Car Servicing

My husband's Toyota Landcruiser 70 series GXL V8 ute stopped. Prior to stopping there was an odd noise, but the oil and water were ok, and the engine did not appear to be overheated. It hasn't been fully examined, but may be an injector problem according to his mechanic. Do we have any recourse? What do you suggest?

I am only getting 334 km from a full tank of petrol – 68 litres – from my dual-fuel 2003 Falcon. Is that right?

I bought a VF Storm wagon V6 in June. After driving it for a few days it developed a knock and also a thud. The thud occurs when you take off in Drive, but if you let the car creep forward then press accelerator it wont do it, or if you press the accelerator very lightly at take off. The knock clunky sound occurs when you select reverse, but not at the time reverse is engaged, it happens after you press the accelerator. I took it back to Holden when it had about 2800km and they told me that they loosened the k-frame and re-tightened it. The noise was still there when I drove it home. Next time Holden had the car for three days, but told me it was normal when I picked it up. I wasn't happy and went and got independent reports stating that there is something wrong, but they couldn't pinpoint where, but they did tell me that they think it's in the transmission. Holden then organised for an engineer to check it, and he found then problem to be the transmission. A new transmission was fitted, but the noises were back a week later. Have you heard of this problem? Also are we entitled to a refund?

Car companies may be forced to make a U-turn on car servicing rules, as the Federal Government steps in.The car industry may be forced to back down from its controversial new code of practice for vehicle servicing – which limits how much information it supplies to local mechanics – as early as next week.The Federal Minister for small business Bruce Billson has called a meeting with the car industry and independent repairers next week to review the code after talks between the parties broke down."It is evident from the events of the last few weeks and engagement by my office that the industry-led collaborations to reach a heads of agreement have stalled," said Minister Billson."There seems to be dysfunction amongst the parties. Therefore I will be convening a meeting so parties throughout the supply and service chain can meet and discuss their concerns."The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, the peak lobby group for car companies, insists the new car servicing code provides independent repairers with access to maintenance data."FCAI members have, for many years, provided independent repairers with access to automotive service and repair information," said FCAI spokesman Sheena Ireland.However, the Australian Automobile Association, the peak body of the NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, and other motoring clubs, which represent 7 million motorists, says there needs to be a clearer definition of how much information is provided.In Europe and North America it is compulsory for car companies to make available to independent mechanics the same service and update data provided to franchised dealer service centres.But in Australia the same rules do not apply and in 2012 the previous Federal Government asked the car industry to draft a voluntary code of practice for car servicing."The voluntary code that's been put forward does not guarantee the most up to date data is available to independent mechanics," said the AAA's chief executive Andrew McKellar."We need to very clearly define what the industry is prepared to make available. At the moment there are at least 16 exclusions."Earlier this week, Australia's biggest car maker, Toyota, broke ranks with the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries by continuing to offer to independent workshops more than the minimum information mandated by the new standard because, it said, "not everyone can get to a dealership to service their car".Unlike other car companies – and unlike the conditions of the new code – Toyota also makes recall information available to independent repairers, although the work itself must be done at a dealership."We are pleased to see there seems to be a back down from some brands in the industry who are going beyond the bare minimum of the new car servicing code," said Mr McKellar."If some individual brands are prepared to provide clearer guarantees to customers and independent repairers, then the car industry as a whole should adopt the same approach."

I like your comments on Hyundai and Kia. I have watched Hyundai since the brand's introduction in 1986 and noted them getting better and better. So much so that my wife got a new Lantra Sports Wagon in 2000. I do all my own servicing at 7500km, rather than 15,000, and in 10 years of ownership and 116,000km the car has cost me four tyres, a battery (the original lasted seven years) and a set of plug leads at 110,000km. She now has a Hyundai i30 Wagon which needed an auto valve body under warranty and is now perfect. I got out of my Volvo in 2008 and into a two-wheel drive Hyundai Tucson, which now has 63,000km on it still with the original battery.

The front shock absorber on the driver's side in my wife's car is leaking. The dealer claims it's sweating, and if it is sweating or leaking I believe it should be changed. I have complained on the past three services and they still refuse to change it until it stops functioning or when the oil is pouring down the shock absorber. I would like your opinion on this as the warranty will soon run out.

My mechanic tells me my 2006 Holden Astra Bertone is a special edition with a great motor. But it has now done over 210,000 km and he says it needs a lot of immediate work. He has quoted me the following for parts only in order of work needed to be done: brakes with rotors $377, tyres pair between $231 to $491, rear shocks $385, front and rear engine mounts $988, headlights between $506 - $840. Do you think this is reasonable pricing?

I would like your advice on brake servicing, as I have a Volvo S60 turbo diesel which has 14,000km on the clock and is coming up to its two-year service. As with many other manufacturers, Volvo recommends top-up or replacement of the brake fluid every two years. But with a previous car I found this involved bleeding of the compete system for $150. Is this procedure really necessary or is it just another way of bolstering servicing revenue? I would have thought synthetic oils and fluids mean this isn't necessary every two years.

How many miles can I expect to get on my Chrysler 300C Hemi engine with good maintenance care?

I bought a 2013 Ford Fiesta in January. Since then it has been back to the dealer three times because it stutters between gears. Ford is telling me that it is not bad enough to replace the clutch, yet I know this is a big problem and Ford is replacing some and not others. Can you help at all? I have never been so frustrated in my life. This should not happen when you buy a new car.