AAA CAR DOCTOR JOHN PAUL 01/28/2005

January Chat Car care

JohnPaul (Moderator)
12:59PM The Car Doctor is in---to answer all your winter car woes

rick
12:59PM you up for a volvo question?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
12:59PM Rick ask away

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:04PM Rick it may have been the rear washer picked up some dirt or even perhaps has ice in it. Try to check the washer hose and see if you can use a little low pressure air and "blow" outr the line

rick
01:04PM 1997 volvol 850. My windshield washer reservoir ran out of fluid. After I filled it up, the front windshield washer works fine, but the rear won't pump fluid. Its like the rear pump needs to be primed but I don't know how to do it.

tired
01:04PM My 2000 Honda Accord manual says to cross rotate my tires. It is much easier to just swap front to rear on the same side. Should I stick with my owners manual directions or can I rotate this way? Any harm in not cross rotating?. The tires are non-directional.


JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:05PM tired, rotating front to back is better than not at all. Perhaps once a year you can follow the manufacturers suggestions

JerryGibbons
01:05PM JohnPaul, I've got a '99 Honda Civic coupe that'll be needing new tires soon. Any recommendations for a decent and affordable all-season tire?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:07PM JerryGibbons, How did the old tires work out? If okay use the same ones. If you are a AAA member Sullivan Tire( and a few others)--check our website aaa.com provides a discount to members

94 camry
01:07PM Hi John Paul - Recently I went to start my 94 camry and the car would not turn over on the first try. I would have to turn the key a few times before it would catch. The problem has stopped, but I'm nervous that at some point the car will not start. Would the alternator or starter be the cause of the problem and what should I expect to pay if either one of them needs to be replaced? I know it is not the battery because that was changed this summer. Thank you for your advice!!

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:10PM 94 Camry, If it is turning over it is not the battery alt. or starter. It may be a fuel problem (when was the last tune up). A good repair shop should be able to look over the ignition and fuel system and find any problems. It may have been a a partially frozen fuel system.

inthemkt
01:10PM I am looking to buy a used car. Any preference between a jeep cherokee and gmc envoy?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:12PM The Jeep gives you a little better off road use the Envoy a bit more room and maybe a little better servicability. The reliability is about the same

Too Cold
01:12PM Hi John - when starting a car in this very cold weather, should I let my car warm more before traveling to my destination? about how long should i let it warm?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:13PM too cold, let you car warm up for a minute or so. But more important is just take it easy for the first few miles. This lets the entire car warm up not just the engine

sassafras211
01:13PM I got into my car last night and there was frost covering my entire windshield--not on the outside though, on the inside. Is this normal? If not, what should I do?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:16PM sassafras211, it is caused by too much moisture in the car. Usually from snowy shoes and boots. The other possibility is smoesort of leak at the windshield. Try taking out the mats and vacuum the carperts until they are good and dry. Always use the heater with the switch on fresh air not recirculate.

danA
01:16PM My 99 Passat has a burning smell coming from the engine. The smell is especially strong when the car is idle and the heat is on. Does this sound like a serious problem?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:17PM danA, sounds like maybe a oil leak. Go to a repair shop have them put the car on a lift and check for leaks. Valve covers tend to leak on those cars

davis_lovejoy
01:17PM Good afternoon, Doctor. Hoping you may be able to shed some light on a problem I'm having with a '78 VW Camper (currently safe from the snow and such). Front end is fine, rear end looks a little funny - got one side with camber that looks good (driver) but the passenger side has excessive negative camber. Do you think there could be some structural damage to components since both sides do not seem to be acting similarly? Usually when I see a bug or bus' rear end with excess neg camber, both sides are involved, not just one... thanks! Also, if I may - Jerry - I would look into Road Hugger tires (Radial GT/A is my favorite, personally), as I believe them to be a tremendous value.

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:20PM davis lovejoy, thanks for the tire tip. As for the rear suspension perhaps a weak torsion spring is causing some sagging and the negitive camber. Look also for any worn parts

sassafras211
01:20PM great, thanks for your help!

JerryGibbons
01:24PM Thanks for the tip Davis! John, my wife as an '89 Buick Century that is a real turnpike cruiser and has been a great car for us. But, it has 224k on it and we're in the market to upgrade. Any thoughts on the '91 Park Avenue?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:25PM jerry gibbons same car just bigger. Watch the timing chain and transmission for wear as well as any rust. Generally pretty decent cars but it is 14 years old

davis_lovejoy
01:27PM Thanks Doc - next weekend's project, if I can convince the ol' ball and chain that this is more worthwhile than wasting Saturday ... I mean spending Saturday at the Christmas Tree Shops!

