Poor connection could cause problems with vehicle’s camera
Q . I have a 2014 Mazda 3 hatchback. I love the car, but for the past few years the rear camera will work and then not work, although the alert warning works. A Mazda dealership wanted to replace the front-mounted monitor (dash display).
The charge would be over $2000. Can you suggest what might be wrong?
A . Today with nearly every component in a vehicle there is a computer that runs and monitors the system and there are fault codes when that system has a problem. It is possible there is a fault code for the monitor or sensor. Although my guess would have been the rear camera is faulty, poor connections are quite common in this model Mazda.
Q . I have a 2021 Sentra with a noise that I cannot quite pinpoint. It sounds like a very low baby rattle noise and only occurs when the outside temperature is cold. I took it to Nissan, and it was placed on the lift, but they could find nothing. When the temperature is moderate or it is raining you don’t hear it. It almost sounds like it is coming from the dashboard. Is it possible that in colder dry temperatures the dash contracts a bit and there is some wiggle room causing the noise? I do not have any other theories to offer. Do you?
A . Certainly, the plastic bits of the dash can expand and contract with temperature and can cause a rattle. The other possibility is the fan blower could have a little debris in it and when it’s cold it makes a noise. Manufacturers will also publish technical bulletins when certain issues come up, but I did not see any that would pertain to that type of noise. Although with the warmer weather here it will be harder to pinpoint the issue. If the car does make a noise, record it so the technician can at least hear the noise and perhaps come up with an answer.
Q . I have a 2004 Mercedes E320 with 98,000 miles. The car runs great and recently had the motor mounts replaced. Probably just a coincidence but the dashboard indicator says to change the brake fluid, is this necessary? I have a 2007 Honda Accord with 295,000 miles and never changed the brake fluid. Please advise.
A . Some manufacturers recommend brake fluid changes every 30,000 miles, some 50,000 miles and some based on time — five years — and others do not have any specific recommendation. In some cases, brake fluid will get changed with brake pad replacement as part of the brake service. Some fleet maintenance shops will siphon out and refill a quantity of brake fluid with each oil change. This method does not change all the fluid but does “freshen” up the fluid. At AAA our engineering department has seen benefits of changing brake fluid every three years.
Q
. Recently when reading your column, I was curious regarding how to test for moisture contamination in brake fluid? Is it true you will answer any question, not just the questions that get published?
A
. There are testers that measure the boiling point of brake fluid. The boiling point determines the moisture contamination. You can purchase a tester for less than $50. And yes, whenever possible every email gets a personal response, whether it is used in the column or not.
Q
. Is it possible to disable the auto start stop function on a 2018 Jeep Compass? And if so, how difficult is it to do so?
A
. The auto stop feature is there to help improve fuel economy. Back in 2014 AAA put three automatic stop-start vehicles through the Environmental Protection Agen
cy’s “urban” cycle, which simulates a commuting trip covering 11.04 miles at an average speed of 21.2 miles per hour. The simulation is part urban driving — including frequent stops — and part highway driving. We found that, on average, the system could
save up to $150 or more per year. That being said, some systems do a much better job of restarting and others are just plain irritable. There are companies that make kits to defeat these systems, but I have not tried them. Looking online, I did find https:// www.autostopeliminator.com/collections/jeep. Looking at the website, the installation looks simple enough.
Q. I have a question for you about a 2017 Silverado. I noticed on a recent trip that when it rains my battery gauge starts to drop from 14 volts down near 12, but when I turn my windshield wipers on the gauge goes back up to 14 volts. I never noticed this happening until I changed the battery a few months ago. Any ideas what this might be? Let me know if you need any more information.
A
. The system is most likely operating normally. The charging system will limit the alternator output when not needed. The new battery is fully charged and has a more robust reserve capacity than the old battery, which was near the end of its useful life. Certainly, it would not hurt to check the vehicle charging system, but it is most likely normal.
Q . What is your opinion on a waterless car wash? Does it really take the place of a “real” car wash?
A . If the car’s finish is fairly well-maintained, waterless car wash does a good job. I have been using Mequiar’s Wash and Wax for several years and have no complaints. If the car is very dirty and covered with grit, I would go back to conventional washing, using two buckets, one for soapy water and one to rinse off the sponge or wash mitt.