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• Water V Coke 25 Feb 2003 (Forum)
  To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of aluminium foil dipped in Coca-Cola. [1] 5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion. [1] 6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Applying a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes. [1] 7.
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  Why doesn't Hyundai's 5-year warranty cover a bearing failure on my Santa Fe? 22 Jun 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I would like your advice please on a problem I have with Hyundai. I think you would agree with me that one of the biggest selling points for the Hyundai...
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  What tyres would you recommend for a Toyota RAV4? 1 Dec 2025 (Ask HJ)
  I have a new Toyota RAV4 and the only issue in my mind are the tyres fitted at the factory. They are Dunlop Grand Trek PT30 (225-60-18) and they do not...
• Golf 1.4TSI DSG CABRIO GT - Problems, problems 28 Aug 2016 (Forum)
   For 29 of those 34 years I have owned Japanese cars of up to 6 years old. In all that time I had zero breakdowns, one failure to start (battery) and maybe a couple of niggle type faults which were pretty easilly resolved. I have had 2 German cars, a C class Merc bought new which was full of niggles which were never resolved first time (rarely second either) and poor quality leather on the driver seat.
• Ford Ka - Better the devil you know? Repair/scrap advice 29 Sep 2015 (Forum)
      Many thanks again,     Kate     Costs to date   Prior to MOT 1  (Feb 2014) - New clutch - £95 (+ VAT & Labour)     MOT 1  (Sept 2014) - Passed with 2 advisories     1) Lower arm rear bushes starting to split 2) N/S/F inner drive shaft seeping grease   Repaired Sept 2014 at £180 (+VAT)     Between MOT's  - new battery (£70) and service (£110) - including VAT& Labour     MOT 2  (Sept 2015) - FAILED   1) Body or chassis is damaged, seriously affecting its strength to within 30cm of the body mountings nearside rear inner wheel arch.
• vuaxhall zafira - JPH Autos 24 Jan 2013 (Forum)
  They were aukward and we got the feeling they didn’t want to be bothered, but after a heated discussion they sent someone over to look at the car. He repeatedly tried to start the car with a battery booster pack, which we now know was the wrong thing to do as the timing chain had slipped. So in fact every time the engine was turned over it was causing more damage. It was recovered the next day to a garage of their choice in Sheldon (Smiths garage), this was the start of a very painful and frustrating 4 weeks for us.
• Citroen Xsara (1997 - 2004) - 99 1.4 - 'Check engine' light at higher speeds 5 Oct 2008 (Forum)
  Here are my questions: * does anyone have any thoughts on specifically what the cause is, based on my description? (I have tried disconnecting/reconnecting the battery to reset the computer) * am I correct in thinking that once the check engine light turns on, the computer will continue to operate in 'back-up mode' (i.e. less fuel economy), even after the light has gone out?
• Mini Sony Nav-U70T satnav review 13 Mar 2006 (Forum)
  Well designed menus mean you never have to press more than four or five buttons at max to achieve anything. Finally, the cradle it comes with is rock solid. We had a four hour journey on Saturday and the battery was still going strong - we didn't use the in car charger at all, although it comes with it as well as a mains charger - it automatically dims at night, the screen is a good but unobtrusive size and it feels like a top quality unit.
• Low mileage Xantia - am I sane to reject 6 Nov 2004 (Forum)
  No external rust, all external bightwork was OK and all lights were uncracked, bright and unfaded. No cracks to screen, all electrics worked and it started first time ( a recent new Halfords battery helped). Both plip keys were in perfect order and worked 100%. The engine bay had not been cleaned but it was dusty with no oil stains, new filters and showed signs of good maintenance ? backed by the stamps in the book.
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  Which vehicles would offer my wife easy access to the front seat? 27 Oct 2025 (Ask HJ)
  Which vehicles would offer my wife easy access to the front seats? We are both 70 years old and she has had some hip issues. I recently replaced my Ford...
• Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid - Porsche Hybrid 9 Feb 2021 (Forum)
  Most of my journeys are about 8 miles, making the average return trip well within the electric capability of this car. When I can charge the batteries free from an array of solar panels, it did indeed seem like a win / win situation.   BUT: After ten months and only 2600 miles (you can’t go far in a lockdown), the car told me that “e-power was not available”.
• Skoda Octavia - Auris vs Octavia 27 Oct 2020 (Forum)
  It is in reasonable nick (some cosmetic damage aside), just with a bit of recurrent suspension noise and I think the traction battery isn't lasting quite as long as it used to. Most of the time we've coped pretty well with just the one car, but yes, there are occasions when we wished we'd had another (though not when it comes to maintenance & servicing!).
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  The dealer is refusing to accept my rejection of a faulty car - what do I do? 24 Sep 2017 (Ask HJ)
  I brought a Skoda Yeti from a Skoda main dealer four months ago for £7000. I've been on maternity leave and only drove the car small journeys (only done...
• Toyota Avensis - Used car warning signs - anything to worry about? 30 Mar 2017 (Forum)
  Car B - dealer more helpful, made a fuss of cleaning the windscreen but then oh dear, the car wouldn't start. Battery issues, they got it jump started but do they not check these things first? (I'd phoned in advance). After that there was a warning light on the dashboard which refused to go out (sorry not sure which one now, long day), so the dealer took us out for a short spin to prove that it's safe, then encouraged us to do a longer test drive.
• Volvo V70 D5 Estate - The Agonies of Volvo V70 D5 Ownership 12 Mar 2017 (Forum)
  My V70 D5 (2008 model, 88,000 on the clock) cuts out in a traffic jam and won't restart. The RAC man suggests its a lot worse than a low battery and suggests it is a problem with the auxilliary belt that has damaged the timing belt and tows the car to a garage. They in turn repeat what he has said: the auxilliary belt failed, wrapped itself around the timing belt which caused it to snap, resulting in serious engine damage.
• Buying a car, would like a few things cleared up 24 Feb 2017 (Forum)
    I'm saving for a house but have decided to take a large chunk out of those savings to get a car that hopefully won't need a new exhaust/battery/alternator/engine/tyres etc etc a few weeks after i buy it. But being as thick as i am when it comes to cars i feel a bit overwhelmed by the shere quantity everywhere. I've been browsing this site, other advice web pages & of course motors.com/autotrader (I darn't by a car from ebay) but would anyone be able to shed some light on a few things.
• Oil changing - myths and urban legends 8 May 2005 (Forum)
  Now it gets complicated, the engine start procedure ...... remove the spark plugs, coil packs and battery - remove the seats and rear boot/tailgate - ensure Octane Booster is removed from tank as it might spontaneously start the car when you are not ready - take the drive belts off - turn engine over, s....l....o....w....l....y - engine should be turned over at least 67 times to ensure adequate Oil film coverage. 11.
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  Do I need to have the emissions fix on my Skoda Octavia? 3 Feb 2017 (Ask HJ)
  I own a 2013 Skoda Octavia Scout 2.0 TDI (42,000 miles). I've had two letters from Skoda inviting me to have the emissions fix undertaken, but I am happy...
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  Need a seven-seater for towing - any suggestions? 13 Apr 2015 (Ask HJ)
  My son in-law has decided to get rid of his 2007 Ford Galaxy diesel with 96,000 on the clock, before any DPF, DMF, belts or clutch needs changing. He...
• Please help me choose a diesel estate car 25 Feb 2013 (Forum)
    I didn't know what she was talking about until I experienced it myself.  Just a few days after that, the battery light on the dash illuminated.  So we made a rushed decision to get it into the local dealer.  We also complained about the harsh shifting of the auto transmission. 1,000 Euro later, we have a new alternator, wiper motor, wiper control, and an "oil change" for the tranny.