Trending topics in July 2011
Questions from July 2011
I bought a Suzuki Swift Sport on Sept 2010, and lately (May-June 2011) it has been developing gearbox rattles. I am not 100% sure but i think it might be bearings on the input shaft? The rattle tends to...
I bought an Alfa Romeo 159 Feb 2010. It's a 2008 year and had 16,000 miles on. Second owner, supplied by AR main dealer. Now has 34,000 miles. May this year broke down and outcome is £6,000 bill for new...
I am looking for a small automatic and am interested in the Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Fiesta, but want a 'proper' automatic box, not one of those that is a clutchless manual ( I have one on another car -...
I currently run a Honda CR-V Auto and need to change it due to having a severe back problem. The high driving position is great but makes it difficult to get in/out without aggravating the back problem...
I'm not used to cars without a dipstick. On the Boxster you only get a dashboard reading when the engine is cold and before startup. My readings are varying from day to day, from danger level to overfull...
I recently purchased diesel fuel from Messrs Road Chef via their Strensham North outlet located upon the M5 at £1.439 per litre. Incidentally the fuel purchased was 10.01 litres, which at £1.439 should...
Having read the letters on car hire in Europe and having been stung good and proper by Hertz at Toulouse airport, we have a son about to go to California on his own where he will be renting a camper van....
I rather fancy an XF Jag. All the information on your site and elsewhere seems to concentrate on the diesel version. As I only potter around doing, say, 5000 miles a year, a diesel seems a bit problematic....
What's the drill with winter tyres? Do I put them on the car on the first of October, and then take them off at the end of March? Supposing we have a very mild winter? Do I keep them on regardless? I was...
Our 18-year-old granddaughter recently passed her driving test. The family's second car is a basic MINI but when her parents tried to add her to their insurance the premiums quoted were prohibitive ranging...
Having had someone in my family caught out by parking on a private land with poor signage I wrote to my MP voicing my concern about Clause 56 in the proposed Freedoms Bill (pages 38/39) and got a response....
I had a fire in my Peugeot 407 which is now 13 months old. We bought it in February 2011 from the garage secondhand. We have a warranty that still has two years on it. The fire was caused by cross contamination...
The steering lock of my Morgan 4/4 has never been brilliant but it is now almost non-existent on right hand lock. On left hand lock it is good. Can you tell me what has gone wrong?
When reporting attempts to embroil people in spurious accident claims, the best bodies seem to be: By email: ICO.gsi.gov.uk . By letter to Insurance Data Base Services Limited: 6-12 Capital Drive, Linford...
I am 73 years old and would be grateful to receive your advice in order to reply to a parking charge which I have received from the operators of a private car park. Four months ago I had a major spinal...
I attend hospital five days a week, Monday through Friday for essential radiography treatment, a round trip of some 75 miles. I drive a Toyota RAV4 D-CAT 4x4 that is just six weeks old. A few days ago,...
My wife and I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Most ordinary folk in those countries drive pick-up trucks as a family vehicle. I think this is eminently sensible....
A Honda Jazz update for you. After owning my ES I-Shift for two years, I have changed it for an EX CVT. I didn't find the I-Shift as bad as some obviously did, but I have to say that the new EX CVT is...
My wife's MINI One suffered a serious steering problem, estimate for repair £1200. The car was well out of warranty and also out of goodwill warranty. Nonetheless, in view of the low mileage of 24,500,...
It appears that following an accident, my insurance company may appoint an accident management service. If this happens, I would expect that the insurance company would take some responsibility for the...
In the BBC Today programme's review of the papers this morning, they chose to quote from an opinion piece by Jeremy Clarkson. Perhaps they subscribe to the view that Clarkson is a bit of fun. This is mistaken....
I have had my own company for 20 years now and have always run BMW company cars for my reps, from 318is to recent 320ds. I have 20 reps and, one by one over the last two years, they have been choosing...
The fact that over the last nine years I’ve bought a total of seven Hyundais from the local main dealer (TWG, Northwich) is probably indication enough of my complete satisfaction with both their service...
Two months ago my Volkswagen Sharan left me, following a road accident and insurance write-off. It was a 1998 1.9 turbodiesel (110bhp) SE. It had done 239,000 miles and though worn was still lively with...
In regard to your answer to the query headed "Off Beam", whilst signalling by flashing is just a warning, I have always understood that flashing, i.e. two quick bursts of headlamps, signify the intention...
