Car Mechanics

Car Mechanics is the UK's only car magazine with essential advice on maintaining and repairing popular makes and models. It’s an invaluable motoring resource that appeals to both the DIY car enthusiast and the more experienced motor trade professional. Car Mechanics has helped save money for our readers every month since 1958. Each issue includes a wide range of in-depth features written in a clear, straightforward manner: • Readers’ motoring-related problems answered for FREE • Real-life motoring dilemmas from our man in the garage trade • Electronic diagnostics delves inside a different modern vehicle each month to explain its management system • Survival Guide looks at new and used component prices for a particular vehicle • Used Car Focus is an in-depth buying guide on a specific make and model • Service Bay covers a full service with close-up images and comprehensive descriptions • Project cars are a major part of the structure of the magazine as we buy, fix and sell different vehicles over a period of months So if you're into saving money and being a home technician, Car Mechanics will help you out - guaranteed!

10 years of protecting lubricants’ consumers

Plug-and-play

The Peter Simpson COLUMN • This month we have Peter’s totally-unexpected tribute to the Volvo estate car…

SECRETS OF SUCCESSFUL SERVICING • Fancy making your car safer, more reliable and extra economical? Rob Marshall asks, why not service it at home?

FILTER CHANGES

LUBRICATION NEEDS

UNDERBODY CHECKS

Your Letters

Tales from the workshop

New shiny brakes • PART THREE: Martyn Knowles fits new brake discs and pads to the front and rear of our IS250.

Cooking with gas • PART FIVE: Sam Skelton investigates the LPG system, suspect electrics and fits a new driveshaft.

Vauxhall Insignia • The value-packed Insignia Mk1 is so much better than you’d dare imagine.

Dealer’s Diary • Peter Simpson provides us with an insight into the automotive sales trading world – and beyond.

CORDLESS VACUUM CLEANERS • Steve turns his attention to handheld cordless vacuum cleaners which are ideal for car cleaning duties.

30 forget me nots • Remember when a trip to a ‘Motorist Centre’ was like a walking into a toy shop for grown ups? But as cars have become better equipped over the decades many accessories – and practices – have been made redundant as a result. As we mark 65 years of CM, here’s Alan Anderson’s personal trip down motoring memory lane...

Service Bay • Rob Hawkins follows AES service a frontwheel-drive 1586cc petrol engine SX4 S-Cross.

Help! • Your non-diagnostic vehicle-related problems solved by Steve Rothwell

Diagnostics Doctor

Electronic Diagnostics • Rob Hawkins takes his ex-CM project Audi A3 to Mark Shipman at Auto Electrical Services near York to discover the common electronic-related engine issues that can arise.

Our Cars

Our Cars

The changing face of the motor dealer • Mike Humble looks at dealers and customers who only have themselves to blame.