Questions from December 2012
Why are cars still made with rear wheel drive? For years I have driven front wheel drive Saabs on snow with ease using standard tyres. Now it is time to say goodbye to my 13 year old Saab 9-5 and my...
My car is a recently acquired 2008 Lexus iS250L. It has an unusual fault which is quite alarming. At completely random intervals there is a loud cracking noise which seems to come from the windscreen....
I have a 2012 Honda Civic 1.8ES VTEC fitted with Continental Primium 2 tyres. I would like to improve the driving and roadholding, if you could suggest a better type of tyre for my car.
Rover 75 front nearside passenger door will not open. Button rises as normal and all other doors open as normal.
I'm planning to buy a used car with max budget £8000, and my usage would be weekends in London and occasional long drive once in two months. Is a Vauxhall Astra [1.4i 16v VVT (100PS), Manual 5-speed, 129...
I bought my Renault Twingo second hand 2 years ago from Westover Renault in Salisbury just before its MoT was due.
They did the MoT as part of the warranty but unfortunately someone in the service department...
How long do the police have to respond with a decision if they are to give you points or a speeding course? Surely there must be a time limit for them to reply once you've named yourself as a driver.
I have no wish to be rude to your readers, but the chap from Bristol, who paid £22,000 for an unfinished Beetle restoration wants his brains testing. It makes you wonder how he got in charge of £22,000...
I think the motor industry has got it the wrong way round in its effort to prevent misfuelling. It is impossible to put diesel into a petrol tank but this does little harm except that the car won't start...
I have decided to sell my car, but do not know the best site to advertise it on or what a realistic asking price might be. The difficulty arises because it is quite rare and I have nothing to compare it...
We have a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLC 180. We've had it for about 18 months on a three year contract with Mercedes-Benz of Bath. We are very pleased with it except for one thing: the dashboard trim creaks all...
I have been driving a diesel-engined car for almost 10 years and, although I don't do high mileage any more, I am still potentially interested in staying with a diesel engine.
Recently you sung the praises...
I have a six year old Subaru Forester and a 13 year old Volkswagen Passat saloon. I intend to keep the Subaru and change the Passat. Can you recommend a replacement car that would be good for long journeys?...
My 2004 Nissan X-Trail 2.2 dCi Sport has run on Dunlop GT20 Grandtrek tyres for 125,000 miles since new; mostly on-road, but also off-road at times.
I normally achieve 40-45,000 miles and it is now time...
It might be worth advising EM of Malton to make a more detailed claim to the Council for damage to his property caused by earth tremors from road humps using Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) Report...
I was about to replace my Mercedes-Benz ML with the new model when I became aware of the similar (almost identical body, different mechanics) Jeep Grand Cherokee at about two thirds the price.
I have...
Which make and models of cars have a reputation for good supportive seats? I drive a 2007 BMW 3 Series, but I am certain that the seat is causing my existing painful back condition to worsen, I now have...
I recently changed my 10 year old Mercedes C-Class for a new Toyota Yaris 1.0 VVR-I Edition, purely on the grounds of economy, such as no road tax in the first year and less to spend at the fuel pump....
I have an 2005 Rover 45 hatchback, which is nearing time for replacement. It has served me well, particularly because it is able to accommodate an electric trolley and golf clubs transversely across the...
At age 83 and after 58 years of accident and points-free motoring, I have been charged with driving without care and attention and without regard to other road users. I have opted to attend a driver awareness...
My daughter has bought her first car, a 2002 Peugeot 206 from a ‘private dealer’. Within days the engine management light came on and the car has spent most of its days in the garage, with replacement...
In March of this year, I purchased a new Mazda 6 TS2 Estate from a main dealer and it is now coming up for its first service (12,500 miles). It was suggested to me at the time that if the car was not serviced...
Recently, when driving on a suburban road, I pulled into the side to let a vehicle pass. There was a loud bang and my vehicle shuddered. I stopped and saw that my brand new nearside tyre had a long gash...
In early July, as a lady was closing her small shop for the evening, I parked on her small forecourt after asking her permission. I left some 15/20 minutes later having picked up fish & chips from a shop...
The Telegraph Motoring team recommended that I get in touch with you. By way of introduction, I’m a researcher on Watchdog Daily (a new daily strand of Watchdog going on air next month). I was hoping I...
I realise that this is a topic that you have covered many times, but I continue to be amazed at the AA’s concept of how to reward customer loyalty. Last year my wife paid £79 for breakdown cover for herself...
