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

The Peter Simpson COLUMN • This month Peter has a few thoughts on trading in damaged/salvage vehicles.

INSTANT EXPERT DIY PAINT • Which painting tasks can you conduct on your car from home? Rob Marshall examines what you can consider.

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

News in Brief

NEW FROM THE TOOL CONNECTION

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

GET THIS RING 4A SMART CHARGER & BATTERY MAINTAINER AND SAVE £42!*

Service & brakes • Part TWO: Martyn Knowles gets to work on our 202,000-mile VW Caravelle, starting by servicing the engine and then fitting new brakes front and back.

Rear dampers • PART FIVE: With rusty-looking suspension dampers at the rear of our BMW 335i, Rob Hawkins follows them being replaced with new units from Bilstein.

FORD FOCUS Mk2 • Rob Hawkins visits AJ Fleetcare in Leeds to follow them replacing the clutch on CM’s 5-speed manual Focus.

Nissan Qashqai • Strong, roomy and reassuringly cheap to run. What more could you ask from the second-generation Sunderland-built family SUV?

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

Cabin filter fever • David McLavin changes the cabin filter on a Zafira B

Picasso service • Rob Hawkins follows AES near York service a 1.6-litre HDI engine Citroën C3 Picasso.

BACK TO 1974 • Cardboard log books, Allegro square steering wheels (now making a comeback) and Ford’s V4 engine bowed out 50 years ago. Here’s 30 motor-related things which over the past half century have also been consigned to the history books – but for better or worse asks Alan Anderson?

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

Diagnostics Doctor • Rothwell answering your ENGINE MANAGEMENT queries

Renault Captur 898cc petrol • Tracing and fixing faults in electronic engine management systems

Cutting edge Automotive Solutions from TOPDON

Good Garage Guide

NEXT MONTH WET BELTS • SEPTEMBER 2024 issue out AUGUST 16th

M-B Citan Crew Cab

Driveway bearing

Parents, cars… and all that Jazz • Buying a new car is often traumatic, sometimes it’s a real pleasure as Mike explains.