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Trending topics in February 2013
Questions from February 2013
You have mentioned an expert garage for automatic gearbox problems in the London/SE area. Can you please give me details? I have a Saab 1.9 diesel with auto gearbox which is showing signs of age after...
Some time ago you responded to a letter from a company that used some kind of additive in their diesel fleet vans. I think it was about £65 to buy but you only put in a small amount each time and it saved...
I am taking possession of a new Honda CR-V 2.2 iDTEC EX auto at the end of the month. With previous diesel vehicles I have driven them from new following your guidelines with no problems. Unfortunately...
Is positioning of the vehicle when turning right not taught by driving instructors any more? When I took lessons in the early 1970s I was told to position the car as far over to the right as possible without...
I bought my wife a new Honda Jazz in September 2012. On Wednesday, she was driving along an unlit road when she hit a pothole with her nearside front wheel. It was raining and visibility was poor. The...
My parents are in their 60s and looking for a new car. They don't want anything flash, just something small and reliable that isn't too expensive to run. They will mainly use it to get around town with...
I currently drive a Subaru Impreza WRX S Prodrive, which has been great to own and to drive and has been ideal for my weekly commute from the wilds of the Welsh marshes to London, whatever the weather...
In December I received a letter saying that my car had been clocked at 36mph in a 30mph zone on 15 October. I replied that this was the first that I had heard of it, that the location was very close to...
I changed my tyres to winter ones and am keeping the summer tyres in my garage. I have been told that the rubber may start cracking and they will not last as long as they're not being used. Is this correct,...
Would you please kindly clarify for me as to what one can expect from the latest range of Ford diesel engines? I am currently shopping around for a nearly new Ford Focus or Mondeo car. A local Ford salesman...
I have a Rover 25 and find that the inside of the windscreen gets very greasy, or what appears to be grease, and it is almost impossible to clean. It this a common factor or can you recommend a cleaning...
On Saturday I received a car parking charge. The car park in question is free for two hours but requires a valid ticket to be displayed, I did have a ticket however I accidentally placed this upside down...
I want to buy a Ford Focus Titanium X from Ford Direct. My local Ford dealer tells me that they all have 18" wheels. I have driven one with 17" wheels which are OK. Please tell me what 18" wheels will...
I'm looking for a car/van for about £7500. It's used for commute (12 miles each way), plus occasional trips to the builder's yard, hauling scuba kit, taking the dog out etc. My questions are:
1. Petrol...
Still driving a Yaris D4D 52 plate. My husband still would like something bigger. I like a higher driving position and low running costs, and ultra reliable.... We are going to test drive a 2008 Prius....
I have just bought a used Volkswagen Golf 1.6 FSI sport (with around 48000 miles) and its 15 days since I have bought it.
When the car was sold the dealer said it comes with a standard warranty of 30...
What cars do you recommend for a 17 year old in terms of lowest insurance and best for safety. Budget circa £5,000.
We are looking to replace our car with a much more economical one, but still like the idea of the occassonal 7 seat option. The car is used for short runs daily.
I was told this morning by the service department at the local Volkswagen dealer the new 1.4TSI has reverted to cambelt, the lad said it wasn't to be changed on the same time scale as the diesel. Have...
What would you recommend as a family car for £5000? Our needs aren't too great, we have 2 children under 5, so we need to grow into the car, it needs to be economical and reliable. We'd go camping with...
There's no presure coming out of the high pressure pump from the engine. Can you think of any reason this might happen please John?
As my Audi A4 Avant multironic 3 year warranty runs out in March this year,and in light of some problems I have with the gearbox, (new one fitted in January 2013) and me putting petrol in the diesil...
I am about to have an annual service on our Saab 43,000 miles always serviced, we have been offered an engine flush and fuel treatment along with a Saab 6 months warranty for an additional £150. (Annual...
My husband and I are trying to decide whether to buy diesel or petrol for our new car and will probably be purchasing an ix35. My parents also run a new Ford Focus diesel. We run two older diesels at...
