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Questions from November 2010
I very much enjoy your expert advice but must take issue with your stance on left-foot braking in an auto car. You suggest that we should use two feet for two pedals. How many feet should we use in a manual...
In response to an email you recently strongly supported the use of stabilisers when towing a caravan, and pointed out the importance of correct loading and tyre condition to prevent snaking. I am surprised...
I have advertised my Toyota Yaris for sale privately on Gumtree, Loot and newsagencies today. What is a safe way to receive payment that will satisfy me and the customer? I am advertising at £4,250 and...
I ordered a new F10 BMW 530D on its launch date and took delivery early this summer. A couple of weeks after delivery, my wife picked up a puncture. She was able to drive the car home satisfactorily, and...
I have read the reviews but I need your opinion. Skoda Yeti or Hyundai ix35? Which is more reliable?
I have just test driven the new Audi A1 and found it to be every bit as good as one would expect Audi to be. I did have concerns that a small car would lack the same quality build as the more expensive...
I drive a 5-year-old Ford Focus 2.0TDCI saloon with Ghia spec and it is a great car. My alloy wheels are badly corroded in places. I am not bothered about the appearance of them. They are too bright anyway....
I own a very desirable classic car from the fifties. While away on holiday an attempt was made to steal the car from our house. Fortunately, the would-be thieves were prevented by our sophisticated alarm...
We seem to feel every road imperfection that our 3-year-old automatic Astra traverses on the short journeys we mostly make. The Citroen C5 we had previously was better, but like driving a battleship. A...
I received a parking penalty at my local Morrisons supermarket the other week. I went to the machine and a customer was having problems so, as I only needed a few bits, I decided to shop without a ticket....
I have a Land Rover Discovery 4 diesel automatic, purchased new in March 2010, mileage now 5,000. On occasions when I have driven to, say, a roundabout or junction and slowed down and stopped, when I accelerate...
I am retired and do approx 9,000 miles per year (mixed miles, mainly short) and am thinking of trading my Mercedes-Benz E280CDI for a new BMW X3. Does it have a chain cam engine, and what about a DP filter?
Four years ago I was able to insure our 17-year-old daughter with a provisional licence on my own Morris Minor classic car insurance policy for a negligible premium through Firebond, now owned by Aon....
I am recently retired, and am looking to change our second car (a Renault Megane Convertible) in the spring. What I would like is the fun of an old Mini, with all mod cons. We don’t like the new BMW MINI,...
I had a near miss last week due to a speed hump. The ones near where I work in Kempston have tiled tops and are breaking up. I braked approaching one and a group of youngish pedestrians on the pavement...
I was reversing on a street, parallel with and close to the curb in an end parking bay, when a van came from ahead, passed my car and tried to sneak in the bay behind me, colliding with my rear nearside...
I own a 2009 Ford Focus with 5,000 miles on the clock, garaged when not in use. I noticed condensation inside the two back light clusters, and later took the car to the dealers who said they replaced them....
I think we are victims of a scam. My wife was involved in a car crash just over two months ago. Our insurers, Acromas (formerly Saga), arranged for the car to be picked up and repaired by a garage in Dronfield....
I too have been caught out by overstaying (by just over half an hour) at the Scarborough Aldi store on 8 October and received a £70 'Parking Charge'. Interestingly I received this 14 days after the day...
I wonder about the way in which motoring correspondents talk about the reliability of one make of car or another. I imagine there are statistics with a certain degree of reliability, but it does seem to...
I have been a left-foot braker since my first automatic in 1988 and only ever use my right foot for the accelerator. As you are no doubt aware, if the car does not have an extended brake pedal, then it...
Am looking to change my car and treat myself to a sports car, probably two or three years old. I really like the Audi TT, but unfortunately the rear seats are all but useless. I do 17,000 to 18,000 miles...
My wife recently was served a notice for parking overlong at an Asda supermarket. We followed your advice and sent £10 with a letter using the wording you recommended. The cheque was returned with a letter...
I have a Nissan X-Trail 4x4 which is fine in the snow but skids on ice in the winter. Would winter tyres reduce the skidding and should they be used when the car is in 4-wheel-drive?
Could you help with suggesting a vehicles that will enable my 17-year-old son to drive without a horrendous insurance premium once he has passed his test, and also give my wife a car that she can use for...
