Ask The Guide

You don’t say what the transmission is, but I will guess that it’s a CVT, which was one of the automatic transmissions offered by Renault in 2011. I haven’t heard of such a problem with the transmission of the Koleos before, and it could be that it needs servicing and the oil replacing. Take it to a Renault dealer and have it checked.

Being so new the car should still be under warranty, so I would take it back to the Hyundai dealer you bought it from and ask that they run a diagnostic check on it. If that fails to show up anything wrong, ask the dealer to call in Hyundai’s service representative for help.

Your plan to go to court over the matter is the correct course of action. The auto transmission in your model has been very troublesome and many owners have had problems with them. The only way to fix it is to replace the transmission, which was done once before on your car, and you will potentially have to replace again some time in the future.

No. Hyundai only recommends E10 for cars built after October 2003.

Ford has a responsibility to repair any faults found in their cars, so you do have a case for some assistance in locating the cause of the downshifting problem and fixing it to your satisfaction.

More could come on to the market as owners upgrade to the new model, but I wouldn't expect any significant shift in the price of older models.

You would like to think that sales personnel have the knowledge to advise you on issues like this and do so before you buy, but it seems they don’t. And yes you should have asked to be sure that your phone is compatible. Phone Mazda’s customer relations service (1800 034 411) and discuss the problem with them.

Based on your description it’s only worth what a scrap merchant might give you. If you really want to try and sell it ask $500 and you might get $200.

Hyundai’s claim for urban fuel consumption, that is city driving, is 10.1 L/100 km, which is pretty much what you are getting. The claim for extra urban or highway is 5.9 L/100 km, which also accords pretty well with your results, and the combined figure is put at 7.4 L/100 km.

On the basis of what you have reported there isn’t a problem.

91-octane regular unleaded, and it can accept E10.