Car (or bike) Chat!

[dave2010]

As for doing it in an EV - not a chance! I'm not even sure if rural France has electric, despite having more wind turbines than people

It'll get better. Right now I think Tesla drivers have the best options, though perhaps in time the manufacturers of other EVs will also set up good charging networks. VW is likely to be in a good position to do that. I think that if necessary one could take a slow charger and run that off the local mains supply, though that is a pretty poor option. It seems likely that there will be an increase in the number of moderate to fast chargers - for example in hotel car parks and maybe even camp sites.

If I were going anywhere remote I'd want to know that there was adequate backup. We have in the past had problems even with petrol. In one case we took a tortuous route over and around mountains, and ended up with hardly any petrol in a small village in Spain. No garage - but after asking around we found the lady who ran a local bar kept a supply. At least with electricity one could hopefully eventually get sufficient charge to move on in most places - though it could take a long while maybe even 24 hours for a full charge.

I wouldnn't contemplate doing a journey like that in a Nissan Leaf. Renault Zoes are quite good as little runabouts and I've met people who have travelled relatively long distances in those. Inverness to Applecross and back is just about possible without having to charge up again, but it's very tough. At least if things go wrong in the UK hopefully there will be people who can help - though there can be silly problems. One pair I met in a Zoe had to spend an extra night in one place - not because the charging was slow - but because the cable at one public charger would not release from their car, and nobody was able to help them until the following day. Total bummer!

[walpurgis]

I thought I'd make the most of the dry spell. I've been right round the car with Waxoil, WD40 and silicone spray. All the accessible cavities are done and also anything that might trap moisture or corrode. The car's 7 years old, but low mileage and I intend to hang onto it, 'cos it's reliable and dirt cheap to run .

[struth]

I thought I'd make the most of the dry spell. I've been right round the car with Waxoil, WD40 and silicone spray. All the accessible cavities are done and also anything that might trap moisture or corrode. The car's 7 years old, but low mileage and I intend to hang onto it, 'cos it's reliable and dirt cheap to run .

good idea. my bro waxoiled nearly all his motors he was going to keep for over 3 yrs.
i gave mine another run today, got over 64mpg again... not to be sniffed at.

[walpurgis]

i gave mine another run today, got over 64mpg again... not to be sniffed at.

That's probably about what I get. They claim 74 mpg, but I don't believe it.

[struth]

That's probably about what I get. They claim 74 mpg, but I don't believe it.

unless i go electric i wont get this with next one for sure. its a decent sized motor and quite heavy, so pleased with its return and performance is better than most say. i think they drive them wrong; its a cvt and have a way to them; especially toyota versions.

[Pigmy Pony]

unless i go electric i wont get this with next one for sure. its a decent sized motor and quite heavy, so pleased with its return and performance is better than most say. i think they drive them wrong; its a cvt and have a way to them; especially toyota versions.

Do you have to 'stamp down' on the pedal to make it really shift? That's what it's like with automatics. Anita was unimpressed with the Volvo's performance till I told her what to do, then it was "Wayhay! This is more like it"

[struth]

Do you have to 'stamp down' on the pedal to make it really shift? That's what it's like with automatics. Anita was unimpressed with the Volvo's performance till I told her what to do, then it was "Wayhay! This is more like it"

no you dont do that with a cvt.. you would just get lots of revving lol. in sport mode its a lot perkier but its not a race car. looks like one tho lol. still its the best handling car around. its near impossible to get it to lose its balance; very decent in snow too

[Pigmy Pony]

no you dont do that with a cvt.. you would just get lots of revving lol. in sport mode its a lot perkier but its not a race car. looks like one tho lol. still its the best handling car around. its near impossible to get it to lose its balance; very decent in snow too

Must be better tyres than they used to put on the old Prius, which I remember winning the "Comedy handling" award on Top Gear. Probably designed to reduce rolling resistance, for better range.

Mrs. P still loves the C-HR's looks Toyota (and Lexus) have put out some really sharp designs in recent years imo.

[CageyH]

good idea. my bro waxoiled nearly all his motors he was going to keep for over 3 yrs.
i gave mine another run today, got over 64mpg again... not to be sniffed at.

I broke the 100 mpg barrier this week, as I have been able to do most trips on battery power.
It won't last.

[struth]

I broke the 100 mpg barrier this week, as I have been able to do most trips on battery power.
It won't last.

might reduce a bit in colder weather, but should still get good figures. i lose abot 12/15% efficiency in winter, but even petrol only do that