08/16/2008

Tell the dealer to check his service bulletin
Q. Recently I took my 2003 Toyota Camry to the local dealer because the “check engine” light was on for a couple of days. They replaced a sensor at a whopping cost of $550. I was told that if I did not replace this sensor ASAP that my catalytic converter could be damaged. During that visit the service advisor informed me that I also needed to replace the “intermediate steering shaft” at a cost of over $500. My question to you is, how will I know when this part wears out? Will I be able to steer the car? How important is it that I change this part? Currently I do hear a slight noise when making turns. My car has 45,000 miles on it.

08/09/2008

Back in the ’40s, automobiles did run on wood
Q. I saw an article in the projoCars section about a truck that ran on wood chips. Back in 1945, I drove a truck that ran on wood. I remember starting the truck on gas, and then pulling a knob on the dash to have it run on wood. I believe the city was Steyr, Austria, and the technology was there 65 years ago. So what happened?

08/02/2008

Leave car for winter with clean oil
Q. I will be leaving my 2007 Honda Accord in my garage for more than three months this winter when I go to Florida with my girlfriend in her car. What should I do to ensure that my car starts and runs properly when I return?

07/26/2008

System makes best ‘guess’ about tire pressure
Q. My 2005 Lexus LS 430 is a great car but has an annoying problem. The low tire pressure warning keeps coming on. I have had the dealer take a look; they checked the tire pressure then reset the system. Do you know a way to find out which wheel is setting off the warning or a way to fix for it?

07/19/2008

Car Doctor: 2004 Pacifica has intermittent problem getting started
Q. I have a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica that will not start at times. I have replaced the battery twice. The starter has been checked and was pronounced fine. The only symptom that I can tell you is that when it does not start, the message board will say "vehicle not in park." The car is in park, but won’t start. I had a wiring harness replaced, and it seemed better for a little while. I had this same problem with another Chrysler, and it turned out to be the neutral safety switch. Does this sound like it could be the problem? I just want to get it starting regularly so I can trade it in.

07/12/2008

At minimum, change the oil in your vehicle twice a year
Q. I have a 1998 Toyota Camry with 45,000 miles on it. Obviously I don’t drive very much, but the owner’s manual states the oil should be changed every 5,000 miles. What do you think?

07/05/2008

If physical comfort is an issue, it pays to rent a car before buying
Q. I am writing on behalf of my boss. He is very elderly with many physical health problems (i.e., fractures, bad back, walks with a cane). He lives in the suburbs, and drives in the city. He says that his car, a 2006 Cadillac DeVille, is uncomfortable and aggravates his aches and pains. He has had his car checked out, and we have put pillows in the car to make it more comfortable, but that hasn’t eased his discomfort. He wanted me to find the Car Doctor to ask which cars are best when it comes to smooth ride and comfort.

06/28/2008

Time for a timing belt change
Q. I believe my 1994 Toyota Corolla has the original timing belt. My question is that I’m told it’s a timing chain as opposed to a belt, and therefore doesn’t need to be changed. Is it a belt or a chain, and should I have it changed?

06/21/2008

Car Doctor: Keep college student’s car running while she’s gone
Q. My daughter will be attending college in the fall. This means her 1996 Sentra will be sitting idle for months at a time. She will only be driving it a few weeks of the year, when she visits during school breaks. What is the best way to maintain the car so it is fine to drive when she returns? I’ve heard a car should be started at least once a week. Is this true?

06/14/2008

Car Doctor: A cool way to save pennies at the pump
Q. A smart-aleck friend of mine buys his gasoline at sun-up. He reasons that the gallon is a measurement of volume, and not of weight, and since gasoline is very volatile, it expands when warm. Therefore, a cold, heavier gallon of gasoline is denser, and potentially produces more mileage than a warm one. He says that the average sunny day’s temperature goes up 20 degrees making the afternoon’s warmer gas 4 1/2 percent less efficient. Four and a half percent of the gallon price of $3.75 equals 1 1/2 cents, and, more importantly, increases the mileage rating by that same amount: the equivalent of almost one more mile per gallon. I am not smart enough to know if this is correct, so I turn to you for analysis.

