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• Honest John’s Motoring Agony Column 21-01-2018 Part 2 23 Jan 2018 (Forum)
  Just shows how ridiculous it is buying a diesel if you either don't do mostly motorway type driving (even on lower mileage, but then you get far less of a benefit from the better mpg than petrol if you do very low mileage) or over 20k miles (preferably 25k) pa and a regular (at least once a week if not more) amount on faster-moving roads. Obviously if you tow a caravan regularly, then that's a different matter and you have to adjust accordingly, but if you only use it a couple of times a year, then surely it would be better to buy a much smaller, cheaper car suited to day-to-day needs and pay for an appropriate diesel hire car when you need to tow.
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  What's the likelihood of my old diesel campervan being banned in Europe soon? 8 Aug 2017 (Ask HJ)
  I own a campervan with a Euro 4, 3.0-litre diesel engine. I'm becoming concerned that, because of anti-diesel legislation in the UK and Europe, it will...
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  Is tax on diesel cars really going to go up? 31 Mar 2017 (Ask HJ)
  Am I wrong to completely rule out buying a diesel car? Is tax on diesel really going to go up enormously?
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  Is it normal for Continental tyres to wear down so quickly? 10 Jan 2017 (Ask HJ)
  My daughter has a large Volkswagen 4x4 to tow a horse box. She had Continental tyres fitted and they have only lasted 4600 miles. Is this unusual?
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  SUV buying advice 4 Aug 2015 (Ask HJ)
  I have between £5k-7k to spend on an SUV. I'm torn between a Honda CR-V and Mitsubishi Shogun elegance. Any thoughts?
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  New car for retirement - please recommend 7 Apr 2014 (Ask HJ)
  I am retiring in 6 weeks. I want a vehicle to transport wife, grandchildren, dogs and lots of luggage on holiday. I may also want to tow a small...
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  Volkswagen Touareg replacement - what should I buy? 14 Jan 2014 (Ask HJ)
  I have a 2006 Volkswagen Touareg 2.5d SE manual with 140,000 miles, which I have owned from new. I am now looking for a replacement that will be capable...
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  What fuel economy will I get from a Mondeo 2.3? 25 Sep 2012 (Ask HJ)
  I am going to look at a Mondeo 2.3 Auto Ghia 2009 26thousand miles on the clock. (Petrol). Thinking of towing a caravan and need for room. Is this a good...
• dexron 111 with castrol z - oil compatabilaty 5 Feb 2012 (Forum)
  I have a hilux surf and auto box runs using dexron 111 oil.Now because its my everyday car for work and towing trailers and a large caravan around europe,.I would like to know weather replacing the dexron 111 gearbox oil with the synthetic castrol z oil is possible.Would i have to have the box completley flushed before changing the oil,or can i just drain the old oil out of the gearbox sump and refill with castrol.As i know some dex 111 oil would still be in the tourque converter,would this matter.I would like to do this because the surf is clocking up around 15ooo miles of towing plus all the weekend run around stuff, and i think the old girl deserves the best oil to keep her going.i,ve had the surf for 4 years and 73,000 miles and never missed a beat.She,s got 169000 miles under her bonnet and still going strong,i just think if there are better oils on the market the surf deserves it.can anybody give me an answer.cheers      
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  Hot turbos and stop/start 21 Oct 2011 (Ask HJ)
  This car has Stop/Start technology. It can be switched off if one remembers in time. You recommend allowing an engine to run at idle or thereabouts...
• renault megane scenic 05 - dashboard failure 17 Sep 2011 (Forum)
  he towed the car to the dealer and the dealer refused to give me the new car until hed had his mechanics look at my car.
• ford c-MAX 2.0 tdci iv ghia - soot and oil on caravan 24 Aug 2010 (Forum)
  When we tow a caravan with the car I have always noticed that after a long jouney 4 hours small flecks of a sooty oily substance all over the front of the caravan.  The issue as gradualy got worse until now the flecks are noticable after 30 mintues and after 4 hours the caravan is covered in the material.
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  Which medium diesel 4x4 will give 40mpg or more? 21 Aug 2010 (Ask HJ)
  We own a 1997 Subaru Legacy which is in need of replacement. We'd have another for its all-round ability, but the fuel consumption of the petrol models...
• Honda CR-V II (2002 - 2006) - Premature wear of brake discs 28 Apr 2009 (Forum)
  The full story can be seen at {8< snip - although you're not naming/shaming here, you're doing so via the website link you posted; hence the removal} Although there was a lot about this vehicle that I liked, the number of problems I had made me dispose of it. I did tow a caravan but this was well within the weight range stipulated by Honda and it is regularly serviced. Whether the fact I towed made any contribution to the brake problem or whether there is an inherent problem I do not know.
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  Unperturboed 14 Feb 2009 (Ask HJ)
  I recently purchased a March 2003 BMW 320d. I saw in your car by car breakdown entry on BMW 3-series E46, that 320d prior to October 2003 are prone to...
• VW Passat TDI 130 Jerky Acceleration 24 May 2007 (Forum)
  It passed it's MOT Emissions test without problem just after the repairs The car has just been serviced with a new fuel filter fitted but still jerky from time to time over 40 mph no problem and fuel economy is OK but just a bit lower I think. No apparent problem with power because I tow a caravan and it seems to be OK when towing I would like to sell the car soon as I am buying another one but would like to sort the problem out first I would be grateful if anyone has had this problem and had it cured or can suggest where to look my mechanic is puzzled Many Thanks
• Home thoughts from abroad; or vice-versa 3 Oct 2002 (Forum)
  Yes, I've had a lovely holiday, thanks. Did about 1400 miles, half of them towing the caravan, and the G/Cherokee turned in an average 20 mpg. Diesel at between 74 and 90 Eurocents (50p-60p)a litre supermarket/motorway prices. Weather in the Loire valley scorching, wine and cheese as wonderful as ever.
• Zetec fiesta ignition 13 Jan 2002 (Forum)
  Wife's 1998 1.25 Fiesta (32000) started misfiring and ground to a halt. Wouldn't start thereafter. AA towed home and suggested crankshaft sensor. Couldn't get any indication at the coil of switching(?) . I'm not too familiar with current ignition systems save that nothing seems repairable. The garage towed the car in and whilst doing so it bump-started and ran ok.
• Million mile Honda Accord 20 Aug 2023 (Forum)
    Title says it all, but the pertinent facts are that it is on the original engine, transmission and various other parts (including brake calipers)!. Only been on a tow truck once due to a fuel pump failure at 741k miles. Interior also looking remarkably good for such a huge mileage.   
• 2007 FIAT LINEA DIESEL FROM ROMANIA - CUT OUT OVER SPEED BUMP 18 Mar 2013 (Forum)
  Towed in today, went over a speed bump and cut out, Inertia switch by drivers "A" Post not popped up. Can't read fault codes will not comunicate. Any Fiat fans out here?