How to treat the babies right??
Discussion
Im new to Cerb ownership so would like some advice on how to treat the car right.
i know they have a reputation for breaking down (i care not one jot about it, its british and its beautiful, not many cars look this good or go this well for this money, well none actually) but have been told it depends on how you treat the car.
What should be regularly checked, how should it be driven etc, any advise will be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Oh by the way its a S6.
i know they have a reputation for breaking down (i care not one jot about it, its british and its beautiful, not many cars look this good or go this well for this money, well none actually) but have been told it depends on how you treat the car.
What should be regularly checked, how should it be driven etc, any advise will be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Oh by the way its a S6.
Edited by BigAl83 on Thursday 7th August 13:51
My advice, for what its worth...
Never, and I mean, NEVER, rev the car above 3k until the engine is properly warm, and even below 3k be gentle until it is warm
Always check the oil regularly (you'll have to learn how to do this - it isn't normal!!)
Get yourself an accumate or similar as it will get a flat battery without and needs a full charge to get her going
Unless you're an expert, find someone who knows how to maintain it for you - this is effectively a race engine and needs love and affection every once in a while
Take it VERY gently until you are really used to driving the car.
Take it even gentler if its wet, damp or even slightly moist else get to know the local hedgerow
Most of all, look after it as your pride and joy and drive it and enjoy it
They're fabulous cars.
All the best with your superb decision!!
Cheers
Rob
Never, and I mean, NEVER, rev the car above 3k until the engine is properly warm, and even below 3k be gentle until it is warm
Always check the oil regularly (you'll have to learn how to do this - it isn't normal!!)
Get yourself an accumate or similar as it will get a flat battery without and needs a full charge to get her going
Unless you're an expert, find someone who knows how to maintain it for you - this is effectively a race engine and needs love and affection every once in a while
Take it VERY gently until you are really used to driving the car.
Take it even gentler if its wet, damp or even slightly moist else get to know the local hedgerow
Most of all, look after it as your pride and joy and drive it and enjoy it
They're fabulous cars.All the best with your superb decision!!
Cheers
Rob
Cheers rob, trust me ill be taking my time driving the car to start with iv gone from a Scooby turbo AWD to a race car with big BHP and rear wheel drive, bit 
but i wanted a british car.
Whats the crack with checking the oil??? i know they're dry sump but how do you do it?
iv been told not to move the car till its above 40 degree's is this right??
but i wanted a british car.Whats the crack with checking the oil??? i know they're dry sump but how do you do it?
iv been told not to move the car till its above 40 degree's is this right??
Do exactly what Rob says, always nice and easy until its warm, and even then whats the point in thrashing it? It's not a point and squirt car, it's a car for fast open roads, treat it with respect, they always bite you back when you least expect it.
Best way to check the oil is to remove the dipstick at night time (leave the bonnet open to remind you
) and check the oil in the morning.
In reality they hardly ever break down, just silly little niggly things like windows not closing properly, wipers not working properly etc etc. It's a car that you'll always find there is something that needs doing because you want it to be right
It's a Marmite car, you'll either love it or hate it - Enjoy it, youv'e got a real car now
Best way to check the oil is to remove the dipstick at night time (leave the bonnet open to remind you
) and check the oil in the morning.In reality they hardly ever break down, just silly little niggly things like windows not closing properly, wipers not working properly etc etc. It's a car that you'll always find there is something that needs doing because you want it to be right
It's a Marmite car, you'll either love it or hate it - Enjoy it, youv'e got a real car now
Edited by JensenA on Thursday 7th August 14:52
BigAl83 said:
Cheers rob, trust me ill be taking my time driving the car to start with iv gone from a Scooby turbo AWD to a race car with big BHP and rear wheel drive, bit but i wanted a british car.
Whats the crack with checking the oil??? i know they're dry sump but how do you do it?
iv been told not to move the car till its above 40 degree's is this right??
Never switch off when you're driving - the scooby will always save you, the cerb will bite you back!! Much more rewarding to drive, which is probably a reason you bought it. but i wanted a british car.Whats the crack with checking the oil??? i know they're dry sump but how do you do it?
iv been told not to move the car till its above 40 degree's is this right??
