Holden Commodore 2013 Problems

It's not that unusual for a coil to fail, but to repeatedly fail like that is unusual and I would be looking for issues other than the coil. The most common issue is the crank angle sensor; it would be worth making sure all is well with that.

The main reason is the lack of repeater stations we have, if we had more the reception would be better. Poor receptions can also be caused by interference from overhead power lines, tramlines and the like that you get in the city and inner suburbs. It can be usually improved by fitting an aftermarket amplified antenna, but the VE already has an amplified antenna and is one that isn't often affected. You could fit a better quality amplified antenna, but that would entail fitting another radio and it's starting to get expensive. You could also look at getting a digital radio module and connecting that to your radio through the auxiliary connection, which would improve your AM reception and give you digital radio at the same time.

We contacted Holden about your concerns and received the following response from its spokesman John Taylor. John told us that there was no direct relationship between oil consumption and engine pinging. He went on to say that if there is a pinging condition affecting your car then the Holden dealer could address it and they would be happy to put you in touch with one of the company's Customer Assistance Service representatives to do that. Should you want this to happen get back to us and we will advise Holden to set that process in motion. As to your assertion that "Holden has relaxed the tolerances on the pistons in the late model Commodores (SIDI engines), allowing oil to get past and gum up the motor with carbon", John denied that was the case, saying that Holden has not 'relaxed' any tolerances of pistons/rings that could then cause the engine to 'gum up'. Again he made the offer of putting you in touch with CAS to discuss your concerns.

If you take-off at the stall speed of the torque converter the auto will have the quicker get-away because of the torque multiplication of the converter. At speeds below the stall speed the manual will get away quicker because the torque converter is, in effect, slipping during the initial phase.