocking 150K + in cars with no major issues because I had them properly maintained. 131k over 43 months is only around 750 miles per week which is surely within the capabilities of any modern 2.5 lt engine.

I can assure you that it is not incorrect. Your very understanding dealer should have contributed the full cost of rectification. The caliper would quite possibly not be covered by the RAC warranty but it would have been covered by Sale of Goods Act. I had a couple of issues on the GS 430 I owned and Lexus Coventry quite rightly told me they were not covered by the Lexus warranty. As soon as I mentioned S of G Act they agreed but said that I had to see sales. Sales accepted liability and the work was carried out. The reason it was passed to sales to authorize was because the service/repairs arm of the dealership needed payment from somewhere. These dealers prey on the fact that so many people are ignorant of their rights and just accept it when they are told they get 3 months warranty from the dealer. If you purchase a 12 month warranty it is really only a 6 month warranty as you have far more rights under S of G Act than you do under warranty.