Car Doctor Q&A

Q I Left my lights on for about three hours. My car did start but the battery light is on, do I need a new battery?

A Usually when the red indicator light that looks like a battery there is an issue with the alternator that keeps the battery charged. At this point the best thing to do would be have the battery fully charged and the charging system inspected for proper operation. Q I have a 2020 Toyota Camry with the push button start (convenience package). Several times the battery was dead in the morning. Toyota service came and jump started the car. The technician who came said he has seen this problem on other 2020 Camry’s. There are complaints about this issue on social media. Is there a “fix” for this? Is there something wrong with this model year Camry? I have had Camry’s since 1985. This is the first one I am disappointed in.

A I have not seen this problem with the exception for owner’s who keep the key fob in or close to the vehicle. The car uses a proximity key that is recognized by the car and activates some systems prior to entry/ starting. If you leave the key-fob in the car these systems don’t shut down and will discharge the battery. The other issue that sometimes happens with cars that shut off at idle, the driver when exiting the car will just put the car in park and walk away and the engine is still “on” not running but electrically on.

Q I have a 2014 Honda Ridgeline that has 78,000 miles with a unsteady idle. When you first start the truck up cold and then warm the idle keeps going up and then down to 800 rpm With or without the air conditioner on, in park or while sitting at a traffic light continuously. We had the truck checked at the dealer no codes popped up and of course it would not do it. We then brought the truck of to our local mechanic cleaned the throttle body, cleaned the MAF Sensor, it seemed to help for a week or so but the erratic idle is back. have you heard or know what it could be?

A Your local shop may be on the right track. There could be carbon buildup in the combustion chamber causing erratic idle. There are also two other possibilities it may be time for a valve adjustment, or the exhaust gas recirculation valve (EGR) is not fully closing. When the EGR valve sticks open it will cause a lean fuel condition which can cause a rough idle.

Q Electric Vehicle manufacturers always say how many miles their vehicles get on a single charge, but that probably doesn’t take into account the use of air-conditioning or heating. How much does mileage drop when using air-conditioning or heating? I would be concerned that with heavy use of the heater of air conditioner an electric car would not be practical.

A I recently drove a Chevy Bolt and when it was fully charged had a range of 235 miles and with the seat heaters, heated steering wheel and heater turned on the mileage dropped to about 205 miles. I had about the same experience with the all-new Mustang Mach-

e, the winter mileage dropped about 10 percent. In the summertime it has been my experience the mileage will be reduced about 10 percent as well.

Q My 2016 Range Rover has run out of gas several times since purchase. The gas gauge always shows it has quarter of a tank, yet it is bone dry. The car is under warranty however Land Rover states they don’t know what the problem is without bringing the car in for service and it may not be covered under the warranty. My son has the same car and has not experienced any problems. Any ideas?

A I quick search on the database I use all data shows a technical bulletin that describes the situation almost perfectly just a bit in reverse.

“The fuel gauge may not provide a stable, accurate indication of the amount of fuel in the fuel tank (gauge displaying less fuel than what is actually in the fuel tank [gauge reading ¾ when the fuel tank is full]).” Since ths describes an inaccurate

fuel gauge this is where I would start my diagnostics and repair. The actual repair is to replace the fuel tank sending unit.