http://cartalk.com/content/columns/ The twice-weekly nationally-syndicated automotive Q&A column from America's funniest car mechanics, Tom and Ray Magliozzi. 2009, Dewey, Cheetham and Howe 2009, Dewey, Cheetham and Howe http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/July/01.html Dear Tom and Ray: My son, who transports cars for a living, says that we should not put a car battery on the garage floor for more than a few moments while we're moving it from one place to another. In other words, we should never store it on the garage floor. Why? He claims that it will discharge. He says it happens to them all the time. Now, I'm an electrical engineer. Nothing in my knowledge, training or experience tells me anything about cement garage floors being in any way, shape or form conductive, or in any way a cause of battery discharge. Which one of us is nuts? -- Tom Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/July/01.html 2009-07-02T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/June/09.html Dear Tom and Ray: My name is Victor, and as an upcoming college freshman, in a fit of my newfound freedom, I want to add a comical touch to my car (when and if I ever get one). I was thinking about gluing a coffee mug onto the roof of my car right above the driver's seat, as if I forgot my morning coffee. I think it would be funny to see me driving down the highway, 70 mph, with my forgotten drink clinging to the roof of my car for dear life. I have two questions: (1) What glue do you guys suggest so as not to have the paint eaten off the roof of my car? Or some other form of attachment to keep the mug on the car? (2) Do you guys think this is funny? Because I want my most honorable Car Talk Guys' stamp of approval of humor before I go ahead with my prank on the world. Thank you very much. -- Victor Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/June/09.html 2009-06-30T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/June/08.html Dear Tom and Ray: I have a 1984 Nissan pickup with only 64,000 miles. It runs great, but the engine is so dirty that I am embarrassed to have it worked on. How should an engine be cleaned? Is steam cleaning appropriate? Thanks. -- Roy Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/June/08.html 2009-06-25T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/June/07.html Dear Tom and Ray: In January, I visited the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. I parked on a slightly sloping street in Golden Gate Park, locked the car and went off to the museum. When I returned to my car, I noticed a chunk of a tree under my front tire and a note on my windshield that said my car had started rolling down the hill. Apparently, I didn't turn my wheels to the curb, didn't put my standard transmission in first gear and didn't set my parking brake. What are the chances of some people noticing my car moving, stopping it, having the piece of wood close enough to put under the tire and (this is the amazing part) be willing to do all of that? -- Barbara Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/June/07.html 2009-06-23T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/June/06.html Dear Tom and Ray: I have a 1991 Ford F-150. You could use up this entire section of the newspaper on this hunk of junk. But perhaps you can just help me get it started. It won't turn over, despite numerous attempts. I've taken the battery to AutoZone, and they say it's good and it's fully charged. I even put it on the charger overnight to be sure. When I turn the ignition, it just grunts at me. After two or three grunts, all systems are unresponsive. Neither the headlights nor the radio will go on. Any ideas? -- Steve Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/June/06.html 2009-06-18T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/June/05.html Dear Tom and Ray: I have a 2003 Infiniti FX45 that was due for an oil change. I had some time to kill, so I went to a Wal-Mart Tire and Lube Express. I left the car, and when I came back they said they couldn't do any work because there were guard plates in the way. I thought that was odd, since nobody else has mentioned that being a problem. But I figured no big deal, I'd get it done at my usual spot. When I took it in there, they said they couldn't work on it because the oil pan was covered with silicone. Apparently, Wal-Mart must have lost the oil plug, used one of their own to plug it and siliconed it all up so it wouldn't leak. Estimates to get this fixed range from $1,200 to $1,600 for parts and labor. My question to you is this: How do I approach this? I know this is more of a legal issue than a car issue, but it seems like you would have seen these types of situations before. -- Eric Tue, 16 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/June/05.html 2009-06-16T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/June/04.html Dear Tom and Ray: On one of the many frigid days this past winter, my husband and I had a discussion about using (versus not using) the rear defrost in our Buick Century. He rarely uses it and tried to convince me that the rear defrost is one of the biggest energy guzzlers in the car (as compared with the radio, heater, etc.), so he tends to turn it off as soon as he can see out a little. I still contest that visibility should be more important than energy use anyhow. I'm just wondering if indeed the rear defrost actually uses any more power/energy than most of the other standard features in the car. -- Kari Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/June/04.html 2009-06-11T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/June/03.html Dear Tom and Ray: Our 2000 Saturn sedan has died twice in the same exact spot (stopping at the end of a highway exit ramp). The first time, it took 10 minutes or so to get going again; the second time, it took 30-40 minutes. Then it happened again on a straight stretch when slowing down at a