Ask The Guide

You should have the recall work done; your car is unsafe and dangerous with the old airbag. Make sure they understand your concerns when you take the car in, and check it closely when you get it back.

I’m guessing they made a mistake when replacing the airbag the last time, I would hope they won’t make the same mistake again.

No, it isn’t. Get it checked by your dealer.

The tappets are not adjustable, and it’s not normal that they are noisy. It’s hard to know what has happened as a result of it standing for so long. Have a mechanic check the tappets.

The problem with the Cruze transmission is well known.

You have done the right thing by registering your concern with Holden, and it has responded by telling you a diagnostic check is needed to assess the situation with your car.

Pay the $135 for the test, and providing it confirms the problem I would expect Holden to replace the transmission at its cost.

750 kg with a trailer without brakes, or 2300 kg with a trailer that has brakes.

A conventional automatic transmission is the one that we have been used to in cars dating back to the 1940s.

Holden introduced its first automatic in 1961 with the EK model. A conventional transmission is one with a torque convertor between the engine and transmission so provide smooth easy drivaways. It basically disconnects just above idle speed so the engine can idle, but engages again when you accelerate away.

The transmission uses fluid to operate the various clutches inside the transmission for smooth shifting. The conventional transmission has proven to be very reliable over the years, but it isn’t the most efficient in terms of fuel consumption, particularly when compared to a manual gearbox. Engineers have been trying for years to make a more efficient transmission that has the smoothness of operation and the efficiency of a manual gearbox.

The two most successful have been the CVT “Continuously Variable Transmission) and the dual-clutch transmission, such as VW’s DSG and Ford’s Powershift. The CVT is designed to keep the engine revving at its most fuel-efficient speed by continuously varying the gearing.

To do that it uses a system of pulleys and a belt. It seems odd when driving it because the engine sounds like it’s revving its head off at a constant speed instead of climbing and dropping as it would normally do. The CVT was first used on a small DAF car in the 1970s, and picked up by Volvo when it took over DAF. It took a long time to develop the transmission, particularly the drive belt, to be used on anything other than a very small engine. Those problems have largely been fixed, but you’re correct that Nissan, and also Honda, had troubles when they first used the CVT.

The dual-clutch transmission is really a manual gearbox with two clutches that operate in synch with each other, one releasing one gear while the other engaging another gear. VW, Ford and Holden have had a lot of trouble with it, mostly related to the clutch packs, and the electronics.

It should be noted that both the CVT and the dual-clutch auto are more fuel-efficient that the conventional automatic, and both now seem to be largely trouble free.

Certainly change the oil and oil filter, and the air filter. You could also replace the coolant, and even change the radiator hoses and clamps. Have the air conditioning serviced, and maybe replace the fluid. Check the brakes for wear and replace if they’re down, replace the brake fluid. Also check the tyres, including the spare, for wear and any signs of damage, and replace if they need it. Obviously set the tyre pressure to the correct pressure for the load it will have.

Check for the Kia dealers that will be in towns along your way, so you can have it serviced if needed while you are away. And regularly check all fluids on the trip.

I doubt that you have any comeback on Toyota, but have the engine checked by a Toyota dealer for the cause of the failure and then you will have some idea of the possibility of a claim.

It’s quite possibly caused by the clutches in the gearbox; they may need to be replaced.

We haven’t heard of similar problems with the Touareg. The tyres are the obvious starting point. Have you changed them? If so the new tyres could have changed the behaviour of the vehicle. If not, try running the pressures a little higher than VW recommends and see what affect that has. If that doesn’t work, check the shock absorbers to see that they are working correctly, and suspension bushes for wear. As it’s under warranty the dealer should check it for you.