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• 
  Raised expectation 18 Apr 2009 (Ask HJ)
  My wife and I are looking for a 4WD style family car in a diesel powered 2WD format. Having seen the Nissan Qashqai + 2, which I particularly like due...
• BMW 5-Series E39 (1996 - 2003) - 98 2.0 steptronic auto gearbox failing in low gear 10 Mar 2009 (Forum)
  I rarely use the steptronic option on the auto gearbox, but last week on the snow and ice I switched into low gears a couple of times in the evening. In the morning pulling away in automatic I heard a loud clunk, and shortly afterwards the gearbox warning light came on. The manual says its gone into 'safety' mode but is OK to drive. Since then the auto box no longer pulls away from a standing start, so I switch to 2nd in steptronic to pull away.
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  Wandering car 10 Jan 2009 (Ask HJ)
  We want a selectable 4x4 (auto preferably) that is about 2 or 3 years old with excellent reliability and economy (which presumably means diesel, although...
• Ford Mondeo IV (2007 - ) - I'm impressed. 11 Mar 2008 (Forum)
  I would definitely go for the 2.0 litre diesel 140 bhp. It would have to be manual, as I read the automatic has to be 130 bhp and it is much higher in CO2s and is slower and uses more fuel.I read all that!! ( If it was Mercedes I would definitely go for automatic). In Dublin the Ghia Mondeo saloon manual 2.0 TDCi 140 bhp is 37,725 euros.
• Tornado "zaps" Police radar gun 3 Nov 2007 (Forum)
  You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Tornado had detected the presence of, and subsequently locked onto, your hostile radar equipment and automatically sent a jamming signal back to it. Furthermore, an air-to-ground missile aboard the fully-armed aircraft had also automatically locked onto your equipment. Fortunately the pilot flying the Tornado recognized the situation for what it was, quickly responded to the missile systems alert status, and was able to override the automated defence system before the missile was launched and your hostile radar installation was destroyed.
• Golf V5 auto gearbox/throttle body prob 17 May 2007 (Forum)
  Hi, I have a Golf V5 automatic 2000/W, 95000 miles. For a while now the change from second to third has been sticking slightly with the car then kicking as it goes into third (with a slight kick on the way down also). Driving on the motorway at a steady 80 the other day the car went into emergency mode (so the RAC man told me) with high revs and little power, but after stopping, the car was quite happy to carry on and fine when the RAC man arrived and drove it around - he said that the gears were sticking and the gearbox would probably need to be stripped.
• Time for a new car. Please advise. 26 Jul 2006 (Forum)
  Quality feel is important, prestige brand isn't. Fuel economy of 30mph + would be good. I prefer an automatic Room in the back for 2 pre-teen children Will probably lease and spend approx £350 a month, perhaps a bit more for the right car. Or buy nearly new on a loan and make repayments of a similar amount.
• Reverse Crunching - Renault Scenic 15 Feb 2006 (Forum)
  I thought that it was like the brake and needed to be depressed before it had any effect. If it is a problem with the teeth of the automatic clutch adjuster can this be fixed easily. Don't worry guys - your safe on the roads - I'm in OZ and am using this website because it looked very informative. Thanks the Aussie
• Vauxhall Cavalier (1988 - 1995) - 90 2.0GLi 8 valve automatic starting problem 5 May 2002 (Forum)
  Hi all, This morning, I was faced with the sound of the starter motor slowing down to a halt. The battery had finally died. Not a problem I thought,...
• 2004 Hyundai Getz - Timing chain or belt? 2004 Hyundai Getz 1 Sep 2025 (Forum)
  Hi there, I've been told by a couple of garages now that my 2004 Hyundai Getz 1.3 CDX Automatic has a timing chain instead of a belt and therefore there is no need to replace anything at the 60,000 mile point. I keep getting mixed results online and just wanted to clarify this with anyone who may be able to give a more definitive response if possible please?
• Replacment for Crossland X 27 Aug 2025 (Forum)
  I don't know budget exactly but expect it to be around £13-£14K. He's always driven manuals, but wouldn't rule out an automatic. Any suggestions/recommendations to look out for? Thanks in advance.  
• Steering wheel lock 21 Jan 2024 (Forum)
  Hi, Any suggestions for reliable steering wheel locks for automatic cars? I bought a twin bar lock from Amazon, It came in its own box but the box was not seal packed. Is it normal that items like these do not come in a sealed packaging just like some hardware items come loose and not sealed.
• VW Transporter , Volvo SUV or something else.. - Buying A Used Van or Car Recommendations 17 Jan 2024 (Forum)
  Looking to buy a used car or van for a family of 4. Maybe a VW Transporter or Volvo SUV Budget is £17k and needs to be automatic Needs to have a big boot as we like to go camping quite a bit  What do you recommend and when it comes to millage what millage is too high for that vehicle ?  If you recommend a van would it be cheaper to convert it into a crew van rather than buying a crew van?
• Mazda 2 - Mazda 2 Auto 11 Sep 2022 (Forum)
  I've also seen that Mazda 2 has been suggest on many posts as a good alternative to the Jazz. Has anyone got any advice on the Mazda 2 automatic please? Should I be looking for a particular model from a particular year or is it all much of a muchness. Budget is ideally £6k but if I can get an older model for cheap then that would be even better!
• Honda Jazz - Honda Jazz CVT 4 Sep 2022 (Forum)
  I am a big fan of the Honda Jazz and my 2004 Manual is coming to the end of its life.  We want another Jazz but this time an automatic.  From my research the CVT is the preferred option. However, should I be playing it safe and get a low mileage older model (2007) or go for a newer 2011 with more miles? Budget is up to £6,000 but given the current climate if the older cheaper option is just as good then would prefer to spend less.
• Knee joint problem -car choice 25 Dec 2020 (Forum)
  It is considered better to keep using a joint, but should this be varied when driving ?  Would it be better to eliminate need to use left leg for gear changing, i.e. go automatic,  or is it better to keep going as long as possible with manual.   I do realise it is his personal choice but would like to hear othe views of others, particularly with personal knowledge.
• 
  Can you recommend a plug in OBD tool? 1 Oct 2020 (Ask HJ)
  Can you recommend a plug in OBD tool?
• Honest John’s Motoring Agony Column 30-09-2017 Part 2 3 Oct 2017 (Forum)
  I totally agree with HJ about 'left foot' braking in automatics. After a while LFB becomes second nature in all except an emergency braking. And while I agree with HJ about that woman and her witness who somehow convinced a jury (probably not one of them had driven an auto) when knocking down and killing an innocent person, is HJ trying to get himself sued continually naming her in every answer to LFB?
• Smart garage door/gate opener 25 Sep 2017 (Forum)
  Would you be interested in a opener that does not need your action to start opening the door/gate? It will be all automatic, sensing the velocity you are approaching home and open your garage just in time for you to drive in. Obviously it will also sense that you have parked your car and close the door behind you.
• RangeRover - TPMS Fault 24 Jan 2017 (Forum)
  If you change your wheels on any recent JLR vehicle you must move over the tpms valves too otherwise you will get a tpms error as the system does not automatically learn the new tpms valves. If you don't want to move the valves as you have a winter wheel set for example then you will need to get the valves synced to the tpms module. This involves a trip to JLR dealer who will charge £180 to sync the new tpms valves to the tpms module.