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Don't be fooled by the fuel efficiency A or B grades... I would go for an F grade tire ANY time! Remember - A or B fuel efficient tire means less friction, thus, much worse braking performance. The difference in fuel saving is neglectfully low, braking efficiency difference is huge.

Toyota are very proactive as regards recalls, more so than some other manufacturers. The airbag recall is to do with the airbag manufacturer, Takata, and isn't just confined to Toyota. So far with the Takata airbag recalls over 53 million vehicles have been recalled globally involving at least 11 vehicle manufacturers - including Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, BMW, Honda, Ford, Fiat, Chrysler, General Motors, Subaru, and Mitsubishi. As regards official recalls which are co-managed by DVSA and the vehicle manufacturer, these only occur where the issue is safety related. An oil leak would not usually affect the safety of a vehicle. Having said that, most vehicle manufacturers have something like a service bulletin system in place where non-safety related known issues are picked up and addressed as part of the service regime that vehicles are subject to. Your oil leak, even if it had not been picked up during your winter health check, may well have been picked up and remedied at the next service, especially as it was a known issue.

Quick update. As you know the weather is very cold, so I am pleased to say, after using the Auris over the last few days as a taxi and doing mostly town driving it's still in the 60s mpg wise. More detail. Heater on at 26 auto but sometimes I turn the fan down a little. No warm up as such but I did leave it running outside the house for 10 mins before I set off for work ( the ICE didn't go off), heating on full blast plus air con, plus mirrors and back window heater ( I do like to be warm) Heater left on in ready mode for say 1.5 hours during waiting time between jobs over a 9 hour period. No M/way driving, miles covered approx 100 today, 100 yesterday. Weather between 0,1 and 2 degrees including snow. To say I'm impressed is a understatement. Handling in the conditions described, very balanced and responsive with no loss of traction. Car performed flawlessly in all other respects too. One thing I will point out. You of course may know this already. When using the brakes as in regenerative ( lightly) mode, the brake lights are not activated, this can cause some confusion to those who brake late or are too close behind you. Just an observation.

Khumos on the back and Dunlops on the front, nothing particularly special and I can feel their limitations through the snow. The roads are not being gritted or cleared nowadays like they used to be. The 1ZZ-FE is a bit lightweight when it comes to real mass over the front end so this kind of weather is the one situation where my car doesn't feel completely competent meaning I need to. drive to the conditions just now but drivers should be able to do so if they're considered capable of driving legally :) I have a 1ZZ-FE and not afraid to use it :)

Hi Keith, you'd better try to fit a 12 V horn, it's simple to adapt, the car has a switched 12 V plus (through a relay) and a minus can be taken from chassis.

HI guys anyone had this problem its so tight i have broke two oil filter tools (the spot welds came off). I need to get 15620 off. oil filter cup wrench size 65mm 14 flutes. this youtube advises how to remove

Hey Wayne, that must be some size of as selfie stick you used to take those photos. Thought you'd be pleased with your Cross Climates, in my opinion Michelins are the best tyres. If it;s my money I'll buy them every time. My present car came with Continentals which give good grip but I'm told they don't last long, we'll see. WHen the time comes I might change the tyres or change the car, depends whats on offer. Good time in the snow using the brakes and exercising the ABS, makes sure everything's working OK, bit noisy though and the wife doesn't like me driving "her" car like that.

Correct, but because this car has a climate control you don't need to adjust again the temperature, for example if you set it up at 22c once the car is warm enough the blower will reduce the heat that blow in so doesn't need ice running again and for long , then when temperature goes down a bit the climate control will require some extra heat and ice will kick in to deliver that heat, and then if you want to prevent that you can just turn the fan off and if traction battery is at decent level the ice will shut off immediately. Another game to try :)

Having owned a Focus (& several other Fords, Vauxhalls etc.) they all have their good & bad points & it pays to research the particular car & engine/transmission that you are interested in (owners forums are usually very helpful). If you plan to use a franchised dealer for maintenance it's always worth researching user's opinions of that particular dealer. In my experience (& I am aware that others may vary) most Toyota dealers tend to be better these days than most Ford/Vauxhall (possibly because they tend to be smaller so still more personal).

Have bought parts from this place ok, direct or via ebay. To be sure about the caliper type you need to look for the stamp marks on the main body of the caliper, if you can see Toyota TRW then its Lucas - TRW /Lucas one and the same.

I bought a new switch from Toyota (I think it was about £50) and street I fitted it, it's all been fine.

just come back from the piant shop Im not sure whether its worth putting stuff up on here, I get more intrest on the old commer van forum ,but hay ho there may be another person out there that likes it