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!

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The Peter Simpson COLUMN • Peter recalls a product test from 35 years ago, the ramifications of which are still rippling around.

THE IN-BET WEENERS

An INTRODUCTION to HYBRIDS • With drivetrains evolving so rapidly, considering a replacement car has never been more confusing, leading Rob Marshall to find out what hybrids are all about.

HIGH-VOLTAGE SAFETY

HOW HIGH-VOLTAGE SYSTEMS ARE ACTIVATED

CM Insider • Martyn Knowles brings you news and product reviews from the automotive industry

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

Continental Drift • PART ONE: We find out whether it’s second time lucky as we experience project ‘drift’ with our plans to experience life with a cheap Bentley Continental.

Front Wheel Bearing • It’s a common issue on the FWD Ford Focus, so Rob Hawkins visits AES near York to replace a noisy wheel bearing on CM’s Mk2 Focus.

Driver Alert Systems • Falling asleep at the wheel can have disastrous consequences, but technology is helping to prevent it happening. Chris Randall looks at ‘Driver Alert’ systems.

DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) OIL & FILTER change • CM reader, Paul Winstanley, shows us how he performed a DSG fluid change at home in his garage.

POUR PERFORMANCE • With the number of different oil brands, blends and brews on the UK market reportedly running into thousands, is there any wonder motorists and workshops alike face increasing challenges and confusion when deciding what’s best to pour into their engines, asks Alan Anderson.

Flexible Friends

Alfa Giulia • It’s a head-turning executive car that’s involving to drive, well screwed together and now fabulous value for money.

Collections • Peter Simpson provides us with an insight into the automotive sales trading world – and beyond.

Classics in the making • Alan Anderson finds 19 cars that he thinks might become collectable in the not-toodistant future.

Servicing the Mk4 • AES near York has a fourcylinder petrol engine Suzuki Swift to service. Rob Hawkins volunteers to get stuck in.

Help!

Diagnostics Doctor

Electronic Diagnostics • Rob Hawkins visits Mark Shipman of Auto Electrical Ser vices near York to discover some of the common engine management issues on the diesel engine Citroën C5.

TECH SPECS

Typical CITROËN C5 COMPONENTS

IN ASSOCIATION WITH TOPDON

Typical CITROËN C5 FAULTS

Your Letters

STAR LETTER • The reader awarded the STAR letter will receive a Sealey LED318G lamp

Readers’ Motors

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