Ask The Guide

Replacing the CR2025 key in Mazda's is fairly simple. There is a small slide on the back of the key fob, which you hold open and then pull out the silver loop top section of the key. With a thin flat-head screwdriver inserted into the slots under where the key was, use a twisting motion separate the case. Once the case has started to split apart, run the screwdriver down the outside of the case to quickly pull the key apart. Pull the protective plastic cover off, then take the rubber gasket out. Switch the CR2025 battery, placing the positive side up, then reassemble the key.

Subaru released a new-generation XV in the middle of 2017 so don't expect major upgrades to this hot-seller any time soon. Once again, all Subarus not destined for the North American market are built in Japan.

While they have the looks of a small 4x4, all current-model Nissan Qashqai sold new in Australia are front wheel drive-only. There are no all wheel drive, 4x4, or rear wheel drive variants sold new in Australia.

Hyundai’s third-generation Tucson is built around the world, including locations such as Chennai, India, Tiaret, Algeria, Anapolis, Brazil, Nosovice in the Czech Republic, and Ulsan in South Korea. Australian-market cars from the South Korean facility, who provide several models Down Under.

Drive the car gently for 10 minutes to get the oil warm. Park the car on level ground, lift the bonnet and loosen the oil filler cap on the engine, and slide a tray or pan with at least 5-litres of capacity under the car. There is a flap held on by a couple of plastic screws protecting the drain plug and oil filter. You may not be able to reach the drain plug on the sump underneath the car without lifting the vehicle. If this is the case remember to use multiple chassis stands to securely hold the car in the air, and to ensure the car is as level as possible (so you might need to jack up the rear of the car to keep it flat). After 10 minutes the oil should have stopped dripping from the sump plug so put it back it and snug it tight - don't over-tighten it as you could strip the thread in the sump which would require removing the engine to fix! Remove the oil filter, allowing it to drain, and ensuring the rubber seal isn't stuck on the metal mating surface. Once drained wipe a smear of fresh oil on the new oil filter's rubber O-ring, fitting it a quarter-turn past snug. Check on your owner's manual for how much oil is required for your particular engine, and what grade of oil you should use.

Replacing the battery in a Toyota Corolla key doesn't require re-programming. You simply use a good quality flat-head screwdriver to carefully pry the two halves of the key apart. Once you have them separated carefully pry out the middle case, then carefully pry it apart. The small round battery is inside and can be replaced with any CR2016 button cell battery, remembering to leave the positive side up. The key can then be reassembled in the reverse of these instructions.

Lift out the four push-lock clips on the radiator cover panel using a flat-blade screwdriver. Push in the clip at the front of that panel, hidden behind the left-hand side of the grille to remove the top cover. Remove the Ford badge by undoing the three Torx-headed bolts holding that panel in from behind. The grille shell is held in by five push-lock clips, with the two outside clips accessed from behind the wheel arch liners, and the three centre clips accessed through the central air intake in the bumper. Once those clips have been popped out, the grille should lift out.

As a private sale it would be worth $21,000-$23,500, but as a trade-in it would be valued at $17,000-$19,500.

I assume the computer was replaced as diagnosed after the second episode, and that it has continued to give problems even with the new one. Intermittent problems are hard to diagnose, so you have to have some sympathy for the mechanics doing it. But given that Ford recently owned up to not looking after its customers I would approach them about fixing it, or getting a replacement car, or a refund.

The car is getting on in age, otherwise I would suggest you contact Hyundai and request a goodwill payment to help with the cost of replacing the column. There’s not much you can do other than replace the column, although you could perhaps use a second-hand column to save some money.