stoplight. An engine scan showed a torque converter solenoid problem, but the mechanic does not think this is the problem. Could it be a fuel pressure regulator? Please help! My wife is stranded at home with two kids. Thanks! -- Jim Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/June/03.html 2009-06-10T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/June/02.html Dear Tom and Ray: I have a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe with 47,000 miles on it. Recently it developed an unpleasant rumbling noise. After taking it to the service department, I was told that my tires are "cupped" and should be replaced. For a temporary fix, they rotated the front tires to the back. I still have the noise, but it's not as bad. And given a choice between living with the noise and paying for new tires, I'm thinking of living with the noise. The tires have plenty of tread. Are "cupped" tires safe to be traveling on? Also, what causes tires to cup? -- Susan Thu, 04 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/June/02.html 2009-06-04T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/June/01.html Dear Tom and Ray: I need help. I am married to a bonehead. My husband insists on pulling practically into the trunk of cars in front of him. Moving, stopped -- it doesn't matter. At stoplights, not only does he pull to within inches of the car in front, but he insists on starting to move forward the nanosecond the light turns green. Whether there's one or four cars in front of him, it doesn't matter. His excuse is that he is overcoming "inertia" and that it makes no sense to wait until everyone has started moving before he starts moving. He claims "study after study has proven this." I have yet to figure out what is supposedly proven and where these so-called studies have been published. I have tried time and again to point out that this tailgating is dangerous and that he is not allowing for the fact that the person in front of him might be an even bigger knucklehead than he is. What is this "overcoming inertia" thing? What possible purpose does it serve? And can I politely (or otherwise) tell him he is full of bovine scatology? -- Lois Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/June/01.html 2009-06-02T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/May/09.html Dear Tom and Ray: My wife and I recently bought a 5-speed Saturn VUE. Whenever she comes to a complete stop, she puts the car in second gear and takes off in second gear. When I ask her why she does that, she says it is better for the car, and that's the way her dad taught her to do it. I say that it isn't better for the car, because it forces the engine to spin at higher RPMs, putting more wear and tear on the engine and clutch. Now, I know I will lose this argument no matter what, because dads always know best. But I'd still like to know what you think. -- Jeff Thu, 28 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/May/09.html 2009-05-28T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/May/08.html Dear Tom and Ray: Once, on a very long, boring trip, my passenger and I were reduced to asking each other dumb questions. We came upon one question that we couldn't settle. Imagine that I'm driving along at highway speed with the air conditioner on and the windows closed. A hummingbird that was caged in the back seat gets loose, and with nowhere really to go, it ends up just hovering there in midcar. Our question is this: If I hit the brakes hard, does the hummingbird crash into the windshield? My friend said of course it would, that its momentum would cause it to keep moving forward as the car slowed. But I, being the more educated of us (not necessarily a good thing, as my friend claimed), said that the hummingbird's position would depend on its air speed, not its ground speed, and as the car slowed down, the air inside the car would slow down at an equal rate, as would the hummingbird, thereby avoiding becoming windshield splatter. So guys, please settle this question so I can finally get some sleep. -- Ross Tue, 26 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/May/08.html 2009-05-26T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/May/07.html Dear Tom and Ray: I have a 2000 Toyota Sienna van. My van tires lose air on a regular basis. The tire-trouble indicator on the dash is on most of the time. The front desk personnel -- who have had some mechanical training -- say I only need to have the tire rims cleaned and sealed, and they should hold for two years. One of the mechanics, who seems to be knowledgeable, says it's because my rims are aluminum, and aluminum rims collect residue that gets between the tire and the rim. He recommended getting stainless-steel rims. Who is right? -- Jean-Marie Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/May/07.html 2009-05-21T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/May/06.html Dear Tom and Ray: I am having a serious case of separation anxiety from my old car. In truth, I believe I am still in love with it. I thought maybe you two could help me out. My old car was a 1989 Jeep Cherokee -- a perfect first car for a 16-year-old boy, if you ask me, as long as you ignored the fact that it had no air bags, working seatbelts or safety features of any kind. The car had tons of personality. For instance, there were two things I had to keep with me at all times: a stick and a baseball bat. The stick was used to hold the trunk open, and the baseball bat was to reach underneath and pummel the gas tank in an attempt to unstick the fuel pump every time the car wouldn't start. I also found out one day that the hose that sprayed the back windshield with wiper fluid had been cut. Instead of going onto the back window, the wiper fluid would shoot out behind the car. This was discovered while sitting at a stoplight with a gorgeous black Mercedes-Benz not more than six inches from my rear bumper. I even gave this car a name: