Refine by channel:  Forum (3169)    Ask HJ (1099)    News (93)    Article (18)    FAQs (10)    productReview (4)  

Sort by: Relevance | Newest first | Oldest first

• 
  Valeo of the doldrums 25 Jan 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I said I was not happy with the automatic gear change of my eight year old Mercedes-Benz E270CDI. So my MB dealer did some tests and he tells me that...
• 
  Enraging gears 16 Jan 2010 (Ask HJ)
  Are you picking up any adverse comment on the gearbox of the Toyota Yaris 1.33 TR? My son bought a new one in May 2009 and from the word go it seemed difficult...
• 
  CC top 7 Nov 2009 (Ask HJ)
  I have decided to buy a CC - convertible with a metal folding roof. Having owned a 3 Series BMW convertible in the past, I find their servicing costs,...
• 
  Rovering eye 24 Oct 2009 (Ask HJ)
  We are considering buying a Rover 75 Connoisseur 2.0 TD 05 plate to see us through the next 7-10 years. Is this a sensible project? Are spares a potential...
• Life story of a car - Polo C 1985 23 Apr 2010 (Forum)
  I continued to service it) it went up to 115,000 over 15 yrs. At this point he was only doing a couple of thousand a year to the shops and I changed the oil ever 12 months. I used 15w40 Castrol or Duckhams, whichever was cheaper at Halfords and I was doubling the recommended interval on time. (this experiment helped me to believe mileage was a more pressing factor for change than time) I monitored the rocker box - no sludge at all and actually really clean - you could see the metal inside gleam as new oil was poured in.
• Honda Jazz - Getting car on the road after 3 yrs 27 Oct 2023 (Forum)
  I'm aware that the battery is dead, it has two flat tyres which may well need to be replaced and it will need an oil / fuel change but I guess this would just be the tip of the iceberg. Obviously it would need an MOT as well (and the last MOT included an advisory for 'Macpherson strut pin or bush worn' on both the near and offside front upper).
• running in, please pass 15 Jun 2022 (Forum)
  I make no provision whatsoever for it being new. I seem to remember Ford years ago had a 1500 mile first service in order for oil changes to rid engine of swarf that may of occured during bedding in but that's disapeared a long time ago. So my question again.. is running in neccesary or is it a waste of time?
• Ford Ranger is probably not alone - DIY Dissed 17 Jan 2019 (Forum)
  v=B_5zb918uQ4 Dont they revoke your citizenship for that anymore? Now I suppose the implication that an OIL CHANGE (!) is too complicated for the punter won't bother most punters, (though it would put me off buying a Ford Ranger, which otherwise doesn't look as bad as most fat a***d American trucks). What he ignores is the possibility (probability?)
• Car won't start in the garage after MOT & Service 6 Oct 2018 (Forum)
    After further research it appears that these cars are prone to the timing chain slipping if it’s not considered during an oil change.   The garage have agreed to fit a new timing chain free of charge however we’re now being told that car still isn’t starting due to valve damage.   They’re now saying that this is going to be a big job and cost a lot of money.
• All - Dangerous Attitudes 31 Jul 2017 (Forum)
  However, he finds it hard to believe the attitude of some of them towards car maintenance and safety checks. Today one person boasted he never had his car serviced bar an oil and filter change every two years. Previously a number of members felt it was adequate to have your tyres checked as part of the MOT. They would probably think I have OCD as a check pressures, the treads (including sidewalls and also looking for uneven wear) and for any foreign objects in the tread most weeks.
• MINI Cooper and Cooper S - Mini for SWMBO, yes or no? 9 Jul 2017 (Forum)
  I was wondering though if the 122bhp engine had an equally bad reputation or is it basically okay if its had regular oil changes? Thanks again in advance
• Land Rover Discovery 2 - Tyre advice etc. 19 Feb 2017 (Forum)
  255/55 R18 2 The fuel pressure regulator is leaking badly, on the road the engine surges under acceleration, is this a symptom or is it the turbo, it just runs out of steam at 70 mph. 3. Auto box seems to want to change up the gears too early. 4. engine oil leaf, steering box leak, fuel filter head leak, left hand rear chasis leg rotten, need just about every brake pipe replaced, ACE system still fitted and needs deactivated, air removed and on rear shocks.
• Mondeo 140 2.0 TDCi - Out of warranty - keep with main dealer servicing? 28 Sep 2016 (Forum)
  So far I have had it serviced each time at the same main dealer and have had no issues. Following advice here, I got an oil and filter change by a mate about 6k miles after the last service and plan to do that between service intervals from now on. My hope is to keep the car for another 3 to 4 years and at current mileage, that will likely be into 150k miles territory.
• Hyundai Santa Fe - great car but only up to 5' 10" 31 Jan 2015 (Forum)
   I do long miles and my legs are killing me because i just can't stretch out.  I am seriously going to change because I just won't fit!!! Just - so - cramped!!!   Apart from that. what a great car  
• Zafira 1.8 petrol '07 - Intermittent misfire 13 Mar 2014 (Forum)
  If thats the problem would the light go off or need re-setting ? (Also read about wrong grade oil causing valve lifters to stay open etc?) many thanks, Mike  
• Renault laguna 2.2 dci 52 reg - Smoky diesel 22 Aug 2013 (Forum)
  Suddenly the revs took off, I took my foot off immediately, revs still climbing to about 3500 so stopped the engine with the on/off button. Lots of soot on the floor at the exhaust. the EGR valve was changed a 3 months ago and oil checked about 3 weeks ago. Any ideas as to what it could be?
• Peugeot 308 - Second hand car engine test 5 Jan 2013 (Forum)
  Since the car is delivered with antifreeze when it was brand new and I don't give any chance to the owner to change the coolant within 3 years with a coolant without antifreeze for no reason, I am suspecting of possible damage on the car. Do you agree with me? Can you comment on this?
• Daewoo Korando - Jerky Auto Transmission 27 Sep 2012 (Forum)
  The car is used only to tow a horse trailer and hasn't even done that for a few months, so I don't want to spend a lot on it but equally don't want to scrap it. The handbook says that the auto transmission and filter should never need its fluid changed. It needs Castrol TQ95 which isn't available as far as I can tell. My questions are as follows: 1 Is there any point in being optimistic about trans fluid being the problem? 2 If so then what is teh equivalent oil?
• Nissan Micra K12 - Nissan Micra overheating problem. 3 Oct 2011 (Forum)
      What do you lot think..head gasket or craked head??..there are no leaks. Head gaskets I have done in the past have all has oil and water mixed Thanks.
• Volkswagon Polo 1.4 TDi (twist) - Volkswagon Polo 1.4 TDi (twist) Possible purchase 28 May 2011 (Forum)
  I know it is a case of 'you pays your money, you takes your pick' and I know I need to see it and drive it etc but any opinions on a target price for this assuming it is in a good state? Also are there any glaring issues with these that I should be wary of? I hear oil changes in these are expensive, not sure when the cambelt will need doing.