Car Mechanics December 2021

Editorial Martyn Knowles, Editor Email martyn.knowles@kelsey.co.uk Follow us on Facebook @CarMechanics The Editor has a breakdown Not me personally, though putting this issue, with the extra 32-pages together was stressful. I’m talking about one of my fleet of cars – resulting in waiting for the recovery services to help. But before that, I had notice to give up a lock-up I rent in South London. I‘d rented this space for 15 years – it was cheaper to rent here than anywhere else as I knew the owner of the said garage. However, they now wanted it back. That meant my 1975 Ford Capri MkII seeing daylight after 11 years locked away. Good friend, John Brennan offered to help. I hired a car recovery truck locally and drove the 55 miles…

Email martyn.knowles@kelsey.co.uk Follow us on Facebook @CarMechanics The Editor has a breakdown Not me personally, though putting this issue, with the extra 32-pages together was stressful. I’m talking about one of my fleet of cars – resulting in waiting for the recovery services to help. But before that, I had notice to give up a lock-up I rent in South London. I‘d rented this space for 15 years – it was cheaper to rent here than anywhere else as I knew the owner of the said garage. However, they now wanted it back. That meant my 1975 Ford Capri MkII seeing daylight after 11 years locked away. Good friend, John Brennan offered to help. I hired a car recovery truck locally and drove the 55 miles to meet John. Unfortunately, the rusty brakes on the Capri…

TPMS INSTANT EXPERT TYRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS Once seen as a frippery, TPMS is now a mandatory safety aid. As a defect can attract an MOT Test failure, Rob MarsHall looks at how the system works, what goes wrong and the most costeffective repair options available to the keen home mechanic. With most recent figures revealing that 57% of tyres on British roads deviate by at least 4psi from their recommended pressures, it is clear that this nation’s drivers are not especially proficient at regular checks. While it is not unreasonable to presume that CM readers are more mechanically sympathetic than average, many of us may still check our tyres less frequently than the recommended once per month. Even if not caused by a puncture, a tyre deflates gradually over…

With most recent figures revealing that 57% of tyres on British roads deviate by at least 4psi from their recommended pressures, it is clear that this nation’s drivers are not especially proficient at regular checks. While it is not unreasonable to presume that CM readers are more mechanically sympathetic than average, many of us may still check our tyres less frequently than the recommended once per month. Even if not caused by a puncture, a tyre deflates gradually over time. One reason is that the pressurised air permeates naturally through the tyre’s rubber structure. However, air pressure also varies with heat, altering readings taken on a hot day, or after an extended journey. Low pressures also prejudice safety. Grip is compromised, because the tread is not in full contact with the road…

Fiat Multipla What you are looking at here is one of the most beautiful cars ever created, at least if you believe one of the most influential car designers of the last half century. Talking about the Fiat Multipla to German car magazine Auto Bild Klassik, the former BMW and Fiat stylist, Chris Bangle, said: “In order to design a car that’s beautiful in a way we have not yet discovered, we need to take risks. Designers and – more importantly – car manufacturers are incredibly risk averse.” Love it or loathe it, the Multipla was certainly different. Different enough for it to be displayed in the New York Museum of Modern Art and to be named “Car of the Year” and “Britain’s Ugliest Car” in the same year as part of…

Second-hand car prices up by over 56% in two years Some of the UK’s most popular used cars have seen a surge in demand since 2019, according to research from AA Cars. The highest price rise found was for a three-year-old MINI hatch, spiking by 56.63% between 2019 and 2021. Britain’s best-selling used car – the Ford Fiesta – also saw a 31% rise of £9770 compared with its value in 2019. Demand is so strong that some models are even appreciating with age, where they would not have done traditionally. The research has been undertaken for the 30 most searched for vehicles on the AA Cars platform. Surging demand coupled with supply issues have created this unusual pricing trend, which is great for owners reaping a profit if they’re looking to sell…