NikpV

Ford have a problem with the instrumentation pod, about 6 months ago the problem was so bad they stopped replacving them because the replacements also had problems (documented on this site by some) the fuel gauge problem was quie common. We are still waiting for a new instrumentation pod (will be our second) under warranty Search on 'fuel gauge' for details, this may be a manifestation of the same problem. Nik

I think pre-facelift models used a 15 inch un-reinfored tyre, asked a bloke at work how much he got his tyres for and he was paying

If we could all do with some, what sort of deal could we get on say 50/60 tyres?? Nik

internet?? :blink:

Doesn't he say he has a ford galaxy 2.3 ghia X ?? nik

I usually have my bars sticking out on the nearside while I slide the box on (I too fear damaging the car and my ear drums if the wife found out) I then slide the bars across and tighten them. Ours has a shaped base (and drop nose) (made by FAPA I think) to stiffen it so no bars, there is definitely a technique to lifting it. :rolleyes: I agree with _dg if you need it its not worth worrying about the mpg - I usually take it off when we get wherever and chain it down :unsure: Nik

Are these any good DRACO has been selling these for ages (we got our RHS child seat from him last year) I keep looking with an eye to the future. You must have a very heavy roof box I've just measured ours - 70 x 45 inches approx with drop nose but I can just manage to get it on by myself :( Nik Ps I'm only 5' 10''

We had a fair sized roofbox on for the holidays :angry: this year (can't remember the size exactly, orignally bought for an escort estate - full width of car + hung over the front enough to see) with thule bars, I found it easier to put on the GAL if I remember correctly I stood it on the rear end, gripped the two sides and got it balanced on my head :( and just slid it across :D. Fastening the box was the most difficult part (only one side opens) I stood on the raised footplate of the 3 way childs seat nearside second row to tighten the hand nuts inside. Loading / unloading was fun seemed a lot of climbing upn and down. They certainly are worth it esp whan taking the mother-in-law (oops sorry - babysitter) with you and the kids. Didn't notice much hit on the mpg. (compared to the escort Td on previous years which appeared to run on air we used a lot more diesel :wacko: - worth it though with a toddler and a rug - rat) Nik

ours used to do this until we had the intrument panel changed (to sort out brake warning incorrectly activating) we are still waiting for another intrument panel change to sort out the fuel gauge problem ahh that reminds me its about time I hassled them again Nik

When we looked at buying (autumn 02) we looked at lots of variations - I test drove a GAL(pertol) first but at the time the missus couldn't come with me so we then test drove peugeot 806 very helpful sales but after 3 weeks couldn't find the trim level Hdi we wanted (too much like a minibus we decided), alhambra petrol (very off sales staff) 'TDI you'll be lucky' and without being able to remember the details the trim level/mileage could no compare for the price we eventually paid. After testing 4 or 5 different cars the missus went and tried the GAL - she came back and said the GAL was better than any others we had tried and why were we looking at others???? In the end we got a Y Reg GHIA auto 1.9Tdi with 19k miles with 18months warranty left for

Sorry should have said mines an auto too

Sounds about the same as ours - usually get about 450 from full to warning with short, kids here and there + shopping all - short trips 4-8 miles usually from cold. I've found the cruise control more economical generally on the flat (its better than me at easing off at the cut off speed) on hilly sections it generally does do any better I presume because I use the downs to build up speed and so use less fuel going up the other side??. Can usually get over 500+ with a decent stretch of m-way. Nik

Our kids would agree with you - in fact our daughter (4) prefers the civilisation, out of the wind, Sun(sometimes) , no creepy crawlies and music - I think she misses the point somehow. Nik :angry:

Ummm driver may have a problem :) , seatbelt does not work for passenger when facing backwards, so swivel seats only work whan stopped :angry:

Can confirm the interesting situation with child loacks on the back, eventually found that with passenger seat forward the missus could get out without too much trouble. BTW we don't ususally picnic in the car in the 'Picnic season' its this sort of weather (winter) you need it for :angry: Nik

Yes, when the seats swivel the backs get pretty close to the handbrake, the Kids just love a picnic ruined by the weather at this time of the year - nothing better than rubbing sandwiches in to daddys car seats :angry:

What happens when you activate it? Still just in warranty? what do ford say? Nik

Sorry should have said - Y reg Ghia 1.9 TDI

Push end of stalk to activate CC keep pressed in will decelerate, pull res switch against spring pressure towards end of stalk once to resume previous set cc speed and constantly to accelerate. Well thats how it worked 15 mins ago just before I got home

Where have yu ordered yours from and do they do a USB version?

To quote from the brochure (10.2002 GB) p12 ... 'Tripling indicators automatically flash a miniumum of three times, no matter how briefly you move the stalk' My Y-reg 1.9 Ghia doesn't some its probably a new feature

I think its by design - stops somebody opening it at traffic lights etc, mine will unlock if I open one of the doors (only tried with drivers door) first Nik

Missus got into our gal yesterday morning to take the hordes of kids to nursery by the time she got there she had decided that something wasn't quite right - it seemed from the display that it got all the way there in fourth gear! (its an auto). Took it into the garage (300yrds) down the road - the mechanic drove it up the road and agreed something was wrong told to bring it back today to get codes read etc. Driving back from the garage the car went back to normal and I drove it round the block when I got home - completely fine, but still took it in this morning. Garage say the gearbox oil is full of crud and debris ford have authorised a new gearbox (under warranty) hopefully fitted tomorrow or Friday. Any ideas what want wrong. Is the autobox a weak spot and more to the point what sort of warranty will I get on the new box (6 months left of the original warranty) Nik

child killers !!!!!! :rolleyes:

No problem - its a odd sort of relief to find that others have the same problems I was beginning to worry that the fuel gauge problem was unique B) I have had the cluster (or pod) changed once already, the mechanic agreed with SA in that its a simple job but they still forgot to re-program the fuel computer! Do all trim levels have the fuel computer because if not the mechanic implied that its always present :D NikPv