My new L200's stop-start is erratic...
Hi,
I have a new Mitsubishi L200 series 6 Barbarian. Done less than 500 miles, mixed driving. The auto stop-start is totally unreliable. Green light comes on first start, goes out, may occasionally flash whilst driving. Over a 40-mile trip the stop-start functioned only once. Worked less than half a dozen times since purchase. Dealer says no fault or error codes.
Any ideas?
Dave Lewis (Portsmouth)Jan 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Dave,
I'm surprised to hear that from a new truck where the battery will be in good condition, but stop-start systems regularly don't work as people expect. The system measures loads of variables before deciding whether the engine will be stopped, including the temperature of the engine and even the outside temperature. If it's cold weather, it may not work at all. If you're using items that are a big electrical drain, it may not operate.
Read our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature
Will my car stop if stop-start is broken?
Will my car stop if the auto stop-start feature stopped working?
Sherry Smith (Dunn)Jan 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Sherry,
It should not, no, though you are likely to get a warning light in the dashboard.
Read our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature on why that might be happening.
When to change automatic gearbox oil?
Hi,
When or how often should the oil in an automatic gearbox be changed? The manufacturers may say (I don't know?) it doesn't need to be changed at all, that it is good for the lifetime of the transmission: but what do they mean by the lifetime of the transmission? 100,000 miles? One would expect a transmission to last a lot longer. There are views out there on the internet that say change every 30,000 or 50,000 miles. Do you have access to any independent experienced mechanics that could give an authoritative answer? I have a C-Class automatic petrol Mercedes and an automatic diesel Volvo.
Thanks
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Jan 2020 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Every gearbox is different and our advice would be to follow the manufacturer advice. For life means for life, with no limit on mileage, odd as that sounds.
Why different tax for these Zafiras?
Hi!
I can't understand something. How come my Opel Zafira 161 is in the €570 tax band and a 141 is in the €280 tax band? The two cars are identical.
Tamas Giran (Enniscorthy)Dec 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Tamas,
Well, it depends on which version of Zafira each one is. From the detail you’ve given there on the tax costs, I’d suspect that the 141 car has the 2.0 CDTi diesel engine, the 129g/km of CO2 emissions of which would put it in Band B2 for a €280 tax cost. Is the 161 car a 1.4 turbo petrol? Because that version’s 156g/km emissions put it just into the €570 Band D. Or the discrepancy could be down to one having an automatic gearbox, instead of a manual. Without more details, I’m afraid, we can’t be sure.
How much is my 2013 VW Sharan worth?
How much is my 2013 Volkwagen Sharan diesel automatic worth?
Tom Kearney (Bray)Dec 2019 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
It’ll depend on the condition and service history of course, but it should be worth in the region of €10-12,000.
Do I have to fix the stop-start system?
Hi, my auto stop-start stopped working and a symbol keeps on flashing on the dashboard. Will it damage my car if I don’t get it fixed right away? I’ve a Nissan Note.
Sandra Clarkson (Dundee)Dec 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Sandra,
It shouldn't cause any damage, but it could indicate a weakness in your battery or electrical system, so it's best to have it looked at when you can.
Read our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature for more information
Where to buy a used Nissan Qashqai?
I'm looking to buy a used Nissan Qashqai automatic car in the next year (three or four years old). I've been looking on Carzone, etc. and I can't find many stock from the dealers. Are there any auto dealers in Dublin or the Leinster area that would definitely be worth a visit? Also, is it worth importing from Northern Ireland and saving the money? If yes, please provide any dealers in NI too. I've very poor knowledge in searching for cars.
Thanks
Striker10 Striker10 (Castleknock)Nov 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi there,
Is xDrive worth getting on a BMW 3 Series?
Hi,
I have been driving a BMW 320 diesel automatic for two years now. I can't believe how poorly it sticks to the road on typical wet or damp Irish roads. I have owned two front-wheel-drive cars previously and miss the grip and poise they offer. I am thinking of going for a second hand 320d with xDrive. Will it make much of a difference to the handling?
Barry Jackson (Dublin)Nov 2019 Filed under: tyres
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
I think this sounds more like a tyre issue than anything else. Is there a possibility that the car is on cheap, aftermarket, tyres? If so, get them replaced with a set of something decent — Michelins or Bridgestones. Going for xDrive would help, of course, as the extra bit of traction is never a bad thing, but it does add (slightly) to your running costs because of the weight and the extra frictional losses.
Costs to import a 2012 Kia Soul?
I am considering buying a car with English registration, It is a 2012 Kia Soul 1.6 CRDi 2 five-door automatic diesel with almost 40,000 miles on the clock. I would like to know (1) the cost of Irish registration and (2) what tax band would it come under, and the annual cost of motor tax.
Thank you
Mary
Mary Doyle (Ballaghadereen)Nov 2019 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
That version of the Soul, with the automatic gearbox, has CO2 emissions of 155g/km, so it’ll cost you €390 a year to tax. VRT on import shouldn’t be too steep — probably around the €1,800 mark depending on optional equipment, but bring it in quick — if you leave it until after January 1st you’ll have to pay the extra NOx tax, and that will add €1,975 to your import bill...
How much is my VW Golf 1.6 TDI worth?
What price should I ask for my Volkswagen Golf 1.6 diesel automatic, with 100,000 miles on the clock?
Pat Durkin (Longford )Nov 2019 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
It probably depends more on the year than the mileage, but I’m going to assume with 100,000 miles on the clock, it’s probably a 2015 model? If so it should be worth around €12,500, or about €10,500 as a trade in.