Questions from August 2010
I own a 1999 1.6se petrol Volkswagen Bora which seems to be burning a lot of oil, which can be seen more so when taking off after sitting in traffic, or taking off after back pressure has been applied...
I have owned a 3-litre S-Type Jaguar for the last 10 years and absolutely love it, but the time is coming when I would like to change it. My first (and only) thought is for a 3-litre diesel XF, but I only...
You've said not to buy a diesel if one does less than 15,000 miles per year. I have a Honda CR-V diesel (on an 08 plate), and only do about 8000 miles per year, a mixture of longish trips (Spain in the...
I currently own a Honda CR-V 2.0 ES automatic on an 02 plate. We would like to buy a caravan, but would like something more economical and better for towing. We love the CR-V but I don't think its the...
I've just bought a 2002 Vauxhall Vectra 1800 auto. The ECU light has just started to come on when driving and this has only happened after the last service. It runs nicely but I think the tickover is slightly...
I have a 2008 1.6 Vauxhall Meriva which has an annoying creak at low speeds and a buzzing/rattle over 60mph from under the driver's side dash. Do you have any ideas where this could come from? Also, I...
I desperately need the test specs and timing information for the Delphi diesel fuel injection pump model #9320A224G. I know I can get this when I purchase the Delphi Direct Evolution Software, however...
I have a two and a half year old BMW M3 and I drive it a lot because of my job. I plan to change it in 2013 and imagine it will have done about 80,00 miles by then. I need to plan this carefully because...
Over the past 30 years or so I have been in the habit of coasting down long hills in neutral with the engine idling. Can coasting do any damage? I find it suits my relaxed style of driving and as I recall...
I'm probably not going to get any sympathy, but being a builder I drive a van. I don't have explain what happens when you traverse four speed humps with a van full of tools and materials. Unpleasant is...
I thought you and your readers might like to hear of the excellent service I received this week from a local independent garage, F R Pulleyn of Station Road, Haxby, York. The clutch on my car failed and...
I have purchased a Toyota LandCruiser LC 3.0 diesel automatic for towing our caravan. It was registered in November 2008. I am getting quite reasonable fuel economy given the large engine and vehicle (23-24mpg...
My wife has a Honda Jazz. She likes the boot space, 4 doors and length but would prefer something that is a little quicker with those criteria. Can you recommend anything?
Some weeks ago I wrote to four nearby Volkswagen dealers enclosing a specification for an automatic VW Golf Estate 1.4SE TSI and inviting them to respond with their best price and estimated delivery time....
I have a 2002 Toyota Previa, purchased through, and regularly serviced by my local Toyota dealer. The car and the dealer have been excellent so far and the car is now in its 3rd and final year of extended...
I'm on my second Mondeo 2.5V6. I've run them both on ordinary unleaded but at about 68k miles (now 72k miles) my car developed a misfire at low revs when the engine is under load. The car still starts...
Many years ago I bought a new SAAB with a Ford V4 engine. I had once been told that when starting with a cold engine you should drive as if you were 'running in' until the engine reached the normal working...
I know this is not really your department, but being honest is. I get the feeling we are being railroaded into having lower drink drive limits. The constant reference to lower levels in Europe, although...
Why are hybrid cars petrol and electric? Would it not make it more economical on fuel to have diesel/electric hybrids?
Another vehicle reversed into my car at a motorway service station car park and drove off without attempting to leave any details. However, I have his registration and two independent witnesses. Damage...
My wife's Volkswagen Polo Dune was supplied new in 2004 with bright silver alloy 71/2 J x 17 'BBS' wheels with 215/40 ZR 17 83W Dunlop Sport 9000 tyres. The nearside alloy wheels have been 'kerbed' and...
I've discovered Mazda are recalling Mazda 3 2007-2009 models due to major problems with the steering column. Have you any information regarding this?
I'm trying to work out whether to buy a petrol or diesel Ford Mondeo, taking into consideration that the initial price for this car secondhand is the same, say £2000. If I'm doing a mix of short five-mile...
My 52 plate Suzuki Ignis has covered just over 50,000 miles and is regularly maintained. Yesterday my wife was driving the car when the ESP light came on. There was no obvious effect on the steering and...
I have a Peugeot 407 HDI. A warning signal comes up saying I need to top up my emissions particle filter fluid. Can anyone tell me if I can do this myself and, if so, where it is located?
