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!

Rates of tax

The Peter Simpson COLUMN

LUBES EXPLAINED • The variety and types of modern automotive lubricants are completely baffling but they are evolving by the day, resulting in Rob Marshall finding out what it is all about.

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

Tales from the workshop

Brake trouble • PART TWO: Rob Hawkins takes delivery of CM’s BMW 335i and wonders why the handbrake doesn’t work, the front brakes judder and there’s a loose wire at the OSR.

Work begins • PART THREE: We make a start on the to-do list. Paul Wager reports.

FREE BEANIE HAT • THAT ’S A 45% SAVING & YOU’LL NEVER MISS AN ISSUE!*

TURBO INTAKE PIPE • Peter Rosenthal replaces the turbo intake pipe on a 2009 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi engine.

WET BELTS • My Editorial in the February 2024 issue discussed an alarming amount of engine failures due to the destruction of timing belts running in engine oil. These usually have a long service interval and time length, however, some wet belts are more prone than others in not going the distance. Martyn Knowles reports.

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

Too Good?

Changes at Cazoo

Tracing history

Peugeot 208 • The 208 Mk1 is excellent value but you need to buy carefully.

Replacing a FRONT WING • How hard can it be to unbolt and swap a front wing on a Mk2 Focus? Rob Hawkins finds out the hard way but luckily has AES near York on hand to help.

Executive saloon • Rob Hawkins visits independent Jaguar specialist Auto Reserve to follow them servicing their long wheelbase diesel-powered Jaguar XJ.

Help!

Misting in expansion chamber

Wrong time

Digital dash

Oil use

Stop-Start

Traction control

Constant cooling fan

Miles per gallon

Key fob

Service mileage vs age of components

Oil in coolant

Workshop manual

Rising tick-over

Digital readout

Headlamp dance

Underside knocking

ABS worry

Webasto solar sunroof

Rear wiper

Struggling to start

Injector life

Timing belt change

Misfire

Lock change

Have a problem vehicle? GET IN TOUCH...

Cooling problem

Blower motor

Scanner advise

Fault code

EGR codes

Diagnosis unit

Knock sensor

Manifold runner

Diagnostics Doctor

Fault code

Electronic Diagnostics • Tracing and fixing faults in...