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• VW Polo 1.4 (02 reg) - oil filter 5 Nov 2010 (Forum)
  At its annual service, the mechanic said he could not change the oil filter because it had been fitted too tightly.  The hex nut attached to the filter had come adrift leaving him no means of unscrewing it.   I'm too old now to do this myself but in the past, on earlier cars I used a strap-wrench to unscrew the old filter.
• Vauxhall Corsa B (1993 - 2000) - 1996 1.2 How to clear oil filler mayo? 16 Apr 2008 (Forum)
  Not surprising for a car that only went a couple of miles twice a week. How best to clear the gunk? - I'm guess that changing the oil won't shift it? It was still present after a fast 20 mile journey home.
• BMW318 mobil oil 26 Jul 2007 (Forum)
  I have a 1998 318TDS touring E36 for the past 6 years I have given the car an oil and filter change every 6-9 months using Mobil 1 semi-synthetic at Kwik-Fit. I have the car full serviced by an independant BMW garage when neccessary.Kwik-fit say that their computer states that Mobil 1 is now not recommended for my car,I am now confused whether to use Mobil 1 or not. can you help.Many thanks.
• 1995 cavalier 1.7TD fuel problems 26 Jun 2005 (Forum)
  I had an earlier post about oil levels and smoke in this car... I have changed the oil and fuel filters and also replaced the oil. Now my car wont start. I think it is an airlock. I have filled the fuel filter with diesel prior to fitting.
• running in vw pd to prevent oil use 7 Mar 2005 (Forum)
  I've gone mad and changed my 1.6 touran for a 1.9TDI. Whats the best way to run it in to prevent it using lots of expensive oil in the future? I've read HJ's recommendations, but is there anything else to consider? Do I use gentle accelaration for the first few hundred miles or just keep the revs below 3k and give it some welly?
• Gas or oil filled shocks? Mk2 Golf. 19 Oct 2004 (Forum)
  My mk 2 Golf is due for its mot, and I have been advised to change the shock absorbers. The problem is that when I went to buy them, I was asked whether I wanted oil or gas filled shocks. I havent got a clue what the difference is, or what type VW orginally install on the golf.
• 1.3 Fiesta oil emulsion 1 Feb 2004 (Forum)
  Don't know whether it's just me or not but at the beginning of December I changed the coolant in the radiator ready for the winter. I'm sure though that since then my engine oil seems to be emulsifying much quicker than usual. I know this engine does suffer a bit from that problem but this time it seems quite rapid !
• Oil for my Clio 14 Oct 2003 (Forum)
  Hi all! I am about to perform clio's next oil change and while trying to make my choice I thought why not ask for the excellent advice of the Back Room members? I'm looking for something like 10w40 preferably fully synthetic, as the car is driven in heavy-traffic conditions on an every day basis.
• auto box sump plug 2 Sep 2002 (Forum)
  tried all that but no joy got a round bolt lol so i think i have too options. 1) Weld a nut to oldthe round bolt will this type of heat will destroy auto oil?. 2)Remove sump remove sump nut fit new nut gaskets and oil filter and oil change. CARS WHO NEEDS CARS LOl >> can anyone please tell me how i might undo the filler
• Car & m/cycle oils - the same? 11 Jan 2006 (Forum)
  Wife's Clio uses a 10/40 semi synth, I read a few good things about Halfords semi synth a few years ago (inc who makes it though I have now forgotten) and have since used it in the Clio, approx six monthly changes. My ZRX1100 also uses a 10/40 semi synth, I have used Rock Oil as sold by the Kawasaki dealer. Halford semi synth is on offer, meets the same standards as Rock Oil, is there any reason why I should not use it in the ZRX?
• Gearbox oil (Volvo) - OEM or third party 28 Feb 2005 (Forum)
  I need to change the gearbox oil in my 1998 Volvo S40 T4. Volvo do not recommend a viscosity rating or API spec, they simply state that their own fully-synthetic oil, costing 14 pounds/litre should be used. As money is tight, I am wondering if I can get away with using a third-party oil.
• Turbos and reliability 26 Feb 2018 (Forum)
  Hi,   How should we maintain a car so that we get maximum mileage/reliability and durability? Regular servicing is the obvious one  How often should oil be changed? Are long life oils really long life or is it marketing hype?   How do we ensure turbo relibaility   any replies thanks in advamce  
• focus diesel oil filter 4 Jan 2005 (Forum)
  Has anyone got any hints & tips for changing this without making a g**awful mess. I've got to do mine again and I think it's about the worst I've come...
• SantaFe 2.2-155-4x4-no dpf - Oil specifications 29 Jun 2019 (Forum)
  Hi,  Looking to change all fluids on my car. Managed to find the specs for power steering,engine oil and coolant but can't seem to find anything on the transmission, transfer case and rear diferential. Only thing that i could find is that the rear diferential and transfer case use api gl5 and the transmission uses api gl4.
• Peugeot - 00 2.0 hdi using oil and smokes 22 Sep 2009 (Forum)
  my 2000 206 hdi smokes and using quite abit of oil. its been doing it every since 52000 miles and now has an extra 30k on the clock. i thought it was the turbo so i changed that and i got told it isnt the piston rings as it would smoke from the dip stick hole. but yet it still uses oil, it used a litre doing 400 motorway miles but uses a litre for about 600 miles round town, does any one know what else it could be?
• Hard gear change on motorbike 14 Feb 2006 (Forum)
  I have a Honda CG125 and I find it really hard to change gear from 1st to 2nd to the extent that I need to do block gear changes. Obviously, this is no good on such a low powered engine. Also, gear change from 3rd to 1st or 2nd is really tough. What could this be?
• BMW 328 coupe 11 Mar 2001 (Forum)
  Could you please give any thoughts on the clutch and is the oil usage normal.
• 
  Mechanic says the oil level is high due to diesel in the oil sump from stopping DPF cycle. Is this possible? 20 Jul 2021 (Ask HJ)
  I've just had my Hyundai Tuscan serviced and, after 3000 miles checked, the oil level - which was about 2cm above the max line. I took it back to the garage...
• Nissan Micra (1992 - 2003) - 00 1.0 low mileage servicing 12 Nov 2008 (Forum)
  Because of health I now drive very little - less than 1000 miles per year I have a year 2000 Micra MKII manual 1.0 Is it still necessary to have a full service every 12 months? If not which bits should I still get done? For instance it seems to that I might not need an oil and filter change based on miles, but shoud the oil and filter be changed anyway based on 12 months Thanks for any thoughts on this
• "every part of your car needs replacing" 21 Mar 2005 (Forum)
  Hi, new here, im after a bit of advice. Im thinking of taking my car to a fastfit place locally thats doing cheap oil changes. I have in the past im sorry to say been ripped off by fast fit chains claiming this and that needs doing as i am not paticulaly automotive mechanicaly minded which leaves me on a back foot. :( The oil change at 14.95 is obviously a loss leader so im wondering if anyone has used this service and most importantly what they say then the hard sell comes in.