By Paul Gover.
Q: I have a 2019 Mazda CX-5 Akera which has travelled 61,000 kilometres and, over the past six months or so, small white dots – some not bigger than large pin holes – have started appearing on the leather steering wheel on the right hand side at about the 2pm position.
My normal driving position is with hands at 9 and 3 due to airbags.
It is not occurring on the left hand side or any other part of the wheel.
The vehicle is always garaged and I had it serviced recently and asked the dealer to look at these dots.
When I collected the vehicle they said that they had cleaned it and all was good. When I returned home they were still present.
To me they look like a fault in the leather on the steering wheel.
Garry M
A: You’re not the first person to report this sort of thing, or worse, on leather steering wheels. Car companies often say it’s down to something on your hands – perhaps a lotion – or rings, but I know of some companies which have replaced wheels with unusual wear. Go directly to Mazda Australia, report the problem and give them all the detail, and get a case file number before you return to the dealership to get the problem investigated properly.
Q: Just wondering what your thoughts are on the 2023 Kia Cerato S + safety pack.
I have a 2015 Kia Cerato hatch and love it, just hoping they haven’t changed it up too much.
Pam B
A: The Cerato is the same now as it was then, good value and a solid little car with some local tuning of the suspension for our roads. Definitely go for the safety pack to maximise your protection on the road.
Q: We have just purchased a Kia Sportage SX petrol and have put down a $1000 deposit.
The car delivery should be in six months.
It is now bought to our attention that there is a class action relating to Hyundai and Kia cars that have reported engines catching fire.
We are now worried the engine issues will continue with the latest models as well.
Colleen M
A: There is no indication of any problem with the current Kia and Hyundai models so don’t be spooked by a legal action on cars which are well into their lifespan. Kia also has a solid history of supporting owners and has one of the best warranties in the business, which set the standard for the benchmark seven-year coverage in Australia.
Q: Just wanted to ask your opinion on the LDV T60 MAX ute.
My son is looking to purchase a ute and had been looking at the Isuzu D-MAX – Terrain until he saw the price difference between it and the LDV.
Now I have read about rust problems on earlier models of the LDV. Is this still a problem on the new models?
Karen L
A: The LDV brand comes from China and is still getting established in Australia, but provides solid and reliable cars at a price well below the benchmark Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-MAX. If your son is strapped for cash it will be a decent choice and he won’t miss what he doesn’t get from the class leaders. As for rust, LDV is jumping on any and all problems – they were very helpful to a good friend I put into an LDV – and there is no reported recurrence of any rust problem so far on the newest ute.
Q: My wife has a 2021 Kia Seltos Sports Plus and, in the last 6 months, it began to over-rev as you braked down a hill.
It often went up to 2400 revs, and sometimes as much as 3000 revs, something it never did this when new.
I have a 2020 Seltos as well, which has never done this at all.
Kia decided to replace the full transmission, but we are getting next to no information from Kia or the dealership about what was found, although full credit to Kia for at least doing the right thing.
However, after a week of driving the problem still persists, and we don’t believe it is fixed. Is this normal behaviour for a CVT transmission? Do we just have to put up with it?
Graeme W
A: You need to ask Kia, not the dealership, if the gearbox programming has been changed from the 2020 to 2021 models. More and more automatics are now set so they shift down to slow a car on a slope, instead of holding a high gear. And, for background, 3000 is not over-revving when you consider engines happily spin to a redline around 6000 revs.
Q: I bought a new Isuzu MU-X in December 2021 and took it back for 3000 and 15,000 kilometre services, only to be told to get two new tyres and wheel alignment.
Is this standard procedure from Isuzu or is it the dealership?
For the sake of about $70 this could have been avoided by doing an alignment when l bought it or the 3 month services.
Peter K
A: Avoid the dealership and go to a tyre specialist, and ask them for a four-wheel alignment and not just a check of the front end. Tyres should last more than 15,000 kilometres, but it depends on how and where you are using the vehicle, as well as the crucial tyre pressures. That’s why tyres – and alignment – are called ‘wear and tear’ items by carmakers and not covered by warranty. You will get more expertise from a company like Bob Jane T-Marts and likely a cheaper price for the tyres than a dealership.
Q: I want to buy a hybrid medium-sized vehicle.
We do city running around but also a 300 kilometre trip at least 20 times per year.
I was leaning towards a plug-in hybrid EV but don’t know if I am on the right track.
Retiring soon so fuel costs are a consideration.
Keith C
A: A plug-in hybrid will work well for you, and you should get most of your city running on pure electric drive with something like the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross or Outlander. But make sure you keep doing the charging to maximise the benefit.
Q: I am enquiring on behalf of my son who has just found out he and his wife are expecting twins in the middle of the year.
They have a two-year-old as well.
What would you suggest as the most suitable car for them to consider?
The only one I thought of is the Kia Carnival but are there any others.
Jan O
A: The Carnival is a giant bus and over-kill for them. And lots of people don’t like a van, preferring an SUV. There are almost countless SUVs that will do the job, but start in Kia and Nissan showrooms for size, price and features. The most important thing is to take the children’s car seats with them to see how and where they will fit, as there is no way to advise properly without knowing exactly how much space they need.
Q: My daughter’s 2014 Hyundai Veloster has thrown a conrod at 94,000 kilometres.
This is going to cost us over $7000 to replace.
Is this normal for a car to throw a rod through the block at this kilometres in a 50km/h zone?
Craig D
A: It’s never normal for the internals of an engine to exit through the cylinder block, and I’ve never heard of it happening in a Veloster. You need to investigate, firstly the service history and then things like overheating she might not have mentioned or a lack of oil in the engine. The cheapest solution will be to get a secondhand engine, but it is always worth contacting Hyundai Australia – not a dealer – to ask for advice and potential help despite the car now being nine years old.
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