@Lee

That Michelin statement reads more like them trying to be eco more than from a safety angle IMO. But as for your tyre - yes, change it sooner rather than later and request a wheel alignment assesment and calibration (preferably a Hunter or similar four wheel alignment)

Yep. That's what I'm saying - it's a basic function so should be IMO. It's in no way safe to flick through options at motorway speeds.

Tweet I saw today by an 'Author, Blogger, Influencer, YouTuber, Engineer etc etc; 5 Star EuroNACP Valuation Requires Physical Buttons EuroNCAP announced that from 2026, real physical buttons and switches will be mandatory for certain functions in the car in order to receive the highest rating. The alliance of various European transport ministries, automobile clubs and insurance associations based in Brussels has rolled out its new agenda. "This decision marks a significant shift in the automotive industry and highlights the importance of traditional controls, which have been increasingly displaced by digital touchscreens and voice-activated systems in recent years." The safety specialists are targeting developments at Tesla and the VW Group. At least for the five most important functions, real switches, levers or buttons will be required from 2026 in order for cars to receive the five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. From 2026, suitable switches must therefore remain in the car for the turn signal, hazard warning lights, windscreen wipers, horn and SOS emergency call functions if the full 5-star result is to be achieved. Vehicle manufacturers will also be encouraged to use separate physical controls for other basic functions such as seat and mirror adjustment or ventilation. OMG to argue that physical buttons are safer than using a display or voice commands shows that its not about safety at all but that lobby groups have suceeded and thats sad. Its all about revenue, influence and profits but not about safety. Starting in 2026 we best ignore EuroNCAP if we talk vehicle safety and I hope Tesla won't change is strategy to build the safest vehicles in the world without physical buttons! The Bomer [sic] generation strikes back. https://twitter.com/alex_avoigt/status/1775875232932192269 Sorry but who wants to go through multile menus just to turn the heat up a little at 70mph?

I expect he's getting a right *******ing today. Edit: Just read he's a member of the tory 'common sense group'

With those new found freedoms maybe the UK could, after consulting the results of the petition, demand that auto makers sell them only cars with UK specific type approved non glarey headlights. The downside is the added cost of making HMG compliant 'freedom headlights'™ 😉

Trump bail money popcorn https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-175-million-civil-fraud-bond-valid-new-york/

One for @J.R. 😉

No surprise... https://www.removepaywall.com/article/current https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/oct/29/soaring-private-healthcare-use-pressure-nhs-gps https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/gp-appointment-scandal-sick-families-32489770

It's probably about time I had a haircut. It will most likely be the same 19mm all over administered by myself as it has been since 2020. In less dull news and Star Wars related, I once had a few drinks with R2-D2 or, specifically, the man who was inside.

Oooo https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/03/trump-media-es-family-trust-2022-loans#amp_tf=From %1%24s&aoh=17121803383308&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2024%2Fapr%2F03%2Ftrump-media-es-family-trust-2022-loans

Undeterred by criticism of the historical inaccuracies in his recent biopic of Napoleon, Ridley Scott begins filming on his latest project, "Caesar".

A couple of interesting pieces that were published yesterday. The first by the Financial Times and the second by The Telegraph. In the FT piece, UK businesses clearly explain why unilateral alignment is in their interest and how little companies that are losing revenue care about the concept of being a "rule taker". In the FT piece, Matthew Elliot, formerly of Vote Leave, says the UK now has 'independent trade deals with independent US states'. This is actually false - it has what's known as Memorandums of Understanding wich are not trade deals. Only the US Government has the gift of negotiatiating US - Other country's trade deals*. Eight years on and still lying. Just a reminder that more checks on goods entering the UK from the EU are due to be imposed from the end of the month which may cause increased delays and push up costs. https://www.removepaywall.com/article/current *https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S10-C1-1/ALDE_00001097/

As @AGFalco said the headlights are higher up on SUVs. Isn't that because there's far fewer SUVs in France because they have such a high purchase tax in them?

Cool hack with Google and Firefox GK0m6BnI2movuaACAOlokHoWwUFSbmdjAAAF.mp4

And with that.....

Not strictly pets but we've at least three hedgehogs in the garden

😝

Müller with an Umlaut or Mueller without