Trending topics in September 2010
Questions from September 2010
4 weeks ago my 2-year-old FIAT 500 diesel engine seized up. On the dashboard it said I needed the oil changing. This did not make sense as it was fully serviced by FIAT at Chadwell Heath, Essex 4 weeks...
The ABS warning light on my 2007 MINI Cooper recently lit up. I contacted Westerly Exeter, the supplying dealer, who gave advice and arranged for the car to be seen very promptly. When I went to pick up...
I am 32 years of age and am about to start my career as a Driving Instructor. The company that I've decided to go with does not include a car with its franchise costs so it down to me to get one. I currently...
I was driving home to Ewhurst in Surrey where I live, travelling along the A3, when I noticed a cop using a hairdryer type speed gun. I thought no more of it until I got a letter saying I was to be served...
Please tell me John, what’s the value of an RAC inspection? I ask you this because every car dealer I visit invites me to get an RAC inspection on the car I am looking at. Sorry, no reflection on your...
Another visit to the auto left foot braking issue. Last week I read that in a test it was proven that a driver using left foot braking brought the car to a standstill in a shorter distance than a right...
I have just retired and am spending a few months of the year in Spain, where we have a flat (near Barcelona). I would like to buy a car to leave there to be able to travel around more to explore the country.
What...
Just a word of warning for your readers about WeBuyAnyCar.com. Do not expect anywhere near the Internet valuation when you take your car to their buyers. We have a mint MINI Cooper S Convertible with every...
Thank you for raising the issue of ridiculous speed limits on Heavy Goods Vehicles in your recent column. I drive a 580hp Scania regularly on the M25. For some bizarre reason the speed limits on motorways...
What is the correct way to acknowledge the kindness of other drivers, for example if they stop to let you through? During daylight hours I have seen or heard the vehicle's horn, a raised hand, a finger...
I have just had the unfortunate experience of being landed with an unexpected bill of £1,262 for a replacement catalytic converter at 72,000miles in my Ford Focus 1.6 diesel. On checking with some Ford...
Whilst recently on holiday on the Continent, I had cause to have the radiator replaced on my Mitsubishi Shogun SWB at a fully franchised Mitsubishi dealer in Germany. The total cost came to some £463,...
Another letter asking for your advice. I am an elderly lady, now the sole driver as my husband is not fit anymore. We have a 2005 2.0 litre diesel Skoda Octavia. We used to tow a caravan for which it was...
We have had a problem with the steering column and ESP sensor of our 2008/58 Vauxhall Meriva 1.3CDTI. We bought the car brand new in February 2009. We first had this problem with the ESP light coming on...
So glad you are promoting left foot braking, it's been my method for decades. I have used a range of manual change and automatic cars, and I have no problems with using my left foot for the clutch in a...
I am now retired but I did spend most of my career dealing with motor litigation for an insurer, a large proportion of my time with cases in litigation conscious Liverpool and Manchester.
Your reader...
Having recently hired a Peugeot 207, I found the car OK except for a strange complication that I fail to understand. Sitting in the car after approximately 3-4 minutes, the central display showed 'economy...
My daughter recently bought a Peugeot 206 from a garage chain. She has had some problems in the six weeks she has had it even though the car had less than 40,000 miles on the clock and she has driven...
I've done the deal and bought a 2010 Mondeo Titanium 2.0TDCi Estate. It has come on 18" wheels with 235/40R18 tyres. Given your advice on tyre sizes previously I'm considering going down a size or two...
I have become an unfortunate member of the now infamous ESP light staying on problem with my beloved Golf. My problem started mid August 2010. The ESP light lit on my dashboard and on the switch. No matter...
I have a Ford Fiesta 1.3 1998 Encore. My rear wheel bearing has gone on the left-hand side, so I've gone to remove it but there is a casing over the nut for the hub so I'm not able to. Does anyone know...
My Citroen C5 HDI has a loss of power. I have had it checked and been told it is showing up as a turbo solenoid fault. Where is the turbo solenoid and what, if any, are the likely rectifications?
I'm getting erroneous low oil pressure warnings in my P-reg Volkswagen Polo and the rev counter and speedo are not working. Also a beep is sounding occasionally. Oil contents ok, all lights seem to be...
