Ford KUGA mpg update

500 miles at  36.9mpg

Samsung Galaxy S3 9300 EE Sim no data connection after 4.3 update

Are you on EE (UK) and recently updated to 4.3 and found you no longer have a 3G / H+ data connection?

Go to the site below

http://setuporange.wdsglobal.com/

do both options

Internet >

Photo Messaging >

and install to phone, restart and voila should work ok.

Ford KUGA mpg update

473 miles @ 36.1mpg

Golf GTI Edition 30 mpg update

335 miles  26.6mpg

APR remap mobile integration

now this is super slick and the kind of thing that would make me go back to APR (maybe ;-) ) Only for Apple products for now (boo APR, dont forget Android) APR Mobile page hopefully REVO will release a similar product soon.

Golf GTI Edition 30 replacement aerial

For some reason the one that had lasted from new has now split half way up the shaft.  

Doesn't effect is use,  but will now rusty internally.

Sounds like a good excuse to replace and upgrade. Swapped for a modern polo item that's a lot shorter but still OE

£8 from guy on golf forums job done. 

mk5golfgti.co.uk forum Polo Aerials for sale

Non sat nav fitment,  easy twist off and on to replace.

Ford KUGA mpg update

475 miles @ 36mpg
First tank on the new tyres

Add caption

30 days of Movember my pictures

White Dolce Gabbana D&G Mens Sandpiper watch replacement battery

battery replaced again for the D&G watch. this one has lasted 3 yrs, so ive replaced with the same again from the same supplier. 

Easy see my 2010 post below for the battery reference and supplier.

http://johnoldfield.blogspot.com/2010/10/replace-battery-code-s920sw-d-mens.html

Ford Kuga Titanium X Sport White

Not my car but from the Kuga forum.
Looks brilliant, but will have to wait a few years for it to depreciate.

Genuine Ford 54.5mm Alloy Blue Centre Cap

now that the new tyres are fitted its time to fit replacement centre caps as the old ones were corroding on the outside edge

Heres the replacements

Genuine Ford 54.5mm Alloy Blue Centre Cap / Cover - Mondeo, Galaxy, Focus, C-Max, Kuga, Fiesta by Ford

Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BFDEKUM

genuine parts and fit perfectly.

[EDIT : Ive just noticed you can also get an alloy finish version

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-x-NEW-GENUINE-FORD-ALLOY-FINISH-CENTRE-CAP-TRIM-FIESTA-MONDEO-FOCUS-KUGA-S-MAX-/161109884030?pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Wheels_tyre_Trims_Trims_ET&hash=item2582e5bc7e

May try them next, although not sure how they will stand up in winter conditions]

Ford KUGA mpg update

500 miles 34.7 mpg

Ford KUGA TDCI 163 manual replacement tyres fitted Nokian Z SUV 235/45 R19 99Y XL

fitted today @ 44714 miles

great service from Bromley Tyres in Warrington. http://www.bromleytyres.co.uk/

Emailed to request price, then order, waited a few days, then turn up to have all 4 fitted within 45 minutes.

Seamless and no marks on the alloys. 5/5 would definitely use again.

You could go through an intermediate (e.g. mytyres) but I chose to go direct.

Difficult choice but most replacement top quality tyres are £240 each!

The car has been running 235/45/19 Continental Sport Contact UHP (430 AA A) which have been a great tyre but simply cant justify the cost.

Im not keen on budget (e.g. Jinyu) for this size, so I had narrowed it down to a tyre somewhere in the middle that has won some reviews too.

Nokian Z SUV 235/45 R19 99Y XL (400 A A)

Roll resistance: C, Wet grip: C, Noise emissions: 72 dB.

http://www.nokiantyres.com/tyre?id=11738609&group=2.02&name=Nokian+Z+SUV

http://www.nokiantyres.com/media-release?id=28877960&year=2012

Cost is £175 per tyre (all in inc fitting/valves/balancing/disposal), so today cost me £700 (as opposed to £1000 for Continental etc)

So far theyve been brilliant.

