September 20, 2007
Q. I’m considering installing a Tadger fuel saver on a 2003 Volkswagen Passat with a V-6 engine. I wonder if you have an opinion on the Tadger product and its claims?
A. I have not tested the Tadger fuel saver, but in general every device I have tested had no effect on fuel economy. In some cases, some of these devices actually had a negative effect on fuel economy. In my opinion, if any of these devices worked the vehicle manufacturers would be using them.
Q. My 2002 Dodge Caravan has a problem with the brakes. It has new front brakes and the rear brakes look like new. The problem is the brake pedal goes to the floor and you have no brakes. If you back up and put on the brakes they work; then they will work normally for a short time. But if you used them more than twice, they go to the floor and I have no brakes at all. Help!
A. First, stop driving your vehicle and have it towed to a garage where they can fully evaluate the problem. A good repair shop will remove all four wheels and check the operation of the brake calipers, wheel cylinders and all hydraulic hoses. If all these components look OK, the brake master cylinder may be at fault.
Q. When I'm on the road and the temperature outside is hot and humid (85-plus), the temperature gauge in my 1998 Mercury Sable soars up in a matter of minutes. When this happens, the cool air disappears and the air inside the car turns hot. After a while, the air-conditioning kicks back on and the cycle repeats itself. It is almost like a “safety feature" to prevent overheating. What is amazing is the car does not overheat or lose coolant. Once I turn off the AC, the gauge drops quickly. I've had this problem checked several times by reputable mechanics, but they can't find the problem. What do you think?
A. The gauge going up is a sign of overheating. The first thing I would look is for a possible cylinder head gasket leak. As the car gets hot, it is possible an air bubble blocks the cooling system, causing the engine to overheat and the temperature gauge to rise. The leak may be so small at this point that the coolant loss is not noticeable. When testing for a cylinder head gasket leak, I still find the best tool is an exhaust gas analyzer. If the analyzer reads more than 10 parts per million on the hydrocarbon gauge when held over the open radiator, suspect a problem with a cylinder head gasket.
Q. When it pours outside, the rain leaks into my Ford Taurus and I end up with a huge puddle on my front passenger side floor and sometimes the back passenger side floor if it is raining really hard. I've had this checked out but no one can find a problem. What should I do?
A. Water leaks can be very tricky to find. One fairly common area to look at is the cover for the cabin air filter. If the cover was damaged or installed incorrectly, the passenger side of the car will fill with water.
Q. I’m considering purchasing a Jeep Patriot Limited with all-wheel drive. It is a nice size and the price seems reasonable. What do you think?
A. Jeep makes some great products, but I think there are some better choices of small SUVs. The Honda CRV and the RAV4 are both very good. One new vehicle worth looking at is the Saturn Vue, which has been completely redesigned for 2008 and is very impressive. The interior, fit, finish and drive train performance were very good.
