* UEFA EURO 2008, Fast cars, and Gearbox Oil...

Advantages: Only needs doing once.
Disadvantages: Most cars don't have a sump pluf!

...Do you drive an automatic vehicle? If yes, then your gearbox is full of Automatic Transmission Fluid, this is what you will have in your power steering system too. Many vehicle manufacturers do not recommend changing gear oil, and most do not even provide a plug in the gearbox oil sump, but if your vehicle is high miles like mine, you should be thinking of a change. You may well have to remove the sump to do it, but it will be worth while. You may not even know if the level is low - is it time to check? Castrol is that good old oil company set up by Charles "Cheers" Wakefield back in 1899. . The company is still on the go, and it is British. The containers are very good, and are easily recognised by the familiar red and green trademark. You can buy this by the five litres, or in smaller "top up" bottles. Just to add...

smudgeybabes 05.12.2007 (02.12.2007) · Read review
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Review of Castrol Dexron Mercon III Atf

Clutchless Gearbox on a Diesel - Rare Combination

Advantages: Looks good, plenty of extras, well built, spacious interior, no clutch
Disadvantages: Automatic gearchanges could be better timed

...When looking for a new car back in December 2006, I wanted something which ran on diesel, had a clutchless gearbox (i.e. automatic with paddleshift) and looked good. This combination limits youto a number of manufacturers it seems, and I ended up choosing between a diesel automatic Audi A3 and the Citroen C4 1.6HDi 16V VTR+ Coupe EGS. I chose the Citroen C4 based on the fact that it is better value for money (unsurprisingly) and looks better (I also already have a Citroen Picasso) Design I chose the 3 door version, as it looks much better than the 5 door version (which looks like a Ford Focus), a bit sporty even, and meets my requirements. I chose the "Iron Grey" colour, which I think compliments the car's salmon-esque shape. I don't see many C4s in the South-East of the UK, and it does stand out amongst the usual German marques...

jimbobfruitbat 05.03.2007 · Read review
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Review of Citroen C4 1.6 HDi 16V Coupe EGS

Suzuki Liana 1.6 5 doors automatic gearbox

Advantages: room, 4x4, plastics, conditionier, long quarantee
Disadvantages: to weak engine, not economic, threat of rust

...Hm... Suzuki Liana 5 doors with automatic gearbox. It s quite good Japanese car, but of course it has advantages and disadvantages. The biggest advantage, of course, is the price of the car. The car is worth of that price. Secondly, the car is really spacious - it is comfortable for the driver (I am 196 cm tall) and the passenger next to the driver. The second row of sits - enough space to, but it is worth to mention that I get tired sitting at the second row in the juorney, which last more than an hour. My head almost leans to the roof. My knees leans to the front sits. Of course, I am a little bit taller than the average man. Next, the baggage carier is roomy (especially, when the second row of seats is unbent), but not enough. it looks more roomy than it is. Owners have to calculate, what they want to transport, and what they can. It...

bebris 09.01.2008 · Read review
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Review of Suzuki Liana 1.6 Hatchback

Vauxhall's Lucky Dip Gearbox As Standard.

Advantages: Nippy acceleration, looks
Disadvantages: Sloppy gear change, poor handling and fuel consumption, too common

...will go where and when you want it to. Despite my initial belief that the firm ride on the Corsa was to provide better handling I was soon to discover that the car was twitchy under braking and accelerating and wobbles quite a bit on corners and small roundabouts. The engine is very good for nipping in and out of traffic but on B roads and Motorways you are forever looking for the next gear up as it seems to be working its socks off. Now I know this is because it has a small engine, but I've driven 1 litre engine cars (2 Hyundai Amicas) that sound less like they're going to blow up. At 70 on the motorway, in fifth gear (top), the engine revs at about 4,000 rpm, which is noisy and inefficient. The stereo on the car cannot cope with the road noise and constantly skips when going over bumps. The gearbox has this mushy no-mans land when...

Pipco 01.12.2005 · Read review
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Review of Vauxhall Corsa 1.2i 16v

Top gear hitting gearbox problems

Advantages: It has its good moments but...
Disadvantages: Its not consistent and Jason Barlow is just so annoying

......

Solex 16.11.2001 (18.11.2001) · Read review
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Review of BBC - Top Gear

* Castrol Cog Swopper Oil. . .

Advantages: Quiet, long lasting, good in the cold.
Disadvantages: Expensive.

