Questions from March 2012
To realise the depths to which the ‘law’ can sink in the UK, please search for "SPEED CAMERA DEBACLE" on YouTube.
I refer to the answer you gave stating that that the 1.9 CDTi 120 in the Zafira can be a "disaster zone". Since I assume that this is the base engine that powers Vauxhall/Opel, Saab and many Fiat vehicles,...
After a few scary moments on alpine roads I bought a set of winter tyres on steel wheels for my Chrysler Grand Voyager, which I put on in December and take off in March. I invested in a three-tonne trolley...
I am 84 years of age and currently drive a Ford Fusion. I wish to find something smaller, manual, preferably a four-door, but would take a two-door if needs be. Budget is in the region of £6000. My husband...
We are looking for a new car and, living in a very rural location, we want a 4x4 but do not want a Land Rover type. We have seen a couple of secondhand 2004/2005 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Turbos for sale locally...
I have occasional need to transport my lawnmower and am now seeking to replace my 10-year-old Golf Estate. What medium-sized hatchbacks are there with a flat load area, i.e. no lip, which would serve my...
Three weeks ago I bought a 10-month-old Mercedes-Benz B160 auto from a Mercedes dealership with 10,000 miles on the clock. I have been depressed by the high fuel consumption. I am quite a conservative...
RC of Brentwood is indeed wise to idle his turbocharged engine before shut-down. He will extend the life of the turbo, and save himself a lot of expense. Any turbocharged engined engine should be run at...
I have a Mercedes C220 CDI coupe (2.1-litre), which will be six years old next month and has done just under 50,000 miles. A couple of days ago, while driving along a motorway, I felt a loss of power and...
I notice in most cars a satnav always seems to indicate a vehicle speed 2 or 3 mph less than the car speedo. I assume that the satnav should be absolutely accurate, but would appreciate your comments.
I'm just writing to say how much I agree with your views on large wheels/low profile tyres. I recently sold my 1999 Lexus LS400 which had 15-inch wheels and 65 profile tyres. I now have a 2007 Lexus GS300SE...
I have a 2005 BMW 318d Touring. Recently the airbag warning light has been coming on. BMW says the problem is a faulty passenger seat sensor and I am told that this is a failsafe system, where the fault...
Selling my car and transferring the registration to retention, prior to an operational tour to Afghanistan, I was initially dismayed to read the overly stifling conditions pertaining to the DVLA's Retention...
I have just been out and about in my Mazda 626 GSI SE in newly fallen snow - half an inch or so - and had great difficulty with spinning wheels and loss of power getting up a slight incline. The car has...
I fully endorse DH of Bakewell's comments regarding small pick-ups. My little Subaru 4WD pick-up is an amazing vehicle and it's a great shame they were not updated and continued in production. Sadly most...
I have a 2008 Focus Zetec 1.8 TDCI estate with 42,000 miles recorded. You described the engine as "awful" and you were right. Despite remapping it has a considerable flat spot just above tickover that...
As things stand The British Parking Association fully expects to have an Independent Appeals Service in place for October 2012. Meanwhile, if you come across a reader complaint that you feel is justified,...
Last month I bought from an independent dealer a 2006 Peugeot 207 THP 150 3-door with 23,750 miles, full service history, one owner, for just under £4800, excluding the cost of warranty, for which I paid...
I have a 2003 Honda Jazz petrol automatic showing 27,500 miles and a 2008 Volvo S60 diesel automatic with 22,350 miles on the clock (apparently quite high spec). Both cars are in good condition. I have...
I bought a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C250 Bluefficiency Sport CDI Auto with 13,800 miles three weeks ago from a Mercedes dealer for £24,000, which I think is pretty much full retail. My initial feeling with the...
I recently changed the fuel filter on my Peugeot Expert 1.9[non turbo] 03 van. It has a lucas injector pump and the filter housing has the zip tie type clamp to secure the lid to the housing.
Since...
On my Peugeot 306 1.4 LX the drivers lock been removed from door! Also it seems to be seized.
Have used spray lubricant to loosen but still sticking slightly and key not moving freely. Is this simply...
Taking your recommendation for the 407 coupe as a quiet car, I want to know if the 407 saloon (diesel) is also as quiet?
Presently drive a C2 1.4D on Michelin Energy tyres and I find it very noisy on...
I received a parking ticket from UKCP that was blank. I queried the ticket through ASO Investigation department who has said it was for leaving the site.
