Ask Honest John

Honest John Ask Honest John » September 2011
Trending topics in September 2011
automatics buying diesel particulate filter diesels driving abroad fuel economy insurance large cars legal issues new cars owning parking fines repairs selling small cars technical issues used cars wheels and tyres winter winter tyres
Questions from September 2011
Last Thursday I took my 1-year-old Audi A3 (8,200 on the clock) for its first annual service at the Audi dealers where I bought it. On Friday morning I drove it out of the garage and within minutes the...
With reference to PM's request to find someone to build buggies for National Trust properties, could I recommend Garmendale Engineering Ltd. of Ilkeston, Derbyshire? (www.garmendale.co.uk). Amongst other...
I have been experiencing an intermittent problem with my Mazda 3 1.6d TS2 engine that suddenly loses power as the car comes out of a corner in second gear. The local Mazda garage says the code arising...
We'd welcome your advice on our slightly unusual problem. We live in a remote rural position 3/4 mile down a steepish unmade bridlepath and in winter we struggle to get out to work and leave our VW Tiguan...
My son has just bought a 1.9TDI Golf and has the following vehicle for sale: SEAT Ibiza Cupra 20 Valve Turbo. Petrol. 2001Y. 89k miles. MOT March 2012. Tax August 2012. Approx 200hp. Stainless steel exhaust....
Having recently purchased a Hyundai i10, an ex demonstrator 6 months old, and being told VED was £20, as you state in your reply to HM. I have received V11 from Swansea, which tells me the annual road...
I am in the process of sourcing a C220CDI or E220CDI estate from the BCA auction network but am undecided about manual as opposed to auto gearbox. I read your columns in the Saturday Telegraph every week....
My elderly mother needs to replace her Nissan Micra variomatic as it is getting a bit long in the tooth. She needs a similar car, small but roomy enough for three in the back, automatic and with a good...
I am writing to thank you for my new car. Way back in the early sixties I drove a Fiat Abarth so have been lusting for a new 500 since they appeared. I really thought that it would not materialise, but...
I have been quoted over £80 by BMW for changing the air filter for the cabin for my 3-year old 530d. This seems a very high price for ensuring the cabin is free of smells and pollen so, unless there is...
I have had a telepeage 'gizmo' for several years for use on French autoroutes. It is great and can save a lot of time, but there are very few toll booths with the technology that allows you to drive through...
I have a 2008 Vauxhall Vectra Estate 2.0 SRI fitted with low profile 235/35 R19 tyres that are costing me a small fortune. I average 15,000 miles a year, and every year all tyres have to be replaced. Is...
I'm about to take delivery of a new, manual drive BMW 320 SE, saloon. Should I invest in a mechanical car security device (‘Krooklock’) or will it be redundant with the standard security features on the...
Our Lexus RX300 Navigator is getting old, like us. We love the comfort, space and style, but maintenance and repair costs make our eyes water. We do low annual mileage (8,000) so have ruled out a diesel....
Last week when driving my 2002 Mercedes E Class automatic up the M23 I depressed the accelerator on and incline and there was no response; the car then started to slow down. I pulled off onto a side road,...
Some 4 years ago I acted on your advice and bought a Toyota Avensis hatchback, 2.2 diesel. We live in an attractive part of the Scottish Highlands and most of my average of 14,000 miles pa is long distance,...
I currently drive a 2005 Toyota Avensis which I now find is too large. I am looking for a shorter wheelbase car which also stands higher off the ground because I need to be able to get in and out more...
My son’s Volkswagen Polo gave us some trouble on the return journey form holiday last week. After running for about 80 miles the engine suddenly lost all power (just as if the engine was suffering from...
A friend of mine has a 1 Series BMW with runflat tyres and I have a 3 Series with them. He was recently stuck in France due to the lack of availability of these tyres following a puncture. He called the...
I don't know where SP of Narborough gets his information about volcanoes negating every effort of mankind to control CO2 emissions. Like too many who enter the climate change debate, he doesn't identify...
My Skoda Octavia vRS has 18-inch alloys with the usual low profile tyres. Can I get winter tyres that would fit the existing alloys? Where is the best place to find winter tyres? Should I just look at...
If one wanted to be patriotic and buy something made here in the UK, can you identify (in a very small space) which models (Golf-sized, say) are made here? I drove a Volkswagen Golf for years before...
My daughter has a Toyota Yaris, which she was driving for four years over short to medium distances. Now she is taking up job in Walthamstow (Herts) shortly and needs to commute from home in Chorleywood...
A couple of years ago, I sent the following suggestion to the Editor of the Daily Telegraph, who promptly ignored it. I still think it has some merit. What do you think? “I see from yesterday's edition...
