Refine by channel:  Forum (3169)    Ask HJ (1099)    News (93)    Article (18)    FAQs (10)    productReview (4)  

Sort by: Relevance | Newest first | Oldest first

• 
  Extra 'recommendations' during car service — are they really necessary? 19 Jun 2012 (Ask HJ)
  Yesterday I had my Hyundai's 3rd year service and 1st MOT carried out at Halfords. They came back to me with 'recommendations' including: 1. An engine...
• Chevrolet Epica - Chevrolet Epica diesel 1 year on 12 Aug 2011 (Forum)
  (PS, Pentagon, you ARE forgiven) Fuel economy has averaged around 40mpg (big heavy car) and better than 45mpg motorways to london, which we do once a month. 2nd year service cost at vauxhall network Q here in carmarthen extremely well carried out, and cost just  £99 inc vat + parts +oil total was about £217 oil. air and fuel filters all changed, and brake fluid changed too. car left spotlessly clean too! (first year service done before delivery) 2 front tyres changed at about 16000 miles, (could have got more out of them but was going to do a lot of miles going to france-belgium and changed the tyres to have new tread on the wheels) very little wear on brake discs, and no recorded problems except a "change oil soon" light that came on 5000 miles after service, but 12 months after previous oil service, so maybe not reset. national tyres did oil change castrol edge turbo diesel, (6.2litres) for £51, so no complaints.
• 
  Problematic Kia Sorento geabox 26 Feb 2013 (Ask HJ)
  From new the transfer box has been replaced twice under warranty on my Kia Sorento due to faults. The last time was in May 2012. In December 2012 I reported...
• 
  When should I change the timing belt or chain in my Nissan Micra? 13 Jun 2017 (Ask HJ)
  I have 2010 Nissan Micra, mileage is 95000. Does it have a timing chain or belt? When should I change it?
• 
  Alfa darling 17 Jul 2010 (Ask HJ)
  For fun, we have just bought an 03 Alfa Romeo 147 that has done 28,000 miles, which is, of course, rather low. It has yearly service stamps but no other...
• corsa sxi gear change 23 Jun 2006 (Forum)
  I have an '03 corsa sxi which is still giving me problems changing gear...its not major and never refuses to change,but it feels notchy and not smooth..had it checked out under warranty to be told its normal.would anyone recommend a synth oil,or should I pursue it further under warranty with vauxhall?
• Independent Nissan Garage - Glasgow 2 Nov 2005 (Forum)
  Have just bought a 1997 Micra with CVT (77k miles). I am thinking of having the CVT fluid changed, (last changed in 2001). Does anyone know a cheap and reliable garage in Glasgow? Anyone has any experience with this type of car/what else to change etc? Is the oil change interval every 12 months?
• Engine Oil 2 Aug 2019 (Forum)
  After a few weeks of being without a vehicle I finally managed to get the insurance finalised but have taken a hit with only receiving market value. I would like to change the oil and filter on my new car myself as it's quite a straightforward job but have seen a number of forum posts (elsewhere) suggesting that not all oil is the same (apart from the obvious supermarket stuff).
• Audi A4 Cabriolet 2.0TDI - Diesel filtering into engine oil. 8 Nov 2014 (Forum)
  Had oil pump and turbo changed couple of years ago was told I had diesel mixing with engine oil and spilling out of dipstick. I assume now this was the cause ? Year later around 50,000 miles same thing still happening Audi told me my injectors have worn and vibrated in the head allowing diesel to mix with oil.
• Nissan Micra 2010 - oil pressure warning light 25 Jul 2014 (Forum)
  First 3 services at main dealer, 4th service at local garage - used in the past and good. 2 weeks after service the oil light comes on at tickover (600 rpm) when the car has been driven for about 5 miles. The sensor has been changed to no effect. The sump was removed, that & the strainer cleaned. Fresh oil and filter were used and the problem remains.
• KIA Magentis (2006 - 2009) - 20 2.0 Gearbox oil 29 Apr 2009 (Forum)
  After the unfortunate demise of MrMazda's 323f in a low speed crash, I followed the example of the chap mentioned in "car by car" for Kia Magentis and bought an ex dealer nearly 7000 mile one cheap as chips. Having done 15000 miles of my own, I want to follow HJ "running in" advice and change the Gearbox oil - is the drain plug on the left (as you look from the front) of the 2.0LS petrol engine? Do you just drain some gear oil and replace the same amount? Where do you put the new oil?
• Leaking Oil - Escort 1.4 1998 13 Apr 2007 (Forum)
  I think its called the crank, it is the bottom pulley wheel on the cam belt.. right next to the sump. its this that seems to be leaking oil.. any ideas ? Im sorry to keep mithering... A garage would charge me a small fortune.. I aint got it. I did change the back box today all by myself which im dead pleased with, and sorted the handbrake out !
• Honda gearbox oil 21 Jun 2005 (Forum)
  Am I the first person ever to change manual gearbox oil on a 1998 civic 1.4? It certainly feels like it. Honda specify their own oil for their own gearboxes - which seems fair enough. But you just try getting hold of it. My local dealer can't provide any (unless I want 10 lifetimes supply of the stuff).
• Astra Oil Light Delay 21 Aug 2003 (Forum)
  On the same 2000 Astra 1.7DTi (isuzu) with 42k miles of which I have owned for about a month, I have noticed that when starting from cold (and also from warm when standing for minimum of approx an hour) the oil pressure warning light takes a good 5 seconds to estinquish. I have changed oil filter and put some decent Magnatec GTD oil in her, as it never hurts to do so, but alas same characteristic. It never comes on whilst driving and I do know she is slightly over-filled.
• Vovo D5 oil pressure 22 Aug 2002 (Forum)
  My V70 D5 (diesel) Volvo has recently developed a problem. When starting from cold in the mornings the computer displays a brief message "No oil pressure stop engine" this dissapears after about a second. I have taken it to the dealer and they changed the oil pressure sensor. However on starting this morning the same message appears. I have called the dealer and they have booked the car infor further investigations in a week or so.
• 
  Ca n you offer any tips for looking after a new car? 12 Mar 2014 (Ask HJ)
  I am in the process of buying a new Volkswagen Golf 1.4 petrol, which I plan to keep for five years. I have declined the paint treatment offered by the...
• Dirty old `soot ball juggling` diesel? - at 6.5yrs 16 Dec 2008 (Forum)
  I had assumed the old oil would be thickening up with soot and as such it would be noisier with new oil. Or is it likely that the the old oil had sheared and was yet to thicken with increased soot loading? The engine sounds like new though actually - perhaps in part due to its half distance oil and filter changes.
• 
  How much should an oil change cost? 1 May 2023 (Ask HJ)
  BMW have quoted £218 for an oil change on my 2021 BMW Z4. Is this fair or just outrageous?
• 
  After carrying out an oil change, the sump plug is leaking - could it be because I used a metal washer? 13 Aug 2017 (Ask HJ)
  After carrying out an oil change, I have a leak from the sump plug. I used a metal washer from the filter pack, not a copper one, as I would have expected...
• 
  Advice on buying a used Range Rover Sport 19 Dec 2015 (Ask HJ)
  My local non-franchised garage has a above Range Rover for sale. It's a nice colour (grey with cream leather) and seems to be in good condition. I am concerned...