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• BMW 3 Series - Car Insurance Money in lieu 20 Feb 2013 (Forum)
  The road conditions were icy and the car didn't stop when I applied the brakes. As a result, I collided into an approaching vehicle (single file road). The approaching vehicle could stop. I accepted this to be my fault. I called the insurance company and recovered my car and sent it to a approved repair centre.
• Mazda 6 - Womp Womp noise from front of car 17 Oct 2012 (Forum)
  I have spoken to 2 mechanics who cant narrow down what the problem is, or even what side it is. I have had the brakes, suspension and CV checked which all seem ok. I have also swapped the front wheels with the rear to try to rule out tires and the noise still remains and sounds like its still in the front, they also appear to be wearing ok.
• Ford Mondeo - Any other large petrol car suggestions 24 Aug 2012 (Forum)
  Carried kids, bikes, luggage, washing machines, sideboards etc. It is still on the original clutch and exhaust and other than the usual tyres, brake parts, etc not too much has gone wrong. Biggest repair was a fuel pump. I bought it at 3 years old. So while it is still running and just got through it's MOT  with only a tyre and a drop link needed I can't help thinking it's on borrowed time.
• Grip / Friction / Rolling Resistance 12 Jul 2012 (Forum)
  And then: It is standard knowledge that (and not considering the aquaplaning case) braking distances are greater in the wet, due to lower grip; and I always noticeably found it easier to pedal my bicycle along a moderately wet road, suggesting lower rolling resistance. But Unthrottled says “rolling resistance of tyres is much higher on a wet road than on a dry one and the splashed water keeps cooling the tyres”.
• Are Wood Pigeons and Rabbits - lack road awareness 24 Jun 2012 (Forum)
  As for rabbits, well they'll always played chicken on country lanes in the evening around & after dark but now they've taken up the habit in bright daylight. This week alone I've been had to brake and take avoiding action on several occasions to avoid hitting these birds as they stand on the road without a care in the world. Now if this were Heaven then I could understand they wouldn't have to fear anything and standing on the road would be fine, but in this world they are being killed as the feathers and bodies on the road testify.
• Volkswagen Passat (2005 - ) - Passat "Auto Hold" - Auto Hell 4 Sep 2011 (Forum)
  The electronic handbrake and "Auto Hold" has aged me ten years and I am a gibbering wreck. I never, never want to own or drive a car with an electronic parking brake ever again. Despite steady, gentle driving for the first few miles, I managed to stall the engine three times, once while exiting a multi-storey. Sudden loss of power assistance led to a larger than intended turning circle and a light scrape against the side wall.
• Volvo S60 - New Volvo S60 D3 test drive impressions 1 Apr 2011 (Forum)
  Fuel consumption according to the on-board computer over 150 mixed miles is 49mpg ... even if it's 20% optimistic, that's around 40mpg which, given the performance available, is pretty good. Dislikes: electronic parking brake (I suppose you get used to them) and no clutch footrest, which is an oversight in my opinion. Overall: that's my next company car sorted, then.
• Any - Possible accident scam 9 Feb 2011 (Forum)
  Hi, Yesterday, I was driving at about 20mph on the near side of a suburban main road in bright daylight when a K-reg Audi seemingly waiting on the offside to join the traffic suddenly turned left sideways just eight or nine yards in front of me and stopped. No way to avoid him. I applied full ABS brakes but just slightly hit his rear nearside. He claimed to be pulling in to his house situated on a parallel service road with joining openings at intervals. My car has slight superficial paint damage, repairable with a touch-up at home.
• Volkswagen Touran - VW Touran ESP Problem 26 Oct 2010 (Forum)
  I had a mate in the car who knows his VW's, and to be honest, we were testing the ESP as I'd become suspicious as to why you couldn't turn the ESP off when pressing the button by the shifter. The ABS works fine, and apart from the ESP the brakes are spot on and the car drives superbly, handles well, etc. We whipped out a star drive and opened up the ESP switch console -- and lo and behold, we found the switch unplugged. We plugged the switch back in, and hey-ho, the "ESP OFF" light is on all the time.
• Maintaining infrequently-used Citroen ZX 20 May 2010 (Forum)
  Used in London and to Devon. Me: follow Citroen low-mileage service schedule (1y oil, 2y coolant & brake fluid, 4y plugs, air & fuel filters) plus the odd extra oil change.
