Topic: Modern technology

[ACE]

I have a car with the new fangled keyless entry, A really stupid idea as you still have to jump through hoops to get in it. But with a flat battery it is even worse. I did eventually find a key hidden in the fob with the help of Mr Google. New battery delivered and then the fun begins, there is a battery cover that needs special long sockets to get off, my tools are all imperial because of riding old british and american motorcycles. so no luck there. My son is a mechanic but all his tools are locked in at work which is closed for the duration. Luckily a neighbour who loves messing about with cars saw my predicament and came to the rescue. Good job he did as there was all sorts of procedures you have to go through otherwise the onboard computer will not work. So now you need specialist tools, a smartphone and a degree in computors just to change a battery. A lot of hassle for just changing a battery, but all done now and I then I remembered I had  AA homestart.

[Lishka]

 
It's what happens when "one of those days" morphs into everyday behaviour, ACE.
And you're almost there!
Come on in, join the Clan
Cheers!

[Tee Gee]

Reminds me of once when one of the lads on the allotments did his 'Good Samaritan' act and jumped started another of the plot holder's car which wouldn't start!

OK he got him started but it beggared the electronics on his car and it cost him over £100 to get it repaired.

So be warned you people with the computerised cars, the computer only recognises the car it is fitted, not anyone else!

[Obelixx]

Many moons ago I did evening classes in car maintenance and learned to do a 13000 mile service and tune my car to its best.  We had friends who were enthusiasts and helped me colour tune and time my trusty 2nd hand Chevette estate so well it could beat a Lotus away from the lights.   That was 1983.   I decided then that changing brake pads and tyres and wheels are jobs for the Man who Can or the garage. 

These days I haven't a clue what goes on under a bonnet and can barely manage to add water for the windscreen wash!   

[saddad]

We started driving in the 80's and OH took an evening class in car maintenance... and was very good.. but slowly all the things she could do have been whittled away by new cars being made unnecessarily complicated... even changing bulbs is now nigh on impossible. I just think it is income generation for the dealerships.. the more "things" there are the more can go wrong and need specialist attention... at a ridiculous hourly rate...

[Jeannine]

Oh then I am fortunate,, I have a wonderful Honda dealer a couple of miles away who looks after me very well. They will bring things to me if need be and if the car has to go in they pick it up and deliver it back. I bought this car a couple of weeks after returning to Canada , Easter of 2009, I still have it. I have had 1new battery,and a few services but it still as it's original tires in,and only 22.000 on the clock..I guess I really don't drive much these days but I am loathe to part with it.Was that really 11 years ago, it seems more like last month.

[lezelle]

Hi Ya, Glad I read this as my wife's car would not start due to flat battery. I bought a 4 in 1 jump start kit but considered charging the battery. I never thought about the computer, can I charge the battery in situ, I was going to take it out and charge it up. I have been around cars as my father had his own garage so was, repeat, was fairly mechanical but I migrated to aircraft. I look under the bonnet these days and it's all a blur. As for dealers I have little time for those rip off merchants who charge a fortune. Luckily all seems well as it has just cost a fortune to have the computer replaced. I was lucky then. Cheers all

[ancellsfarmer]

It will depend on how flat the battery is ie. does it light the instruments? or dead as a dodo?.Normally start charging at a low amperage, 2.5-4 A. I put the negative (Black) clip onto the earth, so as to have some resistance between the flat battery and return. Make the connections before you switch on the charger.Always have the key in your pocket. If the battery has mysteriously gone flat, have a look around for a switched on device,maybe the boot light?, radio on standby, etc. If you are not using the car at all, then periodically trickle charge it.
Maybe place it on SORN if you park at home, at month end, and get a refund of the Rfl.Remember to re tax before use.All can be done online.

[lezelle]

Hi Ya, The ignition was clicking and  dash lights were there so flattish battery. I got it started and took up the dual carriageway for a 30 mile ride. Used it next day no problem and went out today no problem. It hadn't had a good run for 3 weeks and she only used to go short distances of a mile or 2. So wasn't getting a proper charge. As the car was fine next day I went against removing battery and let it go. She used it no problems but had been using it with air con on, radio on, lights etc but only going short distances. It just I never even considered the computer. I would of just treated like the radio etc. Reading this has made me wiser. Cheers to all and thanks for the heads up.