Q. In 2021, I bought a 2018 Lexus RX 350 with 19,600 miles and I’m having problems with the automatic wipers. They are supposed to turn on in the rain without having to flip the switch. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. The windshield had been replaced with an aftermarket windshield. On my first regular maintenance visit here in North Carolina, I asked to look into it. I was told that it is not part of routine maintenance and that I should have it checked by the dealer. They did not tell me the cause of the problem. I live in North Carolina and New York and the car was purchased in New York from a dealer a hundred miles away. Last summer I visited a local Lexus dealer in New York and was informed about the windshield replacement. Is there a way to fix the problem without replacing the windshield?
A. Today, almost all replacement windshields are replacement glass and most are of very good quality. Still, it’s easy to blame the aftermarket windshield, but in my experience, if it’s an intermittent problem, the rain sensor behind the windshield is usually the problem. There are some very specific tests that can be performed to determine if the sensor is working properly.
Q. I have a 2017 Mazda 6 GT and I am very happy with the car. It doesn’t have a trunk light though, and that has become a problem for me. The owner’s manual tells you where to place the light and how to change the bulb. So, on a recent visit to the dealership, I asked. I was told that the car did not come with a trunk light. This seems crazy, but I wonder if one can be installed. The dealer didn’t have a fix, but I wonder if I could. Any guidance is appreciated.
A. Looking through both the owner’s manual and the shop manual, I don’t see any mention of the trunk/cargo light being an option in 2017. The cargo room light is turned on by the rear body control module . The first thing I would do is see if the wiring is in place for the actual lamp, if then adding a lamp should be easy enough. If there is no wiring in place, you can add a tilt switch and light, similar to what old cars used. The other option would be a battery powered light that people mount in closets and cabinets.
Q. What do you know about the Hyundai Elantra N Edition? Is it really as “hot” as the advertising makes it out to be?
A. The Hyundai Elantra is a very good vehicle, but its N trim transforms it into a very unique ride. With a 276-horsepower turbo engine and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, this makes for a very impressive little sports sedan. The New Elantra body is a decidedly beautiful car and with the performance upgrades of the N package make it a fun and impressive car to drive.
Q. I’m looking to buy a new vehicle with all-wheel drive and I’m not sure how it works. Do all the wheels turn at the same rpm all the time or does it depend on the surface conditions? Also, which is better AWD with RWD or AWD with FWD?
A. All-wheel drive or four-wheel drive is really a misnomer. Generally, in slippery conditions, one front wheel and one rear wheel turn, in some cases three wheels – two at the back and one at the front. Subaru had one of the best explanations, when it was necessary to transfer engine power from the wheels that slide to the wheels that stick. Today, all-wheel drive systems are mostly full-time and, in many cases, front-wheel oriented. In these vehicles, the system switches between two- and four-wheel drive mode, some vehicles have a center differential lock for low-speed driving in snow. Sport sedans with all-wheel drive are usually biased toward rear-wheel drive. Crossover utility vehicles are typically front-wheel drive biased, and heavier vehicles are typically rear-wheel drive biased. For most drivers looking for all-wheel drive, biased front-wheel drive systems work well.
Q. I have a 2010 Toyota Tacoma that was bought new and gets about 3,000 miles per year. It runs fine and I follow the service intervals in the owner’s manual. My problem is that once a year I have it serviced at the dealer for the oil and filter, tire rotation and NYS required emissions inspection. Invariably, the service representative reports that I need additional service. One year I had leaking struts, another dealer said timing belts and hoses, another timing wheel alignment, and most recently the headlight rejuvenation and cabin air filter change, which I’m done to do myself All were politely declined. The funny thing is that not two reps ever pointed out what the previous reps said I needed! I realize this is a business, but this behavior smacks of fraud. If this is common, millions of dollars must be spent on unnecessary repairs every year.
A. I like to think that most repair shops and dealers are honest and that a lot of real repair work is needed without recommending unnecessary repairs. Unfortunately, service advisors are in many cases commission-based salespeople. Also, some advisors only see work that was done previously. For example, you refuse to replace an air filter three years in a row, so now your vehicle will need an air filter because its records show that you never changed it. My suggestion is always to ask to see the old parts and ask why something needs to be changed.
Q. I purchased a 2016 Buick Encore in May. Two weeks ago, I started hearing a clicking or hissing sound when I hit the gas. A few days ago, the oil change light came on and I immediately had the oil changed (using synthetic). The noise is getting softer, but it’s still there, do you know what it could be?
A. There are many problems that can cause noise like the one you describe. The noise could be anything from loose spark plugs to possible internal engine damage. Unfortunately, the Buick Encore’s 1.4-liter turbo engine hasn’t been very reliable. At this point, it would be best to take the car to a good independent repair shop or Buick dealer to evaluate the noise.
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