Michael McAleer answers your queries
From Brian Richardson, Dublin 18:
As our speed limits are now, finally, converting to km/hr, isn't it time to really complete the metrication process?
For years now, we have been buying our petrol by the litre. Likewise, the bulk of our distances have been signposted in kilometres.
Surely, then, we should talk of a car's economy in terms of litres (which we buy) per 100 kilometres (which we travel) - and not, anomalously, in terms of miles (which we have discarded) per gallon (which we haven't bought for a long, long time).
It is not the easiest transition to make, as we measure things the other way around. A high mpg figure is good news - while in l/100km, we want a figure as low as possible. Isn't it time we got a move on, with Motors taking the lead?
The changeover from miles per gallon to litres per 100km will, as you say, be a little more difficult for motorists. However, the metrication of speed limits does suggest that mpg is now a rather arcane method of measurement.
Motors will, as of next week, offer fuel consumption figures in both mpg and litres per 100 km. However, it is too early to scrap mpg entirely. The fact that distance is the deciding factor in one, while fuel consumption is the deciding factor in the other, means a quick and easy conversion method is not to hand.
From DK Henderson:
I read with interest Daniel Attwood's article on speed signs in last week's Motors, and, sure enough, found quite a few "premature" km/h speed limit signs in the Dundrum/Stillorgan area.
What I also discovered is that many 40 mph signs are being replaced by 60 km/h ones - this translates to 37.5 mph. In other words, post-January 19th, speed limits on a large number of main roads will have been reduced by 6.25 per cent.
I was always under the impression that metrication was to have no significant impact on existing laws, but I presume that to try to register any form of protest would be pointless.
In general the changes have been to increase slightly the limits in particular areas like motorways and on national roads. However, in the new 60km/h areas and 80km/h areas speeds will be reduced and that is where it the impact will be felt by motorists.
Given that most roads are non-national, it means the effective speed limit in Ireland has been reduced.
From Anne O'Neill:
We will be having a third child shortly and will require space for a rearward facing carseat, a forward facing carseat and a booster seat.
Are there any saloon cars that can take all three comfortably? We currently have a Saab 900 and it would be a very tight squeeze for all three, even if you put the booster seat in the middle with just the lap belt (which wouldn't give full protection anyway). I don't want to go down the MPV road.
For advice we turned to our babyseat expert and author of the second-hand sense column, Donal Byrne.
He writes: Unfortunately with three children - and presumably two adults - and all that goes with them you will find most saloon cars cramped. However, the good news is that most new cars actually have three full seat belts in the rear so that a booster seat can be accommodated more safely.
Bear in mind that you cannot have a rear facing child seat in the front of the car if the airbag cannot be switched off, for obvious reasons. In fact, many experts in the motor industry disapprove of child seats in the front of a car in any circumstances, and I agree. On the basis that you do not want to take the bigger MPV option, two spacious cars with good storage space come to mind - the Toyota Corolla Verso and the new Peugeot 407.
The Verso will take the two older children in the outside rear positions, while Toyota has a purpose-built forward facing seat that can go in the middle, meaning you can still keep an eye on the little passengers. This seat can be adjusted as the child grows and will last until toddler stage. It costs about €700 as an extra.
Graco, the child seat and pram manufacturer also make a similar unit and this is cheaper. The 407 saloon has three full seat belts in the rear and the same arrangement with a specially designed infant seat can apply. The SW estate version is even roomier and has a fine boot area. The Corolla Verso starts at €26,995 for the 1.6 petrol, and the 407 costs from €25,320 for the 1.8 saloon and from €27,320 for the SW estate. A look at either will show you how far the smaller MPV type vehicles and estates have come.
Send your queries to
Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie