Holden Problems

Flooding is one of the worst things that can happen to a car; it’s often a cause of a car being written off. You really need to check all electrical connections to make sure they are dry and not corroded, check the computer to make sure it hasn’t had any water in it, and check the engine sensors for water damage. I’d be checking the crank angle sensor in particular.

Consulting a brake specialist, like Howard Reynolds at Race Brakes, is always worth doing. Car makers fit components to meet certain performance criteria, like stopping distance, fade resistance, and longevity, and it's possible to improve on some aspects by going to other, or better discs and pads.

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

You could, but I wouldn’t as I think it would be a waste of time. Even though you have done only a few kays, the car is six years old.

If the transmission is performing as it should then it could just be a dodgy wiring connection, but having the transmission checked and serviced is a wise course of action.

The Captiva V6 doesn’t reach its peak torque until 3200 revs so it’s hard to know why you feel it dropping off after just 2000 revs. The exhaust system was primarily designed as a fuel economy improver; the engine also has constantly variable cam phasing and that’s the main system that allows good low down torque as well as good top end performance.

It's not a common problem, but it isn't unusual for ignition coils to fail. I don't believe you could claim to have 'lemon' coils as you say, after all one lasted close to 100,000 km before it died. I doubt that any claim to have the other four coils replaced would find favour with Holden.

Under the Australian Consumer Law introduced in January 2011, a consumer can request a refund or a replacement for persistent problems if the car doesn’t do the job it’s supposed to do.

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.

It's odd that Holden's diagnostic equipment failed to find the problem oxygen sensors. In any case it is good to get an outcome, and it's something any other owner with a fuel consumption problem should think about checking.

Check the alignment, if you're wandering all over the road the alignment is not correct.