Temporary Hazard Lights

[geoberni]

Did your prospective purchase pass it's MOT?

She did yes, with no advisories. So she will be coming home after Christmas

Good News!

My first experience of the 'Minor Effect' was bringing mine home on a trailer.
A steady 50 on duel carriageways with cars passing slowly while occupants stared and often smiled....
I was bringing him back about 75 miles or so and at £40 for a 1 day trailer hire I decided it was worth it.
Turns out I was right as he broke down after about 8 miles on the first long drive out

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[mike1864]

Yes quite right Hindhead tunnel is 1.14 miles long. It is a "proper" tunnel very like the tunnels in the Alps. I too have driven through many, many alpine tunnels.

Regarding the use of hazards, if I see stopped traffic ahead or traffic that has made a very significant reduction in speed to crawling speed, I will operate my hazards briefly until I see the cars behind have noticed and are slowing. I think this helps to reduce the chances of a pile up.

Stephen

I was once being driven (by the late Queen's favourite TV News Cameraman, FWIW!), when we suddenly encountered stationary traffic just after a blind bend. Promptly, he not only put his hazards on, but carefully reversed back round the corner to act as a warning to following traffic (ie to stop it hitting us, just round the bend!).
Before the bend, he'd obviously been using his mirror well, to be aware of the decent gap behind us. I was most impressed.
For me, it's these sort of scenarios that make hazard lights vital, whether you drive 100 or 10,000 miles a year.

[ndevans]

I was once being driven (by the late Queen's favourite TV News Cameraman, FWIW!), when we suddenly encountered stationary traffic just after a blind bend. Promptly, he not only put his hazards on, but carefully reversed back round the corner to act as a warning to following traffic (ie to stop it hitting us, just round the bend!).
Before the bend, he'd obviously been using his mirror well, to be aware of the decent gap behind us. I was most impressed.
For me, it's these sort of scenarios that make hazard lights vital, whether you drive 100 or 10,000 miles a year.

It's called Planning Ahead, and it's what all drivers should be doing.

[panky]

[/quote]

She did yes, with no advisories. So she will be coming home after Christmas
[/quote]

[mrs.smith2012]

Can’t wait to get her back, luckily she’s only about 20 mins up the road and my more experienced friend has offered to drive her home. Unfortunately he’s a bit poorly at the moment and the seller is away for Christmas, hence why she is coming home after Christmas.
Probably better, pre Christmas traffic round here is pretty crazy, I’m thinking the lull between Christmas and new year would be a better time.

[mike1864]

I was once being driven (by the late Queen's favourite TV News Cameraman, FWIW!), when we suddenly encountered stationary traffic just after a blind bend. Promptly, he not only put his hazards on, but carefully reversed back round the corner to act as a warning to following traffic (ie to stop it hitting us, just round the bend!).
Before the bend, he'd obviously been using his mirror well, to be aware of the decent gap behind us. I was most impressed.
For me, it's these sort of scenarios that make hazard lights vital, whether you drive 100 or 10,000 miles a year.

It's called Planning Ahead, and it's what all drivers should be doing.

Indeed. But in this case I reckon Pete went one stage further than most "good" drivers; in that he took an active measure to mitigate other people's poor driving (ie their not driving in "a manner so as to stop - in their own lane - within the distance they can see to be clear").
Pete could stop in the 40m he could see to be clear, but didn't trust any following (40mph) traffic to stop in the reduced gap behind him.

[les]

Well done Pete but I personally would be reluctant to chance backing up round a blind bend, even if it was clear last time I looked. I wonder where one would stand if it all went wrong. Someone running into the back of a car, or someone backing into the front of a car.

[mike1864]

Well done Pete but I personally would be reluctant to chance backing up round a blind bend, even if it was clear last time I looked. I wonder where one would stand if it all went wrong. Someone running into the back of a car, or someone backing into the front of a car.

I take your point; I was momentarily fazed at the confidence of Pete's sudden slamming into reverse for 5 seconds. But he later explained that the bend was at the end of long straight country road with no side roads feeding it. And at the turn he had clocked that there was no-one even entering the straight behind us.
Without that certainty, we'd have sat still and just put our faith in the headrests . Plus hazards and brake lights.

