Refine by channel:  Ask HJ (4850)    Forum (3079)    News (1169)    Article (23)    FAQs (16)    Good Garages (7)  

Sort by: Relevance | Newest first | Oldest first

• BMW 2 Series Active / Grand Tourer 8 Jan 2020 (Forum)
  They seem to be a nice mix of non-suv styling and high seating position. I will be looking at automatics and probably the Grand Tourer because they seem to be cheaper than the Active Tourers. I do about 20k a year. A couple of journeys a week. Either 2 x 100 miles about 60 of which are on single carriageway roads and the rest on motorways (though in rush hour) or one longer trip say 200 miles there and 200 miles back of which there will be 2 x 30 miles on single carriageway roads.
• Anyone ever caught for doing 80 mph on motorway? 4 Jan 2020 (Forum)
  Let me tell you the reason for asking this. My license is less than 2 years old. So, any 2 speeding offenses (2x3 points) will mean automatic cancellation! My regular commuting doesn't involve motorway journey. However, often I'm on motorway on weekends. I tend not to drive over 80 mph (indicated on speedo) ever. Of course, I could always stick to 70 mph but for long journey, 80 mph over 70 mph really makes the journey time shorter.
• Best mid-sized auto/diesel SUV under £15k? 29 Oct 2019 (Forum)
  Hey all I’ve narrowed down my hunt for a mid sized SUV with the following requirements: - Diesel (I do 13-16k miles/year) - Automatic - Sat nav, xenon, heated seats - Approx £15k budget - Don’t like French, British, Korean or Italian brands I test drove various models and have narrowed it down to: - Mazda CX-5 - BMW X1 - BMW X3 - Nissan Qashqai I’ve been put off by the reliability issues with Qashqai so realistically I think it’s got to be the Mazda or BMW.
• 
  Where do I locate glow plug relay on my Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI? 9 Oct 2019 (Ask HJ)
  Where do I locate glow plug relay on my Volkswagen Passat B6 2.0 TDI?
• 
  Can I tow a trailer tent or fold up caravan with my Toyota Hybrid? 22 May 2019 (Ask HJ)
  Can I tow a trailer tent or fold up caravan with my Toyota Hybrid?
• Ford Focus 1.6 Powershift - Powershift Outstanding Field Service Action 25 Oct 2018 (Forum)
  I was briefly told about the Powershift transmission, I mean they didn't mention the issues with it of course but afterwards I have seen that there are wide spread issues with this transmission. I am used to driving an automatic but I cannot say I notice any difference when driving the car but I put my registration into the Ford recall website and it said the following.  Outstanding Field Service Actions  14M02 - TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE  I believe this is just an extended warranty on the transmission but regardless, I am pretty worried about the car now.
• Hyundai i30 - NIP with errors 17 Oct 2018 (Forum)
  The NIP states that such a notice must be served within 14 days of an incident that may lead to a prosecution for the offence named. The offence is "Contravene Red Automatic Traffic Signal (Motorway)" which I am fairly sure I didn't do when I drove through the location on the Saturday night. 2 questions - is it served too late and do the date errors make it invalid?
• 
  Can you suggest a steering lock? 17 Sep 2018 (Ask HJ)
  Which is the best crook lock?
• Chrysler PT cruiser - AM I mad? 12 May 2018 (Forum)
    will pass along to other friend if he wants it... Otherwise will use as a 2nd car, SWMBO likes automatics... What does the panel/jury think? I think it is too good to get £100 or so from a scrappy!
• Auto gearboxes and towing. 21 Apr 2017 (Forum)
  In the Telegraph on Saturday HJ wrote that towing with a vehicle with an automatic gearbox is not recommended. He cited gearbox overheating issues and wear on the torque converter. My new Volvo XC60 D4 has a torque converter autobox. I specified it from new with a towbar. Does this mean the factory will do what HJ suggests for extra cooling given the specification of the vehicle?