I definitely did not do this and feel very angry...
I've just bought a Rover 75 2.5l petrol automatic. It will be used occasionally to tow a small 2-berth caravan. It's 11 years old and done 60'000 miles. I've heard of oil coolers needed on automatics when...
There's a flat spot in my Zafira on moving off at lights, then a spanner light comes on and some form of skid light comes on as well. It runs badly after that.
I have a Ford Mondeo Ghia X estate 130 diesel - 04 plate with 160k - top spec.
Need ideas to replace it. Does not need to be so big but saftey and economy are paramount with 120 mile commute daily so...
Volkswagen have finally launched the 2012 beetle. But they are limiting deliveries to 3000 this year, and are saying that the automatic version won't be available until next year!
Searching the web, the...
I have a 2002 automatic Ford Ghia Mondeo with 2.0TDCi 130 5-TRONIC type 04-22 diesel engine. Does it have a cam belt or chain, what is the recommended mileage for its replacement and is it straightforward...
I have a Volkswan Touran 57 plate, went into the garage as fault light appeared on dashboard and went limp mode. Garage replaced sensor in Janaury 12, problem still not solved so went back to different...
I currently drive a Subaru Forester 2.0 petrol on an 07 plate. I am thinking of changing but would like a similar type of vehicle (SUV).
I usually travel about 7000 miles per annum without encountering...
I do 15,000 miles a year, daily 15 or less round trips, with 70 mile runs about once a fortnight and longer holiday runs. I have run a Mercedes C220 CDI auto for 9 years, now on 135,00 miles and now considering...
I have been worried by your frequent references to costly problems relating to diesel car particulate filters.
We have a 2 year old Subaru Legacy with the 2.0 diesel engine. I have asked our garage about...
We wish to replace both our cars in retirement for used models preferably with auto boxes. We desire a chain cam engine with some punch and comfortable seats for long occasional long distance 500 mile...
My Wife and I parked in a normal bay at Totton Retail Park (directly outside the shop entrance).
We used the particular bay as the Disabled ones seemed farther away from the door and so did NOT display...
I read your good review about a Ford Grand C-Max and am planning to buy a new one. As I only want to go for an automatic, there is only a 2.0-litre diesel engine to chose from.
Given that I am not a...
I'm looking to buy a second hand small car, it needs to be small, cheap to insure, cheap to run and most importantly as reliable as possible - dull is fine!
I live in the country so its needs to be ok...
Frequently at 70mph the 'Engine System Fault' message appears and the car, 2008 Fiesta TDCI goes into Limp Home Mode.
Ford plugged it in and said that it pointed towards the fuel filter, which we had...
The rocker cover of my Fiesta gets coated in a thick layer of 'salad cream' (which I assume is emulsified oil) very quickly (in a matter of weeks). It is now starting to block the oil filler/breather cap....
You are a fan of the 3.0d XF is it better than the 2.2ld?
Assuming the list price of 3.0ld luxury is £36,950 but available on line for around £31,000.
Stratstone are currently advertising an old style...
I have a VW POLO 1.4SE on an 11 plate
Starting from cold on two occasions it has failed to start on the first turn of the key. Thereafter it behaves likea car with a flooded carburretor. It turns over...
My son has been advised to get his cam belt changed - the car is 2005 and has only done 48K miles. We have been quoted £550 to include water pump - does this sound right?
My parents have a 7 yr old Yaris, 1 litre, T2 with 72k on the clock. It's in very good mechanical and cosmetic condition, and has just sailed through it's MOT.
They've never owned a car til this age...
My girlfriends KA heater has stopped working. I have replaced the resistor with a brand new one and I have checked the fuses. What else could I check?
We own a 2007 Seat Leon 1.9 diesel. It has been a very reliable car, but it is due a cam belt and, at almost five years old, I wonder whether it is liable for DMF, DPF and ABS problems.
With this in...
Does the Daihatsu Sirion 1.5 SX [2008 registration] have a cam belt or chain? FAQs mentions the 1.0 and 1.3 but not the 1.5.
I have owned my BMW for 6 years and it has done just less than 35,000 miles. Based on time rather than mileage I have had the car serviced every two years by the local main dealer. I am now told it needs...
Windscreen vision impaired during rain at night due to smearing. Have tried Auto Glym, but without success. Can you recommend a cleaning product?
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