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.

For more auto advice and industry news, visit our Cars section.

The transcript follows.

____________________

Columbia, Md.: I know you have answered this a million times but I still don't understand how putting your car in neutral and letting up on the clutch while waiting at a light is so bad. My clutch goes all the way to the floor so sitting there for two or three minutes with the clutch in gives me a cramp in my leg. I have been trying to keep the clutch engaged but at a long light, I usually give up. How much damage am I causing? Thank you.

Pat Goss: It isn't "so" bad it just isn't as good as keeping the car in gear. The biggest reason is for safety. You can not take evasive action quickly if the car isn't in gear. The second reason is wear on the transmission. The way you're doing it causes wear on a very expensive component --- the transmission. By keeping the car in first gear you add wear to the very inexpensive (comparatively) clutch release bearing and save all the excessive wear on the expensive transmission.

_______________________

Marquette, Mich.: Hi,

The vehicle in question is a 1995 Ford Taurus, with 155,000 miles. Runs great, never any major issues with it. For the past couple of years, after long runs, when I stop and shift into and out of park there is a loud clunk. This has never happened driving around town and the transmission shifts between gears smoothly under all conditions. My question is whether there is an adjustment on the transmission for this year/model that would not involve major transmission work, and if this is something I should even care about. P.S. 95 percent of my driving is around a small town. Thanks!

Pat Goss: I would check the engine mounts as they were very troublesome on Taurus and Sable of that era.

_______________________

Chesapeake, Va.: I have a 1993 Lexus ES300 around 198k miles. It does not start right up. For example, If I leave it off for more than 15 minutes then try to start it up, it'll just click click click... for about 5 seconds then finally starts up. Ildle speed is a little rough, other than that, the engine runs fine. Sometimes I have to do it a couple of times if I leave it off for a little longer, (Overnight)when it finally starts up, I notice that there is a cloud of white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe.

The strange thing is it starts right up without any problems, just like a new car if it was inactive for more than 2 days. For example, I get home on Friday, leave it untouched over the weekend, then on Monday morning, it starts right up, no problem, no delay.

I've replaced the alternator, battery, spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor cap/button and even the fuel injection system cleaned by some auto service center. Don't know if this is related, the temperature is reading is little above the center in the temperature gauge when the engine is warmed up.

Can you please tell me what could be wrong with this car? Thank you in advance.

Pat Goss: This sounds very much like you may have a leaky fuel injector or an internal coolant leak. The combination of the clicking, smoke and times involved suggest that you have either gas or coolant leaking into one of the cylinders. When this happens the starter can not turn the engine. Every time you hit the starter a small portion of the liquid is forced past the piston rings and when most of it is gone the engine cranks normally and starts. The reason for the smoke in these situations is the residue from the liquid being burned away.

This would be my first test. If that doesn't give the answer then it would be necessary to perform a battery of tests.

_______________________

Falls Church, Va. - Oil Warmup question: Hi Pat! Hope you get to my question. I understand that short trips are hard on a car. My commute is 2-3 miles long, each way, to work. Am I drastically reducing the life of my 4 cylinder engine? 2006 new style Mazda Miata. I get oil changed every 3 thousand miles. Or around every 4 or 5 months. In these circumstances, would the investment in synthetic be a good idea, to prevent engine damage from running cold oil through it. On weekends I do drive more, get the engine warmed up, and "blow the cobwebs out" as my Grandpa used to say.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Pat Goss: As long as you're changing oil based on time rather than miles you should be okay. Synthetic oil is always better than conventional oil because it gives better protection in many ways. Look at synthetic oils as being better protection not so you can go longer between oil changes. Also the weekend driving certainly helps as long as the driving is half an hour or more (more is better).

_______________________

Frederick, Md.: I have a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart that tends to be a bit slippery in the rain. My husband has suggested that I need to get some new tires and is suggesting even having two sets for winter and summer. I'm a little afraid of getting the hard sell from a tire dealer on what I may or may not need. Can you give me any advice for buying tires for this car?