Sorry, I didn't notice the S6 bit,
as that is dry sumped. I was referring to the AJP engines to which there's an art to checking the oil. Not too sure how you check the S6 as I've never owned one.I'm not a fan of leaving the car ticking over before driving off. I tend to start it and leave it running just long enough to shut the garage door (unless its very early when I switch it off to appease the neighbours!!) and then drive off taking it very easy. They warm up quite quickly, but it gives you some time to get your head around the fact you're back in the cerb, and hence have to be a bit more focussed.
Congrats again on the purchse - unfortunately you're not down here (Sussex) else we'd try to get you out on an early morning blast
Cheers
Rob
Robscim said:
BigAl83 said:
Cheers rob, trust me ill be taking my time driving the car to start with iv gone from a Scooby turbo AWD to a race car with big BHP and rear wheel drive, bit but i wanted a british car.
Whats the crack with checking the oil??? i know they're dry sump but how do you do it?
iv been told not to move the car till its above 40 degree's is this right??
Never switch off when you're driving - the scooby will always save you, the cerb will bite you back!! Much more rewarding to drive, which is probably a reason you bought it. but i wanted a british car.Whats the crack with checking the oil??? i know they're dry sump but how do you do it?
iv been told not to move the car till its above 40 degree's is this right??
Sorry, I didn't notice the S6 bit,
as that is dry sumped. I was referring to the AJP engines to which there's an art to checking the oil. Not too sure how you check the S6 as I've never owned one.I'm not a fan of leaving the car ticking over before driving off. I tend to start it and leave it running just long enough to shut the garage door (unless its very early when I switch it off to appease the neighbours!!) and then drive off taking it very easy. They warm up quite quickly, but it gives you some time to get your head around the fact you're back in the cerb, and hence have to be a bit more focussed.
Congrats again on the purchse - unfortunately you're not down here (Sussex) else we'd try to get you out on an early morning blast
Cheers
Rob
I sometimes get to that neck of the woods with work, you never know i may just bring the cerb one time and have a nice glide around the south with you guys.
I hope iv made the right choice im sure i have, i wanted british and you cant get much more british than being built in Blackpool and yes i bought it because it will be more rewarding to drive, dont get me wrong i love the scoob, fantastic car, would have another but they loose value soooo fast, so maybe for trackdays or something......one day.
Cheers
Alan
It's the closest and most accurate way to describe the feeling of driving the car to a newcomer coming from the world of refined, mass produced cars. It's a Lightweight Car, Tubular steel chassis, Engine based on a early 90's F1 engine and developed in the Tuscan Race series, no attempt at refinement, rough, raw, fast and powerful.
Chris76 said:
Hello, slightly OT
I've read this forum for a bit now, can someone explain why cerbera are referred to as race cars ?
i wouldnt say they were race cars, not heard many people refer to them as race cars either, id say they are a pure sports car. no computer magic, just you the car the road and the fence if you dont watch outI've read this forum for a bit now, can someone explain why cerbera are referred to as race cars ?
Robscim said:
My advice, for what its worth...
Never, and I mean, NEVER, rev the car above 3k until the engine is properly warm, and even below 3k be gentle until it is warm
Always check the oil regularly (you'll have to learn how to do this - it isn't normal!!)
Get yourself an accumate or similar as it will get a flat battery without and needs a full charge to get her going
Unless you're an expert, find someone who knows how to maintain it for you - this is effectively a race engine and needs love and affection every once in a while
Take it VERY gently until you are really used to driving the car.
Take it even gentler if its wet, damp or even slightly moist else get to know the local hedgerow
Most of all, look after it as your pride and joy and drive it and enjoy it They're fabulous cars.
All the best with your superb decision!!
Cheers
Rob
Some very good advise there Rob.Never, and I mean, NEVER, rev the car above 3k until the engine is properly warm, and even below 3k be gentle until it is warm
Always check the oil regularly (you'll have to learn how to do this - it isn't normal!!)
Get yourself an accumate or similar as it will get a flat battery without and needs a full charge to get her going
Unless you're an expert, find someone who knows how to maintain it for you - this is effectively a race engine and needs love and affection every once in a while
Take it VERY gently until you are really used to driving the car.
Take it even gentler if its wet, damp or even slightly moist else get to know the local hedgerow
Most of all, look after it as your pride and joy and drive it and enjoy it
They're fabulous cars.All the best with your superb decision!!
Cheers
Rob
JensenA said:
Do exactly what Rob says, always nice and easy until its warm, and even then whats the point in thrashing it? It's not a point and squirt car, it's a car for fast open roads, treat it with respect, they always bite you back when you least expect it.
