Rojie

Many people confuse the Congestion Charge and ULEZ. The Congestion Charge only applies to Inner London. The ULEZ area is much more widespread.

Hello Gideon, Welcome to the Forum. You need to make some phone calls. There is a long thread on Insurance on this Forum. Use the search box, or go the the list of Forums. Check it out. Alphard is frequently NOT in dropdowns, so try phoning. I would not insure an Alphard as a Vellfire although they are almost the same vehicle. There is no point, whatsoever, in providing an insurance company with an excuse not to pay a claim.

The company was Direct Line.

Is the vehicle already in the UK ? Has it been registered by the DVLA. If so, type the registration number into Transport for London (TfL). That should tell you. I think, as it is post Sept 2005, it should be ULEZ; whether it is recognised as such is another matter,

Hello Nicola, Welcome to the Forum.

Hello Liz, Welcome to the Forum.

I think "calling" an Alphard a Vellfire could be rather tricky; even though they are almost the same vehicle. It could be seen as misrepresentation, or even fraud. Surely not worth the gamble with any Insurance Company. Shop around, say goodbye to Direct Line; there are many companies that will insure Alphards. As you say, dropdowns can be useless; use the phone. Good Luck.

Hello Paul, Is the Forum letting them advertise ? I was not aware that they have a Trade Account. I'll look into it. As far as I am aware, many of the map / carpet suppliers only supply in sets. As an aside, I have a set of mats, but not from Odyssey, fitted in my conversion. I use the extra mats as liners in the lockers.

Do you mean Odyssey, in Bournemouth ? Why not buy a whole set then, they aren't expensive !

Try Martin Sweeney

By cold air, do you mean ambient air, or chilled air obviously cooled by the air con unit. Have you tried switching the air off, so you can test for chilled air or ambient air. I recall something about a flap valve. I'll try and find it for you.

This site that Lee recommends is VERY helpful for all Gen 1 owners, especially those with the HDD headunit.

Hello again, I checked with DVLA as I was sure I was correct. I wasn't. I apologise. The right to retain an unassigned number lasts for 10 years, then the entitlement needs to be renewed. If it isn't renewed, the entitlement lapses. If it is renewed, entitlement remains for another 10 years. The rules must have changed, as I do distinctly remember having to renew each year as I did not assign my plate immediately. I guess DVLA became tired of so much unnecessary paperwork.

Congratulations on your new plate. I have one, but not on my Alphie. Just two additional points If an owner decides to retain a personal plate for several years they will have to pay a retention fee each year, or their entitlement to the plate will lapse ! Also, you cannot fit a plate to a vehicle where the age of the plate is less than the age of the vehicle (hence making the vehicle appear younger than it actually is). This point is rather Important, as there is little point in buying a plate, especially an expensive one, if you will never be able to assign it to your vehicle. Subsequent vehicles, maybe, but not your current one. So check before you buy. When you come to sell your vehicle, there will be more fees if you wish to continue to retain entitlement to the plate. The original registration will be reassigned to the vehicle for a fee ! Happy Days

It could be an override switch to allow you to watch DVDs / TV while on the move. Some Japanese owners fit them. As a rule the DVD video will not function if the parking brake is applied. Other than that, it have been for any aftermarket gadget the Japanese owners may have had. Mine had a pay as go entertainment system that was removed before auction. I believe it is illegal in the UK for the driver or front passenger to be able to view video while the vehicle is in motion.

I read every thread, and do not recall ever having read one about heavy steering. I have read about worn rack bushes though. If a new battery does not solve the issue, send picasso a PM

Hello Stuart, Welcome to the Forum. I wish I had a pound for every time I have advised members to ensure their 12v starter battery remains fully charged at all times. Keep your 'old battery' as a spare and keep in under trickle charge

Yes you can charge without disconnection, although it is better to disconnect. Ensure Ignition is OFF. Whichever you do; make ABSOLUTELY sure you do not make any reverse polarity connections; even for a moment. If you do, the main 100A (or so) fuse will blow. Not good news ! After you have disconnected your battery a few times, you will soon getting the hang off resetting the windows.

Perhaps garages do know how to adjust the blades, but prefer to sell you a new pair. Perhaps me just being cynical !

Please add the balance of the missing info Sal. I really don't want to delete your advert.

It is standard that windows, and the moonroof, will need resetting after a battery disconnection. It is not an anomaly. Depending on how long your battery is disconnected, you will need to reset the clock too, as could be anticipated. Batteries can be charged in situ. A decent battery can be recharged by about 20 minutes idling. Japanese FM radios will not normally work in the UK, except to receive Radio 2. This is because the FM frequency bands used are different. with only a small overlap. So this not an anomaly either. Frequency shifters can be used to compensate, with varying degrees of success. I re-iterate, for all owners, it is essential to keep your 12V starter battery fully charged, especially as autumn is approaching and the throughout winter. I always keep an 'old' battery on trickle charge for jumping or substitution, should the need for either arise.

Hello Roger, A few things spring to mind. Firstly, it is essential that all owners ensure their 12v starter batteries are in vey good condition and fully charged. Otherwise Gremlins start to manifest themselves. Secondly, ensure your room lights (mood) lights are off. They can be difficult to detect when on a low setting, in daylight, or if you are in a rush. Do you have driving lights fitted? They should be wired through the ignition circuit, but sometimes they aren't ! I have a small voltmeter that fits into the facia cigarette socket which enables me to check battery status, even under load, and ensure that the alternator is performing it's duties.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the idea. Just check, carefully, that the new bulbs are / can be inserted fully into the holder. I know of some members who have taken a chance, and, as far as I know, the bulbs have not fallen out into the light housing. Just to be clear, I am referring to the side lights, not main lights. Just as a side issue, my side lights are blue until lit, when they are bright white. My previous ones, as fitted in Japan, looked blue and were !

Hi Paul, This may be relevant, maybe not. I have the Gen 1 facelifted version I changed my side lights; but caution was required. The first units I fitted could barely be inserted in the holders. I decided the risk of them failing out (into the glass area) was too risky. If one fell out it would be a pig of a job to to remove it. I fitted another brand which could be inserted properly without any risk of being shaken loose.

This is extremely interesting. Thank you. Just today, I had my windscreen replaced (by Autoglass). A very interesting process it is too. As my insurance was paying the bill for the screen, I elected to have the wipers replaced by Autoglass. They were not cheap ! Despite a brand new screen (from Toyota) the new 26 inch blade was not sweeping the entire area of the drivers side. Just as you describe. With hindsight, probably an MOT failure ! My previous old blades were refitted and there was almost no skipping ! The Autoglass technician, who was extremely capable, decided the skipping was unacceptable and has taken action for a refund to be issued. I will be visiting Europarts or Halfords very soon and will certainly bear in mind your findings. Thank you once again.