Flat Tyre.

For a while I have been wondering how long tyres last; people at work seem to get thgrough them in 20-30,000 Miles, and one person only got 18,000 out of his front tyres on his VW Passat. At 38,000 mine were still within legal limits, but I felt they would need replacing soon. 

On Friday I was not in work, but had several jobs to do. I pulled away in FTP and instantly knew I had a flat tyre. I pulled over and found a piece of glass piercing the front passenger side tyre.



I checked with the owners manual where to jack a Myvi, and changed the tyre.







The Myvi has a thinner space saving emergency tyre which seemed to drive ok, but was very noisy around corners.

I looked online to see which would be the best tyres. Tyres now have an ECO lable, giving key qualities, and so I noted that in 175/65R14 T 82 the best tyres were Continentals with Fuel efficiency: C Wet grip: A Noise: 2 bars 70 dB. (PS Do wish longevity was a measure too).

I went into the local branch of National Tyres and stated my size. The gentleman there started telling me which would be the best tyres. I knew that the Avons did not have as good a rating, and so I stated that I was happy to pay more for Continetal tyres because they had the best ECO rating. The gentleman seemed surprised, but humored me. I was quoted a price for Continental, and we agreed that I would return once the new tyres had been delivered.

I returned in the afternoon and had all four tyres changed (they were all due soon so I had decided to keep all tyres the same). The tyre fitter stated that the wheel trims were difficult to remove, but was impressed that Perodua had used the same size tyre as Peugot, and hence a popular/inexpensive tyre. He stated that many Eastern budget cars use obscure and thus expensive tyres.

When I came to write this piece I noticed that instead of having Continental tyres with Fuel efficiency: C Wet grip: A Noise: 2 bars 70 dB i.e. the best available in the size, I had Fuel efficiency: F Wet grip: C Noise: 2 bars 70 dB, specs worse than many budget tyres. Apparently, there are several Continental tyre models of the same size, I had gone straight  to the "Continental Premium Contact 5", because it has the best spec, but the tyre fitter had gone for "Continental EcoContact 3", even though I stated I wanted the Continental because they have the best spec based on the ECO lable. Thus, I have paid more, for inferior tyres. I believe that National Tyre Centres fitters should be trained to supply the needs of the customer according to what the require. My impression at the time of ordering was that he surprised that I used ECO labeling system, and not price, when making my tyre choice.  I even stated that the Continental had ratings of C, A and 70bD, and was supplied with tyres of different specs.

I will write to National Tyres expressing my concern that their staff do not seem to properly understand the ECO labeling system, and enact the wishes of their customers.

FTP on the Long Mynd

Two weekends ago FTP took us to stay at the excellent Long Mynd Hotel, Church Stretton. The Long Mynd must be one of the most beautiful areas of England, but few seem to know of its existence. A great area for walking, etc., and one of our favorite places.

I'm sure I will manage to write a about some of the things we did soon, but in the meantime....

... heres a photo of FTP on the Long Mynd (worth clicking on to see full size).

12/12/12 ~ End Of The World ~ Not Quite...

On the 12/12/12 (last Wednesday) several people at work suggested that this was the Mayan end of the World date.

Fortunately, it wasn't but.....



Bedford Station was closed due to a bomb hoax........and I was late home from work!

Corby Candle Renewed

A few months ago I posted that the Corby Candle public house, in Corby was being re-developed, and that the old sign was being hidden by PVC cladding. In October I took a picture of the new pub sign, because it draws from the the old:



I did not post because I thought that I would pop in and have a look at the new pub. I did today. They have a big sign saying they serve coffee and Free WiFi. The coffee is cheap 85p, but instant, and the Free WiFi is not working yet!

FTP Goes To Cornwall

FTP took us on holiday to Cornwall. Eight days away, just under 1,400 miles, and everyone was happy. As you would expect at the end of October, and the beginning of November the weather was not brilliant, but it did not stop Denise and myself having a great time. Stayed at Invernook Hotel, Newquay, which served our purposes well.

We have been back for over a week and I have not posted because I intended to put an MPG figure to the trip ~ this week I have gone to work on the train and so I have not filled up to give a final usage figure (will add later as a comment).

Number Plate Broken ~ Vandals Strike Again

On Wednesday morning I parked FTP near Corby station in order to get the train to work. As I walked away I noticed something was missing:



Deece contacted the Police to report the vandalism, and they gave us a crime number. Today I recieved a letter from Northamptonshire Police about car crime, and also a bag of number plate fittings!



Fortunately, I have now replaced the plate so we are legal again.

Thoughtless Parking & Ill Thought Out Parking Regulations

Outside Iceland, Milton Keynes I noticed there were half a dozen parking spaces with charging points for electric cars. However, all parking bays were taken by cars with internal combustion engines. Thus, if I had have made it to Milton Keynes in a battery powered car, I would not have been able to charge because petrol/diesel cars had taken all the bays. Granted it was 13.00 hours and the whoever had set up the bays had allowed for general parking between 10.00 and 16.00. However, why would anyone even consider parking, and thus, prevent access to these bays, when non-charging bays were available opposite the charging bay, i.e one carriageway away, or down the side of Iceland, about 30 feet away.

Just seems like thoughtlessness by the drivers wasting the potential of the bays, and by whoever set up the parking restrictions, which allowed this situation to occur.