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Cars > Past Chats
AAA CAR DOCTOR
JOHN PAUL
9/15/2003 |
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September Chat
Winter Car Care
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On September 15, 2003 at 2 p.m. . . .
mherbert (Moderator)
01:48PM John Paul will be with us shortly. Please send in your questions about caring for you car during the cold winter months.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:53PM It's October and its time to talk car care
Jeff
01:53PM Hi John Paul! I have a 2001 Jeep Wrangler. What should I be using for oil? Is synthetic really necessary?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:54PM Jeff use synthetic oil if you like-- neccesary, not at all. Use a good oil the correct weight (10-30) etc. a good oil filter and change it every 3-5000 miles
Poncho
01:57PM What about snow tires? Certainly, a good all-season tire helps but they seem to have an impact. What are your thoughts?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
01:59PM Poncho, all season tires give you about 70% of the traction of a snow tire in 4-5 inches of snow. If you have a rear drive car snow tires are almost mandatory. On front wheel or 4 wheel drive use 4 snow tires
fox
01:59PM Is super grade gas worth the price? Soea it make a difference performance wise? -Thanks
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:01PM Fox, if your car states it is required then you really need to do it. If your car say it is reccomended, then using regular or mid grade will reduce milage and performance but won't do any engine harm. If your cars manual says use regular and you use 89-91--93 octane you are just throwing money away
Cherri
02:02PM John — I drive my car about 2x per week — to the gym and grocery store. I use the T the rest of the time. What should I do to help my car get thru this winter — it's a 94 ford and drives about 20 miles per week, at best. It has about 90k miles and sits on the street.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:04PM cherri, check all the fluids, change the oil, have the coolant and belts and hoses checked. the radiator and thermostat should be checked, the tires and exhaust system should also be looked at. this with a good battery should get you through the winter. Whenever possible try to keep at least a half of tank of gas.
Linda
02:04PM My question is about snow tires as well. I have a TT Quattro. Do I dare drive it in the winter and should I have snows?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:06PM Linda, I drove a TT last winter during one of our snow storms it was terrible, but it had the "summer" performance tires on it. If it was my car and I had to drive a TT during this winter, snow tires would be a must
bobby
02:06PM My 1999 ford f150 4x4 4.6 l v8 bucks at 60 MPH in AM. Should I replace the platinum plugs 80K in miles or thewires.The plugs claim to be good for 100K miles. The bucking stops when warmed up. Gas MPG has decreased to 15-16.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:10PM Bobby Platinum plugs can be a problem if they have started to foul. I would want to start by looking at the plugs and wires, then scan the computer for any trouble codes.
Joe
02:11PM Hi JohnPaul. How important is it to allow a car to warm up in the winter before driving? I have a 98 Escort ZX2 and during the winter I let it warm up for 5-10 minutes. Am I doing the right thing or increasing my commute?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:14PM Joe, 5/10 minutes is not necessary a couple of minutes in cold weather is plenty. What you don't want to do is push the engine when it is cold. take it easy for the first few minutes. Keep in mind warming the engine does nothing for the transmission and the rest of the car.
vw
02:14PM Hi JohnPaul! I have a 1990 VW Fox. I've had it for 2 years and have gone through 3 batteries and a new alternator. After having something fixed, it works fine for about 2-3 months and then starts stalling out when I'm driving it or having trouble turning over when starting. Something seems to be draining the battery (maybe all of the stop and go traffic in my commute)? With winter coming and my car's electrical usage going up for lights, etc., what can I do? Thanks
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:16PM vw, sounds like a wiring problem. You need to have a complete check done of the battery and charging system. Then a check for parasitic drain. The local driving and stop and go driving should make any difference if the charging system is working correctly
Dan
02:16PM Should the antifreeze be filled to the top in the overflow of the radiator?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:18PM Dan I like to do both if possible. When the engine is cold check the coolant level in the radiator. Then once that is full check the overflow. Sometimes a fault radiator cap will keep the overflow from operating properly correctly
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:20PM Just a reminder that October 31 will be hosting the chat from the New England Auto Show during the press preview
Poncho
02:20PM How important is it to have your car aligned before the winter?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:21PM Poncho, If your car is badly out of line, it will be all over the road in the ice and snow. It is money well spent
Johnm
02:21PM How would I know if my starter is going? I am concerned of getting stuck in the winter
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:22PM Johnm, you can have it checked. A good repair shop can perform a starter drawer test. This will tell give you an idea if the starter is wearing. That and how fast it cranks and to some extent how it sounds
Cherri
02:23PM John, thanks. To follow up, my thermostat always reads the car is cold all winter, even after 30 minutes of driving. The mechanic said to replace it — for $350! My brother said that it would be okay if I just left it since I drive so little. Advice?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:24PM Cherri, one expensive thermostat. If the thermostat is really staying open and not letting the car warm up, then you are also wasting gas and costing yourself more money---what kind of car is this
Johnm
02:26PM I have a 1994 BMW 740iL. Rear Wheel Drive. I currently have Michelin Pilot tires on my car. Are these tires ok for all year driving??
