Refine by channel:  Forum (3170)    Ask HJ (1093)    News (95)    Article (20)    FAQs (10)    productReview (4)  

Sort by: Relevance | Newest first | Oldest first

• OIL CHANGES: How often should I change the oil in my car? (FAQs)
  It seems that to allow for these long oil change intervals manufacturers raised the level of contamination and degradation acceptable in the oil.
• RUNNING-IN A PETROL ENGINE: What's the best way to run-in a petrol engine? (FAQs)
  Try never to rev to the rev limiter as the misfire this causes can damage the catalytic converter matrix. Don't change the oil and filter until the first manufacturer recommended change point, or the end of the first year. After that, if you intend keeping the car for a long time I still recommend more frequent oil and filter changes than the manufacturers or their on-board service indicators suggest.
• 
  Top 10: Essentials for maintaining your car at home (Article)
  It can be used to tighten or loosen as well as for final checking of torque.   Silverline oil filter removal tool -  £6 A routine oil change will require a tool to get the oil filter off – but thankfully the cost is just a few pounds. New oil filters cost very little and once the oil is drained they are very easy to replace, providing you have the correct tool.
• DIESEL v PETROL: Which is better for me?   (FAQs)
  Diesels are generally dearer to buy but in the past have held their value better. Though this may change. Over 2007/08 diesel fuel in the UK became about 10% more expensive to buy than petrol, but regained parity on 2009. Diesel automatics can lose a lot of the economy advantage due to torque converter losses.
• STORING A CAR: How should I prepare my car for long term storage? (FAQs)
  If it records darkness all is well. If it records light, you need to remove the bulb, Have the oil and filter changed. Make sure the coolant corrosion inhibitors have not degraded (they usually have after 3 - 4 years, so have the coolant changed). If the car has ABS, make sure the brake fluid has been changed within the past two years or the ABS pump could suffer internal corrosion from moisture absorbed by the fluid.
• 
  Used Van Buying Guide: Sprinter 2013-2018 (Article)
  For short-drop vehicles service intervals would be shorter, while longer-haul users would have lengthier intervals between services and oil changes. These could be as much as 37,000 miles or two years although we'd always recommend an oil and filter change every 12,000 miles or 12 months, whichever is sooner. All Sprinters also came with MobilioVan lifetime mobility guarantee, as well as Mercedes-Benz Service 24hr, which provided breakdown cover throughout the UK and Europe.
• GARAGE SERVICING: How can I find a reputable garage  to service or repair my car? (FAQs)
  Always supply a spray can of multipurpose lubricant at every service, and charge for it, of course. The Oil Filter Flanker Instead of changing the oil filter at a routine service, tell the fitter to simply give it a good clean over with a rag. It will look like new, the punter won't know any difference and the garage will save 15 minutes obtaining the new filter from stores and fitting it, plus, of course, the cost of the filter.
• AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS: What are the different types?  (FAQs)
  Direct Shift Gearboxes For example VAG's transvverse engine twin-shaft 6-speed manual transmission with a pair of oil clutches. Because the next ratio is always on the opposite shaft, it can be 'pre-selected' and changed to rapidly and efficiently, usually at no sacrifice in fuel economy. They work either fully automatically or with driver control by nudge shift or paddle.
• TOWING: Can you give me some general tips about towing?  (FAQs)
  They will have changed the automatic transmission fluid. Find out where to check the ATF and how to top it up. Buy a can of ATF. 
• MISFUELLING A CAR: What should you do if you accidentally put the wrong fuel in your car?  (FAQs)
  With a mixture of petrol and diesel the car will smoke, and it can burn out the spark-plugs. The diesel can make its way into the oil sump and raise the oil level while thinning it out. This can lead to a lack of lubrication for the engine – much like actually running out of oil. Diesel Cars: Petrol is corrosive in a diesel fuel system, attacking the rubber hoses and seals and the plastic fuel tank itself.
