It's time for another AB service. That's an oil change, an oil filter change and a general look over the car.
I decided it was time to change the auxiliary drive belt too. I've been expecting it to be changed at the last two services but my trusty garage said it was okay. This time though I decided, rightly or wrongly, that nearly 120, 000 miles of driving a water pump, alternator and, at least once a week, the air conditioner compressor was enough to expect from a belt. It was changed at a cost of £50 and it's nice to see a lovely black belt in place of a dirty grey one.
So with a new belt and new wiper blades front and back Shifty is almost ready for another winter.
So with a new belt and new wiper blades front and back Shifty is almost ready for another winter.
I say almost because it's almost time to replace some tyres. The Yokohama BluEarth AE01 running on the back wheels are getting down toward 3mm thread depth. Although in the UK 1.5mm is the legal minimum, wet weather grip reduces and stopping distance increases as tread depth drops below 3mm. The BluEarth's have performed well and have driven nearly 40,000 miles. So really excellent performance.
We're planning to get the Dunlop SP FastResponse tyres we've got on the front wheels put to the back. Contrary to the name which suggest a sporty tyre with the typical trade-offs of noise and increased fuel consumption, the FastResponses are excellent tyres in terms of wet grip, low rolling resistance and are 68dB for noise so pretty quiet. They also seem to be wearing well.
We're planning to get the Dunlop SP FastResponse tyres we've got on the front wheels put to the back. Contrary to the name which suggest a sporty tyre with the typical trade-offs of noise and increased fuel consumption, the FastResponses are excellent tyres in terms of wet grip, low rolling resistance and are 68dB for noise so pretty quiet. They also seem to be wearing well.
So what to get for the fronts? We're swithering whether to go for Yokohama BluEarths or try the new Dunlop SP BluResponse. Like the SportResponses, the BluResponses have better grip than the Yokohama tyres and are quieter. We'll see when the time comes.
Car is still performing well when it comes to fuel efficiency. I use the 'B' trip memory to keep track of the overall MPG figure. Over the past 7,000 miles plus Shifty has managed a super 62MPG (imperial) figure. Well done!
Hi There
ReplyDeleteDo you have any thoughts on sitting at lights with iShift? I am thinking that with foot on brake and in drive, there is pressure on release bearing? If so, not good.
Can you tell me what you do as you seem to have a car that is lasting well.
Like you I have a strict service regime. Mind you, there is only 10k on my 10 plate as the little wifey before me only did 5k in first 3 years.
Regards
Alex
Hi. Glad you like your iShift.
DeleteWhen you're at rest, if you put the handbrake on you can leave the car in gear and just take your foot of the brake and accelerator. That way the car won't fight against you by trying to creep forward. Don't hold the car stopped only on the footbrake whilst in gear as this wears the clutch. Pull on the handbrake, leave the car in gear and take your foot off the pedals. You can leave the car like this for as long as you like without wearing the clutch. Happy iShifting. Duncan
Thanks for reply. Does the handbrake operate a solenoid that disengages clutch then? IE..........not the footbrake..
DeleteRegards
Yes. You'll find if you engage the handbrake enough to show the dashboard warning lamp but not enough to hold the car and you're on a hill you'll find the car will happily roll I.e no connection between engine and gearbox. Happy handbrake use!
DeleteDear dunkv,
DeleteWe are soon to take delivery of an '09' high mileage I-Shift based in no small part on your excellent information in your blog.
I am wondering on the above point re handbrake whilst sitting to avoid clutch wear, in order to move off - do you re-apply footbrake to trigger biting point before releasing handbrake, or can you simply release handbrake to initiate forward creep without risking rolling back?
Many thanks for your quality blogging!
Ben
Hi Ben.
DeleteI can understand your concern. In short you'll get the knack of moving off.
When up or downhill, as you say, yes you could switch over to the foot brake then release the handbrake.
This technique means when you move your foot off the foot brake to the accelerator you'll get a second or so of what is called Hill Start Assist. This is an automatic foot-brake hold system that keeps applying the foot brake (but only momentarily - and not always) whilst your right foot moves from brake pedal to accelerator.
The Hill Start Assist works in conjunction with the jaw and pitch sensor - which is why the car knows you're uphill or downhill.
The technique I kept to was doing exactly as you would a manual car - when ready to move off, put your hand on the handbrake getting ready to release it. Then put your foot progressively on the accelerator as you release the handbrake and off you go!
You can't EVER stall the car so don't worry about not applying enough acceleration.
In fact, the accelerator pedal has a double contact switch that monitors whether the there is _any_ pressure on the pedal. Below a few miles per hour (MPH), if there is even slight pressure then the clutch goes to biting point mode, if not then the clutch completely disconnects the engine from the gearbox and you're free wheeling.
Above a few MPH, then you never free wheel - the gearbox and engine are connected which ensures you get very direct drive and also great hill decent engine braking. Very handy!