Urban myths about cars
Discussion
Engineer1 said:
It is better, it reduces the load on the starter, and also prevents any problems of being started in gear. Some manufacturers even put a switch in the ignition system meaning it won't start unless the clutch is depressed
Do Automatics that start in Park have a comparable system to starting a manual with the clutch pedal depressed?HAB said:
Porsche recommends depressing the clutch for cold starts in the 964 C2 owners manual
I still do this on all my cars - it's a habit learned by owning lots of old land rovers. Especially if they aren't used regularly, you always start them before using any other electricals such as the lights and you start them with the clutch down so the starter motor only has to turn over the engine, not the gearbox layshaft as well! Sometimes it's the difference between starting and not starting. 
syncro. said:
... I'd rather not load up the un-lubricated thrust bearing in the engine then turn it over. Much better in my oppion is to slightly increase the stress on the starter and wait till the thrust bearing is lubricated before loading it up!
How does the thrust bearing get lubricated?TallPaul said:
syncro. said:
... I'd rather not load up the un-lubricated thrust bearing in the engine then turn it over. Much better in my oppion is to slightly increase the stress on the starter and wait till the thrust bearing is lubricated before loading it up!
How does the thrust bearing get lubricated?Thrust bearing is not part of the engine ,for a start.
Certainly wouldnt be an issue with it being lubricated or not - its just a bearing, like any other, but just more difficult to get at!
jatinder said:
peterbean said:
The best one I ever heard;-
"If you twist the hazard lights switch in a Vauxhall Nova it starts every time due to the ignition and lighting looms on the same cable..."
No if you take it out without breaking it, turn it aound and plug it back in. You could bump start the car."If you twist the hazard lights switch in a Vauxhall Nova it starts every time due to the ignition and lighting looms on the same cable..."
Edited by jatinder on Friday 14th March 13:01
The old ford things completly true aswell seen that done, any worn ford key will fit in any worn ford lock and work.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Yes, I remember reading that all the time too.My favourite rumour at the time was that the 1.9 was so powerful, in certain cases the alloys could be made to spin whilst the tyres remained stationary and they had to be recalled by Peugeot.
I was SO in awe of them though, I'm ashamed to say, I was taken in for a while.
Youth and naivity eh!
Or888t said:
jatinder said:
peterbean said:
The best one I ever heard;-
"If you twist the hazard lights switch in a Vauxhall Nova it starts every time due to the ignition and lighting looms on the same cable..."
No if you take it out without breaking it, turn it aound and plug it back in. You could bump start the car."If you twist the hazard lights switch in a Vauxhall Nova it starts every time due to the ignition and lighting looms on the same cable..."
Edited by jatinder on Friday 14th March 13:01
The old ford things completly true aswell seen that done, any worn ford key will fit in any worn ford lock and work.
I was actually amazed that it did actually work.
yonex said:
Half a tennis ball over the locks opens some car doors.
Sticking a stereo in a freezer removes the lock code.
Both good 90's myths
I've hjeard that freezer one, no idea if it's true? Sticking a stereo in a freezer removes the lock code.
Both good 90's myths
Whne I was at uni we had to buy little cards with a magnetic strip to pay for photocopies. Once the card was down to 2 or 3 copies left, you could increase the number by putting them in the freezer overnight. True, I did it many times.
Or888t said:
jatinder said:
peterbean said:
The best one I ever heard;-
"If you twist the hazard lights switch in a Vauxhall Nova it starts every time due to the ignition and lighting looms on the same cable..."
No if you take it out without breaking it, turn it aound and plug it back in. You could bump start the car."If you twist the hazard lights switch in a Vauxhall Nova it starts every time due to the ignition and lighting looms on the same cable..."
Edited by jatinder on Friday 14th March 13:01
The old ford things completly true aswell seen that done, any worn ford key will fit in any worn ford lock and work.
ks until a lad at work showed me!!
The half a tennis ball trick to open some car doors is almost true.
My dad used to be in the police and used to go around manufacturers and dealers showing the weaknesses in their car's security. Volvos of a certain age could easily be opened with the tennis ball he kept in his briefcase of tricks.
But it wasn't half a tennis ball, you had to cut a small hole the same size as the lock so the ball would fit snuggly. Then give it a whack, up pops the lock.
Jags of a certain age could also be opened by repeatedly trying to open the handle quickly, the wire for the locking was weak and under alot of tension so repeated attempts on the door handle would snap it and the door would be open.
My dad used to be in the police and used to go around manufacturers and dealers showing the weaknesses in their car's security. Volvos of a certain age could easily be opened with the tennis ball he kept in his briefcase of tricks.
But it wasn't half a tennis ball, you had to cut a small hole the same size as the lock so the ball would fit snuggly. Then give it a whack, up pops the lock.
Jags of a certain age could also be opened by repeatedly trying to open the handle quickly, the wire for the locking was weak and under alot of tension so repeated attempts on the door handle would snap it and the door would be open.
wiliferus said:
In fact, the Vectra 2.8t version that a few forces currently use is downtuned for efficiency and durability. I'm pretty sure the VXR comes out the factory with circa 280 bhp... the Police Special version has 240bhp.
There is a version of the 2.8t putting out ~240bhp that is used in non-VXR Vectra's, in the higher trim levels (Elite etc). I imagine that's the engine in the Police versions, rather than a specially detuned one?Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff