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• Longitivity of engines in Germany 7 Sep 2007 (Forum)
  When i start the car up i let the engine idle for say 10-15seconds before moving off. Give time for the oil to get around the engine/turbo etc. After a long/fast/hard run i let the engine idle for a while before switching off. I am in the process of buying a Mazda 5. Borrowed the handbook which covers the global market. Worst handbook i ever came across. There is a section which say that in Germany when you start your engine you must set of immediately because it is illegal to let your engine idle for a while before and after a journey.
• Vauxhall Astra G Petrol (1998 - 2004) - Y reg Auto Faulty EGR valve replacement. 16 Aug 2007 (Forum)
  In the main I am happy with my Y Reg Astra Auto but I'm miffed that it let me down at the start of a holiday run recently which meant that it had to get a piggyback to my local garage, who diagnosed a faulty EGR valve. This valve was replaced when I bought the car last July and I am very disappointed at the need to replace it again so soon.
• Focus 1.6 2002 Hesitant Starting 1 Aug 2007 (Forum)
  When the key is turned, it'll turn over for between 5 and 15 seconds before firing, with no pattern of how long it takes. A quick blip of the throttle will make it fire immediately no problem, then it runs as sweetly as the day it left the factory. What could be causing this? It seems to have been kept in storage for about 6 months before I bought it, if that helps. My first guesses would be plugs or H/T leads, but I'd welcome the opinion of someone who knows what they're talking about before I go randomly replacing bits.
• Unable to charge flat battery 30 Jul 2007 (Forum)
  Yesterday dear beloved daughter phoned - had left courtesy light on her sports car for two days and now vehicle refused to start. Obviously flat battery so round to hers with jump leads. Connected up and donor car running.....zonk... nothing when car ignition turned. Neither was there anything from horn or lights. Connected super duper Airflow battery Condition/Charger (as HJ recommended) and all I got was the 'power'on light and no light at 'compensating' So couldn't get any charge into battery.
• C3 1.4 HDi 92 temperature warning 27 Jul 2007 (Forum)
  The car was clearly not overheating and there was liquid in the expansion bottle. When she got home, the gauge showed 3 lights (normal after a short run) and about a minute later showed all the lights with the alarm. It's trying to tell me something, but what? Hawkeye ----------------------------- Stranger in a strange land
• Suggested servicing for brand new car? 22 Jul 2007 (Forum)
  Ford service intervals are every 12,500m or 1 year She only does about 6,000 miles per annum, so I reckon an annual service is sufficient. But what about a "running in" service at say 1000 or 1500 miles? Worth it or don't bother? Also, what spec is the usual standard Ford Oil which dealers use - is it any good, or is it worth "upgrading" to something better?
• BMW - ABS MoT failure? 17 Jul 2007 (Forum)
  He's leaving this week and wants to get rid of it and has mentioned that he'd be happy with £350. The MOT runs out in November - a garage I've spoken to have said that the ABS problem would be a MOT failure. If the ABS was completely disconnected would it still be a failure? Part of me thinks that for 4 months motoring it's not a bad price.
• BMW 320D trouble 12 Jul 2007 (Forum)
  I think the last owner sold it because it has an unfixable fault. The car sometimes shakes, engine shakes, usually it runs fine. If you want to pull out into traffic then sometime the pick up is really bad. You put your foot hard on the gas and it doesnot pull away quick enough, then later all the power comes back. There are no warning lights on the dash and the dealer says there is nothing wrong with it.
• Ford Ka 97 clatter 4 Jul 2007 (Forum)
  Recently acquired 1997 Ford Ka 1.3 Endura, was running fine for about 5wks with noisy tappets, it then developed a clattering sound from around about the rocker cover, Its off the road now and I have just adjusted the tappets in accordance with a previous thread, also with the valve clearances marked on the rocker cover, jack up the offside front wheel put in 2nd then turn wheel until the first valve rises to its fullest point, inlet I think?
• Mrc E320 CDi cracking noise 29 Jun 2007 (Forum)
  I have been on the Merc-Benz Owners Association forum and it seems I am not alone but MB seem reluctant or unable to resolve the problem which I personally think is a software fault running #1 cylinder too weak. Anyone else in the same boat out there? Andrew -- Simplicate and add lightness!!
• Surprise! 21 Jun 2007 (Forum)
  not sure what it was, which is not like me...) again, it was STAGGERING the number of people who didn't realise he was on their rear bumper even though blues and twos(with all the variations sirens have these days) were running: one or two people's immediate reaction when they DID see him was to hit the brakes! Talk about switch on mental cruise control disengage brain..... -- Tim{P}
• Daihatsu Sirion 55 plate - 60k report 13 Jun 2007 (Forum)
  The car is a joy to own, averages 61mpg including a 40 mile motorway round-trip each day Carries 5 adults with ease - 5 doors as standard a big plus Enough power for around town Air con is great Handles with ease - very easy to park good, easy to use while driving stereo. an aboslute delight to own and run - highly recomended. Done nothing to it, except the service. Downside - bit noisy if going over 90mph We are considering another one (now only £6500!) depending on what they give me as trade in for the hyundai elantra.
• A new menace on the roads. 25 May 2007 (Forum)
  They look like multiple fog lights to me and are far brighter than they need to be. I don't know if they are day-running lights like the Volvos, but every Audi S6/RS6 I have seen so far has then on. But perhaps it is just the owners showing off in that usual German 'prestige' car way. They are a pain, and are bound to become more widespread.
• Yaris 1.0 Petrol Engine Cut out 13 May 2007 (Forum)
  The car has been back to the dealer and an ECU has been replaced, but the problem still persist. No fault code was recorded by the ECU. Any clues trying to get it fixed before the warranty runs out? I have told the friend to get rid of the car if the dealer can't fix it. Its too dangerous to drive when the car drives like a Pug 206, which cut out unexpectedly. Regards, Perfect.
• £6,300 to Spend on Family Car 9 May 2007 (Forum)
  I need: 1) 5 doors and room for 2 Adults and up to 2 kids 2) Could do with room for buggies, shopping etc 3) Don't really want to take out finance-but could do if push comes to shove 4) Would want and least a 1.6 or 1.8 engine 5) Finances tight so want low running costs Have had a Ford Focus from hire company and have quite enjoyed driving this. What model/registration could I get for £6,300 and can you recommend anything else apart from a Focus?
• N reg Polo 1.3 turns over then cuts out 4 Apr 2007 (Forum)
  Recently I have been experiencing this problem when starting the car: Key turns and ignition fires perfectly Engine turns over for 1 second, reaching satisfactory revs Then rev counter drops suddenly and engine cuts out Usually happens once, but when warm it happened 6 times before finally holding it's revs. So far no problems once up and running. What could be the cause, and what is the cure and likely costs? New to car ownership and inexperiences with maintenance, don't want to appear too naive when I go to the garage. Can anyone advise me please?
• P406 cutting out..help me Mr Moorey! 24 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  Hi Andy....from me who used to give you platinum service at that dreadful motor factors My X'reg 1.8 8v petrol Peugeot 406 manual, has developed a fault that causes it to cut out without any warning, no rough running, the engine just dies, as if you had turned the key off......leave it an hour, and it will restart. Greenflag are tiring of me now so desperatley need advice. Failing that, do you cover the Chichester area?
• Weird Radio Problem 24 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  Funny thing is they all work perfectly when listening to a CD. As soon as I put the radio on only the left hand side works. As the car is a 'bangernomics' run around I really don't want to splash any dosh out for a new unit, but I do like to listen to the radio. It's a tad annoying coming only from one set of speakers. Any suggestions? I guess it's just down to age and use etc.
• 18 months old before being registered 19 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  My concern is that, does this have any adverse affects on the vehicle, rubbers, tyres, battery, engine oil or rust in the engine etc and has there been any updates in the model during the 18 month period. I would be greatful for any comments, the vehicle is only 4 weeks old and runs as expected.
• Don't drive as I do, drive as I say... 7 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  José Manuel Barroso insisted that fighting climate change was about 'collective action' José Manuel Barroso, who owns a Volkswagen Touareg, said: "I have never spoken of myself as an example to anybody - today's moralistic approach is not mine." The president's German-built 4x4 emits high levels of CO2, running at up to 356 grams per kilometre, well above a 130 g limit Brussels is seeking to impose on the car industry by 2012. http://tinyurl.com/ynm36y