Golf gti edition 30 mpg 30.9mpg

30.9 mpg
Very economical
Slow average commuting to work , no spirited driving!

Ford kuga 2.0 tdci 163 523 miles @41.5mpg

523 miles @41.5mpg
Vpower

Ford kuga 2.0 tdci 60mph 50 mpg is possible!

60mph steady driving to centre parcs showing what's possible.  Nearly 50 mpg!
Got bored eventually though and had to increase the cruising speed. ..

Golf gti edition 30 mpg update 390 miles 31.8mpg

Golf gti edition 30 going legal on number plates

Golf gti edition 30 mpg update

29.7mpg 380 miles

Golf GTI Edition 30 : new front tyres : Michelin Pilot Super Sport 225/40R18 92 Y XL

replacements for the front tyres
80000 miles

Goodyear Eagle Assymetric F1 coming  off (10,000 miles , with 2.5mm remaining)
to be replaced with
Michelin Pilot Super Sport XL
Michelin Pilot Super Sport 225/40R18 92 Y XL

supply and fitting by event tyres ( as usual)

looking forward to trying them out, heard lots of good things.

Golf gti edition 30 80000 miles milestone

Golf gti service time!

Windows Vista / Google Chrome Browser closes immediately after opening. SOLUTION : Delete CyberLink YouCam software!

as these things go, what a swine to diagnose.

Father in law called me on Sunday to say his Windows Vista SP2 laptop would no longer open Chrome browser without it just closing again almost immediately.

A quick search gave me this thread
https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/chrome/FwgIERQmHxg%5B276-300-false%5D
looks tempting but its windows 7!

I went through a few things listed

no sandbox
disable gpu
create new profile etc

but none had any effect.

I also installed Chrome beta but no joy either.

Funnily if I used compatibility mode for XP Chrome remained open but didnt work for settings or web page retrieval !

In the end I finally came across this
https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/chrome/Tg9yp_NmQBA

uninstalled CyberLink YouCam via Control Panael, restart then

SUCCESS! unbelievably a recent auto update of Chrome doesnt play nice with CyberLink YouCam.(installed back when the PC was built)

I have no use for the YouCam software, so I'm at a loss if you need to keep it (maybe they have an update on their site but I havent checked,), but for me I only care about Chrome.

Go figure.

EDIT : i also found this thread. easy when you have the right search terms (i.e. cyberlink youcam ;-) )
https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/chrome/KJAp-EPlDDk

Golf gti edition 30 mpg update

380 miles @ 31.6mpg

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci mpg update 495 miles 39mpg

Golf GTI edition 30 mpg update 31.4mpg 380 miles

380 miles 31.4 mpg

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci mpg update. 60000 miles

38.3mpg  430 miles but 70 remaining. Tank averaging 500 miles these days.

Golf GTI edition 30 mpg update 31.8mpg 411 miles

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci mpg update 36.9mpg 467 miles

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci mpg update 37.9mpg 435 miles

Kuga passed mot 59000 miles

Golf GTI edition 30 mpg update 30.4mpg 366 miles

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci mpg update

Golf GTI edition 30 mpg update 31.3mpg 380 miles

Golf GTI edition 30 mpg update 32.6mpg 415 miles

32.6 mpg 415 miles

Golf GTI edition 30 mpg update 396 miles 32mpg

396 miles 32mpg shell high octane

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci mpg update 37.4mpg 410 miles

Early fill up.  Far from an empty tank

Golf GTI edition 30 mpg update 32.6mpg 416miles

This is how much mpg improves when getting a longer run commuting into Manchester. From 26 to 32 mpg and a distance of around 100 miles further.

Golf GTI edition 30 mpg update 28.5 mpg 353 miles

28.5 mpg 353 miles.  20 to go
Commuting to Manchester every day again now too!

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci mpg update

555 miles @ 40.4mpg

Wipers replaced on both cars

bought online from http://www.wiperblades.co.uk/

Top service arrived 2 days later.

