Ask The Guide

Depending on what spec model RAV4 you have they were either sold with 235/55-18 tyres (on models with 18-inch wheels), or 225/65-17 (for models with 17-inch wheels). If you read the writing on the side of your tyres you should see similar numbers written there, which will tell you what size tyres the RAV4 has on it now. The first three numbers (225 or 235) refers to how wide the tyre is in millimetres, the second numbers (55 or 65) are how tall the profile of the tyre is, with the lower number referencing a thinner tyre sidewall. The final numbers (17 or 18) refer to the size of the wheel the tyre fits to.

I doubt that it’s the battery or starter that’s causing your problem. I would suggest digging deeper into the engine itself, perhaps even check for a leaking head gasket.

The Jeep Patriot can tow 750kg of unbraked trailer (like a common box trailer, or small boat trailer), or up to a theoretical limit of 1500kg if the trailer is equipped with brakes.

I would doubt that he has any claim; clutches are considered a wear and tear item and not covered by warranty.

The DSG is a brilliant idea, but it was affected by a couple of issues that soured the experience for a lot of owners. The latest DSG is not affected by the problems of the older units; there have been a lot of improvements made to overcome the issues it had. You can buy one with confidence.

Take it to the dealer, sit down, have a coffee, wait a couple of hours, then pay the bill and drive away. If you're not experienced with working on your own car you're best off taking your car to a qualified mechanic or dealership and paying them to do it, as it rarely works out significantly cheaper to change fluids yourself at home despite the risk of scaling yourself with hot oil or having the car fall off the jack and kill you.

At this stage you should work with the dealer to resolve your concerns. They are already switching tyres to see if the higher speed vibration is due to the tyres, which is a sign they want to work with you. With the other concerns I would urge you to demonstrate them to the dealer, so they are in no doubt as to what it is you don’t like, and press them to find and fix the cause.

Pull the bonnet release lever, found on the driver's side A-pillar near the pedals, then walk to the front of the car. Approximately 30cm to the right of the Mini badge on the bonnet (hood) there is a button. Push that and lift, and the bonnet (hood) will open.

Everyone should check his or her new car before taking delivery of it, no matter the brand. You shouldn’t just assume that because it is new that it is without flaw. Having taken delivery you have much less power to have problems corrected, leaving you in the situation of having to negotiate with the dealer and the carmaker to get a satisfactory outcome. If you feel they are not interested in your concerns you should contact your state’s consumer affairs department and seek their advice.

When you lower a car you are normally simply swapping the coil springs for lower, stiffer units which reduce the ride height of the car, and makes the suspension firmer as there is less space for soft coils to absorb the bumps you drive over on the road. It requires specialised tools like coil spring compressors to safely remove the old suspension (which is held under tension) and fit the new parts. Sometimes you will need to replace the dampers (shock absorbers) with new units suited to the lowered ride height, too, and you will always need to get a new wheel alignment done by professionals once done. Due to the risks to your safety and the legality of your car, you should only have a professional suspension workshop lower your car for you - people have been killed while lowering their cars, such is the potential danger of this job.