06/07/2008

Tire with bubble must be replaced to avoid chance of a blowout
Q: My car has a tire with a bubble on the outside driver’s side. Do I have to get a new tire? My tires have 15,000 miles on them. Do I need to buy two tires or can I get just one?

05/31/2008

Temperamental heater only runs on the highest setting
Q. I have a 2004 Chevy Colorado, crew cab, with 38,000 miles. It has a five-cylinder engine, and runs fine with the following exception. The heater/AC fan only runs at the highest setting. I did some research on line and it indicates a resistor in the fan connection can be the culprit. I replaced the resistor with a factory-direct part, and it worked for a few days, but then went back to only working on the 4 setting. I also noticed that even with the setting on 4, if I press the gas pedal, the fan speeds up. Is there a recall, or a technical service bulletin for this problem?

05/24/2008

Car Doctor: Air conditioning sometimes most fuel-efficient
Q. With the price of gas being what it is, I was wondering which is more fuel efficient, driving with the windows open or using the air conditioning?

05/17/2008

Toyota 4Runner won’t always start with the key
Q. I know nothing about cars, but always read your column and enjoy it. I hope you can help me with my 1990 Toyota 4Runner. It doesn’t always start with the key, although sometimes it will fire up with the remote starter. When I try to start the car, the dashboard lights, seat belt, brake and battery lights all go on, but the ignition simply clicks and doesn’t turn over. When AAA came one time, they told me there was no problem with the battery, but that it could be the starter. So we replaced the starter, but the problem still exists. What should I check for?

05/10/2008

Buick Roadmaster has intermittent steering problems
Q. I have a 1995 Buick Roadmaster that is giving me intermittent problems. It has been leaking a small amount of power steering fluid for about a year.

05/03/2008

‘Top Tier’ gas not worth it; leave Trac-Control on
Q. I own a 2005 Toyota Sienna. Someone told me for dry, open highway driving I should turn off my Trac-Control and save 2 to 3 miles a gallon. Is this true? If I kept it off, how would it affect the tires, calipers, struts, etc. Also, is “Top Tier” gasoline worth the extra money? I have two Hondas and the Toyota, which only need regular. Would an occasional fill-up of high test clean build-up deposits as Top Tier gas claims to?

04/19/2008

‘Check Engine’ light means a trip to the shop
Q. I have a 2005 Nissan Maxima with the “Check Engine” light on. It is just out of warranty by a month. I went to an auto repair shop and got a U1000 trouble code. The guys at the shop could not tell me what this code signifies. Is it possible to find out what the code means and how to fix it without bringing it back to the dealer (and paying lots of moola)?

04/12/2008

Cruise control should be used when the roads are clear and dry
Q. I received an e-mail that told a story about a woman in Texas who was using cruise control in slippery weather. She crashed because the car continued to accelerate. Should cruise control be used in wet/slippery weather? Is this an urban myth? This particular e-mail advised against it.

04/05/2008

Car Doctor: Dual bearing failure is suspicious
Q. Does it seem reasonable that the hub bearings on the front wheels of my 2003 Chevrolet Impala (60,000 miles) should need replacement? GM won’t pay the $1,000 cost; they’re telling me it’s normal wear and tear.

03/29/2008

Car Doctor: Replace water pump if it appears to be worn
Q. I have a question about a timing belt change on a 2001 Honda CRV. When it comes time to schedule service for this replacement, is it advisable to also have the water pump replaced? I have read that change is recommended on some other makes such as Subaru.

03/22/2008

Car Doctor: A tire could be behind the shimmy problem
Q. Could you please tell what causes a shimmy in the steering wheel? When I drive my F150 over 40 to 50 mph, it starts to shimmy.

03/15/2008

Car Doctor: Check electrical connections on ABS system to stop warning light
Q. Lately the ABS and traction control lights on my 1997 Cadillac SLS have been coming on while I’m driving. If I stop to restart the car, the lights go out. I assume when the light comes on the computer sets a code. With an intermittent problem, what do I do?