Amazing how much difference some new blades can make. Well worth a few pennies

Item(s) : 1 X A980S : Bosch Aerotwin Flat Windscreen Wiper Blades

Vehicle : VW - Golf - Hatchback - Mk5 2006 - 2009

Cost : £18.02

Item(s) : 1 X A330H : Bosch Specific Fit Flat Rear Wiper Blade

Vehicle : VW - Golf - Hatchback - Mk5 2006 - 2009

Cost : £8.87

Item(s) : 1 X A721S : Bosch Aerotwin Flat Windscreen Wiper Blades

Vehicle : Ford - Kuga - - 2008 - 2012

Cost : £22.88

Item(s) : 1 X H330 : Bosch Specific Fit Rear Wiper Blade

Vehicle : Ford - Kuga - - 2008 - 2012

Cost : £5.54

Sizes
Kuga ones were different.

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci mpg update

Filled early.  Would have gone to approx 500 miles.  37.8mpg average

Golf GTI edition 30 mpg update 28.4 mpg 354 miles

28.4 mpg 354 miles

Volkswagen golf GTI edition 30 keyfob replacement badges

Old clear faded OE badges on left.  New replacements on right.

OE are more 3d and covered by clear rubber dome. These are exposed and thinner with no cover but are great value and look great.
Only time will tell how resilient they are.

Great mini mod

http://r.ebay.com/cjDMWL

Golf GTI edition 30 mpg update 25mpg 300miles

Usual shell vpower

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci mpg update

Dieing this tankful dpf issues. Now sorted though.

35mpg 430 miles

Ford Kuga 163 TDCI 50,000 mile service

Polar Ford Warrington

50,000 miles (actual mileage 53,000)

£195 inc 1yrs breakdown cover
Also had the rear tracking done too

(add tracking settings pic)


Engine Malfunction light ignored (at my request)

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci Diesel Particulate Filter [DPF] faulty sensor. P2020, P2456, P246C, P2463, P246B

Funny coincidence after the flat battery or maybe as a consequence of jump starting the car but almost as soon as the car was running there was  engine malfunction on the dash followed by EML light and limp home mode.
Even resetting codes and long runs didn't help.

I tried diagnostics but it wasn't until 2 days running I got some useful codes indicating a sensor problem

Interestingly the first few codes it threw were P2020, diesel particulate filter efficiency below threshold bank 1. But a few runs and clearing gave me the ones below........

These were

Code: P2452 - Diesel Particulate Filter Differential Pressure Sensor Circuit

Code: P2456 - Diesel Particulate Filter Differential Pressure Sensor Circuit Intermittent/Erratic

Code: P246C - Diesel Particulate Filter Restriction - Forced Limited Power

Code: P2463 - Diesel Particulate Filter - Soot Accumulation

Code: P246B - Vehicle Conditions Incorrect for Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration

The actual output from ForScan is below and very helpful

===DTC P246C:00-AF===
Code: P246C - Diesel Particulate Filter Restriction - Forced Limited Power

Status: 
- DTC Present at Time of Request
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp is On for this DTC

Module: Powertrain Control Module===END DTC P246C:00-AF===

===DTC P2463:97-AF===
Code: P2463 - Diesel Particulate Filter - Soot Accumulation

Additional Fault Symptom:
- Component Or System Operation Obstructed Or Blocked

Status: 
- DTC Present at Time of Request
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp is On for this DTC

Module: Powertrain Control Module

Diagnostic Trouble Code details

If DTCs P242F and P244B are set, do not perform the diesel particulate filter static regeneration. Investigate these DTCs first.

It is important to determine the root cause of the blocked filter.

