I recently bought this car and, from the off, I've been getting a series of error messages randomly. Everything from tyre(s) punctured - they're not, to 'Anti-Pollution Fault' and 'Deisel Additive Low" - stopping the car and restarting has got rid of the messages briefly.

Two days ago, the STOP warning came on along with the 'Tyre(s) punctured' message and, when I got the the roundabout and tried to pull away, there was hardly any power. No matter how hard I push the accelerator, I pull away very slowly indeed. I can get a top speed of 50mph and lose power dramatically on any slight climb.... Read more

I have an 18 month old Zetec TDCi with 11,700 miles on the clock. When I accelerate heavily, particularly up an incline, at around 2,500 rpm, the engine speeds up by a few hundred rpm and then reverts to a speed comensurate with vehicle speed. There is no evidence of clutch slip when pulling away, even on a hill start.

Also, in cruise control, when RES is used to return to the selected speed after braking, the engine begins to accelerate and then the the cruise control cuts out back into standby mode, as if the clutch had been depressed. As I have a driving style that is light on the clutch and never in 40 years have I had a clutch problem I am surprised and perturbed. Would like advice before main dealer charges me a shed load for a 'non warranty' repair. Read more

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help me with this problem. I own a 1999 Honda CRV and have had it from new and love it very much. It only has 41k miles on it but is sadly just beginning to show its age. Recently serviced at my local Honda garage (who I deserted in favour of a local garage due to high costs in the past) and told them about the strange grinding noise I could hear when turning on full lock. They said they would change the diff oil and added £60 to the service charge. Two days later and the noise is still there but not so noticeable. I have to go back to the garage as they tell me the centre exhaust is blowing and should be replaced soon (£145) so I have told them the steering noise is still there and they say they will look at it again for me.

I have been reading up on here and other sites and can see that this subject has been discussed a lot - however my car does not judder or shake it just made this very loud noise - which as I said seems quieter now. Is my problem the 'known problem' that I frequently see discussed do you think and also what questions should I ask of the garage about it. My husband has just purchased a 2007 CRV from this garage and now I am concerned his car may also develop the problem. My car was purchased from this Honda garage as well in 1999. Thanks for any help or advice you can give. Read more

It appears that the problem with the dipstick bottom end measuring section snapping off isn't uncommon. It happened to me the other day. The mistake I made was slightly turning the dipstick inside the tube. The bottom end of the tube inside the sump has two bends in it like a slightly flattend out 'S'. Unusually compared with other engines, this tube is longer than the dipstick and the part that broke off was stuck inside the bottom end of the dipstick tube in the last bend. This meant it couldn't get into the engine (not a chance I would take even now knowing this) but also I couldn't check the oil level. Another unusual fact was that the big ends and crankshaft are set quiet well up into the block and so couldn't actually reach the broken part of the dipstaick even if it had protruded out the end of the tube. All this was only found out by removing the sump. this is pretty easy, the hardest part being breaking the seal between the sump and the block. A scraper or putty knife used carefully with patience will evetually break the seal. Make sure the oil is drained first (!) and that you have a supply of gasket sealent (Usually the blue variety) as a traditional cork gasket isn't used here.

Ordered a new dipstick from Ford (line of thought being that one out of a scrap yard might already be weakened and break again) but it is supplied with the external part of the dipstick tube even though I didn't think I needed it. Cost around £24. Read more

After the winter we've had, and the difficulty I experienced getting anywhere, I am seriously looking into finding four steel wheels for my Mk2 Focus, and getting winter tyres on them so I can move them over come October time so I am not caught out again.

Normally the tyres are pretty expensive, but I did find these:

tinyurl.com/6352crt

Which are £39 each delivered, and there is a local place that will happily put tyres on for a fiver a wheel. So not a massive amount of outlay.

I'm not happy with the idea of using part-worns -- I know some people advocate them but I don't like the idea of driving on something that hasn't been thoroughly tested before sale as many of them haven't -- but by the same token I'm not overly impressed with the idea of spending £400 on a second set of tyres.

Do you think these would be OK? I have noted that the reviews for these tyres ("Winter Tact" of Germany) seem fairly positive, but that word "remould" still carries a stigma so I am not sure.

Any views appreciated. Read more