Search the Community

Sigh... my FC measured 7.9km/l yesterday. It's really disheartening since I've been really conservative on my driving style for this car. I'm on my 4th full tank since collecting the car. The classic errectic fuel guage prob has surfaced after i switched from Mobile 2000 to Shell 92 from my 3rd refuel. Will be going back to Ubi to change the fuel switch and fix the wheel alignment tis friday. I wonder if resetting the ECU will help to improve the FC...

$39,500 COE was really worth just $50 TWO years ago, financial controller L.H. Sim was congratulating herself for having bought a six-year-old Citroen Xantia for $39,000, when older, smaller Japanese models were going for $30,000 or so. The deal was particularly sweet as in the advertisement for the vehicle, used car dealer Hin Lung Credit said the car's certificate of entitlement (COE) cost $39,500. So if she had gone out and scrapped the car then, she would theoretically have been entitled to get about $15,000 back on her COE. But to her horror, the 45-year-old found out her pro-rated rebate would not be based on that sum, but on just $50, and she would have been entitled to only $20 back. http://ads.asia1.com.sg/click.ng/Params.ri...rt&size=300X250 'I found out through a newspaper article soon after the purchase,' she said. 'I was very, very upset.' The huge difference is due to a little-known clause, which states that the rebates for open-category certificates - which can be used to buy any vehicle type - will be based on the actual COE of the category of vehicle it is used for, if that is lower. In December 1997, when Ms Sim's two-litre Citroen was registered, the COE for cars above 1,600cc had crashed to $50. The Land Transport Authority told motor traders two years ago to inform buyers of this, after news reports of similar cases as Ms Sim's surfaced. The Singapore Vehicle Traders Association, which has 500 members in the used-car trade, said it has always asked members 'to make it clear to customers about such things as COE rebate'. A spokesman said: 'We have a disciplinary committee, and our Constitution allows us to expel members who are clearly out to cheat and give the trade a bad name.' Hin Lung, which is on the association's executive committee, made no such disclosure, Ms Sim said. 'We kept asking the salesman about the COE amount,' she added. Asked for its comments, Hin Lung did not confirm or deny this, and declined to say if such information was pertinent to prospective buyers, but added 'it's not proper... to litigate the matter through the press'. In a faxed response, the company said it has 'thoroughly investigated the complaints' and found them groundless. Ms Sim has been trying to resolve the case, including approaching her MP, Dr Chong Weng Chiew, and the Attorney-General's Chambers. She has also made a police report. The police have actually classified the matter as 'cheating, under section 417 of the Penal Code chapter 223', but said they will not be pursuing it because of 'insufficient evidence'. Ms Sim, however, is adamant, pointing out: 'We don't want to be bullied by a big company. I can't sell off the vehicle without incurring a big loss and I would not feel good passing the problem to another party.' The vehicle traders association said it has a department that helps mediate in such instances. Consumers can call 6347-7555/6, e-mail [email protected] or visit its website at www.ssmvda.com.sg -- CHRISTOPHER TAN

My cousin, a motorcyclist, was hit by a white Subaru TS/WRX on the 4th of December, Saturday, at abt 4pm, along Bradell Road towards Thomson after the CTE exit. It is a hit and run case. The white Subaru was apprently 'playing' with another white Subaru along the road. My cousin couldn't determine whether it was a Subaru TS or WRX. They were both swerving in and out in front of my cousin before one of the Subaru swerved into my cousin's bike. My cousin was hit from the right. So, there should be some scratch mark or dent on the left side of the doors on the white Subaru. If you have any information with regards to this case, please do not hesitate to contact me at this no. 93887468 (Jeff)

Hi there Just wanna share my experience I had today. I changed my own transfer case, differential case and transmission oils today. I used Caltex Gear Oil EP at S$17/4L bottle. It's SAE 80W145, GL5 rating. Normal gear boxers nowadays asks to be using at least a 90 oil. I used a total of 7.7L in all and I took 5hrs,with my back nearly breaking. I also used the cxxxxxe synthetic blend I bought some time back in Giant. On the first drive today aftetr the change, it's just super smooth cos it's new oil. Gotto minitor how the oil breaks down from time to time. But my advice to you is to let the garage earn the service charge unless you wanna get the satisfaction of a sore back and standing back to relive what you have done! The gear oil is available in Jurong Port Road Industral estate beside the Caltax Station. Regards Lester

AMG's C30 CDI - The World's First Diesel Sports Car 226bhp @ 3800rpm and 540NM @ 2500rpm !!! Combined fuel mileage - 13.2 km/litre range 800 km. 0-100kmph in 6.3 secs. So how ???