Best way to check the oil is to remove the dipstick at night time (leave the bonnet open to remind you) and check the oil in the morning.
In reality they hardly ever break down, just silly little niggly things like windows not closing properly, wipers not working properly etc etc. It's a car that you'll always find there is something that needs doing because you want it to be right
It's a Marmite car, you'll either love it or hate it - Enjoy it, youv'e got a real car now
It would be a real car if it was a AJPV8!!!Best way to check the oil is to remove the dipstick at night time (leave the bonnet open to remind you
) and check the oil in the morning.In reality they hardly ever break down, just silly little niggly things like windows not closing properly, wipers not working properly etc etc. It's a car that you'll always find there is something that needs doing because you want it to be right
It's a Marmite car, you'll either love it or hate it - Enjoy it, youv'e got a real car now
Edited by JensenA on Thursday 7th August 14:52
esso said:
JensenA said:
Do exactly what Rob says, always nice and easy until its warm, and even then whats the point in thrashing it? It's not a point and squirt car, it's a car for fast open roads, treat it with respect, they always bite you back when you least expect it.
Best way to check the oil is to remove the dipstick at night time (leave the bonnet open to remind you) and check the oil in the morning.
In reality they hardly ever break down, just silly little niggly things like windows not closing properly, wipers not working properly etc etc. It's a car that you'll always find there is something that needs doing because you want it to be right
It's a Marmite car, you'll either love it or hate it - Enjoy it, youv'e got a real car now
It would be a real car if it was a AJPV8!!!Best way to check the oil is to remove the dipstick at night time (leave the bonnet open to remind you
) and check the oil in the morning.In reality they hardly ever break down, just silly little niggly things like windows not closing properly, wipers not working properly etc etc. It's a car that you'll always find there is something that needs doing because you want it to be right
It's a Marmite car, you'll either love it or hate it - Enjoy it, youv'e got a real car now
Edited by JensenA on Thursday 7th August 14:52
) and not be calling me cause its a speed 6, plus this is my first TVR and as such i wouldnt mind a bit of backing on my purchase.I bought an S6 Cerb in March 2006, just to follow England at the WC (a shorter trip than expected). Since then I've driven around 14,000 miles without any problems at all and have no plan's to sell. BUT, I always get in maintained by a TVR expert and ALWAYS let it warm up properly.
Your point about the S6 being more of a GT than the V8's is correct.
Your point about the S6 being more of a GT than the V8's is correct.
BigAl83 said:
now you see esso, surely you should be greatful that another cerb is going to be treated like a child (fair enough its not the top spec one, but its got more grunt than the 4.2 ) and not be calling me cause its a speed 6, plus this is my first TVR and as such i wouldnt mind a bit of backing on my purchase.
Nothing wrong with the speed 6, all 3 have there pro's and con's! ) and not be calling me cause its a speed 6, plus this is my first TVR and as such i wouldnt mind a bit of backing on my purchase.Iv been in a speed 6 and she was anything but slow and still made a very good TVR noise, some good advice from people, also worth checking the underside, especially the out riggers as they have a tendency to rust.
bigal83, I suggest you look on the Tuscan and Spped 6 forum for correct starting and warm up procedures for the S6 engine, I'm rushing out so dont have time to cut and paste.
The worst thing you can do is idle it from cold, just start the b
d and as soon as it's idling ok after 30 seconds to a minute, drive off gently.
The worst thing you can do is idle it from cold, just start the b
d and as soon as it's idling ok after 30 seconds to a minute, drive off gently.I tend to 'listen', 'look' and 'feel' for problems. If something starts to sound or feel wrong it gets fixed immediately.
One thing that nearly caught me out was the cooling water level. There was water in the bottom of the tank and the level rose as the engine warmed. However, a gurgling noise and puff of steam suggested something was wrong. I managed to squeeze six litres of water in. Turns out the system had been virtually empty since I bought car. Just because there is water in the bottom of the expansion tank does not mean the system is full. The tank should be filled to the moulding line,
One thing that nearly caught me out was the cooling water level. There was water in the bottom of the tank and the level rose as the engine warmed. However, a gurgling noise and puff of steam suggested something was wrong. I managed to squeeze six litres of water in. Turns out the system had been virtually empty since I bought car. Just because there is water in the bottom of the expansion tank does not mean the system is full. The tank should be filled to the moulding line,
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