August 2025
Hi, sorry for the Bobby basic question.
For some reason really struggling to get the OEM spark plugs out my 70 plate crossland X. I've tried with 14mm and 16mm bi-hex sockets and they just won't undo, does anyone know if they need an unusually sized socket? I can see they are bihex.... Read more
Can't remember if I was ever told this by my driving instructor back in the day but, when I am leaving a motorway, I start indicating left at the first countdown marker (three bars, i.e. 300 yards to the exit). All I can find in the Highway Code is the following:
"Rule 273... Read more
Like most of driving matters its all about starting from a general 'rule' then adapting to the conditions,
General advanced driving guidance is to begin indicating at the first countdown marker, but that is when travelling at high speed (close to limit) and there are other vehicles around that will benefit from the signal....
considering a Nissan Qashqai 2017-2018 petrol, with manual or automatic.There are tons around and quite affordable compared to the Skoda's, Toyota's,Honda SUVs I am looking at with similar spec.What are people's thoughts? Read more
They’re r******, buy a Japanese car instead.
We all remember watching with amazement while Clarkson did his best to destroy the ageing Hi Lux.
Being flooded in the Bristol Channel , having a wrecking ball hit , dropping a caravan onto the top and falling from a tall building.... Read more
How on earth did the electrics including the starter motor and alternator survive the sea dipping ?
Hi all,
I own a Honda Civic 2019 and need to replace the tyres. Looking for options that balance comfort, fuel efficiency, and reliability in wet conditions. Any recommendations for suitable brands or models would be really helpful.... Read more
I second those Uniroyal RainSports, might be the Rain Expert version on higher profile sizes, good value and offering as good and better wet grip as any of the top priced brands.
If you want winter rated all season tyres you could do worse than Vredestein Quatrac Pro, been using various Quatrac versions over many years on the duaghter's cars, kept them out of the scenery whatever the weather, currently running Quatrac Pro on wifey's Forester, on which they are uncannily quiet running and soft riding.
I really don't like haggling. On a 5live interview with a couple of motor trade professionals, it was said that these days car dealers cut margins so tightly that the advertised price IS the price. Are you wasting your time with main dealers when it is a 100% cash purchase. I used to think that anyone walking into a showroom and paying the price on the windscreen was an unbelievable mug. Have things changed. Thoughts and tips would be appreciated. Read more
You’re least likely to see a discount paying by cash.
The dealer staff make money on finance, so they’re in a better position to offer a bit of money off.
Cash is definitely not king when it comes to buying a car.
Long story but I am torn between so.many different cars and models to upgrade my 2011 Toyota Yaris.I test drive some Suzuki Vitaras 2017, and to me they just felt a bit lacking for me especially in terms of the driver comforts.One car that has been suggested to me is the SEAT Ateca and I just wondered what people thought about them? I would be going for a petrol, highhigh sped with a winter pack ideally as I live in Scotland!
Many thanks Read more
Contrary to the advice above I have a 2024 Ateca 1.5 auto. AFAIK there are detail changes to spec since 2017 rather than any major re-design.
At just over a year old it would be surprising if any problems had arisen - changes are just about imperceptible and evidenced only by the indicator on the instrument panel....
Hi all,
I have posted a few times about upgrading my little old Yaris for something bigger and newer.I was set on a Skoda or Toyota but I find myself very tempted by the Suzuki Vitaras as they are so much more budget friendly for me.... Read more
Looks to me like it's been well cleaned and valeted to sell. Personally, I'm not a fan of tyre paint and has the interior been gone over with 'cockpit shine'?
Hi all so I noticed what I can only describe as a bang from the front end of the car when I turn a right hand bend and it was diagnosed as the hydraulic antiroll bar on the front so I fitted a second hand replacement which stopped the banging for a week then it started again so fitted another newer second hand 1 and that stopped it for over 6 weeks but has now started again so does anyone know what could be causing it.
Thanks in advance for any assistance. ... Read more
Again thank you for your reply and I shall have a good look into that and see if I can get to the bottom of it thanks again.
Hi All
I bought my 2019 Tuscon when it was 6 months old, despite doing on average 10 miles a day during the week and longer runs at the weekend and on holidays etc, it had zero issues, I broke my ankle last September, the Car was stationary for 2 months and has been a nightmare since, essentially around 15-20 miles the dpf light comes on, and then the Engine warning light, a few months ago the Engine light went out and obviously the dpf light goes out/resets when the car is turned off, i use nothing but Esso premium fuel and have tried a lot of different dpf cleaners, a friend who's a mechanic has looked at the car and he cannot see why there's a problem, and that the dpf maybe faulty, I suspect that the 2 months the car was sat still caused a soot build up, can anyone recommend a solution please.
When I bought the car I did find out that a certain batch of Tuscon's went out with a faulty sensor, this was replaced at the time.
Any info / help would be greatly appareciated.... Read more
Yep, literally just watched a video about that, essentially a glow plug failure can and does lead to a dpf fault.
It's funny that none of the many vids and comments I've seen elsewhere have posed the question about a faulty glow plug....
If they're tight, maybe use some aluminium antiseize on the threads going back in, though they are supposed to be plated to render this unecessary, and I've never done it.