Answers to your car questions

QUESTION

You printed a letter (Nov. 09) from a reader that lost a wheel while driving. I had that same thing happen to me two years ago and the insurance company would not pay for anything. They said that it was “mechanical failure”. How is it that this gentleman was able to receive coverage through insurance? Regards, Kym from Rockton

ANSWER

Your car’s Insurance Company does not cover any mechanical failures but any related damage, resulting from a mechanical failure, is covered. Say for example that the axle broke on your car while driving. If the wheel came off, as a result of the broken axle and then caused damage to the rear quarter or any other part of the car, that would be covered but the replacement of the axle would not be covered. If this is not what happened to you, then email me again with more information on your claim and I will check into it for you.

QUESTION

I am writing this just to relate my recent experience with my Hyundai Sonata that was well maintained by my husband who died last year. I know nothing about cars. The mileage on the car is 82,000 kms. This Spring, my engine light came on and I immediately went to a garage for a diagnostic test and all that I needed was a new gas cap. The light came on again so I took it back and they retested for free. The result was the same but the light is now on all the time so I have been driving and just ignoring it. Since I am a 76-year-old woman, it makes me very nervous to drive with the light on. The dealer wants to redo the test before they comment. What do you suggest? Online it is a common problem. Eleanor from Hamilton

ANSWER

Since it is an on-going problem with your vehicle and they have been doing the testing, I hope they will do the next diagnostic test for free. Definitely, let them do another test and then let me know what they are recommending to you to fix the problem. You should understand that Hyundai do offer a good factory warranty and depending on the year of the vehicle, any related problems regarding your engine light might be covered under warranty, especially if it is related to the emission system.

COMMENTS FROM MY COLUMN DATED NOVEMBER 9, 2018

Several readers too issue with this statement on my column, dated November 9, 2018, on climate change: “I am not a scientist nor do I suggest that I know a lot about pollution but I do know, as some statistics claim, that cows do more harm to the environment than cars, trucks, planes or trains can ever do. The environmentalists and our government agencies, on the other hand however, seem to place the full blame for any weather disruptions (greenhouse gases) on the motorists, while at the same time doing nothing to pressure China or India to reduce their emission output till sometime in 2030. I love clean air and water and it is up to everyone to keep our air and water clean for the next generation to come. In saying that, it is my opinion, that clean air and water is a challenge for everyone and should not be left up to the government or the environmentalists to issue costs to us when we have the power and inclination do what we can ourselves.” I will continue to state that it is a known fact that animal manure promotes rapid growth of algae in our lakes and rivers, Our governments however, sometimes surreptitiously support massive meat and dairy farmers, while at the same time are fully aware of the fact that the health of the planet is at risk. Do we stop eating meat? – No but we should be looking at ways to stop feeding our livestock with unhealthy supplements that drastically affect our health, both from the air and through consumption. I am somewhat suspicious of the governments’ motives when it comes to looking out for the environment. Are they really concerned or is it another stream of revenue where they can reach into the pockets of the motorists for extra taxes? Let us look at Cap and Trade. This is where the governments instigated a program where companies can pollute over their quota if they buy credits from other companies that were given credits that they did not use. Basically, if you have the money, go over your quota and buy from someone that is auctioning off their inflated quota to the highest bidder and continue polluting at will. Let’s stop that and just have a CAP on Pollution and if any businesses go over that, shut them down, fine them or make them immediately comply. HOV lanes, what’s with that? The HOV lanes were designed to stop, where possible, one-car drivers and promote car-pooling but again the government sidestepped the intent and if you have the one hundred and fifty dollars, you can go ahead and pollute. Readers, please stop with the nasty emails because I am not a climate denier but I do not believe that we can leave our earth in the hands of our governments, where in my opinion, they do not do their best to prevent climate change but only see the revenue that can be made from the average motorist.

QUESTION

I have a Mazda CX-5 2015. On a scheduled maintenance appointment, I was told that a “transmission fluid change” was recommended. On the paid receipt, it said, “performed transmission flush.” I could not find either of these terms in my car manual under the INDEX or the maintenance schedule for the mileage on my car. Is “flush and “change” the same procedure? Why can’t I find this in my manual? I value your opinion. Don from Ancaster

ANSWER

It may have been that the service writer had just put the wrong wording on the receipt but look at your receipt to see if they put on a transmission oil filter. If they had, then you know that the transmission fluid was actually changed. The difference between a transmission flush and a transmission fluid change is that the flush is done by disconnecting the transmission fluid lines at the radiator, whereas with a transmission fluid change, the transmission oil pan is removed and the filter is replaced along with the oil. I do not know of many garages today that will perform a transmission fluid flush but if you are still wondering, after reading this column, email me with the name of the garage and I will find out for you exactly what was done to your car and why.