Vauxhall Ampera

n97 mini

grogi wrote: »

You know that every window regulator has an overload protection - it will disconnect power if there is too much drag - exp. from a finger... ?

If that was the case every window would have an auto up feature.

grogi

n97 mini wrote: »

If that was the case every window would have an auto up feature.

Manufacturer wants to charge you extra for that auto feature...

Alkers

If anyone has only one key we eventually got a replacement key from Autokey in Swords for €180.
I contacted them via email and they said no problem and to bring in the car. When I brought it in they said they didn't have any suitable blank fobs as the Ampera fob has five buttons and that they would order one in. I called them a good few times before and after Christmas to see if they had the fob in and eventually they got one so I brought the car in again.
Left the car with them for an afternoon and then when I went to collect it they said they were missing one tool to complete the job and that they would call to my workplace the next working day to finish the job which would take 15mins.
I work around the corner from them so left the car in again to be told there was no-one available to finish the job that day but later a technician arrived and after about an hour I had another fully working key which looks identical to the original.

Would have been a lot of hassle if I didn't work so near to their office but no-where else I contacted could do an Ampera key and Charles Hurst quoted me £250 sterling (plus the fact they're in Belfast).

show me the money.1

n97 mini wrote: »

Also, the driver window is the only one with auto close on the button. The others you have to hold up to get to close. Implies no pressure sensors on three windows, so possibly an even bigger safety issue. The dog could get his snout chopped off!

With the window closed hold the button in the closed position for a few seconds and this will activate auto close for that window.

n97 mini

show me the money.1 wrote: »

With the window closed hold the button in the closed position for a few seconds and this will activate auto close for that window.

That's to re-calibrate a window that has auto close, typically after a flat battery.

Only the driver's window has auto close. From the owners manual:

The driver window can be lowered or raised without holding the switch. The front passenger and rear windows can only be lowered without holding the switch

galwaytt

n97 mini wrote: »

That's to re-calibrate a window that has auto close, typically after a flat battery.

Only the driver's window has auto close. From the owners manual:

That latter sentence from the manual makes no sense at all !

n97 mini

galwaytt wrote: »

That latter sentence from the manual makes no sense at all !

Needs to be taken in context! Re-read the whole lot.

slicedpanman

@n97 mini - did you ever find out if there is a way to disable the auto-open of all windows from the fob? Its a particularly annoying feature

galwaytt

n97 mini wrote: »

Needs to be taken in context! Re-read the whole lot.

This bit I get: "The driver window can be lowered or raised without holding the switch." This I take to mean auto open/close (one-touch).

This bit, I don't: "The front passenger and rear windows can only be lowered without holding the switch". Which, to me, reads as you can only lower it by not holding the switch ?? ...which is....what, exactly.... ?

Or am I losing it completely ?

n97 mini

slicedpanman wrote: »

@n97 mini - did you ever find out if there is a way to disable the auto-open of all windows from the fob? Its a particularly annoying feature

The manual says nothing about disabling it, so I presume it can't be done. I probably would disable it too if I could.

galwaytt wrote: »

This bit I get: "The driver window can be lowered or raised without holding the switch." This I take to mean auto open/close (one-touch).

This bit, I don't: "The front passenger and rear windows can only be lowered without holding the switch". Which, to me, reads as you can only lower it by not holding the switch ?? ...which is....what, exactly.... ?

Or am I losing it completely ?

It means they've auto open only. It probably could have been worded better.

n97 mini

As an FYI to other owners. It's recommended that the battery coolant be replaced every 5 years. It's pretty typical GM stuff, Dexcool, but I think the procedure is beyond your typical mechanic as the high voltage system needs to be shut down and equipment probably not available to your average garage needs to be used to pump the old stuff out and the new stuff in.

For the last 15 years, once our cars go out of warranty I've been servicing all of them myself, including our hybrids (Civic IMA (x2) and Prius), but this is a job I'm happy to leave to the professionals.

