Car Servicing

My car has a seized motor, what should I do?
By Graham Smith · 11 May 2018

I need some help as my 2014 Mitsubishi Triton has a seized motor because I missed one service at 60,000 km, and I have a 5-year warranty.

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How to change a Mazda 3's oil?
By Iain Kelly · 08 May 2018

How to change a Mazda 3's oil?

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My car pulls to the right
By Graham Smith · 27 Apr 2018

After I tested the front diff locks on my 2017 Toyota Landcruiser on flat grass in a padlock I then found when driving on highway it was pulling to the right.

Is this something I can have looked at by the dealer, or do I just save the time and take it to the tyre centre to have the wheel alignment checked? Do we have to have the dealer do our fixed price service? As we are mechanics can we do this ourselves without affecting the warranty?

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My Hyundai i30 is blowing smoke
By Graham Smith · 27 Apr 2018

At 2000 km my 2014 Hyundai i30 was blowing blue smoke under medium acceleration. It was checked under warranty and no problem was found, but now at 40,000 km it’s blowing smoke again, and this time there is lots of smoke. I’m having it checked, but is this normal?

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Is my A/C cycling too frequently
By Graham Smith · 27 Apr 2018

When the A/C in my 2015 Mitsubishi Challenger is operating, the compressor is cycling very frequently, approx. 5-10 sec. Is this normal, or is there a fault?

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What tyres should be on my MG ZS?
By Graham Smith · 27 Apr 2018

Could you tell me what year tyres should be on a brand new car from China? I purchased a MG ZS Essence in February 2018, and went in for the complimentary service in March. My tyres did not look as new after the car service.

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Ford Kuga 2014: Ford is replacing my unreliable Kuga. How much can I expect?
By Graham Smith · 27 Apr 2018

My 2014 Ford Kuga has had starting problems since two months after I purchased it.

Since then it has had numerous 'updates', two screens replaced, two batteries replaced, it has had the earths fixed to prevent steering loss, the tailgate latch replaced and I am still having my communications screen shut down when it gets too hot, which can be from 26 to 38 degrees.

Ford has given the car to a caseworker to help with these issues and it is now at the stage where it is being appraised for a refund or replacement if my claim is accepted. How much should I expect to pay/lose on the value of my car as I have been told that if I decide to replace the car I can expect to have to pay something towards it as my car has lost value. I was also told that this is between the dealer and me, and that all Ford does is agree that the car needs to be replaced or refunded.

I guess I just want to know where I stand and to have some idea of what to expect.

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Statutory warranty on used cars
By Graham Smith · 27 Apr 2018

We bought a brand new 2013 SZ Ford Territory Titanium TDCI diesel rear-wheel drive auto. It has now done just over 90,000 km.

In recent months we noticed there is no hot/warm air, only cold air. We were informed that a plastic rod inside the dashboard had broken and will be very costly to fix. We have been informed this is a common problem with Ford. We called Ford and were told the car is no longer under new car warranty. For Ford to run a diagnoses test will cost $170 per hour. The actual cost of fixing the issue is very costly.

Given this is a common and known issue what is our right? Am I entitled to a free of charge repair to fix this problem? The car is under BN36 - Basic 36 months vehicle Protection plan, which expires on 21/4/2019.

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Gears slipping in a Ford Territory
By Graham Smith · 27 Apr 2018

The gears on my 2007 Ford Territory TS keep slipping and the word ‘perf’ appears on the dash screen. What can I do?

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Should I buy an old European car?
By Graham Smith · 20 Apr 2018

I’m looking at a one owner 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230 Elegance 2.5 V6 petrol with full service history, although I’m yet to find out if it’s Mercedes, an aero specialist, or a budget express lube.

I’ve always been talked out of older Euro luxury cars and really need some unbiased advice on things to look out for. Things like timing belt, servicing schedule, or known issues...

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