Ford Problems

It has to be a power drain; there is no other plausible explanation. There is something that is not shutting down when you turn the car off. It could be a lamp in the boot, it could be a computer, there is something that is draining the battery. I would go to another auto electrician.

Going manual in an automatic is a good tip for all types of driving, and the best designs of self-shifters do a great job of mimicking a full manual change.

The Holden is cheaper because more people are choosing the Ford. If it's close enough on features, and ahead on value, then park the dream for some reality. But perhaps also cross-shop the Mazda BT-50, which is a clone of the Ranger.

The reason for distance and time on services is that short trips put just as much strain, sometimes more, on a car. If you go outside the recommendations, or do it yourself, you risk voiding the warranty and that could be expensive if something big goes wrong.

More than 80 per cent of cars sold in Australia are now automatics and that share is still rising, fast. When companies are looking to cut cost and complications from their line-ups, it's easy to drop a manual that few people want. Between X-Trail and CR-V I give The Tick to the Honda.

The place to start is www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports. For that site you can determine if your make and model is currently approved for import, and a Registered Automotive Workshop that could assist you with the approval process and conversion.

The best way is to wash it off with running water as soon as you see it, the sooner the better. The longer you leave it the greater the chance of damaging the paint. Regular washing and polishing is a way of protecting the paint and making it easier to clean when something is deposited on it. But speed is the essence, when something does happen; don’t leave it too long before doing something about it. If the paint has been damaged try cutting and polishing it.

The Ranger does get a refresh and Ford sources suggest no changes to the running gear but lots of new technology, including driver assistance on the high-series model. It will be on sale in the third quarter.