Direct injection engines can lead to costly valve cleaning
Q: I have a 2009 VW with gasoline direct inject and a 2.0-liter turbo engine. It recently needed the intake valves cleaned (a very costly job) after just 54,000 miles....
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New oil can reach 10,000 miles before needing a change
Q: I own a 2011 Chevy Equinox and the owners manual says to use oil with the dexos certification mark. I read that all GM engines 2011 and newer should...
Street sweeper leaves road mystery
Q: As I walk around town, I find these 1/8-inch-wide pieces of metal on the roadside and in parking lots. I have asked a few mechanics if they knew where...
Top Tier gasoline keeps valves, intakes clean
Q: I drive a 2008 Camry 6-cylinder 15,000 miles per year. Other then bragging rights, does Tier 1 gasoline provide any other benefits, such as less maintenance cost, longer engine...
Car owner doubts dealer’s claim about bad luck with windshield
Q: I am leasing a 2013 GMC Terrain from a dealership that I have dealt with for many years. I am very pleased with the vehicle, except for the past...
New brake pads can be applied without new rotors
Q: I have a 2011 Ford Edge with 50,000 miles. My Ford dealer indicated that brake linings (pads) were 5mm on all brakes. This put my brakes in the "yellow...
Mice eat new car’s wiring, cayenne pepper to rescue
Q: The service department at the dealer stated that the wiring in the engine compartment of my 2015 Hyundai Genesis had been eaten by mice. Googling the subject reveals it's...
Replacing the timing belt can be based on usage
Q: I had my 2010 Hyundai Elantra in for recall repairs yesterday and while those were completed, the employee said that I should think about having the timing belt replaced...
Awkward headrests can be a pain in the neck
Q: Are head restraints mandatory? My wife and I are very short and recently purchased a Hyundai Sonata. The head restraints were tilted so far forward that they pushed our...
Good timing: Readers question need for timing belt changes
Q: I have a 2005 Honda Odyssey that has 45,000 miles. My wife and I use it for road trips, so most of the miles are at highway speeds. I...