Pat Goss: Two sets of tires are often a very good idea but that is solely dependent on driving ability and if you drive much in the snow. I usually compare the qualities of tires at tirerack.com where they test tires and then publish the results. By looking at the comparisons you can pick the qualities in a tire that are most important to you and make an informed decision. But don't forget that tires are a trade-off and when you gain in one area you typically lose in another.

_______________________

Mitchellville, Md.: I hit the under side of my sunroof (the actual shade) with my hand by mistake once and now it's off track. I have to forcibly move it to open the actual sunroof. How do I get it back in alignment??

Pat Goss: Usually it would be best to have a shop that does sunroof work do it for you as they can fix it in less than five minutes (unless the shade is damaged).

_______________________

Chantilly, Va.: Pat,

I'm thinking about putting a new Chevy motor into my '72 Vette.

Can I get a new motor from Chevrolet that will work with the wiring in my Vette ?

Pat Goss: Absolutely. Engines do not come with wiring or accessories. What you get is the basic mechanical portion of the engine and you reuse all the accessories off your existing engine. You can also retrofit a crate motor that will come with upgraded components but will still be compatible.

_______________________

Kansas City, Mo.: Perhaps I am thinking too much but I have a couple of options to drive to work and curious about the long-term value of each for my car - 2005 VW Jetta.

Route One is 13.6 miles of city traffic and takes 33 minutes. Route Two is 15.6 miles of almost all highway traffic and takes 22 minutes.

So, what do I look at - what is harder on the car or what lowers the value of the car? I think it comes out to a yearly difference of 1,000 miles vs. 83 operating hours.

Pat Goss: The highway is the best way. There are very few things as hard on a car as driving in heavy traffic.

_______________________

Gaithersburg, Md.: You often give advice to stay away from shops that offer lousy, clumsy service.

Other than the obvious, how can your average consumer detect a less than superior shop?

Are there any basic 'insider' questions that one could ask of a shop to filter out those which might be suspect of lower quality?

Pat Goss: Look for shops with certified technicians. ASE is the major certification association in the country and offers several levels. The highest level is the ASE Blue Seal shop which meets the highest levels of training and certification.

_______________________

Vienna, Va.: While I will miss the amount of airtime you had on WJFK, your move to WTWP gives me one more reason to keep 107.7 as my #1 radio preset! Will you still be able to have guests like John Davis on the show? I hope that BG remains a sponsor since I keep hoping to win myself a free can.

Pat Goss: Yes, I will still have guests and yes BG is still going to be a sponsor. Although the hours are less I think the support from the station will be better and therefore I can produce a better show. I will miss the good folks at WJFK but --- times change.

_______________________

Gaithersburg, Md.: I have a 2001 Acura TL that recently seems to have had a noticeable decrease in performance, and it hesitates slightly on acceleration. I had the fuel injection system cleaned using the BG system, but that did not solve the issue. What would you recommend doing next?

Pat Goss: I would recommend checking the car to see what is actually causing the problem. But --- be warned when I mention checking a car I am not talking about connecting a scanner and looking for codes. What I am suggesting is an actual diagnostic routine. This will require a technician with more test equipment than a scanner and more training.

_______________________

Takoma Park: My sister wants to give me her 1994 Saturn. It is an automatic.

Is there anything in particular you know about the car I should be aware of?

Pat Goss: Not really! It is should be a good car if it has had good maintenance and hasn't been abused. If the maintenance is iffy or it has been driven hard or has extremely high miles it might be a bad choice. Even free cars can sometimes be very expensive. Before spending money on the car have it checked from top to bottom and bumper to bumper.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: 1998 Toyota RAV4; 50,000 miles; original owner.

Several weeks ago the Check Engine light came on for the first time. My mechanic replaced the EGR valve; the light went off.

Since then, the Check Engine light will sporadically come on and stay on for a few hours to several days, then go off and stay off for several days. Then, the cycle repeats.

I will return to the mechanic, but is there a likely problem? Can the sensor that activates the light itself be at fault?

