Morris Minor Owners Club

5 minutes behind the wheel of a car (or on a bike) is all that is needed to dispel the myth of "common sense".

Bill_qaz wrote: ↑Mon Dec 15, 2025 5:29 pm

myoldjalopy wrote: ↑Mon Dec 15, 2025 5:12 pm OK guys, bear with me, I'm obviously behind the times but - what actually is 'hill start assist'? It sounds like a joke to me!

On mine when you stop on a hill with footbrake applied and clutch down(disengaged) it increases the rpm slightly(anti stall) then when you take your foot off the brake and move to throttle, the brakes stay applied until you engage the clutch then the brakes release automatically. Really handy for example when pulling out of parallel parking space as I live on a steep hill. No need to use the handbrake unless you put it in neutral and foot off the clutch, waiting at lights for example.

Oh my! Whatever will they think of next? Electric windows, I shouldn't wonder!

myoldjalopy wrote: ↑Tue Dec 16, 2025 5:34 pm

Bill_qaz wrote: ↑Mon Dec 15, 2025 5:29 pm

myoldjalopy wrote: ↑Mon Dec 15, 2025 5:12 pm OK guys, bear with me, I'm obviously behind the times but - what actually is 'hill start assist'? It sounds like a joke to me!

On mine when you stop on a hill with footbrake applied and clutch down(disengaged) it increases the rpm slightly(anti stall) then when you take your foot off the brake and move to throttle, the brakes stay applied until you engage the clutch then the brakes release automatically. Really handy for example when pulling out of parallel parking space as I live on a steep hill. No need to use the handbrake unless you put it in neutral and foot off the clutch, waiting at lights for example.

Oh my! Whatever will they think of next? Electric windows, I shouldn't wonder!

I believe they've found a way to put a gramophone in a car and you don't even have to wind it up!

Stephen

There is also a rumour of wand type device near the steering wheel. Very few understand its power, but once mastered it can make orange illumination come and go, thus showing mere mortals an indication of the direction of travel. True masters can even use it to show which exit will be used when leaving the orbit of roundabouts

Bill_qaz wrote: ↑Tue Dec 16, 2025 6:34 pm There is also a rumour of wand type device near the steering wheel.

Is that akin to the Wizards Staff type device near the steering wheel of the Minor, with a green, pulsating orb on it?

Chief wrote: ↑Tue Dec 16, 2025 6:58 pm

Bill_qaz wrote: ↑Tue Dec 16, 2025 6:34 pm There is also a rumour of wand type device near the steering wheel.

Is that akin to the Wizards Staff type device near the steering wheel of the Minor, with a green, pulsating orb on it?

Wise are you Chief

Bill_qaz wrote: ↑Tue Dec 16, 2025 6:34 pm There is also a rumour of wand type device near the steering wheel. Very few understand its power, but once mastered it can make orange illumination come and go, thus showing mere mortals an indication of the direction of travel. True masters can even use it to show which exit will be used when leaving the orbit of roundabouts

Well, I am not normally one to argue but we need to dispel myths.
I can assure you Audis and BMWs cannot be fitted with this device and I simply have not seen any evidence to contradict this fact.
Seriously though, is it considered cool not to use indicators?

Only if you have trafficators

"Am I alone in being really annoyed at nighttime drivers who won't engage their handbrake when stopped, eg at traffic lights?"
No, you are not alone, it really boils my urine.
However, when my previously mentioned, Granddaughter was learning her instructor told her to apply the footbrake when stopped at a junction, traffic lights etc.. Only use the parking/handbrake for any prolonged stop/parking.
It seems to be a habit imported from across the Pond.
Sorry, wildly off topic again!

Some commercial vehicles apply brake lights with handbrake if vehicle is running.

Isn't going off topic acceptable in general discussions?
Seems natural for a forum chat.

