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Hi Gloria,

Stop-start systems generally don't have any settings as such. They are on by default and will automatically turn the engine off when appropriate. The driver can manually switch the system off when the car is running.

So basically it's on or off. Leave the system on for (slightly) better fuel economy in slow traffic situations where you might be stopped for prolonged periods of time.

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Hi Simon,

We don't know of any common issue with these, but to be honest it sounds like the issue is one of two things.

1 - The handbrake lever is not being pulled up enough (I doubt that is the case, but you never know!)

2 - The handbrake cable needs to be adjusted. As this is a new car, then the garage that sold it really should sort it out for no fee. If it's out of adjustment under the car near the lever then they may need to check the mechanism within the rear hubs to see if something has gone wrong with the adjusters. 

Hope you get it sorted out.

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Hi Anthony,

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Hi Annelize,

I'm afraid that's too complicated to illustrate on this page and, actually, it's recommended that several special tools are used when changing this engine's timing belt. If you do not have those, we suggest you invest in a workshop manual for the car, pay to access a service such as Autodata or give the car to a good mechanic to do the work.

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Hi John,

If it’s a V40 with the digital dashboard, just use the rotating ‘collar’ switch and the ‘READ’ button on the end of the right-hand column stalk. This will bring you into the menu system and there should be an option in there to switch the display from Imperial to Metric units. Have a check of the owner's manual if you get stuck, although apparently there is some issue with older model V40s being stuck on one reading or the other. If you can’t work it out at home, the best thing is to bring it into the dealer and ask for a little help.

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Hi John,

It will depend on the year and the model, but as an example, a 2010 2.2 diesel Verso, with the 140hp engine and a manual gearbox, has emissions of 164g/km and so motor tax of €570 per year.

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Hi Thomas,

It’s possible. If your car is the 2.0-litre 140hp TDCi saloon with a manual gearbox, then its CO₂ emissions should be rated at 156g/km, which would give you a motor tax bill of €570 a year. However, if it’s the automatic version, then the CO₂ rating jumps to 189g/km, and that’s a €750 bill. 

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Hi Andree,

Well, the good thing about Vitaras is that they tend to be rugged and reliable, but from the description you’ve given us, I’d tread a little carefully. A Vitara with that much extra body kit may well have been in the hands of an owner who cared more about how it looked, and less about how it was looked after. Study the service history very carefully, and make sure it’s in good nick.

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Hi Peter,

I think you may have a few issues there, unless you find it's easy to swap the manual adjustment mechanism from your old seats to the new ones. I suspect that won't be a simple task, unfortunately. And you'd need a lot more wiring, etc. to get the electric seats to work.

Expert answer

Hi George,

Technically speaking, it should not, as, before a tester does the exhaust smoke test, they should, according to the NCT manual, check 'visually that the emission control system is complete and properly connected.' Saying that, it's unlikely that many testers will notice that the DPF is missing and, so long as the DPF warning light is not illuminated, there's no reason for them to be suspicious.

In short, it shouldn't pass and contravenes the law on emission of pollutants, but it is unlikely to be picked up by an NCT test centre.