Michael McAleer answers your queries
From Conor O' Sullivan:
Just wondering if anyone else has had a problem with the easy pass not scanning through their windscreen?
We have two cars and it works in one but in the second, a British-spec 2000 Renault Clio (which is the registered EasyPass car), it will not scan.
This means we have to hold the device out the window to get the barrier to raise, which defeats the purpose somewhat.
We contacted the Easypass helpline and called into the toll bridge and they could not get it to work either, commenting that there was too much metal in the windscreen.
The car would seem to have the standard Renault UV resistant windscreen.
This problem arises not just with our Easypass system, but on the continent as well.
We've encountered similar problems with other cars and I've been that mad-looking person frantically waving a little plastic box around in the air at motorway tolls.
It seems it arises from the metal content in the glass, as the Easypass people have told you.
Closer to the top edge of the window there is more metal content - in some cars this is a darker or dotted area. It seems the metal interferes with the signal. A National Toll Roads spokesperson suggests you try positioning the Easypass on the windscreen just below the rear view mirror. They say it should work then. However, I can understand if this starts to inhibit your line of sight.
According to the Renault engineers they have not come across the problem before, but they are happy to look over the car for you.
From P Daly:
Is it worthwhile to buy a Rover at present? I'm concerned about the future of the brand and whether I'll be able to get it fixed should something go wrong. I'm also worried about the resale value.
As far as the brand is concerned, there is no future. Even if they do manage to unhitch the MG brand from the legal maze and identify what's for sale and what isn't, Rover as we know it is dead and buried.
For us, the only interest would be in picking up a good value 75. They will probably perform strongest in terms of resale value, though I wouldn't want to give you any false hope about that either.
There are some good deals on forecourts at present and they are coming with warranties so that concern may be avoided. Parts have also been secured so the short to medium-term future looks pretty safe.
In terms of a bargaining position, however, I'd be looking for at least 15 to 20 per cent of the original list price back when Rover was a going concern. In this case you are very much in the driving seat.
From S Murphy:
Is there a general limit to the weight you can tow on a trailer? I recently bought a second-hand Ford Fiesta (1998) and I have to move my boat - an 18ft fishing boat - from its winter home.
There are weight restrictions on what you can tow. The towing limit for a car will depend on several factors. Engine size is one determinant, as is the transmission of the car, as the pulling power of an automatic will be lower than that of a manual transmission. Also the nature of the trailer needs to be considered. For an unbraked trailer the limit will be lower than for a braked one. There should be limits listed in your handbook. Another factor to consider is whether the towing hitch is properly fitted. Make sure it's not some DIY addition that's attached to the underside of the bumper.
From Justin Kelly:
I've heard that Tesco is offering bioethanol in its unleaded petrol in Britain. Is this coming to Ireland?
According to our colleague Hugh Oram, Tesco Ireland says that it has no immediate plans to introduce five per cent bioethanol into the unleaded petrol it sells, unlike in Britain. There, 150 of its filling stations in south-east England have started selling this form of unleaded petrol.
Jenny Sacre,who's Tesco's bioethanol expert in Britain, says that they trialled the mixture for three months from January this year, to make sure the supply chain was robust.
The company is following the relevant British Standard for fuel, which allows for five per cent bioethanol.
Here in Ireland, Freda Molamphy, spokesperson for Tesco Ireland, says that they are still at the start-up stage with their filling stations. "At present,we have no plans to introduce bioethanol," Molamphy concludes.
Send your queries to Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet St, Dublin 2 or email them at motorshelp@irish-times.ie