KELTICKNIGHTT

Simona1986 wrote: »

I don't know where in the country you are but when I contacted BMG.ie in dublin about servicing ours, they mentioned they would be able to access the service records etc. Havent actually used them yet as we're not due a service for another few months

Hi
Considering buying the ampera . I'm told local mechanic cn service petrol side but other side as electric charging system and battery etc I have to go to Belfast. I be coming from cork . Is there no place in Ireland that services the electric charging system ??.
How much to service electric charging system and battery etc outside of parts
Cheers

coolisin

KELTICKNIGHTT wrote: »

Hi
Considering buying the ampera . I'm told local mechanic cn service petrol side but other side as electric charging system and battery etc I have to go to Belfast. I be coming from cork . Is there no place in Ireland that services the electric charging system ??.
How much to service electric charging system and battery etc outside of parts
Cheers

Surely there is a hybrid specialist in cork?
There is a guy in Wexford, one mentioned above and another in South Dublin that I know of.

Think you only need to go to Belfast to keep the warranty in check on the car.

KELTICKNIGHTT

coolisin wrote: »

Surely there is a hybrid specialist in cork?
There is a guy in Wexford, one mentioned above and another in South Dublin that I know of.

Think you only need to go to Belfast to keep the warranty in check on the car.

i check it out, should be. wexford is a lot closer than Belfast.
was looking at vauxhall ampera and Mitsubishi outlander phew.

coolisin

KELTICKNIGHTT wrote: »

i check it out, should be. wexford is a lot closer than Belfast.
was looking at vauxhall ampera and Mitsubishi outlander phew.

But none of them keep the Vauxhall warranty in check.
For the Vauxhall warranty you need to go to Belfast.

KELTICKNIGHTT

coolisin wrote: »

But none of them keep the Vauxhall warranty in check.
For the Vauxhall warranty you need to go to Belfast.

i do around trip to work each day of 37 miles ,6 days a week so would suit me,
all i need is to get a charger point fitted to house to charge in driveway.
like the style and the range and the idea it charges on the move. i spend 50 euros a week on fuel mostly going to work , that be big saving in a month i hope if i bought it. i check how much to fit a home charging point.
as far as warranty goes. most i seen are close to 90k mileage so if warranty runs out at 100k , would be going to Belfast much

must check now much vrt would be if bought in uk

Alkers

KELTICKNIGHTT wrote:

all i need is to get a charger point fitted to house to charge in driveway. like the style and the range and the idea it charges on the move.

Be aware the Ampera was never sold here so doesn't qualify for the home charger grant.

It doesn't really charge on the move (unless you have an empty battery and select mountain mode), it does regen braking but you won't see the battery level actually increase unless maybe an extended downhill drive.

The garage I linked to previously have told me they're happy to service and maintain the electrical drivetrain side of the Ampera. Were outside of warranty so not going to go to Belfast!

KCross

Simona1986 wrote: »

Be aware the Ampera was never sold here so doesn't qualify for the home charger grant.

Did the SEAI confirm that to you?
Thats a bit s*it isnt it!

KELTICKNIGHTT

Simona1986 wrote: »

Be aware the Ampera was never sold here so doesn't qualify for the home charger grant.

It doesn't really charge on the move (unless you have an empty battery and select mountain mode), it does regen braking but you won't see the battery level actually increase unless maybe an extended downhill drive.

The garage I linked to previously have told me they're happy to service and maintain the electrical drivetrain side of the Ampera. Were outside of warranty so not going to go to Belfast!

My understanding the petrol engine generate electricity to generator to allow it to move when battery has only 20% or less. I think if put in L position it generates power to battery but not 100% sure .anyway. I do round trip to work every day of 36 miles so should in theory work off battery only. If not won't be in petrol engine much. I can charge at work and I get setup at home to charge.
Up to few weeks ago I was looking at Outlander phew .came across the Vauxhall ampera on donedeal on a hybrid search.lovely car
Cheers

Alkers

KCross wrote:

Did the SEAI confirm that to you? Thats a bit s*it isnt it!

