CAR DOCTOR Q&A
By John Paul, Senior Manager, Public Affairs and Traffic Safety, AAA Northeast
Q. Someone told me that Honda is having issues with the battery on the 2020 Civic. My car has less than 25,000 miles on it and as of now I haven’t had a problem. Should I replace the battery now before winter really sets in or does a three-year-old battery have plenty of life left in it.
A. The typical life of a battery is three to five years and the Honda battery although adequate from what I can see has only a 315-350 cold cranking amperage rating. Most replacement batteries are rated at 400500 CCA. If this were my car, I would certainly have the battery tested and if it doesn’t test “good” I would replace it with a battery of at least 400 CCA.
Q. have a question about the dashboard indicator for the hybrid battery in my 2013 Toyota Prius. Owned by me since new it now has 103,00 miles on it. The MPG fuel consumption is about the same since new. The car has run fine over the years. I notice lately however when traveling slower speeds around 2530 MPH behind slow traffic like a school bus the indicator drops down considerably and seems to take a longer time to reach higher levels. There are no “check engine light” or any other signs of the hybrid battery going south. I like the car as it does not have lithium batteries like the newer ones, the Toyota salesman who is a friend has told me not to worry as have a couple of mechanics I have questioned about this. What is your take on my concerns?
A. I think your hybrid traction battery is starting to age-out and is showing its 10-year-old age. I also agree with you friends, at this point don’t worry about it. Yes, at some point the traction battery won’t accept a charge and will need to be replaced. Speaking with other hybrid owners with similar vehicles, you should have several more years of fuel-efficient driving left.
Q. I have had my Chevrolet 2001 Impala for 20 years, I purchased it off lease when it was two years old and had 25,000 miles on it. Today the car only has 45,000 miles on it. It stays in the garage when not driven, and I love this car. here is the problem I get a message that says traction control off and the ABS light comes on. I have replaced the ABS wheel sensor hub once on the passenger side and twice on the driver’s side. I was reading somewhere that the connector for the hub goes bad sometimes and doesn’t make a good connection. Triggering the dashboard lights. Have you heard of this before?
A. The problem you are experiencing is fairly typical and maybe could have been avoided it Chevrolet used just a little longer wiring to the wheel sensors. As you take a hard left or right turn the wires stretch and eventually break and the wheel sensor is unable to communicate with the computer. When that happens the traction control and antilock brake system revert to conventional operation. When the wheel is turned straight, the connection is reestablished, and the light goes out.
Q. Recently there has been a plethora of advertisements for portable tire inflators. These are standalone devices and don’t need to be plugged in the cigarette lighter. Airmoto is the brand that is most often named in advertisements, but other brands have been advertised as well. First, what do you think of these devices and is there any one or more in particular that you might suggest I consider buying.
A. I am not familiar with the Airmoto inflater, but it certainly seems to get very positive reviews. I do like its small size and simple operation which would be handy accessory on a bike or motorcycle. The inflater that I use most is made by WORX, it uses their replaceable power share battery. I like the idea of a interchangeable battery, since I also have a WORX string trimmer and leaf blower. In our family cars I keep a 12-volt jump pack and 12-volt compressor. The compressor is not convenient since you need to plug it into the car, but certainly easier than changing a flat tire. Since I looked up Airmoto, I get at least daily emails from them. Every email seems to have a slightly lower price or includes other items. So, if Airmoto is your choice, wait for the best price.
Q. I noticed the intake manifold on my 1999 Nissan Maxima has oil residue on and around the bolts. The car only has 56,000 miles on it. I was thinking the PCV valve may need replacement. What do you think?
A. If the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve is sticking the engine will build up pressure and it could cause some seepage around some gasket areas. Although the car has very low miles at almost 25 years old, I would certainly replace it. The PCV valve is a bit awkward to replace requiring a bit of disassembly to get to it. When replacing the valve replace the vacuum hoses and give the grommet that the valve sits in a good look. Clean off the oily residue and see what happens.
Readers respond to window cleaning. Several people wrote in with tips for cleaning windows. Some people mix vinegar and dish detergent together, others clean the windows and then use a Clay Bar to remove any sticky grime, Bon Ami cleaner came up several times. One reader suggested using the newspaper for a streak free clean. Thanks for the tips, clean windows make for safer stress-free driving.
Got a car question, email the Car Doctor for a personal reply. jpaul@aaanortheast.com