Great feel, lots of grip and a lot quieter than the Continental they replaced. i can now hear the excessive wind noise. Seem to have a harmonic at around 45-50mph where the 'wheel bearing' noise seems to come back slightly but soon disappears again as you get faster. cruising @ 85mph is very quiet now. [EDIT Oct 2015 : This noise turned out in due course to be a failing rear wheel bearing, nothing to do with the tyres]

Here are the Continentals just before they came off at the legal limit (but with bald edges)

and the new Nokians after fitment. note the wider rim protection and the 'wear' indicator

[EDIT Oct 2015 : http://www.nokiantyres.com/summer-tyres/nokian-zline-suv/#section-product-awards-and-reviews]

Golf GTI Edition 30 mpg update

Around 320 miles  @ 28 mpg (odometer higher,  s had to fill up a little on motorway)

Ford KUGA mpg update

461 miles @36.8 mpg

Golf GTI Edition 30 mpg update

315 miles @ 26mpg

Golf GTI Edition 30 : MOT / TTS 340mm cross drilled discs / Ferodo DS2500 / Bilstein B12 Sportline kit / Votex Congleton

@71,000 miles Nov 2013

Top work from the guys @Votex Congleton, it was MOT time, but I had stored up some upgrades too.

@70000 miles the original OE suspension was well past its best (specifically the shock absorbers). No leaks but they not longer performed well on suppressing rebound.
I wanted to get a matched set and wanted lower too.

I was a little concerned the B12 Sportkit was going to be too low , but as it turns out its just perfect. I can still navigate speed bumps (just)

For the B12 Sportline they quote -50mm, but in reality this is -25mm as the Ed30 is already -30mm (from the std GTI) from new.

B12
46-194909
supplied by Balance Motorsport (or you could get it from JKM etc)

https://balancemotorsport.co.uk/bilstein-b12-sportline-full-kit-vw-golf5-golf-v-1k1-1-4-tsi-1-8-gti-1-8-turbo-2-0-gti-09-06-12-08-46-194909-1865.html


You can also consider the Mk6 version (and fit it to a mk5 ) for a more compliant ride

Full work was :

• MOT (the law in the UK)
• Cam follower replacement (this is a prudent service item on the 2.0 TFSI)

• Replace discs and pads all round

(340 mm TTS cross drilled + Ferodo DS2500 front)
Ferodo DS2500 Performance Racing Brake Pads - FCP1629H

(TTS cross drilled 280mm rear and std pads)

• Fit B12 Bilstein Sportline suspension kit (-25mm) (Eibach springs)
• replacer rear wheel bearing
• 2 new front strut top mounts
• 70,000 mile service
• replace track rod end

heres the 'after' stance

Ford KUGA mpg update

37.5 mpg 486 miles

Ford KUGA mpg update

503 miles @ 37.4 mpg
Includes a high speed dash this week.

Golf GTI Edition 30 mpg update

399 miles  @ 30.5 mpg
Lots of motorway again so better mpg

Ford KUGA tdci Keyfob remote battery replacement

Car dash came up with remote battery low this morning.

Turns out it's an easy fix.
Remove key piece,  and use a knife to prise the two halves of the Keyfob apart.
The just replace the battery with an equivalent.
I got two batteries from Amazon. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0042GUIAU)

Test by using remote on car before assuming it's all ok!

Ford KUGA tdci mpg update

38.4 mpg over 1002  miles (two tanks) 
found out the odo just rolls to 0 after 999 miles!  Wtf seems a little short sighted.
Better mileage down to more motorway miles and my wife changing gear before 2000 rpm

Ford KUGA mpg update 163 tdci

Two full tanks worth of miles.
Averages 450 miles @ 36 mpg

Golf GTI Edition 30 mpg update

26.3 mpg 300+ miles
I did add a small top up before I could get to a shell garage,  so barely over 300 miles.