I have been issued with a charge of £80 by CP Plus for overstaying my welcome at Forton services on the M6 by three hours eight minutes. In fact, we had broken down (or at least the vehicle was undrivable)...
I am considering changing my 2009 diesel Honda CR-V for a new petrol CR-V. Is there an annual mileage limit whereby it makes it more economical to run a petrol rather than a diesel, and are there any other...
Our BMW 1 Series has done 40,000 miles and the warning lights for brakes and DTC have come on. My local, excellent independent garage, B&D Specialist Cars, has diagnosed a rear ABS/DTC module unit fault....
My S-Max 2.5T has done 60,000 miles and is due a service at 62,500. Should I get the timing belt and tensions etc changed? Ford recommends 125,000 but I think that's pushing it a bit too far, especially...
A few weeks ago I sent you an email regarding the curious sensation on my Mazda steering, which only occurred after I had driven a few miles and I assumed was temperature related. I have since had the...
I was recently on my way home from work and got stuck in bad traffic for a large part of my journey. That night I was going to watch a football match with my sister's boyfriend. As a result of the traffic...
I recently received my renewal notice for a 2002 Rover 75 at £393.97 for two named drivers (my wife and I), both retired. After a phone call, to the company, we agreed that by reducing the annual mileage,...
Last night I experienced a very strange breakdown in my Hyundai i20. At first the revs were extremely high, making deafening sound but not much else. Soon after, a change of gears became difficult and...
I just read a letter sent to Car Mechanics magazine (Oct. page 41). It was sent by an MOT tester who went on a refresher course run by VOSA. One of the things he wrote about was that it seems as though...
You recently wrote favourably regarding RAC Foreign Travel. For over 40 years my normal cars have been an XK120 and XK150. Most breakdown firms do not cover cars of this age, although I have only ever...
I am somewhat confused by your advice to the effect that the inclusion of a courtesy car on one's insurance policy is a questionable benefit. I have just renewed my policy with Liverpool Victoria and have...
I have ordered a new Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0TDCi through Drive the Deal, and all is fine, except for the delivery date. I placed the order in May and it was originally quoted as 16-22 weeks (taking it at...
Am constrained by budget and looking to buy a medium size car about 10 years old to drive 6000 miles a year. Hatchback petrol to seat 4 adults. Am thinking that a 1.6 Focus would fit the bill, but wonder...
I have been issued with a charge of £80 by CP Plus for overstaying my welcome at Forton services on the M6 (3 hous 8 mins). In fact, we had broken down (or at least the vehicle was undriveable) due to...
My husband and I have driven Vauxhalls for many years. I have a 2003 Astra 1.4 16v, he has a 52 Vectra 1.8. We are intending to change at least one of the cars and possibly even go down to one car now...
I have just had my Audi TT serviced at our local dealer, Cheshire Oaks Audi, There are now 75,000 miles on the odometer and I was advised to change the cambelt. The Service schedule printed in the Handbook...
I was very interested to read the email you published on Sat 3 September concerning the poor consumption being achieved by an Astra 1.7TDCI. Mine is the same but also EcoFlex and I only get 42mpg on average....
I recently purchased a BMW 118d SE through the BMW Approved Used scheme and am very happy with it. I received an email from the dealer regarding an offer for winter wheels and tyre set. This is my first...
Can you say what type of air condition makes a petrol/diesel engine more efficient? Cold air, warm, damp, dry - all variables that might affect fuel consumption but I never hear any mention of it. I can...
Your correspondent HK of Poynton reported the practice of a hire car company at Murcia airport charging for a full tank of fuel. I frequently use this airport as I have an apartment in the vicinity. I...
I have a '55 plate Renault Scenic 1.9 diesel 130bhp that has proved extremely reliable but most importantly able to tow a caravan at approximately 1,300kg. I am minded to change to a new Scenic but the...
I have just had to replace a dual mass flywheel on a 2-litre TDCI Ford Focus at 51,000 miles. I was amazed to learn from the dealer that 50,000 miles is considered “par for the course” for this contraption....
On reaching the ripe old age of 65 I promised myself that I would investigate the possibility of purchasing a classic car - a Mercedes convertible perhaps - to brighten my Autumnal years. So, as I rapidly...
I too have taken out extra 'insurance' for £50 that ensures that any damage to my new-ish car is handled by the dealer rather than the cowboys. It only supplements comprehensive insurance but includes...
I have a 2006 Peugeot 407 Executive 136 HDI which I bought from a main dealer when it was 3 months old, it's done 40,000 miles without any problems until recently. Now when I turn on the ignition, the...
Back in the early 1990s, with a growing family, we bought the cheapest people carrier around then, a Mitsubishi Space Wagon. It coped with 4 children on school journeys etc round town, and then loaded...
 

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