Dealership needs time for ABS light diagnosis

September 12, 2018

DEAR DOCTOR: The ABS and the brake lights on my 2010 Honda Element came on and the vehicle has been at the dealership for over a week. Multiple checks have been done to figure out what is going on and so far they haven’t been able to fix it. Can you suggest other options? — Matthew DEAR MATTHEW: Honda has had multiple service bulletins on the brake system — and it may take the dealership time to properly diagnose why the lights are on. The system will require the use of a factory scan tool for fault codes, diagnostic chart, wiring diagram and digital volt meter. The fault ...

Clean oil keeps engine flowing, lowers gas mileage

August 16, 2018

DEAR DOCTOR: My wife drives a 2012 Toyota Highlander with 55,000 miles, and I drive a 2016 Highlander with 35,000 miles. Synthetic oil has been used in both vehicles since they were new, including changing the oil / filter every 10,000 miles. Neither car is subject to unusual climate or road conditions. I expect we’ll keep both Highlanders for another three to four years, or until 100,000 miles. As these cars age and the mileage increases, when is it advisable to step up the oil change frequency? Will the 10,000-mile interval be good enough? —Leon DEAR LEON: This is the ...

Driving an SUV in ECO Mode

August 2, 2018

Dear Doctor: I recently purchased a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It has an "economy fuel mode" option, but I'm not certain if it should be used or not. The manual states the following: When the Fuel Economy (ECO) Mode is engaged, the vehicle control systems will change the following: "The transmission will upshift sooner and downshift later; The torque converter clutch may engage at lower engine speeds and remain on longer; and the overall driving performance will be more conservative." I don't know if it is wise to use this ECO mode all the time. Does it put too much stress on the ...

Oil specified by carmaker a must

June 21, 2018

DEAR DOCTOR: I own a 2015 Infiniti Q50. The owner’s manual calls for an ester-based motor oil. This oil is very expensive. Is there any other oil I can use? I understand that Mobil 1 Synthetic has an ester-base. Can conventional motor be used and will it do the job? — Joe DEAR JOE: The oil required on your Infiniti is not the regular oil found on store shelves. You have to use the oil that is specified for the engine. Anything less will affect wear on the internal engine parts. If you want to use regular oil, then it would be best to purchase a vehicle that does not ...

Foul exhaust troubling on new car

June 14, 2018

Dear Doctor: My 2018 Buick Encore with the turbocharged engine has an ugly odor, as if exhaust fumes are entering the cabin. The technician followed the trouble flow chart for P0420 and found a faulty catalytic converter and failed upstream oxygen sensor, and he replaced the cat and gaskets. Two months later I returned to the dealer with the same smelly issue and he found coolant leaking from the turbocharger and coolant feed pipe line; he replaced the turbocharger, coolant feed pipe, and cat converter clap. One month later, the odor is getting worse, and the technician found a leak in ...

2018 Hyundai Accent: Better compact ride comfort

April 12, 2018

The all-new 2018 Hyundai Accent’s design displays sculpted body forms and smoothly contoured lines and edges resulting in a new interpretation of Hyundai’s signature design language. Hyundai enters into the fifth generation of the Accent available in a four-door model only, offered in three trims starting with the base model SE priced at $14,595, a more upscale SEL begins at $17,295, and the top-level Limited with a starting price of $18,895. The new Accent is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with gasoline direct injection that delivers 130 horsepower at 6,300 rpm ...