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Can I service my Nissan Almera myself?

How do I service my own Nissan Almera oil and air filters?

Joseph Roche (Limerick City)

Sep 2011 Filed under:

Expert answer

Hi Joseph,

Unless you have proper disposal facilities and you have some experience in doing so we'd urge you not to change the oil filter in your car for yourself.

It's normal practice to change the oil at the same time. We'd do the following. Note that these are not exhaustive instructions, it is assumed that the car is safely raised up and that you have an environmentally sound way to dispose of the old oil.

  1. Remove oil dipstick and oil filler cap.
  2. Remove sump plug and allow old oil to drain into suitable receptacle.
  3. If too tight to remove by hand, unscrew old oil filter using oil filter chain/belt tool, ensuring that the rubber seal comes away with it.
  4. Lightly rub new oil on seal of new oil filter and tighten up - by hand only.
  5. Replace sump plug. It is not unusual to have to replace the sealing washer that goes with this.
  6. Lower car to ground and top up oil with recommended grade to correct level on the dipstick.
  7. Close dipstick and filler cap and start car.
  8. Allow to idle for a few minutes, stop engine and check level again.
    Top up if necessary.
  9. Dispose of oil and filter in responsible manner.

Changing the air filter is much easier. Locate the air box under the bonnet. Its lid will be held on either by a series of clips or screws. Gently remove these and move the lid out of your way. Ensure that the replacement filter is an identical shape, replace and then reattach the lid as it was.

Hope that is of some help, though again, I'd discourage anyone from doing the oil and oil filter change unless you have the right facilities and tools.


What have I done wrong in changing my brakes?

I just changed my front brakes and had a tough time with the passenger side. Everything came off easy but when I tried to install the new pads my caliper wouldn't fit right. When I got it on, the caliper bracket the opposite side of the rotor went crooked and had about half an inch that needed to be pushed back (only on one side). I put the tyre on anyway and doing so pushed the rotor to where it's supposed to be but now it takes a lot of effort to drive and without using the brakes it stops very quickly. What do I need to do to fix the problem?

Blake Greiner (Lansing)

Sep 2011 Filed under: brakes

Expert answer

Hi Blake,

You really shouldn't drive any further with the car in this state. It sounds like the pads have not been fitted correctly and the wheel should be removed and the brakes inspected by a qualified mechanic. We'd like to help, but it really is something that needs to be physically seen.

Good luck with it.


How much is my 2005 Ford Focus worth?

How much is my 2005 Ford Focus LX 1.4 petrol with 70,000 miles on the clock worth?

Thanks

Wayne Rowan (Athy)

Sep 2011 Filed under: used car values

Expert answer

Hi Wayne,

You would probably get offered around €3,800 from a main dealer for your car and you could expect to sell it privately for around €4,300, so you should advertise for around €4,600. Remember if you are trading in then concentrate on the 'cost to change' rather than the value of your car. 

I hope this helps?


What car to replace my reliable Volvo?

Hi folks,

I drive 500 miles a week at my own expense to and from work on the N24 - one of the worst national routes in the country. My 2001 Volvo S60 2 litre Turbo (Petrol) has been mostly a great servant and now has almost 240,000 miles on the clock. The running costs have become a bit tasty in recent times. I have a budget of around €15,000 to replace it with a second hand motor. I'll consider most any marque of car. Running costs, reliability and safety are my most important considerations. Any chance of a few suggestions?

Noel Carroll (Tipperary)

Sep 2011 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Noel, 

You obviously spend a lot of time in your car on a very bad road so the Volvo would probably have been ideal for you. In that case I am recommending that you get something with super comfy suspension and super comfy seats. You have probably extracted all of the value from your Volvo, so you can't really expect to be offered much more than a token gesture of up to €1,000 for  that car, but I imagine that you know this. 

So, with your budget of €15,000 then what should you buy? I would imagine that you keep your cars for a long time so future depreciate probably isn't a major factor for you, but you say that running costs are. 

The first car I have picked is a Saab 9-5. Saab are in a little bit of trouble, but their cars are so comfortable, with great seats. This one has a diesel engine and will be cheap to run. It would be a great car to own long term and is well under your budget. 

We really like the Mazda6 here at CompleteCar.ie and here is a nice one with a diesel engine and low mileage. This is a great car for mega mileage and would be super for your needs.

Another brilliant choice would be the Skoda Superb which is massive, comfy and really well built. This one has low mileage, the right engine and is great value. It is amazing value at under €13,000. I think I would buy this to be honest. 

I hope this helps!


Should I buy my BMW from a main dealer?

Hi. I would like to buy a 2010 BMW 5 Series in 2012. I would like to know if I should buy from a BMW dealer or would it be ok to buy from a SIMI-registered dealer, as there is a three-year warranty with BMW.

Thanks

Tom Higgins (Cork)

Sep 2011 Filed under: warranty

Expert answer

Hi Tom,

The original manufacturer's warranty is not affected by the car being sold through a non-BMW outlet, so there's no reason not to buy from a SIMI-registered dealer instead of a BMW-branded one.

