Car Servicing

When my 2010 Toyota Kluger was in for its $170 fixed price 20,000 km service I was called to the service desk and advised that it was told that the fuel injectors needed a service for an additional $170. I felt that due to the low mileage and the premium fuel that I had been using this was a case of over -servicing to extract a few more dollars for their work. The service book only recommends that the fuel filters be changed at 48 months or 80,000 km. Surely this would indicate that Toyota expect the fuel system to be still functioning efficiently at this stage in the cars life. Appreciate your thoughts.

Tell Evonne (Carsguide, Sept 28) that the gearbox problem on her 2006 2.0 FSI Golf is the valve body in the gearbox and is a $3000 (approx) fix at a transmission specialist. I know because I had the same problem with mine and was also quoted $7000 by VW who told me the 'box was shot. The trans specialist informed me if I let the problem continue it would eventually lead to irreparable damage to the gearbox. I chose to let the specialist fix it, which they did in one day. I notice with interest that the problem is a common one with Golfs, and Audi A3s and TTs, so common that in the USA it is fixed free, even outside warranty.

I refer to Robert Burden's problem as reported in the Mercury on Saturday 29th when he mentioned his Jeep has a clunk on take-off. I have a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee that also has this clunk. It has had it since 6-8000 km, and still has it at 22,000 km despite me twice reporting it to my dealer. The dealer's response has been that they do not hear it, or they deny the problem exists, but the clunk is definitely there, it cannot be missed. The more owners report the more the chance there is of getting it fixed.

The steering wheel in my 2009 VW Touareg TDI sits at 'twenty-to-two' instead of 'quarter-to-three' despite the efforts of the various tyre and 4WD places that have tried to align it for me. No one has been able get the steering wheel to sit straight and have the wheels correctly aligned, and none of them has any idea why. The car pulls slightly to the left all the time. Where could I take it to get someone to give the car a thorough inspection to see if there is anything amiss with the steering or the suspension?

I recently purchased a Subaru Forester and while I am very pleased with it, I am disappointed with what I hear and read about this model's oil consumption. How much do they consume and why, and what oil do I use to top it up? Surely such a modern engine should not consume much oil?

I had my 2006 Mitsubishi Colt serviced at a Mitsubishi dealer. It was in the workshop for 1 hour and 10 minutes, and I was charged $234 for labour, not including parts. The service assistants weren't very helpful when I queried the cost. Is this an excessive charge?

My 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser 80 Series has done 180,000 km and still has the original clutch. Around town it is fine, but when towing our 2500 kg van, especially from a start, the clutch feels like it is struggling. There's a bit of shudder, but no slippage. Would you advise getting a heavy-duty clutch fitted?

I own a 2005 Subaru XT (Turbo) Forester that has done 90,000kms and is now out of warranty. Subaru indicate it should be serviced every 6 months or 12,000 km, whichever comes first. In the past I have always had the car serviced by Subaru as recommended, but I am now not driving many kilometers. The 6- month service is now due and I have only done 3000 km in that time. Is it imperative that I continue to get the car serviced every 6 months irrespective of the kilometres done, or would it be more prudent to have it serviced say every 5000 km irrespective of time?

On checking the oil level in my 2009 VE Calais V 3.6-litre SIDI V6 at 19,000 km it was found to be low and was topped up by the dealer. It took 1.6 litres of oil, and took a further 400 ml at 22,000 km. After the check at 19,000 km General Motors instructed the dealer to monitor the oil level every 3-4000 km. On checking a few items by the dealer it has improved, but it's still using 2-400 ml per 3-4000 km. This engine has a constant rattle when accelerating, which the dealer claims is not uncommon. The car is out of warranty at the end of this year and it looks as though I will be left with the problems. Have you heard of any other 3.6-litre engines with these problems?

I recently purchased a new XS Subaru Forester Premium and while I am very pleased with it, I am disappointed about what I hear and read about their oil consumption. Why is that so? How much do they consume and what oil do I use to top it up. A 2012 engine should not consume much oil?