Pat Goss: Unfortunately there are hundreds of possible causes for the light. However, because there was an EGR code (which did not mean the EGR valve was bad) I would suspect a problem in the EGR system. As far as a sensor that turns the light on --- it does not exist. The light is turned on by the computer when it sees something going on that causes emissions levels to exceed allowable limits by 150% or more and the problem occurs during two or more consecutive driving cycles.

_______________________

Sheffield, Va.: Good morning Pat. What is the useful life of a car battery? Should you wait until you start having issues with your battery to replace it or should replacing it be part of a preventative maintenance program?

Thanks

Pat Goss: The usable life of a battery varies dramatically but on average three to four years is normally considered safe. Whether it should be considered preventive maintenance depends on how you look at the inconvenience and expense of being stranded with a dead battery. If you don't have some form of roadside assistance you would probably pay more for the service call to get the car started than a replacement battery would cost.

_______________________

Charlottesville, Va.: I have an 04 CRV that had an unfortunate run-in with a Volvo. The front, passenger side bumper was slightly damaged. However, the next time I used the A/C after the accident, it would not blow cold. The blower works fine, but there's no cold air. I plan to take it to a Honda dealer to have it checked, but would like to know what possible things COULD be wrong so I'm not a sitting duck! Thanks

Pat Goss: The AC condenser is mounted directly behind the bumper and grill. I suspect the impact damaged the condenser or one of the lines or components connected to the condenser.

_______________________

Seat Pleasant, Md.: Hi Pat,

I have a 97 Saturn SL2. I've replaced the water pump, radiator and thermostat, but the car continues to run hot. I also see antifreeze on the passenger side coming from under the dash. Any ideas?

Thanks

Pat Goss: The coolant from under the dash suggests you have a bad heater core. Checking the heater core should be your next step.

_______________________

White Plains, Md.: Good morning Pat:

I will soon be purchasing a '03 SUV and like the following: Forrester, Honda CRV, Kia Sportage, Toyota Rava. Of these which would be the best choice as to reliability, safety and good gas mileage?

Thanks always for your help.

Pat Goss: You're buying a used vehicle so condition and history is much more important than the name on the hood. The best car in the world can be a real lemon as a used car if it has been used hard or improperly maintained.

_______________________

Re: Chevy crate motor for my Vette: Pat,

So I can just install the motor and plug it right in, no wiring mods ?

Pat Goss: Yes, with a base engine as there will nothing with wires or hoses or anything else that will connect the new engine to the vehicle except bolts. All the accessories and everything connected by wires or hoses will be from your existing engine.

_______________________

Frederick, Md.: Hi Pat,

One of my co-workers mention that since it is getting cold he has to put his thermostat back in. He does not drive with his thermostat on during the summer. He has a late '80 model Sedona truck. He says it does not hurt anything except the engine does not run hot. Am I missing something or is this a dumb thing to do?

Thanks

Pat Goss: He is very sadly mistaken! Eventually he will likely pay a very high price for his actions. Without the thermostat the engine may run too cold. Too cold means oil sludge (kills an engine). Without a thermostat the engine may run too cold which causes a rich fuel mixture (rich fuel mixture can wash away lubrication in the cylinders and increase wear on the piston rings. The rich mixture can also dilute the oil in the crankcase which increases wear on the bearings, etc., etc. The people who design engines install thermostats for a reason!

_______________________

Atlanta, Ga.: I recently bought a used 2002 Corolla LE automatic (83K miles when I bought it, 87K now), and sometime after I got an oil change at the dealer, the car started developing some sort of clicking noise when shifting gears, usually around the 2.5-2.9 RPM range. It's not loud, it's not always consistent, but it's easy to notice if you're the only one driving the car. The sound is more evident on hills. I also noticed that my car's mileage started dropping, from about 28-29 mpg average (city) to about 24-26 mpg.

