Johndouglas

I have had my C5 and the Saxo both with LV for quite a few years. They are the only company I've used in recent years that doesn't send out an inflated renewal premium hoping that you won't be bothered to try to find a lower quote. Any annual increase has only been a few pounds. Incidentally I have breakdown cover included on the Saxo and it is underwritten by Britannia Rescue.

Usually the washer system uses the same reservoir and pump for both screens. The pump reverses direction for the rear washer. Check that the jet isn't blocked. And to prevent your alloys sticking in the future, smear some copper grease on the hubs before fixing the wheels.

You'll need a torx bit set. Prise out the cover then remove the release handle surround. Prise off the trim on the grab handle and undo the torx screws. Prise out the switch panel Disconnect it from the plug. Prise away the door mirror trim. Lever off the speaker cover and undo the screws holding the speaker. Remove the plug. Also remove the light unit from the lower edge. Prise out the plastic cover on the rear edge of the trim and remove the torx bolt. Finally use a flat bladed tool to prize out the clips holding the panel on all four sides.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-x-high-density-Sporting-Exhaust-Hanger-Bracket-Rubber-Mount-Blue-support-/281041541634?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item416f619a02 I keep a stock of these. They're universal because they fit all our cars

Hello & welcome from me also. Your Citroen background is identical to my own. Started with a 1991 BX-TZD turbo estate, and kept it for eight years. Then moved to a Xantia 2.1 Estate and kept that till 2005 when I got the C5 estate. Yes - front tyres on a C5 don't seem to have a long life. The original Michelins need replacements at 17K.

That's a happy conclusion. And thanks for coming back and telling us about your solution.

Hello Wizozs and welcome to the forum. Sounds as though you're still awaiting collection. Tell us about it some time. Meanwhile plenty to read on the forum regarding engine maintenance on the 1.6HDi

That's right but only on the latest models. Probably those built after 2008. Prior to that date every C5 had 'proper' suspension. Citroen have always played about with the 'toys' fitted to the exclusive models. In 2005 for instance, xenon headlights came as standard on exclusive models, but by 2008 they were a very expensive option.

If you're talking about the last VTR estate, it will compare with the saloon exclusive very little. The exclusive saloon will ride on hydropnuematic suspension whilst the VTR estate will have steel springs. As Paul says, the age of the vehicles you're considering is all important.

Hello Denden and welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy your new car and when problems arise tell us about them and we'll try to help.

I don't know about the standard Picasso, but the Grand Picasso doesn't have a spare wheel. Only a repair aerosol.

The LDS used on a C5 is orange/yellow in colour. If your fluid is green, it's very likely that someone has used green LHM - the suspension fluid that was used on all hydropnuematic Citroen BXs and Xantias.. Will LHM damage a C5? Some guys say No; others say Yes - but since Citroen have introduced a new fluid for C5s and 6s, and the container carries a warning about mixing the two, my advice would be to get it changed.

The power steering fault message shows when the engine has just managed to start on a low battery. Often the power steering will also not work until after the battery has a bit of charge and you restart it. Even before you attempt to start the engine, a C5 battery has already done some work by raising the suspension to the correct level. So unlock the car a few times without starting the engine, and it will make a 'tired' battery even flatter.

If it is necessary to install a new heater there's no need to pay that sort of price. The heater in my daughter's Xsara failed and I replaced the resistor pack. That got it working again but within a month it failed again. Being short on time I replaced the complete unit. The new heater cost less than £100.

I have a wheelchair which my wife used to use and it definitely fits into my daughter's Xsara. But some chairs fold more compactly than others. I know with mine the seat removes then folds in the centre bringing the wheels closer together. The wheels are standard 26" bike wheels. At the same time the handle bars fold and drop down with the footrests being removed and carried separately. Can't be more help since at the moment I and the wheelchair are not in the same place.

The joint venture with the Chinese is almost there. It seems they will be equal partners with the French Government and the Peugeot family. How long before our Citroens are shipped from China?................ But surely the French Government wouldn't agree to more of their own factories closing. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26243593

Apart from the ghastly fuel consumption, how is the engine running, what's the performance like, what sort of roads did you do the 36 miles on? Tell us a bit more please.

I wouldn't think there's any connection between the two noises. Both the BX and the C5 had different designs of spheres. The BX has a mechanical suspension pump and the C5 is electric driven.

BX's often used to make a f**ting noise a short time after being switched off. It was caused by the antiroll bar bushes. An occasional spray with a silicone can kept them quiet.

My 2005 C5 Estate of course came with Michelins but of all the tyres I've used on it, the originals had the shortest life - about 16000 miles on the front pair - the rears quite a bit longer. Since then I've had Avon, Barum, Nexon and Eurotyre (a Spanish budget range). All have been satisfactory and all have given longer service than the Michelin - around 25000miles but the longest were the Spanish Eurotyre pair.

You're quite right! In the early 1930's Andre Citroen found himself bankrupt because of developing the Traction Avant. Pierre Michelin had money invested with Citroen, so he became the major shareholder in the ailing Company. Eventually he took over as Chairman of Citroen. The Traction Avant continued in production and became a 'life-saver ' for the company.

If only all our problems were solved so easily. Thank you for coming back to tell us about your result. It's appreciated.

Have a look at the inline plugs and sockets under the seats. Sometimes the connection breaks down.

The days when insurance companies valued loyalty from their customers are long gone. Now it seems they think if you can't be bothered to search out better deals, you're ripe to be ripped off. If my renewal notice is considerably higher than the current year I try to find a better quote for the same level of cover, then armed with that, ring the company and tell them that unless they can match it, you'll be moving on.

If your car is on hydropnuematic suspension give the front struts a wipe down. Under the bellows they get a coating of mist which some MOT guys thinks is a fluid leak and give it a fail.