While your advice to use both feet may be perfectly sensible for many drivers, for someone like me, 70 years old, an owner and driver of cars - mostly manuals - for 52 of those years and therefore pretty...
I suggest that FD of Brentwood should try lowering his seat cushion. I too am 6-feet 1-inch tall, and drive an automatic. When I bought my present car I experienced a pain in my right leg until I adjusted...
I have had a parking charge notice from Parking Eye concerning an overstay at the Aldi branch at Brownhills. The letter I wrote on 12 November is outlined here:
“I am writing with reference to the above...
I have a 2000 (w) reg 216 auto but it's developed a problem. It jerks violently when stopping and it jerks suddenly when releasing the brake to drive forward. Its idle is about 900 rpm and makes a whistling...
A few points to add to your whats bad on this model. Check the cabin blower to see if it has all its speeds - if it only runs on high speed the rectifier has gone (a common problem) - costs about £22 and...
Getting an error on the 307hdi, "Diesel Filter Blocked". I hope some one can help, had it a week and just forked out £380 for a new clutch and a full service. Not really very happy right now. Can't really...
I'm looking for your advice on which car to buy; middle size/middle price saloon but one with a soft suspension. My wife has a back problem which is getting worse. We have changed a Mini for a 3 Series...
Is it possible to fit a multi disc changer to a 2007 Fiesta Zetec S without changing the original stereo in the car?
My son and his partner are expecting a baby in 3 weeks time. They have realised that the 10 year old 3 door Golf they currently have will not be practical enough. Volkswagen Polo automatic 2006 reg with...
I recently purchased a 55 reg (2006) Honda Civic 1.8 Vtec EX (new shape). The car does not come with a spare wheel of any sort (I knew this when I bought it) but wondered if it is possible to at least...
I cleaned my engine and some water went into the fuse compartment then the car didn't start so I swapped the heating and fan relay with the start relay and got home. The next day I dried up the compartment...
We've had several Citroen BX's. We've not yet found a moden vehicle that's as comfortable to drive. Currently we have a Modus - nice car, but the seats are so hard. Is there any way round this? Can we...
My 2003 Voyager crd wont start, it turn`s over and tries to start but just won't kick in. I`ve been told it could be the head gasket, can anyone shed any further light on this matter?
I'm currently with Black Horse Finance in a 5 year loan contract for a car. I'm currently just over 1 year into the contract. With regard to me wishing to change my car in the near future, what are my...
Just got my insurance renewal through from Zurich Connect. Last year I paid £283.48, this year they want £1,158.40. No changes to policy and no claims in the past 12 months. A rise of over 300%. I called...
My hazard lights keep coming on while I am driving, but the hazard switch is not lit, any advice?
I would like to buy a small, economical, comfortable, 4 door, automatic, 4 wheel drive vehicle. I drive a Peugeot 206 at the moment and like the length. Are there any similar size 4x4's out there?
As a keen and weekly reader of your column in the Telegraph I thought I might ask you to congratulate Mike Turner of www.newcitroendeals.co.uk. My wife took a fancy to a DS3 1.6 150 THP D Sport and we...
Having waited ages for VW to put the new CR Diesel engines in the facelifted Touran, and finally give a decent choice of interior leather trim colours, I thought I should let you know what put me off ...
I put in 26 litres of petrol in my 2.7 S type diesel Jaguar. Having realised this I then filled up to the tanks capacity (about 66 litres)with diesel. The car appears to be going o.k. Do I have a problem...
The problem I have is when I turn a corner the CD goes to radio and when I turn the heater fan on after a while the dash lights and radio go off, what can be making this happen? It has left standing for...
As I go away for long periods, 3 months sometimes, what is the best way to stop the battery from totally discharging. Should it be disconnected or are there some kind of trickle devices that can be connected...
The engine management light is coming on and off the manual says its from the emition side of things and nothing else what does this mean any suggestions?
When looking at the link -- BRAKE DISCS AND PADS. How can I save money replacing them? It does not connect with the relevant page. Can you assist me with how to save money when replacing brakes? It also...
I'm trying to find the proper firing order for my 2000 mk2 Ford Mondeo - it's got the 1.8 zetec engine. I'm seeing 1.3.4.2 - if thats right, can you tell me how to do it leads from plugs to dizzey?
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