I don't know much about cars and I wanted to be proactive about fixing problems, so I took it to the dealer (I live in Atlanta), and they inspected the car and told me that my front axle had "big vibrations" and that it was possible that the axle was causing the noise. They also noted that my transmission fluid was "very dark," but they couldn't tell which was causing the problem. Atlanta road conditions are fairly poor, so I figured that it was possible that poor roads were to blame, and I also didn't want to do any work on the transmission as I know it is expensive. I plunked down $420 (parts and labor time) to get the front axle replaced...

But the shifting problem is still there, and my mileage is still about 24-26 on average. They recommended that I drive for a few days to find the problem (I did) and then come back to do a transmission flush, which would cost me about $140. I don't know anything about cars; I don't even have the car manual, as it didn't come with the car (I'm working on getting that from Toyota, I guess). So would a transmission flush do anything?

Thanks.

Pat Goss: The transmission flush might be a good idea but it isn't going to help fuel economy or the noise. You need a better shop for a diagnosis. But keep in mind that what you really are looking for is the cause of the noise not better fuel economy. Gasolines in all major metro areas around the country now have Ethanol (up to 10 percent)blended into them. The Ethanol blend (called E-10) can and usually does decrease fuel mileage by 5 percent to 15 percent. Unfortunately there is no way to get that mileage back as long as there continues to be Ethanol blended fuels.

_______________________

upstate N.Y.: Good morning, Pat. My question is about a recurring Check Engine Light on my 2001 Subaru Forester with 125,000 mostly highway miles. a CEL comes on after driving roughly 75-100 miles after filling up with gas. It stays on for a few days, and goes away, for about 75 more miles or so, then it comes back on. I had the OBD codes pulled and got a P1443 and P0420. Research shows it could be anything from as minor as a gas cap to as serious as the beginning of a catalytic converter failure. Perhaps an exhaust leak?

There has been no noticeable performance change in the car since this issue started a month ago. Assuming the worst case scenario, Is there any urgent need to replace a catalytic converter? So far I've been monitoring it with no real action on my part other than checking and tightening the gas cap, and I've stopped my practice of topping off the tank.

Do you advise replacing the cat-con? If so, why? It seems the only advantage of doing so would be to the environment.

Thanks for your time and advice.

Pat Goss: I would NEVER recommend replacing any part of an emissions system based solely on a code. Codes do not tell what is wrong only what is being affected by what is wrong. True you might need a converter but to be sure would require performing a converter efficiency test. Even a broken or disconnected vacuum hose could cause a converter code because it would cause improper fuel mixture and that would be picked up by a sensor. There should be (can't say for sure due to the lack of testing) immediate worry.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: I have a '97 VW Jetta, a bit more than 100K miles on it. It's in really good shape, but in some large patches the paint looks like someone tried to buff it with coarse grit sandpaper. I'm concerned about rust in the near future. Is it worth getting it repainted? If so, any recommendations as to where?

Pat Goss: Probably not! a good paint job would cost nearly the value of the car. A cheap (poor) job probably wouldn't help anything. On the plus side you could take all the paint off a car and it would not rust through the sheet metal. It would look nasty but would not develop holes. Rust-through is caused by moisture held in dirt between two pieces of metal. On the surface of sheet metal there is nothing to hold the moisture so although the metal turns rust color it does not perforate.

_______________________

Bethesda, Md.: Mr. Goss, your opinion please...where is the resale value of my car heading? 1997 Toyota Supra non-turbo, bone stock, 86K on the clock, in pretty good shape for a 9-year-old model. They haven't made these cars in a long time, do you think this model eventually wind up as a collector-type car, ala an old Vette or GTO? Or will it continue to depreciate as any car would?

BTW--miss hearing your broadcasts from Crystal...is the Goss' Garage still there, or is there a new location?

Pat Goss: Last generation Supra's are appreciating slightly due to demand from the sport compact drivers. How far it will appreciate is anybody's guess but I expect the value will remain mostly constant for the near future.

Goss' Garage is no longer at Crystal, we are now next door to our original shop in Seabrook MD.

You can listen to Goss' Garage radio on Washington Post Radio 1500 am and 107.7 fm starting November 4th from 11am to 1pm. Thanks for asking.

