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• Nissan Almera Knocking Noise 5 Aug 2006 (Forum)
  Sounded at first like a dodgy driveshaft, but I took the car to a good local garage, and they did a "pre-MOT inspection", found no problems with the wheel bearings, driveshafts or CV gaiters. Brakes were also fine. The only thing I've not considered is tracking - could this cause a constant knocking? Knock is also apparent when steering lock-to-lock (i.e. parallel parking). Any suggestions welcome.
• Good Service from a fast fit garage 3 Mar 2006 (Forum)
  The job took them less than an hour, and, get this... . . . . . . . . . They didn't even try to tell me i)my tyres were low, ii)my brakes needed attention, iii) my suspension was goofed. Very impressed!!
• Dealer service or DIY? 16 Jan 2006 (Forum)
  Two year gaps is too long by my book so I have done intermediate oil changes plus changed the plugs myself and checked the brakes etc. Question: Should we invest 100 to 150 quid in another dealer service or should I do it all DIY now? Will the lack of dealer service history really effect the value of a 7 year old car? Regards.
• Kevin's car park guide 21 Dec 2005 (Forum)
  The reason is they have built the car park on a slight slope. The technology does not yet exist to fit parking brakes to trolleys, so they slowly drift across the car park when left unattended. (Am I allowed to name and shame? Or should I say "a leading supermarket chain" in "a dreary west Wales town"? Don't really see the harm but removed the name anyway as it also adds no value... smokie, BR Moderator )
• Defective rear lights 19 Nov 2005 (Forum)
  I guess it's more obvious with decreasing day length and more drivers going home from work in the dark - but around here there seems to be a huge number of vehicles with defective rear lights. Well, either rear lights, brake lights or, in the case of a MB Sprinter van I followed, both. [here's a hint - driver of deleted - name/shame rule applies. DD - it would be a good idea to check your lights]. If we had enough traffic cops, all these dodgy lights would give them a great excuse to stop vehicles and, while they're about it, check tax, insurance etc.
• Skoda not quite so Superb 5 Sep 2005 (Forum)
  Poor handling and "wallowy", so much so that it was nearly impossible to come to a stand without jerking. No engine braking worth talking about and 10 mpg less than my TDi 90 Octavia on the same roads at the same speeds. I am not surprised it hasn't sold in the UK or abroad. What is it good for, IMO, a taxi for motorway work.
• BMW Handbrake 9 Jul 2005 (Forum)
  Its now been to a BMW dealer who says that the handbrake on these has some pads all of their own, and that every now and then your should drive a short way with the handbrake on to clean these as they aren't anything to do with the foot brake and so accumulate crud. Now I've never heard of this before and neither has my dad and as a result we've now been handed a bill for new pads as he only puts the handbrake on when the cars fully stopped and so the pads were never getting cleaned.
• Advice on Citroen ZX 1.4i? 4 Jul 2005 (Forum)
  I just know the basics as in having a good look round for rust and I read that I should also look for rust under the radiator with the ZX. This car has done 100,000 miles. Any other things. Suspension? Brakes? Things I could look out for when I test drive it that crop up in the Citroen ZX??
• coasting in neutral 4 Jul 2005 (Forum)
  My route to work is pretty hilly and on some of the gentler downhill slops I tend to drop the car into neutral to let it coast along around the speed limit, with the aim of saving a little fuel. In some of these situations if I was to put it in gear with foot off throtle the engine braking effect would be too great thus requiring use of the throttle and a waste of fuel. Is there anyting wrong with coasting along in neutral, both in mechanical and bad driving practice terms? I guess one downside is that you cannot suddenly accelerate if needed, but if you were in 5th say, your potential for accelearting sharply would be minimal anyway.
• 3 Unrelated Questions 12 Feb 2005 (Forum)
  Something to do with manoverability or weight on the pulling vehicle I suppose. I'm sure it would aid stability. 3. Why do some car manufacturers position the disc brake unit in front of the axle and some behind?