Ford KUGA mpg update

478 miles @ 37.8 mpg

Volkswagen golf GTI Edition 30 mpg update

348 miles @29.5mpg

Ford KUGA MOT passed @ 40257 miles

Passed,  advisories on

All four tyres
Front and rear discs and pads

Will buy the discs and pads and fit myself.
Dealership suggested jinyu tyres at £100, but I can't with clear conscience fit them.

Continental sport contact 5 are 240 each!

Oven hob short circuit fixed

Hob cut out this week while cooking.
I assumed it was a short in one of the elements or the PCB,  but thought I would chase the wiring into the hob just to make sure.

Opening the cover under the hob revealed this, the live and neutral wires sorted together.
Easy fix,  cut out wires and reattach.

Given the cost of spare parts for a ceramic hob I'm more than a little chuffed is all fixed.

At least now I can spend the money on cars...

Kuga hits 40,000 miles!

Car bought last year at 22,500 now at 40,000, only issue is the cost of 19 inch tyres....

Narnia Trio Plus car seat replacement by Team Tex

There was a recent article around the Narnia Trio Plus carseats.
Indicating that although it had passed EU safety standards, it had performed poorly under 'Which' safety tests under some scenarios

http://www.which.co.uk/news/2013/06/which-advice-replace-nania-trio-plus-car-seat-322953/

Of which we had bought 1 for us to use, and one for the grandparents to use.
Theres a good page here that allows you to identify any offending seats.

http://your.asda.com/news-and-blogs/get-the-facts-which-report-on-our-team-tex-car-seat

Ours were bought from Asda. And to be honest they werent much use when we went in to discuss it.

So I sent an email to Team Tex directly (found info via web)
enquiries@teamtex.co.uk (or you can call 01530 519728)

I received a very prompt reply from Sarah @ TeamTex asking for details.
No sooner had I replied that she confirmed they would arrange for delivery of 2 replacements in 7-10days.
Text on my mobile today to arrange delivery by a 3rd party courier, and voila 2 new updated car seats.

All i can say is that Im very pleasantly surprised by the efficiency and professionalism of TeamTex in dealing with this matter.
In this day and age, its a rare thing that really matters.

Well Done Sarah and TeamTex. Bravo

Ford KUGA mpg update

Got the wife to try chasing up before 2000 rpm and lo and behold mpg has risen 3mpg!

Golf GTI Edition 30 @ Blyton Park Trackday (Javelin) 03/08/2013

had an awesome day at Blyton Park with the Javelin guys on Saturday 3rd Aug 2013. Some mates there with Lotus Sport Cup 260 Golf mk6 R and another heavily modified Edition 30 [TODO full writeup] more pictures here http://www.motorsportinfocus.co.uk/Javelin%20Blyton%2003.08.13/album/

Indesit FDU20IX Fan Oven Replacement Element

not so long ago I replaced the thermostat which was a fairly involved oven out job....

and today the oven would not heat up.

Lights on, fan running but no heat.

Quick google search indicated it could be the element but not entirely sure.

So I thought Id try it given the low cost.

Bought from espares again as they have been great so far

http://www.espares.co.uk/product/es1019719/2500-watt-fan-oven-element

heres my review for the website

• incredibly simple to replace01 August 2013

  • Overall Rating5.0 out of 5
  • Ease of fitting5.0 out of 5
  • Quality5.0 out of 5
  • Value5.0 out of 5

  By johno - Warrington

  for my oven at least, this was so trivial to replace its untrue (in comparison to the thermostat which is far more involved) replacement part was well packaged and visually almost identical to the original. power isolated leave oven where it is, you dont need to pull it out at all. front door removed fan guard panel removed (4 x phillips screws and 1 x bulb cover ) remove 1 x screw holding element remove 2 spade clips replace element and reconnect spade clips reassemble in reverse voila job done. video on this site also helps a lot. 2 key points 1. turn off the power 2. make sure you dont loose the spade connectors down the back of the oven! DIY made easy, just do it.

Ford KUGA mpg update

Golf GTI Edition 30 mpg update

26.7mpg for 320 miles