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Cars > Past Chats
AAA CAR DOCTOR
JOHN PAUL
12/05/2003 |
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December Chat
Winter car care
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On December 5, 2003 at 2 p.m. . . .
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:00PM Will your car make it through the winter?
cargirl
02:03PM Hi John — can you put an remote starter in a stick-shift?
cargirl
02:03PM And what's a good test to see if you need new tires?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:06PM Cargirl, yes you can put a remote start in a standard shift it requires a few more parts maybe another $100-$150.00. for tires look at the tread it should be even across. A tire is considered worn out at 1/16 of an inch tread. About the distance between the edge of a nickle and Jefferson's head. That is the minimum you want at least twice that for decent traction.
rick
02:06PM John — In general, are there any specific things we should do to our cars before winter sets in?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:08PM rick, have the battery tested, antifreeze checked look at tires, change the oil tune up, belts hoses wipers should all be checked.
milford bob
02:08PM Hi John — My 98 accord 5 speed seems to not like the cold. Since the temps have dropped, I've had difficulty upshifting first thing in the morning. Once it warms up it's better, but double clutching is the only way it will go from second to first. It has 98K on it. Suggestions??
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:10PM milford bob, you may be starting to see the first signs of a worn clutch. Leave the car overnight at a repair shop and have them check the clutch master cylinder and overall clutch operation.
jeep
02:10PM Hi, John, I have a Jeep 1999. Every time I start the engine. I have to wait for a few seconds. If I turn the ignition key too fast, the engine won't start at the first try. Why?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:13PM jeep, you may have a problem with the fuel pump. When you first turn the key on the fuel system pressurises, Have the garage check the fuel pressure. Try just turning the key to the on position turn wait 2-3 seconds if it starts then you know that the fuel system is losing pressure
Michael Jackson
02:13PM Why don't shops machine rotors anymore? They always want to replace them instead.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:15PM MJ, Couple of reason new rotors in some cases have become very cheap. The other reason is thin rotors tend to "warp" easy. When rotors are resurfaced you take away metal and the end result is a rotor that doesn't dissapate as much heat and becomes out of round
idriveacar
02:15PM How long should I warm up my car in the morning? 2001 VW Passat.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:17PM idriveacar, no more than a minute or so. It is more important to just take it easy the first few miles leting the engine transmission belts etc come up to temperature slowly
carfanatic
02:17PM John — Question: if install a remote car-starter, will my car take off by itself when I turn it on?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:17PM carfanatic, No unless you leave the key in it and the transmsion in gear
Joni
02:18PM What is the best remote starter for your car. I have 2 prices -- $199 and $389. The dealer claims that cheaper systems can ruin your starter motor. This is for a 97 Chevy Cavalier with no power locks. What is your opinion? Thanks.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:19PM Joni, the cheaper system won't ruin your car. The difference in remote starters are usually the quality of the parts--how will the remote hold up. The distance it will work from and how compatible it is with other remote accessories
jeep
02:20PM Hi, John, That's exactly what I have to do to start the engine. (turn the key to the on position and wait for 2-3 secs). So the fuel system is losing pressure and it's caused by the fuel pump? Am I right? Thanks
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:20PM jeep could be a fuel pump or even a fuel leak or even a very dirty fuel filter
BostonGal
02:20PM John, my mechanic just replaced my power steering pump at 90k. He told me my car drives great but there were metal shavings in the fluid and I need a new rack. Is this really necessary — the car steers perfectly.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:22PM bostongal, I'm guessing your shop flushed out the fluid which they should have. It is possible that the steering rack is starting to wear but it could last a long time before it needs replacing. The first sign will be it may becomes hard to steer when it is very cold outside.
