Not a fan of loud engine fan
Q:My2008 BMW328 with the six-cylinder engine and 8 2 ,0 0 0 miles runs beautifully. But once the temperature gauge reaches 1 8 0 degrees Fahrenheit, the electric cooling fan comes on full and stays on, even given the cooler weather. Pulling into the garage, the whooshing howl of the fan is very loud. It takes
3 0 seconds for the fan to wind down from its stratospheric RPM. Is this normal operation?
— E.W., Williamsburg, Virginia
A: Yes, Virginian, it is normal. The engine is happiest when running at the designed running temperature. In your BMW’s case, that is about 200 degrees — even in cold weather.
Q: We have a 2 0 1 3 Ford C-Max and a 2 0 2 0 Ford Fusion. We usually burn 8 7 -octane gas containing 1 0 % ethanol. Lately I’m seeing 8 8 -octane unleaded with 1 5 % ethanol. I know we shouldn’t use E-8 5 but I’m wondering if we could use the 8 8 -octane with more ethanol. — T.C., Richfield, Wisconsin A:
As of the 2013 model year, Ford vehicles can use E15 gasoline, while prior model years are limited to E10. To see fuel requirements specific to your vehicle, check your owner’s manual. By the way, E15 has 85% gasoline, the opposite of E85, which has 15% gasoline. But increased alcohol provides decreased miles per gallon. For example, E85 that contains 85% ethanol has about 25% less energy per gallon than gasoline.
Q: I have a 2 0 1 2 Hyundai Elantrawith87,000 miles
and the idle is sometimes a little bit shaky. I brought it to the Hyundai dealer twice who replaced my engine under a class action suit for a piston slap noise. They found nothing wrong. I was told to use fuel system cleaner or super unleaded, but it hasn’t helped. — M.F., Braintree, Massachusetts A:
After a decade of driving, the idle air control valve may be getting dirty. When that happens, idle is often uneven, especially on a cold engine. A thorough throttle body cleaning may be all you need.
Q: I put a new set of Michelin Primacy Tour A/S 235/55 tires on my 2017 GMC Acadia. It seems like after 7,000 miles they are really riding hard. This tire is supposed to be quiet and smooth riding, but they are not. Can these tires get hard? — B.M., Portsmouth, Virginia A:
No, new tires don’t get hard. New tires typically feel different than the old, worn tires. Just be sure they are inflated to the pressures found on the car’s door. Some tire techs mistakenly inflate the tires to the maximum pressure figure molded into the tire’s sidewall.
Q: For the last year I’ve had an intermittent problem with my dome and other
lights not coming on my
2 0 1 1 Toyota Avalon. The 7.5 amp fuse blows each time. For a while I was able to just replace the fuse, and everything would work for many months. Recently, the fuse is blowing in a day or less. I’ve had a Toyota dealer look at this and they did not charge me initially. They replaced the front ceiling console that has the door rocker switch and map lights. This was costly and unfortunately, the problem was not solved. Since they guarantee their work for a year, they and Toyota will now work together to solve the problem. There are no TSBs on this problem.
— S.P., Bartlett, Illinois
A: I am not sure whether there is a short circuit somewhere or if there is power surge when the lights come on. Try installing a 7.5 amp slow-blow fuse. If it does not blow, one or more lamps may be demanding too much current.
Bob Weber is a writer and mechanic who became an ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician in 1976. He maintains this status by seeking certification every five years. Weber’s work appears in professional trade magazines and other consumer publications. Send questions along with name and town to motormouth. tribune@gmail.com.