January 2009
Looking to change my 2002 Civic Max, 100,000 miles and getting a bit rattly, for something 2-3 years old and similar size/economy. Hate the new Civics so it won't one of those! Considering a Jazz or Nissan Note, any other contenders I should be considering that will be reliable, economical and will cope with 3 adults and 2 grandchildren on short trips and 2 adults only for longer journeys.
Thanks
Hugh Read more
Had a problem with my Espace, which the garage said was due a spark plug blowing out.
Invoice as follows:
"Investigate noisy running fault. Replace spark plugs.
Labour: 1 hour @ £45
Set of plugs: £9.40
Fuel line cleaner: £9.60
Total: £64 + vat"
My question - is "fuel line cleaner" a legtimate cost???
I didn't ask for it, in fact garage did all work without quoting or getting the go ahead from me.
It's not a huge bill and I'm pleased the car's fixed, but I don't want to take my car to someone who adds unnecessary charges to my bill.
Any opinions?
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As I said above,the dealer will charge £10 for 5p. of snake oil-that's why he add's it!
This is my first car! I have no idea what some of the lights mean on the dashboard and it didn't come with a manual - where can I find out , I have tried searching on line but no info!
Thanks Read more
Hi
have you tried ringing Renault for a manual /downloading one of the website (if available)? manuals can probably be found on fleabay
other than that I think they are more or less self explanatory
Thanks
Hello
I only have one key for my M reg Automatic Clio but I am having problems with the central locking.
The 'plip' button on the key doesn't work which isn't a real problem but the main problem is that the car opens it self! I have to check the car on way to work and way home from work to make sure that it is locked (more often than not it is open and I have to manually lock the door)
The central locking works manually - so if I lock the drivers door the other doors lock but I am not sure if the problem is because someone else in my street has the same code, but it has happened elsewhere so I assume the central locking is broken and just unlocks at random
What can I do!? Also I need another key - can I only get this from a Renault dealer and I assume this will be expensive? Car only cheap! Read more
It does yes! Actually water comes from there sometimes so I will check that out!
Many thanks!
Assuming GM survives, it looks like Vauxhall brand won't be swallowed up into Opel. www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/236904/
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The inevitable consequence of badge engineering combined with globalisation.
The sprawling BLMC empire brought inefficiency and years of in-fighting between brands (Rover vs Triumph, Austin vs Morris, Wolseley v Riley) whilst the 80s saw Vanden Plas and MG become trim levels on other cars rather than marques in their own right.
In the USA the Plymouth and Oldsmobile brands are long gone and Opel/Vauxhall cross the pond as Saturns. Saab has become "just" another GM brand in an already overcrowded market place; it just happens to be from Sweden rather than Michigan. The individualism and innovation of years ago has been lost; heated seats and headlamp washers don't cause a ripple any more - the centre console ignition key and dashboard lights down-to-speedo-only are the only USPs of this great marque.
Am I being really thick, or does the survey - when asking us to rate items between 1 and 5 - not tell us whether 1 is bad or good?
Also needs an n/a section too.
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1-5
Hi, first time of posting, so hopefully ive followed the rules. Does anyone know how to remove the instrument cluster in the above vehicle? I was driving past an MOD establishment when I lost all instruments, car continued to run, but had no instrument panel and radio died, after about 30 seconds, it all came back to life, but the mileage had shot up to 150,000 miles and the fuel and temperature guages no longer work. Did speak to the MOD and asked if they were testing EMP weapon or something, they said "what EMP weapon" and got quite shirty, so im looking at buying a replacement panel and popping it in, but there doesnt appear to be any obvious means of removal. Any help appreciated. Read more
1/ check out autotrader/exchange and mart/the internet for mileage clokcing services - You really really dont want to take out the dash
2/whereabouts was the MOD establishment
We have an Automatic Rover 400. Acceleration is pathetic and engine revs seem higher than we would expect for any given speed. Kickdown works. Putting your foot down increases the revs but negligible acceleration. Fuel consumption as about 28mpg on a long run.
Any ideas for how to check if torque converter is faulty, it feels like the fluids are flowing too easily in it, the vanes not trapping the fluid well enough allowing the revs to increase but no acceleration.
Does the converter use the same fluid as the box or is it a sealed unit please. Can I put a heavier fluid in the box if it is unsealed?
Any ideas please, Vinnie. Read more
Assuming that your car has a conventional automatic gearbox;
>>Does the converter use the same fluid as the box or is it a sealed unit please.
It will be the same fluid
>>Can I put a heavier fluid in the box if it is unsealed?
No.
You need to do, or have done for you a stall test. This will tell you if there's any slipping in the gearbox (note, despite the name, this is nothing to do with the tick over speed, or the engine stalling). Also, check the colour and smell of the transmission fluid - if it's brown and burnt, then you've got slip and wear problems.
Typically, torque convertors don't fail in a way to give more slip - it's much more likely to be a gearbox problem.
Hi
I have 2001 2.2 SRi Vectra, just to clarify that everything seems to be working fine however the engine light stays illuminated all the time. Having checked it with the dealer I bought it from they say that no fault code had been stored.
So is this a really bad thing that it isnt storing the code? If so what am I looking at price wise to get it fixed? The car itself drives perfectly fine, theres no knocking noise, no leaks, no loss of acceleration and the engine doesnt misfire so I am slightly confused (sorry Im not so mechanically minded)
Maybe it is something really simple but seeing as I am known to worry I would like your thoughts on the matter.
Any help would be great, thanks! Read more
Does anyone here know any good, reputable dealers in the hampshire area?
Cheers Read more
Just find a dealer that's owned by an individual or family, rather than by a chain. Picador is, or used to be. So are most Skoda dealers.
SWMBO's Minis have come from Wood in Odiham - good sales and service, and I think they are family-owned.
Browse
As a short driver I find the rear visibility in the old Civic pretty poor so for me it's yet another reason not to consider the new one. Was given a lift in a Nissan Note today and was very impressed with the build quality - must get a test drive.
Hugh