Fordgal
02:23PM Hi JohnPaul ~ last week my husband kept the car running to warm it up before we headed home from Maine, and something smelled like it was burning under the hood. His brother took out the circuit for the radiator fan because he said it was short-circuiting and causing the smell. Since then we've had no problem. Should we have this fixed immediately or is it something that can wait until after Christmas? How much would it cost? Thanks ~
boyoboy824
02:23PM Hi John — - I have a 2001 Ford Escape, and the brakes have been squeaking since the cold weather arrived. I only have 27K miles on the car, and I don't abuse my brakes at all. Is it possible that it is just the cold weather that is causing them to squeak, or do I really need new brakes?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:24PM fordgal, if this is the relay for the cooling fan the fan won't come on when the engine is hot and it could overheat and casue serious damage. I would get it fixed.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:25PM boyoboy824 Ford escapes and Mazda Tribute have a history of brake rotor problems. 30K is not unusual to need some brake work with this model
urmeanpeople
02:26PM how necessary is it for the antifreeze to be up to the max level in the overflow?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:27PM urmeanpeople, The level ned to be between the min and max line. Overfull and there will be no room for expansion. You should check the level once a month, more often if you need to add fluid
BostonGal
02:27PM Thanks Jon, to follow up, my car (94 mercury) is alway hard to steer, since its' been new, for the the time when i back out of my lot and drive the first 20 feet...how long should it be hard to steer before I worry this winter?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:30PM BostonGal, I would just watch for a significant change. If the steering feels like it gets stuck when it is cold then get the steering rack replaced
Fordgal
02:30PM How much would that repair cost, roughly, for a 98 Ford Escort wagon?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:32PM FordGal, if it is the fan motor itself then the part runs about 250.00 ( this is according to alldata.com) plus labor. If it is just the relay the part may only be $20.00
carfanatic
02:32PM Sometimes, on long trips, my wife likes to talk, and talk, and talk. Any suggestions to get her to stop this habit? Thanks in advance.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:32PM carfanatic, two cars
WRXGuy
02:33PM I just moved to Massachusetts from California with a very 'summerized' 2002 Subaru WRX (32K miles). What steps do I need to take to get it through the winter (besides performance snow tires — they go on next week). The only complaint I have is that things just seem a little 'stiff' in the morning — steering, brakes — for about 30 seconds.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:35PM WRXGuy welcome to New England. Have the battery checked, coolant checked and should should be about all. To key the doors from freezingspray some silicone around the door gaskets and lubricate the door locks. To prevent static electric shocks spray the seats and carpets with static guard
julia
02:36PM Ever since the cold weather started, when i first start my car I have no power steering for a minute or two, and every time I make a turn I get a screeching noise..is there anything I can do or is it just the cold?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:37PM julia, It sound like a loose power steering belt. Hav ehte belt checked if it is glazed and shows signs of slipping have the belt replaced--don't even bother to have it tightened.
NYCSoxFan44
02:37PM John — My wife has a 96 Miata, that, of course, is real wheel drive and not very good in any inclimate weather. Anything in particular we can do, beyond a sand bag in the trunk, to keep decent traction in the winter?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:38PM NYCSOXFAN44. Not a great car in the snow but with snow tires and a 50 pound bag of sand in the trunk it gets much better.
tibba
02:38PM 1990 Camry that still runs great, however lately turning the key to start the engine and it does nothing. The lights and radio come on but engine does not even crank. After a few minutes and try again it starts, Is this the starter? or the altenator?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:39PM tibba, It could be as easy as dirty battery connections. Have the cables cleaned and the battery and starter checked. The problem is not the alternator
cargirl
02:40PM what do you do about a rusty hood latch? The oil change guys broke it off b/c the cable was frozen b/c of the lock?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:42PM cargirl, Most all cars with a little work you can get the hood open once the hood is open then the only thing you can do is replace the cable. With visegrip pliers you may be able to grab on the cable and get the hood open
cargirl
02:42PM they broke off the plastic thing inside the car....no the latch LOL
mrmaggo
02:42PM is there any diff between a chevy/geo prism and the toyota corolla... also how do u know if your vejicle has a timing belt such that if it goes the engine is gone (i.e. Honda's isn't this called a no-clearance engine or similar ) vs if the belt goes the engine is still good but is useless untill you replace the belt
cargirl
02:42PM not the latch, the plastic thing inside...
