Questions from August 2010
When I check the oil level on my 2000 Mercedes-Benz ML270 using the method provided in the manual, I get an "OIL HI" indicator on the dashboard, indicating that the oil level is high. The vehicle was driven...
My 2003 Peugeot 206 2.0-litre HDI has stopped working. 'Eco Mode, Immobiliser Fault' has come up on my dash, my side lights are on and it turns over but won't start. There's no power to the wipers, indicators...
After having a misfire problem on my 2003 BMW 318ci E46, which turned out to be a crack in the coil pack rubber, I fitted new coil packs with new plugs, which sorted the misfire. Now I'm still getting...
I have just checked the MOT certificate that came with my secondhand Hyundai Santa Fe, and on the model it says 'Sonata' not Santa Fe - does this matter at all?
I drive a 2007 Lexus IS 220d which has covered 17,655 miles. It seems hesitant when I first drive off in first gear, and then the power comes in which makes for a jerky drive. This happens in the other...
I have recently bought a Volvo V40 on a 52 plate. It's a 1.9d, an excellent car and I am very happy. However earlier today I was sat at some lights. When I went to pull away the vehicle cut out. I attempted...
When should I change the fuel filter, spark plugs and timing belt on a 2007 Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 1.8i VTR?
I've got a W-reg Peugeot 306 1.4 and my central locking doesn't work. I've changed the battery in my key fob and I've also changed the receiver unit in the roof. Will it need recoding because I've changed...
There a particular Toyota Celica GT4 that I have been wanting to buy for a while. The car is a completely standard 1995 Japanese import that came to UK in Jan 2009. Since then it hasn't been driven, although...
I have an Audi A4 TDI. When I put the boot down in second or third gear between 1000 and 2000 revs, the engine splutters as the turbo is working. It's like a dirty fuel filter but I know it's not, as it...
I've got an Audi A3 TDI 2-litre. It suddenly started misfiring and jerking while I was on the motorway. Now its got worse and is losing a lot of power. It sounds like a tractor. I have to rev it very high...
I have a 06-reg Kia Rio which is displaying a sign saying "Check" which, according to the handbook, relates to the emission control system. I have not detected any change in the performance of the car...
I'm in the fortunate position of being offered a Volkswagen Golf GTD (59 plate) as an upgrade company car to the MINI Cooper S that I currently drive, as the MINI has been fragile and back to the dealer...
How prone to turbo failure are the Volkswagen Polo 1.9 TDI and SEAT Ibiza Cupra 1.9 TDI? Are there any other known problems with these two cars and what should I watch out for when buying either of these...
I have a Toyota Auris T180 which performs with smoothness and lots of energy. However I think the diesel engine is noisy when idling. The basic sound is smooth and even, but is overlaid with a rhythmic...
I have been looking at buying a used car now for a few months and finally decided to go for a Corsa or a Fiesta, but when I was out today I saw a Honda Jazz and liked the look of it. What are they like...
What's wrong with my Citroen Saxo's cooling system? The fan comes on when I switch off the ignition.
I have had an X-reg Citroen Saxo Forte 1.1i for three months and found out that the 30A fuse for the cooling fan had been removed from the fuse box. On replacing the fuse and then switching off the ignition,...
I have a private number plate on my car. When I put this on I went online to my insurance company and thought I had changed the details. Unfortunately I have been involved in an accident, and the police...
I have a 1996 1.3 HCS-engined Ford Fiesta. It starts perfectly and ticks over fine, but when under load it lacks any sort of power and splutters a lot. I've adjusted the tappets and replaced all the plugs...
I was caught for speeding in March this year for driving at 82mph on the M6 at 2350 in Penrith. I pleaded guilty straight away and admitted driving. I hadn't heard anything else for six months so I counted...
I have a 2001 Audi A6 1.9 TDI 130 SE. Its given me 247,000 miles of trouble-free motoring and for the last 147,000 miles has been maintained by a local Bosch garage. The radiator was recently replaced...
I have a Ford C-Max 2.0 TDCI Ghia on a 55 plate with the Euro IV engine. When we first had the car, when it was 18 months old, the car went in under warranty due to low mpg and no power when pulling off....
Hello John, I retire in 18 months. I have driven company cars for the last 30 years as a salesman, so have not actually owned or bought a car in that time. However I am cosidering buying a Mazda MX-5 for...
I have just had new tyres and the tracking done on a Citroen Xsara Picasso. The steering wheel is now slightly (only slightly) out of line. This is irritating but I don't want to make a fuss unless it...
My 2003 Fiat Punto Dynamic is an honest little car, and economical too. However, the road noise from the cheap European tyres is excessive. What tyres would you recommend to replace them?
