Tips for daily driving Tuscan
Discussion
I've just started driving my 2001 4.0 on a daily basis and was wondering if any of you daily Tuscan drivers had any particular tips to avoid problems. For example:
1. Oil - How often does the oil really need topping up? There's no way I have the time or inclination to check it daily as the manual says. I do a 40 mile round trip - how many miles between max and half way on the dipstick?
2. Fuel - my 4.0 seems to run perfectly well on 95 RON and I notice the manual says 95 RON - any problems for daily use and upgrading to 98 for the odd trackday?
3. Tyres - currently running Michelin Pilot Sport rears and due a change up front. I was considering Goodyear F1s - what's the best mix for safe daily driving? Was also considering a second set of wheels one shod for summer, one for winter - good idea/really necessary?
4. Roof / rear window - the least practical bit of a Tuscan - I've developed the habit of putting the rear screen in first and then the roof but that's all a ball-ache if you have a laptop case and want to stop off for lunch. Speedy refit of the roof seems hard to achieve without the tubes taking pieces out of the rear section of the roof. Any big ideas for fast solo fitting?
5. Tunes - standard speakers are about as effective as my singing in the shower. Without provoking a debate about how you don't buy a Tuscan for the stereo, I like my tunes on the way to work. Has anyone fitted decent front main speakers, tweeters etc?
That's all that annoyed me today...apart from the sense of trashing the clutch in heavy traffic but there's not much anyone can do about that except leave home at 4 am.
Cheers,
Allen (Flat six here, Toucan on the TCRCC forums)
1. Oil - How often does the oil really need topping up? There's no way I have the time or inclination to check it daily as the manual says. I do a 40 mile round trip - how many miles between max and half way on the dipstick?
2. Fuel - my 4.0 seems to run perfectly well on 95 RON and I notice the manual says 95 RON - any problems for daily use and upgrading to 98 for the odd trackday?
3. Tyres - currently running Michelin Pilot Sport rears and due a change up front. I was considering Goodyear F1s - what's the best mix for safe daily driving? Was also considering a second set of wheels one shod for summer, one for winter - good idea/really necessary?
4. Roof / rear window - the least practical bit of a Tuscan - I've developed the habit of putting the rear screen in first and then the roof but that's all a ball-ache if you have a laptop case and want to stop off for lunch. Speedy refit of the roof seems hard to achieve without the tubes taking pieces out of the rear section of the roof. Any big ideas for fast solo fitting?
5. Tunes - standard speakers are about as effective as my singing in the shower. Without provoking a debate about how you don't buy a Tuscan for the stereo, I like my tunes on the way to work. Has anyone fitted decent front main speakers, tweeters etc?
That's all that annoyed me today...apart from the sense of trashing the clutch in heavy traffic but there's not much anyone can do about that except leave home at 4 am.
Cheers,
Allen (Flat six here, Toucan on the TCRCC forums)
Allen, As a fellow daily driver (since Sep 06 - 450 miles per week roughly!), my answers are as follows:
1. I get roughly 1000 miles per litre (I think thats the difference between max and min).
2. I run on 95 all the time, a mix of Shell or Sainsburys - no more than about 1mpg difference between the two of them.
3. I bought my car with Toyo T1-S on the front and T1-R on the rear. 22k miles later and I'm now running T1-R all round. Never had any issues between winter and summer, but then not had much (if any) snow to play with!
4. Sorry, no ideas, just take care and have patience.
5. I fitted 8cm (I think) front tweeters using whisky tubes. There's a thread on here somewhere. I still need to paint them as it's still a temporary fit (after about 1.5 years!). I'm also running an amp behind my seat to power all 4 speakers.
6. Ref the clutch, mine lasted about 20k miles before it went, but I think it wsa the slave.
Just drive and have fun!!
1. I get roughly 1000 miles per litre (I think thats the difference between max and min).
2. I run on 95 all the time, a mix of Shell or Sainsburys - no more than about 1mpg difference between the two of them.
3. I bought my car with Toyo T1-S on the front and T1-R on the rear. 22k miles later and I'm now running T1-R all round. Never had any issues between winter and summer, but then not had much (if any) snow to play with!
4. Sorry, no ideas, just take care and have patience.
5. I fitted 8cm (I think) front tweeters using whisky tubes. There's a thread on here somewhere. I still need to paint them as it's still a temporary fit (after about 1.5 years!). I'm also running an amp behind my seat to power all 4 speakers.
6. Ref the clutch, mine lasted about 20k miles before it went, but I think it wsa the slave.
Just drive and have fun!!
