My 2015 Audi Q3 won't start. Help!
I have a 2015 Audi Q3 and it does not want to turn on the engine. It's as if the security system has activated a short current for the engine as everything else turns on. How can I correct this?
Jose A Flores (Puerto Rico)Apr 2018 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Jose,
We don't know of any widespread issue with the Q3 that matches your description so it's difficult to assess the issue from afar. It sounds as if the car can't sense you pressing the clutch down to start it if it's a manual or pressing the brake with the gear lever in Park if it's an automatic, but that's just one possible cause.
Best bet is to get a good mechanic to look at it.
Will I go for a Skoda Karoq 1.6?
Hi,
I am looking to trade in my beloved 152 Audi A4 2.0 for something a bit bigger in the boot etc. Have been in a 162 Audi Q5, which was quite nice, and familiar, but am considering a Skoda Karoq too. Any guidance? What engine would you recommend in the Karoq? I like the idea of the 1.6 DSG, but would I feel too short changed in it coming from a 2.0-litre manual?
Thanks
Ronan, Dublin
Ronan Murray (Dublin)Feb 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ronan,
Yeah, if you trade down to a 1.6 TDI from a 2.0-litre you will notice it alright. The 1.6 Karoq feels lively enough, but it’s going to feel less grunty than a 2.0 TDI Audi Q5 for sure. It’s also a good bit smaller inside, so bear that in mind. Lovely car though, and it’s worth considering the larger Kodiaq if you fancy the same thing with more interior space. Here are a few relevant reviews to help you decide:
Why is the 95hp Polo so much more?
I was thinking in buying a VW Polo. Since the 1.0 65hp and 75hp petrol models are fairly sluggish, it's the next one up I am interested in, the 1.0 95hp version. But the difference in price between the 75hp and 95hp model is a whopping €2,700 (€19,295 vs €21,995).
I checked the price in the UK and, sure enough, the differential between the same two models is under £900. What's going on here? How can Volkswagen justify the huge price difference in Ireland? I suspect it's to protect sales of the Golf, but then that argument should apply in the UK as well.
At any rate I won't be buying one now.
Kevin
KEVIN Deehan (Dublln)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
I must admit, you had us wondering... However, we took a detailed look at the UK and Ireland price lists and discovered that the 1.0 TSI 95hp engine is only offered in conjunction with a DSG automatic transmission here, whereas it can be had with a (cheaper) manual gearbox in the UK. That pretty much explains the large price jump.
Looking to buy a 2016 or 2017 SUV...
I'm looking to buy a 2016 or 2017 SUV, 1.6 to 1.7 diesel, Manual gearbox with cruise control. I'm not too bothered by my most other factors, other than a decent comfortable motorway drive with good fuel economy. Can you advise which are the most fuel efficient SUVs for motorway driving in Ireland within this range? Currently, I'm considering a Kia Sportage or Honda CR-V or Hyundai Tucson.
Thanks, Paul
Paul Keyes (Dublin)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
The Hyundai or Kia will be more efficient than the 1.6 i-DTEC Honda, but only just and at the expense of a considerable amount of performance — the Honda feels much brisker and is more comfortable than the other two as well. In that size range, it’s also well worth considering the VW Tiguan, especially the current-shape model, which is very frugal in 2.0-litre 115hp form. Some reviews below to help you decide:
Is the diesel auto Kia Sportage good on fuel?
I now have a 1.2-litre petrol automatic 161 Nissan Qashqai and thinking at getting a 181 Kia Sportage 1.7-litre diesel auto. Will I be spending less on fuel?
Mark Crowley (Ennis)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
You’ll probably use a little less fuel, but overall you’re going to be spending more because of the cost of upgrading to what’s quite a pricey diesel version, especially with the automatic gearbox. Kia quotes official fuel economy for that model of 57mpg, but we’d expect to see more like 40-45mpg in real world conditions. That’s a little better than the Qashqai 1.2 petrol, but not very much better. If you want to do better on the economy front, consider dropping the automatic gearbox and getting a manual instead.
Will my car fail its NCT because of this?
Hi,
If the engine management light is on will my car fail its NCT or will they refuse to test the car? I have read online some people saying it will pass and others saying it's a fail, but only on diesal cars. I know in the NCT requirements on dash warning lights it doesn't mention the engine management light.
Mark Corcoran (Ennis)Nov 2017 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
While anecdotal evidence suggests that there are differences between NCT test centres (and even testers), they are all supposed to follow the same NCT manual. We've scoured it and there doesn't appear to be a specific reference to the engine management light. However, there is allowance for a 'preliminary check' on the engine and a failure can be because of 'obvious engine defects'. That's quite open for interpretation and a tester could well decide that an engine management light on falls under that.
To be fair, if it is on, then it means there's something up with the emissions control system (or its sensors) and the car is not at the standard it should be. Hence I'd recommend getting the issue sorted before going for the NCT.
Will a damaged car pass its NCT?
Will my car pass the NCT with the wheel arch broken on the driver's side?
Darren Reilly (Westmeath )Nov 2017 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Darren,
Unless the damage is very slight and not at all jagged, then yes, it probably will fail. An extract from the NCT manual as a reason for failure: "Secondary structural components missing, insecure, rustedor damaged to such an extent as to leave sharp edges."
Which engine in a 2018 VW Polo?
Can you please explain the engine choice in the new 2018 Volkswagen Polo? Wondering are the naturally aspirated petrol options 65hp and 75hp only suitable for city driving? I understand the TSI petrol 95hp are only available in automatic, is this true? I do mostly city and country driving with the occasional motorway trip. At the moment I drive a 1.4 diesel 75hp Peugeot 207 and want to go for petrol as my yearly mileage is only 6,000 kilometres. Which petrol engine do you think would be the best for me?
Regards,
Catherine
Catherine Connolly (Galway )Nov 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
How much to tax 2013 Freelander 2.2?
How much is it to tax a 2013 2.2-litre engined Land Rover Freelander?
Anthony Downes (Buncrana Co Donegal)Sep 2017 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
Assuming it’s the five-speed manual model with four-wheel drive then it has CO2 emissions of 165g/km, and that means Band D tax at €570 a year.
My Honda's air conditioning is noisy!
The air conditioning in my Honda Civic 1.5 Sport makes an infuriating whistling noise. Have there been any similar complaints? Is there a cure?
Thanks in advance
Dave
Dave King (Folkestone)Sep 2017 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Dave,
It sounds as if it could be an issue with the actual fan that blows the air (both with and without air conditioning on) through the vents. Sometimes the blades of the fan can warp, or even melt slightly if you’ve been running the heat at full blast for a while (such as when defrosting the car on an icy day), and that can cause an odd harmonic effect in the airflow. Or, it’s also possible that leaves or some other sort of road debris has gotten in past the filter and is causing the whistling effect.
Either way, you need to get it looked at. It is possible to take the fan cover off and inspect it yourself at home (a Haynes manual is an invaluable aid here), but we’d always recommend asking a professional first.