Trending topics in September 2010
Questions from September 2010
I was interested in your recent reply about left foot braking. If you learn to drive on an automatic that way and never drive a manual, or for that matter vice versa, I don't see a problem. But if you...
As a former owner of a Porsche Cayman and having used the Porsche facilities at Silverstone, I think AC is right to be concerned over performance on icy roads. The Silverstone track is great to get the...
I recently bought a FIAT Punto for my son. The people I bought it from had it on a lease contract and only supplied me with one key. They say they never had two keys. I have tried to obtain another key...
I hope you can help me. I currently own a Nissan Micra, just under three years old, mileage 8,400 (I only use the car for short journeys). I have looked at a Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz and a Ford Fiesta....
Is there a way for me to check I’m getting the improved suspension on a 2010 FIAT 500?
4 weeks ago my 2-year-old FIAT 500 diesel engine seized up. On the dashboard it said I needed the oil changing. This did not make sense as it was fully serviced by FIAT at Chadwell Heath, Essex 4 weeks...
I am 32 years of age and am about to start my career as a Driving Instructor. The company that I've decided to go with does not include a car with its franchise costs so it down to me to get one. I currently...
Am I correct that pick-up trucks are generally more reliable than cars? My partner is Cambodian and when we visit the country, together with Thailand, you see pick-up trucks everywhere. They are used by...
My wife and I (both aged 80) drive a Volkswagen 1.9 Golf manual diesel. A short while ago I asked your advice about changing to an automatic and your advice was that we might have left it a bit late for...
I parked in a car park (run by Premier Parking Solutions) opposite
Didcot Station last week. I put five one-pound coins into their machine
which would cover me for a whole day's parking whilst at a meeting...
I took delivery of a new Vauxhall Agila 1.2 automatic Design with air conditioning on 3 June 2010. On-the-road price with 1-years VED £12,985, and I paid an extra £199 for 'Supagard' treatment. After nearly...
Just a word of warning for your readers about WeBuyAnyCar.com. Do not expect anywhere near the Internet valuation when you take your car to their buyers. We have a mint MINI Cooper S Convertible with every...
Thank you for raising the issue of ridiculous speed limits on Heavy Goods Vehicles in your recent column. I drive a 580hp Scania regularly on the M25. For some bizarre reason the speed limits on motorways...
What is the correct way to acknowledge the kindness of other drivers, for example if they stop to let you through? During daylight hours I have seen or heard the vehicle's horn, a raised hand, a finger...
I recently enquired about a BMW 635csi Highline for sale in Liverpool. I have been in contact with the seller about the car and have asked him any problems wrong with it. I first rang him last weekend...
I just found your VW ABS report online. Having been to the local Skoda Dealership with my 3 year old Octavia, which has been serviced at that dealership since purchased in 2007, and has just run out of...
Having driven a good workhorse for the last seven years, a Vauxhall Astra Estate, I am now in a position to buy a new car for the first time in my life, at age 73 years. I am looking for a stylish, reliable,...
Like you, for eight years I have been an avid Honda Jazz Fan. However, having recently bought the new model with the new I-shift I am in despair. It is a horrible drive and I should be grateful to have...
So glad you are promoting left foot braking, it's been my method for decades. I have used a range of manual change and automatic cars, and I have no problems with using my left foot for the clutch in a...
Back in December 2008 I was involved in a minor road accident. A white van reversed into my stationary car damaging the front. The driver admitted liability at the time and this was confirmed in writing...
I have a Ford Fiesta 1.3 1998 Encore. My rear wheel bearing has gone on the left-hand side, so I've gone to remove it but there is a casing over the nut for the hub so I'm not able to. Does anyone know...
If I disconnect the speedo on my 54-reg Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.4, will I lose the mileage? The dash has lost everything apart from the clock, indicators and oil light.
Could you tell me please how to set up the pump timing on a 2.8 Mitsubishi Shogun turbodiesel? I put a new pump seal in today and I got the timing wrong.
I have recently purchased a motorhome. I am not going to achieve a high annual mileage (max 5-6000) nor take it out for camping purposes that often (up to six occasions per annum). Clearly that is not...