Note: The following procedure must be performed exactly as instructed.
Re-program the PCM to the latest level calibration.
Engine Warm Up
Use Datalogger to check the following:
Engine coolant temperature
Engine temperature must reach 80 degrees celsius
Perform the following powertrain service function:
Reset the Diesel Particulate Filter Learned Values
Perform the following powertrain service function:
Diesel Particulate Filter Static Regeneration
Investigate any other DTC that may be present in order to determine the root cause.

This DTC may be caused by :
EGR valve stuck in the open position.
Leakage, blockage or restriction in air intake system.
Air leak in the vacuum hoses between the turbocharger and the air intake throttle.
Blocked or leaking differential pressure sensor hoses.
Differential pressure sensor electrical fault.
Pre-catalyst temperature sensor electrical fault
Post-catalyst temperature sensor electrical fault
===END DTC P2463:97-AF===


===DTC P246B:97-2F===
Code: P246B - Vehicle Conditions Incorrect for Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration

Additional Fault Symptom:
- Component Or System Operation Obstructed Or Blocked

Status: 
- DTC Present at Time of Request
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC

Module: Powertrain Control Module===END DTC P246B:97-2F===

===DTC P2452:97-2F===
Code: P2452 - Diesel Particulate Filter Differential Pressure Sensor Circuit

Additional Fault Symptom:
- Component Or System Operation Obstructed Or Blocked

Status: 
- DTC Present at Time of Request
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC
Module: Powertrain Control Module
Diagnostic Trouble Code details
signal open circuit, shorted to VPWR or ground
Signal out of range
===END DTC P2452:97-2F===

===DTC P2456:92-2C===
Code: P2456 - Diesel Particulate Filter Differential Pressure Sensor Circuit Intermittent/Erratic

Additional Fault Symptom:
- Performance Or Incorrect Operation

Status: 
- Previously Set DTC - Not Present at Time of Request
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC

Module: Powertrain Control Module
Diagnostic Trouble Code details
This DTC may be caused by :

An intermittent open or short circuit
Sensor Previously disconnected.
Differential pressure sensor
Damaged or contaminated connector
Damaged connector pins 

Visually inspect the PCM connector and wires as far back as the main loom for damage and corrosion. Repair or clean as appropriate
===END DTC P2456:92-2C===

===DTC P2463-C===
Code: P2463 - Diesel Particulate Filter - Soot Accumulation
Status: 
- Confirmed - mailfunction is confirmed 
Module: On Board Diagnostic II===END DTC P2463-C===

Fearful of doing permanent damage to the dpf and a plausable reason for issues I took the car to a local garage to sort, service was faultless.

http://www.ashcroftautocentre.co.uk/

New sensor.  
Static regen and voila its back. 
Only time will tell if it stays this way.

Total cost was £197 (diagnosis, new sensor, fitting and static regen)


ELM 427 cable to support MS and HS CAN is here
Black USB Modified ELM327 Elmconfig Forscan Ford Focus Mondeo Kuga S-Max http://r.ebay.com/KwyuOL


Kuga forum has a very useful thread here on all Kuga Mk1 related DPF issues

http://www.kugaownersclub.co.uk/forum/all-mk1-engine-management-dpf-issues-info_topic5726.html

Reset mpg , trip and average speed in one go Kuga

I have always reset individually until today. ...
If you go into the menu, there is a 'reset all' option negating the need to do each in turn.

Simples

Kuga Flat battery

Not sure but think we left the ignition on.
Battery at 2v ! When I came home to investigate
Jump start and back up to 12v ,14v when running.

Seemed ok.  But also getting p2002 dtc codes after jump which seems odd.

Also managed to get xp notebook and elm427 to work plugged into the obdII port.
Can read codes and reset but also took the chance to enable auto lock from 7mph.

Let's see what tomorrow brings. ....

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci service time

Same mileage as last mpg update

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci mpg update

540 miles and 42mpg. Best I've ever seen since we bought the car.