_______________________

Charlottesville, Va.: Pat: I can purchase an 04 Acura TL for about the same price (and comparable mileage) as an 02-03 BMW 325i.

I'd love the Bimmer, but I'm really worried it'd be in the shop more often than the Acura TL. I know used cars are only as good as their maintenance and previous owner. However, is my hesitance toward German cars based in reality or just perception?

Pat Goss: They are both used cars so it really depends more on condition and history than name. BMWs are not known for problems and are often near the top of the list for reliability. The Acura has a good reputation as well but has been plagued with transmission concerns for a while now. But even though there have been transmission issues, Honda has done an excellent job of taking care of customers. I would base my decision on the condition and history of the car (must be checked by a qualified technician) and the service and use history more than perceived problems.

_______________________

Overland Park, Kan.: Hi Pat...love your chats and spots on PBS.

I have a '92 Olds Cutlass Supreme...recently the power windows on the driver's side will go down just fine, but won't always go back up. I usually have to wait 30 seconds to a minute...but sometimes have to turn the car off and restart it to get the window back up.

This is definitely not fun on rainy fall days.

Any idea on what's causing this and how expensive a fix it is? It's a 14-year-old car so I pretty much hate pouring extra money into it.

Pat Goss: Check the switch, reversing relay and the wiring.

_______________________

Texas: I have a '97 Nissan with 110K miles. I plan to keep it for a while, since it's in good shape and I'm poor.

My question: Does it ever make sense to replace things like the starter and the alternator before they go bad?

Pat Goss: Usually not because there is no way to predict how long such parts will last on an individual car. Their life expectancy is dependent on how the car has been used and maintained. We some that fail early in the life of the vehicle and others that last for a lot more miles than your car has.

_______________________

Manassas, Va.: Hey Pat;

I love this column as you get questions from folks with so many different levels of exp with their cars. Many years ago, I used to love to tinker with my vehicles, could do all routine work and keep them running perfectly. Looking at newer vehicles I cannot even see sparkplugs on some. So many components have to be removed just to get at them! General question is...do you enjoy working on older say '60s era cars more than 2000s?

Pat Goss: No --- the old ones are boring! I absolutely love the new technology as it keeps me studying and learning. I have to admit the mechanics of working on the older cars are a lot nicer but the challenge isn't there anymore.

_______________________

RE: Thermostat: What would the perceived advantage be to removing your thermostat for a few months?

Pat Goss: I have no idea! Who knows what weird ideas lurk in the minds of folks who understand just enough about cars to be dangerous.

_______________________

Fredericksburg, Va.: Hi Pat, I have a 2005 GMC Envoy, I have taken it to the shop several times for a leaning problem. The dealer has told me that it is a stabilizer and they have corrected the problem. However, when they fix one side the other side seems to lean lower than the other. Could this be a suspension problem? Thanks.

Pat Goss: Not only could it be, it is. There is only one set of components that control how high or low a car sits and that is the springs. Unless you have air suspension, I would suspect it has bad springs in either the front or rear. If it has air suspension I suspect it has a bad height sensor in the suspension system.

_______________________

Purcellville, : I have a 2005 Ford Ranger pickup with automatic transmission and 6-cylinder engine. When the truck slows down while going up a hill the engine RPM's increase to about 3K rpms but the transmission doesn't seem to shift into a lower gear. Should I have this checked out?

Pat Goss: If the engine revs but the transmission is in the same gear you need to have the transmission checked. Yesterday would be the best time.

_______________________

Columbia, Md.: Pat, I recently acquired a 2003 Accord. It had some break juddering issues, so I took it to have the rotors turned. It turned out the rear rotors were so rusted they needed to be replaced. Any idea what would cause this?

Pat Goss: Rotors often rust out so this is not all that unusual.

_______________________

Pittsburgh, Pa.: I have a 1997 Honda Civic Hatchback. I think is in very good condition. Lately, there seems to be a roaring type noise coming from the rear. Could this be anything major?

