Ask the Expert

Q: We have a 2022 Tiguan Allspace petrol Volkswagen, which is a lovely car.
But we are concerned that it is consuming a lot of oil, as the warning light came on 1000 kilometres short of its 15,000 km service.
We added a litre of oil to return to the dealer as we were away from home. Upon returning to the dealer soon after, the level was again down. We were told that it is normal for it to burn oil.
On collecting the vehicle, the receptionist said: “No issue, then, I own a Kia so I don’t have these issues.”
We have been loyal Volkswagen customers, having owned multiple Volkswagens, including a 2017 Tiguan, and none of them have had this problem.
Trudy and Gerard East

A: Lots of modern cars use oil, including plenty from Subaru and Volkswagen, and it’s not unusual – according to the brands – to use a litre for each 1000 km. It’s because modern engine oils are very thin to help warm-up when people turn the key and drive. It’s up to the owner to monitor the oil level, like air in the tyres, but a lot of people now believe their car will run without attention between annual service visits to the dealership.

Q: Our current vehicle is a Volkswagen Tiguan SV, however, we need a new car.
We’re looking for a family car, SUV, priced up to $90,000.
Fred Pool

A: If you are happy with the Tiguan then go up a size, and a class, to the Volkswagen Touareg. It’s a genuinely terrific car, used by VW Group as the mechanical foundation for a bunch of upscale luxury cars including the Porsche Cayenne and Bentley Bentayga, and also great value. It has the size you want and should not break the bank.

Q: I have more or less decided on the Honda HR-V as a hybrid.
However, just to muddy the waters, there is now a ZR-V recently added.
I have only had a cursory look so far, and it seems very similar to the HR-V but apparently has a slightly bigger engine and a few extra bells and whistles, so I shall research a bit more.
Kerry Bowden

A: Just drive both. You will know straight away which one you enjoy more, in size and equipment. They are both good but aimed at buyers with different budgets and needs.

Q: We are looking to buy a new small SUV hybrid and can’t really decide between the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Nissan Qashqai e-Power.
What are your thoughts on each car please? Which is better?
Jeannie

A: Toyota is a proven force in hybrids and its cars are good. But they are costly and there are giant waiting lists, particularly for the Corolla Cross and RAV4. The Qashqai is a new model with a new drive system, which is far more like a fully electric drive – as the combustion engine is only used to charge the battery. Best to test-drive but, right now, I would tip the balance towards Nissan.

Q: I have finally decided to purchase the Kia Picanto GT-Line 2024.
This new model does not have a turbocharger like the last model.
My two questions are whether it will have enough power for my around-the-shops motoring and does it have good safety equipment, as it doesn’t have an ANCAP rating?
Else Treleaven

A: I recently drove a Picanto on a long interstate return run with zero dramas. It misses a 5-star ANCAP score mostly because it does not have the latest electronic safety systems, and you should consider its size if it is hit by a hulking pick-up or SUV. It still gets The Tick from me.

Q: I just purchased a Mazda GT plug-in hybrid but my vehicle does not charge at BP Pulse or even ChargeFox.
The home charger works well, and there’s no problem with charge.
I have rung two dealers and one said you need a special adaptor and the other said there should be no drama.
I’ve contacted Mazda Australia and tech support with ChargeFox and BP Pulse in case my account isn’t working correctly, but they have both said the accounts are OK.
I’m left a little frustrated with the varying responses from Mazda, including my dealer.
Mark Mantineo

A: Mazda Australia replied: “CX-60 PHEV will only charge at a maximum 7.2kW AC (same as a lot of PHEVs). So this means the customer can use ‘Standard’ Type 2 Chargefox public chargers, as they are AC up to 22kW (but it will only ever charge at 7.2kW max on that charger). This will take approx 2.5 hours for a full charge from empty. From 20% to 80% is approx 90 mins. As an aside, a lot of Chargefox AC chargers require the cable to be provided by the customer. The ‘Fast’ (up to 50kW) and ‘Ultra-rapid’ (up to 350kW) Chargefox chargers are both DC – so the car will not work on those. All the BP Pulse chargers are DC-only too.”

Q: I have put a deposit on a Lexus GX 550 and the dealer says there is a delivery delay because of compliance Australian Design Rules, etc., etc.
The GX has then disappeared from their showroom and yard.
Do you have any details on the compliance info from Lexus Australia? Would Toyota have same same with the new Prado?
I am sensing Lexus have launched the car to grab deposits to inflate their accounts then done a runner, as nobody knows what’s going on.
Benn

A: Toyota and Lexus would not be looking just to grab deposits. To set the record straight, Lexus Australia replied: “GX test drives were postponed until Lexus was 100 per cent satisfied with the quality of the vehicles. As an all-new model, and the first time GX has been manufactured in right-hand drive, there were a couple of niggles Lexus wasn’t completely happy with, so it delayed test drives and deliveries until it was completely satisfied. The Lexus reputation was built on an absolute commitment to the highest quality. Test drives and deliveries commenced last week. Get in contact with your Lexus dealer.”

Q: I am looking at a 2015 Hyundai Accent with constantly variable front-wheel drive.
I have never heard of CVT, so is it good or are there problems with it?
Natalka Zhdanko

A: Instead of traditional gears, a CVT uses a series of steel bands to vary the ratio between engine speed and the drive going to the wheels. Some brands like the economy and smoothness advantages, others have found customers do not like the sound – which is like a constantly slipping clutch. You should definitely drive before you commit, as it’s a different experience and some drivers also find there is a lag in the response to the accelerator.

Q: I have a 2013 Mazda3 and moved this year but travel to and from each week.
It has now clocked over to 150,000 kilometres and I have kept up regular services.
But when I went out this morning, the car wouldn’t turn over.
Could it be the battery and if it is, I’m sure it is only two years ago that I bought a new one.
Are batteries for new cars supposed to last longer? Surely it should have enough charge after driving for two hours, I would think.
Angela Goldsmith

A: Many batteries now die earlier than in the past. But perhaps it was an omen that it’s time to move on, or a sign of alternator trouble. In any case, a Kia will be a good-value replacement and also brings a seven-year warranty and helpful roadside assist if you run into trouble.

Q: I recently purchased a 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI and the dealer included five years’ servicing, which I was happy about.
But VW advised that the service logbook is all electronic and that there is no physical service logbook provided with the car anymore.
At my first service, I asked the dealer (VW Ringwood) if I could please get access to my electronic logbook so I could see what work has been completed on my car and check upcoming requirements.

They advised that the public does not have access to the electronic logbook as it is for internal use only, and they advised that they can provide printouts if requested.
This is particularly important for when I want to resell the car, or if I want to get the car serviced or worked on by a third-party mechanic that is not part of the VW group.
They did say that Audi does give access to the online service logbook to their customers.
Richard Sultana

A: Volkswagen Australia replied: “The customer can request an electronic service record and this has been communicated with the dealership. By now the dealer I understand will have called the customer and addressed the situation.”