Can semis slow down highway’s left lane?
Are semi-trucks prohibited from the left lane on Hwy. 401in the GTA?
MTO media liaison Bob Nichols replies:
In Ontario, trucks exceeding 6.2 metres in length are restricted from using the far-left lane in most threelane sections of controlled access, 400-series highways. Posted signs identify this restriction, which carries a $110 fine. Also, “Slower Traffic Keep Right” signs are posted on two-lane sections of 400-series highways.
Why is there no uniformity in motor-oil bottle sizes? There are one-litre and one-quart (946 mL) bottles, and jugs come in one U.S. gallon (3.785L), 4L, 4.4L, 4.73L and 5L sizes.
Eric Bristow of the Canadian Fuels Association replies:
Motor oil bottled in another country, such as the U.S., may be sized in quarts or gallons. However, the metric volume must be listed when imported for sale in Canada. Eric Lai adds: Unfortunately, determining which bottle is a better buy will often involve some math. And, if a car needs four litres of oil, but your brand is sold in imperial sizes, you may need an extra quart bottle to top it up to full capacity.
Game changer: DeWalt offers the first cordless video inspection camera to have a detachable wireless display, so you can view live video, even from another room.
The 17-mm waterproof camera head has two LEDs to light the way and is mounted on a bendable, one-metre cable. Optional accessories include a one-metre extension cable and a smaller, nine-mm camera head for even tighter crevices, though resolution isn’t as sharp.
Mechanics can now see what’s going on in parts of the engine or vehicle that otherwise offer no access.
A handy magnetic retriever is included to recover a fallen fastener from a tight spot, and there’s also a wire hook tip to aid in fishing wires. Add an optional micro SD card to record photos or video to show your customer.
In testing, I used the camera to safely identify that a raccoon had invaded my garage eaves, rather than look in directly and risk a rabid attack. Drilling tiny access holes also allowed me to check inside walls.
Other automotive uses for this $299 camera system include checking underneath the dash or seats, within doors or body panels, or viewing the underbody without hoisting the vehicle. Email your nonmechanical questions to Eric Lai at wheels@thestar.ca. Due to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided. Freelance writer Eric Lai’s Auto Know column appears each Saturday in Toronto Star Wheels. For more Toronto Star Wheels stories, go to thestar.com/autos. To reach Wheels editor Norris McDonald: