Trending topics in September 2012
Questions from September 2012
I need a replacement for a 2010 Skoda TDi Octavia Scout (which has been a very good car - have loved the elevated seating position which is a must in my new car).
I am looking now as the Scout took over...
I have owned a 2007 SEAT Altea 2.0TDI from new and I think that it's time to change. Ideally I'd like something with a little more luggage carrying capacity and, as I am now in my seventies, comfort and...
Currently I am driving a 2007 Ford Focus with Continental Sport Contact 2 205/50 R17 93W tyres. Can you please recommend an alternative tyre that would give a softer ride?
Perhaps DP and his wife do not like ‘tall’ cars of the type you suggested (Touran, etc). If so, they may like to know that my wife and I absolutely love our BMW 3 Series estates (E46 model) and hers was...
The leaflets sent out with tax disc renewal notices headed “Be a smarter driver and save money” give the advice “Stay in Gear. Don't coast downhill or towards lights in neutral as this uses more fuel.”...
IB of New Milton referred to electric handbrakes. They may be more efficient as a ‘parking brake’ but, at a stroke, car manufacturers are disposing of a vital handbrake function: its use as an ‘emergency...
My daughter is planning to replace her Chrysler Voyager with a similar seven-seater vehicle. She has looked at the Volkswagen Sharan but thinks it's a bit pricey.
I have a 2001 Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI diesel. I understand that the car needs to travel a reasonable distance, say 20 or 30 miles, to ensure that the DPF does not clog. Do I presume that the diesel particles...
My son’s Peugeot 307 diesel particle filter additive low-level warning light has come on. Is this a major problem that only Peugeot can deal with? Or are there alternative mechanics that might be able...
We currently own a Hyundai Matrix automatic which is two and a half years old with 19,000 miles. Since we both appreciate relatively high seating we thought this was an appropriate vehicle for us. Unfortunately...
If speed indicator signs are deliberately set to show false speeds just because most speedometers do, then they are a danger in themselves, and surely illegal? Police radar guns and installed speed cameras...
After 12 years in Hong Kong we will be returning to the UK in the beginning of 2013. I would like to make up for lost time when back in the UK and have something fun that I look forward to driving. Two...
Towards the end of next month I am going to Italy and may need to hire a car. I only hold a paper version of my driving licence as the need has not arisen yet for me to apply for the photocard version....
In early May my wife was driving our Audi Allroad past a mobile speed camera in Newcastle upon Tyne. Within a week she received two NIPs: one for driving at 36mph in a 30mph limit and one for the 'Alleged...
In May I ordered a new car from an internet car broker who then went into liquidation and could not be contacted. Fortunately I paid the deposit by credit card and claimed my money back from the credit...
We are considering changing our family car, which is a Citroen C4 1.6. My wife requires a car no longer than the C4 with similar driver's headroom, rear seat legroom and boot space. As we make very frequent...
I'm swapping my ten-year-old Ford Mondeo TDCI estate with 140,000 miles, which I've owned from new. It has been virtually faultless with no clutch or DMF problems. I have been offered, from a Jaguar main...
Avis is not the only hire company to install transponders in their cars to deal with the toll charges on the Algarve motorway (A22). They were beaten to it earlier this year by a small local company in...
The head gasket was renewed on my 2010 Peugeot 207 under manufacturer warranty. The failure resulted in oil leaking into the coolant system. The coolant system was not flushed and now there is still oil...
I bought a July 2009 registered Fiesta from a private seller 1.5 months back. Since yesterday it has developed a big oil leak from the gearbox. Local garage says its an internal leak which needs the gearbox...
The plastic engine guard has fallen off the bottom of our Citroen Berlingo van. Are we ok to carry on without it? The van has done 125k and we are replacing it within the next 3-4 months anyway.
The local main dealer has offered my daughter a brand new Vauxhall Zafira Exclusiv 1.6 for £10500 and finance at 1.9%. It's a Mark 2 and apparently will be made to order. It's got the "lifetime" warranty....
My son has a 1.4 Citreon Saxo West Coast. Two weeks ago it developed a fault with the engine revving higher than normal. It was plugged in and no fault found. Since then, all sensors have been removed...
I read in your newspaper column your reply to ED,Filey regarding replacing existing wheels with a smaller size.
I have a Volvo S80 with 225/50/17 tyres, I am thinking of changing the rims and fitting...
I currently drive a Mazda 6 SL. It has 67,000 on the clock and I'm looking to change it, but the new Mazdas don't have a sunroof. In fact they don't now make the SL which also comes with a lot of goodies;leather...
I've been looking at replacing my ageing Mk4 Golf GT TDi. After considering many options of new, I have decided the sensible financial option for now maybe to replace with a Mk5 Golf GT TDi (typical Golf...
I have road tested a few cars for Motability leasing. Its come down to a choice between the Yeti 1.2 and the Qashqai 1.6 Acenta. Any advice from readers gratefully received. Thank you.
The airbags on my mother's Ibiza went off recently when she was manoeuvring into a space at low speed in a car park.
The only damage to the exterior of the vehicle is very slight damaged to the front...
I have a Mazda 2 sport, 12500 miles, 4yrs 5months old (2008) which has the dreaded DSC warning light problem.
Put in for diagnostics, told by dealer needs new ABS pump (error code C0044) at cost of £1800....
Three months ago we bought a Toyota Urban Cruiser, we love the build quality and cabin space and overall design, but after years with automatics we have decided that we can't live with a manual. We are...
I am considering buying an 02 CORSA 1.2 sxi with 70000 miles. Surprisingly, it has a timing BELT - not chain. I can find no reference to such a fitting on a CORSA of that vintage. How come?
I can buy my company car, owned since new, next march at a very good price. it will have done about 50k miles by then. What could go wrong in the next few years & what should I get sorted before I buy...
Hi I have a Ford Galaxy 1998 2.3 petrol and have 195/65 R15 H tyres on it - they are reinforced and I just wanted to know what the tyre pressures should be for both fully laden and half load.
Just read your review of the honda. I'm going to buy either the Honda or a Freelander, but I worry about the reliability and maintenance costs on the Freelander. Which would you recommend of the two?...
I need to renew the waterproofing on my MX-5 hood and your FAQ list is very helpful about recommending RENOVO but then I find they have different products for canvas and for vinyl hoods - and one mustn't...
I think I have the early signs of a worn DMF. What is the outcome (regarding damage or possible breakdown) of driving with a worn Dual Mass Flywheel?
I have been offered a used Porsche Boxster 2.7(245bhp) Tiptronic S 2006(56) with 17,400 miles in Lapis Blue metallic, full black leather, 18" alloys, Bose sound with Full Porsche service history, for...
My immediate rural location requires a 4X4 to cope with narrow lanes, muddy verges, getting out of the way of other vehicles and winter conditions. My current car is a 2007 Skoda Octavia 4X4 estate with...
Hi, I have just purchased a 2006 Honda Jazz from a friend. It has come with only one key and no "key number plate". Is it possible for me to get a spare key made? If so, where would you recommend?"...
Just crashed my car and the insurance company is more than likely writing it off. I'm not sure how it works with insuring the replacement. Will it be a new quote or Will I still continue with the old insurance...
My 2 year old Yeti TDi 140 Elegance 4x4 needs a set of 4 tyres. It's still running on the original Dunlop SP 01 225/50x17 94W factory fitted tyres. I wish to fit Goodyear Vector 4 Season for all year running...
Every time the diesel filter is changed on my Citroen Xsara the engine manangement light stays meaning a loss of power when driven hard through gears and a top speed of 70mph with foot to floor.
The first...
I have had my 307 HDI put on a computer in a garage and it is reading a P1198 - injector control - ecu internal fault. Do you know how I fix this problem?
I have been experiencing an intermittant starting problem with my Renault Megane II for several weeks now. I press the start button, the engine turns over but fails to fire up.
The brake symbol and battery...
I have a Vauxhall Vectra 2005 1.9ctdi sxi 150. I have a few problems with it with 6 fault codes : P0070, P0500, P1811, P1613, U2108, U2139. I spoke to someone about it and they said it needs a new wiring...
I bought 2008 Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI Sport and last week it cut off while I was driving without any warning light.
I called the AA and they couldn't find any fault and they sprayed easy start and it...
My vehicle was recently hit by a third party which caused visible panel damage and unseen suspension damage. The 3rd party insurance (Saga) has been exemplary in arranging a hire car and to have the bodywork...
Bought a Honda Civic from a main Honda dealership six months ago, recently a Saab engineer had a look over and said (quote)
"There's a transmission whine at idle and reverse gear engagement is very,...
I'm sure you are aware that trip computer mpgs are optimistic by 5 - 10%, so that readers' figures based on these are unrealistic and optimistic. If I submit a figure (for a Honda Jazz), it would be based...
During my MOT, the 'shaker' upset my electric windows which now do not work at all, dead at the switches all round. The garage have tried to fix it but were not able to resurrect them, describing the...
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