Thanks

Pat Goss: Absolutely it could! Typically it would be one of the wheel bearings or in some cases the fuel pump. Lastly don't overlook improperly worn tires (cupped). It should be checked right away as it could be dangerous.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: I recently purchased a new car, and my intent is to be so proactive in its maintenance that it runs like new after 5 years.

The mileage is close to reaching 15,000 miles, and would like your input on what maintenance procedures I should request from the Service shop. I'd like to be as proactive as possible, so any procedures that may be classified as above and beyond would be helpful.

Thank you.

Pat Goss: You can get a list of my aftermarket quarter million mile maintenance schedule at www.goss-garage.com.

_______________________

Arlington, Va: Hi Pat - this is a resubmit because my computer indicated my earlier e-mail did not send. Sorry if this is a duplicate.

2001, BMW 330i, standard transmission with 95K miles. Has long term intermittent stalling problem. Typically occurs under load of A/C but does happen even without A/C. Cannot repeat problem to show to service people. Sure sign that the car is in stall mode is a rapidly fluctuating idle at rest (clutch disengaged). I've tried induction cleaning and regular BG44K use, direct induction valve service, clutch adjustment, and even A/C system repressurization. Next suggestion is to have BMW update the computer to the current version thinking the idle settings would be affected. Do you think this is a good idea and do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Pat Goss: If the Idle Air control valve/motor is known to be good and operating properly I would look into an updated program for the computer.

_______________________

Takoma Park, Md.: Pat,

My '96 Taurus needs a wheel alignment, but I can't afford it at the moment (the mechanic says it'll cost $700 because the cambers need to be replaced). Is it safe to drive my car without proper alignment? What are the symptoms that'll tell me not to put it off any longer? By the way, I just replaced the front tires (only $150) - I'm hoping that will help delay any major problems.

Thanks for your help.

Pat Goss: Run, don't walk, away. Yes, it costs a little extra to adjust the camber on your car, but $700, give me a break!

_______________________

Silver Spring, Md.: Hi Pat,

I have a 2001 Saab 9-3 with 78,585mi.

My ABS Module, which controls my ABS, TCS, odometer and speedometer, failed about 4 months ago and I can't get straight answers as to whether this is still under warranty. It failed before the car was 5 years old or had 100k mi. Have you heard of this unit being re-programmable? Some Web sites say they can. Any suggestions?

Pat Goss: I wasn't aware that Saab ever had a 100,000 mile warranty on anything. If yours does have a 100,000 mile warranty, it should be covered. Otherwise, no. Second thing, is I disagree with the diagnosis, sounds like you have a bad vehicle speed sensor which is what controls abs, tcs, odometer, and speedometer.

_______________________

Hyattsville, Md.: I have a 1995 Saturn SL2 with about 135,000 miles. Its burning oil at point where I have to replace the oil about once a month. I use the fluid that slows the burning and I need about $500 worth of work on my car, but I am thinking that this maintenance is too much. At what point should I decide whether a new automobile is needed?

Pat Goss: Don't spend money on the car. Add oil as needed, and when the inconvenience or the performance gets too bad; buy another car.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: What does it take to run a truck on used cooking oil?

Pat Goss: Alot!!!

_______________________

Boyds, Md.: For cars like Mercedes ML320 and Lexus RX300, I always use Octan 93 gasoline. Do you think it is required or just recommended by car manufacturers? Would there be any damages caused by using lower Octan gasoline, like 87? Also for the Mercedes, it is said that each oil (synthetic) change would last 10,000 miles of driving. Do you think this is too much? What would you recommend?

Thank you for taking my question.