03/08/2008

Get your timing right with Mercury Villager
Q. I have a 1999 Mercury Villager with a Nissan engine with about 99,000 miles. Is it a free-wheeling engine? When do I change the timing belt?

03/01/2008

Car Doctor: No record of consumers paying for hybrid batteries
Q. What is your opinion on the battery in hybrid cars? I have read the battery can cost up to $5,000. If this is true, why would anyone buy a used hybrid with 60,000 miles on it if they would spend thousands to replace the battery? I have also heard that car dealers don’t want any part of hybrids as a trade-in. What can you tell me?

02/23/2008

Car Doctor: Honda’s antilock-brake light could mean several things
Q. I have a 2000 Honda Accord with a four-cylinder engine. The antilock-brake light is always on, and the mechanic told me it has a bad relay. I changed it, but the light is still on. I don’t want to keep paying him to misdiagnose the problem. Can you give me any advice? Also, the airbag light stays on, and the same mechanic says the car needs an airbag modulator (the car has front and side bags). I found the part in a salvage yard for $150, saving hundreds of dollars off the price of a new part. Where is it located in car?

02/16/2008

Car Doctor: Grinding noise may be in the exhaust system
Q. My 2005 Toyota Camry, with 25,000 miles on it, makes a grinding noise. The problem is the noise only happens under certain conditions. The temperature needs to be cold, the transmission has to be in drive, and the engine speed about 1,500 rpm. The noise seems to be just in front of the driver and near the top of the engine. Can you help me solve this mystery?

02/09/2008

Car Doctor: Take care with aftermarket parts
Q. My Blazer wouldn’t start last weekend, and the AAA guy pounded on the gas tank while I started it. He told me I was more than likely going to need a fuel pump. I was very appreciative that he tried this trick rather than just towing the truck. I priced out the part from the dealer and they were talking just under $600. I also priced an aftermarket part and I can buy the same part for $300. At half the cost, are aftermarket parts as good as GM Delco parts?

02/02/2008

Car Doctor: Brakes fail in extreme cold
Q. My 1998 Toyota Camry has about 64,000 miles on it. My wife drives it most of the time. Last winter when it was really cold (single-digit temperatures), she found the car’s brakes not working when she was backing the car out from a parking space. She had to use the emergency brake to make the car stop. She let the car warm up for two to three minutes, and the brakes were working normally again. Last week it happened again. She let the car warm up for three minutes, and it was OK again. It’s happened twice so far. She said the brake pressure felt a little lower than normal, but there was definitely pressure. The car just did not stop. What could the problem be? There is still a lot of cold weather left for this winter. Could the brake fluid be contaminated?

01/26/2008

Car Doctor: Remove timing-belt cover and take a look
Q. I recently bought a 2001PT Cruiser with 200,000 miles from a wholesaler for cheap money. It needs a little work, but I’m driving it every day. I figured if it made it to 200,000, then it must be reliable for the around-town driving I do. My question is about the timing belt. Since I don’t know the car’s history, is there a way to inspect the belt?

01/19/2008

Car Doctor: Check for coolant leaks, inside or out, in Mercedes and Jeep
Q. I own a 1991 Mercedes 300E with 52,000 miles on it. For a few months, the water level indicator has gone on and stayed on until I’ve added some antifreeze — not much, but just over the level recommended. If it goes below the line, the light goes on. I had the water pump changed, but the light still goes on if the level drops slightly. Any suggestions?

01/12/2008

Car Doctor: Low brake-fluid level can trigger red indicator light
Q. This morning my red “brake” light came on. The first time it came on was when I had to bang a hard U-turn.Then it came on again about a mile away when I was slowing for a red light, then again about a half-mile from that, when I was accelerating to get on the Route 95 ramp. I drove slowly the rest of the way . Once I got to work I tried the brakes and everything seems normal. The light is now off. What is going on?

01/05/2008

Car Doctor: Exhaust systems are a lot better than they used to be
Q. I drive six minutes to work every day (lucky me). Am I doing a disservice to my exhaust system by not traveling enough to burn off the water that settles in the base of the system? I work for three hours and then go home. Is this going to damage my car’s exhaust system?