My BMW 5 Series Touring has developed a paintwork fault on the rear bumper. A patch of lacquer about the size of a 50p piece has peeled away. I sought a warranty repair, as the vehicle is just under three...
My 2002 Citroen Saxo's electric windows stopped working last night, so I changed the fuse and it's still not working. I messed about with the fuses under my dash and now I can't even get the car to start....
I have a Peugeot 205 GTi. It's been sat for three weeks and ran spot on before I parked it up. When I tried to start the car the battery was flat, so I tried jumpstarting it, but all it will do is fire...
Is it a easy job to change the rear shock absorbers on a 2003 Vauxhall Astra SRi?
Have you had any good or bad feedback about the SsangYong Rodius? I am changing my 2007 Chrysler Grand Voyager and the newer Grand Voyager models are very expensive, so i thought I might change as the...
My Honda Jazz CVT has gearbox judder. My local (not Honda) garage made enquiries and was told to change the gearbox oil, which they did. The car was then just seven years old and had covered 32,000 miles....
I am considering buying a Ford Kuga Zetec for £18,300, or would it be more cost-effective to lease? I am retiring soon and anticipate that I will log up 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year. What are the drawbacks...
I have a semi-automatic W-reg Toyota Yaris. Last year the hydraulic clutch motor broke. I have had it reconditioned and it's been working like a dream, but recently it won't work. I get in the car, start...
I have been looking at buying a 2010 ex-demonstrator Mercedes-Benz E250 CDI or a 2010 ex-demonstrator Jaguar XF 3.00 D Luxury. The latter gets a good write-up, but I fear Jaguar's residuals. The Mercedes-Benz...
I have a 1996 Volkswagen Golf III 1.8 SE and need to change the front brake pads. Volkswagen fitted two types of calliper - their own brand, and Girling. How can I tell which is fitted to my car, as this...
I’m after a five-door hatchback that’s fun to drive, has good build quality and equipment. I have around £6500 to spend. My daily commute is around 10 miles each way, consisting of country roads and a...
My 51-plate Ford Focus' speedo has just started dropping to zero while driving along. The rest of the dash is ok, the rev counter is fine and the mileage still shows up, its just the speedo and it seems...
I bought a car that cost me £3450 last week and have now found out that it is a stolen car. The police want to take the car and give it back to the rightful owner. As the car had been stolen and then cloned...
I'm thinking of buying a 52-plate Toyota Celica, and have heard there are oil consumption issues. Is it true that Toyota fixed this problem with the 52-plate model and upward? If not, how can I tell if...
Can anyone confirm that all petrol nozzles at a fuel station will also fit in the diesel holder of the pump? Around eight months ago I filled up at a supermarket with £60 of what I thought was diesel....
I wish to renew my Peugeot 307 2.0-litre HDi's gearbox oil (manual five-speed) as my mileage is around 100,000 and I don't know if its been done. The manual states Esso or Total BV 75w 80. I went to a...
I have a March 2006 Skoda Octavia 2.0TDi PD estate which has covered 54,000 miles and is on 10,000 mile service intervals, as it does mainly short trips. The car's computer has advised that it will need...
Can I upgrade my BMW E93's OEM iPod interface so that it operates like my OEM Bluetooth interface? The Bluetooth directory allows me to select from my phone's address book by initial letter. I can turn...
We have a 2004 Audi A4 1.9 TDI with 60,000 miles on the clock. A cam belt change is imminent, but a couple of garages are saying that the water pump would need changing at same time. Is this really necessary?...
Hi John, I'm thinking of buying a Citroen Saxo VTR 1.6 on a 2000 plate from a dealer with 78,000 miles. The price is £1495. Is this a fair price for the car? Can you tell me any bad points to look for?
Are DPFs covered under manufacturers' warranties? Would they be covered under wear and tear cover from third party warranties? Also, do you know of any wheel nuts that don't rust? I thought tyres needed...
I have a 2006 BMW 330d with runflat tyres on 17-inch wheels. I need to replace the tyres and I want to put on non-runflats. I am looking for comfort, not speed. What would you recommend?
In view of the problems with DPF filters is there any reason why they cannot be bypassed or disconnected? I appreciate that this would lead to a failure at MOT time.
Every time I drive my car I'm driving for no longer than 15 minutes and it starts overheating. I therefore then have to pull over on the side of the road for 20 minutes for it to cool down before I can...
On three occasions over the last nine months my 2004 BMW 645's dashboard has started to flash, the steering gets heavy and all sorts of alarm warnings come on. Eventually the car will shut down. 10 or...
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