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

LIFE AFTER LOCKDOWN • Lockdown has been hard on each of us but spare a thought for your car. Rob Marshall looks at extra considerations that a DIYer should cover at service time, now that freedoms are being (gradually) restored.

MECHANICAL MISHAPS • We all make mistakes, but the secret is to learn from them. Here’s some valuable lessons that CM readers have learned over the years.

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

News in Brief

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

Cash & carry • PART ONE: One of the most modern project cars we’ve ever covered at seven-years-old – yet plenty to go wrong. Andrew Everett and Martyn Knowles introduce our 62,000-mile J11 second-generation petrol Qashqai.

Rustproofing & fixing oil leaks • PART FOUR: Rob Hawkins discovers there’s lots of hidden surface corrosion on our Clubman and asks mad4mini to help fix the engine oil leaks.

Car Fires • Car fires are a scary prospect, but why do they happen and what should you do in the event of one? CM takes closer look.

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

smart forfour/Renault Twingo Mk3 • Steve Hole sorts out a spongey ride on his smart forfour by fitting a Powerflex aluminium and polyurethane lower torque mount.

Flex-door MPV • They may have fallen out of fashion but an MPV might just be all the car you need. Chris Randall lifts the lid on Vauxhall’s compact people-carrier.

The Peter Simpson COLUMN • In light of recent figures showing 2020 to have been a bumper year for scrapping cars, Peter ponders whether the cause was covid, or the start of a new trend…

Survival Guide Alfa 159 • Do your homework before taking on one of these stylish family mile-munchers.

Timing Belt Clinic Ford Ka II 1.2 • PART TWO: Rob Hawkins completes the timing belt and tensioner replacement on a 2009 Ford Ka.

Servicing the 8P A3 • Rob Hawkins shows how to service the second-generation Audi A3.

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

Electronic Diagnostics SAAB 9-3 2.0 • Tracing and fixing faults in electronic engine management systems

Good Garage Guide

Fleet update

Green van man!

In my Humble Opinion • Mike Humble wonders...