Why do people on the continent park their cars in freezing conditions with the wipers pointing up?

If your car is to be parked outdoors in freezing conditions, before switching off the engine put the wipers on and switch the engine off when the wipers are vertical. This makes it easier to clean the...

Use grease on alloy caps to prevent a chemical reaction.

Smearing the brass valve with Vaseline or grease before replacing the alloy cap should resolve the chemical reaction problem.

Why do people race on the public highway?

I am sure you are aware of the horrific crash about two weeks ago on the M25, when two BMW cars driven by young men were involved in a death crash when one of the cars clipped the central reservation and...

Why do some people not understand power steering?

I had to laugh at the first letter in your column: “Let's have an intelligent conversation about electric power steering.” Amazingly the writer then proceeded not to have an intelligent conversation by...

How can I improve the fuel consumption on my Hyundai i10?

I puchased a new Hyundai i10 Automatic in April this year. I do two or three daily journeys of about three miles a day, in total about 50 miles per week. I only seem to average about 22mpg. I was told...

Where can I get Platinum Plus DPF additive?

A few weeks ago a reader recommended Platinum Plus treatment for DPF problems. I am unable to locate a supplier of this product. Can you please let me know the details of where I could purchase this product....

Should I have the timing belt changed on my Fiat 500?

My brilliant but under-used Fiat 500 (7200 miles) is coming up to five years old and is due an MOT and service. Last year the dealer did a "32-point service" for about £260. This included re-gassing the...

Which comfortable, petrol-engined manual car to replace our Rover 75?

We are about to dispose of our treasured Rover 75 and downsize. We're thinking of replacing it with a Vauxhall Astra or similar. As we are in our 70s comfort as well as economy is important and we would...

Ford Focus: Remote Locking Doesn't Work. What Now?

My Ford Focus 2003 remote will lock car but will not unlock car, key in lock works OK. Do you think it's the remote battery?

Which car is easiest to maintain yourself?

I have a 2003 Volkswagen Passat estate 130PD approaching 170k miles have self maintained totally (5k mile oil/filter changes) including 2 cam belt/water pump and several brake pad changes etc. I would...

Looking for a cheap comfortable car to get to and from station

Hello HJ. I have a 1964 Series 2a Land Rover which i've been using to get to and from the station every day (about 5 miles a day). I've now decided that she is just too cold/old/unreliable to do that everyday,...

Advice on a second hand Volkswagen?

I am offered a car in a private sale at £24k (the current new price is £36k). The car has done 10,000 miles, one owner and is 18 months old. It has a three year warranty etc. I am told I can get a VW...

Buying a used medium diesel car what would you recommend?

Changing from Ford Fiesta to medium-size diesel used car. Don't want problems with fly wheels or DPFs. What would you recommend?

New Fiesta ST - will it be as harsh a ride as a 500 Abarth on standard alloys?

Will the new Fiesta ST have a very harsh ride? We had a 500 Abarth on std (not essesse), suspension and std wheels, it was too harsh on Sheffield's potholed roads. We would like an ST but could probably...

Should I convert a 2008 Civic to LPG?

Please advise on converting my 2008 Honda Civic i-VTEC (17" alloys) from petrol to LPG?

Toyota Yaris: Timing belt or chain?

Does this car have a timing belt or a timing chain. T Yaris I have just bought has 106000 miles on the clock wondered if belt nedded changing.

Whats a good, sticky tyre for our 'practical classic'?

I have a 'practical classic' insofar that it is a classic - 1987 Lada Riva 1.3 SL. I probably do about 3000 miles a year and although it is my weekend car I do take it out in all weathers. It is very...

A couple if C-Class questions

Regarding the Mercedes-Benz C-Class: What is the optimum wheel size? When did the rust problems end?

Does my Focus have a DPF?

I have just bought a 2009 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI Style 90. There is no mention of a DPF on any of the documents I have. Please could you advise, as there is so much conflicting information out there?

I want my car repaired after a no-fault accident

Royal Mail have admitted liability for driving their lorry into me while I was parked on Wednesday just gone. I called them yesterday morning and told them that my insurers had arranged repair and that...

www.keyfobrepair.co.uk recommendation

Just a recommendation for www.keyfobrepair.co.uk . They were able to fix my keyfob (central locking feature had broken) where Renault and a local specialist failed. Very courteous, helpful and ultra speedy...

A replacement part has damaged my engine

GSF car spares supplied me with a replacement expansion tank for my car, and also a screw cap to go with it and some anti-freeze. This was done by me checking the stock online and going to my local branch...

Dealer mistake is going to cost me - what can I do?

I recently bought a 2012 Volvo XC60 from the local franchised dealer. It was their demo vehicle with 6500 miles. I explained I ideally wanted to buy new, but they had this on offer. They explained in writing...

Who picks up this paintwork bill?

I bought an 03 reg Nissan Micra from a local dealer. About a month after the purchase a small patch of paint fell off near the rear number plate. This patch has grown increasingly bigger and I have taken...