Martynn Randall, technical editor at Haynes has dispensed all manner of free automotive advice during 2023. Here are the highlights…
How to drive through water safely
This article will give you a new-found respect for flood water, and will hopefully make you think twice before you sail headlong through it. Martynn explains what to do when you come across deep water and what damage could be done, even if it isn't ingested into the engine. He also reveals a couple of his own near-disasters he had a few years ago.
Driving on surface water isn't without its dangers, either, aquaplaning being one of the most likely outcomes at speed. Finally, Martynn lists nine wet weather driving tips to boost your chances of reaching your destination in one piece.
Curing noisy tappets
Martynn says his BMW’s engine has always suffered from noisy hydraulic tappets. "Leave it unused for a few days, and on start up the 3.0-litre straight-six motor sounds like a tractor."
One option is to change the exhaust tappets, but with 12 costing £15 each, and the replacement procedure not the work of a few minutes, Martynn has been reluctant to take on the job.
There's one more possible 'fix' that sounds too good to be true…
Vacuum-bleeding bike brakes
The Honda CBF1000 has a complex hydraulic braking system. Not only does it have ABS, but it’s also a ‘linked’ system. When the front brake lever is squeezed, all of the caliper pistons on the left-hand front caliper are operated, along with two of the pistons in the front right-hand caliper, and one at the rear caliper.
Which means there are a lot of hydraulic hoses/pipes, and therefore places where air can get trapped. Martynn’s bought a hand-operated vacuum bleeding kit for £15. Is it good enough?
The petrol and diesel car sales ban
The ban on the sale of all new petrol and diesel-engined cars and vans (as well as motorbikes) has been put back to 1 January 2035. The legislation is also set to include hybrid-engined cars and motorcycles at the same time.
You will still be able to buy new petrol and diesel vehicles right up until the end of 2034. The main thing you'll notice in this decade, as a driver of a petrol or diesel-engined car, is where you can drive it.
This feature explains how those of us who want to continue using fossil fuels after 2035 will be affected.