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Trending topics in September 2012
Questions from September 2012
I was under the impression that it was illegal to use fog lights except in adverse weather conditions. Since the new regulations recently introduced that all new cars must be equipped with 'running lights'...
My new company car is a 2012 Audi A4 TDI 136 and I am extremely disappointed with the fuel economy. The book states that the car should achieve 65.7mpg on the combined cycle, whereas my long term average...
We own a 2009 Ford Fiesta that was in perfect condition with just over 10,000 miles on the clock. In mid-May, whilst stationary at traffic lights with the handbrake on, a Transit van smashed into the rear...
If speed indicator signs are deliberately set to show false speeds just because most speedometers do, then they are a danger in themselves, and surely illegal? Police radar guns and installed speed cameras...
After 12 years in Hong Kong we will be returning to the UK in the beginning of 2013. I would like to make up for lost time when back in the UK and have something fun that I look forward to driving. Two...
Will you kindly recommend smallish four-door family saloons (smaller than the Mondeo/Passat) with ease of entry a priority, as drivers and passengers are in their eighties. Annual mileage is likely to...
In my police service we often turned away those who called at the police station wanting a breath test before they drove their car. The reason we refused was because a breath test only deals with your...
Am I wasting money by occasionally purchasing Esso Supreme? I do this with the idea of it perhaps cleaning the engine and parts of my Mazda 5 Sport. I do only 2000 miles a year.
At the age of 92 with 75 years' clean licence, I intend giving up driving. I do not know how to say farewell to my lovely, reliable 1998 Volkswagen Passat TDI S after 140,000 miles, with about 30,000 of...
Two days ago I found a parking ticket on my windscreen from UKPC parking control at a TK Max store for not parking correctly within the markings of the parking space (my car was an inch or two over the...
I recently bought a 1.4 Vauxhall Meriva which ticked all my boxes, including a miles per gallon claim of 47. Having tested it over the first 1500 miles of mixed journeys I only achieved 37mpg. I went to...
Many years ago I swapped my company car for a £500 per month taxable company contribution. Now my company is trying to persuade all "cash takers" to rejoin, saying that terms now make it cheaper than buying...
Towards the end of next month I am going to Italy and may need to hire a car. I only hold a paper version of my driving licence as the need has not arisen yet for me to apply for the photocard version....
In early May my wife was driving our Audi Allroad past a mobile speed camera in Newcastle upon Tyne. Within a week she received two NIPs: one for driving at 36mph in a 30mph limit and one for the 'Alleged...
In May I ordered a new car from an internet car broker who then went into liquidation and could not be contacted. Fortunately I paid the deposit by credit card and claimed my money back from the credit...
We are considering changing our family car, which is a Citroen C4 1.6. My wife requires a car no longer than the C4 with similar driver's headroom, rear seat legroom and boot space. As we make very frequent...
I'm swapping my ten-year-old Ford Mondeo TDCI estate with 140,000 miles, which I've owned from new. It has been virtually faultless with no clutch or DMF problems. I have been offered, from a Jaguar main...
Avis is not the only hire company to install transponders in their cars to deal with the toll charges on the Algarve motorway (A22). They were beaten to it earlier this year by a small local company in...
Just crashed my car and the insurance company is more than likely writing it off. I'm not sure how it works with insuring the replacement. Will it be a new quote or Will I still continue with the old insurance...
The head gasket was renewed on my 2010 Peugeot 207 under manufacturer warranty. The failure resulted in oil leaking into the coolant system. The coolant system was not flushed and now there is still oil...
I am considering buying an 02 CORSA 1.2 sxi with 70000 miles. Surprisingly, it has a timing BELT - not chain. I can find no reference to such a fitting on a CORSA of that vintage. How come?
I can buy my company car, owned since new, next march at a very good price. it will have done about 50k miles by then. What could go wrong in the next few years & what should I get sorted before I buy...
I bought a July 2009 registered Fiesta from a private seller 1.5 months back. Since yesterday it has developed a big oil leak from the gearbox. Local garage says its an internal leak which needs the gearbox...
Hi I have a Ford Galaxy 1998 2.3 petrol and have 195/65 R15 H tyres on it - they are reinforced and I just wanted to know what the tyre pressures should be for both fully laden and half load.
The plastic engine guard has fallen off the bottom of our Citroen Berlingo van. Are we ok to carry on without it? The van has done 125k and we are replacing it within the next 3-4 months anyway.
Just read your review of the honda. I'm going to buy either the Honda or a Freelander, but I worry about the reliability and maintenance costs on the Freelander. Which would you recommend of the two?...