Good morning.I am having great problems getting a quote for a replacement clutch for my 1999 Ford Galaxy TDI manual. Six garages that i have contacted are being vague or have not got back to me. I understand...
I want a perky Volkswagen Golf to drive that is fairly economical. I intend to keep the car, so am thinking about a diesel engine. I do quite a high mileage, about 13,000 per year. There are quite a lot...
In the past I have owned a Volkswagen Polo and a Golf. The cars lasted 17 years and 14 years and were still good roadworthy cars when I sold them. I was shocked when I read your comments about modern cars...
I'd be grateful if you could tell me if the diesel Mitsubishi ASX has a chain-driven camshaft and a DPF?
We have a 2009 Ford Fiesta Titanium auto on 15 x 6 alloy wheels. with 195/50 Hancook tyres. This wretched car, which could be so nice, gives no pleasure to driver or passenger because of the incessant...
I am currently driving a 2002 Skoda Fabia 1.4 and have decided to give the car to my daughter. Prior to handover I thought it would be prudent to have a full service so booked it in to my local Skoda dealer....
I base my forthcoming comments to you on past media reports, about the London congestion tax. Kulveer Ranger, the mayor’s spokesman on transport matters, has almost admitted that the scrapping of the congestion...
In February my partner had an accident in the private car park of our block of flats, reversing our 2006 Yaris into our neighbour's Mk1 Mercedes SLK. The damage to our car was far more apparent than any...
I want to replace my 2006 Renault Megane DCI 106 Dynamique. Is there a comparable car that has the size, economy, road tax at £30?
I actually know an automatic right foot only driver. Although she didn't kill or injure anyone, she managed to create mayhem and damage six other cars in the Co-op Supermarket car park in Penistone, W....
In a response to a letter published on 5 January you say that VAG will meet 100 percent of replacement cost if a Touran has been VAG maintained and has a faulty ABS control unit. Our Touran is 5 years...
I have always driven petrol manual cars and am aged 71. My last three cars have been 1.6 Honda Civics and I have always been pleased with them apart from the fact that I am a little disappointed with the...
I’m struggling to get any enthusiasm over my next car, can you help? My current car is a BMW 330CD M-Sport, two-door coupe, which is nearly five years old. The car has been brilliant, but it has only 2...
I am a 74-year old woman, owner of a 1998 Vauxhall Corsa manual 1.4 bought new, which has done about 40,000 miles of trouble-free motoring. I foresee the time when I will need to replace it, and would...
I own a 1997 W202 Mercedes-Benz C180 Elegance Automatic, which has covered 115,085 miles since new, and has a Full MBSH, and is shortly due in 3,000 miles to have the large ‘B’ Service carried out by Mercedes-Benz...
Having read your page today, I wonder at the intelligence of people who can drive a car for five years without noticing that it doesn't have a spare wheel. You must bite back the appropriate pithy thoughts...
My Subaru Forester boxer diesel is my 6th Subaru, all previous 5 having been highly satisfactory. This latest is quite the worst car of any I have driven. The gearchange is stiff and clunky, and you have...
In August 2007 my car was hit by a Polish registered lorry at a junction. The nearside wing mirror was taken off and some damage was done to the paintwork. We stopped and exchanged details and I provided...
I have a new model Honda Jazz 1.4EX, registered January 2009, which has done 49k miles - mainly motorway driving. At the third service I mentioned a whirring noise when idling with the clutch pedal pressed...
Whether or not Car manufacturers are supplying runflat tyres now, they are still issuing spare wheel equipment that cannot entirely fulfil its function. How are they getting away with this? I have reported...
I am looking to buy a 2003 Ford Fiesta 1.3 LX 3-door hatchback. It says in the description that it is in excellent condition all round, and has a brand new timing belt and water pump plus a full service....
I believe I have to disengage my Hyundai Santa Fe's ESP if I decide to use locked four-wheel drive. Does this mean that if the car decides to engage four-wheel drive itself, it automatically disengages...
The hydrolastic suspension on my 1998 MGF needs doing but don't want to be ripped off. Anyone know a good, reputable garage that has the equipment?
I've put a new battery into my car and I can't find a code for my CDR500 VDO radio. How do I get a new code?
I own a 523 E39, a stunning car. Unfortunately I'm unable to open the driver's door using my key or remote. I have checked all the fuses and the relays all seem ok. I have disconnected and reconnected...
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