...One very good gear Oil i have found is this Castrol SMX-S which is a version of the the SMX, the oil is widely available, from all good motor accesory shops, and although it is an expensive option, the gearshift is improved and is reputed to extend the life of your gearbox. This is sometimes sold as a "Race Lubricant" although this is perhaps more to do with marketing rather than specific recommendation. I call it gearbox oil, but the latest "Buzzword" seems to be "Manual Transmission fluid" Spec - Synthetic gearbox oil, SAE 75W 80 API GL1 - GL4 Normally sold in one litre plastic bottles for topping up, although bigger drums are available, mainly for the trade. As for the price, the recommended retail price is very steep at nearly Ten Pounds per litre! Although we do not expect to pay as much as that, however it is generally...

smudgeybabes 11.10.2008 (09.01.2009) · Read review
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Review of Castrol SMX S 75w-85 Fully Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid

* Castrol oil, good gear - oil . . .

Advantages: Very good old fashioned tried & tested oil.
Disadvantages: Just the cost.

...Castrol is one of the oldest established companies dealing in oils, and are a very well known brand, they have a nice modern website, which is very good. You will see there info on sponsorship with football, plus motor racing, and other interesting stuff like car buyer guides, checking of tyres, How to - type of guides. I'm not being sexist, just that some things here are of use to female drivers, male drivers too of course. Have a look, you might learn something, and enjoy it:- http://www.castrol.co.uk The oil is easy to pour or squirt in with a tube, without spilling any. It is available in small bottles, ideal for topping up. Some gearboxes, require the oil to be pumped in. As for the price of this oil, the answer is simply - just shop around, many supermarkets sell motor oil, at better prices than your motor accessory...

smudgeybabes 20.09.2008 (09.01.2009) · Read review
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Review of Castrol EP80w Gear Oil

Stilo- looks good but looks can be deceiving

Advantages: looks sporty
Disadvantages: where should I begin ?

...I bought my fiat 1.6 active sport in January and its been a nightmare, so far its been back to the garage about 6 times , first it was the electrics, then it had to have a new instrument cluster fitted, then the engine management light kept coming on, which stoped after a while. Then I took it for a service and during the service, they noticed that the all the breaks needed replacing and they also noticed that the gearbox was leaking. I took the car back to the garage where I got it from and they said they would fix the problem with the leak but I would have to pay half for the breaks to be replaced. I have had the car back about two months or so now and I've noticed something strange happening when its going up hills, so my partner drove it for me the other night and he said that the clutch is slipping. I have spoken to a mechanic who...

fmac1973 21.08.2009 · Read review
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Review of Fiat Stilo

* Baby it's Oil right now. . .

Advantages: Looks after you gearbox.
Disadvantages: Messy to change.

...DEXRON The name DEXRON refers to a special hydraulic oil, used in power steering systems in cars, trucks, boats, and is also used as automatic transmission fluid (ATF) in vehicles. This is simply the oil used in your automatic gearbox. It was developed by the General Motors corporation, which licenses the brand to vendors of ATF. The type of fluid we are reviewing here, while still in common use, is a little outdated, because DEXRON-VI was introduced in 2005 and is backward compatible and recommended for transmissions that require outdated DEXRON specifications, as DEXRON-III licensing will soon cease. Dexron is a well respected name on gear oil circles, and is still recommended for use in many vehicles leaving the factories today. There was a little controversy, whereby some people changed from Dexron 2 to 3, and found that...

smudgeybabes 13.05.2008 (09.01.2009) · Read review
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Review of GTX Dexron III Oil

*Bum Bum Bum Bum - ESSO (AKA Exxon) Blue . . .

Advantages: Lubricated, cools, & protects your Auto box.
Disadvantages: Expensive, not easy to change in some cars.

...EXXON SUPERFLOW - Exxon is the name that replaced ESSO in the USA, ESSO is what used to be S.O. standing for Standard Oil! Now you know. When I hear the name EXXON, I must admit I tent to think of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, although this is not part of my review. This automatic transmission fluid (auto gearbox oil) meets all the stringent standards of just about every country. Automatic Transmission fluid can be desctibed as that slippery liquid which acts as a lubricant, for all of the moving parts inside your automatic gearbox. The fluid also works as a coolant as well as a viscous fluid that transmits power from the engine to the transmission. Types of containers;-- They are all plastic nowadays. They do pour well, and do not drip oil all over the place. For a brief history of this company, see this website:- http...

smudgeybabes 27.02.2008 (10.01.2009) · Read review
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Review of Exxon Superflo Automatic Transmission Fluid