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• Honda Civic - Honda Civic Showroom launch 21 Feb 2017 (Forum)
  The array of safety features on all but the base model is impressive with adaptive cruise, blind spot monitoring, collision avoidance and so on. A lot to go wrong as the car ages. The electric hand brake seems to offer manual and automatic operation options. Again probably OK for the first buyer but I'd prefer the old mechanical system. Only a simple brochure was available so I couldnt check out stuff like wheel and tyre options but I suspect the 16" has been dropped and they are all 17/18".
• vauxhall zifira B (57 plate) - torque app or ecu please help 2 Jul 2016 (Forum)
  Hi There Im Just wondering if anyone could help, i just purchased a zifira b (on a 57 plate) over a week ago off a private seller, which seemed in good nick, anyway after a couple of days driving the car i noticed the dreaded engine light appear on the dashboard of the car, and i noticed that the ashtray was missing from under the handbrake which sent red flags flying, so instead getting someone to check in the garage i decided to give it a go at getting a bluetooth obdll connector and plugged it into the connector in the car and i downloaded the torque app from google playstore but i kept on having problems establishing a connection wirelessly or by blue tooth so i went onto amazon and got a op-com usb diagnostics scanner and i made sure i had the micro adapter so i could plug it into my galaxy s5 neo smartphone, it automatically started torque as soon as i connected it but i keep getting the same error message all the time, which is really frustrating because i have triad messing with the settings etc, i am a pretty tech person most of the time, ((No Response From The OBD Adapter,Did You Select The Right Baud Rate)) Could anyone please tell me where i am going wrong or if theres another problem somewhere,??
• VW Touran 12plate Auto - 12 plate VW Touran Auto Gearbox gone 3 months 27 Jan 2016 (Forum)
  Hi, I'm trying to help a family friend who bought a VW Touran Automatic 12 plate. He bought the car in August'15 and in November'15, just after 3 months, the Auto gearbox went, it has a full VW service history and next service is not due till next month.  I believe it has only done 17,000 miles.
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  Suzuki Vitara BoosterJet or Skoda Yeti? 10 Dec 2015 (Ask HJ)
  I have recently been considering an automatic 4WD Yeti and would appreciate info on the type of auto transmission available with the new Vitara BoosterJet...
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  Oil leak shortly after purchase 8 Nov 2015 (Ask HJ)
  I have recently purchased a Kangoo 2004 automatic petrol. Within a few days of purchase the car started losing oil with lots of smoke. Diagnosed as oil...
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  What's the best auto 4x4? 7 Nov 2014 (Ask HJ)
  I am looking for a new/nearly new automatic four-wheel drive car. I have a £7000 part exchange and am expecting to pay £20,000/£25,000. I do 20,000 miles...
• 2014 Hyundai Accent - Speed bump whoops! What is damaged? 12 Aug 2014 (Forum)
  I am waiting for the hire car company to bring me a replacement but am curious as to what damage is likely to have been done. Any suggestions in this regard? It's an automatic so maybe the transmission or torque converter got bashed (hence the grinding/crunching noise when driving), The tires seem undamaged and the car seems to sit level and flat, but perhaps the suspension system or something on the wheels got bent too (although surely the tyres would pop first)?
• VW Passat 1.9 Tdi 2004 AVF engine - VW Passat will not start 29 May 2014 (Forum)
  Hello My car is a VW Passat 4motion 2004 with an AVF engine (3B6) I recently changed the fuel filter on the vehicle but did not prime the fuel filter (believing that the pump will automatically fill the unit similar to petrol engine- learned my lesson.) The car started and I drove it 30 meters down the road where the engine stopped presumably as the filter was empty. I tried starting the engine a number of times but it would not start until eventually the battery went flat.
• Toyota Avensis - 1.8 V-Matic thoughts/opinions 21 Apr 2014 (Forum)
  I asked Honest John the following, and and advisor recommended the Avensis 1.8 pretrol V-Matic.  Doing some reading I quite like the look of it.  :) I quite fancy an automatic one (and/or possibly the estate version).  Any opinions on these Avensis 1.8 V-Matic's for my requirements below (Reliable, Economical, Comfortable Family motorway cruiser)? Anything to look out for when viewing/test driving them?