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:27PM davis, good luck

Mods
01:32PM I have a Ford explorer and thinking about buying a unit that will reprogram my car's computer for better performace - they say it won't void the warranty - what do you think of these computer mods?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:34PM Mods, it could very well void the warranty. When you modify fuel and spark mapping you could cause engine damage and if the damage is caused by what you did the warranty is over.

andrew
01:35PM Hi, our 96 Civic still has weak heat when idling or low rpm. It was recently been in and they attempting to correct by replaced thermostat, radiator cap and topped out coolant and stated pressure test ok. What should we do next?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:39PM andrew, the heater core could be clogging. You could try flushing out the heater core and that may help. Check to see that the heater valve is opening fully. That system uses a cable to open the heater valve. If you find the core itself needs replacing expect to spend some serious money

MAdra
01:40PM Hi JP-- question about car batteries. I've heard you should change them every five years (my car is a 2000 Jetta). Should I wait until an indicator light goes off telling me so, or should I be proactive and change it now?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:41PM Madra, If it were me, and I hate to breakdown I would replace it now. It is possible for a battery to last more than five years but after five year in my opinion you are on borrowed time.

andrew
01:46PM JohnPaul, Q2 if you have time, I also own a Subaru WRX nearing 15k miles, the manual maintenance schedule states check suspension, check clutch and change oil. The dealer want s close to $300 to perform this due to addtional items such as change fuel filter, some fuel injection cleaner, air filter change..........These are not actually due till 30k according to schedule. Are they looking for more $ or do they know better than Subaru?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:49PM andrew, I would follow the owners manual suggestion. The people who wrote the book built the car. The source I use www.alldata.com lists only an oil change at 15K and a few items to check and at 30K a few more but even then the fuel filter is optional

Mindy
01:50PM john, i have a 98 Eldorado and it's horrible in the snow....is it safe to drive in 3rd gear as opposed to have it in D....this vehicle skids all over the road in snow when i step on the gas pedal.

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:51PM Mindy that should be a good car in the snow(heavy and fwd). Have someone look at the tires and the wheel alignment. Driving in third just keeps the car from going in to overdrive and uses more gas. I think your cars lack of traction may be related to tires

D.Wayne Johnson
01:52PM John Paul... I have a 1996 Hyundai Accent that believe it or not has 240,000 miles on it and have never had any serious problems other than routine maintenance. I use this car primarily as a commuting car but the miles are getting up there. Should I be looking at something new even though this car is still runs and looks excellent?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:54PM D.Wayne Johnson, 240K on an accent is great. The car isn't worth anything so why not keep doing what you are doing. Besides why not a little adventure in your life and see how far you can take it

troubled
01:54PM Could I please get your honest thoughts - lease vs buy?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:56PM troubled. LEasing makes sense if you can write the payments off or drive less than 12,000 miles per year. To me, although buying a car is a terrible investment at least at the end of the loan you own the car.

Mindy
01:56PM john, my vehicle has brand new tires(all four) with less than two months of use......could the fact that it has a 8 cylinder engine and no traction assist have anything to do with it?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:58PM Mindy still have the alignment checked. The 8 cylinder engine is only as powerful as your right foot lets it be. You may also want to consider switching to snow tires.

Honda
01:58PM I have a 97 Honda, SRS light has just come on, should I get it checked? Could this be an airbag issue?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:00PM Honda, when the srs light is on the airbag system will not work when it is supposed to. Have it check the system sets codes to help find the failed part and repair it. It may even be one of the sensors was damaged in the snow

Chillin inCA
02:00PM Is it really required to do 30,000 maintenance checks if you change your oil every 3000-5000 miles, have your tires rotated, and making sure all your fluids are up to snuff?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:03PM Chillin in CA, how is the weather? you can do all the maintenence yourself but you need to follow the schedule as set by the manufacturer. Send me an email jpaul@aaasne.com with the make mode and year and I will send you the reccomendation

Max
02:03PM John Paul, I've noticed some squeaking coming from the rear brakes over the last month or so. I had the brakes checked this week, and they told me the brake pads were only 40-50% worn. They did indicate that the rotors were slightly "glazed". Is there anything, aside from new rotors, that can get rid of this glaze they refer to?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:04PM Max not much you can do, glazing is pretty common and without pulling the brakes apart either put up with the noise or repair them early. If it were my money I'd wait

JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:06PM My hour is up. You can always email me at jpaul@aaasne.com and you can always listen to my radio program on Saturday from 9-11am on WESX am1230 and WJDA am1300--see you next month