http://www.carsguide.com.au Carsguide's Question and Answer column will provide you with tips and solutions for your car troubles. en Copyright 2010 Carsguide {gmt_date format="%Y-%m-%dT%H:%i:%s%Q"} Cars for Sale - Buy used and new cars from private sellers and car dealers. Find road tests, new car reviews and more at carsguide.com.au. http://www.carsguide.com.au/img/logos/logo-carsguide-small.gif http://www.carsguide.com.au/ 206 55 Cars for Sale - Buy used and new cars from private sellers and car dealers. Find road tests, new car reviews and more at carsguide.com.au. Search Carsguide keywords http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/buy-a-car/search/ http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/toyota_hilux_towing_caravan?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-16T11:00:51+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide I'm going on a caravan trip in my 2006 Toyota HiLux turbo-diesel 4x4 towing a camper trailer weighing 1700 kg. A friend has told me to stay in fourth gear and sit on 110 km/h the whole way as it stuffs up fifth gear if you use it. He was told this, but ignored it and when he got back fifth gear was noisy. Have you heard of this, and should I stay in fourth.

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/holden_captiva_auto_transmission?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-16T11:00:46+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide The auto transmission on my 2006 Holden Captiva LX has started misbehaving - first just changing gears at odd moments, then would randomly lose all traction and was no longer safe to drive. The dealer found an error code on the computer, which is an "unknown error code". They now say transmission needs to be taken apart and may need replacing - he has quoted $5500 upwards. The car has only done 90,000 km, and is under extended warranty. I am not confident the dealer really knows what he is talking about, and is it really right that I might be up for over $4500 when the car is still young and under warranty? Do you have any advice?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/chrysler_300_fuel_consumption?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-16T11:00:19+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide I recently bought a Chrysler 300 with a 5.7-litre petrol V8, which the dealer recommended I use premium unleaded. The handbook states that 91 RON is acceptable, but 95 is preferred. A friend has been running his on 91 with no ill effects. What is correct?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/ford_mondeo_transmission_dipstick?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-16T11:00:17+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide Where is the auto transmission dipstick located in a 2007 Ford Mondeo and where do I fill it up?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/hyundai_getz_reverse_gear?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-16T11:00:12+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide We are very pleased with our new 1.6-litre manual Hyundai Getz, but every so often we have trouble getting it into reverse. Any thoughts?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/mitsubishi_magna_transmission?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-16T11:00:12+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide Every time I brake at the lights the automatic transmission in my 1998 Mitsubishi Magna V6 disengages then engages with a bit of a lurch. I have checked the transmission fluid and it is up to the right level, but it is a brown colour and has a slight burnt smell. I am wondering if it has overheated or if the coolant has somehow contaminated the fluid. I am planning to do a complete fluid and filter change to fix it, but was a bit scared by the idea that there is cross contamination by coolant as my mechanic said if he is right am I looking at a complete transmission replacement. Would it be worth doing a coolant flush clean and replace as well?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/nissan_navara_engine_fail?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-09T11:00:53+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide I have a 2009 Nissan Navara 2.5 diesel and I am concerned about the stories I have read about these motors failing anywhere from 60,000 to 120,000 km. I have also read about the timing gear failing. Have you heard anything about this and if it's true what can I do to prevent it?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/nissan_x_trail_towing_load?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-09T11:00:52+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide What would be the safest towing load for my 2002 Nissan X-Trail auto 2.5, and what would be the best/safest towing set up?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/navara_makes_pinging_noise_when_cold?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-09T11:00:41+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide The motor in my 2007 Nissan Navara 2.5-litre turbo-diesel stutters or hesitates and makes a pinging noise when it's cold, but it's okay when it's warm. I have had it to two mechanics and they couldn't fix it. What's wrong?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/suabru_outback_coolant_leak?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-09T11:00:36+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide My Subaru Outback 2.5 EFI has developed a slow leak at the rear of the engine between the head and the block. I have had it pressure tested and that's the only place it's leaking from. It doesn't overheat and there are no bubbles in the radiator or water in the oil. I have had the water pump checked, radiator hoses, radiator, and there are no leaks. I have had three independent reports by mechanics that say the same thing, to fix the problem it's necessary to pull the motor out and I have been quoted $2800 to $4800 to do it. It's only done 176,000 km and I am pretty pissed off at having a head gasket go at this low kilometres. Any suggestions for a fix?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/nissan_maxima_handling?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-09T11:00:27+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide How can I improve the handling of my 2010 Nissan Maxima?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/renault_megane_miss_in_engine?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-09T11:00:20+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide Last year my 2004 Renault Megane Turbo Spots started to play up with a sorta miss in the engine when at a constant speed. It's not there on acceleration, only when cruising. I have had four mechanics check it, but none could find anything wrong. They changed the alternator and the exhaust sensor, the injectors were cleaned three times, new spark plugs were installed, had the vacuum test and the camera up the exhaust pipe. Don't know why they did that. One said it was a sticking exhaust valve, but that would cost $4000 and it might not fix it! I'm out of ideas. I don't want to get rid of it as I love it, I was also insulted with a car yard offering me $5000 for it. What can I do?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/vt_commodore_lpg_conversion?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-02T11:00:24+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide I have a 1999 VT Series II 3.8-litre V6 that has done 217,000 km and I'm wondering if it would be suitable for converting the LPG? Currently I am traveling between 1000 and 1500 km per week. I have not had a problem with the vehicle and would prefer to not have to change it, unless the life expectancy or suitability for the conversion was a potential issue.

