1. I was told my battery needs to be changed and it’s only been 3 years since it was changed? My original battery lasted 5 years!
In general manufacturers use high quality batteries and they can last 5 years or longer. Unfortunately, there are a number of aftermarket batteries that seem like bargains but don’t last very long. Also, how you drive your car can also affect the life of your battery. If you are concerned about the life of your battery, get a complete charging system check that covers checking for a drain on the battery. If you need a new battery, be sure to buy a quality battery.
2. I have had the same headlamp bulb replaced several times over the last year. What causes this?
There are two common reasons for this. One, the surface glass of the bulb was touched during installation. Two, the socket that the bulb connects to is corroded and needs to be cleaned. If you are changing the bulb, make sure to wear gloves.
3. I was told that my tires need to be replaced. I checked and my tires still have lots of tread. Am I being ripped off? My car is only 6 years old, and I don’t have any issues.
Tread is not the only factor that goes into evaluating tires. Age is also an important factor. Tires tend to lose their flexibility over time and performance can deteriorate significantly after 4 to 5 years. Stopping distance and handling becomes worse, affecting safety. Because deterioration is a slow process, you may not notice it. However, whenever we replace our customers tires, they often say: “Wow, my car drives so much better”!
4. My Check Engine Light is flashing especially when I go up hills?
This is a very serious situation. Continuing to drive our car under these conditions could do serious damage to your catalytic converter. When the check engine light flashes it normally means the engine is miss-firing. This leads to unburnt gas burning in the converter and will destroy it. If in doubt about the seriousness of the issue, play it safe and have your car towed. Your auto repair facility will diagnose the misfire and all will be well.
5. My fuel gauge was showing close to empty, I put 5 gallons in and now it’s low again. I looked under the car and there were no signs of a leak or gas smell! What should I do?
I asked if there were any warning lights on (Check Engine Light) and there were not. This is a good sign. I suggest filling the gas tank to full, then checking for leak under the car. If everything looks good, drive for 100 miles and refill so you know the miles per gallon. Stay tuned. This is a frequent question, if you have a car question, send it to me and I’ll do my best to answer it or set you on the path to getting an answer.