• 28 Dec 2016 (Forum)
  The owner of the Hilux Surf, take heart, assuming you have the 3.0 Diesel engine the cambelt is one of the easiest and quickest to change you can find (all cambelt designs should be like this), any competent garage can do this for you in around an hour at the most, a good quality, eg Gates, belt kit comprising belt, idler pulley, plus new automatic tensioner will be around £80 the lot, so the whole job should be under £150 all in. Get that chassis steam cleaned in the spring then coated in something like Bilt Hambers underbody waxes and you will still be driving that old beastie round in 20 years when almost all cars made today will be heading back hence they came in cube form, you will struggle to find an ecu anywhere on it and they were built to last and made to be serviced easily and worked on, so easy to keep them running.
• 
  Buying a used Skoda Yeti - which diesel is best? 1 Nov 2016 (Ask HJ)
  I need a compact 4x4 with an automatic gearbox. I've seen two used Skoda Yetis for sale, both diesels with 10k on the clock. One is a 170PS, the other...
• Volkswagen Golf - Should I risk the DSG (7speed) 22 Jul 2016 (Forum)
  I'm thinking of buying a VW Golf. Unfortunately I only drive automatics, & live inner city - so not planning on anything bigger than hatchback. The Golf has a 7 speed DSG with dry clutch (as opposed to 6 speed with wet clutch on more powerful models). I heard that the 7 speed wears out faster due to dry clutch.
• Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Intermittent starting problem 18 Jul 2016 (Forum)
  My 2001 automatic C200 Kompressor has an intermittent start failure. The instrument display does not show the gear position, but all electrical components work. The battery has been replaced, the starter motor has been rebuilt along with the solenoid and the fuses have been checked.
• Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Intermittent starting problem 18 Jul 2016 (Forum)
  My 2001 automatic C200 Kompressor has an intermittent start failure. The instrument display does not show the gear position, but all electrical components work. The battery has been replaced, the starter motor has been rebuilt along with the solenoid and the fuses have been checked.
• Mitsubishi Colt, 2007 5 dr, CZ2, 1.5 Di-D - Loud noise whilst driving 5 Jul 2016 (Forum)
  I have a Mitsubishi Colt 2007 semi automatic that has developed a loud whurring/whining noise whilst driving. It starts more or less as soon as you begin to drive, gets louder when accelerating and quieter when decelerating. It's loudest around 40/45mph then gets drowned out by the engine noise itself around 60/65mph.
• Volkswagen Polo - "Shock absorber" advisory advice, used car 25 Jun 2016 (Forum)
  Hi all, I am considering buying a 2002 Volkswagen Polo, automatic 1.4. There is no rust anywhere on the vehicle, the engine bay is very tidy, test drive seemed okay, although I think I noticed a slight knocking noise. I looked up the previous MOT history, and the only recent advisories that concerned me are as follows: nearside front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3) offside front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3) I wonder if this related to the knocking noise I could hear.
• Subaru Outback - The age old question 21 Sep 2015 (Forum)
  The question is what fuel and gearbox type should I go for. I am a lazy driver so like the idea of an automatic (or CVT in Subaru case) but am not convinced it is the long term choice. I do about 8k a year and 5 days a week it will be used to drive me to work 5 miles away my current car (520d SE) does not even get warm by the time I get to work.
• Honda CRV 2WD 1.6 diesel, VW Golf Alltrack or wha - Most appropriate new car, for me 26 Aug 2015 (Forum)
  A thrifty person, so might kinda still like diesel (doing about 15,000 miles /yr) Probably an automatic or automated manual. strongly prefer a higher from the ground seat, and a sit-up-and-beg seating position, with headroom (I have a long back) And Absolutly a decent man sized seat. Not one of these ever so fashionable one size fits all scaled down for short-buttocked-wimmen seats, that one is oblidged to precariously perch apon.
• 1.25 Style Climate 2008 - Ford Fiesta central locking broken 14 Aug 2015 (Forum)
  Hi The issues are: - unlocking boot doesn't always work by double-pressing remote key - interior light doesn't always switch off - central locking locks then automatically unlocks (with remote key and spare key) If I lock the passenger door from within the central locking appears to work. I've removed the passenger door panels, cleaned contacts on door switch and checked multi pin plug is a tight fit on both doors.