We have had previous correspondence about headlight flashing. I see that in yesterday’s Telegraph you at last seem to be accepting that flashed headlights indicate ‘come on’ or ‘I am giving way’, whatever...
I own a Citroen C-Crosser 4-wheel-drive with 18-inch wheels and 225/55 R18 tyres. I will shortly need to replace them. The only criterion is I pull a caravan, off grid, which means we use ordinary fields...
PB of Rochester is most definitely missing something and I'm surprised how few drivers appreciate the importance of what you wrote in your reply. If you're that close to the lorry/coach/bus in front of...
Dear John, my boyfriend and I want a smallish van that will be reliable, economical on fuel, and compact, but big enough to extend up when needed (he is six feet tall) and possibly to have a double bed...
You are absolutely correct that a lorry driver's awareness of other drivers will affect the way he acts. Those other drivers have a duty to let the truck driver know where we are. The Highway Code states...
A couple of recent letters in your column worryingly reveal how unaware some fellow drivers are of how to drive more safely on motorways. The most common failures can all be summarised, in my view, by...
I bought an ex-demo Audi Q7 3.0 TDI Quattro at the beginning of 2011 from Audi Beckenham. It was registered in Sep 2010 and had around 500 miles on the clock. We have now done 7500 miles, mainly my wife...
I have just renewed my insurance through Saga, and am surprised (and delighted) to find a clause that, in the event of a medical or motoring emergency, allows me to give permission to anyone to drive my...
Since having my car written off in a non-fault accident in May of this year, I have had three phone calls from ‘Claims Management’ companies wishing to manage a claim for compensation on my behalf. I see...
Your legal people are talking rubbish, frankly, in their reply on page M5 of 16th July. There is no such thing as a 200 per cent success fee and never has been. Even if there was, 200 per cent of £275...
When driving sometimes my engine warning light comes on with no problems with driving and may stay on for a minute or twenty minutes. sometimes it will come on with a lttle hesitation with acceleration....
We need to replace our old Discovery (terminal MOT failure). Looking at Land Rover's spec's, both diesels are capable of pulling 2000Kg, however my wife feels that even occasionally pulling such a load...
Am considering buying a used C Crosser. Do I need to be worried about the reports of clutch problems or is it a case of a vocal minority?
I have a fuel fault on a 2005 Vauxhall Combo 1.3 CDTi. I have no fuel pressure on cranking sometimes. It takes longer than usual for the fuel pump to pressurise and then starts OK. Can the fuel pump be...
I'm looking to purchase a new shape VW Tiguan automatic, however, I'm unsure as to the best engine to opt for. There is the seven speed Bluemotion diesel, or the 180PS TSI Petrol. Most of the driving...
What is the mileage interval or years for a cambelt change for 2.0 HDi Citroen diesel engine
I want to hire a car in German this Christmas. The hire firm is telling me winter tyres are extra. Hasn't the law changed in German making winter tyres compulsory? So if the hire firm gives me a car without...
My car started making noises and shuddering when switching on the engine. The garage said it was the starter motor but not to worry as these can be difficult to replace. The noise really concerns me but...
I change my current Focus [motability] in December. What are the options between the 1.6 petrol & 1.6 diesel, i do approx 8000 miles per year. Would there be a substantial saving for me if i chose the...
Would a RAV4 diesel or Volkswagen Tiguan 4X4 be a good option. Is a new model (RAV4) in the pipeline please or alternatives as well as usual cars.
Live in South Africa, second hand X5, between 80-100k kms on the clock, fuel cost not an issue but I`m worried about DMF & Turbo`s. Should I go with petrol or diesel 3.0 litre I do about 20,000 kms per...
I'm looking at getting a nearly new Mondeo from a supersite. I'm retired and only do about 9000 miles a year (with a fair few short runs)and can't decide on getting another TDCI or going for the petrol...
Nissan Navara is in Main Dealer for Official Alloy Wheel recall. Garage says bolt has sheared off one wheel 'because nut was over-tightened' and wants to charge us £48 to fix new bolt. Car is 2007 and...
Can you give me your opinion of the new BMW X3s Handbrake operation. As it is a button do you think its a good idea, but above all is it safe.
On cleaning the car a few days ago i have noticed that the bonnet and offside wing are peppered with what look like dried on watermarks. What is strange however is that I cannot remove them as they appear...
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