AAA CAR DOCTOR JOHN PAUL 03/04/2005

March Chat Gas prices

JohnPaul (Moderator)
12:56PM The Car Doctor is in, how high can gas prices go?-

cordelia
01:01PM I feel very smart right now for buying a Prius!

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:02PM cordelia, I have found the Prius to be a great car but have received some complaint about less than advertized fuel economy.

cordelia
01:02PM Do you think the high prices will motivate people to do a better job of maintaining their cars?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:02PM Cordelia, I don't think it hasn't yet, but only time will tell.

cordelia
01:04PM Doesn't EVERY car have less-than-advertised fuel economy? It's just that you notice it more in the Prius because they have a little readout that tells you your MPG.

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:05PM cordelia, most do, but recently I was road testing a Toyota Avalon the beat the EPA numbers. Don't get me wrong I still think the Prius is a great car

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:06PM Here are some fuel saving tips Maintenance---check tire air pressure, low tires can waste up to 3% of your total fuel economy. Tune ups have changes but driving a [poorly maintained car can waste up to 20 percent of your fuel economy. This includes wheel alignment Drive carefully; avoid quick starts and stops. Drive as if there is an egg between your foot and the gas pedal. Or drive as if you are on your drivers license test Drive the speed limit. You can save several miles per gallon just be driving the speed limit Lighten up Remove excess weight and car top carriers Combine trips and car pool, walk Avoid warm ups. Today’s cars don’t need to warm up more than just a few seconds When you have a choice take the most economical car in the driveway Don’t use premium fuel if it isn’t required Others Drive with the windows up and the A/C off Buying a new car consider the smallest car you can live with Keep a logbook of your cars miles per gallon, if you see mpg starting to drop take a trip

chuck
01:06PM Hi John Paul: what are some things everyone can do to their cars to improve MPG's

ellen
01:06PM I am looking to buy a used car, perhaps late 90's model. What are some of the most fuel efficient used cars to look into?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:08PM ellen, small cars still get better fuel economy, you have to look at your own needs. The Civic is good so isn't the VW golf with the 2.0 engine. Check out www.fueleconomy.gov to get some basic info

John
01:08PM John, Will the gas prices ever go down to the price of a $1 again?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:10PM John, Unless the world market changes dramatically, I don't think so. China and India have become big time users of gas and oil. When demand is up and supply is tight prices go up.

chuck
01:10PM when you say "today's cars" don't need to warm up..how bout for cars made in the 90's....is that true in the dead of winter? I always thought let it at least warm up 1-2 mins?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:12PM Chuck, In freezing cold weather a minute is fine, but in my opinion it is more important to drive reasonably for the first few miles. Warming the engine does nothing for the rest of the drivetrain.

chuck
01:15PM Whats the deal with freon and "older" ac systems...if a recharge is needed, to I have to upgrade to the "newer" ac system?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:16PM chuck, freon is almost gone and most cases you will need to change over to R134A which in the last year has become very expensive as well. At present there are no economical alternative to recharging an A/c system. Maybe just leave the windows open

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:20PM If that is all the gas questions, lets open the chat to all things automotive

chuck
01:23PM when buying new...are extended warranties worth it?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:26PM Depends on the car and where the warranty is from. Honest johns used car warranty, might sound like a good until it is time to put in a claim. buy from the manufacturer and someone you can trust like AAA. (see www.aaa.com for details) If I just purchased a new honda or toyota I don't think I would bother. Also look at the factory warranty between drivetrain, and epa warranty you may find there is very little more coverage you need

Michael
01:27PM Chuck, I bought an extended warranty and got my money's worth. But I caution you to buy a manufacturere's warranty and not a third-party warranty. Not all dealerships honor a third-party warranty because of reimbursement issues.

