Q. I have a 2017 Honda Civic EX with 57,000 miles that runs great. My mechanic says there is still life in the original brakes. I think they should have been changed by now. The car is mainly used for urban driving. How long has it been since you’ve seen brakes like this?
A. Brakes are one of those items, like the car’s clutch, whose life is almost entirely dependent on the driver. I’ve seen brakes wear out in as little as 12,000 miles and last 100,000 miles (especially with manual transmission cars and hybrid or electric vehicles). Trust your repair shop and have them check the brake pads for wear during tire rotations.
Q. I wondered about the key fob technology. I hear about people having their cars stolen while filling up or pulling out of their driveways. My question is, how do thieves get away and so far without the fob? What security measures can owners take to prevent car theft? Can distant cars be driven without the fob?
A. If you have the fob in your pocket while the engine is running and you leave the car, the horn will sound to let you know that the engine is running. Is it possible to start the car and drive it without the fob, yes. As an example (this may or may not have happened to me), you start your car and the fob is in your coat pocket and you decide you don’t need a coat and you go home and hang up your coat, then freak out. At your destination lock the car and get in. Then you get back in the car and try to start it only to discover that you didn’t take the key fob. The car will actually continue to run until you shut it off or until it runs out of fuel. Like any car, to avoid theft, take the key, lock the doors and park in well-lit areas.
Q. I have a 2001 Infiniti with 127,000 miles. The check engine light came on about a year ago. I had it checked and the mechanic’s computer said it was ignition coils or spark plugs. Since the car was running smoothly, the mechanic said he should wait until the car starts shaking, then he will know it is a coil. When that happens, it will replace it. Now it’s just a little rough sometimes. Could it just be spark plugs? I can’t wait too long to fix it because a smog inspection is due in March.
A. I definitely think it’s time to replace the spark plugs and maybe your mechanic. I can understand that maybe your repair shop was trying to save you some money, but waiting for the check engine light to come on and the engine to start running hard is like waiting for a toothache to instead of filling a cavity.
Q. I was listening to your radio show and heard you talk about a road test of an electric folding bike. We actually met at an event and I remember you as a pretty big guy. Does this bike really work that well?
A. Yes, even at my height and weight, the Fiido L3 folding compact bike does quite well. On full electric power, it has a claimed range of 75 miles, and 125 miles if you use pedal assist. I’ve been using it in full electric mode and it’s going about 15 miles per hour, and would put the range at 65 miles with me. It’s a pretty useful commuter bike for me, or very useful if you have a boat or RV and need to get around.
Q. I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 with a 4.7 liter engine. The truck has just over 330,000 miles and only has two issues. I have to add 1 quart of oil weekly and about half a gallon of antifreeze monthly. No leaks on my garage floor. I’m guessing the oil loss could be from ring wear, but with the antifreeze I’m stumped. Any suggestions?
A. If you have pressurized the cooling system and checked for leaks, I suspect the coolant is being consumed during combustion. This is probably due to a worn or leaking cylinder head gasket. This can be checked with a test kit that looks for traces of unburnt fuel in the coolant. At 20 years and 330,000 miles, you have two very different repairs to consider. Replace the engine if the rest of the truck is solid, or simply add oil and coolant as needed. You can also try some additives. Lucas has an additive that can slow oil consumption, and there is a head gasket remedy, Blue Devil, that has a pretty good success rate.
Q. The service station I’ve been going to for years puts in synthetic oil that I didn’t ask for. They did the oil change again. Will there be damage from any synthetic oil residue?
A. Synthetic oil started life as conventional oil and there will be no damage from changing back and forth. Synthetic oil is more expensive, but to me it’s worth the extra expense for engine protection.
John Paul is the car doctor for AAA Northeast. He has over 40 years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE Certified Master Technician. Email your car question to jpaul@aaanortheast.com. Listen to the Car Doctor podcast at johnfpaul.podbean.com.
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