Is my Opel Mokka warming up quick enough?
I have just bought a second hand Opel Mokka and my question is, what is the warm up time for the diesel engine? At the moment it takes 10 kilometers of driving to reach a temperature of just under 90 centigrade where it stays. Is this correct?
David Walker (Surrey)Jan 2016 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi David,
There's no set warm-up time, as it depends on a number of factors, such as the ambient air temperature, how the car is being driven and which ancillaries are turned on. In general, diesel engines take longer to warm up than petrol (though the car makers are working on changing that) too.
I don't think there's anything wrong with your Mokka.
Does my Audi A3 need an oil change?
I have an Audi A3 hatchback 1.4 petrol with only 5,500km on the clock, doing short trips. Bought the car in September 2014. Do I need an oil and filter change?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Dec 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi F D,
We'd recommend readers change their cars' oil and filter at least once a year regardless of mileage. Short hops are actually tougher on the engine (and its oil) as it does a lot of its driving when not fully warmed up.
Which new petrol estate should I go for?
Hi guys,
I currently drive a 2011 Volkswagen Passat saloon 1.4 TSI, but am looking to change to an estate. The obvious choice is the Passat Estate 1.4 TSI, but is there any other petrol estate I should consider? My mileage doesn't justify the change to diesel.
Thanks.
Brendan Cullen (Knocklyon)Dec 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
Worth checking out the Mazda6 2.0 SkyActiv-G estate, and the Ford Mondeo 1.5 EcoBoost isn't bad. Also have a look at the Skoda Superb 1.4 TSI although that's only available in Ambition spec.
Timing belt or chain in my Qashqai?
I have a 2007 Nissan Qashqai 1.6 2WD Visia petrol with 66,000 miles on the clock. Question: does it have a timing belt or chain? When should I replace it?
Thanks
Umberto Di Candia (CAMBRIDGE)Dec 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Umberto,
Our information tells us that the 1.6-litre petrol engine has a timing chain, which has no scheduled maintenance.
When do I change my Ford Focus timing belt?
When do I need to change the timing belt on my 2010 Ford Focus 2.0 Zetec petrol?
David Chapman (Sydney)Nov 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi David,
Our data tells us that your car should have a timing chain, not a belt, with no scheduled maintenance. If in doubt, ring up your local Ford dealer service department with the registration number and they can confirm for sure.
I need a small, reliable commuting car.
Hello, looking for a small, economical, reliable car for commuting. I currently have a 1.0-litre Nissan Micra. I do 110km a day, 5-6 days a week.
What would you recommend?
Elaine Henry (Sligo)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Elaine,
You're kind of on the cusp of being better off with a diesel with that kind of mileage. There are a few cars that are worth looking at. Sticking with petrol? Try a Honda Jazz - small but very spacious, and the 1.2-litre engine is pretty frugal. Want to go for a small diesel? Try a Volkswagen Polo. Want something a little more fun, but still very frugal (albeit not very roomy in the back)? Try a MINI Cooper D.
What runaround to get for €10,000?
Please advise on best value annual costs for a small runaround. Budget c. €10,000. Anticipate c. 15,000km per annum - some on quite rough country lanes. I anticipate keeping the car for maybe 6/7 years so diesel a prefered option but those I have looked at - from Volkswagen up!/Skoda Citygo/SEAT Mii stable, Hyundai i10, Fiat Panda, Suzuki Alto/Splash all seem to be petrol only.
Thank you
Charles Cooper (Collooney)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Charles,
Yeah, with a small car like that (a) diesel is not generally available and (b) it would push up the price tag so much that you'd never earn the difference back in fuel savings. Of the ones you're looking at, I'd go with withe Hyundai i10 - it's really comfy and spacious for a small car, and should be sufficiently rugged to deal with the roads you're talking about. Plus the five-year warranty should help to keep the running costs down.
Relevant reviews:
What do you think of the Dacia Sandero?
What do you think of the Dacia Sandero 1.5 diesel?
Martin Murray (Ennis)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
The Sandero is one of those ‘Ronseal’ cars – it does what it says on the tin, and the tin is pretty cheap. It’s a very simple, small hatchback that’s long on value but short on refinement or excitement. The front is perfectly comfy for a long journey but the back seats are rather cramped if you’re trying to squeeze taller passengers or kids in big car seats in. It’s a solid, practical and pretty reliable thing though. Nothing wrong with it, and at that price point, that’s the point. The diesel though? It’s a very good engine, that 1.5, but in a car like the Sandero you’re probably better off going for either the basic 1.2 or the really impressive 900cc turbo petrols as you’ll be a long time getting the extra purchase price of the diesel back in fuel savings.
Do I need to change my Golf's timing belt?
Hi, what are the timing belt and water pump changing intervals on a mk 5 2007 Volkswagen Golf and how much does it cost?
Thanks.
Stephen Sheehan (Dublin)Nov 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
The change interval varies depending on the engine fitted to your Golf. Our information is that the 1.9 TDI BlueMotion, 1.9 TDI PD, 2.0 SDI and 2.0 TDI all need their belts changed every 80,000 miles (nearly 129,000km), whereas the 2.0-litre petrol models (FSI or GTI) have 120,000-mile intervals (193,000km or so). Regardless of mileage, the belt should be changed at least every four years.
As to cost, that's not so easy to answer. An independent garage will charge a different rate to a main dealer and it may well depend on which version of the Golf you have. Best to ring around.
Should I worry about buying a 2007 Vollkswagen Golf?
Should I be worried about buying a 2007 Vollkswagen Golf 1.4 with 100,000 miles on it? The 1.4 petrols I believe are prone to trouble once they hit six figures.
Stephen Sheehan (Dublin)Nov 2015 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
It depends. If it's the old non-turbo 1.4 75hp engine, then there shouldn't be any problems. It's a solid old lump, and as long as it's been kept serviced, it should be fine. If it's the more recent 1.4 TSI turbo or turbo + supercharger, then be a little more cautious - they're more complicated engines and I'd insist on the car having a full and complete Volkswagen dealer service history before buying.