What has the Honest John team been asked this week?

[Web Version]( | [Update preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Facebook icon]( [Like]( [Twitter icon]( [Tweet]( [Forward icon]( [Forward]( [What is the best home EV charger?]( Posted by on 5 January, 2024 What is the best EV charger to install in my garage? [Read more →]( [Can I hire a car in Spain and drive into Portugal?]( Posted by on 5 January, 2024 Aged 83 I am planning a May 2024 visit to the Douro Valley in Portugal, where the upper age limit for car rentals is 80 years. Spain has no such upper age limit so could I rent there and then drive over into Portugal? [Read more →]( [Will fitting Michelin Cross Climate+ tyres affect my fuel consumption?]( Posted by on 5 January, 2024 My 2017 Fiesta 1.0 litre Ecoboost (previous model) has 195/55/15 tyres which are due for replacement. I'm considering changing to an All Season tyre. ATS have Michelin Crossclimate+ at £108 fitted, Cross Climate2 at £145 fitted or Continental All Season at £141 fitted. Only the Cross Climate 2 are B rated for economy. The others are C rated. The car at present has Conti Eco Contact which are B rated - the MPG averages around 45 MPG. Any idea how different this might be with C rated all season tyres? My annual mileage is around 6000 to 8000. Any other makes you would suggest? [Read more →]( [The roof in my Dacia Logan MCV has come loose, how do I fix it?]( Posted by on 5 January, 2024 We bought this car from new, and have basically been very pleased with it, as it's reliable and cheap to run, but over the last few months, the 'loose' roof lining has caused a horrible thumping noise which can only be stopped by a rear seated passenger pushing up on the ceiling. It seems light the inner soft material has come 'unstuck' from the metal roof or something causing a sort of vibration? I did contact Dacia at Basingstoke where we bought it about this, but they only wanted to look at it if they charge for the time, and as they weren't sure how long it would, or what was required to fix it, they would give an idea of cost, so we couldn't do that. [Read more →]( [My spare key won't hold its code, what are my options?]( Posted by on 5 January, 2024 The spare key for my VW Passat refuses to hold its code. We first noticed this shortly after taking receipt of the car 2 years ago. Our local garage has recently re-coded the key, but after 2 weeks it has lost the ability to open the car again - the key fob battery was changed at the same time. Is this a common issue and can you advise us on how we can fix this (preferably cheaply)? [Read more →]( [Do disabled parking bays have a maximum kerb height?]( Posted by on 5 January, 2024 Are you aware of any guidance for the maximum height of a kerb adjacent to a disabled parking bay? [Read more →]( [What automatic SUV would you recommend for frequent short journeys?]( Posted by on 4 January, 2024 Which SUV auto is good for me? I do more short runs every week, around 120 miles. [Read more →]( [Will changing the headights in my Kia Niro affect the warranty?]( Posted by on 4 January, 2024 Will upgrading my headlights affect my warranty? [Read more →]( [Is all AdBlue the same?]( Posted by on 4 January, 2024 I have a 2016 VW Touareg Escape with an Ad Blue tank. When I bought the car I had no experience of this AdBlue stuff. There is no way to check the tank other than push a dry stick in. It appeared to be rather low so I added some. The car was serviced in February locally, since then I've done about 5 or 6 thousand miles. Yesterday I had a notice spring up to say the ad blue is low. I have now put about 12 pints in. I have two questions re this, 1. Approximately how far can \ expect the car to go after this message? and 2., there are so many places selling Ad Blue at fantastically different prices are they all of a similar standard? Thanks for your help, [Read more →]( [What SUV has a low boot floor for my elderly dog?]( Posted by on 4 January, 2024 What SUV would you recommend for a new purchase with no boot sill and low ground to boot floor measurement for a labrador to jump in? Not too high sills on passenger side for elderly passenger with dodgy knees. On average about 6000 miles driven a year. [Read more →]( [What should we buy when downsizing from two cars to one?]