Marvin. Marvin and I went through a lot in the three years we were together. But then it came time for me to go away to college. Eventually, my father got tired of pressure-washing an oil stain the size of Rhode Island off the driveway every month and exclaimed to me one day, "Son, it's time for you to get a newer car." We drove off and came back with a beautiful, jet-black, Wolfsburg Edition Volkswagen Jetta. I never saw my old Jeep, Marvin, again. Now my problem is this: Despite my love for my new car -- named Wolfgang, by the way -- I find myself mentioning my old Jeep in conversations at least three times a week. In fact, I even have reoccurring dreams about the car. It has been more than a year now, and I fear I will never be able to move on. Tom and Ray, I need your help. What can I do to get over my old car? -- James Wed, 20 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/May/06.html 2009-05-20T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/May/05.html Dear Tom and Ray: Last year we bought our teenage son a 1989 Acura Legend coupe. It has been a great car, even though it's pushing 140,000 miles now. We've had to repair a few things here and there, but there is one thing that has me scratching my head. It seems that no matter how much we clean the windows, they become hazy within a few days. The windshield is the biggest problem, especially at night, since the haze makes it impossible to see when there is oncoming traffic. I had the windshield replaced, thinking it was just old and pitted, and that perhaps the safety glass film was failing. The new windshield was brilliant, but within a few days it was foggy again. The haze is on the inside, so I have three possible ideas: (1) My teenage son's oily skin is somehow shape-shifting onto the windows. (2) He smokes a pack of cigarettes while going back and forth to school every day with the windows rolled up. (3) The old upholstery and cheap seat covers are creating some kind of weird gas that clouds the windows. Since my son takes three showers a day and he never smells like smoke, ideas 1 and 2 are out. Do you think it could be No. 3? -- Wade Thu, 14 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/May/05.html 2009-05-14T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/May/04.html Dear Tom and Ray: I am a proud grandma and a disappointed and angry owner of a 2006 Toyota Prius. The proud grandma part is this: My precious grandchildren made me some small clay decorations, which I proudly displayed on my dashboard -- a 2-inch clay flower and 1-inch clay ball sat against the multifunction screen. After a few weeks, the screen stopped working. I brought the car in to the Toyota dealer, who said that the small clay objects had "burned an image into the screen," causing it to stop working. The whole multifunction device/screen would need to be removed and sent out for repairs, which would cost me between 850 and 4,300 dollars! Nowhere does the owner's manual warn that such a thing could happen. The rationale sounds outrageous, as does the price. So, what do you experts think? I sure would appreciate your opinions and advice. Thanks! -- Barbara Wed, 13 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/May/04.html 2009-05-13T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/May/03.html Dear Tom and Ray: If a mechanic is not wearing a wedding ring, is that a true indication of his marital status? I think my mechanic is HOT, but I'm wondering if he doesn't wear a ring because working on cars would destroy it. Depending on your response to the ring issue, I am also concerned that if he took me up on a date offer, but found he didn't really like me, I'd be out an awesome mechanic. What do you think? Should I go out on a limb and risk losing both my pride and my great mechanic? -- Rachel Thu, 07 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/May/03.html 2009-05-07T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/May/02.html Dear Tom and Ray: Last night, my car, a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta, was in perfect working order when I parked it at the movie theater. When I came out two hours later and started the car, I heard a "pop" sound, and the engine sounded like a really loud lawnmower. It was also shaking violently. I had it towed to the Volkswagen dealership. They called me back with a quote of more than two thousand dollars, saying that one of the spark plugs is loose and the entire head needs to be replaced. What do you think happened? Does this sound right to you? -- Micah Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/May/02.html 2009-05-05T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/May/01.html Dear Tom and Ray: Last night, my car, a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta, was in perfect working order when I parked it at the movie theater. When I came out two hours later and started the car, I heard a "pop" sound, and the engine sounded like a really loud lawnmower. It was also shaking violently. I had it towed to the Volkswagen dealership. They called me back with a quote of more than $2,000, saying that one of the spark plugs is loose and the entire head needs to be replaced. What do you think happened? Does this sound right to you? -- Micah Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/May/01.html 2009-05-05T04:00:00Z http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/April/09.html Dear Tom and Ray: My daughter-in-law just sent her son out to wash her car's brakes. I told her I had never heard of that before. She said that when her brakes start to squeak, she gets her son to wash the accumulated dust out and they stop squeaking. She said she learned this from her dad. She said you can see the water coming out black for a while, then when the water comes out clear, the dust is gone. Is this for real? -- Marie Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Archive/2009/April/09.html 2009-04-30T04:00:00Z