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Why do rear-drive cars get stuck in the snow?

Hi,

I understand why performance drivers like to separate power wheels and "steering" wheels, but why are rear-wheel drive cars much more likely to get stuck in snow and mud?

Many thanks

Philip

Philip Donegan (Ballina)

Feb 2016 Filed under: miscellaneous

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

That only really applies to front-engined, rear-drive cars, as opposed to rear/mid-engined models. It comes down to weight over the driven wheels. In a front-drive car, the engine is right over the driven wheels, helping it find traction in low-grip situations, but in a rear-drive car there's not enough weight over the rear wheels to help with that.

They aren't a complete disaster, though. Have a look in Germany the next time you go there in winter and see how many rear-wheel drive BMWs and Mercedes you spot getting stuck in snow and mud. The problem is that most drivers these days are only used to front-drive and worse, many often don’t know that the drive goes to the rear in most BMWs, Mercs, Lexus, Jaguars etc. So they end up using a front-wheel drive driving technique when presented with a slippery surface, which is to add power and try and force your way through. That doesn’t work – rear-drive cars need a more delicate technique for dealing with slippery surfaces, but in the right hands they can be just as capable.


How often should I service my Ford Fiesta?

How often should I service my 2007 Ford Fiesta 1.2-litre petrol? Confession: I don't think it's had the works since I bought it in 2013!

Catherine Hegarty (Ballincollig)

Feb 2016 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Catherine,

It really does depend on your mileage and driving conditions, but a good rule of thumb is at least once a year regardless. We'd recommend every 15,000km on a car like that as well, but even if you don't do that in a year it's best to get the car serviced annually.

It's definitely overdue one!


Any pointers on the Nissan Tiida?

My budget for a car is €6k approx and the Nissan Tiida (2008 or 2009) 1.6 four-door manual petrol seems good value for money. I would do low mileage per year, mostly city/urban driving.

Any pointers?

Rita O'Keeffe (Dublin 15)

Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Rita,

The 1.6 is the right choice for city/urban driving right enough and the Tiida is a reliable old thing, and was one of the first cars to come with Bluetooth phone connection as standard. It's not very interesting though...


Are electric cars a real option now?

Are electric cars a real option now? Looking to purchase a second hand car 2012 upwards. What do you think?

Paul Mccabe (Kilkenny)

Jan 2016 Filed under: electric cars

Expert answer

Hi Paul,

Yes, and no. And a bit yes. It still depends on your lifestyle and driving habits. Lots of short journeys, mostly around town? Don't mind taking the time to plan long journeys carefully and be prepared to take breaks for charge ups?

Things are getting dramatically better though. Nissan has just updated the Leaf with a new 30kwh battery (read our review of it here) that extends its range to around 250km, which is a lot more useful, and if you're suitably loaded a Tesla Model S can go for 500km between charges.

If you're not quite ready to take the full electric car plunge, how about a plugin hybrid? Short hops under electric power with a petrol engine for longer journeys. Try the Volkswagen Golf GTE, Audi A3 e-tron, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV or a Volvo XC90 T8.

However, if you're looking for a second hand car, your options with electric power are severely limited, as sales have been slow so far.


With €10,000 I need room for my bike, please!

Upgrading from a 2001 Nissan Almera 1.5-litre petrol. I cycle to work so only drive at weekends so thinking I should probably stick to petrol. I'd like to come up to a 2010 model with a maximum budget of €10,000. Maybe a hatchback to fit my bike; what do you recommend?

Claire

Claire Towey (Dublin)

Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Claire,

Well, with a bike, why not go for a compact estate instead of a hatch? Same driving experience and same running costs, but a bigger boot by far. Best of the breed is a Kia cee'd SW, which is hugely reliable and has a massive boot. With you just driving at the weekends, I'd say it's worth trying to track down a petrol model, rather than the more popular diesel.


Which new crossover/SUV to go for?

Hi,

Can you advise on crossovers/mini-SUVs available on the Irish market please?

(A) most economical?

(B) Standard spec vs high spec (including leather seats, parking sensors, cruise control etc)?

