Battery packs a great investment
Q: Are jumper packs a good investment? The idea of jumping your car battery without having to find someone to help is very appealing, especially if you are on your own. Prices vary widely. Any thoughts or recommendations? — N.D. Hometown, Illinois
A: About the size of a small loaf of bread, those battery packs can be lifesavers. Also known as battery banks or power banks, they can not only jump-start a car, but recharge your smartphone and other devices. Look for one with a capacity of about 10,000 mAh and peak output about 1,000 amps.
Like anything, you get what you pay for, but you can find many good units for under $100.
Q: I have a question that seems like it should be a no-brainer, but there is controversy in our household about this! A new car comes with tires. There are recommended air pressure measurements inscribed on the inside of the driver door. When a set of tires are bought to replace the originals, does one fill the tires to the pressures listed on the new tires or the door? I hope your answer puts this discussion to rest! — A.T., Plainville, Connecticut A: There is a good reason for the sticker on the door: It is the proper pressure no matter what may be molded into the tires’ sidewalls.
The pressure on the tires is its maximum safe inflation pressure, not the pressure to which you should inflate them. May you rest and have peace. Q: My 2011 Toyota RAV4 with 95,000 miles has the “check engine” sensor and flashing “auto LSD” sensor on simultaneously. The situation began shortly after I encountered heavy rain on an interstate highway. Auto Zone performed a courtesy computer test and the report indicated two possible causes both involving the EVAP system: either replace the vapor canister or the leak detection pump is stuck “off.” Someone suggested water may have entered that system and use “dry gas” product, but that has not resolved the problem. Can you offer any advice? — J.K., Virginia Beach, Virginia A: It is uncommon for water to enter the vapor canister, but I am not saying it’s impossible. The most common cause is overfilling the gas tank, which forces liquid gasoline into the canister that is designed to hold fuel vapors. Nevertheless you may have to replace the canister, the pump or both.
Q: Back in 1987, I had an Oldsmobile Cutlass that had a standard safety feature that when the directionals were left on, the ignition chimes would sound off. Haven’t seen another vehicle with this safety feature since. Shouldn’t this be a standard safety feature in every vehicle?
— K.S., Lowell, Massachusetts
A: This would be a fabulous feature. I can’t tell you how many times I have followed someone at a distance expecting them to turn. More often than not, they make a lane change in the other direction.
Timed, self-canceling turn signals is the way to go. My Harley has had this feature for many years.
Q: I took my 2020 Subaru Forester with a 4-cylinder 2.5-liter engine to a local shop for routine full synthetic oil change. I change the oil every 6 months, regardless of mileage. When I remarked to the service adviser that I planned to make a 1,200-mile trip to Southern California, he recommended I bring it back right after my trek because “the engine isn’t used to being driven that far.” What do you say? — R.W., Monument, Colorado
A: That’s baloney.
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.