Trending topics in February 2013
Questions from February 2013
Hi
I have a 2007 3 Series BMW which is a great car however I am tired of the concerns regarding grip in winter with rear wheel drive, despite using winter tyres. We are expecting our first child in the...
If I get a quote from an internet company how can I check they are legally trading and my money and order will be ok?
Looking to buy a SUV/Crossover to tow a caravan up to about 1500kg. The wife would like an auto but for fuel economy I am looking at DSG/Powershift gearboxes.
Are there any problems with these when...
I have a Ford Mondeo Ghia 59 Plate with a Sony radio with DAB.
I bought it second-hand at 18 months old. Having never had DAB before, or cared, it was awesome. The DAB radio reception was excellent.
Then,...
When I start my Golf in the morning the engine shakes a lot after a few minutes. The traction contol system sign comes up. I can feel vibration in my car while driving and engine noise is different.
I have a stuttering mondeo with p0171 fault, running too lean. I have changed the air filter, changed the MAF sensor, changed the fuel temp sensor, cleaned the EGR and changed the cat. It's still not running...
My immaculate Nissan Micra with 22000miles yesterdaym for the first time ever failedm to immediately start on the first engine rotation.
The battery is fully charged, it has the correct fuel and has started...
My sons are aged 19 and 17, have now both passed their driving tests and are in the market for their first car.
This will be a small used car, probably 6-7 years old and around £4000 in value.
My questions...
As almost all regular readers will know the quoted mpg figures bear little or no resemblance to real life. How do manufacturers arrive at figures for electric car mileage? Is it by a set formula and regulation...
My 2007 Audi A3 is regularly maintained/serviced, MoT'd etc. All advisories noted and acted upon. Cambelt done-of course!
Since I intend keeping it for a further three/four years I am thinking of giving...
I have a 2005 Xsara Picasso. In freezing temperatures, if I do not use the car every day, it will not start first thing in a morning. I have had a new battery fitted 2 weeks ago and the problem is still...
I have an old car that has been garaged for the last eight years and it has been SORN’d. I have no use for it and want to scrap it, but due to various moves cannot find the paperwork. What can I do as...
I have not driven for five months but hope to start again in the next few weeks.
I feel my driving should be assessed for safety reasons as I am now sixty eight and almost certainly have picked up one...
I have had my 2007 Ford Galaxy LHD for a year now and since I got it there has been an annoying 'note' coming from the power steering. if i sit with engine running and touch nothing the sound goes away....
I need a cheap, economical car. Thinking of Hyundai i10, KIA Picanto, Skoda Citigo or Fiat Panda and I have between £5000 and £6000 to spend.
Can you suggest which one I should consider or if any other...
I have a 2012 Ford Galaxy 1.6 TDCI, bought back in September 2012. I'm just wondering is it common for the front tyres to almost reach their legal limit by 7600 miles? I drive quite "normally" not thrashing...
Can you advise me of any small, five-door family cars that include a rear seat that is moveable while upright/erected? I have found the Nissan Note has this feature.
Low insurance grouping is important,...
I'm looking for a 5 door hatchback to lease which is reliable and a good runner for long distances.
I have it down to the following four, Honda Civic 2.2 i DTEC 16v, Volvo V40 1.6 D, Volkswagen Golf...
My 2006 1.6 S petrol Touran keeps losing coolant. No visible signs of a leak and head gasket appears OK. When I take it back the dealer says he cannot find a leak. The car is on HP and I have only had...
I purchased my Ford Fiesta 1.3 Encore in December 1996. It has the original battery (is this a record?) The body work is in good condition and has given me trouble free motoring until now. During the recent...
I have 2008 Nissan Note which has started to cut out in traffic but it starts first time. After starting it is very slow and rough and pick up. Engine feels has if it 'hunting' Car has been on forecourt...
I bought a Ford Fusion (54 reg) in good condition with the exception of having to return it straight away to have a new coil fitted (car was juddering and jerking).
I have realised that the screen heater...
The road conditions were icy and the car didn't stop when I applied the brakes. As a result, I collided into an approaching vehicle (single file road). The approaching vehicle could stop. I accepted this...
My Camry 3ltr is 18 years old, has done 99,000 miles and never let me down. Repairs have been minimal and due to fair wear and tear, like radiator, gaiters, gaskets etc. I'd like to keep it forever!
