17 replies to this topic

[stuart bowes]

It's probably fair to say that people who keep and run older cars tend to be more aware of maintenance (through necessity for the most part) 

 

that's not to say 'all' people who run modern cars are clueless or anything but it's certainly a factor, some people do seem to have this assumption that cars last forever without any user input required

 

two guys at my work are perfect examples, one just gave me a blank look and shrugged when I asked when was the oil last changed, like 'oh do you have to do that?'  and the other took me out to have a look at his at the end of last week because it was 'making a funny noise'  .. snapped spring, front left corner clearly an inch lower than it should be, spring making horrible crunchy noise when turning left/right .. you couldn't make it up could you

 

whereas I'm happy to run older cars like my 20 year old (but low mileage) Volvo because I have mechanical sympathy, I can tell when something doesn't feel right, I investigate straight away (also, I know roughly where to look in the first place, and I'm happy to speak to people on forums, get advice, do work myself) and I do all the regular maintenance that keeps it running

 

that's still no garuntee of not getting caught out though, the last time it was the throttle body which messed me about but it did at least limp home (and it's a bit of a known volvo issue for that age) 

 

smart motorways scare the life out of me too, not for my own safety, it's the thought of coming to a stop and trying to get all three kids unstrapped and out of the car quickly enough

Edited by stuart bowes, 19 February 2024 - 12:19 PM.

[Bobbins]

We need to be careful to distinguish the terminology of a simple “smart motorway” (a little ironic I know) and an “all lane running smart motorway”, the latter being where the safety issues are. The use of smart motorway technology for example to vary speed limits dependent on traffic volume is a positive development, it’s the all lane running concept, using the hard shoulder as a working lane that is so obviously wrong.

[Quinlan minor]

My experience would suggest that the signage displayed to "vary speed limits dependent on traffic volume" is, more often than not, subject to such a time lag as to be a positive cause of congestion, with all the attendant atmospheric pollution that arise, not to mention the wasted time of those unfortunate to be held up in the jams.