How will we charge all those electric vehicles in future?
Q: With all the manufacturers talking about going to electric vehicles, I wonder how my neighbors who have four SUVs in their driveway and garage full of stuff or the people in the city who park on the street nightly will charge their vehicles?
F.M., Darien, Illinois A: Charging in one’s driveway should not be a problem if the cable is long enough. Otherwise, the best option may be a public charging station. More businesses and shopping venues are installing them. Some apartment buildings and condos have chargers. Eventually, charging stations will become more ubiquitous. London, for example, has lamppost stations.
Q: My 2013 Nissan Altima SE only blows cold air when the car is moving. When the car is idling at a light or moving at low speeds in traffic, it blows warm air. Several mechanics couldn’t find anything wrong, and they tell me it’s most likely an electrical issue that could cost thousands of dollars to fix. Help!
R.W., Boynton Beach, Florida
A: The air conditioning condenser sits in front of the car’s radiator to cool the compressed refrigerant gas into a liquid. An electric fan draws in outside air. At highway speeds, the fan is often unnecessary. If the fan does not switch on at low vehicle speed, the A/C performance suffers. It may be a wiring problem, a bad fan or something that controls the fan.
Q: I have a 2004 Toyota Solara convertible. I have had it maintained by the Toyota dealership all these years, and they are more than happy to replace things that wear out. But why do they always demur when I ask about replacing the struts?
A.M., North Riverside, Illinois
A: There is nothing unusual about replacing the front struts, but there is for the rear struts. To gain access to the upper strut mounting bolts, the rear seat cushions and several panels must be removed. It’s a hassle and the extra labor will cost you extra money. Get a quote before you approve the job.
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.