THE ULTIMATE CAR THREAD

[Captain Sisko]

New windscreen has been done.

Was having a discussion with my brother in law as he was a bit at the sight of my road tax cost

£195 for mine (2003 Focus)
The brother in law has an A3 TDI £30

He says I should buy a "quality" car that is cheaper to tax but I'm in the camp of I dont need to spend extra cash just for cheaper road tax.

[Ekona]

So go and spend a few thousand quid just to save a couple of hundred a year?! Well, I'm guessing he's not the financial brains of his side of the family.

[Captain Sisko]

Each to their own but yeah some people think differently.

He also asked how I pick my cars

My response of - I pick a car that's good to drive and everything else fits around that - wasn't impressive.

[RB]

Took my XF in for a service yesterday and got an I Pace as a courtesy car. I sort of want one now.

[Captain Sisko]

RB!! You have a Jaaaaaggg!!!!

[Captain Sisko]

Tuesday I get to work and see there's a car with its' headlights on so I took a picture then went and showed our receptionist.

She told me - it's her car but she was puzzled why her lights were on as she had auto headlights

Turns out the lights were on auto........but the car had been left in ignition state - engine off but the radio and climate control fans were running on.

[Ekona]

How is that possible without the key in the ignition?

[siteguru]

Keyless ignition. (Or rather, key in the vicinity of the vehicle; i.e. no need to physically insert a key and turn the ignition to start - start via a button. My Insignia is the same). If you exit the vehicle with the key in your pocket/bag the vehicle can remain "active".

[Ekona]

Aaaaand this is why keyless cars are shit. I'll never have one if I have the choice.

[Captain Sisko]

The guys at work had a laugh about it!! in that it was me who spotted it and it was the receptionists car!!! See this Womans Stuff Thread!

Siteguru is right, her car was actie even though the engine was off.

Back to cars

My Focus is still knocking underneath - could be the droplinks as it had a trackrod end at the last service

I just upgraded to DAB radio in the car (changed the Sony Radio CD Bluetooth headunit for a Sony DAB+ Radio/CD with Bluetooth - After experiencing DAB in the works van I took the plunge.

Is getting in car DAB worth it? I like it as i have access to more stations. My dad think its a waste of money and someone else said they are broadcast in mono. Now im like

[siteguru]

DAB stations are mostly mono - especially the national ones. Whilst I tend to listen to DAB for convenience, I'll sometimes listen to the same station(s) on TuneIn via Android Auto - these are usually stereo. Yes, they use data, but not a huge lot.

[Captain Sisko]

When you say Android Auto - does it appear on your cars "infotainment screen" like a screen mirror?

I've tried using Android Auto in the van but the screen doesn't mirror

[siteguru]

It's not a screen mirror as such ... certain AA-compatible apps appear under the AA tab in the Infotainment centre in easy-to-see-and-use formats (big buttons etc). Easiest way to get it sorted is:

Delete the AA app from your phone (if you already have it installed).
Connect your phone to WiFi (so have your vehicle parked outside your home for example).
Plug your phone into the vehicle's relevant connector.
If the prompt to download and install AA doesn't appear straight away, press the Presentation Mode (or whatever it is called) button on the Infotainment centre.
Let AA install and accept relevant permissions.

Once done you should see the AA icon appear in place of the Presentation Mode icon. Press that and your compatible apps should be available.

Sometimes the firmware/software of the Infotainment centre needs to be updated for AA-compatibility.

[Captain Sisko]

That's the gimmicky part for me
How do you update the firmware/software of the cars infotainment system? Is that a dealer visit?

[RB]

To PCP or not to PCP?
Following my recent lengthy stay in hospital, the company I work for have decided that I should stay in the office rather than traveling loads as they don't want to be responsible for me having a relapse.
I'm OK with that but it does mean I lose my car allowance and my XF and have to get my own car.

I was thinking about getting an F-Pace on PCP but I've never had a car on credit before. I usually bought outright but my stay in hospital has depleted my savings by enough that I'd need a loan to get a new car anyway.

What's your thoughts on PCP?