Trending topics in September 2010
Questions from September 2010
Twice within 72 hours my Citroen C5 automatic diesel saloon (reg May 2009) has ground to a halt within less than a mile of setting off. On both occasions the audible alarm and visual display came on to...
Whilst my car was being serviced today it was involved in an accident in the garage, resulting in damage to the bumper and damage to the back quarter. The garage has accepted all blame but I don't want...
I'm thinking of buying a Honda Accord Tourer (59) plate. It's at a franchised dealer for £17,900. What sort of discount if any should I be looking for for a cash deal with no part-exchange?
My daughter's 2001 Volkswagen Polo has no CD player in it. I can acquire a factory CD player. Do I need a code for it or can I connect straight in the back of the existing radio and is it as simple as...
The car is a 2002 Audi A3 1800 T Sport automatic. It drives normally until suddenly the traction control light comes on. The car then loses power and bangs loudly as though it has just driven over a very...
I have just bought a Peugeot 206 automatic which is having problems getting up hills, and the icicle light and the sports light keep flashing. Any ideal what the problem is?
How do I get the door mirrors to fold in on my Peugeot 207?
My wife is using a Subaru Forester XT 2.5 auto which we bought in 2009. I anticipated that the annual mileage would be around 6000, but in fact it's double that due to two 30 or 40 mile round trips per...
I just bought a 2005 Chrysler Grand Voyager 2.8 with no manual. I don't know how to operate the sat nav or DVD player. Any suggestions?
I've recently bought a Citroen C5 2.0 HDI VTR believing the wheezing noise was coming from the alternator, but a friend has now told me that it could be coming from the turbo. I disputed the fact that...
We currently own a Volkswagen Passat SE TDI 140 Auto which is now over three years old. We find it very comfortable but want to trade down to a smaller, equally comfortable car. What would you suggest?...
Do you know if the Vauxhall Monaro has ever been produced in left-hand drive?
I retire in October and I'm considering buying my company car, a 57-reg Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI 90ps which has done 45,000 miles (I'm currently getting 64.8 mpg). Does it have a diesel particulate filter?...
Where can I purchase the cheapest replacement turbocharger for my 2004 2.0-litre TDCI Ford Mondeo? Also, if I was mis-sold said Ford four years ago as never being in an accident or written off, but have...
I have a 2006 Audi 3.0 V6 TDI. Does this engine have a particulate filter? At the last service the garage used long life oil and said it would not need another service for 24 months. I don't do a high...
I sold my car to a really nice guy who drove it round the block. I suggested going further to "open it up a bit" and he went a little more, but not far. He offered me a cheque, slightly below the asking...
What are the realistic fuel figures for a 2006 Honda Accord 2.2 CDTI Tourer? On average, I am returning approximately 39 -42 mpg for general careful driving. Can you suggest any changes that can be made...
I just bought a Peugeot 307 HDI 2002 2.0-litre 110hp and it doesn't go over 3000rpm.
I've just purchased a MINI Cooper 54 plate, costing me £6299 from a small dealer. I have finance on the £6000, and have paid £299 cash. I bought it on Saturday. It went for a service on the Monday and...
I've got a question about the choice of Mitsubishi Colt (08, manual, petrol) and Honda Jazz (08, manual, petrol). I need a car for my job every day in London, which is 10 miles away from my home. Sometimes...
You have previously recommended a firm which accepts, prepares and sells cars at auction for clients. Will you remind me of its name, please?
Which of the Avensis D-4D diesel engines does not have a timing belt? I fancy one, but I've had enough of worrying about the belt change on other cars I've owned.
My new Opel Astra 1.7CDTI SE (110) is still heavy on diesel with over 13,000km on the clock. The manufacturer quotes circa 61mpg, whereas I am lucky to get 45mpg. I don't drive very fast and don't have...
I am looking to buy an E220 Mercedes-Benz saloon and the garage has put four new tyres on. They are NANKANG ULTRA SPORT NS-11 225/55 R16 95V. The garage assure me that these tyres meet the specification...
