If your car won’t start, check connections on the battery
Q: I bought a 2012 Ford Escape. About three years later, it would not start. Went to AutoZone and bought a new battery. About four weeks later, same thing. I went back and they gave me a new battery. Three weeks later, same thing. Took it to a local garage and no faults were stored in the computer. They took down the starter and cleaned it. No problem after that.
T.B., Allentown, Pennsylvania
A: They cleaned the connections. Dirty, corroded connections create resistance that won’t allow enough current to pass to run the starter. I have found that checking the ground connections often works wonders too.
Q: In a recent column, J.S. from Chicago was looking for a vehicle that has a CD player. According to Subaru. com, all Forester models have a CD player. The Outback Touring has a CD player standard, and the Outback Limited XT offers it as an option. K.J., Chicago
A: Thanks to you and several other readers, J.S. might go shopping for a new Subaru, Lexus, GM truck, Lincoln Corsair or other option that still comes with a CD player.
Q: I recently had a surprising problem with my 2018 Fusion Hybrid. I got a flat tire where the sidewall of the tire was torn. When I opened the trunk, I discovered I had only a portable compressor. My Ford dealer said there was no mini spare made for my model. The local tire store gave me the same answer. I could purchase a less expensive rim and tire for my car should I need a spare. If I do that, my limited trunk space would be filled halfway with a spare tire. Is there any solution other than a regular tire?
E.B., Chicago
A: One option is to sign up with a road service provider if your insurance doesn’t already have towing coverage. Buying a full-size tire and rim is not worth the trouble. Most tires are flattened by punctures, not sidewall damage. The likelihood of needing a spare is low.
Q: After reading your recent article regarding small battery devices only being able to jumpstart 4-cylinder engines, you need to know that is not true. I have a Halo Bolt device and I have used it several times to jump start my 6-cylinder Nissan Pathfinder.
J.C., Carol Stream, Illinois
A: A few other readers have reported using one of the newer power packs to start larger engines. I have had my unit for a few years, and it would not start a V-6 let alone a V-8. But in its defense, its other functions are excellent. I guess it’s time I shop for a replacement power bank.
Bob Weber is a writer and mechanic who became an ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician in 1976. He maintains this status by seeking certification every five years. Weber’s work appears in professional trade magazines and other consumer publications. His writing also appears in automotive trade publications, Consumer Guide and Consumers Digest.