Driving automobiles

Archive for January, 2010

Miata Club Address

I have been looking without success for the address for the Miata Club of
America.  If you know it please send it to me.  Thanks.

–Kurt
khsch…@shrsys.hslc.org

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Embarking on a road trip – essentail items ?

I’m embarking on a grand tour of Europe in my clapped out Renault.  Hopefully,
we won’t brake down, but I packing the essentials to get me out of the brown
stuff.

If there is anything obvious ( or not obvious) that I’ve missed out. You know
the sort of thing that you’ve improvised with ’till you’ve got to a garage and
has really saved your bacon.

The list:

        Breakdown Assistance cover.
        Can of petrol/water/oil/break fluid.
        Tow rope
        Warning triangle
        Torch
        Spare Bulbs
        Full tool set with essential tools (socket set etc.)
        Fan belt
        Jump leads
        Hose sealing tape
        Fire Extinguisher

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Stuart & Sherree
(18/8 1/9 France,Italy,Switzerland,Austria,Germany,Holland)


+Stuart Lea–Tel:+44 (0)61 200 4809-Fax:+44 (0)61 200 4019-UMIST University-+
|JANET   :   s…@uk.ac.mcc.nessie                  B22, Main Bldg., PO Box 88|
|INTERNET:   s…@nessie.mcc.ac.uk                  Manchester, UK M60 1QD    |
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Comparative car crash tests between BMWs and other cars

Does anybody know where to get the results of car crash tests of BMWs
versus other cars in its range?  On-line sources, books, magazines, etc?
Or even if it’s not a comparative study, just information on crash tests.  

Would appreciate any pointers.  Thanks a million!

———————————————————————
Brian Wee
The Institute for the Learning Sciences
1890 Maple Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
E-mail: w…@ils.nwu.edu

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overdrive?

First, let me admit that I don’t know much about cars.
I know to step on the gas and turn the steering wheel,
that’s about it. :)

I just bought an Altima that has an "Overdrive" with
the automatic.  What is this for?  All the salesman
can tell me is "use overdrive on the freeway, other-
wise turn it off".  But the manual says to "use
overdrive during normal driving conditions, turn it
off for going up/down steep hills" (paraphrased).

So what is overdrive?  does it cause the transmission
to switch to a higher gear quickly than if overdrive
is not used?  if so, then why is overdrive necessary
when there is already a first and second gear on the
automatic for steep driving?

i tend to believe that i should follow the manual’s
advice, rather than the salesman’s.  is this correct?

the manual also mentioned something about "engine
braking".  what is it?  thanks for the replies.  i
know we have some auto wizards on this group. :)

                        – lulu


—==l…@cs.ucr.edu==—  just another overworked graduate student.
David T Lu, Amateur Thinker: l…@cs.ucr.edu, {ucsd, uci}!cs!lulu
"I seem to be having tremendous difficulty with my lifestyle."
                                        – Arthur Dent, Hitchhiker’s

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MERCEDES-BENZ – Experiences with early '70s models?

I’m looking into buying an early ’70s 200 series Mercedes, and I have some
questions.

1. How reliable are these cars? Of course they are Mercedes, but everyone
   has a run of lemons now and then.

2. How much do they generally cost to maintain? Are repairs rare but
   expensive? Frequent but cheap? Frequent but expensive? How about routine
   maintence?

Thanks in advance,
Graham
’69 VW Squareback

Graham E. Thomas                  *  Nacho, Nacho Man!
Georgia Institute of Technology   *  I wanna be, a Nacho Man!
Internet: grah…@oit.gatech.edu  *      - Homer Simpson  

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Honda del Sol thoughts

My wife and I are seriously considering buying a Honda del
Sol.  Any feedback from current or previous owners would be greatly
appreciated.

Thanks.

Jim Dillman
jf…@dayhoff.med.virginia.edu

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COBRA – most bhp??

Hi,

Anyone have an idea of the most powerful Cobra (AC or replica) thats been about??

Dave.

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Best car ever driven?

I was just wondering, to start a good thread, about the following:

What’s the best car you’ve ever driven?
What’s the fastest you’ve ever driven?
What’s the highest acceleration " " ?
What’s the highest lateral-g " "?
What’s the most expensive?
What’s the coolest looking….?
etc.

Feel free to add more…..

Andrea

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Mazda 626

could anybody give me some advice/comments/critiques on the Mazada 626 V6 ES
version? Thanx in advance


 ————————————————-
|Bani Azan                       |    B A N I     |
|E-mail: a…@ecf.toronto.edu    |    A Z A N     |
|                                |    N A Z A     |

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Good cars for a bad back??

I have a bad disk and small cars or cars with poor seats are very
painfull for me to ride in.  I’m 28 and I have to drive a Lincoln
(boring) because I feel none of the potentially painfull road bumps.
Are there utility vehicles or minivans or something that would have a
smooth ride and are either more fun or more usefull to drive than my
grandpa car?

Does anyone else find cars to be getting smaller and less
comfortable?

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