I use my tuscan on a daily basis, and check my oil and tyres at least once a week, or more often if more miles are clocked up. Checking the oil takes less than 3 minutes tbh
Re the clutch - this is prob the most important thing along with not revving beyond 2500 until up to temp. My opinion is to make sure you don't ride the clutch in stop/go traffic. Much better to pop it into neutral than leave it in gear ( less strain on your ankle too )
Re the roof in the boot and needing to store your laptop etc. Some people report their roof being a tight fit into the boot, I find that I can lift the roof slightly and get laptop etc. into/out of the boot without any trouble ( just dont put your bag on top of the rear screen - ouch! )
Re the clutch - this is prob the most important thing along with not revving beyond 2500 until up to temp. My opinion is to make sure you don't ride the clutch in stop/go traffic. Much better to pop it into neutral than leave it in gear ( less strain on your ankle too )
Re the roof in the boot and needing to store your laptop etc. Some people report their roof being a tight fit into the boot, I find that I can lift the roof slightly and get laptop etc. into/out of the boot without any trouble ( just dont put your bag on top of the rear screen - ouch! )
Edited by cube on Tuesday 11th March 11:08
FLAT 6 said:
5. Tunes - standard speakers are about as effective as my singing in the shower. Without provoking a debate about how you don't buy a Tuscan for the stereo, I like my tunes on the way to work. Has anyone fitted decent front main speakers, tweeters etc?
Lots of scope for improving the hifi in a Tuscan without it being too obvious. Like S6PNJ, I've got 3.5" Infinity speakers mounted in sealed tubes jammed between the dash and the front parcel shelf. They are covered with dynomat and black cloth to match my interior, so practically invisible to the untrained eye, and are plenty powerful enough for front-fill running off the head unit's internal amp.For the rest of the setup I have a Genesis Profile 4 amp in the left side of the boot, driving a pair of MB Quart 4" components in the stock positions. Bass is provided by a pair of 6x9" Genesis Profile subs mounted on a fake rear bulkhead, bolted in place, and covered in dynomat and black acoustic carpet to match my interior. They also run off the Profile 4, which is loud enough for me especially if the roof is on. Stereo imaging isn't great considering the range of speaker positions, but it's nice and clear.
If you don't fancy the DIY route there's a chap called Carl Baker who gets lots of recommendations on here. I'm sure a search will turn up his details.
Cheers,
Pete
I found the link to the stereo install but unfortunately it is dead. It was http://www.zen34862.zen.co.uk/tvrpics/stereo.html , so if anyone knows zen34862 or can find the new resting place, the info is there!
S6PNJ said:
3. I bought my car with Toyo T1-S on the front and T1-R on the rear. 22k miles later and I'm now running T1-R all round.
22k miles! my last set or rears lasted 6K!
going sideways is bad for tyres
going sideways is bad for tyres
going sideways is bad for tyres
going sideways is bad for tyres
going sideways is bad for tyres
going sideways is fun....
Custard
Thanks for the help all,
Gone through my first week with no particular mishaps.
A few practical improvements..
Just fitted a new drivers side Bosch wiper from Halfords that has a built-in aerofoil - what an amazing difference.
Also have applied silicon to the rear screen top seal - the squeeking was driving me mad.
Temporary iPOD connnection using one of those cassette tape adapters. Seems to work OK!
Two niggles I need help with..
Anyone suggest a way I can stop the water leak from front top corner of the drivers window/front right hand edge of the roof panel??
Anyone know why there would be strong smell of petrol only when I open the window?
Cheers,
Allen
Gone through my first week with no particular mishaps.
A few practical improvements..
Just fitted a new drivers side Bosch wiper from Halfords that has a built-in aerofoil - what an amazing difference.
Also have applied silicon to the rear screen top seal - the squeeking was driving me mad.
Temporary iPOD connnection using one of those cassette tape adapters. Seems to work OK!
Two niggles I need help with..
Anyone suggest a way I can stop the water leak from front top corner of the drivers window/front right hand edge of the roof panel??
Anyone know why there would be strong smell of petrol only when I open the window?
Cheers,
Allen
V8 GRF said:
Disco_Biscuit said:
Tips for daily driving, make sure you got good breakdown cover
.... of course BMWs never break down do they?Oh so what was that I just saw at the side of the M6 just south of Preston?
the other done one lap of the ring and the coil overs kept winding down and went home on the back
of a low loader.Not saying BMW are reliable but certainly not as unreliable as TVR.
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