I got a new tyre for my series 1 BMW, cost about £100+VAT. As this is a run flat tyre the price seemed OK and this included a free tracking check. They next produced an elaborate print out showing all my wheels out of alignment, and I agreed reluctantly for them to carry out the necessary at a cost of £85+VAT. They had a computerised display in the waiting area where you could see each of the...

Battery is always pretty much flat every morning - car starts just about. However, once its started in the morning its pretty much ok for the rest of the day. Sorry for being thick, but can I use a multimeter to see if anything is draining the battery? If it is, how do I find out what?

Got to change the ARB drop links on my Pug 306. They're so worn I can move them by hand while on the car.. The nuts at both ends are totally knackered. They just spin, and there's nothing on the other end to get a grip to stop them turning. Is it worth buying one of those nut splitters that you just tighten like a blade... Or should I just get the grinder on them?

The top hose went on my '98 Hyundai Accent earlier - anyone know if they're a bog-standard size, if they can be lashed up with a normal length of hose (there's a left hand kink as it leaves the rad), and how much damage might have been caused driving on it ? The temp shot up once, but I dumped heat via the internal heater - but haven't had chance to see just how dry the rad itself is yet, it...

Oh dear - Squeeky. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP-XxL90gEg Anyway, I had it apart and I find a completely dry bearing - not the slightest whiff of grease! See he http://www.flickr.com/photos/47192463@N03/4368853204/in/set-721576234621 42046/

My daughters clio's rear brakes were sticking on and the peddle was hard. Anyway I pulled them apart the shoes were knackered & the cylinders started to leak, I ordered the bits (I was told there are 4 different types of shoes). I couldn't see any adjustments for the handbrake cable (the haynes manual said there should be an adjuster underneath or in the car. I fitted the shoes and cylinder...

Why are they not freely available? I'm looking for a Terrano suspension part and it's proving very difficult. Despite knowing the name of the part, and having a diagram of it from a workshop manual, the main dealer is still coming up with the wrong part. Admittedly contact has so far been by phone and email but being able to quote a part number would help enormously! Si

Strange happenings at the petrol station http://www.crazy-video-streaming.com/best/strange_happenings.htm --- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ---

There are two 14mm nuts on captive bolts holding the front part of my exhaust to the centre part. One I undid with stilsons after trying every other tool I have, but the other is rounding off nicely. There's not much room for a hacksaw and the stilsons are working the wrong way round IYSWIM. ISTR a socket which tightens onto the nut/bolt just like stilsons so a) Do they work? b) What are...

I had a call from my daughter in California tonight. Her 2003 Freelander is in for attention (overheating and water level dropping) and the garage say there is water in the oil. They purchased a "cast iron" warranty with it which covers repairs up to the current value of the vehicle, but a new engine would be $15000 against the $11,000 value. Sounds like they have a warranty argument...

I noticed my numberplate coming away from one corner so I pulled the plate off peeled off the remaining sticky tape on both car and plate, cleaned it up. Got some more number plate tape, put tons on and this morning it was sitting on the drive :( humph So I was thinking perhaps I should screw fix it like my old cars have been, never had one of those fall off :) Question is my plate doesn't...

Say your accelerator jammed. Well, how long would it take you to figure this out and depress the clutch/put it into neutral? Especially an experienced driver like a highway patrolman. 5 seconds? Well, surely not long enough to make a 911 call. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7012913.ece What's actually going on here? Suicide, and he wanted to take his...

Strange happenings at the petrol station http://www.crazy-video-streaming.com/best/strange_happenings.htm

Hi, With all the bad weather we've had recently, what is the best screen wash to use? I buy the concentrated variety and dilute it myself but even though it claims it won't freeze below minus x degrees (I can't remember what X is) the pipes were frozen. I did wonder about using it undiluted but I can see two problems: it would be expensive and it would look like a chemical toilet spraying dark...

Anyone recommend someone to rustproof and underseal a Mk1 Eunos Roadster? I'm in Handforth. Sills, cavities, underseal etc. I've come across Chassisclean in Altrincham who look great and very very thorough, but want £350 to do the car, which is stretching my budget... I've considered doing it myself but mess/lack of ramps or compressor etc is putting me off. I'd also like the peace of mind...

Hi I have condensation in both OS headlights of an 06 X type Jaguar, and noticed it soon after a main dealer had replaced both dipped beam bulbs. They checked fitting of the rear caps on the lights and turned the lights on for 30 mins, and told me that this should solve the problem. The next day it was a bad as ever. I'm familiar generally with causes and solutions to condensation, but...

Don't know anything more than the bare outline here, pub mate tale: Kangoo Diesel cylinder head gasket failure - replaced.. runs happily. Starts cold, won't restart whilst warm.. Any ideas?

Hi I have wired a 7 way bypass relay to earth and permament live ( with an inline fuse between relay and live connection ) with no other wires connected yet. As soon as I put in the inline fuse I get a constant high pitched whistle coming from the relay box. If I connect the towbar plug socket wires it does the same. I then connected the rear light wires from the vehicle. It still...

My brother has a 91 330T with the M54 3 litre engine, and it uses a lot of oil. He changed the oil last week and after only 200 miles the low oil warning light came on. Took over a litre to bring it back to full. Most of those 200 miles were spent towing a caravan. No obvious signs like smoke from the exhaust. No leaks. Mileage approx 80,000. Runs just fine. My 528 has never needed topping up...

My air con recently stopped working and I had it checked - the verdict was that the pressure was low but not totally depleted. I decided to put off topping it up until the summer. With the low pressure nothing runs if I press the button. I acquired another car and decided to sell this one (Honda Civic) and took it in to have the air con topped up. (Thursday) Today I was out in it and ran it...