Questions from May 2012
Just bought a Lexus IS220d and I'm very dissapointed with the mpg, I'm only getting 24 mpg, but the official Lexus site says 35 mpg urban 55 extra urban 45 combined. What could be the problem?
Buying a first car for a 17 year old who is 6 foot 7 inches. Any ideas for head/leg room and low insurance?
Thank you for your sterling work. I do huge numbers of motorway miles and nearly never drive through towns.
Simply: What is the best car for MPG for motoways only? Also, will cruise control help MPG,...
I have an extended warranty on my 2007 Seat Altea. It states that it covers "all mechanical and electrical components" except those listed in exclusions. My top engine mounting snapped and my engine was...
Have owned a Honda Civic 2006 1.8 SE i-VTEC for 6 months after purchasing it from a local garage. We've been really happy to date but recently the front brakes have started to squeak (v. high pitched)...
I need to replace the four Continental ContiSports Contact3 225/50/R17 94V tyres on my 2010 registered Mark 6 Astra 1.6 SRI turbo (A16LET engine).
You have stated tyre manufacturers offer discount to...
In your recent reply to my question over my car having a DPF fitted, you replied it most probably did have one.
So I emailed my VIN number to VW and my 1.9dci, 09 reg Golf plus is not fitted with a DPF...
I have signed a contract for an audi A1 with a verbal agreement for it to be delivered in one week, we are now in our third week and still no confirmed delivery date.
I parted with £500 to make the ...
In your Honda Jazz review http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/honda/jazz-2008/ you mentioned "Cracking between the treads of Dunlop tyres fitted to 2009 Jazz has now reached almost epidemic proportions."...
I have developed a problem with my central locking, the car locks and alarms every time the key fob is pressed but when i try to open the doors it is usually only the drivers door that unlocks.
I have...
I have always used Shell Unleaded but now both our local Shell stations have changed hands, one to Apple the other to Jet.
Other brands available locally are Murco, Total and (inconveniently) Esso.
Asda...
I bought an 09 plate Audi A4 TDI two months ago from a non Audi garage but the turbo has blown already.
The one thing that isn't covered by the warranty. Can I get my money back or the bill paid for...
You tend to advise against turbodiesels in general on reliability grounds on 3+ year timescales. However, in i30 and cee'd reviews you appear to recommend the diesel engine. Is this purely because of warranty,...
Bought a Lexus RX300H from approved used Lexus dealer 6 weeks ago, about 200 miles from where I live.
Upon cleaning for the first time noticed small patch of rust at bottom of rear door. Was advised...
My wife and I think its time to change our W Reg Ford Focus Zetec automatic. It has done only 67000 miles and serviced always with a ford dealer.
We must have: a good no nonsence automatic and good seats,...
I am looking to buy my first car. After researching a lot, I've short listed these cars, as I am only interested in diesel hatchbacks:
VW Golf Mk VI 1.6TDI Bluemotion
Toyota Prius hybrid
Skoda Octavia...
According to French law satnavs showing speed cameras are illegal but my new Nissan Qashqai has built in satnav so what would be the result should we be stopped over there?
My Citroen C4 Picasso failed its first MOT having just turned 3 years old. It failed due to a serious leak on its rear offside shock absorber.
The garage that I normally have it serviced at has confirmed...
I live in a semi-detached house with adjacent intregal garages and a shared, open double drive. I had a minor scrape with my neighbour's car which was badly parked on the drive.
Question: would the...
I need a small car to fit in back of American RV. Width height are no problem.
Only have 10'.3" (3120mm) max in length though.
Smart car fits, but would like 4 seats(2+2), presume petrol best or lpg,...
Golf 1.4 TSi parked on steep hill, nose downward, for a day. Next morning, turned ignition key on and there was an audible warning and temperature warning light illuminated. Moved car about 100 yards to...
Excluding increased depreciation what are the pitfalls of owning a 3 year old SAAB following the sad demise of the brand?
I've been informed that the front compliance bushes on my Honda Jazz are split and will need replacing sooner rather than later. The dealer quoted me £536 for the pair, fitted and including vat. Seems...
In August 2011 we purchased a used 2005 (54 plate) Renault Scenic. Since outset it has had stalling issues and has been in and out of the dealer and Renault specialist from August to now. Despite having...
Which tyres would you recommend for traction on rear-wheel drive on wet grass and towing a caravan? Would all season tyres improve on Pirelli P6000?
