Holden Barina Problems

I would expect that the issues relating to the air-conditioner and airbags would be covered by the warranty, if you are told that it isn't then kick up a stick. Contact Holden Customer Service on 1800 033 349.

Brakes are regarded as consumable items, which are not covered by the warranty. The warranty is there to address defective items in the car. You could argue that a vibration in the brakes must mean there's a defect in them, but the time and effort required to prove that the   vibration was due to a defective part and not use or abuse would be too much to justify doing it.

While the carmakers will tell you the transmission is filled for life the old timers in the auto business will tell you otherwise. It’s wise to regularly check the transmission fluid, and change it every 20,000-40,000 km depending on the use. You can leave it longer if it’s being used for normal driving, but if it’s towing it should be changed sooner rather than later. The transmission is working fine and it’s got fresh fluid, so there’s no reason to think there’s a problem on the horizon.

It’s hard to suggest where you might look from your description, but you obviously think the rattle is coming from the suspension and is not an engine-related rattle like pinging. If your suspicion is correct I would be looking at the front shock absorbers, but you really have to try and identify the area the rattle is emanating from.

You're correct; it is being phased out in NSW in 2011. It is likely that it will also be phased out in Queensland once legislation is passed by the parliament there, but there's no timing for that yet. In all other states the situation will remain as it is at the moment. The changeover is going to be similar to that which happened when unleaded fuel replaced leaded fuel. BP guarantees its E10 fuel for all vehicles regardless of age; they say they find the additives   make no difference to the fuels. Caltex and Shell are likely to follow with similar guarantees.

The jury is out about E10 at the moment; it is supposed to be satisfactory for modern cars, but there are too many reports like yours that suggest that's not quite right. You could run the Barina on premium unleaded and not have a problem and that's probably the best thing to do if you are concerned about ethanol.

I'm told that the analog AM signals being transmitted at the moment are not the best quality, stations are concentrating more on the digital signals and neglecting the analog signals that will disappear, which might explain your problems. We're also told that a reception problem should affect all stations, not just one as you suggest, and our radio expert is at a loss to explain why the interference might be worse when the brakes are applied. Perhaps take it to your local radio specialist and have them check it out for you.

The Barina will run happily on E10 and I doubt the dealer's advice about the "emission light". Ford, on the other hand, recommends you use the higher octane rating premium fuel, hence the advice not to use E10. Your Focus will run on E10, probably without any trouble, but it will run better on premium unleaded.

Yes, any competent mechanic can do it, there’s no need to have a Holden dealer do the work.