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• Clever Honda Engines 26 Sep 2006 (Forum)
  The new engine combines continuously variable valve lift and timing control with the continuously variable phase control of VTC (Variable Timing Control) to achieve a world-leading level of performance and a 13% improvement in fuel efficiency (in comparison to their 2.4 i-VTEC). Honda plans to release a production vehicle equipped with the new engine within three years. Looks like they plan on staying at the forefront of engine technology.
• The end of rust? 4 Sep 2006 (Forum)
  Admittedly the results were sometimes mixed and any cars requiring bodywork repairs today would be classics and more likely to go to a proper repair shop using lead filler, new metal panels etc. I hardly see any rusty cars today, the most is a bit of rot around the rear arches on old Mondeos or Vectras but that can be prevented by careful removal of crud when washing the car.
• Small Cars as Family Cars? 21 Apr 2006 (Forum)
  Hi, just considering trading in my older 5 door Astra family car that seems to be falling to bits on me for something a bit more reliable. Its depreciated like a lead brick so on a bit of a budget seeing as its lost a third of its value in 7 months! I'm faced with the dilemma - do I get myself another traditional 5 door mid sized car like people traditionally do when they have a baby to transport about and get another Astra, Focus etc.
• 1999/T 416 k-series, 83k, wet starts 7 Apr 2006 (Forum)
  Having searched the forum there are several stories reporting similar problems, the recommended solution usually appears to be one or more of the following: 1. renew ht leads 2. renew spark plugs 3. renew dizzy cap 4. renew rotor arm Ours is getting 3 and 4 done tomorrow by our mechanic friend who suggests these are most likely to cure the fault. Does anyone have an opinion on whether there is a genuine design fault in one or more components on these cars which is likely to cause wet starting problems?
• Tailgating Why do it? 22 Mar 2006 (Forum)
  I don't tailgate and I an usually the one doing about 60mph on the motorway in the outside lane, watching as one car overtakes anouther but as doing so a whole group of cars brake to avoid this one car and rarely does one move to the inside lane so as to stay at the speed they were doing. Tailgating leads to accidents, on a driving lesson doing 60mph down a single carridgeway I saw a lorry coming towards me but so close (tailgating) was anouther lorry which decided to pull out infront of me, The instructor was as shocked as me because he haddn't see this lorry either, so we slowed to 40mph pulled tight into the verge the lorry being overtaken did the same and the lorry performing the overtake came through.
• Help, flying oil cap. 1995 Skoda Favorit 11 Dec 2005 (Forum)
  Called breakdown to start it - firstly, managed to connect their starting battery the wrong way (smoke came out of his leads before he noticed) and then failed to start it mumbling probably the ECU or injector need replacing(?). Well, not trusting his competence, Hubby down to Halfords and a new battery. Tried to start again - was turning over much better but still didn't catch.
• Lorry Damage - Successful Snitch! 12 Feb 2005 (Forum)
  Just like to share this with you all as I'm feeling a little smug. This week I have been working in a house on the main road leading into a village. Suffice to say, a lorry got into difficulties as it was trying to manovre and was met head on by another lorry. First lorry has to back up, move forward etc to allow 2nd lorry to pass (lights were with 2nd lorry).
• Efficient use of oil (not) 14 Aug 2004 (Forum)
  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3561856.stm To quote the paragraph in particular that amazed me: Bottled Water (for pets) No parched pooch should be without it, according to inventor Bill Fels. Launched last year in the United States - which, unsurprisingly leads the world in the pet pampering stakes - Petrefresh is a bottled water specially formulated for dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, iguanas, pot-bellied pigs and even fish. Sold in regular two-litre bottles for $2.29 (£1.25) each, the mountain-spring water is processed using ultraviolet light and ozone, but unlike human bottled water is not "sediment filtered".