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci mpg update

486 miles @ 37.9 mpg

Golf GTI edition 30 mpg update

355 miles @ 28.6mpg

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci mpg update

One of the few times over 40mpg

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci windscreen stonechip

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci mpg update

36.8 mpg 410 miles

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci added AWD badge

UK car has only tdci badge which is all chrome finish.

You can buy an alternative version (US I think) that has tdci and awd text.

(2 choices that are slightly different)

ebay badge 1

ebay badge 2

I chose badge 1

Been sitting in the draw for months reckoned it was time to fit it ...
Old badge was bent during removal.

For fitting it was in the original location centred as before (i left enough old badge residue to be able to see where the badge I took off resided)

Subtle but different OEM+

Golf GTI edition 30 mpg update

330 miles @26mpg

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci mpg update

450 miles 35.7 mpg average.

Ford Kuga noise ignition on engine off dashboard area

noticed an odd whirring noise from the front of the kuga with the ignition on (and engine either on or off). Heres my post on http://www.kugaownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic9538_post89325.html#89325

Hi, I have a low level whirr noise from the central dashboard area that sounds like a small fan (but could be anything) Only present with the ignition on. Even with the climate control switched to off its still present. Anyone else had the same? Could be dashboard related or transmitted through from engine bay Mk1 Kuga 163 tdci manual awd 50k miles thanks John

lo and behold some great info from this thread tried WD40 but sadly its still noisy, however the pitch change during squirting has confirmed thats the bit thats noisy. Next up white grease.

Nokian tyre update

Recently passed 50000 miles.  So worth a check on the wear indicators.

Down to just above 7mm from 8.5mm on 5500 miles.  I'd say that's pretty impressive wear rate.

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci mpg update

455 miles to scotland and back at average 59mph (85 cruising on motorway)

Mpg was 34.9

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci 50000 miles milestone

Yep the big 50.

Golf GTI Edition 30 : insurance renewal

Various mods including S3 brakes and stg1 REVO remap

this year dropped to £499, renewed with Greenlight (who also cover trackdays too)

job done

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci mpg update

462 miles @ 35.4mpg

Angelsey Track Day

​ 

Another last minute decision to hit the track! 
Normally dont look as its too tempting but Gaz from the Mk5Golfgti forum had posted he was going.
Quick decision to jump on the Javelin Trackday website and get it sorted the day before!
Ive booked before through Javelin and its always been top notch (both for Oulton Park and Blyton Park tracks)


Getting there

First off, its a relatively long way away!
From Warrington to Angelsey was 2hrs for me, which makes it a long day

Heres the location


http://www.angleseycircuit.com/

Circuit Office
Anglesey Circuit
Ty Croes
Anglesey
LL63 5TF
Wales, UK



I left my house at 05:45 am and got back home at 6pm....

Tyre pressures

My ​previous front tyres were destroyed @ Blyton Park by overheating. 
New fronts are Goodyear​​ Eagle F1 Assym 2​ ​Normally run quite hard for soft sidewalls, so normal running is 38 PSI for general road running. ​
Learning from previously I dropped these to 34 COLD​ before even driving to Angelsey. ​
After first session I had understeer and lack of traction​ ​coming in after the first run they measured ​42 HOT​ 
​I instantly dropped them to 38 HOT 
After coming in from second session they were 42 HOT​ 
Drop​ped them again​ to 38 HOT 

Better running, more grip , PSI stabilised at 40PSI HOT after a session. 

[Letting them cool once home this is actually 30.5 PSI cold] 

All pressures are for FRONT only, I left rears as i run on the road. 
My ambition was to get to a slightly loose rear end (understeer) but never quite got there. ​ 

General Costs 

Track day (Javelin)    £139
Helmet hire (Javelin) £10 
Fuel 28mpg getting to the track : (2 x 114) = 228 miles total (approx £52) 
Fuel 12.5mpg whilst on track : 103 miles on track (approx £52)
Track Day Insurance for the day (Greenlight) £45

In total the day has cost : £298 (not including wear and tyre costs!)

