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• Clutch warranty claim - Maker will dispute 20 May 2012 (Forum)
  I have a car with a semi-automatic gearbox. It's a Jan'07 model so well within the manufacturer's warranty period. I have posted previously about the very snatchy nature of the clutch take-up and finally after a number of attempts I have got my service garage to admit there is a problem with the clutch.
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  Dealer loyalty brings its own rewards. 14 Apr 2012 (Ask HJ)
  My wife and I are now driving our eighth Proton car. What this has brought us over those years is a very good reward for our loyalty to the same dealer,...
• Your thoughts on my possible car change 10 Feb 2012 (Forum)
  Sub 8 seconds to 100kmh preferred and around 140MPH top end (I spend a lot of time in Germany and enjoy something with good autobahn abilities). So, here's what is being pondered (only automatics too as the wife cannot drive a manual vehicle). Skoda Octavia 2.0 TSFI vRS DSG Mondeo 2.0 petrol titanium X sport (or the 2.2 diesel) powershift, id that the ford version of the DSG?
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  Why did a Jaguar dealer tell me that my chain cam XJ6's timing belt needs changing? 28 May 2011 (Ask HJ)
  I own a 2004 Jaguar XJ6 3.0 petrol automatic which has completed 61,000. It has been main dealer serviced from new and I have owned it since August 2007....
• Jamie's got new wheels!! 28 Apr 2011 (Forum)
  At the same time i bought that, my mother bought one, she has recently decided to go for something a bit smaller, so i sold my Focus which i was not inspired by, and have bought the 406 off her. Its a gorgeous motor, 01 reg in silver. 2.0 Executive Automatic. Petrol. My parents are the type of people who maintain cars to the letter, anything it needs, it gets and this has only done 36,000 miles from new, about 10,000 since my parents bought it. Absolutely spotless and they knew how much i missed my one when it got wrecked.
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  I recently bought a used Citroen C4 with an engine management fault. Should the dealer repair it? 16 Sep 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I bought a 2007 Citroen C4 SX HDI automatic on 22 April 2010 for £10,495. Within the first week it was signalling that the engine management system was...
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  Which of these two Volkswagen Polos should I buy? 14 Aug 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I've seen and test driven a Volkswagen Polo 1.4S 52 with 48,000 miles. It's up for £3495, has a full service history, one owner and is HPI clear. Is £3300...
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  Would an engine flush reduce knocking in my Saab 9000's engine? 13 Jul 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I have an N-reg Saab 9000 CSE turbo automatic. When the engine is running it knocks on the right hand side and gets louder while driving. I have asked...
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  My MINI Cooper's steering wheel is misaligned - is this an easy fix? 16 Jun 2010 (Ask HJ)
  My 2002 MINI Cooper automatic has a slight niggling problem in that the steering wheel sits slightly misaligned at about 11.55, as opposed to 12.00 o'clock....
• Volvo XC90 (2002 - ) - I'm getting used to it! 9 Feb 2010 (Forum)
  I am slowly getting to grips with it and in fact most of the issues I now have with it are down to the poor preparation by the supplying Volvo dealer. Like all diesel automatics, it need to wake up and stretch in the morning and the fuel consumption is dreadful at that time and also stuck in traffic and city streets at any time. You can't quiet see the fuel gauge drop but the average on the trip meter certainly does.
• Volvo S60 (2000 - 2009) - 01 2.0 Indicator stalk replacement - Haynes manual 19 Dec 2009 (Forum)
  Then simply pull the switch straight off the column. The connector is a multipin jobbie which breaks automatically as the switch is withdrawn. Refit is a direct reversal of removal, but align the screw holes on the switch first to ensure the multipins line up (you can't see them at all so you have to do this blind.
• Ford Focus II (2004 - 2007) - 07 1.8 DMF again and vehicle decision 12 Dec 2009 (Forum)
  I'm waiting to have a test drive in an Octavia. I hope to try a manual, which I understand has a dual mass flywheel, and a DSG automatic, which I have been told does not. I am a bit worried about the DSG gearbox because of my drive, which involves backing out uphill through a 90 degree turn. My current car withits torque converter is fine, but I worry about having to slip the clutch(es) in the DSG or on a DMF car.
• My dad is back to buying a car, so... 6 Aug 2009 (Forum)
  In short, he has decided he wants to change it while the scrappage scheme is in force as his car more than qualifies and he is fearful of more running repairs, but more over, he cant be bothered to think about it anymore and wants a totally hassle-free ownership experience now. So, what to buy? His criteria are: spacious, long warranty, easy to get in and out of, automatic ( proper box not auto-manual ) and comfortable seats. He also wants a boot that can easily fit a wheelchair without folding seats down. His budget with the scrap discount is £10k. the car will only do 5000 miles a year so a diesel isnt worth it but the car will be his until he either dies or gives up driving, then will pass to my mum to fullfill the same role.
• Ford Fusion (USA) - mini road test 14 Sep 2008 (Forum)
  They're very cheap at Hertz (I got mine for approximately $30/day). Spec: 3.0L 221HP V6 6 speed automatic gearbox Sports pack Climate control Cruise control etc. Microsoft Sync with Sirius Satellite Radio I think the Fusion is a USA specific car, but it's broadly equivalent in size to the Mondeo. Cabin is roomy and comfortable with enough cubbyholes and sufficient buttons to keep most people entertained.
• Chrysler PT Cruiser (2000 - ) - Tried one in the USA. 19 Jul 2008 (Forum)
  A 2.4 LTD automatic in a sort of ivory with leather and power seats to be exact. Underpowered dreadful auto transmission, between 17 and 18 mpg (US gallon), no handling to speak of (not needed on US roads in New England from what I saw).
• NIP - who was driving? 11 May 2007 (Forum)
  If my wife does as the NIP suggests and contacts the Camera Processing Unit so they can check if the photographic evidence can be of assistance in identifying the driver, will this automatically lead to the Conditional Offer being voided and therefore a court hearing as the leaflet "Speed and Red Light Detection ............" seems to indicate? Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated ??
• second hand car problem 9 Apr 2007 (Forum)
  I have now had the car back and up and running since the beginning of March. However, this evening the automatic gearbox appears to have given up - it wont go into first gear, and jumps straight into second, no accelleration, and the ems light is on again. Ive looked at the 3 month warranty I bought with the car, and it only covers me for up to 500.00 of work.
• My Almera brakes are worn out already 2 Dec 2006 (Forum)
  The service manager tells me that's not a bad mileage, which is where I start to get suspicious. What do others think should be expected life of brake discs? I know that automatic cars are harder on brakes than manuals, but even I so I always try to drive gently, slowing gradually rather than braking shaply, and generally anticipating the road. So I don't honestly believe that my driving is any harsher on the brakes than an average driver, and probably less so.
• Accord Tourer '06 facelift review 13 Sep 2006 (Forum)
  Other than that, I don't personally find the volume adjustment on the radio to be useful, I still find myself adjusting it. The automatic lights are quite nice, but I overrode them several times. I'm very glad I didn't spend the extra money on the satellite navigation system. It is shiny, but it's not really terribly superior to my TomTom system, and was insistent on diverting around supposed traffic jams even when asked not to.
• B-class - first impressions 27 Mar 2006 (Forum)
  Front passenger seat backrest will fold down (for when I take a dislike to a passenger....). I don't like: - Engine noise - the drone is probably typical of 4-cylinder diesel automatics, but it serves me right for being rude about Mercs as German taxis all these years - this one sounds very like a London taxi when accelerating - Over-complex information display - much more info than I need and harder to get at.