Yes, and it's up to the manufacturer to apply to have the vehicle made eligible which won't happen as it's a Vauxhall.

slicedpanman

@kelticknight you'll do the 36km return journey, even in the cold. But you'll defo be charging every night

Worst I got in mine was 35km. That was with about 6 separate short trips, in the cold, and heating on auto, 22C and using window demisters

On the colder days you may have to switch off the cabin heating and go with the heated seat... That or forget the hardship and use 0.1 ltr of petrol

KELTICKNIGHTT

slicedpanman wrote: »

@kelticknight you'll do the 36km return journey, even in the cold. But you'll defo be charging every night

Worst I got in mine was 35km. That was with about 6 separate short trips, in the cold, and heating on auto, 22C and using window demisters

On the colder days you may have to switch off the cabin heating and go with the heated seat... That or forget the hardship and use 0.1 ltr of petrol

Spend around 45 euros a week on fuel going to work so I should save even if I use 1 litre. Have a diesel so want to get away from diesel vehicle so was looking t few hybrids . This for price and range sounded good.

n97 mini

Simona1986 wrote: »

Yes, and it's up to the manufacturer to apply to have the vehicle made eligible which won't happen as it's a Vauxhall.

Revenue list it as an Opel (check your registration certificate). It's definitely worth looking into.

KELTICKNIGHTT wrote: »

My understanding the petrol engine generate electricity to generator to allow it to move when battery has only 20% or less. I think if put in L position it generates power to battery but not 100% sure .anyway. I do round trip to work every day of 36 miles so should in theory work off battery only. If not won't be in petrol engine much. I can charge at work and I get setup at home to charge.
Up to few weeks ago I was looking at Outlander phew .came across the Vauxhall ampera on donedeal on a hybrid search.lovely car
Cheers

L is maximum regeneration.

There are 4 driving modes: Normal, Sport, Hold and Mountain. Hold keeps the battery level constant by running the engine. Mountain keeps 50% battery level for if you're doing a lot of uphill driving.

If you're only doing 36 miles a day would you consider a full EV like the Leaf?

KELTICKNIGHTT

n97 mini wrote: »

Revenue list it as an Opel (check your registration certificate). It's definitely worth looking into.



L is maximum regeneration.

There are 4 driving modes: Normal, Sport, Hold and Mountain. Hold keeps the battery level constant by running the engine. Mountain keeps 50% battery level for if you're doing a lot of uphill driving.

If you're only doing 36 miles a day would you consider a full EV like the Leaf?

Thanks for info
Won't be going full electric like leaf as no where good enough yet on distance so it's going to be hybrid .that's a definate.
So it's something like ampera or Outlander phew as suits me better.
Know someone who lives near me and they have Outlander phew andcrhey find it perfect with similar distance travelled each day as Me. Looked at this car as lovely car .Good spec and ticked most boxes. Think I do a test drive to make my mine up which one suits and I like better .

Alkers

n97 mini wrote:

Revenue list it as an Opel (check your registration certificate). It's definitely worth looking into.

Just checked and ours is registered as a Vauxhall, I might try the seai again but they weren't interested the last time I contacted them

KELTICKNIGHTT

Question
After 8 plus years. Batterys will loose power maybe. Did anyone do a cost on how much to replace cells or refurbished Battery.

ELM327

Considering that you can only ever access <10kWh of the 16kWh battery pack I doubt you'll ever see degradation in the life of the car

KELTICKNIGHTT

Hey guys
Question about having time charging point installed. I see can only get grant for 2018 onwards for home charging point.
Do you charge the ampera with normal 3 pin socket if not how much to get a charging socket installed at home in driveway as all this is new to me. Cheers

Alkers

KELTICKNIGHTT wrote:

Hey guys Question about having time charging point installed. I see can only get grant for 2018 onwards for home charging point. Do you charge the ampera with normal 3 pin socket if not how much to get a charging socket installed at home in driveway as all this is new to me. Cheers

As I mentioned, the Ampera doesn't qualify for the seai grant for a home chargepoint. We just use the granny lead to charge ours but we have an external plug on it's own dedicated circuit, ready to swap to a home chargepoint when we eventually change to a full ev

KELTICKNIGHTT

Simona1986 wrote: »

As I mentioned, the Ampera doesn't qualify for the seai grant for a home chargepoint. We just use the granny lead to charge ours but we have an external plug on it's own dedicated circuit, ready to swap to a home chargepoint when we eventually change to a full ev

I get a outside socket fitted to where I be charging when I do buy. Won't be till summer time when I buy. I look at bringing ampera from North or UK mainland then . From what I see here not too much vrt on ampera. I think I get a form filled out from dealer when you buy and then clear through customs for vrt.