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!

EcoBoost project

Car Mechanics

The Peter Simpson COLUMN • Peter’s new workshop is coming along, and now contains a fully-operational hoist and a well-sorted stock of spares.

TIMING BELTS • Putting off timing belt changes is a risky option but is understandable, considering the high costs involved. Rob Marshall looks at how feasible they are to renew at home, by detailing three belt change procedures.

RENAULT F-TYPE SINGLE CAMSHAFT ENGINE • Used up to the late 1990s

PEUGEOT/CITROËN 2.0-LITRE EW10 PETROL • Used up to 2010

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

BOOKAZINE SERIES!

Focus Mk3 • Part ONE: An insight into running a 3-cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost Focus. James Burr reports.

OIL & FILTER

SPARK PLUGS

NEW YEAR SALE • Discover your new favourite magazine in 2025! We have something for everyone!

Volkswagen TOUCHSCREEN REPAIR • Peter Rosenthal replaces the touchscreen on a 2019 Volkswagen Transporter T6.

BMW E46 6-CYLINDER WATER PUMP SWAP • Failing water pump on your E46? Andrew Everett outlines replacing it – most of this applies to the other BMW’s with the M50 series sixes.

CLASS of ’75 • So what’s new? With inflation soaring at nearly 25% there was also a cost of living crisis. Alan Anderson reports.

Lexus IS F • Quick, rare and accompanied by legendary Lexus reliability. The only real issue with the often overlooked‘F’ will be finding one for sale.

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

BANGERS AND (SAVING) CASH • The end of the ICE age may be edging closer, but the need for small workshops and kerbside mechanics show no signs of cooling off thanks to an ageing UK car parc says Alan Anderson.

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Your Letters

Korean consistency • Rob Hawkins follows the servicing of a nine-yearold 1.7 CRDi diesel engine Hyundai i40 at AES York Ltd.

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

Have a problem vehicle? GET IN TOUCH…

Diagnostics Doctor • Steve Rothwell answering your ENGINE MANAGEMENT queries

Electronic Diagnostics Tracing and fixing faults in electronic engine management systems • When editor Martyn Knowles’ Toyota Corolla Verso developed an irregular misfire, he tried several fixes, but eventually Mark Shipman at AES...