Dealer not to blame for driveway oil spot

Dear Car Talk: I purchased a brand-new 2019 RAM 1500 “Classic” with the 5.7 Hemi last year.

I recently took it to the dealer for its first oil change. The next morning, I noticed a very fresh oil spot on my driveway.

They wanted me to make an appointment, and I told them, “No, I’m bringing it in right now,” and I did.

After keeping it in the shop for about a half-hour, they brought it back and said that there wasn’t any leak and that it was residue from oil that spilled when they removed the old oil filter.

They apologized, but told me that it’s almost impossible to clean all the old oil off in this truck.

However, I think that leaving enough oil behind to result in a spill on my driveway is unacceptable, and I should tell them next I time I see oil in my driveway after I get it home, they won’t be changing my oil again.

Am I being unreasonable?

— Randy

They are correct. On lots of vehicles, the oil filter is installed at an angle. So when you remove it, some or most of the oil inside that filter inevitably spills out. On lots of vehicles, it’s just impossible to prevent.

And on your truck, a bit of that oil collected in the frame rail right below the filter. The mechanic probably wiped up what he could. But you never get every drop.

So you can take it somewhere else to the get your oil changed, Randy. But don’t be surprised if you see the same result.

My advice would be to accept their explanation and apology. And when you get home after your next oil change, park the truck in the street overnight.

Persistent leak pricey to fix

Dear Car Talk: I have a 2006 Honda Accord EX-L with a 3.0 L V-6 engine.

About three years ago, I started driving the car four to five days a week on a 120-mile highway commute to work.

At 80,000 miles, a local quick oil change shop told me I had a very bad oil leak coming from the transmission. They showed me the leak, and it was pretty bad.

I took it to the Honda dealer where I bought it, and they said the same thing, so I had them fix it.

Three months later, at the same quick-lube shop, they told me my transmission had a bad oil leak.

I took it to a reputable repair shop in my area and they found the same leak and quoted about $2,000 to fix.

Is there an additive I can put in the oil to stop or slow the leak? Or should I just trade it in?

— Mike

There’s no additive that will stop the gasket from leaking, except gasoline, Mike.

You can either keep adding transmission fluid at every fill-up, or you can fix it.

I know you don’t want to spend $2,000, but you should compare that with what another car will cost you.

Ask a mechanic you trust to check out the whole car for you. Have him tell you what else is worn out and looks likely to fail soon. If the car is in pretty good shape, other than the transmission gasket, then consider fixing it.