12/29/2007

Car Doctor: Getting to the bottom of ‘audio bleed’
Q. I have a 2006 Chevy HHR. The problem is when the radio is off, static noise or music sometimes can be heard in the speakers. This also happens when the directionals are used. The dealership has seen it happen but does not know how to resolve the problem. Any suggestions? Please help.

12/22/2007

Car Doctor: Corolla won’t shift from park to drive or reverse
Q. My 1998 Toyota Corolla is very important to me because I am a commuting nursing student. If I didn’t have my car, I wouldn’t be able to get to my classes, my job, or the clinical sites at hospitals all over the state. That’s why the problem I have had with my car since September is so frustrating.

12/15/2007

Car Doctor: Warning light could mean low brake fluid
Q. Our 2000 Toyota Camry’s brake sign has been coming on. The first time the light came on for a few seconds while I was driving and then disappeared. The same week, the light came on and off while I was driving. This happened for a couple of minutes, and then it went out. So far, this has been happening only when I first start the car. What is going on?

12/08/2007

Car Doctor: Crown Vic may need a tune-up
Q. My 1999 Ford Crown Victoria sometimes stalls when I start it in the morning. Starting the engine again with my foot on the gas pedal keeps it from stalling until it warms up. This does not happen all the time and sometimes seems better if I change gasoline brands. But even then it will still stall occasionally. The mechanic wants me to leave the car overnight so he can see the problem firsthand. What do you think?

12/01/2007

Hybrid vehicles not affected by cold weather
Q. My wife and I are interested in buying or leasing a hybrid version of the Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot. Should I be worried about the car not starting on one of New England’s harsh winter days?

11/24/2007

Broken wire could be at the root of ’92 Camry’s light-bulb alert
Q. I have a 1992 Toyota Camry with almost 200,000 miles on it. Recently, I started to experience the following on the instrument panel. Upon starting, the “replace light bulb” indicator comes on and stays on. All bulbs have been checked and are working. Furthermore, when the foot brake is applied, the transmission “R” light comes on. Upon shifting into reverse, the backup lights do not come on until the foot brake is released. Where else should I check?

11/17/2007

Car Doctor: Charging system may be culprit in dying truck
Q. This Sunday my truck was running very badly (almost dying). Monday I went to start it and it was dead. I put it on a battery charger right away, and later that night it started up just fine but would die when I took my foot off the gas. After a couple times of trying to keep it running, it just went dead again. Do you think this is a battery, alternator, fuel intake or some other problem? I can’t get it to my mechanic since it won’t stay running, so I’m considering repairing it myself. Where should I start?

11/10/2007

Car Doctor: Get a line pressure test for reverse delay
Q. I own a 1999 Ford Explorer with an automatic transmission. For four years it has exhibited up to a four-second delay engaging into reverse. I have had it looked at several times, but no one seems to be able to alleviate this issue. I am becoming more concerned about safety, and would hate to be waiting to back up during an emergency. Any ideas or suggestions? Maybe if I can articulate this issue I could have a chance of explaining it to the mechanic.

11/03/2007

Car Doctor: Shock absorber light on Mercedes may just need resetting
Q. I have a 1993 Mercedes Benz 600 SEL, and a yellow light on the dash with a picture of a shock absorber came on. I looked it up in the owner’s manual and it said this light indicates a problem with the automatic suspension system. I went to my mechanic and he checked the rear two shocks (which were recently replaced) and said they were working fine. I dug a little deeper and found that a steering angle sensor is on the front two wheels, but my mechanic can’t find any information on it. The front shocks are standard shocks and not hydraulic-fluid supplied. Do you think the problem could be the sensor?

10/31/2007

If you car goes into the water: First, open all the windows
Dear Tom and Ray:

10/27/2007

Car Doctor: Heavy key ring could be culprit in malfunctioning brake light
Q. My 2000 Volkswagen Golf has an odd problem with the brake system. From time to time, the ABS and red brake light will come on. It sometimes happens at low speeds and other times on the highway. The only common denominator is it sometimes happens over bumps. I have had the brakes and computer checked and have been told everything is OK. What do you think could be wrong?