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Dear Doctor: I have two issues with my 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. It has 97,000 miles, the standard engine and a five-speed manual transmission. After driving at highway speeds for several miles and then slowing to city driving, the manual transmission is hard to shift, either up or down in first or second gears. Shifting improves after a few miles at reduced speed. There is no grinding noise. The fluid is fresh and at the correct level, and the shift bushing was replaced. Secondly, the “check engine” light is often illuminated. Occasionally, the engine stalls while at a stop, but can be restarted – though runs a bit rough. I noticed this problem develops after a full tank fill-up, so I switched to a Tier One fuel. How do I resolve these issues?
Bob
Dear Bob: To diagnose the transmission issue you need to determine whether the problem is clutch-related or transmission-related. After getting off the highway, stop the car and check if the transmission will shift into reverse without grinding. If the transmission grinds when shifting into reverse, then the problem is clutch-related; which means it’s not engaging when depressed. If the clutch is working correctly, then the problem is transmission-related, and I would change the fluid, using a full-synthetic transmission fluid. On the “check engine” light and the running condition with a full tank of gas, this issue indicates that gasoline is being sucked into the engine via the emission system. Any number of issues will cause this, such as a faulty vent valve at the canister or other faults in the system. Have your technician check for fault codes using the services of Alldata and Identifix.
Dear Doctor: My 2015 Buick Encore with all-wheel drive gets terrible gas mileage – 17 mpg on an underpowered four-cylinder engine. Would there be an advantage to changing to a premium replacement air filter, such as K&N? The owner’s manual says to use upper-tier 87 octane fuel. Will it hurt the Encore if I use Lucas Gas treatment?
Vic
Dear Vic: The use of a free-flowing air filter will help increase air flow into the engine. But a bigger improvement would be the addition of a fresh air system that allows cold air to enter the engine. Premium gasoline (higher octane) burns hotter, slower and cleaner and also reduces carbon deposits. Is premium gasoline worth the extra money? In some engines that require regular 87 octane, I have found that 91-93 octane does make a difference in both power and gas mileage. In my opinion, the use of a gas treatment will not make any difference. The use of full-synthetic oil and having the tire pressure set to the proper amount will help mileage.
Dear Doctor: I find your column very interesting and helpful. The glass coverings on the headlights of my Corolla have become very clouded, reducing visibility at night. The dealer confirmed that the problem was on the outside, which does not involve removing the headlights – just cleaning the outside. The dealer said it could be cleaned with a special solution, which would be guaranteed for 10 years. This procedure would cost $181. I’m a senior citizen and cannot afford this kind of money to clean glass. I have tried using a glass cleaner, but it does not remove the cloudy film. Is there a product on the market I can use myself?
Joan
Dear Joan: At my shop we clean and restore four to five plastic headlight lenses a week – with the average cost at $45 per car. The process is simple and if you have the time you can restore them yourself. Buy a headlight restoration kit at any large auto parts store. Get a kit that has sandpaper, compound cleaner and sealer. The cleaning process takes about 20 minutes per light. After the cleaning be sure to apply wax to the lens every month in order to protect the clarity. You can also visit a car detailing center or body shop for this service.