What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Saving pence, spending pounds
My wife took her 2002 RAV-4 for a service, which was uneventful. However, a few days later the engine management light came on, so back it went. The service dept at the Toyota garage said (and I paraphrase as I wasn't there) that it was one of the 'oxygen sensors', which I believe to be something in the exhaust system that tells the engine computer how much fuel to squirt in. The mechanic said it often comes on if supermarket fuel is used all the time, which in this case is true as my wife is averse to spending money (a trait I admire). Does this mean that supermarket fuel is actually deleterious to our car and if so should we claim against them for the repair?
Asked on 21 February 2009 by
Answered by
Honest John
Yes. If a car is used for short runs than it needs the best fuel with the highest octane and the best detergent. I use Shell V-Power petrol even in my FIAT 500. No grounds to sue the supermarket. Your wife bought cheap fuel and that’s what she got. Some days you can be lucky with standard 95 Ron supermarket petrol. Some days not. Depends where is has come from on that particular day. And if in doubt you can always use Tesco part bio 99 Ron Super.
Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.
The Good Garage GuideSimilar questions
When taking my foot off throttle and depressing the clutch to change gear, there seems to be a delay in the revs falling in my Honda Jazz.
If I delay changing gear and hold the clutch down the revs fall...
I own a StreetKa and the problem is that it keeps cutting out when stopping at junctions and also when setting off. Can you help please?
I have a Volvo V40 52 plate. In 2009 I reported a noise from the engine to my Volvo garage and they diagnosed a VVT (variable valve timing unit) problem. This was replaced but the noise came back after...
Related models
.jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Bigger and now 5-door only. More luxurious but not as practical as previous RAV-4. Car-like road manners. Petrol and diesel automatics. Facelifted 2010.
.jpg)
