Car Servicing

I have a new Toyota LandCruiser Sahara, which has hill start assist, but I've noticed that it will still roll back, making an ABS type noise (as if brakes are being intermittently applied), unless I handbrake or left foot the brake pedal prior to moving off when on a hill? The Toyota dealer advised that all other Toyota models with HSA will not roll back and that it is an inherent design of the LandCruiser that it will still roll back – but at a slower rate than if it didn't have HSA. Is he having me on?

I bought my first car 5 years ago, a 1990 Toyota Camry station wagon. After a while I kept having problems with the engine overheating. I would take it to my mechanic to get fixed, but within a few months it would happen again. On top of that other little things would suddenly break or stop working. All my money was going on either rent or car repairs, and it stressed me out not knowing if it would break down on the way to work. About six months ago it overheated just as I turned into my driveway and I haven't had the heart to use it since. Today I had a look at it, and the list of defects is tragic: rust in odd places, broken headlight shield, wipers needing replacement, a driver window that doesn't work so I boil on hot days, no air-con, and on top of that a broken radio knob and tape deck. I like the size of this car and believe it or not it holds some fond memories for me, but it needs TLC. I don't have the skill and no mechanic seems to care. Is this car worth saving, or is it a lost cause?

We are considering buying a 2013 Kia Soul 1.6-litre petrol 6-speed automatic with around 10,000km on the clock. Have you heard of any reliability issues with these vehicles? Is the engine timing chain or belt driven?

We have a 2011 Nissan X-Trail and, at the recent 70,000km service at a Nissan dealer, an injection flush for $223 was recommended. We have never heard of this and the handbook doesn't recommend it. I asked about the purpose and benefits of an injection flush, but the dealer's rep's answer was a bit vague. What's your view on injection flush?

Have other readers had a problem with the ignition barrel in a Volkswagen? I have a Volkswagen 2012 Trendline and 12 months ago the ignition barrel went and it took about eight weeks to get the part and have it replaced. Unfortunately, 12 months later, the ignition barrel has gone again and I have been advised by the VW dealership they cannot fit me in until 10 March, 2015 where they will then look at the problem and order the part. The VW service has been the worst I have ever experienced.

You may be aware of the transmission shudder inherent to the six-speed transmissions in the Fiesta and now Ford has issued me a "Customer Satisfaction Program 14M01" giving me extended warranty for a total of 5 years or 160,000km. My problem is that the Ford service person I spoke to could not tell me if design improvements have been made to rectify the original problem (ie. better seals or clutch design). To their knowledge no improvements have been made, which means this will continue to be a repetitive fault. I have tried contacting Ford Head Office, but they will not put me through to a technical person to clarify this matter. Can you please help?

I am reading some strange reports about the automatic transmission for the 2012 Holden Cruze. My own SRI 1.4-litre turbo feels as if it misses the gear change at first acceleration and is underpowered. I have had Holden reset and test the transmission at each service and it has now done 20,000km. What do you suggest I do?

I noted with interest recent comments from people about the common Holden Cruze transmission slipping problem. Your replies have been to the effect that Holden is replacing them quietly. We have a 2011 diesel, which has done about 35,000km. Just recently, when starting the car and then moving off, it has started slipping in all gears. The revs go up, there is a loss of acceleration and it won't change into fourth gear. It goes into some sort of fault mode and uses only third gear all the time, even from start.

At every service since we purchased our 2012 Subaru XV we have complained to our dealer about poor idling and shuddering at low speed when coming to a stop. They have repeatedly told us it is due to tyre choice and not to do with CVT. Should we just live with it as we love the car otherwise?

I am looking at buying a 2012 Kia Cerato. It's done 70,000km, but only has a partial service history. Would it be still covered by the new car warranty? It looks as new.