Goss's Garage

Pat Goss has worked on cars for more than 40 years. He owns a car repair company that bears his name, has authored numerous books on auto maintenance, and makes weekly appearances on Motorweek, a PBS television program.

He visits right here once a month to answer questions about fixing your car.

The transcript follows below.

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washingtonpost.com: Sorry for the delay. This discussion will begin momentarily.

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Rockville, Md.: Hello, I have a question. I recently took my 2002 Honda Civic to a mechanic for its 45,000-mile service. He told me that the rotors are "leaking" and this is a common problem with Civics. Do you know what that means, to have rotors that are leaking? Is it serious? Thanks!

Pat Goss: That's pure unadulterated GARBAGE! There is no such thing as leaking rotors. Rotors are flat pieces of steel with no liquid to leak. Rotors can be too thin, too rough, too warped, but not leaking. You need a second opinion to see what is really going on.

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Seat Pleasant, Maryland: What kind of advice would you give and young automotive mechanic that would like to own his own company. Done with college and now working for Ford gaining the industries experience ... what would be the next step?

Pat Goss: Business management --- business management! The sales training followed by communications and finally it's helpful to know something about car repair.

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Washington, D.C.: I have an extended warranty on my 2003 Toyota Camry, good for 7 years, 100,000 miles. Will repair shops other than Toyota dealers honor the warranty? Also does having work done elsewhere void the warranty?

Pat Goss: That depends. If it is a Toyota warranty (I hope it is) you will be locked in to the dealer unless it is on a weekend and the car isn't near a dealer. If it is aftermarket you can go anywhere. well anywhere that will accept the warranty. Most independent shops have been stung and won't accept warranties from any aftermarket companies.

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Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Hi Pat, As one of your former customers who is now in Oklahoma, it's a pleasure to be online with you. Do you have any plans for your weekend show to go satellite? Now my car question. I just had my tires replaced, and now I'm getting the warped-rotor-steering-wheel wobble when I put on my brakes. Do you think I have any recourse with the tire shop for mis-torquing the wheels? And, how can I make sure in when I replace the rotors that they will not warp again. Thanks, Dennis.

Pat Goss: The station says the show should be on the Internet very shortly. Check www.wjfk.com for more information. I doubt you have any recourse on the rotor issue. first you have to prove the problem didn't exist before the repair (very difficult to do) then you have to prove the wheels aren't properly tightened (that's also difficult). Most shops do not have a torque meter to measure the amount of tightness. A torque meter is necessary as it has a meter that measures the maximum torque recorded in either direction. Torque wrenches only tell you when you have reached a certain preset torque limit.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: Pat,

I enjoy your chats and radio show. My father in-law recently suggested that I buy a car with a 6 cylinder engine rather than a car with 4 cylinders. His logic is that the 6 cylinder vehicle will last longer because the engine doesn't have to work as hard. Is there any truth that that thinking?

Thanks!

Pat Goss: Usually no validity at all. True if you bought a poorly designed four cylinder car as opposed to a very well designed six cylinder car the six would last longer. But if you bout a well designed four cylinder car as opposed to a poorly designed six cylinder car the four would last longer.

It comes down to the design of the individual engines not whether it's four or six.

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Arlington, Va.: What are your thoughts on when I am going 55+ and then when I brake the steering wheel shakes? I had the brakes/rotors replaced earlier this year, all 4 tires were replaced last year and an alignment was done at the same time. I had an alignment done earlier this year as well. This is on a 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer ES if that helps.

Pat Goss: Have someone check the run out on the brake rotors. It should be less than three thousandths of an inch on most cars. New rotors can be destroyed almost instantly if the well retaining nuts are not properly tightened --- as in using a hand torque wrench or torque sticks in skilled hands.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: I have a 1997 Ford Explorer (SOHC v6) which is closing in on 120,000 miles and hence another round of fluid changes. I've always only used synthetic motor oil, but am wondering if the other synthetics are worth it as well, like for the transmission, transfer case and differentials. Will I really see an increase in component lifetime with them vs. regular changes/flushes with conventional fluids?

Pat Goss: Synthetic lubricants always extend the life of components. However you may find that your vehicle already requires synthetic products for the differentials. Most Fords do! You may also find that there are no suitable synthetic products for the transmission. That depends on whether it uses Mercon (there will be synthetic to replace Mercon), or Mercon 5 which is already a synthetic blend and there is no direct synthetic replacement.

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Gilbert's Coroner, Va.: Thanks for taking my question, Pat!

