MARTIN'S
Page 10
Call Sign February 2012
Martin Hizer (M47) was in sombre mood
CATALYTIC CONVERTER
when Call Sign spoke to him in response to
his fleet message warning drivers regarding a
STOLEN OFF CAB!
spate of catalytic converter thefts from taxis.
"It was quite a shock to my ears as I started
up the cab it was totally deafening," Martin
exclaimed. "I thought the exhaust system had
dropped off completely, the noise was so bad.
It was a bit like you'd imagine a Centurion tank
The arrows show
would sound like!"
where the TX2 bolts
Continuing his story, Martin told Call Sign
are.
how he managed to crawl from his home in the
Inset: Martin's cat-
east to S&H Cabs in Edmonton, whilst along the
alytic converter was
way having every motorist staring at him and
stolen off his cab
his cab wondering just how on earth a London
taxi could sound so noisy!
nicked, so I would like to
At the garage, Sirdar - the boss at
thank him and his team
S&H - put Martin's cab on a ramp to
at S&H Cabs for getting
take a look underneath it, while the
me back on the road, and
Dial-a-Cab driver grabbed a coffee
as usual they did it well!"
expecting to hear at any minute that
Catalytic converters
his exhaust system must have fallen
are an important part of
off somewhere.
of vans. It does seem that with its
the exhaust system.They filter out harmful pol-
"Within minutes a mechanic
compatibility to other Ford prod-
lutants that affect the quality of the air we
came running over to me confirming that a
ucts and no-one asking too many
breathe. They can contain ceramic and even
complete section of the taxi exhaust system
questions where items came from, nor for
platinum materials that raise the temperature
was missing," said Martin. "However, they sus-
receipts, these thefts are likely to continue with
of the engines' exhaust fumes, thereby burning
pected that it hadn't fallen off but had been
the expression `mix and match' taking on a
off most of the nasty stuff that emits from the
stolen and said I should phone home to see if
completely new meaning.
back end of the cab.To make life as difficult as
Sirdar was able to patch Martin up so that he
any securing bolts had been left on my drive-
possible for would-be thieves, some garages
could go to work until a new unit was fitted. He
way. Sure enough, my wife confirmed there
will suggest welding the securing bolts togeth-
was also told that M&O had 4 Catalytic items
were several bolts littering the drive. Almost as
er, while others will no doubt have their own
on order. "There must obviously be a demand
astonishing was the fact that we live in a cul-de-
deterrent ideas. Either way, it's an expensive
for nicked catalytic converters," Martin said
sac, yet no one heard a thing!"
process.
while even managing a smile.
Sirdar explained to Martin that since 1
There is a fire risk due to the high tem-
"These converters don't come cheap," he
January 2012 when the tighter emissions con-
peratures involved in the exhaust system
added."My TX2 bill showed £350 plus VAT plus
trols came into force with hefty fines for those
generally, so it is essential to speak with
fitting. The TX4 unit is £450 plus VAT and fit-
who breach the regulations, a market for cat-
your service agent before any work is
ting, so you can see why stealing them simply
alytic converters to fit onto vehicles that would
undertaken.
by unbolting them is big business," Martin sug-
otherwise fail the Lower Emission Zone had
gested.
sprung up. Martin's TX2 Ford engine and
© Call Sign Magazine MMX11
"However, it wasn't Sirdar's fault that it got
exhaust system was similar to the Transit range
Free Eco Driving Lessons
Just a few still left...
There was a large response to last month's offer of free ECO driving lessons for Dial-a-
Cab drivers, sponsored by TfL and the Department for Transport. There were 200
places on offer and as of press time, there were still a few left. But they are now open
to the whole trade.
If you missed the article, it referred to an invite for Call Sign to take part in an
Energy Saving Trust ECO driving lesson last year. This is something that will become
compulsory for new drivers to take in the future and which they will have to pay for.
The training is designed to help bring a greater awareness of how to drive more
economically, together with the benefits such advanced skills bring in terms of
reduced fuel bills, less wear on your taxi, improved passenger comfort and of
course to help bring about a better environment. Energy Saving Trust has already
Comput
ers mea
trained well over 20,000 drivers from over 500 organisations.
sure you
r fuel sa
The course lasts for 90 minutes and all lessons will take place before 26 March, beginning at
ving
the London Taxi Company's (former M&O) London dealership at Brewery Road. It will take place in a TX4 specially
fitted with the computers needed to measure the before and after fuel usage readings. And if you apply in time, they will be totally
free but once the total exceeds 200 drivers, then the sponsorship will end. There are no strings attached. Free means free.
London Taxi Company General Manager Mark Brown told Call Sign that the lessons sounded like a really useful idea and in the spirit of
the occasion, they would be happy to provide you with hot drinks while you waited and even give your own cab a quick wash while you are
out in the adapted TX4!
When Call Sign's reporter went on the test last year, he averaged 21.2mpg on his first run and after being shown how he had "wast-
ed" fuel, he went out on the same run and his average fuel consumption went down to 28.2mpg! The saving was close to 30 percent!
If you would like to apply, go to www.smarterdriving.net where you can log on with your own email address, using the password sav-
ings. You will be directed to the website and be able to see which dates and time slots are still available.
If you have any problems, email Bob Saynor at smarterdriving@est.org.uk and he will come back with a list of dates. But of course, once
the free training lessons are gone, then they're gone! So get in quickly...
