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

PAS MAKING LIFE EASIER • Most cars possess power-assisted steering (PAS) and become virtually undrivable should it go wrong. As the system is often misunderstood, Rob Marshall looks at the most common variants, their foibles and the potential for DIY repair.

PAS – freeing suspension development

ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC FAULT-FINDING

EPS steering columns

Removal/replacement of an EPS column

PAS FLUID

NEXT MONTH

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

News in Brief

The Peter Simpson COLUMN • Another of Peter’s favourite driving routes, but one he would rather you didn’t tell too many people about…

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

Find that water leak • PART TWO: Rob Hawkins tries to discover the reason why there’s four litres of water inside the bottom of the boot.

Oh, the O-ring • PART FIVE: Of interest to all TTiD and Vauxhall CDTi owners is the replacement of the dreaded oil pick-up O-ring. Andrew Everett is glad he got someone else to do it.

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

BMW M135i • Those with a passion for rear-drive, six-pot BMWs will love this now affordable GT cruiser.

Effortless approach • It seems everyone wants an SUV, but should your used-car shopping list include this one? Chris Randall takes a closer look at Mazda’s effort.

Transmission

Engine choice

Valuations

Verdict

Air suspension pump swap • Rob Hawkins follows North Wales Jag Centre replacing the air suspension pump on a Jaguar XJ X350.

Failed cylinder-head fix with liquid • Online, a fierce battle rages over the efficacy of head gasket sealants. A multitude of motorists claims to have saved countless fortunes on repair bills while prolonging the lives of their cherished cars by decades. Against them stand the sceptics, to whom all chemical sealants are snake oil. Faced with a blown head gasket, Roger Wilkinson chose to dig deeper.

What’s in the bottle?

Servicing a sporty Punto • Rob Hawkins dissects a 2010 Fiat Punto Evo and discovers he’s seen many of its components before.

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

Have a problem vehicle?

Diagnostics Doctor • Steve Rothwell answering your ENGINE MANAGEMENT queries

Electronic Diagnostics • A modern crossover/SUV, Renault’s Captur has been praised for its styling and...