Refine by channel:  Forum (6046)    Ask HJ (2092)    News (824)    productReview (91)    Article (50)    FAQs (10)    Reviews (6)    Good Garages (3)  

Sort by: Relevance | Newest first | Oldest first

• Automatics and emergency stops... 23 Aug 2002 (Forum)
  I had an interesting thought the other day as to how automatics respond to emergency braking. In a manual naturally we hit the clutch and hammers almost simultaneously, hence only the gearbox slows down through the transmission - I assume! In an auto however, the torque convertor and engine both would have to deaccelerate very quickly, is that right?
• 2 new tyres - on the front or rear? 7 Apr 2002 (Forum)
  My car has front wheel drive, and I would have thought that new tyres on the front would give better steering, better braking and aquaplane resistance in the wet, and a lower risk of a puncture (which from experience I prefer in the rear). Can anyone confirm and/or explain this recommendation please?
• Checking ABS 24 Dec 2001 (Forum)
  Not being in the habit if locking up the wheels when braking I took advantage of the snow yesterday to try out the ABS in Sainsbury's carpark. The wheels locked up alright, I steered right - and went straight on. Does the ABS not work at low speed (about 10 mph) or is it faulty?
• Ford Focus 1.6 2009 - Engine Malfunction on dashboard 20 Apr 2024 (Forum)
  Hi people   Needs some assistance. In past two days  warning lights were showing on the dashboard. (i.e )  brake skid light in orange light on (acceleration reduction showing  ) red oil light showing while engine running.. This had happened on Wednesday, and Friday.  However, lights went off when i restarted the engine.
• Mazda 3 - Steering wheel vibration 30 Jul 2021 (Forum)
    It was quite marked and when I checked the road wheels the front near side wheel was very hot with a slight smell of burning. I am guessing a brake pad issue? What does the panel think?  Anyway I am booking it into the garage and we won’t use it meantime. I will report back in due course.
• 60MPH on the motorways 28 Jul 2021 (Forum)
    How much this reduces pollution is any ones guess but from my observation it causes more bunching and braking of traffic especially as they hit the zones.  These zones once started will be with us forever.   They are particularly frustrating at night when the motorway is quiet.
• Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV - Just bought car from approved dealer 10 Sep 2020 (Forum)
  Mitsubishi outlander 2018 with 5000milwa on clock from approved dealer.  Wife notices grinding on brakes.  I looked underneath and found this http://imgur.com/gallery/kr2ATFv I sign and collected car 5 days ago.  The whole front suspension and sump tray is full of mud and hay And all the suspension and axles are covered in rust.
• Fiat 500 - Going to view a car tomorrow 21 Feb 2020 (Forum)
  Hey all, I'm going to view a Fiat 500 tomorrow, 2013 with 36000 on the clock, apart from obvious checks as tyres, fluid, test drive, brakes etc is there anything else I should look out for and ask about?  The guy is putting a new MOT on it tomorrow morning.  If all pans out ok tomorrow, I will be the owner of a Fiat 500, rather excited !!
• Toyota Auris - Buying used car, got MOT advisories. 5 Sep 2018 (Forum)
  Hey, Looking for advice on what the costs of fixing these parts would be, as theres a car I love but these are down as advisories on the MOT history. Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i)) Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))   Thanks Mikey :) 
• any - road salting, corrosion to come 27 Feb 2018 (Forum)
  Do you have any plans for the spring, such as underbody cleaning or other rust prevention measures, and will you get someone to strip clean and lube the brakes properly before the caliper makers have to up production in order to supply enough to replace the seizures.
• Ford Ka - Rusted Ford Ka - scrap or sell? 12 Nov 2017 (Forum)
  Took it for a service and the garage said save your money - the sills are rusted so much that a screwdriver goes straight through it. Also some corrosion to the brake pipes. MOT due in 2 months - will not pass in current state. I've already bought a replacement, and now the question is: sell or scrap? I'm not that knowledgable about the market for used cars - would anyone want to buy it??
• Lorry Fires 22 Jan 2017 (Forum)
  It seems to me that this is a fairly regular occurance, and it always seems to be lorries: never cars or vans. Why is that: is it just that there's more power available and therefore more heat when a brake sticks or a bearing fails? Or is it something to do with trucker's lifestyles like custom electrical modifications?  
• Volkswagen Jetta (2006 - ) - Help with snow chains. 15 Dec 2015 (Forum)
  According to my handbook my wheel size is unsuitable for chains. I' assuming this is because of clearance issues with the suspension/braking components. Does anyone know of a chain system that will fit my car? I will ask at my VW dealer on Monday when it goes in for a service.
• Renault Megane 3 door 2004 - problem with steering 21 Jun 2015 (Forum)
  when turning left only theres a knocking sound coming from the offside front underside of the car. this knocking sound is more prevelant when turning more sharply left and does not happen on wider left turns. this sound also occurs sometimes when braking,althought not as bad as when turning left. ive looked underneath where the noise is coming from and there dosent seem to be any damage or anything loose. gratefull for any help or advice
• Ford Galaxy 2.0TDI 2010 - Galaxy 2010 - ECU problems caused by speedo? 27 May 2015 (Forum)
  No other effects - car running fine. Got round to getting the codes read. Lots of spurious ones apparently. 29. Things like brake light bulb and ABS - nothing wrong with either. MEchanic says known problem with speedo and ECU. £800 to replace or he can repair for £200. Anyone heard of this?
• fiat Cabriolet - Convertible top 25 Jul 2014 (Forum)
  Neither Fiat Greece or punto Forums can help me. Anyone got an idea as to what fluid it is? I've run across A T F- Brake fluid and Power Steering. Obviously want to get it right first time to top up with out problems.    Thanks  Peter
• tToyota Yaris 1.0 1999 - alloy wheel refurb 27 Jun 2014 (Forum)
  Hello, we decided to do a DIY job on the alloys , etch primer, primer, siver alloy and lacquer, all went well but the car having disc brakes at the front picks up a hell of a lot of muck and has been nigh impossible to remove. Does anyone have any ideas as to how this may have happened on the freshly sprayed/lacqured alloys as we have had to virtually clean a lot of the paint off to clean them , regards, Brian
• Ford Focus 1.8 petrol 2004 - New battery and now battery light coming on 6 Jan 2014 (Forum)
  Hi, I have had a new battery fitted and since then when braking sometimes the battery warning light comes on and it feels like the car might stall. Has anyone any idea why this might be? Had no problem before new battery fitted. Could it be poorly fitted or might it have triggered some other problem.
• ford mondeo 2.0tdci 130bhp 2003 - engine revving to 1500rpm on idling then dropping 18 Dec 2013 (Forum)
  it also revs while driving and even if you are holding the accelerator at a certain position it will accelerate until you press the brake or clutch it. it is basically very dangerous for driving around but i have nothing else. any help would be gratefully appreciated.
• Volvo V60 - 'Flybrid' KERS - alternative to electric hybrid? 7 Jun 2013 (Forum)
  Interesting article here about a prototype Volvo V60 with a mechanical flywheel-based KERS-type system in the rear axle, which can deliver an additional 80bhp for up to 8 seconds to help out the main powerplant when accelerating, etc. The flywheel "charges" up to 60,000rpm under deceleration / braking, then can be engaged when accelerating depending on the driving mode selected. http://cars.uk.msn.com/reviews/volvo-s60-flywheel-kers-review-2013-prototype