I've just fitted new tyres to the front axle on my 2005 Sornento. Since noticed a whining whirling noise on over run and on hill climbing, not tyre noise. Should I change the rears to match? I've read...
I am in the process of buying a new Ford Kuga. the dealer is trying to convince me to have Diamondbrite protection for £150. I look after my cars, and polish them at least twice a year using Autoglym anyway....
Just received a renewal from Green Flag, highlighting 3 years no call out discount included, at £89.
Checked online as it seemed expensive, slightly cheaper than AA, but beaten by a quote of £58.30 for...
Dear John
I have 4 x Continental winter tyres on steel rims for a VW Golf; used for just 1 x season. Where best place to try and sell them as I have since changed car brand and tyres do not fit new car?
My Focus 1.6TDCI 110 will be coming up to 75,000 miles in a few months. I understand that replacement of the DPF is reccomended by the manufacturer at this point. Given the price of it, is it worth doing,...
I recently asked you a question regarding the whining noise after a replacement cambelt was replaced by an authorized Suzuki Dealership. Armed with your advice, I returned to the dealer and they subsequently...
We are looking at changing from our disappointingly uneconomical Civic 2.2, which averages 38.4 MPG.
We are thinking about one of the “Eco” super minis on the market, namely the:
Toyota Yaris Hybrid
Kia...
Our 06 SEAT Alhambra had faults when we bought it in May 2011 (it had not been fully checked) and has had constant faults since.
It is now out of warranty and has a faulty head gasket. It has taken the...
I am confused by the market. My wife wants to change her 2003 Volkswagen Golf TDI auto for a similar model.
My wife is now retired and I want to replace her 10yr old Ford KA. She does approximately 5000 miles pa. I am considering a Volkswagen Up - Move Up model, as I have a Golf Plus and am very impressed with...
I have three married children each with 2 children. Ages range from 1-9 years. When we go out as a family with each family unit we number 6. Obviously a 5 - seater is not sufficient to all fit in one...
We have had an Audi A1 for little over 1 year. On the school run my wife parked on a slight incline less than 3% leaving the car with the handbrake engaged. After 15-20mins the car was seen to roll down...
Is it age or mileage that determines when the belt needs replacing? Audi have just written to say that I need it done now at a cost of ONLY £429.00. This car has done 35K miles from new.
In a top of the range Jaguar or Mercedes-Benz you know you are in a luxury car. Is there such a thing as a small, opulent, luxury car?
My car recently failed it's MoT and the main failure was the thickness off the pads being below 1.5mm.
I arranged for the garage to fix all failure points so I would have a free partial re-test. So 2...
I have just bought a 10 year old 100,000 mile Audi TT 225 manual petrol quattro for which I paid £5350 cash from a dealer. Having taken delivery I now find that there are two split CV gaiters (one inner...
A friend (middle-aged female) hired a car from Enterprise Car Rental, Nottingham, and returned it on Monday last (11th Feb) at 1230 hrs. The car was examined by an Enterprise employee ('Employee A') who...
My car, Ford Fusion 2006 1.4 diesel, was purchased from a dealer in September 2012.
I was told at the time there was a 6 months warranty for parts and labour but I was not given a copy of the warranty....
I will be commuting 500 miles a week. after reading about Dual Mass Flywheel problems and Diesel Particulate Filters would I be better off with a petrol run car? I will be mainly on Motorway to and from...
In your experience, what action is likely to be taken by the DVLA and/or Police against an owner who keeps their vehicle off the public road for almost a year without valid VED or SORN but continuously...
I am new to this site and do like the various valuable advice that it has. I have a question regarding a car that I am looking to buy. Its Ford focus 2006 1.6 TDCI zetec. with 74K on the clock. Cambelt...
The steering wheel on my Mondeo doesn't self-centre. When put on full lock the wheel just stays on full lock. Any ideas?
I fitted new pads to the rear brakesof my Renault Scenic, freed off the pistons but still got no brakes. I have been told it could be the compensator not working but I cannot find it, do you have any idea...
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