Different petrol prices

Unlike Malaysia where petrol prices are fixed by the Government, Petrol prices in the UK depends on the market. For example, the prices went down for a while around November but it went back right up soon afterwards. It also varies from place to place and between companies.

Given below are the prices of unleaded petrol at various petrol stations near our locality:

1. Tesco: 84.9p
2. BP: 85.9p
3. Jet: 86.9p
4. Texaco: 87.9p

Mind you, these are prices for 95 Octane unleaded Petrol. 97 octane petrol is costlier (as much as 4p more at some stations)

The nearest to our house is a Texaco station but have never filled up there because it is the costliest. I usually fill up at either the BP station along Lockhurst lane (2nd cheapest in my area and I also get Nectar points there). My favourite is of course the Tesco station - the cheapest + Tesco points. The full address is Tesco Filling Station, Pheonix Way, Coventry Arena, Coventry. CV6 6EN.

What is your favourite station?

UPDATED: (19 Jan 2007) Just found out that the petrol prices fell overnight.

Tags: Petrol octane Tesco BP

Kermit locked out of the NAIAS

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originally uploaded by losinghand.

Famous Muppet Kermit the Frog, regretted his role as a "spokesfrog" for Ford Motor Company in Ford's Escape Hybrid commercials last year.

On Sunday, the frog teamed up with RAN, Global Exchange, and The Ruckus Society to kick off the New Year in fuel-efficient style at the North American International Auto Show in downtown Detroit (NAIAS).

During the first press day, Kermit and five other Freedom From Oil supporters attempted to enter the main entrance of the auto show but were immediately stopped by security.

He said, "it's easy pretending to be green, but Ford needs to commit to leading the industry in fuel economy."

Read more here.

Car repair workshop in Coventry

My car was overdue for it interim servicing (it's done 82764 miles). As I am new here in Coventry, I asked around. My dear friend Wahab recommended Taxi & car repairs on Stony Stanton road. It's next to the "Cheap New Tyres" shop. You won't miss it.

Yesterday I heard a knocking sound coming from the back whenever I drove over a speed bump. On checking, found out that my exhaust pipe had come loose.

Went over to the workshop and they did a temporary fix and asked me to come in the morning for servicing the car.

So early this morning I left my car at the workshop. According to my Service guide, it was also time to change the camshaft drive belt (also known as the timing belt). I was shocked when I found out that it would cost me £125 (inclusive of £60 service charge).

I was really happy when Mr. Isfaq, the boss at the workshop told me that the timing belt had been changed early last year according to a sticker on the engine and after opening the engine, he had confirmed that it was still new. I saved quite a bit.

Isfaq showed me the old oil filter. It was filthy and looked like it had never been changed since the previous owner bought the car.

I paid £100 (considered very reasonable) for everything including the parts and service charges. This also includes 2 new wipers and for fixing the exhaust.

Actually felt a big difference in the car's performance when I drove back.

Thanks a lot guys.

I whole heartedly recommend:

Taxi & Car Repairs
563 Stoney Stanton Road, Foleshill, Coventry CV6 5ED
Tel: 024 7668 7000

Tags: Coventry Workshop

Is GM acquiring stake in Proton

The Business Times (The New Straits Times) reported that General Motors is planning to make a bid for an unspecified stake in the Malaysian automaker Proton Holdings, as early as this month.

However, according to Proton's head of group corporate communications Faridah Idris,
Proton Holdings Bhd is not aware of a reported move by GM.

Related post:
- Malaysia's Proton says unaware of reported approach by GM for stake
- Report: GM may bid for stake in Proton

Tags: Proton General Motors

Chevy Volt unveiled

Until recently, only Toyota, Honda and Ford sold gas/electric hybrid vehicle in the U.S. It was in November last year that General Motors announced its intention to produce a Plug-in Hybrid SUV.

GM today unveiled the the Chevrolet Volt at the Detroit’s North American International Auto Show.

The car uses what GM calls E-FLEX technology - GM’s next-generation electric propulsion system. The Volt is a battery-powered, four-passenger electric vehicle that uses a gas engine to create additional electricity to extend its range.

The Volt is called a plug-in hybrid because its batteries can be charged from a standard household outlet. It can be fully charged by plugging it into a 110-volt outlet for approximately six hours a day. When the lithium-ion battery is fully charged, the Volt can go 40 city miles. When the battery is depleted, a tiny 1L, three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine spins at a constant speed to create electricity and replenish the battery.Thus, the car would never run out of electricity, even if driven around the clock. The engine functions solely to power an on-board generator.

In addition, the Chevrolet Volt is designed to run on E85, a fuel blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Using E85, fuel economy of 150 mpg would translate into more than 525 miles per petroleum gallon.

Would love to see this vehicle becoming a reality rather then just remain a concept.

Related Links:
- GM Seeks Green Cred With Chevy Volt
- GM shows Chevy plug-in concept
- GM unveils Volt plug-in concept
- The Story of the Volt


Tags: Chevrolet E-FLEX Hybrid car Volt

Pimping it MTV style

One of my favourite TV show is MTV's Pimp my ride.

Over here in the UK, I watch the series on Sky's US5 channel (207). They have 2 episodes almost everyday starting 6pm GMT.

Most of the cars are so beat up, I am amazed they are still allowed on the road. I love the US version more than the UK version. I guess they have a bigger budget in the US. Further more, most UK cars that are on the road are OK, because they need an MOT certificate every year.

These people can sometimes go crazy with their modifications - some of the vehicles won't even be road legal in Malaysia.

I love the show and wish they would come over and pimp my old tired Ford Escort.

Tags: MTV Pimp my ride Modifications

Ryton factory to close

The Ryton factory in Coventry will close completely later this month. Peugeot had stopped production of the 206 before Christmas.

The factory has a long and varied history. It was built in 1939 to manufacture engines for war planes during the 2nd World War. They only started building cars there in 1946 with the Sunbeam-Talbot by the Rootes Group.

The Rootes group lost control of the factory in the 1960s due to financial difficulties. Chrysler Europe bought over the group and continued to build cars at Ryton. However, they too faced problems and sold the plant to Peugeot in 1978 for the sum of $1. AT that time it was known as the Talbot Motor Company. Peugeot built the first car there in 1985.

Some facts
- The Talbot names was dropped in 1995 and the company became Peugeot Motor Company Plc.
- Robots were first used in 1985.

- The plant stopped production of the 306 in 1999 and the plant was left producing only the 206.

- The closure of the factory by Peugeot leads to the loss of 2,300 jobs in Coventry.

The British should be thankful that Proton is not leaving Norwich.

Tags: Coventry Peugeot Ryton