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!

Editorial

CAR MECHANICS

INSTANT EXPERT TYRES • To most motorists, tyres are one of the most dreary distress purchases, until their lives depend on them. Rob Marshall explains how to buy and maintain tyres wisely.

READING THE SMALL PRINT

TYRE DEVELOPMENT

ALL CHANGE: EU TYRE LABELLING

RUN FLAT TYRES

MOT TYRE ASSESSMENTS

PART-WORN TYRES

STORAGE

CAMSHAFTS & VALVE GEAR • It’s a bit old school now, but there are still a few of these SOHC BMW motors still around. Andrew Everett details How to maintain the camshaft and rockers.

CM insider • Ben Hackney-Williams brings you another month of news and reviews from the automotive industry

News in Brief

WIN

Tales from the workshop • Fixing advice from our garage proprietor Steve Rothwell

Swirl flaps flapping • PART TWO: Design madness is everywhere, but we weren’t expecting anything as bad as what we found when trying to delete the 1.9 diesel’s swirl flaps. Andrew Everett brings us the grim news.

Waterproofing your vehicle • Rob Hawkins explores some of the common areas where water gets inside a vehicle and can cause damage and outlines various means of fixing such problems.

Disc Brakes • Many passenger car technical developments are rooted in either wartime necessities, or motorsport. The disc brake has origins in both, as Rob Marshall discovers.

Dealer’s Diary • Peter Simpson and Rebecca Chaplin brings us trade news before and during the national restriction periods.

Brand’s hatch • The Audi A3 was all about brand image - if you wanted a posher Golf, then the classy compact hatch was - and still is - a smart and stylish choice.

Engine choice

Valuations

Verdict

Citroën C3 Mk2 • This visually unremarkable hatch is great value and cheap to keep.

That active feeling • We put to the test an entirely new damper design from Koni which offers active damping without the electronics and is a DIY fitment. Alan Anderson asks - does it work?

The Peter Simpson COLUMN • Peter looks back at when he was buying and selling Rovers and Volvos.

Supermini service • Rob Hawkins discovers the Hyundai i10 is one of the most straightforward superminis he has ever serviced.

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

Have a problem vehicle? GET IN TOUCH...

Sourcing vehicle manuals

Diagnostics Doctor • Steve Rothwell answering your ENGINE MANAGEMENT queries

Diagnostics Doctor

Common abbreviations

Electronic Diagnostics LEXUS RX400h 3.3-litre petrol •...