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• Mazda Mazda 6 (2002 - 2007) - 05 2.0 Uneven tyre wear at the rear 7 Aug 2009 (Forum)
  This may not sound like much, but it's pretty noticeable when you look at the tyres and I reckon I could probably get another 6 months wear out of them if they weren't wearing unevenly - it's very annoying having to change a tyre when the outer edge gets to 2mm, when the inner edge is still around 5mm ! I'm having no other noticeable suspension or brake problems, so is it simply a case of getting the tracking/toe/camber etc checked ? Would a typical ATS/Kwik Fit-style tracking check allow and include adjustment at the rear of a Mazda 6 or should I take it to somewhere which can do a proper 4-wheel alignment ?
• Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - 99 1.8 Problems 22 Jun 2009 (Forum)
  Ihave done the following New speed sensor New timing belt New Idle Control Valve New Clutch (full kit inlcuding bearing) New Front discs and pads New Drums and rear Brakes New Rear Wheel Bearings New Starter Motor Comlete wash out and fresh anti freeze solution Oil change with genuine ford oil and the problem still persists. have i missed something, should i be looking at getting at ecu reprogrammed, should i look at the battery as it is a lead battery and it should be calcium?
• Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - 05 1.6 Front Suspension 19 Jun 2009 (Forum)
  With hindsight I realise I should definatley have got both front springs replaced and i,m presuming / hoping that this is whats causing the strange creaking / rumbling noise. Other than this the car runs loveley, the steering / brakes are spot on. Anyone got any thoughts? Cheers
• Renault Megane (1996 - 1998) - 98 1.6 RT Sport - poor idle, loss of power etc 1 Jun 2009 (Forum)
  The car will run o.k from cold (most of the time) but then it will suddenly lose all power and is unable to idle and if I am driving at the time it will cut out as I slow down for junctions and then I lose the steering and brakes, which is quite scary! The only word I can think of to decribe the sound of the car when it is like this is - lumpy, which I hope makes send to someone! One mechanic has had an educated guess that it's the idle control valve and another mechanic thinks it is the coil packs and ht leads, which is really expensive especially if it turns out not to be an accurate guess - I have found an idle control vale on ebay and thought maybe this was worth a try but have no idea which number I would need.
• Skoda Felicia (1995 - 2000) - 1999 1.3 intemitent starting problem 1 May 2009 (Forum)
  when the car starts its on the button but when its playing up its in the hands of the gods. i feel its a problem with the automatic choke but am not 100%. when it wont start: i turn the key and it starts but cuts out, i then have to remove the key and start again, sometimes if i put it in gear and turn the key ( start it in gear ) it starts and keep running, when it is running its a bit lumpy sounding and when i clutch and brake to come to a stop the revs drop to 500 from 750, sometimes thay drop to 400 and the car cut out but thats when the engines cold. the plugs are good and the ignition is good, the engine has only done 32000 when its hard to start and it starts the smell of fuel is heavy and if i stall the engine and try to restart it it hesitates like its flooded. there is no plug in diagnostics and cant afford a mechanic and cant afford to buy a throttle body and thats not the problem.
• Audi 80 Mk II (1991-1995) - 91 2.0 Mk I or II? 23 Apr 2009 (Forum)
  I've noticed a constant, whine/hum coming from under the car which is on even with the vehicle standing. Is this normal and something to do with the fuel system or brakes or something? Thanking you in advance.
• Dangerous advice in new car handbook 9 Mar 2009 (Forum)
  are there going to be any folk misled and ending up with tyres pointing the wrong way? is the handling and braking really unsafe if these tyres are used pointing the wrong way? please don't ask me to test it anyway I've put the handbook away probably never to be looked at again
• happy new year from oz 26 Jan 2009 (Forum)
  I have been driving my SiL's deadpan high-mileage Daewoo. a bit foxed around the edges but fingers crossed still OK. In the Blue Mountains the other day the car in front suddenly stopped causing us to brake sharply. A little spiky thing with a snout was the cause, an echydna, the only egg-laying mammal apart from the platypus. Haven't seen one of those, or a live kangaroo although there are dead ones at the roadside like foxes in England.
• Subaru Impreza III (2008 -) - Tempted by this bargain ? 23 Jan 2009 (Forum)
  New 230PS Subaru Impreza WRX Just £12,995 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:17 www.motorprovider.co.uk has New Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRXs at £12,995, save £6,682 New UK Registered Subaru Impreza 2.5WRX 2.5 WRX - Key features at a glance : * 230 PS @ 5200 rpm * 320 NM torque at 2800 rpm * 5 Speed manual * Driver, Front Passenger, Side and Curtain airbags * ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution * Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control * HID Xenon headlamps with automatic levelling * Pop-up headlamp washers * Rear privacy glass * Cruise control with steering wheel control * Emergency Brake Assist * Colour coded Door handles and mirrors * Electric windows and electric heated mirrors * Climate Control Air Conditioning * 17" Alloy Wheels * CD/MP3/WMA RDS Radio with 10 speakers and steering wheel control * UK LIST PRICE £19,677 OTR Our Price £12,995 * Available in very limited numbers
• Rover 200 (1995 - 1999) - 1997 1.4 MOT failed - some advice appreciated. 22 Nov 2008 (Forum)
  It has failed on: 1) Emissions 6 times higher than it should on all readings - ticking noise/misfire on cylinder 2 on tickover and popping exhaust - looks like it might be a burnt exhaust valve? 2) two front shock absorbers 3) two front tyres 4) track rod end 5) corroded brake pipes - most were done last year so cant be much - I think its where it goes to the calipers. Any ideas of cost for that little lot (tyres aside)? I think the emissions are the key to getting the rest done.
