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Showing 201 - 210 results (out of a total of 1473) found for "diesel" in Ask Us Anything

Is the new NOX tax in place now?

Has the extra cost of VRT on a diesel car, for example a 2014 Ford Focus 1.6 diesel, been effective since the latest budget?

Shane Mcloughlin (Ballina Co Mayo)

Oct 2019 Filed under: VRT

Expert answer

Hi Shane,

No, not just yet. The new NOx tax (which could add a significant amount of extra cost to importing a car, especially an older one like that 2014 Focus) won’t take effect until the New Year. It will be applied to all new cars and imports from Jan 1st. 


When to change my Mondeo's belt?

My 2015 Mondeo 2.0 auto has done 150,000km on the clock. When does it need a new timing belt/chain.

Many thanks

Declan Curtis (Dublin)

Oct 2019 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Declan,

Assuming this is the current shape Mondeo, and that you're talking about the 2.0 TDCi diesel engine (the 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine uses a timing chain, not a belt), then the interval is at least every 200,000 kilometres or 10 years - whichever comes first.


Timing belts or chains?!

Hi!

I was a bit concerned to read in an online article that the timing chain on a three-year-old Volvo V60 (just outside warranty) broke and destroyed the engine (and until the newspaper got involved Volvo was going to make the owner pay for the new engine). The article also said that they were noticing an increase in timing chains breaking. Surely the whole point of a chain vs belt was that it would last. Better off with a belt and changing it at 150,000km. Costly, but, perhaps unthinkable, more secure??

Having been very taken with your recent review of the V60, I'm reconsidering going back to a Skoda, but unfortunately, the same article said that the Volkswagen Group were suffering particularly from broken chains. Does the Superb diesel have a chain or belt? Do all cars now have timing chains?

Cheers

Philip Donegan (Ballina)

Oct 2019 Filed under: diesel

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

First up, it's worth mentioning that there is not a massive worldwide problem with timing chains. They fail in some cars some of the time, but that does not mean they are inherently less reliable than timing belts. Every car is different in that regard so we'd urge you not to choose a car based on that.

There is no 'norm' - each car maker chooses which to use for a given engine and there doesn't seem to be any trend one way or the other as far as we can seen. 

The 2.0 TDI diesel engine in the pre-facelift Superb definitely used a timing belt, but there's a new engine in the facelifted model ('2.0 TDI evo') and we've not had a lot of information on the timing system. The one photograph of the image I've found shows a plastic cover to the front of the engine, suggesting that it does still have a timing belt.


Belt or chain in a 2012 Mazda3?

Hi,

Does the 2012 Mazda3 Tamura 1.6 diesel have a timing chain or timing belt?

Regards

Mark B.

Mark Bowman (Whitehead)

Oct 2019 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Mark,

It has a timing belt. It must be changed at least every 200,000 kilometres or 10 years, whichever comes first.


Why does motor tax vary so much on a car?

Why would two exact same make, model and engined cars be different tax rates? Both 2010 Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, 1.6 diesel HDi?

Brian Ambrose (Castlemahon)

Oct 2019 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Brian,

Different versions of the same car can have different equipment levels, which can affect the weight of the vehicle and therefore its emissions. Equally, different model years can have different engine specifications (even if the basic bones of the engine are the same), which can affect the CO2 rating. Or, of course, one could have a manual gearbox and one an automatic, which can have a major effect on the CO2 levels.


Belt or chain in a 2005 Toyota Avensis?

Does my 2005 year Toyota Avensis have a timing belt or a timing chain?

Leigh Willyams (Dunedin )

Oct 2019 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Leigh,

It depends on the engine. There's a timing chain in the 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 and 2.4-litre petrol engines and a timing belt in the 2.0-litre diesels. The 2.2 diesel, which only went into production in 2005, has a timing chain.


How much to tax a Volvo XC70?

Hi,

I want to buy a Volvo XC70; how much will the motor tax cost?

Tara Marshall (Bantry)

Sep 2019 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Tara,

If you mean the last-generation Volvo XC70, introduced in 2013, with the D5 diesel engine, then that has CO2 emissions of 153g/km, so that means Band C tax, and €390 per year.


Will a 1.0-litre last as long as a 1.6 diesel?

Will a one-litre engine last as long as a 1.6 diesel?

John Seery (Mallow)

Sep 2019 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi John,

That's kinda a 'how long is a piece of string?' question, as no two engines are created equally. I mean, every different 1.6-litre diesel engine has a different realistic life span. And while it's reasonable to presume that a diesel engine is designed to be driven over higher mileage, I don't believe that manufacturers aim for 'worse' durability for their smaller petrol engines. 


BMW X5 M50d or 45e hybrid?

I am considering the BMW X5 M50d and the X5 xDrive45e. Which would be more potent and smooth in drive and comfort? When the PHEV is driven hard the fuel consumption would increase. Batteries will require charging. Limitations appears to be factored into the PHEV.

Robert Baichan (Durban)

Sep 2019 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Robert,

The M50d has more peak power and torque and is quicker accelerating than the hybrid model, no question. However, the six-cylinder diesel engine is a lot louder and less smooth than the straight-six in the xDrive45e model and obviously, when the hybrid is running in electric mode it is far far quieter again. As you say, the PHEV comes with compromises, and may not be as economical over a long journey where the battery cannot be charged from an external source. 

Read our BMW X5 xDrive45e review

Read our BMW X5 M50d review


Why is my Jaguar motor tax so high?

My car is a 2007 2.0-litre X-Type Jaguar with CO2 emissions (V7) of 149g/km; why am I charged €710 rather than a much lower rate? It is diesel.

Kevin Kelly (Dublin)

Aug 2019 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

You’re charged the higher rate because your car is a 2007 registration — so it was registered before the switchover to the CO2-based tax system, which kicked in in January of 2008. 


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