[myoldjalopy]

Anyone still got a bog standard Minor ? If so I’m surprised it’s still legal

I suppose if you only plan to take it to the odd show you might get away with it, but I plan to use mine as a daily so some upgrades are beneficial I think

My Traveller is factory standard apart from LED indicator, side and stop/tail bulbs. It is used on a pretty much daily basis, unlit Fenland roads and is a regular on the M11. I have no qualms about the brakes, dynamo or points ignition. I run it merrily on E10, with an occasional splash of Duckhams fuel additive if I remember. Frankly, other than the acceleration from a standing start, it holds its own very well in modern traffic conditions and I see no reason to change anything more about it.

I understand it is personal preference, but there seems to be a standard 'must do' list in a lot of people's minds before they buy a Minor which takes away the very essence of a Minor being a Minor. What makes me smile is the number people who seem to have fitted all the modifications to make the car suit current traffic conditions, only to proudly admit the car does 1800 miles a year on dry, summer roads only.

As I say each to their own.

I agree - and it does seem that over the years the queries on this forum have moved away from 'my car won't start/makes a funny noise/how do you remove the top trunnion etc.' to 'I wanna fit this/that/the other must-have upgrade'. Make of that what you will!

[Owlsman]

This is something I rigged up as a quick 'n easy solution to exactly the problem that Mrs S originally raised. To be fair, it was only a 15 minute job because I had already fitted a 12v auxiliary power point (cigar lighter to older readers! ) so all I had to do was to secure the flasher unit in the rear window and run the cable....and there was plenty of it....under the rear seat and the front and rear carpets to have it plugged in to the socket.

In the event of emergency use, all I would have to do is reach forward near to the front parcel shelf (where the socket is mounted right of the steering column) and switch the unit on. There are a variety of flashing modes from which to chose, one of which reasonably replicates a conventional hazard flasher.

This unit, where it is mounted, is not perfect of course but it's certainly better than nothing!! My thinking, by having it virtually permanently hard-wired, is that in the event of breakdown, the first few seconds could be absolutely vital. It might not take long to unpack the unit, plug it in, get out of the car and put it on the roof but if there's some 38-tonner bearing down on you......it might be too long! By having it fitted as I describe, it could at least be switched on if the car started limping/misfiring etc. rather than having to wait until it ground to a complete halt, thus giving following drivers a bit of advance notice of a problem ahead. The alternative would be to keep it handy by the driver's seat and slap it on the roof 'Starsky and Hutch style,' if I felt a breakdown coming on. That wouldn't be a 'goer' in my case either, because as you can probably see, the roof is mainly made up of vinyl, which magnets don't really make close friends with.

As it so happens, I have since fitted proprietary hazard flashers but not without the considerable help and expertise from someone who has already commented on this thread. I have no wish to embarrass him but a lot of you will know who I am referring to. My point being, that if I can do it - albeit with help - anyone can. I have actually still got the 'old' system in place as well as the full hazard flasher set-up. Fortunately, neither system has been needed to be deployed in anger. Fingers crossed that such a statement doesn't tempt fate!

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[ndevans]

As well as hazard lights, a 3rd high level brake lamp is a good idea. Easy fit as well, you can get models that just stick to the inside of the rear window.

[Mervin]

I have a similar set up to Owlsman's, but it's one of those flashing amber strips. If needed it sits perfectly inside the rear window. It would be powered from a starting battery device (Noco) pack using the 12v outlet on that.

[mike1864]

I have a similar set up to Owlsman's, but it's one of those flashing amber strips. If needed it sits perfectly inside the rear window. It would be powered from a starting battery device (Noco) pack using the 12v outlet on that.

Yes. An independently powered device, be it a strip or beacon, is a good idea; the cause (result?) of many breakdowns is a dead car battery!
(Remember to schedule a charge of the portable battery, or keep it floated it off the main battery)

[mrs.smith2012]

I have a similar set up to Owlsman's, but it's one of those flashing amber strips. If needed it sits perfectly inside the rear window. It would be powered from a starting battery device (Noco) pack using the 12v outlet on that.

Yes. An independently powered device, be it a strip or beacon, is a good idea; the cause (result?) of many breakdowns is a dead car battery!
(Remember to schedule a charge of the portable battery, or keep it floated it off the main battery)

Good point, that is also on my wish list