Questions from July 2010
You recommend running at higher revs to help a DPF to regenerate. I drive a Volvo V70 AWD 2.4d. At 2,000 rpm I travel at 60 mph. At 2,300 rpm I travel at 70 mph. How do you suggest I exceed the speed limit...
I read recently of some drivers having difficulty in getting temporary car insurance cover for family members visiting from overseas. As my own insurer would not even discuss my requirements outside 30...
Last year I sought your advice on buying a Jaguar XF. You advised me to wait until I could afford the 3-litre version. I recently took delivery of a 3-litre portfolio and want to say thankyou, thankyou,...
On the 23rd April I purchased a Jaguar XF Portfolio model at a cost of nearly £44,000. I have now covered approximately 700 miles and I find that the ride is very hard and not at all acceptable. The standard...
To add to the discussion regarding daytime lights, I used to drive with front foglights on, but recently a Police car drove up beside me at traffic lights and the officer asked why I had my lights on as...
I have just finished reading the article "Green Mean & Clean" by Judith Woods and it occurred to me that the Millbrook Proving Ground could be used to demonstrate the effect that the ubiquitous speed bumps...
I have a 2004 Renault Scenic and am unable to remove one of the front alloy wheels due to the centre being welded to the brake drum. I have tried Plus Gas and hammering the rear of the wheel without success....
My pet hate is indicators flashing in my eyes when waiting at traffic lights, especially on cold, wet British winters nights. Nothing worse. Especially cars or vans with worn out old lamps that are almost...
I still enjoy our long and short distance driving, and have patronised BMW since the 1980s. However, the last year with our local franchise dealer has become somewhat fraught. It may be due to my age and...
My son is soon to go into business for himself and will need a vehicle with room for carrying samples, but one that can be used for the family at weekends. It also needs to be reasonably economic. He saw...
My daughter-in-law will very shortly be choosing another company car. Her current car is a Ford Focus 1.8 diesel (I think). However, she is now considering a hybrid because of VED band A zero tax. Her...
Has anyone ever done the CO2 calculations on speed bumps? If you decelerate and accelerate (even be it sensibly) there is a CO2 implication in the extra fuel and brake wear (presumably CO2 is generated...
I have recently bought an 2002 Golf Automatic and have gathered that you advocate driving with the left foot for the brake. Will you please explain why?
Is this a situation you have heard of? A driver is stopped by police who say his car is uninsured. He is given 7 days to produce documents. He then discovers his policy had lapsed in October 2009. No renewal...
I am looking to replace my VW Polo and would be grateful for your advice on the best small car with zero road tax I have been thinking about the Toyota Aygo. My driving is mainly around the town and I...
I'm a motorcyclist who likes to make eye contact with drivers waiting at junctions to ensure that I've been seen. However, lots of front side windows are (illegally) heavily tinted. You recently described...
Your correspondent FM asked what is the best driving technique to use with Honda's i-Shift. In my experience with a Jazz, bought last November to replace a Jazz CVT-7, there is no best way. This electronic...
Please can you advise? My 1999T Volvo S80, bought new, now with 54,000 miles, developed a faulty lambda sensor. While removing it the Volvo dealer broke the collar in which it was attached to the exhaust...
Several weeks ago, I accidentally put 20 litres of unleaded into my 9 year old, 93,000 mile 1.9D Renault Kangoo. I immediately filled the rest of the tank with diesel (about 35 litres) and ran the car...
I am puzzled why you, and other reviewers, are so reluctant to recommend Ford Fusions? I have a 2006/56 Fusion Zetec TDCi 1.6, do about 12k miles a year and, except for one fill up in the hard weather...
As promised, my experience with the IAM Drive Check 55 you recommended me to take. I received a letter within a couple of days of booking, selected a local branch and e-mailed them. It took a few days...
I might buy a car from Car Giant. I believe you have recommended them in the past. What should I be aware of? Will they haggle on price?
I have fallen foul of one of Croydon's many enforcement cameras. It is alleged that I “stopped on a restricted bus stop / stand”. The bus stop has a single wide yellow line. I did stop to set down a passenger...
I own a Freelander 2, bought new in August 2007 and am considering purchasing a new Freelander 2 TD4 HSE. Under the Land Rover Finance agreement on the existing car, the final payment will be £13,482....
I drive approximately 12,000 miles per year in a 2004 diesel Astra, 30 per cent motorway miles and the rest on country roads and lanes. The tyres are due for replacement in September at MOT. I am thinking...
