Nice fresh MOT with no problems on emissions, despite having an IL motorsport catless manifold 
. Trying to do an Italian tune up this morning ,before going to the test centre, on 0 deg C roads was interesting (and probably pointless as they delayed the mot for over an hour 
).
At least the tester had a warm bum, as the heated seats were on level 5 when I jumped in! I’ve never used more than level 2 even on freezing days like today.
I repaired the instrument pod that I borked the other day, and corrected a mistake that I made a year ago, which is what I was trying to fix when I did break it. What should have been an hour job ended up lasting over a week while I waited for replacement parts and tools. Might actually get everything back in the car tomorrow!
On Saturday I added some Scotchlite red reflective tape to all six car doors to warn other road users with lights that the door might be open.
Why? Last year we had a couple of near misses with an e-scooter and a cyclist on the pavement (both at excessive speed!) not quite hitting the already open Mazda3 door while passengers were getting into the car.
This pic is of my MX-5 driver’s door, compare the partly open door lit by the camera flash with it not illuminated and almost invisible.
The idea is a headlight etc is in almost the same eyeline as the driver, and this Scotchlite reflective material is vastly superior both on-axis and off-axis to the cheap and nasty imitations. It actually works, it’s used on road signs etc, and I discovered today also for the car’s chassis number stickers.
It’s expensive and I had to buy my short roll from across the pond, but it’s worth it.
Upgraded the headlight bulbs from standard to Ring 5000. A noticeable improvement, however, what a pia to do! Wheels off & through the arch liner.
It didn’t help that I had chosen to pick the coldest morning in years either (-2 until about mid morning).
Top tip if not changed main bulbs before. Use a bungee cord or similar to hold back the arch liner whilst you are blindly feeling about for undoable clips etc. It will save your neighbours from listening to hours of creative swearing of the bluest kind.
How have you got on with this cover, a few months on? Is it waterproof, paint work fine etc?
Cheers
I looked at it longingly through the window and stayed in the warmth…, it hasn’t moved all year
It’s down beside that pesky 10mm socket. 
Paintwork seems to be fine and the cover is keeping the weather and rubbish off. It is a snug fit but there is some stretch to the fabric so along with the 3 fixing points it doesn’t really move around so reducing any rubbing. The fabric is breathable so can be put onto a wet car but I remove excess water before I put it on - it takes about 8 minutes to put on and take off - and the inside face always feels dry when I’ve removed it, so waterproof 
.
I’d definitely get this again if I need a replacement…
New Yuasa battery fitted.
On offer for £79 from Halfords.
Previous one was fitted in December 2017, so did well.
Well worth the money I think.
Completed my steering wheel swap. Bought at the start of November, to celebrate the car’s 10th birthday. But these jobs always take longer to get to the implementation phase, during the autumn & winter!
I started by removing the old one out of the car, just after Christmas. This was a slightly fiddly affair, getting the airbag clips to release - certainly more difficult than on the NC. I then did the removal of trim and buttons indoors, before swapping over to the new wheel.
Then today there was a decent window of opportunity, between snow/wind/rain to re-fit 
So… it’s a retrim by Royal - smooth leather all round, red stitching to match other areas of the interior, and slightly thicker. A top job and I’m very pleased 
Cheers,
Steve
Tayna have the same one just short of £20 cheaper delivered, that’s where I get mine from👍
Finally back in the garage after 3 months free range as skips, and the plumberverse (it’ll only take 4 weeks missus!) prevented stabling!!
Swear he smiled!
The vicar will be pleased too😉
Replaced my headlamps for refurbed OEM Z-Sport lamps. No cracking open oven jobs. Just refurbed lenses.
What’s the front splitter I see there?
