Just seen a man driving a car on icy road - like skating rink, talking on a hand-held mobile while trying to keep car from sliding about with one hand! Read more

Driving home as usual, when battery warning light came on. 1/2 mile later engine management warning light, then immediately after that , the "terminal" engine warning light. I was on a busy red-route approaching a roundabout and could not pull over safely, so I nursed it another 400 yrds to an exit and stopped in a driveway. Power steering completely gone by then. RAC arrived in 10 minutes, ( in snow and ice - fantastic, or just plain lucky!) - Fan belt had snapped so cleanly it ooked like it had been cut with a knife. RAC man at a loss to explain why, but I had actually gunned hard earlier, to get up out of an icy driveway at work.

He had me drive it carefully for another 2 miles as he followed, and I watched the temp gauge carefully. When it went above 75% I stopped and he towed me the rest of the way home. Pulleys all seem to run freely and engine starts perfectly. RAC dude is coming back tomorrow to fit a new belt.... But might I have done any other damage?... What should I look for?... Read more

Just when you need it, it goes belly up .... "due to demand". Grumble grumble. Read more

Hello,

I've recently bought a used Mercedes CLS 320 CDI (2007) and, because I worry about such things, I asked for a geometry check to be done.
Most things seem to be ok except that I noticed a measurement 'vehicle level ready to drive - rear axle' had a 'D' next to the figures which according to the key means 'Difference left/right (Max. Deviation)'
The readings were:
Left: 1.7mm / -0.90 degrees
Right: 8.4mm / -0.20 degrees
Target: 5.0mm +/- 10.0mm (-0.56 degrees +/- 1.05)

Each individual measurement is within spec, but the report which is a 'mercedes benz chassis measurement' flags up the difference on this reading (along with the rear camber).

I checked the car later that evening to see if I could tell any difference left to right and it appeared that the car was a bit lower on the left side (seemed about a 1 cm down compared to right). After this, I filled the car up (car was very low on fuel) and now the right hand side is about 1cm lower, meaning that the 'tilt' at the rear has changed to tilting the opposite way to before it was full.

My question, after all this, is does anyone understand whether these figures indicate a problem (if so what) and does it make sense that filling the car up with fuel (about 75 litres added to fill the car up to 80 litres) should make the difference that it seems to make. Is the fuel tank on the right hand side of the car (rather than spread evenly accross the rear)?

I have asked the dealer this question, but I suspect they are motivated to minimise the importance of this question given they've just sold me the car.

Any help much appreciated as I am worried that I've bought a car that has been in an accident that has bent things that affect the suspension. Read more

Would anyone know which is the best cars to buy and sell,looking for a hobby and spare cash on the sideline too?

Say cars between £1000-£5000.

... Read more