Q: I have a 2002 Dodge Dakota 4.7-liter V-8 with 105,000 on the clock. It has been about 80,000 miles since my last transmission fluid/filter change. I was going to do this job myself. But then I heard about a service that does the job by pumping out the old fluid and pumping in the new and does not require a filter change. I was told the cleaning action was so good that the old filter gets cleaned and replacement is not necessary. This costs about $275. Thoughts?
—P.P., South Windsor, Conn.
A: With a basic transmission service, they remove and empty the oil pan. The filter (if there is one) is changed. The pan is cleaned out and reinstalled with a new gasket. The transmission is then filled with sufficient fluid. However, 50 percent or more of the old fluid may be left behind in the fluid cooler, the lines and the torque converter. High-end flushing machines will exchange nearly all of the fluid, but may not completely clean the sludge in the pan.
Q: I have a 2005 Mustang. Recently, the bulb in my headlight switch burned out. The local Ford dealer told me that I have to replace the switch and it would cost $85. This seems over the top since the switch works just fine. I removed the old bulb but cannot find a replacement anywhere.
—J.D., Brookfield, Ill.
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A: That is because there are no replacement bulbs. We found a Motorcraft switch online for under $50, which you can obviously install yourself. We also found a hack on a Mustang forum using a bulb from Radio Shack (part number 272-1154 that costs $1) and fitting the bulb into your current bulb socket. You need to solder the leads from the new bulb to the leads from the old bulb. Good luck.
Q: In January, we bought a 2015 Acura RDX with the 3.5-liter engine. We were told to use premium fuel during the break in period then eventually wean to regular fuel. A rail runner friend of ours told us that if we use regular fuel from the big three (BP, Mobil, Shell) and don’t go to lower grade stations that we’d be fine. He even told us that the premium fuel in lower grade stations isn’t even as good as the regular fuel at premium stations. With summer coming — along with higher fuel prices — what is your opinion?
—S.C. Burr Ridge, Ill.
A: Your owner’s manual recommends, “Unleaded premium gasoline with a pump octane number of 91 or higher.” It goes on to suggest using a Top Tier gasoline. Note that the manual does not require you to use premium, it only recommends you do so. All brands and grades of gas meeting the Top Tier requirements have more detergent additives than the EPA requires which helps keep the fuel induction system clean. For a list of Top Tier brands, go to http://www.toptiergas.com and you will find many more than the three you listed.
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