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Category: Mechanical

Find out how your car works – in plain English. We reveal all those tricky technical things that might have baffled you about your car

mechanic looks at diagnostic computer while under a car's bonnet inspecting the engine
Mechanical

What is limp home mode and how do I get my car out of it?

Limp home mode or limp mode is when a car engine appears to lose power for no apparent reason. Your car will put itself into limp home mode because it…

By James Foxall14th September 202314th September 2023
image showing bentley bentayga driving on scenic lakeside road
Mechanical

How long can you drive with a DPF light on?

Every modern diesel car sold in the EU since 2009 has a DPF or Diesel Particulate Filter. This is located in the car’s exhaust system and designed to remove the…

By James Foxall21st August 202321st August 2023
image showing volkswagen dashboard with air vents
Mechanical

How much will it cost to fix leaking air con on my car?

Leaking air con is quite a common thing. A small amount of water always drips from car air con. Rather than this, we’re talking about the sort of leaking air…

By James Foxall17th August 202317th August 2023
keyless cars
Mechanical

What is a keyless car? If you have to press the keyfob to open it, is it a keyless car?

This question came about because our reader wanted to know whether they should buy a Faraday pouch. These block the signals emitted by keyfobs to keep cars safer. The reader…

By James Foxall17th May 202327th July 2023
how long ev batteries last
Mechanical

I’m considering switching to an EV but I’m worried about how long EV batteries last

One of the biggest concerns among buyers is how long EV batteries last. It’s a fair point because EVs are a relatively new technology and all we have to fall…

By James Foxall10th May 20237th July 2023
battery replacement
Mechanical

How much does EV battery replacement cost if they fail?

One of the biggest concerns among electric and hybrid vehicle buyers – particularly those of used motors – is whether battery replacement is possible if the cells start to lose…

By James Foxall28th February 202329th June 2023
airbag
Mechanical

My daughter rear ended another car at about 60mph on a motorway but her airbag didn’t go off. Should we be concerned?

We’ve had a few questions about airbags not going off. It’s worth repeating that airbags aren’t designed to inflate in every type of crash. How do airbags go off? Airbags…

By James Foxall2nd February 202329th June 2023
mild hybrid
Mechanical

I’m currently researching new cars. What’s the difference between mild and micro hybrid?

There are many relatively recent terms that describe the different types of electrification applied to cars. Two of the more confusing are mild hybrid and micro hybrid. What is hybrid?…

By James Foxall26th January 202329th June 2023
used car clutch
Mechanical, Opinion

Why do we get so many questions about used car clutch problems?

One of the most common questions we get is about used car clutches. The questions from readers usually go something like this. “I’ve bought a used car and driving home…

By James Foxall29th September 202229th June 2023
car bonnet
Mechanical

How do I open my car bonnet?

All cars are different so it’s hardly surprising that people get confused with how to open their car bonnet. After all, there aren’t many openings on a car that need…

By James Foxall26th September 202229th June 2023

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