Q. I drive a 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX with a manual transmission that I bought in 2003 with 36,000 miles. About six months after I bought the car, an engine light came on that no one seems to know how to clear. I’ve had the car about three and half years and do less than 3,000 miles a year as I commute to work on public transportation. The engine light has something to do with the emissions system. I’ve spent over $2,500 in repairs and the light remains on to this day. I will have to get the car inspected again in a few months and really don’t want to have to drive around for another year with a rejection sticker. Can you suggest anything I may have missed? This is getting really annoying and I don’t want to get into another car at this point. I really love my Cabrio, and this one has everything I ever wanted in a car. But I can’t keep spending money that doesn’t remedy the problem.
A. First, I hope you are not driving around with a rejection sticker, but rather a “waiver” sticker. In Massachusetts, you can apply for an emissions waiver if repairs were performed at a state-certified emissions repair station. Still, the car does need to pass the safety test. The most common problem with the emission system on your car is the evaporative system. This is a closed system that traps and eliminates fuel vapor. In my opinion, one of the best tools for finding these very small leaks is a smoke machine. This tool fills the evaporative system with a synthetic smoke and the technician looks for the smoke to escape.
Q. My son and his wife have a 2006 Honda Pilot with a mouse problem. I know mice tend to occupy the engine compartment in colder temps to keep warm. However, they have seen droppings in the cabin. They have brought it once to the dealership, where they disassembled the blower unit on passenger side to remove the nest. They were told that the first time there was no charge. They have the problem again and have an appointment at dealer. Is there some design flaw that allows the mice to enter the cabin? They have a 9-month-old child and this is a real concern for all of us.
A. Each month, it seems, I get e-mails about this very same issue. The problem is not a defect in the vehicle. Mice can get through an opening of just a quarter of an inch. To stop the problem, you need to eliminate whatever is attracting the mice. If you have pets or feed birds, store their food in sealed containers. Other readers have told me they have had good luck with “predator” urine. This is a natural repellant that can be sprinkled around that may offer some relief. If other readers have suggestions that work, e-mail me: jpaul@aaasne.com.
Q. I purchased a new Toyota Highlander a few weeks back. Some of my friends told me the first oil change should be done before 2,000 miles. I have a warranty with the Toyota dealer that tells me the oil change should be done by 5,000 miles. I even talked to Toyota customer service and they also told me to change by 5,000 miles and not 2,000 miles. Toyota also said I should use only Toyota brand oil. Who should I believe? Also, should I always put fuel injection cleaner into my new Highlander like I did in my old car?
A. Years ago, we always said you should change the oil in a new car to get any contaminants out that could be there from the assembly process. Today, that is not the story. I agree with Toyota: Change the oil at 5,000 miles, but check it every 1,000 miles or so. As far as fuel injector cleaner, it is not necessary. As for the oil brand, it’s not as important as the type of oil. You need to use oil that is the correct specification for your truck. The correct oil is API grade SL, either a 5w-20 or a 0w-20 viscosity.
Q. I have an old Honda Accord with about 150,000 miles on it. This is a car I drive in the winter when I put my Miata away. The car is running well, in part because I put one bottle of Lucas fuel injector cleaner in the gas each fillup. What other additives can I use to have my car last forever?
A. The average car today can easily be driven 150,000 miles or more just by doing preventive maintenance. Change the oil and check all the vital fluids on a regular basis. Personally, I am not a big believer in additives, although many people tell me they use them with success. Readers tell me (and I agree) the key to long vehicle life is always to drive and maintain your car like the day it was purchased. Once you stop caring about your car, it is not long before breakdowns happen.