My question has to do with something my Grandma told me a long time ago. I was wondering if you could let me know if it is an old wives tale or if there is some truth to it. She told me that starting your car with the A/C in the "on" position is not good for the car. Could you weigh in on this?

Pat Goss: Makes absolutely no difference! Modern cars will block the AC from coming on during the starting process anyway. So even if it is on it's off during the starting process. That was not true thirty years ago and back then it was a bad idea.

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Fairfax, Va.: Mr. Goss, please help me with this problem!

BMW 325i, released hand brake and shifted into reverse, car wouldn't move, seemed like the rear right wheel got stuck. Rear right side of the car actually raised up off the ground. Forced gas pedal, car seemed to crash back down onto the ground, then everything is ok again.

Dealer cannot recreate the problem, claimed rear axle and suspension looked fine. Your advice?

Thanks.

Pat Goss: It's a brake caliper or parking brake problem. The brake on that wheel was indeed locked. I wouldn't be wasting time looking at suspension and such but would concentrate on the parking brake components especially the shoes and the cables.

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Sharksburg, Md.: Pat,

I enjoy your chats and the radio show.

You routinely make the claim that synthetic oil can "double, triple, even quadruple..." the life expectancy of an automobile engine. Is this claim purely anecdotal or is there some literature that backs the claim up?

Pat Goss: Go to www.mobil.com where you'll find plenty of documentation. Additionally, there are probably no less than a thousand other sources on the Internet.

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Centreville, Va.: Pat,

Question about the "emergency brake." Is it for parking only? Or should this also aid in stopping the car in an emergency situation? I had a service repairman laugh at me when I told him I thought the "emergency brake" should stop the car from a 5 mph roll, which it didn't. Let me know if I am way off base here.

Thanks!

Pat Goss: There is no such thing as an emergency brake, other than the one you use during normal braking. Emergency brake is a misnomer for parking brake. It is a parking brake, designed only for parking and unless your extremely skilled in emergency handling and maneuvers abrupt application of the parking brake could instantly put you into a skid. Additionally, on most cars it would do very little to slow the vehicle.

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Phoenix, Arizona: I have a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo 6 cyl. with automatic transmission. The car has about 80k miles on it. Every summer when the temps get to about 100 degrees, I start having hard shifting issues intermittently. The transmission clunks between 2 and 3 gear. If I am on the freeway after this happens and I put it into passing gear it slams into the passing gear. I have no problem during the winter. I have another 1998 Rodeo that has about 38k miles on it and it did this for the first time last week after the car sat at the airport for 10 days. It feels like a solenoid plunger is getting stuck and then moving slowly. I have not been able to find anyone that can help ... thanks.

Pat Goss: It's probably relative to a shift solenoid or a worn valve body. That presumes both vehicles have add 2 yr/24,000 mile transmission fluid flushes. If they have not, it could be purely a fluid issue. If they haven't been flushed begin your quest with a BG Transmission Flush. BG uses superior cleaning chemicals in the flush process.

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Silver Spring, Md.:

Re: Rotors leaking

When I read the question about a leaking rotor on a Civic I would GUESS that the mechanic was suggesting electrical leakage in the form of carbon tracks. Unlikely, but it would mean that the mechanic was not completely off base.

Pat Goss: Give me a break. Although in science what your describing is possible, in the real world it is so close to impossible that it defies imagination.

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Hills Burrow, Va.: Pat,

Thanks for taking my question. I recently bought a new car and the dealer sold me an undercoating package for $200, which consisted of spraying a coating of asphalt on the undercarriage of the vehicle. Are you aware of the benefits of this service, or any potential problems? It seemed like a good idea to me and at a relatively cheap price.

Thanks!

Pat Goss: Undercoating is a great product for reducing interior vehicle noise. In the rust belt, it can promote rust. The price was right. I have it done on my cars.

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Maryland : What is the average difference in gas mileage between a four cylinder and a six cylinder engine?

Pat Goss: There isn't any. My six cylinder engine then 95% of the 4 cylinder engines on the road. The only way to get an idea is to compare EPA ratings between vehicles. Sometimes a smaller engine is a benefit, other times it may have to work harder and therefore not get better mileage.

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D.C.: Where can I buy spinners for my Navistar CXT?

Pat Goss: Check with Matt Edmonds at Tire Rack www.tirerack.com If anybody knows he should be able to guide you.

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Largo, Md.: I did a tire rotation recently at 85000 miles. Subsequently, whenever I started going faster than 65 mph I do get a vibration on the steering wheel and in the car. Is it purely a coincident or should I take it back to the dealer?

