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• Diesel reliability HDI technology 29 Jun 2007 (Forum)
  However I double my oil changes from new with carefull running in for 3000 miles with a very gradual increase in revs, when starting from cold I allow to tick over for 30 seconds before I move & I drive gently without turbo boost untill the temp gauge is out the blue, I don't change down to overtake I use the torque very rarely going over 2500 rpm, mostly 1600-2250, I always use a major brand of fuel ( & not supermarket ) I use fuel line cleaner every 3000 miles ,Always allow the engine a slowing down period after a hard run & allow to idle for at least minute before I switch off.
• Simmering a turbo "properly"? 21 Apr 2006 (Forum)
  I understand the concept of giving the engine (and thus the oil) a few minutes to warm up before caning the car, and I've also read about "simmering" the turbo after a run by leaving the engine running for a moment or two at idle, which gives oil time to pass through the system and cool the turbo a little before switching off. I live on the Isle of Man and my drive to and from work involves a small amount of town driving, a blast over the wonderful mountain road (part of the TT circuit), and then a small amount of town driving.
• Vectra cut out / stall at speed. 3 Mar 2006 (Forum)
  Turned the engine off, 5 minutes later started her back up and almost immediately the engine light came on, and it cut out. When running on petrol it idles poorly. Idle control valve possibly blocked? When running on LPG it runs smoothly. I called out the RAC and half hour later when chap arrived restarted the engine, and no engine light, he checked the engine etc and tried to replicate fault - nothing!
• Police press release wrong at law 6 Sep 2005 (Forum)
  Essex Police yesterday started running a campaign to enforce the wearing of seatbelts, having run a similar campaign back in March and catching 3,500 people in the month. To launch the campaign they have gone very high profile with interviews on local radio and press releases in all the local papers and on their website.
• Volvo 240 Pitfalls and Benefits 20 Jun 2004 (Forum)
  A friend of ours has a Toyota Camry 3.0GX V6 (1993 K) and he's had that converted to run on LPG but has had it done properly by AutoGas North West and that runs like a treat on the gas and it's certainly paid for itself - his other vehicle that he's had done is a 1987 Toyota SpaceCruiser and although that's had the same treatment at AutoGas North West that's a carburettor whereas the Camry is Fuel Injected but on both those vehicles a good job has been done.
• A Good Laugh - Courtesy of Me 5 Dec 2003 (Forum)
  The car had been running for 2 hours on the drive, the heaters had been on. But I was happy if not £72 out of pocket. Just thought you could do with a laugh. Ha -- Red light? Hold on...that means.......Go?
• All Makes - Northern Ireland - 72 days wait for MoTs 12 Mar 2024 (Forum)
  Backlog keeps growing since 2019  NI - All MoTs are done at Government run centres They could, of course, take a trip to UK but an expensive option   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68529917
• DVLA Year of Manufacture 5 Feb 2024 (Forum)
  When I checked DVLA, it is also showing year of manufacture as 2024. Is this normal for cars purchased in January? Any problems if HPI checks are run down the line.
• Best small car for £3500 11 Dec 2023 (Forum)
  Hello, first post here. We said goodbye to a much loved Yaris recently as it was becoming uneconomical to run and will be looking for a replacement soon. Would love a simple economical small car which will be reliable and would like to stay within £3500 if possible. Any suggestions most welcome!
• yaris hybrid - spark plugs 20 Nov 2023 (Forum)
  it was a bit stiff coming out from cold  head.    the starts and runs fine . should i worry?
• Toyota Auris - Used Automatic Cheap Car 29 Oct 2023 (Forum)
  Hi Folks, I've a budget of 6-7K - I am looking for an automatic car without any problem and cheap to run, insure and maintain but unable to find a good car. I am ok with a hatchback or SUv. not a saloon at the moment.  Thanks
• n/a - HJ review headings don't work. 19 Sep 2020 (Forum)
  When looking at the reviews the only category on any particular review that works for me is the summary, the rest of them like specs and prices etc will not respond. I've done clearing cookies etc - no difference - anybody else have this problem? Running Windoze 8.1 with Chrome.
• Vauxhall Astra - Whats wrong with this Astra? 29 Apr 2020 (Forum)
  Hey all bit more of an entertainment/question for you I run a YouTube channel and have this Astra in what I call my car graveyard Its got a fault Can anyone guess what is wrong with it by the sound of it turning over? https://youtu.be/CbJWSH-fP8k  
• ford focus 1.8 MK2 - Ford Focus Mk2 24 Dec 2019 (Forum)
  The screen washers suddenly stopped working, front and rears. filed the fluid up but no joy. You can here the pump running but only an occasional squirt of screen wash. Any ideas or how to fix most welcome   Regards Peter  
• Fun for £5K 21 Mar 2018 (Forum)
  I've got 5 grand to spend on an "fun" car that won't break the bank with running costs. Jap import MX5 roadsters keep coming up as possibilities a less risky choice would seem to be the 158bhp Honda Civic VTi. Anyone have any thoughts on the above or got any better suggestions?
• Zafira - Battery Cables corroded 7 Jan 2017 (Forum)
  Is it possible to replace the cable running from the battery to the car? Our black lead has totally corroded half way down (looks like a long standing battery leak which went unnoticed) The car works but the battery needs manually charging once a week Thanks in advance
• Ford Transit Mk2 28 Apr 2016 (Forum)
  A friend is wanting to buy a '79 Transit based Camper Van with the 1993cc petrol engine. She is told by the present owner it is safe to run on unleaded petrol as it is, but would like a more reliable answer from an independant source. Anyone out there got info? Thanks Simon
• Mazda6 2.0 Petrol - Valve clearances. 17 Sep 2015 (Forum)
  I have a 2004 2.0 petrol Mazda6 with 146k on the clock. It's running fine with good economy but I wonder whether it needs the shims changing. My previous cars have had hydraulic tappets. I can't find much info.
• Smart Cars...where are they all? 20 May 2015 (Forum)
  They're all here being driven by maniacs and parked on Zebra crossings.  32degrees today here much booze drunk and nearly run over so.many times....    
• Rover 25 1.4 year 2000 - loosing water 26 Mar 2015 (Forum)
  Their is water dripping from by the sump bolt / nut when engine is running. Would it ber the the water pump ?     thanks Delysia