Urgent help please - is it safe to drive my 94 focus?

tim9966

That use to happen to my old Focus. Never managed to get to the bottom of it. Disconnecting the battery for half an hour reset the ECU which worked for 6 months or so to stop that problem.

Also you car is newer than 1994. The Focus didn't come out until 1998. T reg was issued in 1999.

forgotmyname

Lum wrote: »

Personally I don't care if someone fails to check their oil and antifreeze. So long as they check their tyres, brakes and screenwash I'm happy enough.

Not my problem if your engine explodes, is my problem if you don't see me brake in front of you, slam on and skid into the back of me on bald tyres.

Unless they are in the lane next to you when their engine seizes solid and the wheels lock at 70mph and they wipe you out in the chaos.

I know someone that went faster because they were running out of fuel.. Put a conrod through the block.

Lum

forgotmyname wrote: »

Unless they are in the lane next to you when their engine seizes solid and the wheels lock at 70mph and they wipe you out in the chaos.

Fair point, though when I pass someone on the motorway I tend to assume they're going to do that anyway and be ready for it.

As it happens I had a truck driver on the A48 do it to me last night, but then I had followed him, watching him weave all over the place, and waited until there was no oncoming traffic before overtaking.

thefishdude

yes it will be safe to drive there aslong as you take it easy. its basically stalling wich makes the 3 lights come on as standard in pretty much all cars when it stalls and when it stalls you loose power steering wich is why it gets very heavy. just take it easy and expect it to stall be prepared.

jaydeeuk1

Lum wrote: »

Personally I don't care if someone fails to check their oil and antifreeze. So long as they check their tyres, brakes and screenwash I'm happy enough.

Not my problem if your engine explodes, is my problem if you don't see me brake in front of you, slam on and skid into the back of me on bald tyres.

Chances are if they can't be arsed to check a dipstick, or look at a resevoir to see the fluid level, they're not going to get on their knees to check brake pads or tyre wear and condition.

Stooby2

So you've not checked the oil in a month? Unbelievable. Another well maintained deathtrap on the road...

How rational.

The OP came on here to ask advice, not to get insulted by a "holier than thou" know it all. If you can't help people on these forums, don't bother posting.

Wongsky

Stooby2 wrote: »

How rational.

The OP came on here to ask advice, not to get insulted by a "holier than thou" know it all. If you can't help people on these forums, don't bother posting.

But the OP has been helped with advice on that subject. He / she now knows it's best to check things like the oil level more frequently than they did previously.

Sure, some people may say things in a way others don't - but all the same, whether or not you agree with the tone, I'd suggest the OP has realised some benefit from the comments.

George_Michael

Splott wrote: »

So you've not checked the oil in a month? Unbelievable. Another well maintained deathtrap on the road...

Talk about exaggeration. Someone doesn't check their oil level so you assume that their car is dangerous.

I have had my current car for a few years and I only check the oil level about once a month.
I know that there are no oil leaks from the engine, I know that it doesn't use an excessive amount of oil, and I know how many miles I need to drive before the level will drop below maximum, so unless the engine suddenly starts leaking (something which could happen 10 minutes after carrying out a weekly check), there is no reason for me to keep checking the level.

I don't check my tyre pressures before every journey either. I suppose you think that this make me a menace to every other road user as well?

Wongsky

George_Michael wrote: »

Talk about exaggeration. Someone doesn't check their oil level so you assume that their car is dangerous.

I have had my current car for a few years and I only check the oil level about once a month.
I know that there are no oil leaks from the engine, I know that it doesn't use an excessive amount of oil, and I know how many miles I need to drive before the level will drop below maximum, so unless the engine suddenly starts leaking (something which could happen 10 minutes after carrying out a weekly check), there is no reason for me to keep checking the level.

I don't check my tyre pressures before every journey either. I suppose you think that this make me a menace to every other road user as well?

Thing is, with things like oil level, unless you check relatively frequently, how would you know if the situation changes in terms of any consumption / leakage. And the longer the period between checks, the greater the possible consequence of there being some marked change in usage.

So say your car did suddenly develop a leak or a condition, 10 minutes after you check it. Would you be better waiting a week, or a month until you checked it again? There's always the possibility that either may be too late, but surely more likelihood is the more frequently you check, the less chance there is of there being serious consequences.

There's reasons why some things are considered weekly checks.

Bobster64

You can test if its the alternator by pulling up in front of the wall and then revving the engine. If the lights go brighter then your alternator is ok. If they don't it could be an alternator problem meaning your battery is not charging. If it is the alternator I wouldn't drive it as you may end up stranded.