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.

02 February 2012

When should I change the cam timing belt on my 2003 Mitsubishi Magna?

02 February 2012

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?

26 January 2012

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.

26 January 2012

It seems to have become a relatively recent change in car servicing schedules to replace the brake fluid every two years. I can't remember ever having had a brake problem with any of my previous cars, quite a few of which were six to eight years old without ever having the fluid replaced, or bled, for that matter. Has the quality of the modern fluid fallen off so badly that this is necessary, or is this just another dealer ploy to increase the new car sales profit?

26 January 2012

Recently while driving my new Holden Colorado on a bitumen road I noticed it was in 4WD, presumably because I inadvertently engaged the 4WD button while loading or ejecting a CD from the player that is located immediately below the 4WD controls. Are you aware if this is a common occurrence, and would any significant damage have resulted by driving the vehicle over a distance of 50-100 km.

26 January 2012

My 2002 VY Holden Commodore uses half a tank of fuel to travel 100 km to work one day a week, which is about three hours of driving. Is there a problem with the fuel system or is this normal?

26 January 2012

My 1999 3.2-litre V6 Holden Rodeo has been running nicely on LPG for three years, but it now about half a tank of petrol per two tanks of gas. I have pulled the petrol pump fuse, but that makes no difference. I notice the injectors are running when it is on gas, but I don't know if this was previously the case. If I put a solenoid valve in the petrol line the injectors would be running dry and that might not be good for them. No one seems to know what to do. Where do you suggest I start looking at this problem?

26 January 2012

I've recently bought a 2002 5.4-litre Falcon XLS Ute. At cold idle the engine is quiet, but after a trip when the engine is hot it does get a fair bit noisier, particularly when at idle. Is this normal? I'm getting around 14.6 L/100 km around town and close to 500 km per tank, is this normal or too much?

19 January 2012

I have just returned from a trip in my 2005 Toyota Prado, and was unpleasantly surprised when I calculated my fuel consumption at just under 15 L/100 km. I was pulling a camper trailer, mostly on freeways with very little stop/start driving and I would have expected much better fuel economy. I got better from my old V8 Falcon. Would this be in the range you would expect?

19 January 2012