Michael McAleer answers your queries
From Peter Lane: There seems to be an increasing number of diesel cars on our roads and even the more expensive marques are pushing diesel models. Is this a sign of things to come, whereby all models will have diesel options?
Diesel derivatives are essential to many firms these days as the diesel segment records tempting growth figures. The latest to turn to diesel is Jaguar. It is due to launch its diesel version of the X-Type in the coming months, and a diesel version of the flagship XJ is rumoured to be going into production for a summer 2004 introduction. Meanwhile the likes of Audi and BMW are working hard to build their presence in the executive diesel market.
As a confirmed petrol fan, I have always borne an (unwarranted) grudge against diesels but have to admit that common-rail diesel technology has left me in no doubt about the potential for diesel technology.
For the first time in our motoring life my heart skipped a beat to a diesel engine recently when we had the opportunity to drive the 4-litre Mercedes E-Class diesel. Unfortunately it will not be coming to our shores. Yet the common-rail diesel engines that are available here are more than tempting.
The days of shuddering diesels are thankfully fast becoming a distant memory.
From Brian Mulqueen: I have a two-year-old girl and she recently spilt milk on the back seat of the car. While we managed to soak up some of it, and my wife sprayed it with perfume immediately, the smell still lingers in the car. I've left the windows open overnight, locked it in the garage with all the doors open, but still no joy. I hate the smell of those "tree" air fresheners, not to mention I find things hanging from the rear view mirror extremely distracting. Any suggestions, or am I doomed to driving with the smell of stale milk?
I would love to be able to tell you there is a simple remedy, but the fact is, for all the fancy products and old wive's tales, the smell of spilt milk never really leaves a car.
You could try some of the fabric sprays, such as Febreeze. However, this does leave a smell in the car and does not always succeed in overcoming some of the really strong odours.
Some suggest mixing vinegar and water and soaking the area, but we have also come up blank with this technique.
Others suggest you pick something with an equally pungent, yet more pleasant odour, such as grape juice.
The fact is that new car smell will be hard to get back. A friend who was visiting Donegal in a test car some years ago, was given the present of a freshly caught fish.
He then put it in the car's boot and returned to Dublin where he headed for the airport and flew out for a few days on business, forgetting all about his aquatic gift.
Apparently the best minds in the motor business could not remove the smell completely.
Of course, for those who notice a pungent odour from day one, there may be more reasons than a spill or a forgotten fish.
One story we have heard, but have yet to confirm its validity, relates to a small family hatchback, purchased in Dublin. After months of complaints about the growing pungency in the car, the distributor finally took the car in and stripped it down completely.
In one of the door panels they discovered a half-eaten ham sandwich - apparently the misplaced lunch of a production line worker.
As to your milk problem, first try Febreeze, then try selling the car.
From Sara, Dublin 8:
I hope to go to college in Dublin this summer and my parents have offered to buy me a car to get around town.
I was just wondering what the best buy would be for around €4,000? I don't plan to be doing much mileage, just running around town.
Without being mistaken for a member of the anti-car brigade, I suggest you try the bus or the DART, or even a bicycle.
With plans to reintroduce third-level fees, you may be needing that money in the near future.