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:27PM thanks michael

chuck
01:27PM my ABS is out in my car and it seems the back brakes aren't fully working (rotors are a little rusted)..is this related to the ABS module or another problem (front brakes are fine)

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:27PM chuck, this would be a secondary problem with your rear brakes. This problem could be causing the ABS issue

Michael
01:29PM John Paul, is there a difference in the brands of gas. And, does it help the car to use a higher octane gas than what the manual recommends?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:32PM michael, IMHO there is very little difference in brands of gas. As for octane use what you your owners manual recomends. higher can cause carbon build up problems and lower and cause ping and ping can cause serious engine problems over time.

chuck
01:37PM i recently replaced upper and lower ball joints and had a valve in my transmission replaced in a 2000 explorer with only 50K. with no offroading, does this seem a little soon if anything?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:40PM chuck, the ball joints are fairly common and seem to wear quickly. There is a valve in the trans valve body that has been common as well. At this point I don't beleive Ford is offering any assistance with cost

Paulie
01:44PM JohnPaul, I have a '04 Honda. Lately, every time I hit the gas pedal there's a faint sound made-almost sounds like someone is beeping at me. I've actually looked to see if someone beeped! Its definitely not my horn-do you think its a fuel pump?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:45PM Paulie, have someone check the exhaust heat shield. It could be just vibrating enough to sound like a beep

chuck
01:45PM common with Ford's only?....My friends own foreign SUV and never had to replace these...especially anything with the tranny...

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:46PM Chuck, common with Explorers, All vehicles can have certain problems.

eric
01:47PM JP, You just mentioned ball joints. How can you tell when your car's ball joints need replacing? Also, any tips on visual inspection of brake pads? Every visit to the shop, they always claim you need new pads AND rotors.

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:51PM Eric, ball joints have very specific methods to check them and very specific wear limits. If you email me at jpaul@aaasne.com with your make and model car I send you some info. As for brake pad wear, yo are right when some shops look at the pads and they are half worn down suddenly your car needs brakes. As for rotors, if they are worn, scored or rusted

Paulie
01:52PM JohnPaul, one other question. I recently purchased an '02 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The previous owner put on dust shields (Kleen Wheels) to prevent the brake dust from getting on the rims. The dealer said these things are awful and can cause major dust build up on the rotors etc. They keep the wheels nice and clean though! Any thoughts?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:54PM Paulie, kleen wheels and other products have been known to cause brake overheating. I personally don't recomend them

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:57PM Remember to tune into the Car Doctor Radio program Saturday morning from 9-11 on WJDA am1300 and WESX am1230. This week we will be talking synthetic engine oil with Royal Purple

joe
01:57PM Any thoughts on occassionally adding techron to gas to clean the fuel system?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:58PM joe, Techron is a great product. Use it a couple of time a year to keep valves and injectors clean

Andy
01:58PM JohnPaul - I'm in the market for a used SAAB 9-5 and a local repair shop told me to stay away from the V6 engines . Is there a problem with the V6 (timing belt or anything else)

JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:59PM Andy the V-6 was not a great engine, lots of leaks and drivability problems. true Saab owners feel unless it is a turbo 4 its not a Saab.

Henry
01:59PM I'm looking for a car that has ample space enough to hold four kids - that puts me in mini van territory, with a wife who doesn't want to drive one. What other options are there for three rows of seats? What do you recommend?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:01PM Henry the Honda Pilot SUV has three rows of seats, The Ford Freestyle is a crossover with enough room for your kids and of couse any big SUV Suburban Expidition etc. You still should look at the minivans the Toyota Sienna is very nice

Andy
02:01PM JohnPaul - I'm looking at a 2002 SAAB 9-5 or a 2002 Infiniti I35 - can you point out the pluses and minuses of each? Which one is a better buy?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:03PM Andy, my vote goes to the Infiniti, better quality easier to fix and hold its value better, The Saab is maybe a bit better in the snow and has some nice safety features but dependable not always

e
02:04PM How long can I expect a 99 Mit Galant to last. It currently has 55,500 miles. When will the timing belt need to be replaced and how much does it cost?

JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:05PM E here is the story on the t-belt. 1997 CA vehicles, replacement at 60,00 mile intervals is recommended but not required. On all 1997 models, replace every 100,00 miles (if not previously replaced). On 1998 & later CA, CT, MA vehicles replacement at 60,000 mile intervals is recommended but not required. On all 1998 & later models replace every 100,00 miles (if not previously replaced). As for how long will it last, any car with a little TLC should last 150,000 miles

Andy
02:05PM What would be the mileage level where a SAAB 2.3t would be more trouble then it's worth? I'm looking to buy a car for my daughter when she goes off to college and not have to worry about her breaking down.

JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:06PM The Saab at over 60K can start getting expensive

Ed
02:06PM I'm looking at a 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser with 78,000 miles on it. Do you think I could drive it to 175,000 with regular maintenance?

e
02:06PM make that 50,500 miles

JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:07PM ED, Without question

JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:07PM My hour is up. I'll be back next month