My...
Having picked up a pre-reg Astra Van, it was registered seven days before I bought it, I got home and noticed the side had been extensively repaired.
I contacted the main dealer who offered me the chance...
I've recently been involved in an accident, where the car I was driving got hit in the back and the other party fully accepted responsibility. The other party's insurer (Churchill), after taking the car...
I bought my car last year (2012) and the service book says that the cambelt was changed at 48k miles in 2011 but without the water pump (by Volkswagen). It seems the cambelt was changed before it was due...
I have a Petrol Fiat Panda 4x4, just 2 years 6 months old. Mileage 21k.
1. I quite fancy the either the new Panda 4x4 or Skoda Fabia which is non 4x4. Would it be sensible to sell current car while the...
I purchased an '02' Mitsubishi Carisma 2.0 D-ID in September 2012. In getting the car home, it triggered Limp Mode - phoned the trader I purchased from, who advised me to take it to one of the garages...
I currently drive a 52 plate Mini Cooper and am looking for advice on what to get next.
I have recently started a new job so am doing a 40 mile each way commute now.
I have owned the MINI for 2 years...
I drove a way before council warden placed ticket on car - what are the current rules? Is the ticket valid if sent in post, as it was not attached to windscreen or handed to me and the warden was not obstructed...
Is there any problem in converting my 2005 Nissan Murano 3.5L CVT to run on LPG?
I have heard that the valve seats could wear prematurely - can this be avoided?
If OK, what system would you recommend?
Where can I get a louder 'flasher' unit; ideally supplied and fitted, please?
As an avid reader of your columns I don't recall seeing this one, but I bet there are thousands of us out there.
The car is used mainly for "shopping". Engine malfunction display and warning light came on and the car has lost power. 25 minutes run on motorway at more than 2000RPM has made no difference. How do I...
We currently have an A-Class Mercedes-Benz with cruise control and automatic transmission. The seat height is important - my wife is slightly disabled. 'Sink-in' seats are bad news! We need more room so...
I have had a mk 6 Golf for almost three years, and driven 17,000 miles, a relatively small proportion of this on motorways. There are numerous stone chips on the bonnet and roof, plus several on the windscreen....
Just bought 2009 Freelander 2. On going through small print of 1 year approved warranty I will only be covered for trip limit of 60 days, as I am usually away for longer than this the warranty is of little...
I drive 13k miles per year mostly urban with frequent motorway trips (majority less than 40 miles), I've read all about the issues with diesel particulate filters as reported here but not the rest of the...
I am about to move away from home and need a car for myself for the first time. My Dad has offered to sell me his Mazda 2 10 reg or help me buy an alternative.
As most of my driving will be around Sheffield...
My fiance is looking to buy a smallish used car for a maximum of £4K. It must be able to accommodate a push chair as she is currently expecting. She insists on power steering. What would you recommend?
We own an Alfa Romeo 159 JTDm lusso 58 plate. ABS not available has flashed up on the dash display.
What could this mean before we take it to a garage?
My 54 plate Jazz 1.4SE (65000miles) is due for a service - apart from the list in the book is there anything else I should have done?
Your review says the new Prius+ is higher, wider and longer than Prius hatchback, but can you say whether the Prius+ has a higher driving position than the hatchback?
I received a phone call recently informing me that my car had been involved in an accident. I had not been involved in any accident and when I pressed the caller for information because I needed to report...
For 2 years now, the battery has drained over the weekend, garages have said need a new battery. Still doing it despite battery only a year old.
RAC confirm the battery is charging and sound, as is the...
We own a VW Passat Estate, diesel, with 130,000 plus miles on the clock. Soon it may have to go. We would like to buy a secondhand car which has the same carrying capacity, can fit a dog in the 'boot'...
I am buying a new Volkswagen Golf. Gard X protection is being suggested by the car supermarket. Is this a sensible additional cost?
I am looking to buy a Ford B-MAX automatic. My local main dealer has quoted £17,255 but have seen it on Ford Retail online for 15,495 is there any disadvantages in buying online instead of a main dealer?
I am considering buying a new Ford C-Max with the 150 Ecoboost engine. I read the 9 Feb Telegraph article on the Kuga which appeared to intimate that this engine has been catching fire in the US more often...
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