CAR DOCTOR Q&A
Q. In 2017 I purchased a VW Golf SportWagen and never liked the way it shifted. After two trips to the service department of two different dealers you suggested that Volkswagen look into an update for the computer. You also warned me about have my insurance company device plugged into the car. The dealer eventually reprogrammed the computer, and I took out the monitor. My question to you is have the manual automatic ( DSG) transmissions improved in both reliability and overall performance and feel?
A. Certainly, some manufacturers certainly have had their share of problems. The Ford Focus is certainly one. Others dual clutch transmissions seem to work just fine. I recently drove the 2021 Kia Seltos and it had a dual clutch automatic transmission and it worked great in full-auto mode or when shifted manually. My suggestion is when considering one of these vehicles with a DSG or CVT (continually variable transmission) read some of the forums and see what current owners think.
Q. I own a 2008 Infiniti QX 56 that needs to have one of the tire pressure sensors replaced and the dealer quoted this repair at $200. Does that seem reasonable to you or is it a bit high? The dealer also suggested that this is just the beginning that over time I will be replacing all of these sensors. Spending $800 for tire pressure sensors sounds expensive when I can check the pressure with a five dollar gauge.
A. The price using original equipment parts and considering the higher labor charges at a dealer, The sensor when purchased at the dealer is $108.00 plus about 30 minutes labor to install it according to the database I use AllData. You could use an aftermarket sensor and save a bit of money, but you want to make sure the repair shop is using a reliable replacement part. I have seen sensors for as low as $25 each. Although if this were my car I may want to wait until the vehicle needs tires and have the new sensors installed with the new tires saving some labor costs. Until then use your tire gauge once a month.
Q. I have a 1999 Ford F-150 with a 5.4 liter V-8 engine that is mostly used for runs to the dump and winter driving. The truck is sort of rusty, but it runs well, doesn’t much burn oil and the four-wheel- drive works like it should. The problem is it is leaking oil for I think the oil pan. I took it to the car wash and wash off the underside of the truck and it appears that the oil pan is rusting out. It seems quite expensive to fix, it there any way around this repair.
A. I have seen someDIY’er wire brush the loose rust and coat the oil pan with epoxy putty or fiberglass. My opinion is at best this would be temporary and the best thing to do would be replace the oil pan. It is not a simple job because the front half of the drivetrain is in the way. If the rest of the truck is solid especially the frame it repair would be money well spent.
Q. I recently had the front brakes repaired at my auto repair shop on my 2014 Honda Accord. I thought I just needed pads (there was 40,000 miles and the brakes were not grinding. When the shop took the car apart, I was told that I needed pads and rotors. They told me that with the new type of brake pads, rotors should be replaced, because they wear better together. Do you agree with what my shop told me about replacing the pads and rotors about every brake job?
A. I believe in replacing parts when they are worn out. Years ago when brake rotors when heavier and more robust, it was not unusual to get several brake pad replacements without replacing brake rotors. Typically rotors were resurface to keep them smooth a true and eliminate and brake vibration. Today that doesn’t seem to be the case. By the time the brake pads are worn out, the brake rotos are either warped, rusted or scored and not safe to use. On my own cars (and I have been accused of being a legendary cheapskate) I also replace the pads and rotors together for smoother trouble free braking.