Holden Captiva Problems

I don't think you've got much of a claim. While it's disappointing, and frustrating to have problems with a new car, Holden has corrected the problems. As such it has done what it is required to do, and your car is covered by the existing new car warranty, which would address any problems that might crop up in the next couple of years. I do think, however, that you have cause to complain to the dealer about the condition the car was in when returned to you.

You have experienced the problem that is the fuel consumption guide. The fuel consumption in the ads and the guide are the results of tests done under laboratory conditions, and not necessarily an accurate guide to what might happen in real life. They are meant to be used to compare one make and model against others in the same class, they're not intended to be an outright measure of real life fuel consumption. That gives carmakers the wriggle room they need to get out of a problem when customers, like you, complain. I think you are within your rights to demand that the dealer/Holden thoroughly check your car instead of fobbing you off and make sure it is within the factory specifications. Once that is done you could test your false advertising allegation, but that's a legal question best answered by others. I do, however, have some sympathy for your view.

Holden claims the fuel consumption of the petrol Captiva is 16.4 L/  100 km in urban, or city, driving conditions, but that drops to 8.9 L/100 km in extra urban, or country type driving. On average, the company claims, the Captiva would average 11.6 L/100 km. You say yours does 6.2 km/litre, which equates to 16.1 L/100 km, and that's in line with Holden's claims for urban driving. When you look at the labels on the windscreen you need to take in all of the information, not just the combined, or average, figures. The main thing they are there for is to allow you to compare one vehicle with another rather than give you an outright number that you will get from the vehicle yourself. Before complaining to the dealer I would do what has been suggested, that is to run it for the 15,000 km. You should see a reduced in the consumption as the vehicle beds in.

There would seem to be something amiss with your car to be getting 15-17 L/100 km average when the claimed average is less than 10 L/100 km, so you would appear to have grounds for complaint. Take them to the dealer and insist that the car be checked to make sure all is within specification, and if it is ask the dealer to do a supervised fuel consumption test on it to verify your assertions of poor economy. If you can't get any satisfaction at dealer level go direct to Holden and request the company's direct assistance.

The Captiva is an SUV, which means it's relatively heavy, and you pay a dear price in the form of tyre wear for hauling around all that weight. Getting 45,000 km from a set of tyres isn't a bad effort on that car. The tyres you have used previously are quality brands, so you won't do much better by switching to another make. If you wanted to change brands you could try Michelin or Bridgestone.

I would consult an auto transmission specialist before doing anything. It could be that it only needs servicing.

Your car clearly has a problem and should be checked by a competent mechanic who can run a diagnostic check on it. The power loss is a result of it going into ‘limp home’ mode, not the other way round. The problem could be a faulty sensor, a dodgy connection, or any number of things really. Have it checked.

I’m not a fan of these systems; I don’t believe they have been properly developed to a point where they are reliable. They work by substituting LPG for diesel and can damage engine if the amount of LPG is not properly controlled.

The gearbox light you mention is a mystery to us, not sure what light you’re talking about, but it’s most unlikely that you need a new timing chain. If you’re concerned about it take it to a Holden dealer and have it checked.