• Rapid Trye Wear - VW Passat 10 Aug 2004 (Forum)
  I queried this with the tyre retail chain involved, and the response was that I\'d probably hit a pot-hole and in any case tracking should be checked every 3 months. OK, for 100% precision, maybe - but surely adjusting the steering so frequently could in itself lead to problems with locknuts and threads. I thought steering linkages are the one item that\'s always over-engineered for safety reasons - I can\'t believe it could be so delicate. The fitter used a blowtorch to free the locknut when he did the tracking - I\'ve since learned that this should never be done.
• Golf II misfires when cold 24 Mar 2004 (Forum)
  I had the bonnet up in the dark during this time but couldn't see any electrical leakage of any sort. All the leads seem OK and are fitted properly. Can anyone advise me of the best course of action please.It has done 75,000 miles and is serviced regularly.
• VW Golf door locks 7 Jun 2003 (Forum)
  The rear passenger lock broke, leaving me unable to open it from either the outside or inside. This lead to a costly strip-down of the rear door to remove the lock. 2. Now the drivers door seems to be playing up. The lock has various micro-switches it that tell the car wether the door is open or shut.
• A car for mum-in-law 26 May 2003 (Forum)
  Mum-in-law runs a petrol auto Peugeot 306, the second she's had in the past four years. It leads a life of predominantly short journeys and economy is, frankly, appalling. Her last 306 auto ate its cat because it was spending so much time having a rich mixture fired at it. The latest is too new for it to happen yet, but she now knows that the car probably isn't best suited to her lifestyle.
• The life & death of a 1.4 CVH Escort 6 Dec 2002 (Forum)
  Is it one of the following: 1: Worn big/main bearings 2: Worn camshaft 3: Worn crankshaft 4: Pinking due to wrong timing due to lack of love 5: Pinking due to old owners use of unleaded in a leaded car and allowing for this in the timing Hope you can help SM
• EU Legislation on Petrol and diesel 14 Dec 2001 (Forum)
  The removal of sulphur from petrol and diesel will enable new automotive technologies to be optimised further, and will lead to significant reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide
• Fluctuating Coolant Level 3 Nov 2001 (Forum)
  Some help please. My 1990 Citroen BX TGD, ie the 1905cc normally aspirated diesel, recently required the hose leading to the heater matrix replacing as it was leaking coolant through it. The repair has been effected and the coolant level has stabilised for several days and hundreds of miles in the coolant expansion bottle at the recommended level.
• Polo problems persist 10 Sep 2001 (Forum)
  My car has fuel injection so there's not a lot I can do reagrding the choke!! I've done all the obvious things like new HT leads, spark plugs, fuel filter and temperature sensor but the problem persists. It's more noticable on a cold morning as during the summer it's been not too bad most mornings. The car's fine once it's warmed up a little but it's an annoying problem all the same.
• Underpowered Motas vs Kyoto 15 Aug 2001 (Forum)
  Is this the failing of the Company Car Tax mechanism in place now that encourages small engined yet "rep" sized cars to in order to achieve the lowest feasible tax band. IMHO, this will just lead to scores of underpowered but thrashed and therefore, thirsty rep-mobiles - doesn't this go against the principles of the tax - i.e. Kyoto? Any car can be driven steadily and release minimal CO2 etc in line with its engine size but out on the open road it all becomes a joke.
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  Why has my fuel economy suddenly got worse? 8 Dec 2025 (Ask HJ)
  A couple of months ago my Honda Jazz was doing just over 70 mpg. Then suddenly it went down to 52mpg. I asked at my local garage and they showed me how...
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  How do I descend a hill in a car with an automatic gearbox? 15 Oct 2024 (Ask HJ)
  I have just bought a 71 plate BMW 118i with a steptronic gearbox. My question is what is the best way to use the auto gearbox going down steep hills....
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  What's the best family car for £12,000? 19 Jul 2023 (Ask HJ)
  I'm looking at buying a used car for a young family, so ideally a five-door with ample boot space for a pram, plus extra for holidaying at home. It must...