Thanks.

Pat Goss: The tires were probably out of balance but being on the rear of the vehicle, the out of balance condition wasn't felt. No fault of the dealer.

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McLean, Va.: Hello there. How do you get rid of rust on the outside of the car? I have a Jeep Wrangler, and rust is eating away at the footsteps that allow me to step up into the carriage of my Jeep. How can I fix this? Thank you!

Pat Goss: You don't want to know. Rust repair, if done properly, is outrageously expensive. That's why rusty Jeeps are frequently disposed of, or in some cases if the rust is really bad the entire body is replaced.

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Fairfax, Va.: Hi Pat,

I own a Chevy S10 Xtreme and since the day I have owned it, it makes a terrible popping sound when I turn the steering wheel all the way in either direction. Recently it also has been making another sound that doesn't sound so good while I'm steering out of my parking space. I'm coming up on my 30,000 mile warranty but just don't trust my dealership making the repairs due to them telling me I'll be charged because " that doesn't sound like it's covered by your warranty" statement they said to me. Any ideas of what I can do to get it fixed?

Pat Goss: That horrible noise usually comes from a failure to lubricate the steering stops. Once in the air it takes roughly to coat the steering stops with wheel bearing grease. This should be done every time the oil is changed.

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Falls Church, Va.: Mr. Goss, Thanks for the chat. Submitting early, I've heard numerous complaints in regards to the front tires wearing unevenly on the 2003 Nissan 350Zs. Do you know what could be causing this imperfection, other than the obvious (alignment)? I hear the temporary solution is to flip the tires but, this only last about 10k. Thanks again.

Pat Goss: Did your car go back for the recall? Our first test car at MotorWeek went through its front tires in a matter of a couple of months. Nissan told us this was a common problem and performed the recall which involves changing the alignment settings.

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Washington, D.C.: Pat, I am about to purchase a '94 Lincoln Continental w/ 6 cylinders. Is it ok for me to use regular gasoline, or do I have to use premium? Thanks!

Pat Goss: That's the old 3.8 engine and should run on just about anything. Just be careful, make sure you check the car thoroughly. It is an absolute dog, that typically has no value what so ever.

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Washington, D.C.: The steering column had to be replaced on my car. When the mechanic did this, he must have had the wheels turned, because the steering wheel is now off center. Instead of the horn being level, it's tilted about 10 degrees and the way the bar goes across the wheel the natural place to put your hands is blocked. I'm taking the car back to have the problem corrected, but I was wondering in general is this a matter of just taking off a few screws and refastening or is there more involved? The car is a Dodge Neon.

Pat Goss: It's a bit more than just loosening a couple of screws. First the steering rack needs to be centered. Then the steering shaft coupling disconnected, then the steering wheel needs to be centered relative to the clock spring for the airbag. And finally the steering coupling reconnected. After this is done, an alignment and centering process will be necessary to tweak the wheel into absolute center.

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Suitland, Md.: Hi Pat.

Love your shows. Any my wife has a 99 MB CLK320. She loves the car, the classic look as she calls it. But the car has nothing but problems. The 22nd thing that went wrong with it is the harmonic balancer rubber sheared off, causing the engine to run rough. He said something about a recall on the part and may be able to get it repaired free. Apparently, MB has problems with these things from what I have read on the Internet. Is the true? She decided on a G35 coupe to replace it. How's the quality control on them compared to Mercedes-Benz?

Pat Goss: Probably on a par, but we do hear of a few engine problems.

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Laurel, Md.: Pat, love your chats. My car (1998 Mazda Millennia) is leaking antifreeze. What can cause this and can it be extremely costly to fix? Thanks.

Pat Goss: Lots of possibilities. It could be as simply as tightening a clamp or as complicated as replacing head gaskets. No way of knowing without looking at it.

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Silver Spring, Md.: I am assuming ownership of a well-maintained 1998 Subaru Legacy that hasn't been driven much over the past year. Maybe 1/2 dozen times for relatively short distances. Furthermore, I just found out that it was left idling for about 24 hours in error (oil was changed just before that). I've changed the oil, had the fluid levels and brakes checked. Before I drive it say 250 miles what other preventive measures should be taken? Thanks.

Pat Goss: Based on time the car is due for all the flushes: automatic transmission, brake fluid flush, cooling system flush, power steering flush. And a good thorough check of all the safety systems. That's with or without the 24 hour marathon.

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Pat Goss: Well folks, that's it for another time. Hope your month is pleasant. See you soon. Drive gently. Pat

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Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.