Marc's X7, C3 Aircross, Rants, Raves & Everything Else

[GiveMeABreak]

Note to Self:

Conformation from Citroen HQ today via email, that the Aircross will not be affected by UK 3G switch off. Later vehicles with an independent Telematic Unit use Citroen's proprietary satellite communication network, so all emergency service calls and connected live services will continue to work regardless.

[GiveMeABreak]

I'm not sure which EV topic to place this so... decided to move it to my own blog as it is more of a rant.

I've posted a link to one of his videos previously concerning the 'Pay to Use' features that EV manufacturers scam customers with. And I will call it a scam as it's a way of extorting extra cash out of customers for what, let's face it, are features that are included in many non-EV vehicles on the road today, whilst still charging extortionate prices for EVs.

I really can't see why if he hates EVs so much he is still driving round in one - but according to his latest moan he is going to return it. However, I have to say there are far better reasons for returning a vehicle IMO than for getting caught in the snow! Granted, yet again more charging issues with 2 of the charging points he was directed to being out of service. No problems on that front as a reason.

But really, I don't know why he seems to think having an EV is supposed to circumvent bad weather conditions! I mean that's common sense driving. If you know there is a likelihood of snow (as anyone following the weather is going to know about) on your journey, then for goodness sake, make sure you have snow chains, socks or composites in the boot! Why he thinks that an EV either 2 or 4 wheel drive is going to make him invulnerable to the cold weather is beyond me.

I'm no expert on Porsche's traction control systems for EVs, but he certainly had issues with his 2 wheel drive (rear wheels) spinning away and draining his battery power.



I think there are far more reasons for getting rid of it than getting caught in the snow, but it still does highlight how useless these are in bad weather.

Hopefully he will take his own advice and return it, then he won't have to make any more groaning videos about it!

[RichardW]

Through the hyperbole he essentially makes 3 points:

1. RWD sports cars with wide low profile summer tyres are useless in the snow (no s*it Sherlock, and not a fault of it being an EV)
2. His £100k EV is not really fit for purpose, being unable to travel Leeds-Bradford - Liverpool - Mansfield in the winter without a charging stop
3. Off the main network, the charging network is not fit for purpose (and if you watch other vids, on the main network is not much better with broken chargers, poor availavblity, high prices etc etc)

1 is no surprise. 2 & 3 just go to show that there is about as much chance of us going 100% EV by 2030 than there is of me winning the lottery - even if I did fractionally increase my chance by buying a ticket!

His other vids highlight that the EV charging world is pretty much where PCs were in the 90s - remember everyone doing it differently, random hardware conflicts, bugs and glitches, clunky interfaces.... the dashpanel in the Porsche looks like something that would have graced an early PC TBH....

[GiveMeABreak]

I agree with all that Richard. We're going to be holding on to our ICE for as along as we can.

I also think the 2030 net zero hysteria is farcical considering our annual output compared with the likes of China who are building the equivalent of 2 new coal plants a week

2 out of 3 large windmills near us are rarely turning, which is always a point of comment every time we approach them.

[bobins]

You can have all the BEVs you like, but carbon emissions will continue to increase all the time both the global population increases and 'third world*' countries desire to 'westernise'. The only way global pollution / carbon emissions / climate change will decline is if everyone follows a variation of the theme - "Don't have kids, don't buy anything, don't go anywhere".... and that ain't going to happen.
The bigger picture is, is that mankind is merely going through a population explosion which will be followed by a population decline. It's been happening in nature for millenia - it's just what happens. The only difference is is that mankind has the 'intelligence' and determination to prolong the increase for as long as possible.

* - I know, it's a poor phrase to use

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes I agree Robin - it's all about managing the changes as we go through these 'cycles'. The planet has always been warming and cooling. Why each new generation thinks we're all going to die horribly tomorrow a la Ms Gritter Thunberg & Co is quite sad.

[Gibbo2286]

Watched that video and my only thought is 'What a prat! ' Don't think I'll be subscribing to his channel.

[GiveMeABreak]

I've just learned something new today about my Diesel Aircross. It has no DPF additive system (Tank or Pouch)! So although it has a particle filter, it has no assisted regeneration.

I thought this has to be a mistake when I first noticed this - which wouldn't be the first time, but no, as I looked further into the system, it seems this is the case.

I was checking through the BSI configuration settings looking for something else and going through the list I noticed the section of the DPF:

Presence and type of diesel fuel additive system

Absent	Without particulate emission filter
By additive pump on multiplexed LIN 1.3	Other variants
Particle Filter Without Additive	With particle filter and Euro 6.2 emission control standard

The first option is obvious - Absent for Petrol engines; then I saw the next option and thought, great, I don't have a Carlos Fandango multiplexed
additive pump to go wrong, but when I saw the next option 'Particle Filter Without Additive' option for Euro 6.2 vehicles, I started to wonder...

My vehicle is a Euro 6.2 standard. So next I thought I'd check parts out - as this is bound to be a mistake, but sure enough:

None of the tank / additive components 15,16,17,18, or 20 are present.

So I thought, I'd do one final cross-reference and check out the servicing schedule as that always lists DPF and additive operations and as can be seen, it only shows a check of the actual filter and no additive top up operation!

So very interesting in that the older 1.6 Diesel versions fitted on this vehicle do have an additive system but it seems the 1.5 DV5RD engines do not, so rely on natural regeneration. Not that I'm complaining, as that's one less issue to worry about and less expense.

You learn something new every day.

[Paul-R]

I'm sure you posted about this very soon after you got the car. I'm on my phone so can't easily do a search.

[mickthemaverick]

Quite right Paul, I searched for you and found this:

Screenshot

It gets to us all eventually Marc

[GiveMeABreak]

You're right - I didn't even remember that - so looks like I've bumped my own post in my own blog and discovered it all over again!

Shoot me if you ever read another post in my blog about this won't you....

[mickthemaverick]

Shoot me...............

Never going to happen Marc, we need you far too much

[GiveMeABreak]

Just wanted to let you know how fantastic these Chinese masonry drill bits are - 5 Seconds in my drill and this happened! ... or else I'm turning into Dr David/ Bruce Banner...

I knew there was a reason why I kept a lot of my father's tools from the 60s - just have to locate them now...

[myglaren]

I don't have any but have heard very good things about Würth tools, drill bits especially.
Naturally I don't take my own advice and usually buy Aldi & Lidl tools. On the other hand I have never had any problems with them other than they don't last very long. I have a sharpener somewhere, may use it one day.

[bobins]

Just wanted to let you know how fantastic these Chinese masonry drill bits are - 5 Seconds in my drill and this happened! ... or else I'm turning into Dr David/ Bruce Banner...



I knew there was a reason why I kept a lot of my father's tools from the 60s - just have to locate them now...

Ah ! Can I borrow that drill bit Marc ? It's just what I need to drill 'round some corners