Q: Despite the safety concerns we are regularly bombarded with by governmental bodies (no texting, hands free calling etc.), someone dropped the ball with putting a vanity mirror behind the driver’s sun visor. Ever tried to check out the speck in your eye with that mirror while driving? Common sense says not to use it but…
—R.B., Saint John, Ind.
A: We reflected on this briefly and then asked our go-to expert, A. Narcissist, about this issue. He flatly stated that the mirror should not be used for grooming or other personal care practices while driving.
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Q: When we had our last snow of the season, I was driving the wife to work and noticed how nice and white everything looked. Then it hit me. How can cars that drive themselves navigate the roadways when nothing is visible? You can’t see the dotted white line dividing lanes or the solid white or yellow lines that mark the edge of the highway. You can’t even see the pavement. Everything is covered with snow.
—T.K., Elgin, Ill.
A: Wise, you are, grasshopper. (You don’t see many insects in the winter, either.) GPS could possibly guide your vehicle when the roads are covered with snow, but in an urban canyon of tall buildings, the GPS signal may get lost. The totally autonomous car has a lot to learn about the variety of roads, weather and much, much more. The human brain can process myriad data super fast, then chose an action from the myriad options, but artificial intelligence is not yet there. Becoming truly autonomous is going to be an uphill slog.
Q: Do Dodge and Chevy know something about the future the rest of the car industry doesn’t? I ask because Chevy has Wi-Fi in some cars and Dodge has seven-year financing. Doesn’t this seem like Chevy and Dodge are telling people they just might be living in their cars in the near future? How much longer do you think it will be before we have 15-year mortgages on vehicles?
—T.K., Elgin, Ill.
A: What with all the connectivity, entertainment, creature comforts et cetera our guess is that the day may be soon approaching. We have heard rumors that one import carmaker is secretly testing a kitchen sink option. Fifteen-year mortgages? Wouldn’t you hate to be underwater in your car?
Q: My 1998 Plymouth Neon runs hot only when the temperature is over 80 degrees and only when I either slow down or come to a complete stop. I put a new thermostat in and the fluid level is fine. Car has yet to run hot while moving. Also, it seems car runs hot once or twice only and then is fine the rest of the day. I notice only one fan turns on when car reaches certain temp do you think not having both fans turn on is why this is happening?
—A.S., Chicago
A: We seem to recall a technical service bulleting regarding this issue that required a new fan relay and short wire assembly. Do both fans run when you turn on the air conditioning? If so, the fan motors are probably OK.
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