Car care tips, advice & news.
Practical guides on servicing, MOTs, common faults and looking after your car, from the Stedmans Garage team in Worthing, trusted by local drivers since 1923.
Engine & Transmission7 Warning Signs of Engine Trouble: A Complete Diagnostic Guide for UK Drivers
The Check Engine Light (CEL) on your dashboard is one of the most important indicators of your vehicle's health. When this light illuminates, it signals that the onboard diagnostics system (OBD-II) has detected an issue within the engine or related systems.
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Engine & TransmissionRange Rover Ingenium Engine Care: Evoque, Velar and Range Rover Sport
Caring for a Range Rover 2.0 Ingenium means following the service indicator, using oil to the correct JLR specification and, on diesels, giving the particulate filter longer runs to clean itself. That matters most on the Evoque, whose filter sits under the floor.
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Engine & TransmissionDiscovery Sport Ingenium Engine Problems: What Owners and Buyers Should Know
The main engine problems on the Land Rover Discovery Sport are timing chain stretch and oil dilution on the 2.0 Ingenium diesel, both made worse by short journeys. Turbocharger faults and two DVSA recalls complete the picture, and which apply depends on your car's engine.
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Engine & TransmissionAudi Quattro System Care: Expert Maintenance Tips Every Owner Should Know
The Audi Quattro system is distinguished by its self-locking centre differential, which automatically manages the power distributed to the cars front and rear axels. This crucial component ensures that torque is dynamically allocated as needed, optimising the vehicle's stability and traction.
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Engine & TransmissionProtect Your Audi: Essential Transmission Maintenance Schedule Every Owner Should Follow
Audi vehicles are known for their advanced engineering and high-performance capabilities, and the transmission system plays a crucial role in delivering that performance.
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Engine & TransmissionHow to Identify a 2.0 Ingenium Engine in Your Jaguar, Land Rover or Range Rover
The quickest way to identify a 2.0 Ingenium engine is to check the model year, then confirm it from the V5C, the DVLA enquiry service and the engine number. The trap: an Evoque or Discovery Sport badged Td4 or Sd4 from before the 2016 model year has the older 2.2 diesel.
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Engine & Transmission2.0 Ingenium Engine Maintenance: How to Protect the Timing Chain
The best way to protect a 2.0 Ingenium timing chain is oil of the correct JLR specification, changed when the car asks (or sooner on a short-journey diesel), and acting quickly on a cold-start rattle. The chain cannot be seen or adjusted at a service.
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Engine & Transmission2.0 Ingenium Engine Problems: Timing Chain, Oil Dilution and DPF Faults
The main 2.0 Ingenium engine problems are timing chain stretch, oil dilution and DPF faults, and all three are mainly a diesel story. The first warning is usually a rattle after a cold start, and there is no UK recall for the chain.
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Engine & TransmissionIs the 2.0 Ingenium a Good Engine? Reliability, Petrol Versus Diesel and Which Years to Buy
The 2.0 Ingenium is a capable, efficient engine with one well-known weak spot: the diesel's timing chain and its habit of collecting fuel in the oil on short journeys. The petrol largely avoids those problems, so choose the fuel to suit how you drive.
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Engine & TransmissionEngine Health 101: How Timely Oil Changes Save Your Car and Your Wallet
Regular oil changes are essential to maintaining your vehicle's engine health. Clean oil plays a pivotal role in ensuring that your engine runs smoothly, reducing wear and tear, and ultimately, extending its lifespan.
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Engine & TransmissionEssential Year-Round Engine Maintenance: 10 Pro Tips to Maximise Your Car's Performance
Regular engine maintenance is vital for maximising the lifespan and performance of your vehicle's engine. Routine tasks such as oil changes, air filter replacements, and spark plug inspections are essential.
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Engine & TransmissionWhy Timing Chains Matter: A Complete Guide to This Crucial Engine Component
A timing chain is an essential internal component of an internal combustion engine. It is composed of metal links that resemble a bicycle chain, but it is far more durable and designed to withstand the rigours of engine operation.
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Engine & TransmissionHow to Spot Transmission Failure: Your Complete Troubleshooting Guide
A vehicle's transmission is an integral part of the drivetrain, responsible for transferring power from the engine to the wheels. This component allows a vehicle to operate at different speeds while controlling the torque. Two main types of transmissions exist: manual and automatic.
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Engine & TransmissionDon't Ignore These Early Warning Signs of Transmission Problems
Your vehicle's transmission system plays a vital role in transferring engine power to the wheels, thus allowing the vehicle to move at various speeds. Given its importance, identifying early warning signs of transmission trouble is crucial.
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Engine & TransmissionDSG Maintenance: How to Look After a Volkswagen DSG Gearbox
Looking after a Volkswagen DSG comes down to five things: change the gearbox oil and filter on schedule, use the correct oil, drive it smoothly, keep it cool and keep the software current. What a DSG service involves and what you can check yourself.
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Engine & TransmissionAudi DSG Transmission Maintenance: 5 Essential Tips for Peak Performance
Let's dive into the world of Audi DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) transmission, a marvel of modern automotive engineering. A DSG transmission is essentially two separate gearboxes housed within a single unit.
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Engine & TransmissionThe Ultimate Guide to Finding the Right Audi DSG Transmission Expert
DSG, or Direct-Shift Gearbox, is a cutting-edge transmission system that blends the features of automatic and manual gearboxes. It was designed by BorgWarner and licensed to the Volkswagen Group, which includes Audi.
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Engine & TransmissionBMW Timing Systems: Timing Chains vs. Belts
BMW vehicles primarily use timing chains though in some older models, timing belts. Timing chains, made of metal, are more prevalent in modern BMW models due to their durability. In comparison, timing belts, typically crafted from rubber composites, are found in older models like the M40.
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Engine & TransmissionThe Ultimate Guide to Volkswagen Engine Care: Extend Your VW's Lifespan
Proper maintenance of Volkswagen (VW) engines is vital to ensure their longevity and optimal performance. Regular servicing not only guards against potential mechanical failures but also enhances fuel efficiency.
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Engine & TransmissionTiming Belt Replacement Signs: How to Tell When Your Cambelt Is Due
How to tell when a timing belt needs replacing: the warning signs to look and listen for, how to find when your cambelt is due by mileage or age, belt versus chain, and what decides the cost of a replacement.
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Engine & TransmissionCommon Volkswagen Timing Chain Issues and How to Solve Them
The most common Volkswagen timing chain problem is chain stretch caused by a worn or failing tensioner, most often on the 1.4 TSI and on earlier 1.8 and 2.0 TSI petrol engines. The classic warning sign is a rattle from the front of the engine for a second or two on a cold start. Left
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Engine & TransmissionMastering Car Care: How to Check Transmission Fluid and Avoid Costly Repairs
Transmission fluid is indispensable for the smooth operation of a vehicle. It serves several critical functions that ensure the transmission system works efficiently and reliably.
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Engine & Transmission10 Essential Tips for Maintaining Your Cupra DSG Gearbox
The Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) utilised in Cupra vehicles, such as the Cupra Formentor and Cupra Leon, is an advanced dual-clutch system that offers a seamless driving experience.
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Engine & TransmissionCupra Timing Chain Maintenance: A How-To Guide
Regular maintenance of the timing chain is crucial to ensure the longevity and efficiency of your Cupra engine. The timing chain links the camshaft and crankshaft, synchronising their rotations to ensure that engine valves open and close at the right intervals.
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