Trending topics in February 2013
Questions from February 2013
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...
I like my 2004 Z4 but would like it more if it had a softer ride. It has Bridgestone runflats 255 35 18 on the back and 225 40 18 on the front. Would 225 45 17 alloys all round with conventional tyres...
I am currently looking at purchasing a used Audi A4 Avant and am looking at two in particular, both of which are being sold through Audi's used and approved scheme. If I list them both, plus give as detailed...
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...
We are looking to replace our 2006 Rav 4 with another 4x4 up to 2 years old. The Rav has been a fantastic car and we would happily have another but we see that the new models have a can of foam instead...
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...
A word of warning to owners of cars with auto headlights , I have had several instances of drivers pulling out in front of me during poor light conditions in daylight because my auto lights have turned...
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...
This is the first time I've bought a car in 10 years and I'm stumped!
I can spend between £7-8000. I need a 5-door, 5-seat car that will be used for mainly 20-mile round trips during the working week...
I was always under the impression that new cars had better fuel consumption than older ones. I recently bought a new model (second hand) Honda Civic 1.8 ivtec ES auto having had the old model (same spec)...
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'...
A month ago I purchased a 2006 Citroen C4 from a dealer. After a few days and 30 miles the turbo started making terrible noises. My mechanic told me that the bearings are worn and that I should go to the...
I want a van capable of carrying really heavy things because I collect scrap metal, which is usually weighty but not really that bulky. What's best?
All the Fiat Fiorinos for sale have the 75 engine, is that all there is?
Following an accident my wife has been called several times already by Albany Assistance and if we cannot find the registration of the other car, which was at fault, the quote we have had from the body...
I am planning on buying a used 4x2 soft roader and have up to £20k to spend. I would like a mix of performance, resale value and economy. I drive about 10,000 miles per year and have considered a Yeti,...
Friend who claims to be VERY engineering qualified claims that driving a modern manual car and double-de-cluching saves wear and tear of syncromesh and clutch plate. Seems to me by activating clutch pedal...
I'm about to change my Volvo S40. I need space for two sets of golf clubs, and do not want a large car. All the medium sized cars of the past have grown and some of them are now huge.
Hatchbacks now...
Our car, a Golf TD is having problems starting. It has an intermittent problem when some days it takes a few seconds to fire. On one occasion it wouldn't start at all and only started after turning the...
I'm considering a 2.0-litre TDI MK6 Passat (about 2-yrs old) and a 2012 Focus. (A) Does the Passat have quality issues that will prove costly and (B) Does the Focus have a poor economy as many reports...
I want to buy a new crossover, or 2WD with 4x4 body as I like the high seating position. I am retired and do little motorway driving so I want a petrol engine to avoid DPF problems. All reviews for these...
I am thinking about replacing my 7 yr old petrol auto Jeep Cherokee. I do 5000 miles a year and don't need full 4x4, but wish to retain a lazy petrol engine and auto box - what would you recommend?
Most modern cars have stiff and awkward plastic wheels at the base of the seat-back to adjust the recline angle. Release levers are far easier to operate, especially for the weak or elderly, but have fallen...
Assuming I connect the charger correctly, is it safe to charge the battery in my Honda Civic without removing it from the vehicle? I have a modern CTEK charger which is supposed to be safe to leave on...
I've been looking at the Skoda Yeti. It seems lovely. I really wanted the 2-litre TDI engine with DSG gearbox in a two-wheel drive, but they only do a much more expensive 4-wheel drive with that combination....
Although I have given up driving, as I approach my 89th birthday I still have a valid clean licence, having driven and owned a variety of vehicles in a host of different countries since 1943. But when...
My Jaguar XF 3.0D kept coming up "restricted performance" and yes I have been using it for short runs. However, I got a bottle Forte turbo cleaner and a bottle DPF cleaner and put them in the fuel tank...
Like TC (29/12/12), I have a Honda Jazz 1.4 SE that I bought in September 2005 when it was 18 months old. At the time, I was 74 and looking for a car that was reliable, economical and practical. Next March...
My Saab 9-5 Aero 2.3 HOT turbo is 10 years old and I need to replace it. This is the fourth Saab I have had and they have suited me very well. They have all been high quality, high performance cars that...
At some point I plan to replace our trusty and excellent 2003 Volvo V70 2.4 petrol auto. I was thinking about a 2008 or 2009 E-Class estate or the new V70. Is the Mercedes-Benz worth the extra money? Will...
In response to "NH" (Honest John, 5 January), what purpose is served by one 40 tonne, 56 mph vehicle spending five minutes to overtake an identical behemoth that is only able to manage 55.7 mph on a two...
I’m considering disposing of my June 2010 BMW 335i Coupe (20,000 miles, immaculate, manual) prior to ordering a replacement BMW from my long-term franchised dealer. However the appraisal price is silly...
I consider myself extremely lucky that when the spring broke on the front offside suspension on my Mondeo I was just backing out from my drive. No doubt potholes and speed bumps had finally taken their...
I have a 2008 Mini One that has only done 26,000 miles, and in the last eight months it’s had to have both rear link arms replaced at my local garage. It has in the last month developed a knocking noise...
I have an E36 M3. It’s a wonderful car that I have always maintained, money no object, but she now has 170,000 miles on the clock and has recently had one or two sizeable bills. It’s difficult to know...
I have just spent quite a considerable amount of time and effort installing a forward-looking DVR (video recorder, with embedded GPS, audio and accelerometers) into my car because of its value should there...
I regularly find half an inch of clean water in the boot well of my Ford Focus. Exhaustive tests with a hose pipe applied in sections from the bottom of the car back end don't result in any water under...
Having recently acquired the new Ford C-Max and finding it to be everything in a car that I wanted (easier to get in and out was an important factor) I was wondering if there is any paint protection you...
You have mentioned an expert garage for automatic gearbox problems in the London/SE area. Can you please give me details? I have a Saab 1.9 diesel with auto gearbox which is showing signs of age after...
Some time ago you responded to a letter from a company that used some kind of additive in their diesel fleet vans. I think it was about £65 to buy but you only put in a small amount each time and it saved...
I am taking possession of a new Honda CR-V 2.2 iDTEC EX auto at the end of the month. With previous diesel vehicles I have driven them from new following your guidelines with no problems. Unfortunately...
Is positioning of the vehicle when turning right not taught by driving instructors any more? When I took lessons in the early 1970s I was told to position the car as far over to the right as possible without...
My parents are in their 60s and looking for a new car. They don't want anything flash, just something small and reliable that isn't too expensive to run. They will mainly use it to get around town with...
I currently drive a Subaru Impreza WRX S Prodrive, which has been great to own and to drive and has been ideal for my weekly commute from the wilds of the Welsh marshes to London, whatever the weather...
In December I received a letter saying that my car had been clocked at 36mph in a 30mph zone on 15 October. I replied that this was the first that I had heard of it, that the location was very close to...
I changed my tyres to winter ones and am keeping the summer tyres in my garage. I have been told that the rubber may start cracking and they will not last as long as they're not being used. Is this correct,...
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