I have just bought a 2004 Kia Picanto 1.1LX and it has only covered 12,000 miles. Now I am wondering if the car should have its second cam belt yet?
One of the motorcycles I own was caught on a Gatso fixed speed camera. I got the first letter on 15 September 2010, asking if it was me or who it was. The alleged offence was on 23 July 2010. What should...
My Citroen C5 HDI has a loss of power. I have had it checked and been told it is showing up as a turbo solenoid fault. Where is the turbo solenoid and what, if any, are the likely rectifications?
A 2005 Volkswagen Golf with 90,000 miles has no record of the timing belt being changed. Should it be done and should the work be done at an authorised dealer?
I have been told I may have a sticky air doser on my 1.9 diesel Citroen Berlingo. What is an air doser and is it expensive to repair?
I'm getting erroneous low oil pressure warnings in my P-reg Volkswagen Polo and the rev counter and speedo are not working. Also a beep is sounding occasionally. Oil contents ok, all lights seem to be...
Anybody else suffer flat spots at low revs in the Ford Focus 1.8 TDCI or find it easy to stall at low revs in first and second gear?
Can I change my 2004 Peugeot 206's self-adjusting clutch cable to a manual adjustment?
I'm looking to buy a five-year-old Porsche Boxster from an independent motor trader. Would you recommend the vehicle be checked by an approved Porsche mechanic or have an AA inspection?
My Toyota Auris has done 21,000 miles. The front tyres are at 2mm and the rears at 4mm. Should the new tyres go on the front or the back?
I am about to buy a used 2008 Audi A6 Saloon SE Special Edition from a local Audi dealer, who is suggesting that I should have the Autoglym Paint and Exterior Protection. I know that they are charging...
I'm looking for a car of up to one year old, automatic, of a similar size to my 10-year-old Vauxhall Omega or bit smaller, with a soft ride, quite good spec (ie cruise control, air conditioning etc), folding...
Which 4x4 would be the best for me? I need to be able to tow two horses in a trailer and would like a reliable, economical car that will be able to tow regularly and not burn out, costing me lots of money....
Friends of ours are staying in the UK for about 12 months with two small children, and want to buy a second hand seven-seat MPV and sell it when they depart. They have a budget of £3000. Can you suggest...
My daughter will start to learn to drive and will use my wife's Honda Civic. Is there a company which will enable her to start to build up no-claims bonus as a named driver?
I am currently on the look out to buy a secondhand car. I am looking to buy a BMW 1 Series 118d, up to 40,000 mileage and up to three years old. I had a look at the BCA site and see they often go for auction....
When do I need to change the cam belt on a Renault Laguna estate 2.2 diesel? I've just got the car and it's done 64,000 miles.
I have a Honda Civic Hybrid (07) and the car is due for it's three-year basic service very soon, and at £275 it seems a tad excessive. Anyway, the car has done 38,000 miles or so and Honda says the car...
My Vauxhall Astra has just made a 'thud' sound when I tried to set off and now it will not drive. The car will go in gear and the clutch feels as normal, it just will not drive when a gear is selected.
I have recently purchased a 2004 Toyota RAV4 2.0 auto from an Independent dealer. From the day after I purchased it the MAL VSC TRC warning lights have come on and had to be reset. The diagnostic errors...
I have an 1998 Audi A6 quattro Avant which has done 142,000 miles, and is by far the best car I have owned. It has just had a new MOT, and an advisory item is that new tyres will be needed soon, and I...
Which car seats would I need to fit three children (four years old, two years old, newborn) across the back of a new BMW 5 Series Touring?
I bought a used 2003 Rover 75 two months ago from a car sales showroom. The head gasket blew last week and subsequently at the garage the block was found to be cracked on my car. If my warranty does not...
I am looking to cancel my car insurance policy as I am moving abroad. I am six months into a 12-month policy. I pay for the insurance by monthly direct debit. I have called the insurance company and they...
For at least six months I have had a coolant leak, but there are no signs of a leak anywhere. I am now putting in one litre as frequently as every two days, after mileage as low as six. On the other hand,...
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