• Reports of my rental car (again) 28 Mar 2013 (Forum)
  We are back again and this time its a brand new Astra. As with most of the cars we rent, we are given 1.4 - 1.6 engined automatics unless the car is much smaller or larger (e.g the 107 or Sedona).  The reason is that the local car tax rules favour such engine/gearbox combination. The Astra is typical.  A perfectly pleasant car let down by a low power engine in a heavy body and a witless gearbox.
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  How do I renew my driving licence and ensure I keep my trailer entitlement? 12 Jan 2013 (Ask HJ)
  I shall reach 70 next July 2013 and therefore will need to renew my licence. My present paper licence has many categories, most of which I do not use,...
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  Is my Vauxhall Zafira going to be reliable? 3 Oct 2012 (Ask HJ)
  I have heard that the Zafira's 1.9-litre diesel engine can be a disaster zone. I am now worried as I bought a 20-month-old 1.9CDTI automatic one year ago...
• Convince me! 18 May 2012 (Forum)
  It'll be second hand - I'm thinking of one of the ones that has the 2.0 or 1.8 VVTi engines, an Automatic, about 2001-2003, up to about 4k. High mileage isn't a problem, because I understand that if it is properly maintained (like I have my Carina) it can easily take it. Please, please convince me that this Avensis will be as bulletproof as my Carina - that still flies.
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  Small economical car with good rear leg room 13 Jul 2011 (Ask HJ)
  I need to buy a small to medium used car that is less than 3.5 years old for less than £10k and I want something that is all singing and dancing i.e. it...
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  Do you think Volkswagen would contribute to repairing my Volkswagen Touran's ignition barrel? 26 Aug 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I have just been locked out of my 2006 Volkswagen Touran (just out of warranty). The key fob works but the key would not fit into the ignition. The garage...
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  What does the 'Service transmission' warning light mean in a Volvo V50? 12 Jul 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I have recently purchased a 2006 Volvo V50 D5 automatic with a high mileage at 118,000. It runs ok but the service transmission light and engine system...
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  I bought a Honda Jazz with a 3-month RAC warranty - does this waive my rights under the Sale of Goods Act? 11 Jul 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I took delivery of a 2003 Honda Jazz 1.4 automatic on 9 July 2010. Whilst driving down the A12 at 60mph I opened the rear offside window when I heard a...
• Maintaining infrequently-used Citroen ZX 20 May 2010 (Forum)
  What would people advise given my car's usage pattern & history? Clutch: was fairly worn when I got the car (1st owner disabled, 2nd preferred automatics). Drives OK, doesn't slip but gear change notchy and occasionaly a touch tricky selecting 1st/2nd in a hurry. Am I putting undue wear on the gearbox/linkages driving it like this, would a new clutch improve the gearchange and would you advise doing this sooner rather than later?
• Anyone had a Ford Value service? 3 Feb 2010 (Forum)
  The Ford Value Service includes checks on: Handbrake Clutch Windscreen Washers, wipers Exterior lights and fascia illumination Instrument gauges, warning lights and horn Heating system, blower motor Air conditioning Seat belts Bonnet catch Wiring, pipes, hoses, oil and fuel pipes Engine, vacuum pump and cooling system Coolant expansion tank, windscreen washer, power steering and brake fluid reservoirs Coolant Auxiliary Drive Belts Battery Automatic transmission Steering, suspension linkages, ball joints, driveshafts, gaiters Front and rear wheel bearings Engine and transmission Exhaust Underbody Braking system Tyres including spare wheel Wheel nuts Air Filter Oil & oil filter If any work is needed, it?
• Volkswagen Passat (2001 - 2005) - 02 1.9 TDi Alternator belt tension. Manual / auto? 18 Oct 2009 (Forum)
  I know I am probably worrying for no reason just wanted to know if my car has a tensioner auto, as if it does I probably know it would tension it self automatically. On another note, I was told today that rear brake pads will need doing in 3-4 months, I only replaced front and rear pads and discs 12 months ago, why would they need doing so quickly, I have checked and they do appear to have worn down, I have done about 10k in last year?