Questions from December 2012
I wonder if you could give me some advice on people carriers? Our 2005 Galaxy TDI Ghia automatic with 100,000 miles on the clock collided with the central reservation of the M1 and I am bracing myself...
I agree with your encouraging reply about speed humps to MJ of Burton upon Trent. Our locality is full of these wretched objects, with all the usual dangers. However, I am curious to know about another...
I own a 2009 Volkswagen Golf Plus 1.9 TDI Bluemotion and have noticed an unusual noise coming from under the bonnet. After some investigation by my local dealer, I was told that the flywheel and clutch...
Can you tell me how many miles you have to drive to avoid the symptoms of 'short run syndrome’? Talking to many OAP ladies on this subject, they seem to think a short run is only half a mile, whereas I...
I have a 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan, with Bridgestone 235/55 R17 Dueller H/P tyres. I am not confident these tyres will help me much in winter/snowy conditions, but do not want to have to change them each...
Our Honda CR-V is now back having had a damaged number two exhaust valve replaced and the one next to it, all other valves re-seated and head skimmed etc, plus a new timing belt (old one only two years...
I intend to trade in my 2001 SEAT Leon 1.9 TDi soon and want to buy something that’s fun to drive and economical. I do low mileage and short journeys and don’t want a diesel. I also want a full size spare...
NB of Littlebourne’s email was timely for me since, that very day, whilst driving my 2010 diesel automatic Honda CR-V in sub zero conditions, I experienced hesitation seemingly from the gearbox. I set...
I watched with disgust a recent 5th Gear programme where Kia's claimed mpg for the new Rio was "tested". The test was conducted by what could only be described as loutish drivers attempting to wring the...
I thought other readers might be interested to know of my car insurance experience today and wonder how widespread this attitude is. I am a fit 81-year-old, satisfied all the preliminary questions regarding...
Reading the comments by TP questioning your experience with winter tyres prompted me to send you my thoughts. Having owned a 4x4 Volkswagen Tiguan and feeling this would be the answer to snowy conditions,...
Why do you write so positively about VAG cars in your road tests? I’ve just read the Skoda Yeti test. You mention the 2.0 TDi. Quote from a Volkswagen main dealer: "it's the worst engine we've made",...
I have a 2006 Honda Civic 1.8 i-Shift, which has 24,300 miles on the clock. I am now looking to trade it in and am considering the automatic version of the new Civic, the Ford Focus Zetec Powershift and...
Your advice on winter tyres is 100 per cent. As a conservative Brit living in Sweden (-15C at the moment with snow every day) I drive a front wheel drive Passat daily 150km over every type of road imaginable,...
Last winter I watched a snow plough come down a road heavily infested with speed tables and speed humps. Consequently the plough had to be raised and the road remain unploughed and dangerous. Another case...
I think you quite approve of the Honda Jazz and I find a lot to like about this car. I would be most interested to know if you get queries about systemic steering peculiarities. At any speed over about...
I currently have a 1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 coupe and a 1989 Mercedes-Benz G Wagon (that runs on LPG and petrol). Both have done over 140,000 miles and I tend to keep cars for a long time. I like both vehicles...
Setting off after parking my Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe overnight in temperatures down to -16 degrees C, the car kangaroo jumped for a couple of minutes with the engine appearing to be cutting out. When joining...
I have just read the letter from TP of Barnstaple who seemed to think you had little experience of driving on snow and ice. I am glad you put him right about that, and the better performance of front-wheel...
I have to buy a new car for work. I currently drive an Audi A3 (I have covered 106,000 miles in the last three and a half years), but suffer back problems and find the car uncomfortable.
I am only getting...
My son is 17 and I've told him that I will get him a car and insure it for a year - but at a budget of £9000 all in. Assuming the insurance is about £4500 - what car would you recommend that has low insurance...
I own an Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 petrol TFSI Quattro. The car is rarely used by my family and I have recently been given a two year driving ban. What advice can you give regarding mothballing or selling?
I have around £9000-9500 to spend, as I am upgrading from my current 2004 MINI Cooper. I like the look of the Graphite (or possibly red or laser blue colours), but am deciding between an 07 Cooper S or...
Looking for an economical remap to increase mpg, not increase power as I pay enough insurance already. Does anyone know a company that would do that?
My stepdaughter is buying a Mazda2 from her father who is a corporate manager for Volvo. It's an 08-plate part exchange vehicle. He knew she was looking for one, so has bought it through his company for...