• DPFs: What are they and why do they go wrong? (FAQs)
  If complete regeneration is not possible within this period, the regeneration will be interrupted. Question: How does regeneration affect the oil life? Answer: On each regeneration or attempted regeneration, a certain diesel fuel amount is injected into the engine oil which reduces the oil life. If the "INSP" light in the instrument cluster comes on, the engine oil is exhausted and must be changed.
• 
  Top 10: Diagnostic scanners (Article)
  Such systems typically cost a considerable amount but there are some affordable options, such as the Launch CRP Touch Pro. It can be used to adjust and reset electronic parking brakes, oil change lights and steering angle sensors – as well as a wide range of other features. It also benefits from a large colour touch screen and a one-year warranty. Consequently, if you need something more advanced yet affordable, this could be just the ticket.
• 
  Review: Gocycle GS (productReview)
  First impressions are of how clean and simple its design is. All the mechanicals are tucked away - you’ve got no chance of getting oil on your trousers if you ride one to work, or marking the walls if you keep it inside your tidy apartment. It’s clearly been designed with the image-conscious urbanite in mind. It’s a heavy thing, weighing 16.5kg - but that’s fairly typical for an e-bike.
• 
  How to buy a used camper van (Article)
  On some vans the replacement cycle can be pushed to up to five years or 80,000 miles whichever comes first, but no longer. If the service bills don't show a timing belt change, then budget to have it done. Automatic transmission fluid should have been changed every two years, brake and power steering fluid every two years. If the van has a manual gearbox and the oil in that was changed within its first 18 months on the road, this is a valuable plus point worth paying more for.
• Halfords Catalogue 1965 (Article)
  Can you buy it today? Oil pressure gauge on Amazon for £28 *   Information is power - and nowhere is that truer than in the world of classic cars. After all, if you haven't got that oil pressure guage fitted, how will you know when you're about to break down?
• 
  Top 15: Must-have kit for the classic car owner (Article)
  Go to www.drapertools.com and quote item number MWD110AGL. Oil / Coolant Catch Pan Carrying out your own oil changes or planning to drain your classic’s cooling system? Then invest a few pounds in a catch pan like this, complete with large handles and pouring lip for easy carrying and disposal.
• 
  Used Pick-Up Buying Guide: Nissan Navara 2005-2016 16 Jun 2025 (News)
  Some recommend service intervals of 6000 miles. It’s well worth asking when the last time the transfer box and diff oils were changed, and if they’ve not been done then have it done. Another area of concern is halfshafts and bearings, they’re a known weak area. If the halfshafts do go, it an inevitability, then you’re looking at about £200 a side to repair. The fuel rail pressure valve can fail, if it does so it’ll be in the region of £1000 to repair, as the inlet manifold requires removing for the repair to be done correctly.
• 
  Used Buying Guide: Volkswagen Amarok 2011-2019 16 Jun 2025 (News)
  It’s a capable tow car, but even so, towing it does add more strain and increase the wear on the drivetrain. Check the oil, if the light on the dash has come on then you could already be too late. The exhaust gas recirculation cooler is prone to corroding, and it can contaminate the oil, creating damage to the engine’s internals/cylinder bores.
• 
  Used van buying guide: Peugeot Boxer 2006-2019 16 Jun 2025 (News)
  Maintenance The service intervals increased variously throughout the Boxer’s life, from 20,000 initially, to 24,000 miles and up to 30,000 miles or two years from 2014 onwards. For ultimate peace of mind, an oil and filter change is recommended every 12,000 miles. The 2.2-litre and 3.0-litre four-cylinder engines having timing chains. The warranty improved in 2010, rising from 60,000 miles to 100,000 miles for three years, the first two years being unlimited miles.
• 
  Top 10: Air Purifiers (Article)
  It’s powered via USB so it can operate almost anywhere, and it is sufficiently compact to sit on your desk. It comes with a filter brush, a light and can operate as an oil diffuser too. MONDADO Air Purifier Another purifier that employs both HEPA and carbon filters for high-level performance, the Mondado can output up to 111 cubic metres of air per hour, making it suitable for rooms up to 20 square metres.