• FIAT Panda (2003 - ) - Panda ECO models 11 Nov 2008 (Forum)
  I am confused over these changes and am not sure whether to stick with the standard model (132 CO2?). The dealer is understandably unhelpful. (1) will the grip/handling/ride/braking be affected in any way with the low resistance tyres (I don't think the Panda's levels of grip are especially high anyway)? (2) what happens if, later in life, standard oil and "normal" tyres are fitted (if they can be) - and how do the DVLC know that it is no longer a 119 CO2 car?
• well done lady texter! 22 Jun 2008 (Forum)
  Imagine, A12 London bound, 65mph decent car lengths behind Green Jag' X type. Nothing in front of Jag' outside lane. Brake lights come on, I ease off and for some reason now down to 45mph in o/s lane. I pull to inside lane and draw along side Jag' to see blond lady, mid 30's driving, male as pax, young child in back seat.
• Nissan Patrol (1992 - ) - 96 4.2 disc skimming 17 Jun 2008 (Forum)
  This particular 1996 4.2 petrol / LPG Nissan Patrol Auto had grinding brakes . Garage took the rear wheels off and discovered deeply scored discs ( the fronts were replaced by a different garage about 8 months ago ). This vehicle is a 3rd car and does about 3000 miles annually .
• Austin (Rover) Mini (1972 - 2001) - 1991 1.3i Lights have gone out... 23 May 2008 (Forum)
  Headlamps and instrument lights were working OK; I used the full beam switch, and (almost) all the lights died. Still working: brake lights, indicators (including via the hazard switch); reversing light, horn, ventilation fan, interior ceiling light. Engine still starts and runs fine; alarm circuit seems unaffected. Not working: instrument lights, sidelights, headlamps, rear foglamp, front spots.
• Volkswagen Eos Coupe Cabrio (2006 - ) - 07 2.0 VW DSG am I wearing the clutch out ? 21 Apr 2008 (Forum)
  Will the roof keep working .............. but that's not what I'm posting about. :-) 2. In stationary traffic I need to keep my foot on the brake to prevent creeping. I'm aware that the clutch is a "wet" one that works in the gearbox oil, so is the creep caused by the drag of the oil film between the plates, or have VW arranged for it to be biting a bit to simulate creep on a torque convertor auto?
• Ford Granada/Scorpio (1985 - 1998) - 94 2.0 - Any Thoughts on a replacement 23 Mar 2008 (Forum)
  Hi I drive a Ford Granada L reg jan 1994 2.0i Executive 5d now 145.000 on the clock I have had the car 10 years it has done me proud but as time has gone on now parts are hard to find with the garage and they say time to call it a day as I am now told with the problem ( head gasket on its way out would be a big job ,just had a new petrol tank before xmass and now a new idle control valve as it kept hunting and revs drop cutting out when braking ie coming off slip rds roundabouts but would start again when engine cooled .still does this and we have a bit of smoke from the back tinge bluesince having the valve fitted . what else could I look at that has a big boot to carry dogs .
• Volkswagen Golf IV (1998 - 2004) - VW Main Dealer Con trick ( on no not another one ) 11 Mar 2008 (Forum)
  Brother has a Golf IV TDI He has VW extended warranty, all ok so far, but they told his wife when she was collecting the car after service, that they recommend replacing the front discs, due to corrosion on the outside edge, NOT the braking surface, the edges ! because " it wont dissipate the heat properly and it could be dangerous" I think its nonsense, they are taking the SNIP as they can't charge for the many other things it needed but were done under the warranty, they also said the pads were 90% worn, but they were in fact replaced last April, and car only done 5000 miles since. but not at VW garage, so their computer suggests they need doing.
• FIAT Panda (2003 - ) - 2006 1243cc OBD code readers 23 Feb 2008 (Forum)
  Had the first year warranty done, which was a visual check and an oil change, was a bit expensive for really no work. I'm reasonably handy DIY and can change oil, plugs, filters, brakes etc, as such I intend doing my own service every 6 months. I will need something to reset the service indicator light, EBAY has lots of tools like this U581 code reader which claims to work on FIAT digital CAN systems and can reset faults and read fault codes.
• Undertaking or Going with the Traffic flow 16 Feb 2008 (Forum)
  I was pulled over this morning on the A14 after travelling on the inside lane at a modest 60 mph miniding my own business, with the usual accelerate/brake queue in the outside lane. I was advised by the rather Mr Grumpy PC, who was in said lane, that I was committing an offence by undertaking the cars in the outside lane. I tried to point out that I was merely staying with the flow of traffice in my lane, but as he repeated again 'That I was committing an offence,' I decided that an apology for my behaviour was the better route rather then argue the toss.
• Audi A4 (1995 - 2000) - (1998 2.5TDI) - 2 electrical faults 14 Dec 2007 (Forum)
  Has anyone got any ideas on these - the first is the brake light bulb warning light is on most of the time although occasionally it decides to go off and on many times with bleeper for a week or so before settling down again to being on all the time. Long standing problem - I've replaced all the bulbs, brightened up all the contacts, the lights and the LCD on the rear window all work normally.