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Trending topics in September 2010
Questions from September 2010
Why is the DVLA so difficult to deal with? My driving licence is registered to one of two addresses I live at. I thought for simplicity I would get the licence changed to the address where my insurance...
I got stopped in the week by a police ANPR patrol. It turned out some idiot at my garage had missed one digit when he replaced a cracked rear number plate. The police soon cleared matters up. While I was...
Please could you re-state the currant law regarding speed camera detectors. I have a unit that detects fixed cameras and a plug in unit that detects radar laser mobile cameras. What is allowed?
I have recently purchased a car with cruise control. What are the pros and cons of using this with regard to fuel economy. Will I gain or lose driving on cruise control over a substantial distance?
I was interested in your recent reply about left foot braking. If you learn to drive on an automatic that way and never drive a manual, or for that matter vice versa, I don't see a problem. But if you...
As a former owner of a Porsche Cayman and having used the Porsche facilities at Silverstone, I think AC is right to be concerned over performance on icy roads. The Silverstone track is great to get the...
I recently bought a FIAT Punto for my son. The people I bought it from had it on a lease contract and only supplied me with one key. They say they never had two keys. I have tried to obtain another key...
I have just started using Sat nav for the first time and have noticed that the speed reading on the Sat nav is usually 4mph less than on my speedometer. When driving at the speed limit which should I rely...
I don't see how the left foot can hit the brake pedal quicker than the right foot unless the left foot is suspended above the pedal waiting to hit it, as one would do during a comparison test like the...
I hope you can help me. I currently own a Nissan Micra, just under three years old, mileage 8,400 (I only use the car for short journeys). I have looked at a Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz and a Ford Fiesta....
Is there a way for me to check I’m getting the improved suspension on a 2010 FIAT 500?
Someone drove into the back of my wife's car and is fully responsible. Direct Line then passed me onto Drive Assist for a rental car while her car was in for repairs. They are delivering it on Tuesday....
I wonder if you have had any comments about the double clutch automatic gearbox that Ford is fitting in place of the conventional epicyclic gearbox with torque converter. I recently bought a Ford Mondeo...
Further to your response to CS of N19 regarding a collision with a police car, you may like to know that - certainly for Metropolitan Police vehicles - most (if not all) are fitted with a data recorder....
About a week ago, I checked my tyres and decided that the fronts would last another 3 to 4 months before changing. The wear was fairly even, and a good amount of tread remained. Last Saturday, I decided...
It amazes me when I read the number of letters you receive querying the use of the left foot on automatics. The surge caused by a fuelling problem you have talked about has happened to me twice. Once at...
I'm confused over two cars. Which is the better buy / value for money and economy? Golf Plus SE 1.4 TSI 122PS man 6-speed 5-door Cash or 0% finance £18,275. Golf Match TSI 122 PS 6-speed 5-door Cash £17,965...
I have been following your various comments over the years on left foot braking and was interested to see the one headed "Science friction". You stated, "everything was scientifically measured.” But what...
We have a 2006/56 Nissan X-Trail. Due to the weather last winter I am considering obtaining a set of winter tyres to suit the vehicle. Should I purchase a set of steel or aluminum rims? Then the tyres...
4 weeks ago my 2-year-old FIAT 500 diesel engine seized up. On the dashboard it said I needed the oil changing. This did not make sense as it was fully serviced by FIAT at Chadwell Heath, Essex 4 weeks...
The ABS warning light on my 2007 MINI Cooper recently lit up. I contacted Westerly Exeter, the supplying dealer, who gave advice and arranged for the car to be seen very promptly. When I went to pick up...
I am 32 years of age and am about to start my career as a Driving Instructor. The company that I've decided to go with does not include a car with its franchise costs so it down to me to get one. I currently...
I was driving home to Ewhurst in Surrey where I live, travelling along the A3, when I noticed a cop using a hairdryer type speed gun. I thought no more of it until I got a letter saying I was to be served...
Please tell me John, what’s the value of an RAC inspection? I ask you this because every car dealer I visit invites me to get an RAC inspection on the car I am looking at. Sorry, no reflection on your...
I write in connection with my son's recent claim on his own fully comp insurance policy (he is aged 34). Someone drove into the back of him. Liability was agreed, the car was repaired and his insurer gave...
Am I correct that pick-up trucks are generally more reliable than cars? My partner is Cambodian and when we visit the country, together with Thailand, you see pick-up trucks everywhere. They are used by...
My wife and I (both aged 80) drive a Volkswagen 1.9 Golf manual diesel. A short while ago I asked your advice about changing to an automatic and your advice was that we might have left it a bit late for...
I parked in a car park (run by Premier Parking Solutions) opposite
Didcot Station last week. I put five one-pound coins into their machine
which would cover me for a whole day's parking whilst at a meeting...
I have a 52 Mercedes C180 Kompressor, bought second hand, privately in May 2009. Six months later I was told (by Motoraid) all four wheel arches were rusted - the upshot of which was two new back arch...
I took delivery of a new Vauxhall Agila 1.2 automatic Design with air conditioning on 3 June 2010. On-the-road price with 1-years VED £12,985, and I paid an extra £199 for 'Supagard' treatment. After nearly...
I will definitely invest in some Autosocks and I have also noted your concerns about carrying bikes on a towbar. However, over the years I have already tried the alternatives of a flimsy carrier hooked...
I live in SW London and for the 2nd time in 18 months I have suffered an overnight theft (small, loose items only - sunglasses, parking change etc) from my 2003 BMW 320d saloon (parked on the street)....
I have just had the dreaded ESP light come up on my Ford Focus 2005 2.0TDCI. Fault code C1288. New part from Ford £1,300 plus VAT. Can get the abs unit reconditioned for £350? There are a few others online...
I've done the deal and bought a 2010 Mondeo Titanium 2.0TDCi Estate. It has come on 18" wheels with 235/40R18 tyres. Given your advice on tyre sizes previously I'm considering going down a size or two...
I parked my 2010 Octavia Scout at work this morning as usual at around 08-15. When I returned to it at 18-30 all four windows were fully open. I expected to find the interior ransacked but it was exactly...
I have become an unfortunate member of the now infamous ESP light staying on problem with my beloved Golf. My problem started mid August 2010. The ESP light lit on my dashboard and on the switch. No matter...
Another visit to the auto left foot braking issue. Last week I read that in a test it was proven that a driver using left foot braking brought the car to a standstill in a shorter distance than a right...
I have just retired and am spending a few months of the year in Spain, where we have a flat (near Barcelona). I would like to buy a car to leave there to be able to travel around more to explore the country.
What...
Just a word of warning for your readers about WeBuyAnyCar.com. Do not expect anywhere near the Internet valuation when you take your car to their buyers. We have a mint MINI Cooper S Convertible with every...
Thank you for raising the issue of ridiculous speed limits on Heavy Goods Vehicles in your recent column. I drive a 580hp Scania regularly on the M25. For some bizarre reason the speed limits on motorways...
What is the correct way to acknowledge the kindness of other drivers, for example if they stop to let you through? During daylight hours I have seen or heard the vehicle's horn, a raised hand, a finger...
I recently enquired about a BMW 635csi Highline for sale in Liverpool. I have been in contact with the seller about the car and have asked him any problems wrong with it. I first rang him last weekend...
In 1996, when the Driving Theory Test was first introduced, I was employed as chief invigilator at a central London Test centre which processed about 200 candidates per day and we had about 4 invigilators...
I am trying to decide between buying a BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo 530d or a BMW 5 Series Touring 530d. At the weekend, I need a car for trips to the tip and park with my labrador dog, wife and two teenage...
Bizarrely, I received a letter from an outfit calling itself "Service Claims" in which it stated that my car (it quoted the correct registration details) had been involed in an accident in May this year...
I just found your VW ABS report online. Having been to the local Skoda Dealership with my 3 year old Octavia, which has been serviced at that dealership since purchased in 2007, and has just run out of...
In October last year a car drove onto the near side of my Aston Martin from a side street while I was on a dual carriageway. The driver of the other car and the third party insurer admitted liability....
It is not only HGVs thart should be allowed to go at the same speed as other traffic on motorways. I know that you do not speak for the bus and coach industry, but I have long thought that restricting...
I have just had the unfortunate experience of being landed with an unexpected bill of £1,262 for a replacement catalytic converter at 72,000miles in my Ford Focus 1.6 diesel. On checking with some Ford...
I have a Skoda Octavia 1.6FSI Ambiente estate manual. How effective are winter tyres over summer/all-season tyres in snow (if possible, in terms of percentage roughly)? I want to buy an extra set of wheels...
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