Is my Fiat 500 ok to drive?
My Fiat 500 has just told me that my start-stop system is unavailable and to check engine; is this dangerous and do I need to take it to a garage?
Kate Bailey (Portsmouth)Apr 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Kate,
There are loads of reasons for an engine's stop-start system to stop working (see our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature), but it rarely is linked with a dangerous issue.
Saying that, there's no harm at all in bringing your car to a good mechanic to have it diagnosed to confirm that nothing major is amiss.
Best of luck with it
How much to convert Jaguar X300 to electric?
Hello
Just a query for my uncle please. How much roughly would it be to change a Jaguar X300 3.2 from petrol to electric please?
Regards
Jackie
Jackie Daly (Glenageary)Apr 2019 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Jackie,
There is no simple answer to that one I'm afraid. I assume this query comes off the back of this news story. That Ferrari cost close to €200,000 to convert, but every car is different - and the owner has a lot of input into the conversion, which can alter the price.
Needless to say it is an expensive project to undertake by any measure.
Motor tax on the Great Wall Steed?
What is the Irish road tax for a Great Wall Steed 2.0?
Avril O Brien ( Co Roscommon )Apr 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Avril,
Being as the Steed is a commercial crew cab pickup truck, it’s on commercial tax so that’s €333 per year. You could tax it as a private vehicle if you need to, but that means reverting to the old engine capacity tax system so that would be €710 a year.
Read our Buying a commercial vehicle for private use feature for more details.
What's up with my stop-start feature?
Hi
Regarding the stop-start feature, I was told that I needed to recharge my battery by going on a 20-minute journey driving over 50mph. I have done two 125-mile journeys in the last month and it still is not working; this was done with no radio, heaters or devices charging. I was also told that engine will only stop start for so many times, and is there I a way of resetting this?
Clare Constable (NOTTINGHAM)Mar 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Clare,
Stop-start systems are a source of annoyance for a lot of people. We get so many queries about them that we wrote this feature you may want to read: Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
Saying all that, the point of a stop-start system is to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, so it's seriously pointless to go on a drive specifically to charge up the battery to make it work. It could be that your battery needs to be replaced completely.
Can I turn my stop-start system off?
I have a 2011 Audi A3 and the stop-start system throws up an amber light warning that it is not working. How do I switch the stop-start system off until I can get it fixed?
Dave Cusworth (Barnsley)Mar 2019 Filed under:
Expert answer
Hi Dave,
There is no recommended way to deactivate the stop-start system permanently. If you turn it off using the button in the car, it will always come back on next time you start the car.
Have you read our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature to try to get to the bottom of the issue?
Big stop-start issues with Toyota Verso-S...
My automatic 2013 Toyota Verso-S (28,000km on the clock) has suddenly started to cut out the engine altogether (engine chokes and I need to turn the key in the ignition in order to re-start the engine). This happens often after I make a turn, stop at a traffic light and also when I park and remove my foot from the brake pedal. It also sometimes occurs after I have stopped and then start driving again. Toyota reprogrammed my two ignition keys and replaced software to no avail. I could press "A" button, but want this fixed, for when I eventually sell my car.
Please advise!
Razanne Heggem (MOLDE)Mar 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Razanne,
If this is the diesel version, it's possible that the issue has nothing to do with the stop-start system at all, as its engine is known to develop problems with the fuel injectors that could lead to poor running and stalling.
Otherwise, all we can suggest is that you read our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature to see if anything helps - and persevere with your mechanic to get to the bottom of the issue. An auto-electrician might be worth visiting, too.
Will there be a new BMW X5 '25d'?
Hi,
Do you know if BMW will introduce a 25d version of the new X5? The last generation had one and it was usefully cheaper than the 30d version.
Thanks
Bill O Donnell (Cork)Mar 2019 Filed under: future engines
Expert answer
Hi Bill,
We've had to change our original answer as BMW has now revealed an X5 xDrive25d version after all, powered by a twin-turbo diesel 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. It thankfully retains four-wheel drive, but should help reduce the entry cost for the X5.
My Mercedes stop-start is now working...
The auto start-stop not working even when the engine is at 80 degrees, any reason why? Or what I am doing wrong. It's a 2015 Mercedes C 220.
Bepin Gumani (Enfield)Mar 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Bepin,
There are many reasons why a car's stop-start system will not work. And we get so many queries about it that we've put together this Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature.
Give it a read and if you're still not convinced, then bring your car along to a good mechanic to have it diagnosed.
Which new hybrid SUV to go for?
I am a disabled driver and use hand controls for the brake and accelerator. For the last 12 years I have driven a Honda Accord 2.0 petrol automatic. It has been a fantastic car and now has 260k km on the clock. I am looking for a higher vehicle, an SUV, and am looking at the Honda CR-V Hybrid, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the Volkswagen Tiguan (I could wait for the hybrid later in the year). I live in rural Ireland and handling on twisty roads is important and accelerating to pass slower moving cars on those all too few straight stretches of road. Is this a good shortlist, and if so, which would you recommend?
Robert Joyce (Clifden)Mar 2019 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Robert,
Yes, it’s a very solid shortlist, although obviously we can’t comment either way on the Tiguan plug-in hybrid as we’ve not driven one yet. As for the Honda and the Toyota, the Honda is roomier and rather more engaging to drive (better for all those twisty roads) so is probably the one we’d go for. The new RAV4 is well worth looking at, though, and it has impressive performance, so it’s good for all that overtaking. Links to our reviews below:
Thoughts on the Subaru XV 1.6 CVT?
Hi, your good work is much appreciated.
Every so often I take it into my mind to change what is by now a seven-year-old car. And when I do, a lot of questions come to mind and so my recent questions are on long term costs of hybrids (which seem to be taking over the market) and on the Hyundai Santa Fe. The latter I wouldn't really have considered, except I was in a dealership and was very taken by it. But on mature reflection, the cost of changing simply can't be justified.
Recently I came across material on the Subaru XV 1.6, which hadn't been on my radar, but which seems on paper to have a lot going for it. But I'm rather concerned about the CVT gearbox. There's an American mechanic on YouTube, who seems very experienced, who argues that this technology has yet to prove its long term reliability and that, after 60,000 miles, they can give rise to problems. Even Toyota, with its claim to excellence, has recently done a recall in the States to replace the transmission. Secondly, also there are conflicting views on whether the engine might be described as gutless. Anyway, that's where my researches have got me and I would very much welcome your views.
Thanks in advance
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Mar 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
In general, we wouldn’t see CVTs as a major issue when it comes to reliability. Yes, Toyota has just issued a recall on some models, but this is pretty well par for the course — all car makers issue recalls all the time. If you want to gauge the reliability of CVTs, just look at how many older Toyota Prius there are, still running about.
As for the Subaru XV itself, we wouldn’t have any major concerns over reliability — Subarus are built pretty tough — but you are right to say that the 1.6 engine is gutless. Entirely so, as it happens. It’s a shame, as the XV is actually a pretty nice car in most other respects. There is a 2.0-litre version, which is worth considering, and a new hybrid version too, but we’d avoid the 1.6 for just being frustratingly slow.