(C) Warranty period vs reliability (current driving Kia pro_cee'd nearing end of problem-free seven-year/150k km warranty)

Many thanks,

Adrienne Redmond

Adrienne Redmond (New Ross)

Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Adrienne,

OK, let me take that section by section...

(A) Most small crossovers use 1.5- or 1.6-litre diesel engines so you're going to average between 40- and 50mpg in any of them. Ignore the official consumption figures - they're not representative of real-world driving.

(B) Standard spec on most will include at least air conditioning and probably Bluetooth, but the items you've listed will push prices up into the €25-30k region.

(C) Kia, Hyundai and Mitsubishi have the best warranties on the market at the moment - seven, five and eight years respectively. Ford, Renault and Peugeot all offer five-year warranties too, while Fiat offers a four-year one. Most others have three-year cover. In terms of reliability, Japanese and Korean brands will almost always beat their European and American competitors.

Of the cars you're looking at, I'd say the strongest contenders are Honda's new HR-V, the Jeep Renegade, the Peugeot 2008 and the Kia Soul. All well worth a look.

Relevant reviews:

Honda HR-V review

Jeep Renegade review

Peugeot 2008 review

Kia Soul review


What do you think of buying a used Saab?

Re buying a second hand Saab, what is your advice? Currently driving a ten-year-old 9-3.

Catherine Dooley (Dublin)

Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Catherine,

Tread carefully. We've heard many a horror story about reliability issues on the old 9-3 and 9-5, so caution is advised. If you've owned and loved your 9-3, and it hasn't let you down, then well and good, but the overall experience is a negative one. One possibility might be to track down a last of the line second-gen 9-5. There aren't many around but they're cheap and use a lot of Opel components, which makes them easier to fix in the future. A really lovely car and one worth a punt if you can find one.


Which new exec diesel auto saloon to go for?

What compact exec would you choose in a diesel auto as a private buyer? BMW 320d M Sport, Audi A4 S tronic, Jaguar XE Portfolio or Mercedes-Benz C-Class? Or would you go with something cheaper like a Volkswagen Passat Highline DSG 190?

Andrew Kelly (Limerick)

Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Andrew,

Well, of the posh-badge brigade, my personal favourite is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class - it's supremely comfy, beautifully made and really satisfying to drive, but, to be honest, you couldn't go wrong with any of those cars, it really is down to personal taste.

Your other question is an interesting one though. If you can live without the posh badge, and aren't quite so worried about driving dynamics, then a Skoda Superb is pretty much unbeatable. Same mechanical make up as the Audi but far bigger and way better value. Try a Ford Mondeo or Mazda6 if you want something with a keen chassis or a Toyota Avensis if you never, ever want it to break.

Some relevant reviews for you:

Updated BMW 320d review

New Audi A4 2.0 TDI review

Jaguar XE review

Mercedes-Benz C-Class review

Volkswagen Passat Highline review

Skoda Superb review

Ford Mondeo review

Toyota Avensis review


Is my Opel Mokka warming up quick enough?

I have just bought a second hand Opel Mokka and my question is, what is the warm up time for the diesel engine? At the moment it takes 10 kilometers of driving to reach a temperature of just under 90 centigrade where it stays. Is this correct?

David Walker (Surrey)

Jan 2016 Filed under: miscellaneous

Expert answer

Hi David,

There's no set warm-up time, as it depends on a number of factors, such as the ambient air temperature, how the car is being driven and which ancillaries are turned on. In general, diesel engines take longer to warm up than petrol (though the car makers are working on changing that) too.

I don't think there's anything wrong with your Mokka.


Does my Audi A3 need an oil change?

I have an Audi A3 hatchback 1.4 petrol with only 5,500km on the clock, doing short trips. Bought the car in September 2014. Do I need an oil and filter change?

Frank D (Dublin)

Dec 2015 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi F D,

We'd recommend readers change their cars' oil and filter at least once a year regardless of mileage. Short hops are actually tougher on the engine (and its oil) as it does a lot of its driving when not fully warmed up.


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