Answers to your car questions
QUESTION
Dear Dennis! I love reading your column each week. My problem is with the navigation system in my 2018 Ford Escape. I work at Tim Horton’s in Smithville. When I ask my car for directions to get there, it gives me directions to Grimsby, Beamsville or Vineland. It does not know that this store exists, even though it has been there for more than twenty years. I cannot ask for directions home because my address also doesn’t exist, even though my car is parked there more than half the time. My sister and her son also own Ford Escapes and have so much difficulty trying to get the proper directions. I am very frustrated and don’t know who to complain to about this issue. Thanks in advance for taking my email.
Lorrie from Dunnville , Ontario
ANSWER
I think that you might need a GPS update on your vehicle’s system. Go to the Ford website under Ford GPS update and they will tell you how to reset the system. Most manufacturer’s GPS systems need to be updated every two years and in some cases every year. Contact me again if you are having a problem getting the system updated.
QUESTION
Good day Mr. O’Sullivan! We recently moved to Burlington and have enjoyed your column in the Hamilton Spectator. I have found it to be both entertaining and informative. We purchased a new 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy. I am retired and since this may be our forever car, I have had the car serviced at my local Hyundai dealership every six months. The car currently has 12,600 kms. On the recent six month service, the Hyundai Service Advisor recommended:
a) Brake Service @$299.95 and b) Brake Flush @$192.76 and inferred that this is standard maintenance required for the reliability and longevity of the brakes. Although I have selected to have servicing performed by the dealership, I am now having reservations on their recommendations. The car has been gently driven by my wife and I find it questionable that the brakes require $500 of servicing on a car with 12,600 kms. I would appreciate any comments or advice that you are able to offer.
PS: Am I correct that in a previous column, you recommended spraying silicone on exposed weather stripping such as on a sun roof ? I mentioned this to the technician who advised me that this would cause the stripping to swell and crack over time. Is there a special compound that I should be using on the weather stripping to keep it supple and long lasting?
Thank you and appreciate your column.
Jim from Burlington
ANSWER
The dealership is recommending the service based on the time in service rather than the mileage on the odometer which in some cases is warranted. The brake fluid change however, may be premature but ask them to do a test on the fluid to see if there is any evidence of contamination. The low mileage usage can play havoc over time with the brake calipers’ moving parts especially when driving on gravel roads where dirt and debris can cause premature brake wear. I want you to make an appointment with the service manager only and discuss your car’s needs based on your driving habits and he or she will explain in detail what your vehicle’s service needs are and why.
PS: You may have misunderstood your technician when he told you that silicone will harm the door weather stripping. Silicone spray gets absorbed in the rubber weather stripping and keeps it soft and flexible.
QUESTION
My friend knew that I had to purchase new tires for my 2012 SUV. The cost was going to be around eight hundred dollars. He told me that he knows where I can get used tires that are like new for around four hundred dollars and I was ecstatic thinking that I could save money. He came back an hour later with four new tires on my SUV. To make a long story short, the tires turned out to be a disaster. I told him that I wanted to return the tires but he told me that they were bought as is and that they could not be returned - we have not spoken since. I found out where he purchased the tires and they told me that there would not be any warranty on the tires and they were bought as is. The tires feel like they are square but I do not have the money just yet to have them changed. Is there anything that you can do for me if I give you the name of the tire outlet?
Anna from Brantford
ANSWER
Mean, despicable, dishonest and just uncaring is the way that I would describe your so-called friend. I spoke to the garage
and the tires that they put on your vehicle were definitely used tires, bought as is and your friend only paid three hundred dollars - not four hundred dollars. The garage however has had a change of heart and are not as uncaring as your friend. This is what they are going to do for you. They want you to bring the
vehicle back and they will put on new tires of your choice and reimburse you for the three hundred dollars that your friend paid for the tires. The garage will also install and balance the new tires for you with a twenty percent discount. You can trust this garage to keep their word but I cannot do anything about the one hundred dollars that your friend overcharged you for the used tires.
PS: If you want to give me the name and phone number of your friend, I may be able to shame him into doing the right thing.
To my readers: Please indicate the town, city or village that you live in. Be advised that unfortunately not all emails can be answered. Send your questions (including address) by email to: dennis.osullivan665@gmail.com