Q: A tire dealer wanted to sell me run–flat tires, Bridgestone Driveguard tires, for my 2002 Lexus LS430. My car has a spare, but he suggested the added convenience and safety of run-flat tires being able to travel up to 50 miles with no air pressure. I asked, “Say I get a puncture on a rear tire. How would I know that I had a flat and my 50–mile range countdown has started if my vehicle doesn’t have a tire–monitoring system?” The dealer said it was a good question with no clear answer. What do you think?
— S.G., Palatine, Ill.
A: You would know that the tire has lost inflation by the squirrelly way the vehicle begins handling. You have up to 50 miles and 50 mph which is plenty to get you to a safe place. Many carmakers, however, are shying from run-flats. Instead, they supply a sealant and inflator kit with the vehicle. The ball is in your court. You can opt for the convenience and security of run-flats or you can save money by sticking with your current rubber and buying an inflator kit.
Q: I just had my 2006 Buick LaCrosse to the dealer for a recall on the ignition problem. I think it is a big joke because they just glued an insert into the head of the key, changing it from a slot to a hole. I was wondering what you think of the repair.
— M.W., Eramous, Pa.
A: The problem with the slotted key is that a heavy key ring (we have seen some holding anvils) can bounce along the groove and turn the ignition switch off. The cars being recalled also include the Buick Lucerne, Chevy Impala, Monte Carlo, Cadillac Deville and DTS. According to a GM technical bulletin: “In these vehicles, the ignition switch may be unable to handle extra weight hanging on a slotted key. GM will add an insert to the ignition keys of the recalled vehicles to close the slot and leave a 4×6-millimeter hole through which the key ring could be attached. In vehicles where the key cover has been worn, new keys with holes instead of slots will be provided free of charge.”
Q: Are there are any attachments available for the tailpipe that can divert the hot exhaust toward the ground. I want to see if it can help in melting the snow on my driveway.
— R.S., Hanover Park Ill.
A: There are plenty of tailpipe tips available at your local parts store. Most of them even come in the popular chrome finish. Feel free to experiment, but we suspect that the results will be less than adequate. And if it works, the results would be more akin to a Zamboni with the snow melting then reforming into ice.
Q: I‘ve switched to using full synthetic oil in my 1996 Buick Roadmaster Wagon. Under normal driving conditions what is the life of this oil change?
— D.W., Kenosha, Wis.
A: We change the synthetic oil in our two older vehicles every 5,000 miles without any worry. But we could probably stretch it to about 8,000. Of course, we also change the oil filter each time.
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