I need to buy four new runflat tyres for my BMW 535D. You say that there are now "third generation " runflats that give a much better ride. Can you tell me where or when I will be able to buy them?
I would like a great family car in the large executive range. I have between £20-30,000 to spend for a new or ex-demo, but could go a bit higher if necessary. What would you recommend? I really don't want...
My 1995 Volkswagen Corrado's tailgate needs new or renewed gas struts. In a fairly recent article you recommended that they can be refilled. Can you provide details?
I have a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 2005. I purchased a new clutch kit (cover, friction plate, release bearing) together with a new OE flywheel and bolts from a specialist UK supplier. Fitting of the clutch...
I have just a purchased an Audi A6 Avant (08) 3.0 TDI quattro that has factory-fitted Michelin 255/35ZR19. Over 40mph, these tyres have a very obvious resonance which really is annoying. I'm not a great...
What things are necessary to take with you when motoring in France and Italy ?
I have noticed from some of your articles that diesel particulate filters are likely to cause problems, especially in low mileage vehicles used for short journeys. I have a Ford Focus 1.6 LX TDCI registered...
Whilst climbing a moderate gradient in a queue with a driver and four passengers in our Ford Focus, suddenly a horrible gassy smell filled the car. The smell remained for the next two weeks. We are the...
I am using a glow plug style vegetable oil pre-heater unit on a Citroen Xantia with a Bosch pump. My fuel mix is 80 per cent new vegetable oil and 20 per cent diesel. It was fine at first, but now it stalls...
You repeatedly recommend to change the engine oil more frequently, ie every six months. On your website under 'Running in a diesel' you say "Leave factory fill of oil for the first year or 10,000 miles."...
I bought a Toyota Avensis 2003 from a trader. It was for sale "sold as seen". Upon receipt of the vehicle I noticed the engine temperature gauge was faulty. Am I entitled to my money back?
In the last couple of years or so, our 2004, 44,000-mile MG ZS 110 (based on the Rover 416) loses coolant and needs topping up every fortnight or so, prompted by the level warning light in the dash. There...
I took my Hyundai i20 for a service a couple of months back and while it was in for its first service I asked the garage to look at my juddering clutch. I know you'll need to generalise but have you roughly...
I have a P-reg 1997 Volkswagen Golf. The head lining and seat are wet and the footwell has a puddle in the passenger's side. I think its coming in through the sunroof. Do I need to replace the rubber or...
I'm looking to replace my ageing Astra with a used family estate car (I need something a big bigger than the Astra due to a growing family!). My budget is up to £5000 and after lots of searching I've come...
I am debating buying a Peugeot 207 as a replacement for our second car in the family. I had narrowed it down to the 1.6 diesel 90, however these tend to be sought after and hence prices hold up. I have...
Which breakdown service do you recommend?
A buyer has a 2003 Audi TT 1.8 Quattro Roadster in mint condition, with 48,000 miles, two owners and a full history for £8995. Is this a good deal? I have a 2009 Ford Fiesta Titanium 1.6 to trade.
How do I reset my 2004 SEAT Alhambra's 'Service Now' light which appears on the computer screen?
I am considering going from a two-car family to one car as my wife and I seldom use both cars together. Our mileage has dropped substantially from when the cars were bought and we now only do 6000 miles...
I am looking for a mains adaptor for a 12v tyre inflator in order to avoid draining my car battery in winter. Can you recommend one?
My wife runs an R-reg Renault Megane for twice-daily short journeys, taking our three Labradors to an area of sand dunes where they walk. The "car park" is unmade and is very uneven, mostly worn grass...
Recently I've noticed that upon acceleration at 50-60mph the steering on my Ford Focus Mk1 feels very light, to the point that I feel I could lose control if I enter a lane to quickly without breaking....
I recently bought my wife a new Vauxhall Corsa. I was surprised to see that it does not have a temperature gauge. Why does this car manufacturer do this?
Do Ford Focus diesels (1.6 and 2-litre) have cam belts or chains?
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