Hope this helps.


Citroen C4 Picasso or Peugeot 5008?

Which are deemed the better car ( I know they are almost identical! )....the C4 Grand Picasso, or the Peugeot 5008. Legroom up front and even in the second row seems better in the 5008?

David Weir (Co Meath)

Sep 2011 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi David, 

There is very little to choose between these two, as you have already alluded to, but for me the Peugeot would be the better buy because the interior feels better quality and it is likely to hold its value a fraction better on past evidence. You might get a better price on the C4 though, so don't rule it out. Try them both out for size, but I think the Peugeot should get the nod. 


Should I buy a Toyota Levin?

I'd like to buy a sporty second hand car for around €3,000 but would go up to €4500. I have my heart set on a Toyota Levin. Is this a good choice & do they have any common faults to look out for? Any other good suggestions would be appreciated.

Ciaran Mc Cashin (Drogheda)

Sep 2011 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Ciaran

I couldn't look past a Mazda MX-5 for that money, but since I'm no expert on the Jap import stuff, I though I would ask Paul Healy @bespoke32 who does know a bit. He said "The main problem associated with the Toyota Levin and its twin brother the Trueno is related to the Superstrut suspension. This is a complicated set-up that mimics a dual wishbone system  giving the car better handling. Unfortunately it is also expensive to repair if it goes wrong. Some owners replace the whole system with a conventional suspension when the Superstrut fails while others have splashed out on the right parts to keep it in place. Look for the second kind of owner and ask questions about the Superstrut.

The Levin was launched to take on the Honda Civic Type R and SiR but even the range topping BZR model is noticeably slower. The quoted figures of 160bhp+ only apply to cars run on higher octane Japanese fuel and the Levin seems to come of worse than its competitors when run on Irish juice.

The aforementioned Honda’s post closer to their factory figures as too does the Nissan Pulsar VZR and the Mitsubishi Mirage Mivec. If insurance allows the Honda Integra Type R or SiR would be our pick.

Unless you are specifically looking for a modified/tuned car aim for one that is as untinkered as possible. There are just too many problems that could arise from somebody else’s bad work."


Can I fit steel wheels to a BMW 116?

Hello the better half has a 2005 BMW 116, which has 16-inch alloy wheels. These are very badly buckled and have run flat tyres. Is it possible to fit ordinary 16-inch steel wheels and ordinary tyres on it and would any 16-inch wheel do the job i.e. VW Golf steel wheels?

Thanking you.

Ruairi Mc Carthy (Mullagh Co Cavan)

Sep 2011 Filed under: tyres

Expert answer

Hi Ruairi,

Hi Ruairi, with regard to this we received some good advice from The Automotif Centre on the Kinsale Road in Cork, who said "The BMW 116 hub is 72.5, PCD is 5x120. The suspension is designed for runflats. Steel wheel bolts are shorter & 12x1.5."

 


What car for €4,000?

What type car would you recommend for about €4000? I'm living in dublin but will not be used for to and from work as I cycle,  but I am looking for a comfortable reliable car for trips round the country at weekends.

John Dunphy (Tallaght)

Aug 2011 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi John,

If you don't have family or the need for extra seats then the obvious choice would be a Mazda MX-5. They are so much fun and since you only really need the car at weekends then it may as well be something fun. Here is one for a little over your budget that you coudl bargain down to €4,000 easily. 

If it has to be sensible, then I am going to stick with Mazda and choose a Mazda3 - here is one from a dealer we recommend and they might be able to do something for you on the price as a cash buyer. 

I hope this helps. 


What does 'cost to change' mean?

Hi!

You have come highly recommended! Can you tell me please what do you mean by 'look at the cost to change'? Looking to trade in a Honda Jazz, 2005, 50k, 2 years left on NCT, against a Honda FRV diesel, 2008. Like this: http://bit.ly/n2soeA What cost to change am I looking at exactly.....(complete car ignoramus!)

Annmarie Jones (Dublin)

Aug 2011 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Annmarie,

Well you aren't expected to know everything! When we talk about 'cost to change' we mean that lots of people go into a dealership and are fixed on how much the dealer is giving them for their car.

When you do this, you are ignoring any potential discount there might be on the car you are buying. In the case of the Honda FR-V you show here, the car is €18,950. Let's say your Jazz is worth €5,000, which is probably about right, if the dealer says it will be €13,950 to change he is not really giving you any discount off the FR-V. 

When pricing a used car, a dealer is trying to figure out how much it will cost him to prep it for sale, which is often around €800. There is no major science to this, all we mean is that if you fixate too much on the price the dealer is offering you for your car you might not see the whole picture. Focus instead on how much it will cost you to get into your next car instead. 

Bear in mind that they do have to make some money, but use this as a guide when you are choosing your next one. If all this is still a mystery to you, come back to me again. 

 

I hope this helps! 


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