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/ford_escape_oil_leak?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-02T11:00:24+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide My 2007 Ford Escape has a minor oil leak, and the local Ford dealer has told me that the sump gasket and timing cover oil seal need replacing. As the vehicle has only traveled 70,000 km is this unusual? He has quoted me a price of $2175 to fix it, which seems like a lot of money for a minor problem. Have I got any options other than pay this price?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/ford_territory_failed_solenoid?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-02T11:00:23+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide I have just had a quote to repair my AWD 2006 Ford Territory after the 'Shift Solenoid Failure Code' came up. A changeover automatic transmission was recommended at a cost of $7200! The car is only five years old and has only done 127,000 km, can that be right, it's only worth $15,000? What are my options?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/ford_territory_lpg_conversion?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-02T11:00:19+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide Where can I get my 2007 4-cylinder Toyota Camry converted to LPG, and how much should it cost?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/mazda_bt_50_clutch_shudder?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-02T11:00:12+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide We have been permanently on the road with our 2010 Mazda BT50, towing a 21-foot caravan, that is under 3-tonne load limit, and we are experiencing clutch shudder. We have already had one clutch replaced at approx 20,000 km, and we are now up to 33,000 km and have the clutch shudder back. Is this normal, or is it because they have too light a clutch system and not meant for pulling constantly, as they claim? We have spoken to others with the same problem, and also to people with Nissan Navarras who have to replace clutches as well.

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/mitsubishi_magna_timing_belt?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-02-02T11:00:08+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide When should I change the cam timing belt on my 2003 Mitsubishi Magna?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/clogged_mazda3_diesel?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-01-26T11:00:54+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide The DPF on my 2008 Mazda3 diesel has failed through being clogged. The car is under warranty but Mazda has refused my claim because the DPF cycle was not reset at each oil change, some of which I did myself. I had not been advised when we purchased the car, or at any subsequent services at the dealer, or indeed when we purchased oil and filters at the dealership that Mazda has a requirement that at each oil change the computer (DPF) must be reset by the dealer. I don't agree with Mazda's rejection of my claim, which I believe is valid. The car has been serviced as per maintenance schedule, the major services have all been carried out by the dealer, oils and filters for changes other than major services were all sourced from the dealer, and we have extended warranty time on this vehicle. How can a company require that you return it every 10,000 km to have the DPF reset?

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]> http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/tools-and-advice/q-and-a/au_falcon_dual_fuel?utm_source=carsguide&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qanda 2012-01-26T11:00:38+00:00 Graham Smith Carsguide How often should I run my dual-fuel 2001 AU Falcon, on petrol? I currently run three tanks of LPG to one tank of petrol.

... read the full story at Carsguide ]]>