Fewer do-it-yourself jobs as cars need less maintenance
Q: I am amazed at some of the lamebrain questions you get, and then you proceed to answer them. That says nothing about you but the ignorant state of the motoring public. Auto companies have designed it so we don’t want to open the hood, and when we do, we can’t figure anything out because it’s all hidden. I took my car in recently for an oil change at the dealer. The guy in the shop came back with the air and cabin filters and said they needed changing for $90. I said no. He was astounded! Then went to my local parts store and got both for $30. We need to take our autos and our country back.
— S.R., Chicago
A: It would appear that the days of the do-it-yourselfer are numbered. Consider the trends. Oil change intervals are growing longer. Exhaust systems last nearly forever. (Midas does not even mention that it was once a muffler shop.) Transmission fluids are expected to last the life of the car. For years, carmakers have mumbled about sealed hoods. That day may be closer than you think. We don’t need to take our country back to the days of monthly car maintenance.
Q: I have a 2006 Saturn Vue. No magnets stick to the sides of it. I can stick magnets to the rear hatch and under the hood but nothing to the doors or side panels. What is my car made of ? I read your column every week in the Boston Herald. Great information!
— J.P., Boston
A: Plastic. At least the body panels are plastic, not the entire car. It’s almost like owning a Corvette.
Q: You recently answered a question about tire size and the rougher ride of lower-profile tires. I am considering the purchase of a new Honda Accord, but to get the equipment I want, I need to go up to the Touring 2.0 T model. The problem is that the Touring model is equipped with 19-inch wheels and 235/40 R-19 tires. Would there be any negative effect on the car in downgrading to the 17inch wheel with 225/50 R-17 tires that are used on the lesser-equipped EX model? Both cars are available with the same engine option.
— P.P., Hoffman Estates, Ill.
A: There was once a time when you could specify the options you desired on your new car, and the company would build it to suit. They were known as RPOs, Regular Production Options. Nowadays, they sell option packages. If you can persuade the dealer to get the wheels and tires you want, go for it. Otherwise, you may want to swap with the owner of an EX model and you both win.
Q: I just have to say that your answer to B.K. in Northfield, Minn., was a little sexist. “Employ your wife to operate the switch as you investigate.” Really? B.K. stated, “My wife offered to help me.” How do you know that B.K. is mechanically inclined and the wife is not? Maybe she offered to help because he can’t fix a darn thing, but she can. B.K. asked if it was easy. Maybe because B.K. has trouble fixing even the easiest of things! My husband can’t replace wiper blades, but I’ve rebuilt motors. Not all wives are incapable of the simplest fixes. I’m just sayin’ ...
— T.H., Chicago
A: Point well taken.