Fuel
Nearest Shell station
Shell Station, Mona Rd, Menai Bridge, Isle of Anglesey LL59 5EB, United Kingdom
which you visit on the way, so remember to fill up
https://goo.gl/maps/bp9Fl

no fuel onsite at the track so fill up and/or take a fuel container


Summary

xxxxxxxx

Ford Kuga 163 tdci mpg update

466 miles @ 35.8 mpg  23mph average speed

Autotrader Road trip 2014

Golf GTI edition 30 mpg update 27.5 mpg

Over a few tanks, mixed speeds

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 tdci mpg update

Early fill up, 39mpg over 427 miles

Samsung Galaxy S4 i9505 : Sandisk 32GB card corrupt again. lets try a Samsung brand

For months my Galaxy S4 works fine, then bam my battery usage increases massively and my phone goes dead in 3 hrs, as well as any apps Ive copied to SD Card now failing.
I have actually lost very few photos because i have autobackup enabled (for Google+ whilst plugged in at night)

Eventually I worked out this was due to corrupt files on the SD forcing unmounting, the OS would try to remount soon after and just eject again. Continous cycle that just kills battery.

This can be tested by using SD Card Monitor to view the cycle 
(it shouldnt be very often!)

SDCardMonitor on GooglePlay


In the time Ive had the phone Ive had
had one card fail due to manufacturing defect (free replacement, see an earlier blog post)
another fail and I cant be bothered with all the tech support calls to Sandisk.


So now Im trying a Samsung branded card to see if that makes any difference.

Samsung 32GB Class 10 UHS-1 Grade 1 48MB/s MicroSDHC Plus Memory Card without adapter

Samsung-MicroSDHC 32GB

Lets see how this one goes

[EDIT 07/04/2014] : I have not had any SD card problems since fitting the Samsung version!!! go figure.

Ford Kuga 163 2.0 TDCI : diy replacing front and rear discs and pads

For this years (2013) MOT the brakes and pads were an advisory, they had started to get noisy so reckoned they needed changed.

Dealer wanted over £550 all in (inc fitting) to supply and fit new front and rear, but i thought I'd buck the trend and fit my own, as I've done lots of brakes before.

Heres how they came off, note the front brake pads being a little lacking in material!
I didnt strictly need to replace the discs (could have ground off the old disc lip) but preferred this way.

Front and Rear (car at 44,000 miles)

I chose to get the parts from ebay auctions. generally its from OE Ford dealers just selling parts. 
You could also try other brakes places e.g. TPS (need trade account) / EuroCarParts, or even your local dealer if you can get a good discount, but I preferred this way.

Camskill even do a full set for £120! but they are pattern parts and I've had bad experience with pattern brake parts before, so I avoided.

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m41b0s3952p49996/FORD_KUGA_-_SERVICING_PARTS_TUNING_SPARES_and_SERVICE_ACCESSORIES_-_Front_and_Rear_Brake_Discs_and_Pad_Set_-_Ford_Kuga_-_All_Models



I actually bought these :

front discs (vented) OE Ford + pads (pads only, didnt have springs or caliper bolts, need to use existing)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220904237632&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:GB:3160

£117

rear discs (solid) OE Ford + pads (includes fitting springs and 4 new caliper bolts)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220904189751&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:GB:3160

£111.49

Being OE you should also keep the Ford warranty, if that bothers you.

front calipers just push back so do not require a special tool (but by all means use it to help)

The tool is definitely required for the rear , both calipers turned clockwise using tool for me.(so you only use one of the 'twisters' below)

This is the caliper kit I bought for this use.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00A8LX7YW

I also used threadlock (removable) on main bolts as well as a light smear of copper grease to make getting the wheels off easier next time.

I had planned to paint the calipers but ran out of time, so that will have to wait until early 2014.

So far, so good, they have been great, and the pedal feel is much better than before.
I did do a few mid level stops to attempt some break in for them as well after fitting.