Car Mechanics magazine

Car Mechanics MAY 2012

 

on sale from APRIL 19

AIR CONDITIONING SUPPLEMENT

• Keeping your cool – Basic operation of the system
• The Cooler Kings – We visit specialists Vehvac to see how they operate.
• Life's a Gas – What are 'F' Gas regulations? And what training is required?
• Blowing Hot and Cold – How an air conditioning system is serviced.
• Cool Gear – Want to become an aircon specialist? We consider the options.

 

Tantalising regulars

• Tips from the Trade – a few snippets from the four pages: PEUGEOT 406 lower swivel job, Audi A6 rusty light connection, Ford Ranger spigot bearing failure, Merc B-Class shattered starter problem.
• Survival Guide: Fiat Stilo. 2002-2007. It was intended to rival the VAG group of hatches, but how does the Stilo stack up in terms of overall reliability and running costs?
• Used Car Focus: Mercedes A-Class. 1997-2004. Concentrating on the W168 models.  
• Service Bay: Mitsubishi Colt. We investigate how easy it is to service a 2006 1.5 DI-D diesel.
• Product Test: Borescopes. Just how useful and usable are borescopes? We test 11 examples.
• Dealer’s Diary: Our man in the trade says vehicle software updates are giving him a hard time...
• Help! Six pages of readers' car-related problems including Ford, Rover, Vauxhall, Citroén, Renault, Saab, Diahatsu and Honda models.
• Diagnostics Doctor: Two pages of readers’ electronic-related problems including Ford, Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen models.
• Electronic Diagnostics: Vauxhall Combo 1.4-litre dual-fuel with a Bosch Motronic ME7.6 management system.

 

One-off series

• Load Lugging: Can't fit everything into your car? CM looks at other practical ways to carry goods attached to the exterior of your car. Part one in our mini-series includes roofbars, roof boxes and bike racks.
• Rover Metro/100 Clutch Change: A step-by-step guide on fitting a clutch to the 1.1-litre K-Series. A similar task applies to the 1.4-litre K-Series as fitted to the Rover 200/400 and 25/45 models.
• CM Visit: A well-known brand from the UK is Autoglym, with its world renowned car care products. We pay a visit to their HQ in Hertfordshire.
• Readers' Motors: Volvo C70 convertible T5.

 

Project Cars

• 2004 Cat D Lexus IS200: Part Four. After months of searching we find the secondhand panels needed to repair our front-end damaged Cat D model. 
• 1998 Daewoo Matiz: Part Two. Our 'spares or repair' Matiz needs new rear brakes, wheel bearings and the nearside CV boot renewed. Find out how we got on... 

 

Clarke Competition

• WIN POWER WASHERS: 3 prizes up for grabs. 1 x Jetstar 1900 with a RRP of £95.98, 2 x Jetstar 1750 with a RRP of £53.99 each.

 

NEXT MONTH

• How to make money from scrap vehicles.
• Used Car Focus: Rover 75
• Service Bay: 2004 Renault Scenic
• Survival Guide: BMW X5
• Dealing with seized components and the best methods to help you remove them
• Feine-style oscillating tools on test
• Saab 9-5 HOT diagnostics
• Project Matiz: Front brakes, service and exhaust 
• Project Lexus: Cambelt change 

JUNE 2012 issue on sale from MAY 17