Do I have any rights? Car problems!

OnceUponADream

Hi All

Just after a little bit of advice.

I have a 2006 car (which I bought 'new' as an ex-demo), however I have nothing but problems with it.

I have just had another recall on it (this must be the 5th/6th since purchase - all different problems) and it has really peeved me off today.

The car is a Suzuki Grand Viatara (diesel model) and I have a constant problem with a light coming on on the dashboard which requires me to drive at around 50mph non-stop for approx. 30 mins to clear the filter. Now for me to drive solid for 30 mins at this speed I need to be on the motorway which is about 10 miles from me. Hence alot of diesel being used extra.

This has been since I purchased the car and I know it is a problem with this model (as per car forums etc).

I just feel really peeved today after yet another pointless drive and another recall. Is it to late for me to do anything as I have now had the car coming up to 3 years?

I know the answer is probably no I can't do nowt but I would be grateful if anyone could give any input.

Cheers
OUAD

ThomasK31ly

I don't understand..... What is the light that comes on for? Is it a filter blockage?

Presumably the light is not telling you to to drive up and down the motorway at "50 mph for 30 minutes?" or have you been told you should do this?

What do the car forums say?

Is it to late for me to do anything

What kind of action are you seeking?

More information required.

deanos

I presume its still under warranty, so get to the garage and get it sorted

CHR15

It's quite normal for a diesel particulate filter to need regenerating.

It will only do it on it's own if it can get to the correct temperature, this means a good blast down the motorway.

The garage will be able to force a regen by plugging a box into the car and revving the kahooners out of it for a while.

Sadly, Diesels need a good run, short trips will just clog the thing up bringing up the Engine Management Light, in your case, causing the Limp Home Mode to be activated as well.

Can't see a solution to this problem though, unless you spend an hour or so each weekend booting it along a motorway.

ThomasK31ly

A round trip of 70 miles, that's shocking :eek:

Obukit

Having to go on a proper drive isn't a fault with the car, it will happen with any new diesel car if you only do short trips, as the exhaust needs to heat up to regenerate the filter. This is the explanation from Tim Shalcross, from The Times: -

It was simply telling you that the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) was almost full of soot and the car needed to be driven for 30 miles or so at 40 – 50 mph or above to burn off the accumulated soot and clear the filter. This is not a fault with the car – simply a feature of cars with a DPF. (I often get asked why you can’t simply change the filter rather than wasting fuel going for a long drive to clear it. The answer is, you can. The cost is around £1,000, which makes that drive look suddenly economical).

OnceUponADream

ThomasK31ly wrote: »

I don't understand..... What is the light that comes on for? Is it a filter blockage?

Presumably the light is not telling you to to drive up and down the motorway at "50 mph for 30 minutes?" or have you been told you should do this?

What do the car forums say?



What kind of action are you seeking?

More information required.

Thanks for the reply.

I can't remember the actual name for the icon light (something to do with the filter) that comes on but when I look it up in the manual this is what it tells me to do.

I'm not looking to take any action was peeved yesterday and I know I probably can't do anything. I just feel like handing the blo ody thing back!

OnceUponADream

deanos wrote: »

I presume its still under warranty, so get to the garage and get it sorted

Thanks for the reply.

Because it's an ex-demo it is just out of warranty (infact something went wrong the day after the warranty and they wouldn't sort it I had to pay:mad:). And anyhow I spoke with the service guy shortly after buying the car and he said it was a well known problem and there was nothing they could do. He also mentioned that they Suzuki no longer sell these cars into Jersey as they cannot do the required 'trips' to clear this filter.

OnceUponADream

CHR15 wrote: »

It's quite normal for a diesel particulate filter to need regenerating.

It will only do it on it's own if it can get to the correct temperature, this means a good blast down the motorway.

The garage will be able to force a regen by plugging a box into the car and revving the kahooners out of it for a while.

Sadly, Diesels need a good run, short trips will just clog the thing up bringing up the Engine Management Light, in your case, causing the Limp Home Mode to be activated as well.

Can't see a solution to this problem though, unless you spend an hour or so each weekend booting it along a motorway.

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, this is the problem (I'm great with technically terms ).

When I purchased the car I told the sales guy exactly what I would be using the car for and he never once told me it wouldn't be suitable. IMO he should maybe have suggested a petrol model at least and advise me a bit better.

I love the car but starting to resent the fact that I need to spend money and my time taking pointless trips to keep it running correctly.

OnceUponADream

ThomasK31ly wrote: »

A round trip of 70 miles, that's shocking :eek:

I know!:eek:

Off to take the car to the garage for another recall now!