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:45PM mrmagoo, pretty much the same car. Regarding the timing belt there are charts that list which engine can be damaged if the belt breaks. Send an email to jpaul@aaasne.com with specific vehicle and I can let you know which are which
cookster
02:45PM I keep hearing an obnoxious screetching noise coming from my heat. It also only works on high too. What's going on you think?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:46PM cooksteer, it may be the fan motor is starting to fail. Or the heater fan has becomed unbalanced
StevefromMaine
02:47PM I have a 2002 Camery with 68K miles on it (I commute from Maine to Chelmford). I have been noticing for a while that my car knocks and pings when I don't use superunleaded? Should I need Super and if not...how do I fix it?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:49PM StevefromMaine. You should need anythng more than 87 octane. Pinging happens from advanced ignition or engine heat. Have the EGR valve checked. If this valve isn't working the engine will ping and knock. You could also try combustion chamber cleaner. This will clean out the carbon build up in the engine. I happen to like Techron
Stupid Me.....
02:50PM Hey John, After not paying attention yesterday morning, I mistakenly poured about 3 cups worth of windsheild wash into my coolant intake, instead of where it belongs. Now, I figured that since it's only windsheild wash, it's not going to cause a major problem, but am I wrong? Should I have something done? Thanks so much..
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:51PM Stupid Me, probably not life threatening. But if your car uses dexcool or one of the other extended change coolant it would be a good idea to have it drain out.
cookster
02:51PM Is something like that expensive to fix?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:51PM cookster, depends where the fan is located. If it is buried in the dash it could get pricey
StevefromMaine
02:52PM Two other questions: It might just be me but my car seems to be idling a little high when parked or driving and I am wondering how that can be fixed. Also — is getting an undercarriage wash at the car wash adviseable?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:54PM StevefromMaine A fast idle could also be a carbon build up on the throttle plate cleaning is usualy all that is necessary and under car wash ---it can't hurt.
cathyp25
02:54PM This is similar to another comment. I have a 2000 Toyota Camry, rebuilt engine after having engine oil problem. I noticed that whenever I had the heat on, the car smelled like burning oil or chemicals. Mechanic checked it out and found nothing wrong with car, and he only replaced a leaking oil filter. I still occasionally smell something, but not as much as before. What do you think it could be?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:56PM cathyp25, could still be a leak. I would have the engine completely washed and then checked for a leak. It takes quite a while for oil to "burn" off.
Stupid Me.....
02:56PM How would I know what it uses? I bought it used a year ago (98 Mazda 626) and have never had to do anything with the coolant.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:57PM StupidMe, The coolant may have never been changed and at this point it would be a good idea.
cookster
02:57PM The noise is coming from underneath the glove box.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
02:58PM cookster, send me an email @jpaul@aaasne.com with the make and model and lets see if we can see how much
carguy
02:58PM I have heard that cars run better in the winter due to how cold the air is. Why is this?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
03:00PM carguy, this is true. This is why one upgrade that many people make to their cars and trucks are cold air intake kits.
cookster
03:00PM Will do. Thank you.
markstepdad
03:01PM I have a 99 Audi A6. On cold mornings, the transmission is sluggish until the heat comes up. Typical or should I have it checked?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
03:04PM markstepdad. this is more of a characteristic for this model. Any Audi that I have driven seems to be a little slow shfting when cold.
Stupid Me.....
03:04PM Thanks John......I know I know.....I'm an idiot..... One last question: Any idea what something like that will run me?
JohnPaul (Moderator)
03:04PM StupidMe, A gallon of coolant and an hours labor should do it
c1josh
03:05PM Cold air is denser and that means more oxygen to burn.
JohnPaul (Moderator)
03:05PM C1josj----thanks
JohnPaul (Moderator)
03:07PM The hour is up thanks for all the great questions. I'll be back next month. If anyone has more questions email me at jpaul@aaasne.com. You can always listen to the Car Doctor radio program on WJDA am1300 and WESX am1230 on Saturday form 9-11:00am
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