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

REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE • Despite front-wheel-drive’s popularity, many SUVs and performance models have their rear wheels powered by the engine, leading Rob Marshall to investigate the complexities behind modern differential and propshafts.

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

Project Jaguar XF 3.0D Belt & pump • PART THREE: Rob Hawkins continues with his visit to North Wales Jag Centre and follows the timing belt on our XF being replaced along with the water pump.

Project Nissan Qashqai 1.2 DMF & clutch • PART SIX: We conclude our J11 Qashqai project by replacing the clutch and dual mass flywheel. Is it a typically difficult modern FWD clutch? Andrew Everett runs us through the job.

Preventing warm beer & flat batteries • Andrew Rolland shows how to get power to your caravan fridge and charge the 12V battery in your vehicle if it is fitted with a towbar using his 2013 BMW 535i with an electric swivelling towbar as an example.

Dealer’s Diary • Peter Simpson and Rebecca Chaplin brings us car trading news as we slowly move out of lockdown.

The Peter Simpson COLUMN • Peter reckons pre-publicity and pre-warning of Birmingham’s newly-introduced Clean Air Zone is woefully inadequate…

Buying, Owning & Improving • Ian Cushway searches out new and used parts prices

FIXING UP A ROVER 600 • The boss buys one of the last built Rover 600s and then asks Joe Miller to make some repairs.

Door trouble • Rob Hawkins outlines some of the typical problems that can arise with doors and how to fix many of the common problems.

Valued workhorse • Rob Hawkins visits independent VAG specialist IVC of Leeds to follow them servicing their works van that’s covered over 330,000 miles on its original five-cylinder diesel engine.

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

Diagnostics Doctor • Steve Rothwell answering your ENGINE MANAGEMENT queries

Readers’ Motors • Robin Evans updates us on our ex-project Ford Ka we bought in 2015 and sold in 2017.

NEXT MONTH

BMW 535i FEAD

Three arrive, two depart

In my Humble Opinion • Mike Humble discusses diesel and wonders what options are there for mega-mileage drivers.