Opel/Vauxhall Astra G 2008 test

Recently I had an ocassion for testing rented car sedan Opel Astra G CC 1.4 Twinport, 2008.
I did on this car 1760kms (1094 miles).

Car was used 20/80 city/motorway, 2 adults and one child on the board and bags in the boot (all together about maximum loading weight).

 Average speed in city was 57km/h (35.4mph), on motorway 135km/h (84mph), total average speed 106km/h (66mph).










Below technical data about this car:

Weight:  1070kg (2359 lb)
Maximum loading weight: 550kg (1213 lb)
Engine type: 1364 ccm, 16V, 66kW (90PS)
Cylinders: Inline 4
Max. Power: 90.2 PS / 89 bhp / 66.4 kW @ 5600 rpm
Max. Torque: 125.0 Nm / 92 ft.lb / 12.7 kgm @ 4000 rpm
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 15.10 seconds
Fuel Economy: 7.7/4.9/5.9 l/100km urban/extra-urban/combined
CO2 Emissions: 141.0


Other data:
Milleage: 73021kms (45375miles)
Length:    167.3 in (4249 mm)
Width:    67.3 in (1709 mm)
Height:    55.9 in (1420 mm)
Front/rear Track:    57.5/57.1 in (1461/1450 mm)
Wheelbase:    102.8 in (2611 mm)
Ground Clearance:    6.3 in (160 mm)
Cargo Volume:    16.2 cuFT (459 L)
Tires: 185/65 R14




Very interesting in this car was engine 1.4 Twinport.

"This is precisely what Opel's engineers have achieved with their variable intake control system: at partial load one of the two intake ports to each cylinder of the four-valve engine is partly blanked off by closing a throttle just before the mixture reaches the intake valve.

As a result, the mixture enters the cylinder at an angle. This creates a swirl effect around the cylinder axis and ensures that combustion takes place reliably and completely.














If the driver calls for full power from the engine, however, the second intake port is re-opened fully to make sure that the maximum mixture charge enters the cylinder..." (http://www.theautochannel.com)


















Speedometer in this car was not showing the actual speed. Mistake maken was about 8-10%.

I expected that someone put the wrong tyres size (an inch smaller diameter) but size was ok.
Maximum speed of the car was 180km/h (112mph) but on GPS was shown 165km/h (103mph).
Average fuel consumption for all distance 7,8l/100kms (30.16MPG).
I found few things that suprised me very well and few that did not make my happy as a driver.



"+"

• boot, huge as for the size of the car, enough room to put few large bags 

 

• short car, easy to parking
• small turning radius
• nice acceleration (especially over 2800rpm)
• average low fuel consumption (small engine but Twinport technology save some fuel as well)
• very efficient AC, after switching off no bad smell coming from system
• a lot of room on side pockets at the doors
• 6 speakers
• three adjustable headrests on back seats
   

"-"

• very bad seats, uncomfortable with only angle adjustment (every 1,5-2hrs of driving need to stop for streching)

 

• noise coming from brakes
• low quality interior materials 

• electric steering windows on the front only

• no steering wheel adjustment
• no fog front lights
• low torque when rpm below 2000 (need to shift gears/speeds very often)
• AC - after switching off windscreen immediately evaporated (even it was 30C outside)

• no light under visors

 The most amazing and at the same time weird was  interior light.
Usually actually every car has interior light switch just beside ligh or it is inside the light etc.
Opel has different idea.

 I was suprised when I found in manual how to switch/manage interior light.
If you want to turn on the light,when all doors are closed you have to pull out main light switch.
Usually this function is for rear fog lights, but this time is for interior light.
I think this is not good idea, as only driver has access to switch and only him can turn on/off interior light.


 




Summary:
In my opinion this car is interesting option for all who will use this car for going to work, shopping and from time to time for outside of the city trip.
Small engine, small size and large boot makes this car a good example for average class.

Personally I would not buy this car, nor rent it again.


Thanks



Wojtek-N

Alfa Romeo 156 wipers problem

I have an Alfa Romeo 156 1.6 16V 2004 year.
I had a problem with wipers, wipers worked only in 2 positions - quick wipe but I had to hold the switch for all the time as wipers stop to work when I released the switch, and on the last fastest position - wipers were working constantly.
I read few forums and was looking for solution of this problem but none of them satisfy me.
So I fixed wipers on my own and make few pictures which are attached.

It could be few reasons why wipers did not work properly:
1.wiper relay - which is attached to wiper's engine
2.broken wiper's engine
3.grease

In my situation was the last one.
Any way I will describe step by step how to safely get to the area of our interest.

Firstly you have to remove wiper's arms.
You will need a screwdriver and also ring spanner or socket size 13mm.
Lift up plastic cover on bottom of wiper's arm, unscrew the nut under.

To release the arms you have to close the bonnet, and lift slightly wiper from the windscreen and very easy move arm clock - and anti-clock directions.
Now you have to take off plastic cover.

Few screws are holding it and also 4 plastic pins underneat of the cover.

Be careful for pipe coming to the sprayer.
You can see now rubber cover on wiper's engine section.
Rubber is connected to the body of the engine so don't try to take it off, just lif it.

I advise to disconnect two plugs.
Grey box is wiper's relay. Inside is PCB. To open it you will have to lift 3 clips on the side of 'box'. Give it a close look and check is there any sign of burned tracks etc.

If you noticed it you have to get the new one PCB, make sure you got the number from PCB (there are not the same - that what Alfa Service says).

If it is ok keep going.
Now you will have to lift 4 clips holding the 'box' where PCB is fitted.

You have 3 contacts under the 'box'. Mine were totally covered by grease and there was not connection between contacts and tracks.

Cleaning them fixed the problem. Notice that the contacts are a bit worn, so just to make sure conection is good I bent contacts toward to tracks. 

I decided to get in  inside wiper's engine.

Engine is fitted by 2 screws - you need Allen key size 6mm. There are C shaped clips holding engine, one on top, second one on the bottom, could fall down. 

Now move engine out pararell to the ground.

Pull up for commutator to get inside can.

Check motor brushes, are they clean, and still there, check armature etc.

You should also check bearing.

As you can see in my situation armature is slightly damaged but still working, so I left it like this.

 Enjoy!