FASHION VICTIMS

Much is written about the ride and handling of modern jacked-up fashion trucks like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux. The shocks must work hard and be critical to making these monsters work. I wonder/worry how these expensive fashion accessories will handle when the shocks go bad?

Ray Kapel, email

Too many times I’ve heard marketing types insist modern pick-ups or utes have “car-like levels of comfort and handling”. Spoiler alert: they don’t. Unless that car predates The Beatles. The Ford

Ranger rides and handles well for a ute, but won’t hold a candle to a Toyota Camry for cornering and comfort. Four-wheel-drive pick-ups can handle a tonne in the tub, 3500kg on a towbar and conquer terrifying off-road tracks – they’re incredible vehicles. But with a body-on-frame chassis, live-axle rear end and leaf springs (with us since Roman times) driving dynamics are massively compromised. While worn shocks make steering, stopping and stability even worse, the bigger problem is too many pick-ups being bought by those (especially P platers) who don’t need such heavy, polluting and harder-to-control vehicles.

FRENCH ENIGMA

Is my transmission an automatic or CVT? It’s a 2010 Renault Koleos Dynamique and my mechanic says there’s no transmission housing drain plug. I’m aware some gearboxes are maintenance-free, “sealed for life” units, but I’m not sure and I can’t find a dipstick. Is there a requirement to change the oil? There are no details in the owner’s handbook and I’ve done 90,000km since buying it new.

Norm Rose, email

Your mechanic really should have provided answers to all these questions. Koleos diesels use a six-speed torque converter (conventional) automatic. The 2.5-litre petrols (the popular choice) are mated to a CVT (single-speed) auto. A good owner’s manual should list engine/gearbox details and required lubricants, but apparently yours falls short. I’ve discovered there is a transmission dipstick in the engine bay that needs to be unlocked with a screwdriver (French car quirk) and there is a drain plug. Ignore “sealed for life” instructions. Change that oil immediately.

POOR LIFE EXPECTANCY

My 2020 Kia Seltos GT Line is about to get its fourth set of tyres at just 53,000km. The original Kumho set lasted 25,000km, then Bridgestone Potenzas managed 10,000km and Michelin Primacy 4s 18,000km. Numerous social media posts complain about the Setlos’ excessive tyre wear. Is there a suspension design failure?

Allan Barnes, email

It’s more likely to be wheel alignment. I’d take your Seltos to a different tyre shop, report your previous findings and ask their opinion. Make sure they have advanced, modern alignment equipment. But you’re right, numerous Seltos owners report early tyre wear and a colleague said his long-term test Seltos wore its front tyres’ outside edges down to the canvas before 10,000km. You should also regularly check tyre pressures and inspect the tread for signs of uneven wear. Good tyre shops offer free tyre rotation to maximise life.

DECIBEL DROP

I need new tyres for my Honda CR-V. What do you advise for less road noise? The current Bridgestones are noisy on highway drives. Errol Fong, email

Michelin Primacy tyres are often recommended by readers to reduce road noise, while the USA CRV Owners Club (yep, it exists) also champions the Primacy.

OLD FOR NEW

A few years ago I paid a Volkswagen dealer $195 to update my 2016 Jetta’s GPS maps. The updates were already two years out of date. I complained to the dealer, but was told it’s up to head office as they supply updates. I send emails and try calling VW but never get a reply or talk to an actual person.

Carol Young, Bateau Bay

A VW Australia spokesman told me they’ve now contacted you regarding this and will cover the cost of completing a GPS update owing to the “delayed response” to your inquiries. They can’t say how recent the updates will be because they need to assess your car first. We can all be grateful that almost all new cars have Apple Carplay or Android Auto, which display our smartphone’s always up-to-date maps.

TOTALLY FLEECED

I spent much time and money trying to ascertain why my car’s air conditioner kept dying after 20 minutes. It happened on every drive. By chance, an elderly cab driver asked if I had lamb’s wool seat covers, which I did. On his advice I checked the aircon’s under-dash evaporator and it was half clogged with wool fibres, restricting airflow and causing the rest of the surface to ice up after 20 minutes. Richard Tiainen, Brisbane

That’s why we’re told to listen to our elders. Hopefully your findings can help similarly afflicted woolly seat drivers.