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!

DS3 dilemma

Car Mechanics

CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION • Since starting life as a niche but straightforward oddity, the stepless automatic transmission has been adopted in a wide range of models but Rob Marshall finds that modern complication has not improved reliability.

HOW CVTs WORK

WHAT GOES WRONG?

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE

COMMON DIAGNOSTIC ERRORS

COMMON FAULTS – OTHER MODELS

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

Body blow • PART ONE: Our new French project car might be low mileage, but it’s had a hard life and needs plenty doing. Andrew Everett talks us through our latest project.

The DV6 engine

Gearbox service • PART FOUR: Rob Hawkins concludes his visit to North Wales Jag Centre by following a gearbox service, ensuring the diff oil is renewed and having a couple of undertrays replaced.

Timing Belt Clinic 2015 FORD MONDEO Mk5 2.0 TDCi • Rob Hawkins follows an alternative approach to replacing the timing belt, tensioner and idler on a Ford Mondeo Mk5.

Buying, Owning & Improving Land Rover Discovery Sport • This family-sized 4x4 SUV will be your flexible friend this autumn and early ones make the best buys.

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

The Peter Simpson COLUMN

BMW E39 5-SERIES Front Wheel Bearing REPLACEMENT • It’s not the easiest wheel bearing in the world to do, but it’s not too horrendous. Andrew Everett fits a new febi bearing to his BMW 528i and shows us how he did it.

ON TEST SUZUKI SWIFT HYBRID • Steve Rothwell has a week driving the latest mild hybrid Suzuki Swift.

Maintaining your MX-5 • Simplicity has always been one of the guiding factors behind the Mazda MX-5, and the third generation – featuring a Ford Mondeo/ Focus engine – continues that philosophy. Richard Gunn gets to grips with one of the world’s most popular small sports cars.

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

Diagnostics Doctor • Steve Rothwell answering your ENGINE MANAGEMENT queries

Good Garage Guide

Fixes to 3 & 5-series

CR-V brakes

In my Humble Opinion • Recent events is changing Mike Humble’s mind about car clubs and websites.