Hartford Courant

Nightly charging OK for EVS

- Bob Weber Motormouth

Dear Motormouth: We recently purchased a 2023 EV Hybrid Toyota Rav 4 Prime, and we absolutely love it but have different opinions on how best to charge it. My husband believes that we should plug in our hybrid every single time we drive, even if we have used only a few miles of the electric capabiliti­es. I prefer to use up most of the electrical capacity, as we can usually do a week’s worth of errands before the battery consumptio­n goes to zero and the hybrid system kicks in. With a full charge, we usually start out with 45 to 47 miles of pure electric. Which is better for the life of the battery?

— P.F., Colorado Springs, Colorado

Dear P.F.: There isn’t much reason to discharge the battery to nearly dead. Charging the car every night lets you awaken to a vehicle that is ready to go. You may also save money since many power companies charge less per kilowatt hour during off-peak periods. My choice? Get in the habit of nightly charging.

Dear Motormouth: I purchased a 2005 Lexus RX330 new, from a dealer. I have 116,000 miles on the car, and recently purchased my second set of replacemen­t tires. The car came with a full-size spare tire, which is stored underneath the vehicle below the rear compartmen­t. I have never used the spare tire, but each year I clean it and fill it with the prescribed amount of air pressure. Since the tire is 19 years old, is it still safe to continue to rely on it as a usable spare?

— A.K., Mundelein, Illinois

Dear A.K.: Yes, it is safe to use the spare tire — sparingly. I would avoid highways. Your full-size spare should get you safely to a service shop. I have seen cars that have been left in a barn long term, then drive away once the tires are pumped up. Maryland state welcome signs used to say “drive gently.” It is still good advice.

Dear Motormouth: Last year I misplaced a key fob to my 2021 Acura RDX. Since I could still start the car without the other key fob near it, I figured the one that was missing was somewhere in the car. I looked multiple times, my husband looked, my son looked. Nothing. Thought maybe it would just “work” its way out. Nope. Took it to a mechanic, he pulled the seats, the console, took up the carpet, searched the engine and trunk. Nothing. I can still lock the car with the other key fob, so I don’t feel the car is at risk, but I still wonder how does the car start if there is no key fob in it? If it is in there, how do I find it?

— J.M., Naperville, Illinois

Dear J.M.: Finding a fugitive fob would be easy if you had attached an Airtag or Tile, but alas there is no other app that can help. As funny as it may seem, I have found lots of stuff that had fallen behind the dash. There is gap between the windshield and dashboard. You may need a good flashlight and small hands for your prospectin­g. Who knows, you might even find that elusive earring.

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.

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 ?? JUSTIN SULLIVAN/GETTY 2023 ?? Nissans and Volkswagen­s at a charging station in California.
JUSTIN SULLIVAN/GETTY 2023 Nissans and Volkswagen­s at a charging station in California.

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