I currently drive a mazda mx-6 (as the subject indicates) and find it a very fun drive (although the cabin is a bit rattly) on a 94M with 77k.

I have read the manual and spec which states that it is a 60 litre fuel tank. I have never been able to put anywhere near 60 litres in. The fuel warning light comes on just under the 1/4 tank mark and if I fill up straight away it usually comes to 35 or 40. I understand that the car is low and the fuel tank is probably designed around the spare wheel, but is this common, or can I drive to what I should expect the car to be able to do on a full tank (some 350 miles) or keep on filling up at 250 - 300 miles?

Second point, it has recently started making knocking noises from the steering when making fairly tight right hand turns at low speeds. I have checked the PAS and pulled against the end of the steering and there is no give (and the motor whines correctly too). Any suggestions, or am I just being over cautious?

Many Thanks

Jonathan Read more

Over the past few months I have come across a number of new speed cameras which do not have the familiar distance-marking lines painted on the road.

I am intrigued to know whether:-
They are not yet commissioned OR
They are dummies OR
They are a new type which do not require lines but just register the speed of the passing vehicle.

If the latter is the case, on a multi-lane road how do they differentiate between me doing 30mph and the bus which was overtaking me on the inside doing 45 mph? Read more

I will shortly be embarking on a holiday that will involve driving through France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium.

Is there a web site where I can compare current petrol prices in all of these countries to help plan the best times to fill up? Read more

Do heat reflective or 'climate control' coated windscreens really make a significant difference to the interior of a car? BMW claim the interior temperature would be at least 10 degrees lower than outside, and the steering wheel and seats (black leather) won't get so hot. Is this option worth the money? (about £200). Read more

Dear HJ
Help
I have a high mileage Vectra SRI 96P. I bought it from a friend who lived in the North West and never used the Air Conditioning. The result is that the A/C does not now work and I assume it needs a recharge of Freon. I do not wish to try this as I guess the compressor seals are shot and it will be money wasted.
As I do not particularly want or need A/C I would like to remove the compressor and fit the shorter auxiliary belt from the non A/C car. Is this possible or do I need to change the engine mount or other components? I would be very grateful if you could help me.
I would like to finish with a short rant re the motor manufacturers who seem intent on forcing A/C on all of us. A friend of mine with a Renault Safrane had to shell out over a grand to keep his vehicle on the road when his A/C compressor seized. Again like me he does not want or need it but there is no poverty model of his car with a non A/C belt arrangement.
The sad thing is fitting A/C is a good reason not to fit a sun roof. However for anyone living outside SE England or who is not a rep driving at mid day, A/C is not necessary and also not very green. I wonder just how many MPG my vehicle loses turning over the A/C compressor even when not in use.
OK I realise why they are fitted, most new cars are given a Europe wide spec and A/C is worth its weight in gold in Italy say, however, I do believe removing it shuld be made straightforward. A friend in America tells me they all take the woodruff key out of the A/C pulley in winter and let it slip!!!

Thank you very much, please excuse the rant

Peter Bowman Read more