Flat tires from roofing nails are no surprise
Q: I have had two flat tires this summer. Both fromnails. Onewas a roofing nail and the other was a 2 ¾-inch spike. In both cases only the head of the nailwas showing on the tread. Howdoes a nail lying horizontal on the pavement reposition itself, so the point drives itself into the tire and leaves only the head showing with (inmy case) over 2 inches of the spike going straight into the wheel? I guess I’m lucky theyweren’t in the sidewall.
T.K., Lombard, Illinois A: Like many little kids, roofing nails like to stand on their heads. Getting one in your tire is no surprise, especially if you have replaced your shingles recently. (We have and, despite their best efforts, the roofers left us several souvenirs.) As for an eightpenny (8d) nail, that is a mystery. But there is no mystery as to the depth of the puncture. Driving around on a nail drives it home.
Q: Regarding your article about having to download an owner’s manual for a Chrysler. Howabout away to view this manual on theTV screen in the center of my dashboard? Nowthat would be a helpful improvement!
R.F., Lakeland, Florida A: What a great idea. I can envision one argument against this, though. Reading a PDF file froma thumb drive while drivingwould be tantamount to texting (a big no-no) so a safety algorithmwould be necessary. If you can only view the file while parked and in the accessory mode, why not simply use a laptop?
Q: Whenmy carwas still underwarranty, an Audi service adviser shamedmefor havingmy oil changed by an independent Bosch-certified mechanic using the gravity method. He advised I would voidmywarranty unless the dealer changed the oil using vacuum extraction as recommended byAudi. Nowthatmy warranty coverage has passed, what’s the real advice on this matter as I prepare formy next oil and filter change?
M.P., Fort Lauderdale, Florida
A: You can’t gowrong pulling the drain plug. Some shops push the extraction method because it is quicker. But there is a risk of oil dripping fromthe hose during removal and a potential for an engine compartment fire. Remote?
Maybe. But I am old-fashioned.
Q: I owna 2016 Ford Edge with the 2.4-liter engine. Lastweek Iwent tomy dealer for an oil change and safety inspection sticker. One adviser said I needed pads and rotors. The person that broughtmethe bill said I had at least 5,000 miles left on them and that I was almost in the red and when you get in the red, theywear downfast. I don’t even knowwhat “in the red” means. Should I havemy brakes checked somewhere else? J.H., Boston
A: I presume that the service writerwas using sports jargon to tell you that the brakeswere nearing the end of their service life. Since youwere getting a safety inspection (to get the sticker), the brakes passed the inspection; they are fine. If you areworried, have the pads inspected by any technician after 5,000 more miles. The pads will notwear more quickly.
Q: Howsafe is it for any passenger of any age to breathe the air-conditioned air (which streaks windows when wiped) for a long time?
K.C., Chicago
A: Running the air conditioning actually removes a lot of bad stuff. It also removes fog fromthe interior glass. But the A/C should not cause windowstreaking. This could be due to a small leak in the heater core allowing coolant (antifreeze) vapors to be deposited on the glass. Otherwise, glass clouding is usually due to plastics and vinyl outgassing. Outgassing and conditioned air are not considered harmful.