• Rover 416 Tourer 16 Nov 2004 (Forum)
  Over the last year he has noticed a sharp drop in economy from the average 43mpg he was originally getting to about 30mpg. I have checked to see if the brakes are binding but all is okay. The air filter is clean and it barely uses oil between services. There is no roof rack or tools being carried around either. Any ideas as to what is causing the sudden increase in consumption?
• Mazda 2 1.4 Auto Shift 24 Aug 2004 (Forum)
  Just wondered if anybody had found the same as me ie in Auto mode the changedown from 2nd to 1st as you brake (ie stopping at lights) can be felt ever so slightly through the break pedal (ie I'm aware of first being selected by the engine). Think I may just be being too over aware of stuff because it's new!
• Opel Vectra 2.0L 1994 starting problem 14 Jul 2004 (Forum)
  After I have been driving for about a kilometer it comes right, and it wont cut out on me. By the way it is an automatic so I can ride the brake and accelerator, and I think it is similar to a vauxill in England.
• Volvo740 TD Estate Hydraulics 1 Mar 2004 (Forum)
  Unfortunately a roadside repair man filled it incorrectly with that horrible bright green mineral based fluid (LMB) that should only be used in those wierd citroens. It has wreeked havoc in my 740. Inadvertantly this fluid has also been added to the brake master cylinder of our 340, also with disasterous results. Master and slave cylindrs on both cars have been changed but we are having tremendous problems, particularly with bleeding. Has anyone had this happen, and does anyone know what to do?
• Heel and toe 25 Sep 2003 (Forum)
  I am finding it physically difficult to 'blip' the throttle with the side of my foot while simultaneously braking. My ankle does not want to twist in the necessary direction and my knees are obstructed by the bottom of the wheel as i try to contort my feet. I have big feet (size 11). Does this make heel-and-toeing more awkward?
• Wandering Golf steering 18 Jul 2003 (Forum)
  I have had the tracking adjusted (camber included), new tyres, and changed all the rubber bushes on the wishbones. I have also checked that the brake calipers are not gripping, and they\'re fine. Can anyone help. I\'m completely stuck? Many thanks Peter
• How to fail your driving test 20 Jun 2003 (Forum)
  Two learners were coming towards him trying to turn to their right, blocking the line of sight. He started to pull across but a car came down on the inside of the learners so he hit the brakes. The highway code says pass the oncoming cars with them on your right and go round the back. I have never seen this done. Apart from keeping his fingers crossed, is there any other way of dealing with this that would be acceptable to a driving examiner?
• BMW E36 320i - Gear Box Oil Change? 28 May 2003 (Forum)
  However, my other half has decided to enlighten me to the fact that our beemer is juddering upon foot braking to junctions etc -she tells me it is similar to a manual stalling. Is this a cue that the auto oil needs changing too? Please share your experiences with me so I can put the bank manager on standby!
• polo gearbox leak 9 May 2003 (Forum)
  I noticed a small pool of liquid under the car on Monday, after some pretty heavy mileage down to Cornwall for the Bank Holiday. I checked engine oil, brake fluid and coolant which were all OK, so I assumed it must be the gearbox oil (though there was no obvious problem with the gearbox). It has been dripping all week and I took it into a local garage who tell me it was leaking at the gasket and seals and has to go off to be re-sealed (£320).
• Loading an Estate 28 Apr 2003 (Forum)
  What's the recommended approach for loading an estate (Volvo V70) when you want to have the following configuration: driver and two passengers - one in the front and one in the back Is it to keep the luggage below head height - even if that means it spills into the passenger compartment (via split fold rear seats) or is it pile it high in the rear and use the nylon cargo net to stop luggage breaking through under heavy braking? The V70 has curtain airbags which shouldn't be obstructed but I also don't like the idea of an obscured rear view via luggage piled high and I prefer to keep it low down. What's the best bet for safety?