CAR DOCTOR Q&A
Q. Many years ago, my 2004 Hyundai XG350 was recalled due to sub frame rotting. The dealer drilled holes in the frame and applied an anticorrosive coating of some sort. Last week, I hit a giant pothole, right after that the car started pulling to the right was really unstable on the road when I hit small bumps. I thought it needed an alignment, but when it got on the lift, turns out the entire sub frame had rotted from the inside out. The dealer is replacing sub frame at his cost. I have a few questions, but I am worried about stability of the fix, whether or not the car will be right once it is repaired. The second question is that since the dealer is assuming some responsibility, do you think, they should pay for the entire repair? Even though this car is 17 years old it runs as good as it did when it was new. What would you do?
A. If the rust is confined to the sub frame only, once the sub frame is replaced then the car should be fine. From everything I have seen and read the sub frame was designed is such a way the water would enter and not drain, causing the corrosion problem. The new design frame has additional drain holes as well as superior anti-corrosion treatment. The repair itself is just “nots and bolts” and once all the parts are reinstalled the car should feel solid once more. Since this is a campaign and not a recall and considering the age of the vehicle, I think this is a reasonable solution.
Q. For most of my first 40 years of driving, I cannot remember ever having a problem with my car’s belts making noise like my current Honda Civic. Suddenly, in the last few years the belts squeal, no matter how much they are tightened. I have even had the belts changed but it still happens, more so with the A/C and defroster on. I even hear other cars on the road do this. What’s going on here, all of a sudden?
A. I have found that if the drive belts and the belt adjustment or tensioner are good, the belts should be silent. One area that is often overlooked is the alignment of the belts. A good technician will usually take a straight-edge and check for proper pulley alignment. In addition, some Honda Civics has had a problem with the water pump pulley coming loose.
Q. I’m in Canada now and read your column online. We have a 2004 Pontiac Vibe with 92,700 KM (about 68,000 miles) on it which we generally have had good luck. It’s going to need about $1200 in brakes and tires later this year, and the CD player is shot. Otherwise, it’s fine, in great shape with no accidents, and never had any problems. We are considering a Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra or maybe a small SUV. I’m sort of semi-retired and money is not as plentiful as it was when I was working full time. My dilemma is this: whether to get the new vehicle, or to drive the Vibe until it quits. A new and better vehicle seems pretty attractive, what’s your advice?
A. The Pontiac Vibe as you may know is the twin to the Toyota Matrix and the reliability with the Toyota components has been very good. Considering the age of the car and it is an orphan (Pontiac has not produced cars since 2010) it is unlike you will get much for the car. Although there is nothing like getting a new car, my feeling is that it is always cheaper to keep an old reliable car than buy a new one. If the car is mechanically sound, structurally solid, perhaps wait until electric cars become more affordable.
Q. When buying a new car where can I find out important information such as how much oil does the engine hold, if it has a timing belt, when the filter need changing and other important information? Over the years I have found both the dealer and the owner’s manuals to be wrong.
A. The owner’s manual (the least read book ever published) is usually a good place to start, but like you, I have seen wrong information (miss-prints). I use
AllData, as a technical database. What I like about this system as opposed to print material is it is internet based and if there is wrong information it can be corrected almost immediately. Today most manufacturers also have online owner’s manuals which is usually more accurate than the paper version. AllData (www.alldata.com) does have a consumer version which can be purchased for one make of car and is quite inexpensive.
Readers Suggestion- A few weeks back a reader was looking for a vehicle to replace his Crown Victoria to carry four golfers and their clubs. Our readers overwhelmingly suggested the Toyota Sienna minivan.