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:30PM Johnm, those are okay, but BMW has never been a great car for winter with out snow tires even with all the electronics
EM
02:30PM Hi John, My SUV is approaching 100,000 miles. It's running fine but I want to make sure that everything is good to go for the winter and beyond. What type of maintenance should I have done on the vehicle to make sure it's up to standards?
Cherri
02:30PM John, My car is a 94 ford thunderbird — V8, 4.6 liter. 90K miles. Drives great all summer and passable in the winter as long as it has plenty of time to warm up (if not, sounds like a growling dragon).
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:33PM cherri, that should be about an hour job plus $15.00 for the thrmostat plus anti-freeze. Certainly not $350.00
NewCar
02:33PM John,We just bought a new '04 Maxima with high profile, all-season tires and Alloy wheels...should we think about putting snows on some cheap rims for the winter? Separate, from road grip, will the rims not get ruined from the salt? Thanks.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:36PM NewCar, The salt will be tough on the wheels but not the quality of wheels have improved over the years and are much more resistant to road salt. If you think the tires will give you enough traction in the winter or you don't need to go out during the snow. Keep the wheels clean and maybe ad a coat of wax for protection
Jahm
02:36PM Hi, I have a 1990 Honda prelude with 155,000 miles on it. In September, I started 100 miles/day. This will go through the end of November. The first time I get stuck in a traffic jam, the engine is very rough and it sounds like it's going to stall any second (but it never does). It eventually smoothes out. Also, when I go very fast (very, very fast), it starts sputtering. Sound like a fuel pump problem? Also, is there anything special I should have someone look at because of all that driving.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:38PM Jahm, could be a fuel injection or oxygen sensor problem. With this kind of driving a trip to the repair shop for a check up is a good idea. You also might find something very simple like a broken engine vacuum hose. Fuel pump I don't think so
Millie
02:38PM John — I have a 96 Volvo 850 turbo with 103,000 miles on it. Have put about $3,000 into this past year on repairs (air conditoner, brakes,etc.) and am looking at another 3,000 in more — (550 for water pump alone). Am thinking of getting new car. What do you think of Subaru Outback wagon with AWD? And AWD in winter vs. 4 wheel drive.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:40PM Mille, I like the outback alot. All wheel drive doesn't require any input from the driver and is there when you need it. Four wheel drive usually requires that you engage it and usually people do it to soon or to late. AWD knows when.
NewCar
02:42PM On a new car why is there a break-in period? What is it protecting? How long should it be? What specifically should you not do and why?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:45PM NewCar, Drive reasonably and vary your speed. Avoid cruise control use for the first 1000 miles. The break in period just lets all the parts get "use" to each other. Todays car wit there clse tolerences don't need break in periods like cars from 30 year ago, but if I just bought a new Maxima I would take it easy for the first 2000 miles. Then I would change the oil and drive it like you drive any car.
SPANKY
02:45PM I just got told that I have to replace all four tires on my subaru at a time. They only have 20K miles on them and I just ruined one. Does that make sense?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:47PM Spanky, due to the all wheel drive system all the tires should be about the same, do you need four, I don't think so. I would just try to match what you have on the car in both brand and size
Chris
02:47PM How many miles can you usually get before having to get new tires? My car currently has 46,000 miles with the original tires.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:49PM Chris, it all depends on the car and the driver. The average is 40-50,000 miles but just last week I was road testing a Acura NSX and the owners manual stated that the rear tires may last less than 10,000 miles.
Johnm
02:49PM I have a 1997 Toyota Landcruiser. What tires would you recommend for all-year driving??
Johnm
02:49PM I have a 1997 Toyota Landcruiser. What tires would you recommend for all-year driving??
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:51PM Johnm, a great vehicle for bad weather and off road driving. For me I would look for a quiet mud snow tire. I have always been happy with Goodyears and Michelin
AmysFocus
02:51PM Hi! I have a 2001 ford focus with 72K miles on it. When I am rounding an off or on ramp on the highway, my car will stow down and I need to pump the gas petal to keep going. I've actually had to pull over just after getting on the highway and restart the car — it's like i'm rebooting the engine. Any ideas?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:55PM Amysfocus, there has been quite a problem with carbon build up on the engine that can cause something like you describe. It could also be a faulty fuel pump. Start with having the fuel pump pressure checked it should be done so it can be watched while driving. You may also find trouble codes set.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:59PM My hour is just about up. Chat with me next on October 31st at the New England Auto Show. If anyone has additional questions you can email me--jpaul@aaasne.com
AmysFocus
02:59PM I've had quite a few recall notices on my car since I bought it new. Do you think this will be another? I am hitting all the recall issues before they are recalled due to the high mileage and they have been good at refunding the costs.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
03:00PM amysfocus. The focus is really a pretty good car it should have come with a note that stated some assemby required. There will likely be more
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