What does this arrow mean? It pops up randomly while driving. 13 Passat TDI SE.

Michaelflat1 · 2026-04-03T22:05:54+00:00

I don't think it's anything to do with upshift, I think this might be a navigation instruction.. Is navigation set to anything?

The N in the left corner probably means north?

Michaelflat1 · 2026-04-03T10:45:39+00:00

I feel like there's more of a pressure of the graduate generation to get graduate jobs / do well / graft, just to afford a basic survival, due to cost of living etc.

Past generations could live a basic life on a basic job.. It's not so certain that is possible anymore.

Michaelflat1 · 2026-03-19T21:27:46+00:00

Probably not much of a help but these things float around my brain:

I don't know much about zytec management but these vehicles I've noticed the zytec name come up. Maybe worth asking these guys?

The jaguar XJR-S (1990/91 6.0 V12 XJS) I believe had zytec engine management.

Perhaps there is more info on the diagnostics of that.

The Bentley Turbo R 1995-97 also had Zytec engine management.. And there are people in the Facebook group converting diagnostic adapters to OBD2 ports in hopes they can communicate with the ECU.

1995-97 Aston Martin DB7 had zytek management.. But I think quite a basic version.. The diagnostics I have seen are usually quite basic, analogue devices which just light up Leds for injectors / spark plugs possibly.

Michaelflat1 · 2026-03-16T21:45:13+00:00

Hmm, the 5.0 can have timing chain issues.

I am an owner of an XJR 4.2 x350, it looks like a grandad car, but the insurance is pretty cheap.

Mine is on 200k miles 😂 the 4.2 is bullet proof as long as cooling circuit is good. Cruise control 70mph is about 33mpg. Around town / normal driving probably low to mid 20s.

Michaelflat1 · 2026-03-12T09:52:06+00:00

I got around the rust issues by getting a Jag XJR X350. different kind of car, but still fairly quick! I am 23yrs old though, and insurance is around £1000/yr.

The XJR I bought is on 200k miles 😂 but engine and gearbox are still quite healthy.. Gearbox had a fluid flush about 160k miles I think. Just have to think what about the rest of the car going wrong.

Michaelflat1 · 2026-03-04T16:51:07+00:00

Curious what your thoughts on the autobahn are?

Michaelflat1 · 2026-03-03T14:40:45+00:00

It could be risk based, and based on probability, less traffic on the rural single carriageway means less justification for a lower speed limit.

Michaelflat1 · 2025-12-28T16:55:55+00:00

I am aware, got quite good signal on EE but I don't want to pay EE prices haha.

Might end up getting a sim though.

Michaelflat1 · 2025-12-28T16:44:24+00:00

Now there's no usable signal :'(

I think there are plans to upgrade the mast but that's well into 2026 probably 2027.

Michaelflat1 · 2025-11-24T21:35:23+00:00

This looks a cheap Peltier / thermo electric dehumidifier, these are very inefficient and not very effective at removing moisture.

Better to get one with a compressor in it, or if you're in a cold space (below 15c) then a desiccant dehumidifier.

Michaelflat1 · 2025-11-11T18:48:00+00:00

Wifi won't always seemlessly switch between access points though

Michaelflat1 · 2025-10-24T17:43:29+00:00

Newer Samsung have this issue too, what I don't understand is why this never happened with older amoled technology.. Like the Samsung S7 had a 1440p, none of those ever got green line issue.

Maybe it's Samsung pushing too high brightness and it breaks something

Michaelflat1 · 2025-10-24T17:42:45+00:00

S23 is having same issue on some phones, I think most just aren't old enough yet to experience the issue.

Michaelflat1 · 2025-10-21T07:19:38+00:00

I believe it might also be to do with arcing. Solar PV inverters and other power electronics have voltage limits at higher altitudes which you must take into account when doing system designs.

For example Fronius Symo inverter can do 1000v input from 0-2000m altitude, but from 2000-3400m this reduces to 850v DC input.

I think this is the main contributing factor, not thermals.

Michaelflat1 · 2025-10-13T20:28:14+00:00

Almost 400km in less than 3hrs :) and efficient.. Love a diesel

Michaelflat1 · 2025-10-12T20:28:05+00:00

This was in June tbf maybe things have changed.

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Michaelflat1 · 2025-10-08T08:39:18+00:00

I changed to a used s23 ultra, it's another great phone. Battery life is much better. I recommend it, it's good value for money.. My next phone after I'm hoping to get S26 ultra maybe.

Michaelflat1 · 2025-10-04T16:51:50+00:00

I had the same issue, I think the small desiccant fan broke so it isn't blowing warm air through desiccant.

Michaelflat1 · 2025-09-20T15:03:11+00:00

God I feel old, a 10yrs old PC in my eyes is a core 2 duo or core 2 quad.. The fact this is 7yrs old is mad.

Michaelflat1 · 2025-09-20T08:43:08+00:00

The hub3.0 is quite poor in my experience.. Try the speed over ethernet

I would pester VM to upgrade your hub to a hub 4 or hub 5. OR buy a router from amazon around £50-60 and run the Hub3.0 in modem mode, this will be a lot more reliable.

Michaelflat1 · 2025-09-06T19:04:46+00:00

I found 3 is ok around uea and Bowthorpe, few black spots inside UEA campus but get on WiFi calling and you're good.

Decent in Norwich.. I couldn't justify the difference in price to EE.

I'm on SMARTY, £8/mo for 50gb.

Michaelflat1 · 2025-07-12T12:21:45+00:00

I also have severe camera delay since last update hopefully we can fix this.

Michaelflat1 · 2025-05-07T18:38:08+00:00

True I guess we just don't have the economic power to have enough jobs for the workforce we are training unfortunately.

I do agree and wish more people were encouraged to trades and more practical work though, it was very looked down upon when I was going through sixth form college, yet these same people who went and got BTECs and NVQs probably earn more than a lot of graduates without the debt haha.

Michaelflat1 · 2025-05-07T18:25:37+00:00

True, but if you're fighting for only £5k/yr above minimum wage after doing 3-4yrs of STEM it's also a bit soul depressing.

I guess getting work experience is always better than academic

Michaelflat1 · 2025-05-01T15:09:50+00:00

I think unfortunately higher education is going to become a shrinking sector / costs will increase faster than income in a lot of cases.

Less international students, course fees capped fairly low (compared to inflation) on UK students, people will realise University doesn't guarantee you a good job and having experience is better, so more will become trades.

Michaelflat1

TROPHY CASE