Ask The Guide

The Dodge Nitro compact SUV was available in both rear wheel drive and 4 wheel drive. Most Dodge Nitro models sold in Australia were 4x4s.

It could be the computer. It would seem that it’s not getting enough enrichment to sustain running during the warm-up phase.

If you've locked your keys in your car, or lost them all together, then you are going to need to get a little creative to get back into your car. In the old days you could probably have used a ruler and some wire to pop the door lock on your car, then hotwired it and driven it away. However, vehicles built in the last 40 years (like the Dodge Nitro SUV) aren't so simple and require the professional help of a locksmith to get into. A locksmith will be able to open your car door, though if you have lost your keys completely you may still need to have the car taken to your mechanic to have the locks replaced and the new keys coded to the car's computer.

Renault has a clear responsibility to fix the problem, and has been trying to fix it, but so far hasn’t been able to. Request a meeting with your dealer’s service manager and go through the history of the problem and have them tell you what they will do to fix it. It’s sounds like they need the assistance of a technical expert from Renault head office. You need to get an agreement that the problem will be fixed, or Renault will come to the party with a satisfactory settlement. You could also go to the ACCC, or the state consumer department for assistance and advice.

Since its introduction in 1983 the Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan run on a front wheel drive platform. While there was an all wheel drive model previously, there are currently no all wheel drive or 4 wheel drive models produced.

Both are good cars and should give you reliable motoring for many years to come. The servicing costs are similar. The Hyundai is only three years old and has only done minimal kilometres, so should by in near-new condition if it has been looked after and well serviced. Against that the Baleno is new and has a five-year warranty.

There is no reason to think that you would need to change either car within the period you mention.

Losing or locking your keys in your car is a frustrating experience which can take plenty of time and money to fix. Modern cars like the Dodge Caravan minivan are difficult to break into without smashing the window, which is dangerous as glass can cut you as it breaks and then takes a lot to clean up. While Hollywood makes it look easy to pick a car's lock and then hotwire it to drive off, the reality is modern vehicle security is complex. You should call a mobile locksmith straight away and get them to come and let you into the vehicle.

There’s no real difference in reliability or maintenance, but the SBV is more comfortable and feels a little safer with a little more sheetmetal ahead of you. I would prefer to be driving the SBV. It’s value would be $6000-$8000.

Dodge's Caravan mini-van is rated to tow up to 1600kg of braked trailer, which would tow a mid-sized boat fairly well. However, an all-wheel-drive or 4x4 vehicle would be better suited to pulling a boat up a slippery boat-ramp instead of the front-driven Caravan.

Before you worry about what might happen in the future the problem needs to be fixed now. I suspect the problem is not the computer, but within the transmission. Have an auto transmission mechanic check it.