Anybody else suffer flat spots at low revs in the Ford Focus 1.8 TDCI or find it easy to stall at low revs in first and second gear?
A 2005 Volkswagen Golf with 90,000 miles has no record of the timing belt being changed. Should it be done and should the work be done at an authorised dealer?
Can I change my 2004 Peugeot 206's self-adjusting clutch cable to a manual adjustment?
I'm looking to buy a five-year-old Porsche Boxster from an independent motor trader. Would you recommend the vehicle be checked by an approved Porsche mechanic or have an AA inspection?
Could you tell me please how to set up the pump timing on a 2.8 Mitsubishi Shogun turbodiesel? I put a new pump seal in today and I got the timing wrong.
I have just bought a 2004 Kia Picanto 1.1LX and it has only covered 12,000 miles. Now I am wondering if the car should have its second cam belt yet?
One of the motorcycles I own was caught on a Gatso fixed speed camera. I got the first letter on 15 September 2010, asking if it was me or who it was. The alleged offence was on 23 July 2010. What should...
I have been told I may have a sticky air doser on my 1.9 diesel Citroen Berlingo. What is an air doser and is it expensive to repair?
If I disconnect the speedo on my 54-reg Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.4, will I lose the mileage? The dash has lost everything apart from the clock, indicators and oil light.
I have recently purchased a motorhome. I am not going to achieve a high annual mileage (max 5-6000) nor take it out for camping purposes that often (up to six occasions per annum). Clearly that is not...
I notice that you have mentioned the need for new diesel vehicles to do a yearly minimum mileage when fitted with a particulate filter. The other week you quoted "15,000 miles per year'". No one mentioned...
The Nissan literature gives the overall width of the Note as 1690 mm but makes no reference to wing mirrors extended or folded. My garage is extremely narrow and I am anxious to ascertain the width of...
The display in my 2001 Audi A6 TDI 2.5-litre's dash is not clear at all. When I first got the car four days ago I couldn't make out anything at all. It did clear slightly, but now it has gone funny again....
My wife ordered a brand new Honda CR-V for delivery on 1 September, but it arrived at the dealer several days late and, as we had not sold her old one, we were not too concerned. We would like to take...
I can't find a gasket for the EGR valve next to the exhaust manifold on my 2000 Volvo V70. Would you know of a supplier that could assist me with this part?
I hear a rumour that the new Honda Jazz will be available with the CVT transmission used in the earlier car. Do you have any intelligence on this?
My Volvo XC70 AWD (current model) is fitted with Pirelli Scorpion Zero 235/55 17 99V tyres all round. The rear pair are worn down to 2mm and need replacing. Is there any reason why I should not fit tyres...
I am looking at buying a Volvo V70 2.4-litre petrol estate for my work as a plumber, but I don't want anything new so I am looking at 52 plates and 03 plates. They all have very high mileage, around 150,000...
I'm tied into a finance deal for the next 18 months because I got a really bad deal, because of bad credit rating. Since then I've managed to get a new field sales job where I use my own car - a Ford C-Max...
I had a new water pump on my car, then two days later it packed up again. I took it to back garage and he said to me that I need a new head gasket, which we only had done two years ago. Is it the garage's...
I have a 2008 Nissan Micra that I have owned from new, and in the time I have owned it I have had to replace the rear tyres twice due to them wearing on the outer edge. I went to an independent alignment...
I'm thinking of buying a Volkswagen Bora 1.9 diesel Sport. It's in very good condition, well maintained, 150,000 miles in black. The dealer is asking £2500. What do I need to look for and does the price...
I've got a problem with my 1.3 Daihatsu YRV 4Trac. Its gearbox seems stiff and gets stiffer as you drive it (it still drives though, and does not grind). Is there a known problem with this gearbox? I believe...
My daughter will start to learn to drive and will use my wife's Honda Civic. Is there a company which will enable her to start to build up no-claims bonus as a named driver?
How often does the timing belt need doing on an 06 Peugeot 407 diesel?
I have a Mk1 Fiat Punto. I've had no problems with it at all until yesterday, when I was driving along and the battery light came on and is now not charging the battery. I have it on charge at the moment,...
I'm considering buying a 52-plate diesel Vauxhall Omega Estate and wanted to know the mileage frequency of cam belt changes on this model.
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