If car won’t start, check battery connections
Q: I bought a 2012 Ford Escape. About three years later, it would not start. Went to AutoZone and bought a new battery. About four weeks later, same thing. I went back and they gave me a new battery. Three weeks later, same thing. Took it to a local garage and no faults were stored in the computer. They took down the starter and cleaned it. No problem after that.
T.B., Allentown, Pennsylvania already have towing coverage. Buying a fullsize tire and rim is not worth the trouble. Most tires are flattened by punctures, not sidewall damage. The likelihood of needing a spare is low.
Q: After reading your recent article regarding small battery devices only being able to jump-start 4-cylinder engines, you need to know that is not true. I have a Halo Bolt device and I have used it several times to jump start my 6-cylinder Nissan Pathfinder.
J.C., Carol Stream, Illinois
A: A few other readers have reported using one of the newer power packs to start larger engines. I have had my unit for a few years, and it would not start a V-6 let alone a V-8. But in its defense, its other functions are excellent. I guess it’s time I shop for a replacement power bank.
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. His writing also appears in automotive trade publications, Consumer Guide and Consumers Digest.