I need to renew the waterproofing on my MX-5 hood and your FAQ list is very helpful about recommending RENOVO but then I find they have different products for canvas and for vinyl hoods - and one mustn't...
I think I have the early signs of a worn DMF. What is the outcome (regarding damage or possible breakdown) of driving with a worn Dual Mass Flywheel?
I have been offered a used Porsche Boxster 2.7(245bhp) Tiptronic S 2006(56) with 17,400 miles in Lapis Blue metallic, full black leather, 18" alloys, Bose sound with Full Porsche service history, for...
My immediate rural location requires a 4X4 to cope with narrow lanes, muddy verges, getting out of the way of other vehicles and winter conditions. My current car is a 2007 Skoda Octavia 4X4 estate with...
The local main dealer has offered my daughter a brand new Vauxhall Zafira Exclusiv 1.6 for £10500 and finance at 1.9%. It's a Mark 2 and apparently will be made to order. It's got the "lifetime" warranty....
My son has a 1.4 Citreon Saxo West Coast. Two weeks ago it developed a fault with the engine revving higher than normal. It was plugged in and no fault found. Since then, all sensors have been removed...
I read in your newspaper column your reply to ED,Filey regarding replacing existing wheels with a smaller size.
I have a Volvo S80 with 225/50/17 tyres, I am thinking of changing the rims and fitting...
I currently drive a Mazda 6 SL. It has 67,000 on the clock and I'm looking to change it, but the new Mazdas don't have a sunroof. In fact they don't now make the SL which also comes with a lot of goodies;leather...
Hi, I have just purchased a 2006 Honda Jazz from a friend. It has come with only one key and no "key number plate". Is it possible for me to get a spare key made? If so, where would you recommend?"...
I've been looking at replacing my ageing Mk4 Golf GT TDi. After considering many options of new, I have decided the sensible financial option for now maybe to replace with a Mk5 Golf GT TDi (typical Golf...
I have road tested a few cars for Motability leasing. Its come down to a choice between the Yeti 1.2 and the Qashqai 1.6 Acenta. Any advice from readers gratefully received. Thank you.
The airbags on my mother's Ibiza went off recently when she was manoeuvring into a space at low speed in a car park.
The only damage to the exterior of the vehicle is very slight damaged to the front...
I have a Mazda 2 sport, 12500 miles, 4yrs 5months old (2008) which has the dreaded DSC warning light problem.
Put in for diagnostics, told by dealer needs new ABS pump (error code C0044) at cost of £1800....
Three months ago we bought a Toyota Urban Cruiser, we love the build quality and cabin space and overall design, but after years with automatics we have decided that we can't live with a manual. We are...
My 2 year old Yeti TDi 140 Elegance 4x4 needs a set of 4 tyres. It's still running on the original Dunlop SP 01 225/50x17 94W factory fitted tyres. I wish to fit Goodyear Vector 4 Season for all year running...
Every time the diesel filter is changed on my Citroen Xsara the engine manangement light stays meaning a loss of power when driven hard through gears and a top speed of 70mph with foot to floor.
The first...
I have had my 307 HDI put on a computer in a garage and it is reading a P1198 - injector control - ecu internal fault. Do you know how I fix this problem?
I have been experiencing an intermittant starting problem with my Renault Megane II for several weeks now. I press the start button, the engine turns over but fails to fire up.
The brake symbol and battery...
I have a Vauxhall Vectra 2005 1.9ctdi sxi 150. I have a few problems with it with 6 fault codes : P0070, P0500, P1811, P1613, U2108, U2139. I spoke to someone about it and they said it needs a new wiring...
My Focus 1.8 TDCI was perfect then suddenly lost revs. The glow plug light on the dash started flashing. I was able to drive home at about 50% revs maximum. It also now rattles.
I bought 2008 Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI Sport and last week it cut off while I was driving without any warning light.
I called the AA and they couldn't find any fault and they sprayed easy start and it...
My vehicle was recently hit by a third party which caused visible panel damage and unseen suspension damage. The 3rd party insurance (Saga) has been exemplary in arranging a hire car and to have the bodywork...
Our VW Golf has recently had a problem with the central locking where it only unlocks the drivers door not the other doors or boot.
You can open the rest of the doors using the switch on the drivers...
My Skoda Fabia is now less than 18 months old,I purchased it new from Robert Eardley Stoke,the problem is the wheels wont come off if I have a puncture , they are seized on , I have tried hitting with...
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