Car Servicing

I have recently bought a 2013 Audi A3 and I've been having trouble with the accelerator pedal. I find that when I put my foot down harder than usual, I feel there is a lag of 1-2 seconds and it takes a little while for the car to take off. When it eventually takes off, it sometimes takes off so fast that I think I'm going to get whiplash. At an Audi dealership, a service person took it for a drive (with me in it) and he said that's just how these cars are built and I have to modify my driving. Have you heard this before regarding these vehicles or should I ask for a diagnostic check?

My CX-5 diesel has developed the well-documented engine oil problem. It’s traveled 7000 km since the 50,000 km service and the engine oil light is warning of high oil level due to presence of diesel in the engine oil. The dealer says it is normal for the diesel and car needs a service and oil change. Mazda Australia refuses to talk to me about the problem.

I have a 2014 Holden Commodore SV6 LPG-only car and I want to know if it could be converted to petrol?

You say 34,000km is normal wear for brakes these days. My 2011 Toyota HiLux 4x4 diesel auto dual cab has 240,000km on the clock, mainly city driving with about 600kg of load at any one time. Tyres last on average 120,000km, pads last 90,000km and discs are good for 180,000km. I can only assume that this is what you get for spending a bit more to buy "unbreakable".

I have been in the motor trade all my life and feel comments about Korean steel could unfortunately be right. In 2014 I bought a new Hyundai Elantra for my wife. About two months ago we had a bad hail damage — my wife's car was parked next to her sister's 10-year-old Holden Zafira and there was no damage at all to the Zafira. The Elantra's insurance claim is going through at the moment. Hyundai may make great vehicles but could possibly be making panels too thin to reduce weight and costs.

I'd like your advice on an issue with my 2010 Volvo XC60's brakes. I replaced the tyres at 62,000km and was advised that the disc pads and rotors would need to be replaced within about 5000km. I took it in at 65,000km to have the work done but it turns out that only the rear brakes needed doing. The mechanic tells me the fronts still have 100 per cent of the Volvo-specification thicknesses on both pads and rotors. So clearly, the rear ones have been doing all of the braking. He couldn't explain this and had never seen it before and I am wondering if you have come across a similar case before. Could something be faulty? Also, is it possible to adjust to even the wear, plus presumably make the car safer?

We bought a BA Falcon XR turbo new in March 2003 and it has done about 180,000km. It has been looked after extremely well. However, we have been told the engine management chip is faulty and the component is no longer available from Ford. Our advice is that if an aftermarket unit is not available, the car can no longer be used. I find this unbelievable. Attempts to date to get a replacement have been unsuccessful. It would be a shame to take such a car to the tip.

What are your thoughts on my situation with a Volkswagen Amarok? I have just had some work done on the car and have been told it needs new front brake pads and discs The car is 28 months old and has just ticked over 34,000km. I understand they use softer compound pads and these wear quicker but $850 inside three years seems excessive. Are there any longer lasting brakes, is this a common issue with these cars and do I have a right to feel short-changed?

I am looking to buy a compact SUV and my budget is limited to $22,000. One that falls within my budget is the Renault Koleos, but it does concern me that there seems to be an unlimited number of used Koleoses for sale. I am a single woman, so reliability and economy are foremost concerns. Is the Koleos a good vehicle?

My 2015 VW Polo GTi DSG has a thud/whack when changing into third gear. I read somewhere that one owner was offered a new gearbox and was exploring financial compensation. I have the same problem and want to get help as I am being told VW Australia sees it as a problem, but Germany doesn't and everyone is blaming someone else. Can you help?