Why did the battery to a 2018 Honda Accord die?

August 1, 2019

DEAR DOCTOR: When I parked my 2018 Honda Accord and returned to start it, everything was completely dead. The only thing that showed any life at all was the blinking push start / stop button, yet pressing the button failed to start the car. After the battery was boosted, the car immediately started and everything returned to normal. No warning symbols appeared on the dash, and the problem has not occurred again since then. I hesitate to bring it in to Honda since it seems to have been a singular event and the car has had no other problems. Do you have any ideas on what happened, why it ...

Here’s why the windshield is fogging up

July 25, 2019

DEAR DOCTOR: My father owns a 2009 Lincoln MKS with 48,000 miles. After 1.5 hours of driving with the outside temperature of 66 degrees with no a/c or heat on, I noticed fogging on the windshield (not heavy). It also happens in winter when the heat is turned on. Could this be a small problem now or a big problem down the road? — Ursula DEAR URSULA: Today's vehicles are nearly air tight. Without air circulation — and under the right humidity conditions — windows will fog up. The HVAC system removes the humidity from the interior and draws in outside air in most cases. The ...

Check for faulty blend door for air conditioning problem

July 4, 2019

Dear Doctor: I drive a 2009 Honda CR-V. The passenger-side air conditioning is only blowing cold air when on the lowest settling; otherwise it blows hot air. The driver’s side is fine. The dealership told me the compressor “burned out” and also had a faulty valve. I paid $1,576, but on the way home, the same problem occurred again! If the compressor were “burned out,” then why would any cold air be blowing at all? Myrna Dear Myrna: If the a/c compressor were burned out, then there would be no cold air at all. A blend door fault is the most common cause of the system ...

Timing everything in changing hybrid battery

June 13, 2019

DEAR DOCTOR: I own a 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid with 100,000 miles on it. It runs fine, but how long can I expect the hybrid batteries to last? Do they ever need to be replaced? If so, is it worth the cost to replace them? Is there a way to tell if the hybrid batteries need replacement before they die? — Elizabeth DEAR ELIZABETH: There is no telling how long they will last: Hybrid battery lifespan can be eight years or longer, and run to over 200,000 miles. When the battery is weak, it will set a trouble fault code. The cost of replacement on this car is around $3,500. Beware ...

Water drain holes are a good thing

May 30, 2019

DEAR DOCTOR: I purchased a 2019 Subaru Forester Premium with 2.5-liter engine. I noticed that when I open the driver or passenger door after it has rained water pours out from the bottom of the doors. This does not happen when opening either of the back doors. I spoke to the service advisor at the dealership and he said that’s the way Subaru designed it, and it’s normal. Can dampness or moisture cause rust to the metal parts inside the door frame, or a buildup of mold and mildew? Have you ever heard of such a problem and is there anything that can be done before the warranty runs ...

Key fob failure tough

May 16, 2019

Dear Doctor: We have a 2010 Nissan Murano with 43,000 miles. Both key fobs work sporadically to open the car. Most of the time, we have to insert the fob into the dashboard key slot to start it. The batteries in both fobs have been changed several times and each reads a solid 3 volts. There are no warning lights. What should I do? Charlie Dear Charlie: Today’s cars are highly electronically advanced. A scan tool with OEM factory capability will be needed to check all body codes. However, before spending any money, try disconnecting the battery for a few hours. When the battery is ...