Hi Baraza, In the past two weeks, I have driven down to Nakuru three times, every time using a different car, namely a 2003 Toyota Kluger, a 2007 Toyota Premio, and a 1991 Mercedes Benz 190E. By quite a distance, the 190E was the most comfortable and most stable. Older Volvos and Mercedes’ seem way … Read more
Hi Baraza, Thanks for your informative page in DN2. Two quick questions: 1. What is the meaning of “common rail engine” in VW Touareg? 2. Why do vehicles with a common rail engine require more care than other engine types? Thanks in advance, Charles 1. The common rail feature in an engine is a type … Read more
Hi Barasa, I have owned a Toyota Mark X, 2005 model for six months. Last week, it started showing the check engine light. A diagnostic revealed one of its oxygen sensors had stopped functioning. Is it ok to still drive it? A lot of Mark X have these problems. Also, when I press on the … Read more
Hi Baraza, I once overheard a former Toyota Prius owner lament about how much trouble the car had put him through when its photovoltaic cell broke down. Finding a competent mechanic to fix it was a nightmare. Toyota EA, the franchise holders, did not stock it too. Please comment on the whole hybrid car phenomenon … Read more
Hi Baraza,I recently bought a second-hand VW Touareg with a five-cylinder TDI engine from the UK. While I love the car (after replacing the shocks), I fear I may have not done my pre-purchase selection well enough as I have been informed that local agents refused to stock diesel Touaregs due to a potential mismatch … Read more
What is it? This is, or was, the third generation of BMW’s uber-successful small saloons. Built from 1998 to just around 2007, it is the prettiest of the lot (older versions are beautiful. This one is pretty. Later models are best left untalked about in terms of looks). It has also been described as a … Read more
Hi Baraza, I’m one of the regular readers of your column and I must say that I appreciate your work very much. I’m planning to import a Toyota Corolla on my own, but my friends who have done it before are not willing to help me. Please advise me on genuine dealer websites that I … Read more
Hi Baraza, I am a regular reader of your column and I must say I appreciate your work, even though I don’t own a car yet. However, I am looking to buy my first car, and I have in my sights a Toyota RunX/Allex, Toyota Spacio and a Peugeot 206. Please advice me on the … Read more
Dear sir, I own a Toyota Corolla RunX, 2001 model. Recently, the ‘Check Engine’ light came on as the engine was idling. Since then it has remained on whenever the engine is running. Sometimes it goes off, but for a very short time. At first I thought it was the faulty battery I had which … Read more
Hi JM, I have a motoring question, but not about cars. It’s about drivers, road safety and accident reduction. To exhort drivers to change behaviour has as much a chance of success as a snowball in hell. But one move which will certainly have positive results is be to launch a highway patrol division of … Read more