Volkswagen agreed in the end, under their goodwill scheme, to repair my car after a lot of argument. That was a couple of weeks ago, however I have since noticed a dent on the passenger side under the...
We have an '02 plate SEAT Alhambra 1.9TDI. In the last month or so, my wife has lost power twice when driving it. She switched the engine off, and everything was fine again. In the first few days, we were...
I'm looking at purchasing a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 16v SE, 5-door with 46,000 miles on the clock. I am wondering what you think would generally be a good price. I am not really looking to spend more than...
Can you start a car which is in first gear without engaging the clutch?
I have been advised by the dealership I bought the car from new, that my 55-plate Mazda 6 Sport 2.3 petrol falls within a VIN range which is covered by a TSB, stating that some vehicles may experience...
I have recently had a test drive of the new BMW 5 Series saloon and was very impressed. I have few reservations about the car, but one is that runflat tyres come as standard with no other option. For UK...
I have an E46 BMW 330D M Sport Touring auto in metallic black with a full range of extras (sat nav, TV, electric leather memory seats, xenons etc). It is a 2002 model, one previous owner with 108,000 miles...
I have a 2009 Citroen Dispatch 1.6-litre turbo diesel van. It's not yet due for a service on its factory oil (less than 500 miles). One of the staff topped up the oil with mineral oil 15/40 grade CC (as...
I have a 2002 Vauxhall Vectra C, 2.2DTi with 111,000 miles on the clock. When I start the car there is a squealing noise, which rises and falls with the revs for the first 10 to 15 seconds of running,...
I have a 2002 Renault Clio II 1.5 diesel. I would like to know why it produces black smoke? We have replaced the turbo, which was faulty. While driving the acceleration decreases and lots of black smoke...
I have a Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 which is on an 05 plate. On Friday I was travelling down the motorway at 70mph when the engine management light came on. It started flashing and the car lost power. I pulled...
I have been quoted £450 to have my new BMW 5 Series protected - this seems very expensive and I am doubtful that it is worth the money, as the car will be low mileage and will be kept in a garage. I recall...
My local garage last week replaced the thermostat housing unit on my Peugeot 307 1.6 semi-automatic 2007 model, after I woke up one morning to find huge water loss. The car has only done just over 22,000...
I require a replacement key for my Vauxhall Corsa. However I have been informed by family and friends that the only place I can obtain one is from a Vauxhall garage and will cost around £140, obviously...
We have an Audi A4 3.0 convertible on an 04 plate which has done 55,000 miles. The car now only does approx 5000 miles a year. Audi advises that the cambelt is changed every 80,000 miles, but doesn't give...
Please can you tell me how I calculate the wheel and tyre size for a 2005 Volvo V70? I want to put winter tyres on steel wheels for the coming winter. Clearly, the wheels will be a smaller diameter than...
Returning on Saturday from shopping in our 55-reg Golf Plus (46,000 miles), I noticed the ESP light was on. Ironically, on returning home, I opened the Telegraph Motoring section and the very first thing...
I am contemplating the purchase of a 2008 Honda Civic 1.8 iVTEC EX fitted with an iShift gearbox. This does not have a torque converter but a clutch, as fitted to the 1.4 manual where the changes are made...
I'm contemplating purchasing a 2001 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 16v SXI with 110,000 miles for my son and I need some advice. Can these cars can cope with high mileage? Apart from the cam belt change, what else...
I need to replace the two front tyres on my 2007 Lexus GS300. The car has only done 19,000 miles so I am going to get the tracking checked first. Once this has been checked, and realigned if necessary,...
I have a Peugeot 306 diesel turbo and I can not find the head gasket in my country. The dealer tells me they are finished. Where else can I get them?
I have been trying to find my car's details in order to identify the paint. I have entered the VIN number into various sites. One informed me that my 2006 Ford Focus Estate was a 3-door Focus van and other...
I have a 1987 Mk1 Karman Golf that cut out suddenly and I haven't been able to get it started since. I called out a roadside rescue mechanic who checked the distributor and rotator arm, and he cleaned...
I have a new Vauxhall Meriva with a push button brake. Three times now we have pranged it when moving off on an incline. On one occasion I had to get out and wave the traffic behind to pass. Then, when...
Is there an alternative (in East Anglia) to getting a 2006 Peugeot 206 key cut, rather than the quoted main dealer price of between £100 - £150?
Elsewhere on 