On the other hand, I have seen drivers use their hazards really intelligently.
I was approaching the tunnel that took the fast road from France into Monaco, when I saw an isolated car, hazards on, curiously stopped a hundred metres before the tunnel entrance. I duly stopped behind it. Only then could I see that the (dark) tunnel was full of stationary traffic; something that would have been spotted really late in the transition from daylight to tunnel. An accident waiting to happen.
I took my cue, and put my own hazards on, releasing the car in front to proceed into the tunnel.
A few moments later, another car took over this "back marker" position behind me.
I don't know if the French get better training than us, or if I was lucky enough to encounter a particularly intelligent motorist.

mike1864 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 17, 2025 11:31 am On the other hand, I have seen drivers use their hazards really intelligently.
I was approaching the tunnel that took the fast road from France into Monaco, when I saw an isolated car, hazards on, curiously stopped a hundred metres before the tunnel entrance. I duly stopped behind it. Only then could I see that the (dark) tunnel was full of stationary traffic; something that would have been spotted really late in the transition from daylight to tunnel. An accident waiting to happen.
I took my cue, and put my own hazards on, releasing the car in front to proceed into the tunnel.
A few moments later, another car took over this "back marker" position behind me.
I don't know if the French get better training than us, or if I was lucky enough to encounter a particularly intelligent motorist.

The do have specific rules for driving in tunnels, because they have a lot of them through mountains.
The nearest many of us get to a 'proper tunnel' is a few minutes under a river like the Thames or Mersey.
https://www.cetu.developpement-durable. ... ml?lang=en

mrs.smith2012 wrote: ↑Fri Dec 12, 2025 5:04 pm

les wrote: ↑Fri Dec 12, 2025 4:45 pm 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.

geoberni wrote: ↑Wed Dec 17, 2025 5:06 pm

mike1864 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 17, 2025 11:31 am On the other hand, I have seen drivers use their hazards really intelligently.
I was approaching the tunnel that took the fast road from France into Monaco, when I saw an isolated car, hazards on, curiously stopped a hundred metres before the tunnel entrance. I duly stopped behind it. Only then could I see that the (dark) tunnel was full of stationary traffic; something that would have been spotted really late in the transition from daylight to tunnel. An accident waiting to happen.
I took my cue, and put my own hazards on, releasing the car in front to proceed into the tunnel.
A few moments later, another car took over this "back marker" position behind me.
I don't know if the French get better training than us, or if I was lucky enough to encounter a particularly intelligent motorist.

The do have specific rules for driving in tunnels, because they have a lot of them through mountains.
The nearest many of us get to a 'proper tunnel' is a few minutes under a river like the Thames or Mersey.
https://www.cetu.developpement-durable. ... ml?lang=en

I drive through the Hindhead Tunnel quite often. It is 4 miles long.

Stephen

svenedin wrote: ↑Wed Dec 17, 2025 6:29 pm

geoberni wrote: ↑Wed Dec 17, 2025 5:06 pm

mike1864 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 17, 2025 11:31 am On the other hand, I have seen drivers use their hazards really intelligently.
I was approaching the tunnel that took the fast road from France into Monaco, when I saw an isolated car, hazards on, curiously stopped a hundred metres before the tunnel entrance. I duly stopped behind it. Only then could I see that the (dark) tunnel was full of stationary traffic; something that would have been spotted really late in the transition from daylight to tunnel. An accident waiting to happen.
I took my cue, and put my own hazards on, releasing the car in front to proceed into the tunnel.
A few moments later, another car took over this "back marker" position behind me.
I don't know if the French get better training than us, or if I was lucky enough to encounter a particularly intelligent motorist.

The do have specific rules for driving in tunnels, because they have a lot of them through mountains.
The nearest many of us get to a 'proper tunnel' is a few minutes under a river like the Thames or Mersey.
https://www.cetu.developpement-durable. ... ml?lang=en

I drive through the Hindhead Tunnel quite often. It is 4 miles long.

Stephen

The website says 1.14 miles . Maybe time to re-calibrate your milometer, Steve? Getting 130 mpg should have been a clue

Drifting off topic here, but on our trip to Italy (in the Minor) last year, we took in a total of over 120 tunnels, including Mont Blanc Tunnel (over 10km) and the almost as long tunnel under Versailles. Some were only a couple of hundred meters, but quite a number were well over 1km, some 3-4 km.

I’m just not brave enough to drive without hazards, incase I get into trouble

Did your prospective purchase pass it's MOT?

mobylette wrote: ↑Wed Dec 17, 2025 10:00 pm Did your prospective purchase pass it's MOT?

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

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