Ask The Guide

The third-generation Nissan X-Trail is 4641mm long.

Both petrol and diesel, two wheel drive and four wheel drive X-Trails are rated to tow 750kg unbraked and 1500kg worth of braked trailer.

The simplest way to program a Focus smart key fob is to take the car to a Ford dealer or qualified locksmith and have them program it for you. Modern cars need to have their keys coded to the computer which runs the car's electrical and security systems, and this requires specialist software.

While you can program traditional ignition barrel-based keys in the car, modern smart key fobs need to be coded to the individual car's computer as that controls the security system. This means the easiest way to program a new key fob to your X-Trail is to take it to a Nissan dealer or qualified locksmith as they have the specialist software to do the job.

Ford's Focus uses a Halogen H7 bulb in its low-beam socket. Open the bonnet and remove the two Torx screws holding the headlight in place, then lift the headlight forward and out of the car. Unplug the wiring connector on the back, then remove the rubber boot weather seal on the back of the headlight. Undo the grey clip holding the headlight bulb in place, then remove the old bulb. Refitting the headlight is the opposite process. Adjusting the headlight aim should be done by professionals to ensure the light doesn't blind oncoming traffic, while also properly illuminating the road in front of the car.

The Ford Focus Sport is rated to tow 1100kg worth of braked trailer or 750kg unbraked. The ST and RS models are not rated to tow any weight due to their performance suspension.

Toyota rates their latest Corolla's fuel efficiency at 6L per-100km, which is impressive given the 126lW 2.0-litre motor in the new model.

The car is six years old, and was bought used, so you are unlikely to get any sympathy at Holden. You need to negotiate with the dealer who sold it to you, but I doubt that you will get any support there either. Your choices are to persist with it and hope that it doesn’t have any more gearbox issues, or unload it.

Toyota Corollas are sold with both automatic and manual transmissions.

The iLoad was plagued with turbocharger problems, but that was put down to inadequate servicing. It was determine that more frequent oil changes were needed to avoid the problem. Check the car you’re looking at to make it has been regularly serviced, and preferably every 10,000 km at the maximum, not the 15,000 km that was recommended.