( Posted by on 4 January, 2024 My wife and I are both in our early 70’s and are now slowly reaching the conclusion that it is hard to justify our running two cars now that we are both retired. My wife currently drives a 2020 Fiat 500 (24k miles), I have a 2018 Fiat 500L Cross (25k miles). We are thinking of trading both for, ideally, a new hatchback/SUV but, not being particularly car-orientated, we really don’t know what makes and models we should be looking at. We live in deepest darkest Northamptonshire where the 'tracking' capabilities of the 500L have been particularly valuable. Otherwise the priorities for us would be reliability, economy and comfort, the car being used mainly around town and in our local area but with the occasional longer motorway hauls to family, friends and the coast. Budget would be the part exchange values on our current cars plus £6k - £8K’ish / as little as possible. What would you suggest that we look at? [Read more →]( [Where can I find a Bonser three wheel truck?]( Posted by on 3 January, 2024 I am looking for a Bonser three wheel truck but am struggling to find one. Any suggestions? [Read more →]( [What should I replace my Ford Fiesta with?]( Posted by on 3 January, 2024 I have a 2013 Ford Fiesta automatic with cruise control heated front seats and front and rear sensors. My wife drives this as well and we both like the size of the Fiesta. As they no longer make them what car would you recommend? [Read more →]( [What are the risks of leasing for the over 80s?]( Posted by on 3 January, 2024 My current VW ID.3 lease will end next year shortly before my 80th birthday. I am currently in good health and I would like to continue to lease electric (Megane E?) but I understand that should I need to end a lease early (maybe due to increasing high insurance cost or sudden ill health) it would be very expensive. Would I be better advised to purchase via PCP under the circumstances? [Read more →]( [We want a rugged car that can cope with raised water levels, occasional snow falls, mud and two medium sized dogs?]( Posted by on 2 January, 2024 We looking to change our MINI Cllubman. We live in a very rural farming area on the coast, liable to very wet, muddy poor roads. We would like car that is fairly rugged, can cope with raised water levels, occasional snow falls, mud and two medium sized dogs that like to get dirty and wet. It would also need to cope with the occasional long distance M6 journey and preferably be an automatic with AWD. We have thought about a Subaru XV, there is local Subaru dealer or a Renegade Jeep 4Xe but there are no local Jeep dealers within 90 miles. It would be used as our budget is around 22k. Any other suggestions? [Read more →]( [What's the most reliable estate that will carry a mobility scooter?]( Posted by on 2 January, 2024 I have owned a 2008 Ford Focus 1.6 auto and it has proved reliable. I am disabled and think an estate car would be good as it would give me easier access for my mobility scooter. I have up to £20,000 to spend - should I buy another Focus, or a VW Golf or a Toyota? I must have reliability. [Read more →]( [Does the engine need to be on when checking power steering fluid level?]( Posted by on 1 January, 2024 Must the engine be running while checking power steering oil level? [Read more →]( [Is glass coating worth it?]( Posted by on 1 January, 2024 I'm buying a Lexus RC300. The dealers all say glass coating is the best protection for the bodywork, giving them a nice commission on the sale. Is it actually worth it and does it protect as well as is claimed? [Read more →]( [What tyres can I fit for better ride quality?]( Posted by on 31 December, 2023 I have a 2015 VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI 4 motion Sport. I find the ride quite hard and as I am about to replace all tyres what could you recommend as a reasonable priced tyre that would give me a softer quieter ride with good wet grip and longevity? I am currently riding on Bridgestone Dueller 235/50R18. My mileage is around 6000 per annum, lots of it is is motorway driving. [Read more →]( [I want to buy a petrol hybrid, what would you recommend?]( Posted by on 31 December, 2023 I’ve had the old shape Nissan X-Trail for 9 years which has served me well until now. I’ve had problems with the water pump etc recently and it’s costing me money. Also I’ve recently lost my husband so I don’t need the huge space. To replace I’m looking for the same narrow shape car. I’m looking at a petrol hybrid. I’d like reversing camera as it’s proved useful. I love to be high on the road, looking for heated seats and a good reliable car. Another widow recommended her Toyota C-HR. I would like your opinion please. 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