I'd appreciate your advice - I bought a new Mercedes-Benz C220CDI Sport Estate just over a year ago. The 'Intelligent Lighting' has never seemed to be properly aligned, being too high, and from the start...
With my previous car - a 2006 Kia Sorento CRDi XS purchased new, in the absence of advice form the Handbook I ran the engine in over 10k miles following your advice contained within your FAQ section. Thus...
We want to replace the family saloon with something a bit more rugged - a go anywhere car suitable for bikes and some rough unmade up roads etc. We are a family of 4 with 2 large dogs. While the Santa...
My friend has a Jaguar S-Type (2007) and wants to purchase winter tyres and wheels 245 x 40 x 18. I have a Jaguar XF 2011 which I will sell to him next year which has 245 x 40 x 19 standard tyres.
Will...
Do you know whether the registration '13' will go ahead next March, or will it be avoided? A dealer tells me that they are worried it will deter buyers and they have heard nothing either way.
We are looking to trade in my wifes 05 plate 206 1.1s for a similar size 5 door hatch (or slightly bigger) which has ISOFIX. The car needs to be petrol and return 40+mpg and have a tax band of F or below.
We'd...
What is the function of the engine symbol indicator light in the dash board ?
Is urgent attention required, The engine and car show no visual problems
I have a Nissan Alemra 1996 1.5 auto. It's low on mileage, but quite old now, and I've been driving it since 2007.
It was very good for the first three years, but since last year, during every service,...
Do you gave any experience or knowledge of the performance of Cooper Weather Master snow tyres. They are a reasonable price but I cannot find any tests/reviews for them?
You recently commented that a Honda Jazz as a better bet than a Citroen C3 Picasso. I was on my way to buying a Jazz when I read that the average age of a Jazz purchaser (let alone driver) is 62. You may...
My new tyres have radial red and yellow stripes 'painted' on the the circumference of the tread and somewhat offset from the centre line of the tyre, what do these mean?
On occasions, the powered tailgate on my Honda Tourer will not stay open. It will motor down, but even if I open it manually, it will still close immediately...
My wife has a three-year old Nissan Qashqai. There's lots of internal condensation, and that means having to wait a long time before driving off - whih is a waste of fuel. When starting up, the a/c is...
My Jaguar XF 3.0 Diesel was written off when stationary at a junction - no blame whatsoever. It was a July 2010 Luxury model owned from new with 54,000 miles, FSH and very high spec. The dealer, Statstone,...
My seven year old, 125k miles BMW 530d suffered water ingress last week. The insurer's garage won't take the engine to bits and have costed £13k for a replacement power unit - so it's a write off.
The...
I assume that the stop-start on a manual car is electronically activated when the vehicle is put into neutral. If that is the case, why can it not be activated when an automatic gearbox is put into neutral...
I had my ABS modulator replaced 15 months ago - and then my front o/s speed sensor. But then the warning lights came on yet again - both front speed sensors indicated issues this time.
Have now replaced...
I have just bought a Nissan X-Trail Tekna for towing a caravan - the tyre sizes are: 225/55R18 on 18x7J rims, whereas on the Acenta they are 225/60R17. Why is this and what are the advantages and disadvantages?
Also...
I bought a Hymer four weeks ago. It was advertised as having a 12 months' MoT, but when I looked at the paperwork, I noticed it only had three weeks' MoT left. I informed the original owner, who said it...
I'm looking to change my 2006 Vauxhall Astra diesel for something suitable to carry a Labrador dog complete with cage. I am considering a new/nearly new Hyundai Santa Fe or Toyota Avensis estate, and am...
My son has received Notice of Intended Prosecution from Suffolk Constabulary for driving at 37mph in a 30mph limit on 2 November 2012. I, as a named driver, was driving the car on the day in question....
I've had a problem for months if not more. When cold, the exhaust blows loud at front and it's rattly. It seems to go after one minute when warm - been worse since the weather turned cold.
I can't tell...
I have a 2005 Citroen C3 HDI 1.4. The power steering fails intermittently, as do the rev counter and the heater display. Also, the fan stops working and the battery light comes on.
This problem has been...
I have a 2003 Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI 130, and the emissions workshop warning keeps coming on. I was told by the garage that the error code reported is for EGR valve. I had cleaned, but this has had...
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