Sep 23, 2019
Q) What happens if you drive an EV through a flood?
There is a good choice of electric cars but what happens when you drive through a ford or water?
A) I wouldn't recommend driving through any deeper ford or water than you would a petrol or diesel car, but you needn't worry about the batteries. They're well protected and water can't get into the cells. No fish will be harmed.
Q) Should new tyres be fitted to the front or rear?
I need two tyres for a Honda Jazz ES+. It has 185/55/16 Continental Premium Contact fitted at present. What would you recommend I should consider? Should new tyres be fitted front or rear?
A) Michelin Cross Climate, Continental AllSeason Contact, Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons and Pirelli Scorpion Verde all-season are worth looking at. As well as being safer in winter, these tyres are more compliant so give a better ride, better steering feel and are quieter. But in my opinion, they need to be fitted to all four wheels or the disparity between ends could have you slipping off the road in the snow.
Q) What are the small protective panels on the body of my car above the wheels?
I have put down a deposit on a used Toyota Yaris. There are small panels on the body above the wheels that look rusty or dirty around the edges. The dealer says they are protective add-ons that can't be refitted properly if removed to be cleaned. Does this sound right?
A) They are to prevent stones from chipping and penetrating the paint in those areas. If Toyota can't replace them with new ones, then you might be able to have them removed and replaced with 'wrap' patches by a car 'wrapping' specialist.
Q) Should I be worried about the battery life in my PHEV?
My Outlander PHEV is three years old and has been an excellent car. I'm just starting to have a nag at the back of my mind about battery life and the consequent cost of replacement. Could I have your views and advice please?
A) The battery is under warranty for eight years/100,000 miles, so unless you've covered lots of miles I wouldn't be too concerned. Bear in mind that the batteries rarely fail, they just lose capacity over time. A Mitsubishi dealer should be able to provide a battery condition report if you're worried.
Q) Is using a car cover a good idea?
I use my car very occasionally. I park it on the driveway and I have bought a car cover to protect it from the elements. Is there anything I need to know about the do's and don’ts of using a car cover? It says on the box that the cover is breathable but not waterproof. Also, it says that for a prolonged use I should use a sheet underneath the cover
A) If you're keeping your car outside, you'll need to get a cover that is waterproof and breathable to prevent the paintwork deteriorating. You'll need to clean the car every time you put the cover on it, too. And some car covers aren't rated for high winds (or will need an additional locking strap).
Even if you get a breathable cover, it needs to be removed in periods of high humidity or long spells of rain to allow the moisture to evaporate (this also applies to heavy snow, which won't allow the cover to breathe).
