Are 2018 tyres still ok as new?
Hi there,
Purchased “new” tyres only to discover that they were actually manufactured in 2018 and have been told that this is perfectly legal. I wonder how many people realise this. Find this rather troubling to think that a product can sit for two years if not more and still be described as new when it has been stored for a period of time.
Surely there is deterioration in the product as a result of the passage of time?
Sarah Murray (Drogheda)Oct 2020 Filed under: tyres
Expert answer
Hi Sarah,
This shouldn't be anything to worry about and is not unusual. The only thing to watch for is that the NCT centre may draw your attention to their age when they are six years old, if they've not worn out by then, so from that point of view it's better for you to have more recently manufactured tyres, but there should be no safety issue with these.
Where is the Skoda Yeti's spare wheel?
Where’s the spare wheel housed on the Skoda Yeti Outdoor?
Tony Keating (Carlow Rep Of Ireland)May 2020 Filed under: tyres
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
It will depend on the spec of your Yeti, and the year of production. Many Yetis came only with a puncture repair and inflate kit as standard. Some came with a space-saver wheel (actually using a conventional tyre, but smaller and narrower than the standard Yeti wheel, meaning that it was restricted on speed, but not on distance travelled), while a full-size spare was a cost option, and greatly reduced boot space. If it has one, it'll be accessible inside the boot, under the floor.
How to keep my diesel in good condition?
As an over 70 and therefore required to stay indoors indefinitely, how can I maintain my diesel car in good condition when it may not be driven for a very long time?
Brendan McElroy (Carlow Rep Of Ireland)Apr 2020 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
It's a tough situation for you. We hope you have family and friends to keep in touch with and make sure all your needs are met.
Don't worry about your car. If it's not doing any mileage, then there's no worry about the DPF (diesel particulate filter) or other major diesel components clogging up from low-mileage, low-temperature use. Even if you want to start up your car every few days and let it run for 15- to 20 minutes to keep the battery charged up, that won't have a major effect, not so long as, when we are free to drive where we want again, you take it for a good long run at some decent motorway speeds.
Other than that, keep an eye on the tyre pressures and fluid levels, watching out for leaks under the car. Also, don't park under a tree if you can help it, as it could lead to paint corrosion.
My Skoda has too-light steering...
My 2014 Skoda Octavia Estate has very light steering; it feels like driving on ice and the tyre pressure is OK.
Andy Wallis (Bedford)Dec 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Andy,
That's a tricky one to analyse from afar, but we do know that an issue can arise from the electric power steering motor that may lead to strange sensations through the wheel. Best to have it checked by a good mechanic as soon as possible.
Is xDrive worth getting on a BMW 3 Series?
Hi,
I have been driving a BMW 320 diesel automatic for two years now. I can't believe how poorly it sticks to the road on typical wet or damp Irish roads. I have owned two front-wheel-drive cars previously and miss the grip and poise they offer. I am thinking of going for a second hand 320d with xDrive. Will it make much of a difference to the handling?
Barry Jackson (Dublin)Nov 2019 Filed under: tyres
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
I think this sounds more like a tyre issue than anything else. Is there a possibility that the car is on cheap, aftermarket, tyres? If so, get them replaced with a set of something decent — Michelins or Bridgestones. Going for xDrive would help, of course, as the extra bit of traction is never a bad thing, but it does add (slightly) to your running costs because of the weight and the extra frictional losses.
What's up with my Audi brakes?
Hi.
In May 2018 I bought an Audi A3 Sportback 1.0 turbo (pre-reg Jan 2018). Around Oct/Nov I noticed a metallic grinding noise when reversing slowly out of my driveway and also reversing from a car parking spot. Initially told "probably lack of use" as my mileage was and is low (now 11,600km). Early in 2019 went back three or four times and they could not find anything wrong. They suggested the brake material. I had no more problems until now when the problem is back. The dealer is an Audi dealer and I believe they did their best to sort me out. I am wondering if the problem is brake material together with my little use (and short trips) of the car. There is no problem driving forward. Can you suggest what might be wrong?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Oct 2019 Filed under: brakes
Expert answer
Hi F D,
Sounds to me like the Audi garage had it right. The rear callipers could be binding slightly, or perhaps even the parking brake mechanism is sticking. Very limited use in any car can do that. If you know you're not going to be using it for a long time, consider parking it up without using the parking brake (if safe and feasible). Leave the car in gear and place something in front of the tyres for extra safety.
Should valves be changed with tyres?
Auto services changed my tyres, but not valves. Is it legal?
Renate Stepina (Virginia )Aug 2019 Filed under: tyres
Expert answer
Hi Renate,
Well, there’s no legal requirement to change the valves, but it’s such a simple and cheap process to do so, one would wonder what other corners were cut? Was your car’s tyre pressure monitor reset as well, assuming it has one? Were the wheels properly balanced? I’d go back and ask a few tough questions.
Who pays for extras on a leased car?
Hi,
With a leased car, who pays for tax, insurance, tyres, services and so on?
Thank you
Sally
Sally O'Reilly (Cork)May 2019 Filed under: running costs
Expert answer
Hi Sally,
That’ll vary from lease to lease. Generally speaking, if it’s being leased by a company and they’re giving you use of the car as a company vehicle, they’ll pay the running costs, usually minus fuel. If it’s a case of you being given a car-buying budget as part of a job package, generally you’ll pay for all that stuff, and if you’re buying a car for yourself on a PCP finance deal (which is effectively a personal lease) you cover them too.
There are always differences and details, though, and car makers (Volvo especially) are starting to move towards a mobile-phone style system whereby you pay one monthly fee that covers everything, and change and upgrade your car at regular intervals.
How to reset my car's tyre pressure system?
How do you reinitialise when you have changed the tyre pressures?
Claire Hall (Salisbury)Apr 2019 Filed under: tyres
Expert answer
Hi Claire,
The process is different in different cars. Some have a button on the centre console that you hold down. Others have an option within the on-board computer system of the car that you'll have to go digging for.
Running costs of 2014 Toyota Avensis?
What mileage does a 2014 Toyota 2.0-litre diesel do to the gallon of diesel. And what does insurance cost for a driver with full clean licence and 50% no claims bonus?
Anthony Ryan (Balinrobe )Feb 2019 Filed under: running costs
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,