• 02 Daewoo Nubira 1.6 Estate - Too much oil - Can I save my engine?! 7 Apr 2010 (Forum)
  I have been using it for the school run twice a day and not much more than that although for the past 3 weeks I have been driving it once a week on National roads -  I get up to 50 max as it has other problems (wheel bearing and tracking I think) which affect the steering and control of the car and problems with the new brakes giving kickback and not always stopping the car.  Anyway back to the point.  I had no clue how much damage too much oil could do to the engine until I read posts on this forum. The other day, the engine finally spluttered and cut off at a set of traffic lights just round the corner from where I live.
• Porsche Boxster 986 + Boxster S (1996 - 2004) - 2000 Boxster S? Would you buy?? 15 Dec 2009 (Forum)
  It has full Porsche service history and in April last year it had a main service along with having brake pads etc changed. MOT/service/tax are all due April 10. The car itself is absolutely immaculate - bodywork is perfect and the interior is literally as new. I've had a hpi check done and it's clear.
• Vauxhall Vectra B facelift (1999 - 2002) - 2001 1.8LS - Intermittent, now constant misfire 31 Oct 2009 (Forum)
  Good evening! I have a 51 reg Vectra 1.8 LS, with 96000 on the clock. Apart from tyres & brakes etc, everything was fine, until the last 2 months (owned the car from 11 months old, 12000 on the clock.) The car is the Z18XE engine model. Approaching a roundabout one day, as I droppped into 2nd, the engine started misfiring.
• Volkswagen Passat (2001 - 2005) - 02 1.9 TDi Alternator belt tension. Manual / auto? 18 Oct 2009 (Forum)
  I know I am probably worrying for no reason just wanted to know if my car has a tensioner auto, as if it does I probably know it would tension it self automatically. On another note, I was told today that rear brake pads will need doing in 3-4 months, I only replaced front and rear pads and discs 12 months ago, why would they need doing so quickly, I have checked and they do appear to have worn down, I have done about 10k in last year?
• Volvo 850 (1992 - 1996) - T5 problems 5 Jun 2009 (Forum)
  Calls me with a list of problems. Couple of small bits- tracking out, tyre, check strap, but major concern is brakes. Needs - front discs & pads, in a few months - rear calipers, discs & pads very soon Both of these aren't a huge thing, as I can source the parts on fleabay cheaply. Bigger concern is the ABS. The diagnostic threw out a list of problems (not seen this yet), including sensors and pump.
• Nissan Primera III (1999 - 2002) - 01 2.0 Catalytic converter & O2 sensors-what type? 18 May 2009 (Forum)
  I don't care if 'cheap' or Universal parts only last a quarter as long as the best quality parts and need replacing sooner, but if they won't fix my issue then I will pay extra for better parts, so if anyone could advise me that would be greatly appreciated...buying suspension parts, braking parts etc it easy but I haven't a clue about cats and lambda sensors.. Thanks.
• Fiat 500 vs Hyundai i10 18 May 2009 (Forum)
  What was most odd was the size of the seat squab meant that it was always pushing the back of her calves as she used the brake and clutch peddle. She was struggling to drive it anything like smoothly and felt claustrophobic, finding the retro dash up close was not so nice. The 500 was noisier, particularly transmission noise and the ride was fidgety.
• Choosing an automatic - the good & the bad ? 17 Feb 2009 (Forum)
  I currently run a Focus 2, tdci which apart from a flat spot that was never fixed & poor brakes is largely ok. However for the next car I really fancy an auto ( it's my age ). I?d be shopping in the B or C sector and am after something reliable, economical but with perhaps a bit of go if needed.
• Landrover off-road experience - truly amazing 20 Nov 2008 (Forum)
  On few stretches, the car tilted side wise ~30 degree and it was scary. Yet I managed to pass without much drama. While going uphill, even if you press the brake, the car won't roll backward. While coming downhill, if you just take your feet of any of the pedals, the hill decent control simply driving the car slowly downward (you just control the steering).
• Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - 02 1.6 Dipstick reading 16 Nov 2008 (Forum)
  During a recent visit, she told me that the oil light had occasionally started coming on, often after the brake was applied (flashing on, then off... not staying on). A few enquiries revealed no recent service (ie over 12 months) or oil check (I had to show her the hidden release behind the Ford badge!). I know the importance of annual oil changes and fortnightly checks, and that the oil light isn't a low oil warning light etc, so I don't intend this post to generate polite "told you so"-esque responses.