I have a question I'm hoping I can get some opinions on, featuring the exciting topic of... PARKING.
So, I currently car-share half my journey to work with a colleague. I drive to his place, then hop...
Here my conundrum: I'm in the market for replacing my ageing Polo and am looking for something suited to my daily 55-mile round trip to work. With that in mind it needs to be comfortable, economical...
What are the options for a small cheap reliable five-door hatchback for under 2k?
Depending on what happens at MOT time I'll be looking at replacing our L-reg Honda civic 1.6 V-Tec soon. It's a shame...
I own a Nissan Micra with Pure Drive function. When the ignition is switched on, the dashboard 'auto' LED is continuously blinking.
Furthermore, when I stop in traffic the stop-start system sometimes...
My 2-litre Vectra auto shudders when pulling away, then goes back to normal. This is starting to happen more frequently.
I have changed the plugs and leads but it's still the same. Someone said it might...
First, I must say how totally impressed I am with the service received from Sytner BMW, Birmingham.
1. At my first service, approx. 7000 miles, I remarked that that minor clutch judder was being encountered,...
I recently paid for parking for a full weekend in Blackpool. I put £14 in the machine, which neither gave me a ticket or a refund. I spent an hour trying to ring the numbers on their display boards and...
I have a Astra 1.4 petrol. The car started but shut down after 2-3 seconds. The ignition module, throttle body and pedal have been replaced.
There are no codes stored (code reader used Autel MS409)....
I've just bought a new Ford Focus. Good car, but as I live in a remote area where roads are tricky, I opted for a full-size spare wheel (steel) as a replacement for the standard mini-wheel (at a price,...
I travel mainly on country roads the Pirellis fitted to my X-Type are noisy and I feel every bump. They are great on motorways but I don't use these often.
Is there a quieter option? I would like Michelin...
What would you recommend as a replacement following a faithful Corsa 1.4 auto (R reg)? It needs 5 doors, reasonable boot space, flexible driver's seat to accommodate a fairly short driver, should be fun...
I have just picked up my HDI Citroen C3 Picasso from its two year service (25,000 miles) and on checking the oil level the oil is black.
On lifting the filler cap the oil at the top of the engine is...
My X-Type broke down on motorway. The glow plug light on the dash started to flash, the engine management light came on and the car cut out. It had to be towed home.
The OBDII codes read p0251, p0251+...
The aircon on my Alfa 156 is not working. The drive belt and pulley revolve OK but operating the switch does not engage the compressor clutch.
The centre nut revolves OK with a spanner. If a check...
Is the new shape Toyota Yaris a 'proper' automatic rather than an automated manual?
I'm in the market to change my Citroen C4 1.6 HDI EGS. I have had a test drive in the Jazz 1.4 ES CVT, and am quite impressed, although it doesn't have the performance of the Citroen. But I think I could...
How about this for a cheeky insurance renewal rate? I have been insuring with a leading insurance company for many years. I received a renewal notice for £594.45 for my Mercedes. A quick call to LV resulted...
The insurance renewal on our car coincides with the road tax, which surely can't be unique. Although the DVLA website encourages early renewal and the online checker confirms that the car is insured, it...
We are about to change our Mazda 5 for something smaller. My wife really likes the sliding doors, which make it easier to get kids in and out and they don't knock other cars when parked. Apart from the...
For a long time I have suspected that some drivers are using cruise control or are saving fuel when I see them slowly passing a foreign lorry. Surely one should accelerate and clear the danger zone quickly....
I was today due to collect a 2010 Volkswagen Touran SE with 6000 miles on the clock from a Volkswagen dealership in Twickenham. The dealer sourced the Touran for us and gave us a price of £14,195, to which...
Five years ago I bought a Fiat Panda diesel Dynamic Multijet. It has proven to be ideal but alas, at 85 I have decided my driving days are over and I must sell my little blue Panda with only 6000 miles...
I think the runflat tyres on my 525i are superb. This is my third 525 fitted with Bridgestone Potenzas (50mm profile on a 17-inch wheels). They are very grippy, even when pushed hard, forgiving over speed...
I use TomTom Navigator 7 on a Windows smartphone which came with four digit postcodes only, so I decided to see if any upgrade was available. There was nothing on the TomTom website so I tried a wider...
Which tyres would you recommend for my 2007 Fiesta 1.6 auto? It's currently shod with 195/50 R15s, which are noisy and not very comfortable.
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