Why does my new Toyota RAV4 return such poor fuel economy?

I read with interest your comment about fuel economy and that no car will match the published figures. I bought a RAV4 (our third) in December 2011 from new. One of the reasons I purchased another RAV4...

Why is Mercedes-Benz currently pushing its Euro 6 compliant engines?

Mercedes-Benz seems to be actively promoting its Euro 6 compliant BluTec diesel engines in favour of the established Euro 5 CDi Blue Efficiency versions with, for example, its revised ML-Class announced...

Where can I get a breathalyser for driving in France?

Where can I buy a breathalyser approved for use in France?

Is it legal to remove the DPF from my car?

Various companies are advertising diesel particulate filter removal services with associated re-programming of the ECU to stop the CEL lighting up. My understanding is it is only an EU requirement to have...

EU winter tyre grading system - how does it work?

I have just purchased a set of Vredestein Wintrac 4 Extreme tyres for use on a Kia Sportage. This was the first time I have come across the new EU tyre labels and I was not surprised to see that, for a...

How do Portuguese road tolls affect hire cars?

We have just returned from Portugal and, as usual hired a car from Faro to drive via the A22 to Lagos. Thanks to previous remarks from readers we were aware of the new tolls and the latest update is that...

Are GPS systems which detect radar illegal in France?

I think that the French ban on GPS relates to systems that detect radar emissions, and that has always been illegal. I think there is nothing new, and ordinary GPS warnings of static radar speed checks...

Can I remove the DPF from my Renault Laguna?

I have been having problems with the DPF on a Renault Laguna diesel. I have had it regenerated twice and now someone has suggested having it taken out. I have looked on the internet and found numerous...

Why are people unrealistic in their expectations for a car's fuel economy?

I agree with you that government economy figures for new cars are often deceiving, as they are here in the US. But surely anyone with a modicum of sense must realise that a fuel economy is relative to...

Why are large capacity petrol engined cars difficult to find?

I’m retired and drive a maximum of 6000 miles a year. It may be only my perception but it appears to be getting increasingly difficult to find large secondhand cars that have both petrol engines and automatic...