Pat Goss: No way to know on any individual automobile whether lower than recommended octane would work fine or terrible or eventually damage the engine. I change the oil in my Mercedes at 10,000 miles. I have oil and oil analysis performed periodically. It comes back good so I'm comfortable. That however does not mean that it's going to be good in all driving situations. I would recommend running the oil for 10,000 miles, then take a sample, have an oil analysis and see if it's okay for your vehicle.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: I have a 97 Suzuki Sidekick and my check engine light is on with an error code for EGR flow malfunction. Seems from my online research this is a known problem for sidekicks/trackers and a $1500 repair which SOMETIMES fixes the problem. Can't spend this kind of $ but need to get through inspection. Someone suggested running SeaFoam motor treatment through the carb. Is this a worth a try or could I cause more problems? Have never worked on my own car. Someone else suggested my mechanic do a "top-end cleaning" or carbon treatment. Good idea? Thanks.

Pat Goss: Where in the world are these estimates coming from? Are they going to fix the egr system or put a new engine in it? What in the egr system could conceivable cost $1500. The normal fix is a BG Egr System Cleaning, for $150 or so.

_______________________

Bowie, Md.: I know that cold weather is tough on car batteries which is why the CCA figure is important, but what about hot summer weather? Does the summer heat wear down car batteries also?

Pat Goss: Hot weather wears them down, but doesn't decrease their immediate ability to do work.

_______________________

Atlanta, Ga.: Glad to hear you are moving over to WTWP. I've enjoyed your segments on Motorweek and it will be great to hear your radio show on a station that provides audio streaming around the clock.

Pat Goss: Thank you.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Hey Pat! Got a 92 Infiniti Convertible... RWD. Planning on replacing all 4 bearings, seals and rotors (and brakes while I'm at it)... should I hold off on alignment until after this? Plus is it extra to align the rear wheels - they tend to lean at a slight angle. Thanks for your info and your show - it keeps me supporting MPT...

Pat Goss: Do the work, then get the alignment. And yes, there is an additional charge to align the rear wheels.

_______________________

Friendship, Md.: When I run the AC, the engine runs very rough. Also, sometimes the car idles quite rough. I have a new battery, new drive and timing belts, new water pump, new spark plugs and new PVC valve. I regularly do fuel system services, transmission flushes and engine flushes (as well as all of the fluid changes). The dealer insists my fuel filter is good for 100k. (The car has 75k.)I've searched the net and books but can't find any clues. Could you please offer suggestions?

Pat Goss: Don't know year, make, model, engine or any of the important stuff; so I really can't give you any suggestions.

_______________________

Waldorf, Md.: In the past few weeks my 1999 Mazda Protege has developed a weird intermittent problem: Sometimes when I'm sitting at a stop light, the tachometer needle starts swinging wildly between about 250 and 1000 RPM, and the dashboard lights and headlights brighten and dim. If I put the car in neutral or park, it idles steadily at about 750 RPM. The battery is less than two years old. I don't know if this happens when I'm moving, though the car also has been having some weird shuddering problem that sometimes happens, for less than a minute at a time, when I'm just driving down the road.

Do you have any idea what might be going on?

Thanks for any assistance you can offer.

Pat Goss: Check the alternator, paying extremely close attention to the condition of the diodes.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Do you have any advice on how to determine when to put a vehicle out to pasture? My son has a 1993 Honda Accord--it was in great condition when I gave it to him 3 years ago, however, it now needs about $3000 worth of work, with less than $500 to his name right now, no credit history and I'm not sure what to advise him to do. Save for a down payment for a used vehicle at a buy-here-pay here lot to establish some credit (then after a year trade up at a reputable dealer) or little by little make the repairs to this car? I should not I am not willing to co-sign a car loan for him and the Honda has 200k+ miles on it. Your advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Pat Goss: Bad situation. Certainly doesn't make sense to spend $3000 on a 93 Accord. On the other hand it usually makes no sense to participate in buy here pay here other than getting a car. Most such lots do not help establish credit.

_______________________

Mount Airy, Md.: Pat,

Is there any difference in accuracy between the analog and digital tire pressure gauges and if so, would you recommend spending the extra money to purchase the latter? Thanks.

Pat Goss: As a class no. Some digitals are great, some digitals are horrible, some analogs are great, some analogs are horrible. The big problem is to find out which is which.