I might change my 2009 Fiat Punto Grande for a new Fiat Punto Evo next February or March. In what respects, if any, would the Evo be better than my Grande (apart from age, of course?) and, is there likely...
I have recently had the joy of acquiring an electric buggy and, whereas my wife and I can load and unload it into my Alhambra, I find it much more difficult on my own. It occurred to me that a pulley system,...
As a fellow owner of a Fiat 500 you may have received a copy of the "Call Fiat First" booklet from your Fiat dealer. This asks you to call 0844 209 2583 number in case of accident or theft of the car....
The Nissan Note Acenta meets your criteria in many ways, yet does not get mentioned where it seems to be a good option. UK-built with a good reliability record, excellent cabin space and access, 65-profile...
For many years now I have frequently driven without footwear, having experienced the welt of some shoes catching the pedals when bringing the foot back. I have found this gives greater sensitivity on both...
I have just switched my 2008 Volvo XC70 wheels and tyres from standard 235/55 R17 to winter 215/65 R16. The difference and improvement is amazing. The ride is vastly improved, road noise reduced, steering...
I read with interest your article headed "Shelling out on Fuel" and the comments regarding Texaco. Valero has maintained the Texaco brand and general infrastructure. Texaco supply Super Plus Unleaded (SPUL)...
Last year when I received my insurance renewal from MoreThan who I had been with for several years it had increased my premium to £655 an increase of over £200 from previous year. A friend recommended...
I felt I had to write to say how appalled I am of my husband’s treatment at petrol stations. He is severely disabled (a paraplegic who uses a wheelchair) but a car driver. Although he has a call aid button...
I took my 1988 Mercedes 300SL out for a short run on Saturday afternoon, and the battery died on me and left me stuck at the side of the road about 10 miles away. The local RAC man (Wrexham) got to me...
We have a Kia Soul - not a 4x4 of course - but it has been suggested that higher-off-the-ground vehicles such as 4x4s and Soul/Jimny type non-4x4s result in back problems as a result of having to 'climb...
I have an elderly friend who bought a brand new B-Class Mercedes-Benz in May. In September, after only some 3000 miles, the clutch failed and the fire service was called on the advice of the police, as...
As our car door was scratched and dented by an unknown person opening their door whilst we were in a supermarket car park, I am wondering if a campaign is needed to introduce the system used in the States...
I am on the point of buying a new car. I am looking at a C3 Picasso, My only reservation is that I live in NE Scotland and we get more than our fair share of snow. If the car is fitted with winter tyres...
I bought my 2008 Peugeot 207 from Scott Darrington at Charters, Aldershot in August 2011 with a year's warranty. Two weeks after the warranty expired (Aug 2012) I noticed there was a problem with my gearbox...
I was driving my 54-plate Honda Accord 2.2 CDTi Executive today, and as I accelerated to go onto the motorway, I got to 2000 revs and the glow plug light started flashing - and I couldn't get over 2000rpm.
I...
Would you recommend fitting a forward facing child seat to a Mark 2 2004 Mazda MX5? I have read numerous forums recommending turning off the front passenger airbag or not to carry children at all in the...
The 'fault in managment system' light cam on in my 2007 (36,000 miles) Ford Focus Diesel. By the time I took it to the garage the light had gone out.
The diagnostics was "clogged particulate filter" £120...
Clutch burnt out at 40,000 miles. I have just part-exchanged my second car, a Mazda MX5 (for another) with 115,000 miles on the clock. It's on the original clutch. The car I PX'd for the CR-V had done...
I have a Vauxhall Meriva 1.4 (09-plate). A continuous squeaking comes from the wheels but stops when I depress the brake pedal and also when I turn the steering wheel left or right. It starts again when...
I had my car serviced at 15,000 miles back in July. The engine started knocking on Monday. I turned it off and rang RAC; they said it had no oil in the engine. So he put oil in and got me to drive it to...
My Hyundai Coupe (which you recommended) has been excellent for five years, but I now need something gentler on my bad back. So I'm looking at SUVs.
The choice comes down to VW Tiguan, Honda CR-V or...
My daughter bought a car on finance with my help. The salesman on the test drive pointed out that it had a heated front windscreen, which is essential for us. Now the ice is here, we find that this was...
I am told nitrogen filled tyres rarely need checking because they do not deflate like ordinary air filled tyres. Is this true? Is it worth paying to change to nitrogen?
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