Subscribe to The Times
Home > Car Clinic > Maintenance

Maintenance

The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

A faulty vacuum pump on my 2009 Mercedes S-class mean...

During a valeting of my 09-plate Mercedes S 320 CDI, the rear headrests were lifted to the up position to allow cleaning behind them. Now they will...
Published 07 July 2015
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

Garage says my brake master cylinder needs replacing...

A warning light on my 1996 Audi A6 tells me that the brake pads are worn or the brake fluid is low. The pads have done only 1,000 miles and the fluid...
Published 01 June 2015
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

Shocked that I had to replace the tyres on my Nissan...

I put new tyres on my Nissan X-Trail and managed only 15,000 miles before both sets needed changing
Published 01 June 2015
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

My new car needs a faulty oxygen sensor replaced. How...

Q. My 2009 1.3-litre Toyota Yaris, bought new, has done only 20,000 miles but recently needed a faulty oxygen sensor replaced. My dealer charged me...
Published 05 May 2015
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

Is it possible to raise the height of a driver’s...

Q. I am buying a new Seat Leon 1.4-litre TSI SE. My wife is not very tall and has become used to the slightly elevated driving position in our current...
Published 05 May 2015
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

What is an “Error 174” message displayed in my...

Q. Can you tell me what my five-year-old Vauxhall Astra means when it displays an “Error 174” message? My garage’s response was to charge the...
Published 30 April 2015
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

The steering on my BMW often wanders. How can I stop...

Q. The steering on my BMW 330d M Sport often wanders. This can be quite disturbing. How can I stop it?
Published 28 April 2015
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

Are xenon headlight conversions legal?

Can I replace the standard headlights on my Vauxhall Astra Elite with xenon versions?
Published 23 April 2015
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

The cloth on my car's A-pillars is coming away. How...

Q. The cloth on the A-pillars of my otherwise immaculate W-reg Volvo S80 SE is lifting off the plastic trim beneath. Volvo replacements cost £200-plus...
Published 07 April 2015
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

The reversing light of my Seat Leon is always on. Can...

Q. The reversing light of my wife’s Seat Leon is always on. My garage has failed to fix it and is now talking about new relays and a gearbox switch...
Published 07 April 2015
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

Why does a smeary film keep appearing on my windscreen...

Q. A smeary film keeps appearing on my VW Golf’s windscreen. I clean the car every two weeks with a jet washer, and I use VW screenwash, Autoglym...
Published 07 April 2015
The Sunday Times Driving Placeholder

Why do my VW Golf's rear windows mist up in cold weather...

Q. The rear windows in our 2008 Volkswagen Golf TDI often mist up while driving in cold weather. They can also take several minutes to clear when...
Published 09 March 2015