_______________________

Sandy Spring, Md.: We will be leaving a car parked for 12 days at the BWI airport. What should we check to be sure it will start on our return? (This is a well-maintained '97 approaching the 100 K mark.)

Many Thanks!

Pat Goss: Buy a battery booster pack, fully charge it, put it in the trunk and use it if needed on return.

_______________________

Charleston, S.C.: Pat...thanks for taking my question. My 2004 Ford Explorer has an issue. When I put the vehicle in reverse it "jumps" sometimes it feels like we hit something. Or when we put it in reverse, back up and then put the vehicle in drive, the same thing happens, like a "boom" a little jolt. Transmission?

Pat Goss: Check the engine mounts then check the condition of the transmission fluid and the transmission itself.

_______________________

Bowie, Md.: I noticed that some companies like BJs and WAWA are changing their gas to 10 percent Ethanol. How will that affect a Toyota? I have heard to avoid these types of gas. Is that advisable, if so why?

Pat Goss: It isn't BJs and WAWA, it is every service station, in every critical area in the United States. It reduces fuel economy and attracts moisture.

_______________________

Fairfax, Va.: Pat,

2007 Seville, 5000 miles. Why do the brakes squeal every time I hit the brakes? Seems to me a new car shouldn't have this problem.

Pat Goss: Seems to me you're right.

_______________________

San Fernando Valley: You often mention it's important to flush the transmission regularly. Do the same rules apply to manual and automatic transmissions?

Pat Goss: Only automatic's. You can't flush a manual. Just change the manual fluid.

_______________________

Kensington, Md.: Pat,

Neighbor of mine changes his brakes about twice as much as I do. He's got a Ford Explorer and I drive a Volvo XC90.

With driving distances being approximately equal, as well as driving habits, why the big difference?

Is it the parts? The mechanics?

Pat Goss: It's the driver.

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: Where in Alexandria can I turn in used motor oil? I've used the Fairfax County I-66 complex but it's quite a drive.

Pat Goss: We try to maintain this information, but it moves. Check the links on our webpage www.goss-garage.com.

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: Pat, I have a 1999 Accord 4cyl. The check engine light came on and it gave a code to check the cylinder position sensor. I took a look at the sensor, but can't see anything that can be done to it except for replacing the distributor. Could this code be pointing to a problem elsewhere?

Pat Goss: Sure could. Codes don't tell what's wrong, codes only tell what's affected by what's wrong. To find the real culprit (maybe the distributor) run the tests with the same number as the code.

_______________________

Fairfax, Va: Pat,

I'd like to upgrade my braking system to a Baer using their rotors, calipers and pads.

Will there be any installation problems that you can think of?

Pat Goss: Should no be no problems at all.

_______________________

Rockville, Md.: Hypothetically speaking, what would happen if say, you were driving down the road at 55 mph and just simply put your car in park?

Pat Goss: A loud ratcheting noise. No damage until the car slowed enough for the park pawl to engage then it's good-bye expensive parts. Don't do it.

_______________________

Charlottesville, Va.: Thanks for the advice Pat. I recently had a problem with my transmission where it would have rough shifts, especially into overdrive. A BG transmission flush solved the problem completely.

Now for the question. When I turn the steering wheel my car makes a slight squealing noise. Do you think a BG power steering flush is a good start in trying to eliminate the problem?

Thanks

Pat Goss: It might. Certainly wouldn't hurt, but first check the condition of the drive belt and the drive belt tensioner.

_______________________

Adams Morgan, Washington, D.C. - snow tires?: (Resubmitting due to a timeout)

Recommend snow tires for a RWD car or just good all seasons in this area? Not sure its worth the trouble changing them on and off twice a year (G35). Not sure if the gained utility is worth the effort. FWIW I grew up in upstate NY and drove in bad winters most of my life.

Pat Goss: Depends on driving skills, how much snow and how much driving in how much snow.

_______________________

Pat Goss: Thanks everybody. I appreciate your questions and comments. I always learn from you, and for me that's a good thing. 'Til next time, drive gently. Pat

_______________________

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. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.