Service!

 No use shouting that unless you are in a restaurant - and probably not there unless you want to incur the wrath of the maitre D.

The Dacia is trundling along nicely. She has over 163,000 miles on the clock and is heading towards her next service. It will be due around 165,500. 

But the engine management light came on about 1,000 miles ago, and initially I thought that I would have to bring the service forward. Everything is still functioning as it should, power is not reduced (yes, I know it's only a Dacia!) and fuel economy is still around 60mpg. So, I'm working on the assumption (assume nothing!) that it is probably a dirty filter somewhere that is in need if attention.

That's the problem with modern cars. If a warning light comes on and the computer throws a panic, the car stops and won't go - no matter how much pleading you apply. Whereas, back in the day, with my Morris Traveller, there were no warning lights, no know-it-all computers, you could usually hear what was happening - noisy tappets, rattling big ends, dodgy plug leads, timing a bit off - but it kept running until you got round to fixing it, or it died in a big way.

Those were the days!

Two years!

 Well. there's a thing, as my old gran used to say! I haven't posted here for two years. I've been so busy!

The previous post was a moan about cyclists abandoning their vivid yellow clothing in favour of camouflage greens, browns, and blacks. Nothing's changed there. They still don't want to be seen, yet whinge when you don't.

I'm still driving the Dacia, now with 146,000 on the clock, and still doing 60mpg (on summer grade diesel).

Electric cars continue to improve, especially range-wise, but are still not a really viable alternative for high mileage rural dwellers - yet.

And it's been 11 years since I passed advanced riding tests for both IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) and RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents). They completed my set with the IAM car test in 1982. How time flies.

But what does the future hold? Who knows - except I will soon have to renew my driving licence, as us old farts have to do that more often. There are supposed to have been some rule changes to cater for the diminishing abilities of older drivers. When the reminder arrives I'll see what is required. I still have my original licence with entries dated 1972, but I don't think they'll accept that.

Until then I'll keep burning rubber! Keep it shiny side up, folks!

Who needs electric!

 Continuing the theme of economy, the Dacia has been serviced recently, including a new timing belt. So she is running rather well at the moment. Add, that the pumps are now serving 'summer grade' diesel, driving like an old duffer and a new record, for me, mpg figure ... 71 mpg.

This was achieved in dry, favourable weather conditions on a run between Netley Marsh, Hampshire and Gosport, Hampshire. Most of the distance was on the M27 with a speed restriction of 60mph, with light, free flowing traffic. A 30 mile trip.

By the time I had got back home to Devon it was down to 61mpg.

No bad, eh!

Extreme!

 Update on the economy run. Best so far is now 68.3 mpg. 

Unfortunately winter-grade* diesel is at the pump and I am now struggling to get 55mpg, but hopefully once the ordinary fuel is back decent economy will return.

*One of the winter-grade diesel additives is anti-waxing to stop it 'freezing' at low temperatures.

Economical, or what!

 A couple of posts back I mentioned that I was getting an economical 55mpg out of the Duster, but now we are back on the road and allowed out to play, things are getting interesting.

First we have been running from home to Exeter at regular intervals. Half of the route is along the A30 so cruising around 65-70mph is the norm. On the round trip we have averaged about 58mpg.

On days when my dear wife takes me out for a 'mooch' - touring the lanes, looking for some unsuspecting flowers and vistas to photograph - we rarely get above 50mph, and are usually under 30 (they are that kind of lane!). These times are when things get strange. Today, after filling with diesel in Bideford and resetting all the readings, we got home after some 35+ miles having averaged 67.7 mpg. Now I reckon them hybrid things would be pushed to get that - so I am well chuffed (not good English, but it conveys the appropriate emotion) with that!

Do you remember the antics on the Mobil Economy Runs of the 1960s?

What do you think?

Bit of a Duster-ing

The last post was in December 2017 - it is now February 2020! Strewth - time really does fly!

Anyway, 2018 was good. Settled in to retirement, stopped (nearly) pining for my old Honda NC750, and got to grips with life in the slow lane.

2019, and things got a little hectic. Son moved out, we covered ridiculous miles looking for a new home, them we moved out, and ran away to Devon.

So that was the short version. Continuing with a motoring theme, we found that the roads down here are not really suited to an SRi Astra. Wide, and low profile tyres, combined with low and slightly sporty suspension do not work well with potholes, mud, slurry, unidentifiable lumps, sheep, and random spring water.

The above, together with the prospect of new tyres, a service, and a new cam belt, made us look for something more appropriate.

High on my list was a Defender SWB, Range Rover, or Ford F150. Not surprisingly, Julie thought something a little more in the 'value' bracket was in order. We decided on a Dacia Duster.

Don't laugh. We have a '17' Plate, 2x4 version, which is returning 55mpg, and copes with every thing the south west peninsular can throw at it - including stupid old gits who drive in to it in car parks.

Although it lacks off-road ability, being 2x4 and not something I plan on needing, it has 'proper' size tyres, softer suspension with longer travel, better ground clearance, and being a little narrower in the beam, means it is most suited to life in the lanes.

So if you want something practical, comfortable, economical, and priced right, you can't do much better than a Duster - Renault technology, Romanian pricing.

I still miss riding the bike :(