Answers to your car questions

QUESTION

Hi Dennis, long time reader, first time writer. We are having some stalling problems with our 2009 Chrysler Town and Country. The van only has 117,000 kms. so mechanically, it’s still fairly new even though it’s over 11 years old. We have had it to several mechanics in Hamilton and a Chrysler dealership that have not been able to find anything wrong with the van. As always, it never stalls when the mechanics are test-driving the vehicle. In a nut shell, after the vehicle has warmed up and has been driven for some time, usually after a long drive on a secondary highway or 400 series highway when coming to a stop at an off ramp or four way stop, the vehicle chugs and will die out. It does start after putting in park and turning the key on again but it’s frustrating and makes the vehicle not very trusting on long drives. Any advice or a point in a different direction would be appreciated.

Thanks Ian from Hamilton

ANSWER

I suspect that the dealers and other mechanics have put the vehicle on the diagnostic tester and have come up with no fault codes which can be frustrating to one when their vehicle does act up and no one can seem to find out why. There are two or three sensors in your vehicle that could create a stalling problem when coming to a stop but if that were the case, your engine light should and would have come on to indicate that. I do not know whether or not you are the type of driver who lets your vehicle run very low on gas before you fill it up but if you are, then there is the chance that you have created a situation where condensation has formed in your gas tank. If possible, it is always better to keep more than half a tank of gas in your vehicle’s gas tank over the winter to help prevent condensation from forming. I want you to try something simple like putting in a small 150mL tin of gas line antifreeze in the tank on your next fill up and then go for a twenty to twenty-five minute drive to make sure that the gas line antifreeze has entered all of the gas lines and fuel injection systems. Make sure that you read the installation instructions on the can.

There are technicians who are going to tell you that the fuel that you purchase contains ethanol so you do not need to add any thing further because ethanol has the ability to take care of any water accumulation in the gas tank. Ethanol however, does not work as well as gas line antifreeze that contains isopropyl alcohol. This is just a very simple inexpensive solution that might fix the problem. Let me know.

QUESTION

Good day Mr O’Sullivan. I have a slight tire problem. I bought a car from a dealer and at the time, it needed tires for it to pass the safety. The dealer put on new Firestone tires and since then, I have put on only 6000 kms due to COVID. Just shy of a year from taking possession of the car, I am getting a steering wheel shimmy. I thought that it was a tie rod problem so I took the car into my mechanic who told me that the tire belts have shifted. I went back to the dealer and they told me that, because of the length of time, they do not know if the tire company will replace the tire under warranty. My question to you is this: Is there a time limit opposed to a kilometre limit on Firestone tires? Shouldn’t Firestone replace the blemished tire free of charge? Thanks in advance.

Karl from Stoney Creek

ANSWER

There isn’t any free replacement period on Firestone tires unless there is an extended coverage offered by the tire seller. Firestone coverage on their tires extends up to five years from the date of purchase and proof of the purchase date is required. Without proof of the purchase date, then it is six years from the date of the tire manufacturer. During this period, the tire will be replaced charging a pro-rated amount. Many tire outlets will extend tire warranty themselves that exceeds the actual tire manufacturers’ warranty so anytime, that you may need to buy new tires, it is best to ask for the their extra warranty in writing.

READERS COMMENT

Hi Dennis, I always enjoy your column for both the practical information and the intrigue. Re: the column dated January 22, 2021. I also turn my visors down to help keep the warm air in the windshield area. It doesn’t save much time-maybe a minute. Regards, Nancy Weller- McCracken from Cambridge

MY COMMENT

Great idea Nancy! Nancy’s idea is to put the sun visor down when you are trying to keep most of the heat on the windshield when trying to clear off ice and snow.

PS: I also learn from my readers.

To my readers: Please indicate the town, city or village that you live in. Be advised that not all emails can be answered. Send your questions (including address) by email to: dennis.osullivan@cogeco.ca