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

TYRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS • Once seen as a frippery, TPMS is now a mandatory safety aid. As a defect can attract an MOT Test failure, Rob MarsHall looks at how the system works, what goes wrong and the most costeffective repair options available to the keen home mechanic.

Britain’s Best Bangers • Introducing a car that was so ugly that many thought it was beautiful, among them CM contributor and Multipla owner, Craig Cheetham.

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

Cruising for a bruising • PART TWO: Our DS3 has had a right battering and the damage was worse than we first thought. Andrew Everett outlines why you cannot buy cars blind – unless they are very cheap.

Bumper attention • PART FIVE: Rob Hawkins removes the front bumper on our XF to have it resprayed and replaces the leaking aircon condenser.

LEATHERS CLEANERS & CONDITIONERS • Steve Hole puts products through their paces

SPECIALIST WORKSHOP KIT

ALL ABOUT AIR

MELTING METAL

WORKSHOP INSIDE, CAR OUTSIDE

TARP SHELTERS • Tarpaulins and ropes make the cheapest weatherproof shelters by a long chalk. And you don’t need to be an expert survivalist to build them.

LIFTING

NEXT LEVEL WORKSHOP

SORTING IT OUT

ENGINEERING ESSENTIALS

WORKING SAFELY

LUGGING AIDS

CLEANING MADE EASY

SECURITY • A well-equipped workshop is a giant-sized lucky dip for thieves. We explain how to keep them at bay.

GETTING GREENER • Making cars more environmentally-friendly isn’t straightforward, but how are carmakers responding to the challenge? Chris Randall explores some of the answers.

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.

Slow Fuse • David McLavin describes a quick fix for electrical woes on his Zafira B.

Buying, Owning & Improving Ford Fiesta Mk7 • Cheap to run, great to drive and easy to make even better. There’s lots of reasons to buy the 2008-on Fiesta.

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

Trolley Jack Blocking Tool • Michael Offiler offers us advice on using a trolley jack safely without the need for further support.

Your Letters

STAR LETTER • The reader awarded the STAR letter will receive a Sealey LED318R...