First MOT

Been far too busy lately. This has meant I have missed a few posts, so heres a compilation.

Quite some time ago FTP had his 40,000 mile service - no issues. Still have the original brake pads (scheduled says check from 20.000 miles), I do use the brakes less than most, using the gearbox predominately instead for slowing.

FTP Passed his first MOT (Ministry of Transport Test), first time without any problems. I had forgotten the MOT was due, and so did not have time to check the lights, etc. Thus, I was concerned that he may fail on something silly, but FTP sailed trough.

The MOT certificate is shown below. At one time MOT certificates looked like official documents, with official rubber stamps and watermarks, but now that everything can be checked instantly on-line, the certificate is just a shoddy piece of A4 paper!



Problem: Some time back the air conditioning stopped working. We thought it must need re-gassing because it had only been used a couple of times in the first year of having the the car.

I tend to open a window if below 40mph, or not bother, but very occasionally Denise will want it on. Because this is the first car we have had with air conditioning, I did not know that you need to run the system regularly to stop the gas leaking. My view on air conditioning has always been, why add another thing to a car to go wrong?

Denise decided that we might as well fix the air conditioning. Because the garage that does my servicing could not re-gas I took FTP to a local Suzuki dealer, Coop Motors , Kettering. When they tried re-gassing they found a small hole in one of the aluminum air conditioning pipes. The pipe runs behind the front grill, and Co-op Motors believed that the pipe may have been hit by a stone thrown up by a vehicle in front. However, they thought I was very unlucky, because the pipe is protected by the grill.



Not being Perodua dealers, Co-op Motors contacted the nearest Perodua dealer, the Garage at Blakesley, who supplied the part, so that Co-op Motors could restore our air conditioning.

On Holiday With Oscar.

Have been busy laterly, but we are now having a few days away with Oscar in Denver, Norfolk.

Speedwell Cavern, Castleton.

Las t week we got back from a few days away in Buxton, a spa town in the Peak District. It snowed, but this probably addded to the magic of our break. Staint Annes Well spouted warm Buxton Spring Water, it tasted delicious, even in the snow.


The lines on the picture are falling snow flakes.



Deece was particulary impressed with Speedwell Cavern. Speedwell Cavern is an old lead mine whose tunnels are permanatly semi-filled with water.

We found Speedwell after a beautiful drive theough the Winnats Pass



FTP parked outside Speedwell Cavern, with Winnats Pass behind.

Speedwell:

Beyond the natural unerground cavern.

Deece in the boat.

Our guide. Speedwell was not busy; indeed we had the mine to ourselves - a lot to be said for visiting places out of the holiday season.

The steps out.

Snow

Arrived home after working till late last night. Heavy snow. Visibility good but.....







...Myvi transformed.

Last week before the snow started I was looking for another CD to "lose" it the car, and picked 50 Words For Snow, by Kate Bush! Very enjoyable for a laid back ride home in the snow.

Flat Tyre.

For a while I have been wondering how long tyres last; people at work seem to get thgrough them in 20-30,000 Miles, and one person only got 18,000 out of his front tyres on his VW Passat. At 38,000 mine were still within legal limits, but I felt they would need replacing soon. 

On Friday I was not in work, but had several jobs to do. I pulled away in FTP and instantly knew I had a flat tyre. I pulled over and found a piece of glass piercing the front passenger side tyre.



I checked with the owners manual where to jack a Myvi, and changed the tyre.







The Myvi has a thinner space saving emergency tyre which seemed to drive ok, but was very noisy around corners.

I looked online to see which would be the best tyres. Tyres now have an ECO lable, giving key qualities, and so I noted that in 175/65R14 T 82 the best tyres were Continentals with Fuel efficiency: C Wet grip: A Noise: 2 bars 70 dB. (PS Do wish longevity was a measure too).

I went into the local branch of National Tyres and stated my size. The gentleman there started telling me which would be the best tyres. I knew that the Avons did not have as good a rating, and so I stated that I was happy to pay more for Continetal tyres because they had the best ECO rating. The gentleman seemed surprised, but humored me. I was quoted a price for Continental, and we agreed that I would return once the new tyres had been delivered.

I returned in the afternoon and had all four tyres changed (they were all due soon so I had decided to keep all tyres the same). The tyre fitter stated that the wheel trims were difficult to remove, but was impressed that Perodua had used the same size tyre as Peugot, and hence a popular/inexpensive tyre. He stated that many Eastern budget cars use obscure and thus expensive tyres.

When I came to write this piece I noticed that instead of having Continental tyres with Fuel efficiency: C Wet grip: A Noise: 2 bars 70 dB i.e. the best available in the size, I had Fuel efficiency: F Wet grip: C Noise: 2 bars 70 dB, specs worse than many budget tyres. Apparently, there are several Continental tyre models of the same size, I had gone straight  to the "Continental Premium Contact 5", because it has the best spec, but the tyre fitter had gone for "Continental EcoContact 3", even though I stated I wanted the Continental because they have the best spec based on the ECO lable. Thus, I have paid more, for inferior tyres. I believe that National Tyre Centres fitters should be trained to supply the needs of the customer according to what the require. My impression at the time of ordering was that he surprised that I used ECO labeling system, and not price, when making my tyre choice.  I even stated that the Continental had ratings of C, A and 70bD, and was supplied with tyres of different specs.

I will write to National Tyres expressing my concern that their staff do not seem to properly understand the ECO labeling system, and enact the wishes of their customers.

FTP on the Long Mynd

Two weekends ago FTP took us to stay at the excellent Long Mynd Hotel, Church Stretton. The Long Mynd must be one of the most beautiful areas of England, but few seem to know of its existence. A great area for walking, etc., and one of our favorite places.

I'm sure I will manage to write a about some of the things we did soon, but in the meantime....

... heres a photo of FTP on the Long Mynd (worth clicking on to see full size).

12/12/12 ~ End Of The World ~ Not Quite...

On the 12/12/12 (last Wednesday) several people at work suggested that this was the Mayan end of the World date.

Fortunately, it wasn't but.....



Bedford Station was closed due to a bomb hoax........and I was late home from work!