This weekly feature for Warranty Direct about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America’s Car Show on satellite radio. Below are some recent Q&A from the America’s Car Show email bag.
Dear Tom,
In a recent column at AOL Autos you wrote about oil changes. In the feedback I noticed that there weren’t any questions about changing transmission fluid. I also noticed that a lot of automotive shops only want to change the fluid and not the filter. Is this a good thing?
Delilah from New Orleans
Delilah,
First of all, it is not a good thing to change the oil and leave the old filter. Always change the filter too, and use a high quality one. Scrimping is this area is penny wise and pound-foolish. As far as the transmission is concerned, the fluid is usually changed at 30-36K miles with a new filter. A lot of shops today use a flush machine. This device can suck old fluid out and pump new fluid in without taking the pan off. I do not recommend this procedure. As a matter of fact, flush machines reverse-flush the transmission fluid, sending dislodged dirt and wear particles back into the transmission. I recommend the standard method, and when you have it done, follow the maintenance schedule and change the filter along with the fluid.
Tom
Dear Tom,
The heated seat in my Buick quit working. It was working when I shut the car off, but the next morning it wasn’t. Is there a fix I could do myself?
Judy from Atlanta, GA
Judy,
It could be due to a bad switch, a wiring problem, or a faulty heating element. There is a technical service bulletin from GM on this problem. It is TSB number 01-08-50-012B. They advise that you check the switch and wiring and if all is okay, then replace the heating element. TSBs are not covered under warranty.
Tom
Tom,
I bought a 2006 Chevy Impala LS in September of 2008 and the dealer sold me a warranty for my car that cost me $1800. The warranty doesn’t cover anything on the car except the insides of both the motor and the transmission. I found this out when I had to have the power steering hose and the steering column shaft replaced for a total of $550.00. In addition, the transmission lines cost me $175.00, which should have been covered by the four-month dealership warranty, but the dealer closed down two weeks after I bought the car. I called GM and all they could offer was a shoulder to cry on. Doesn’t Chevy have a power train warranty (5 years power trans or 100,000 miles plus 7 years 100,000 miles on the body)? Don’t these warranties transfer to the new owner when they buy a used car?
Marcie from NYC
Marcie,
All I can tell you is that the warranty you bought is probably an extended warranty on Powertrain/Drivetrain administered by a private company. I would closely check the warranty info and contact the warranty company. They should be able to answer any questions you have. I wish you success.
Tom
Dear Tom,
I own a 2007 Lexus LS460. The light that says “check with dealer” is lit on the instrument panel. What does this mean? Thank you.
Pete from Stamford, CT
Pete,
First off, the carmaker doesn’t mention a light that you describe so you’re probably seeing the “Maintenance Reminder” light, which reminds you that it’s time for an oil change. I see nothing in my data that even remotely refers to a “check with dealer” indicator lamp. Read your owner’s manual on the topic “interior information system.” It should tell you what that light indicates. Best to you.
Tom
Dear Tom,
After reading your article regarding oil change intervals, I still would like to know if it is okay to follow my 2006 Saturn Vue’s oil life monitor system that indicates when the oil should be changed. The last time it told me to change the oil, I noticed that the oil was not that dark and still looked pretty good, but I changed it anyway just to be safe. I like having an oil life monitor. Please advise?
Randy
Randy,
The GM Oil Life Monitor is accurate to within five percent (5%) of oil life; the algorithm monitors engine crankcase temperature, moisture, and combustion chamber events. Monitoring of these areas accurately predicts oil life, so go ahead and follow its recommendation. Just make sure that you properly reset the system it after changing the oil. Success to you.
Tom
Dear Tom,
My ’99 Ford Contour 2.0 engine has a clicking noise when I engage the A/C. I have changed the A/C compressor and clutch and the sound persists. What could be the problem? The clicking occurs every twenty seconds or so.
Ethel from NH
Ethel,
Sounds like the compressor is low on refrigerant and oil, or an idler pulley is going bad on the automatic belt tensioner. It shouldn’t cycle so frequently; you probably have a refrigerant leak that is causing the excessive cycling.
Tom
Dear Tom,
A month ago I bought a 2005 Dodge Caravan with 47,000 miles. The window on the driver’s side suddenly stopped working. Is this something I can fix myself?
Milt from Cincinnati, OH
Milt
Power windows have an electric motor, a wiring harness that feeds the motor, and a switch that controls the motor. Either the motor is bad, or there are bad connections, or the wiring harness is broken to that door, or the switch is faulty. My guess? A faulty switch. Have it checked out by a pro to determine the cause.
Tom
Dear Tom,
I have been told by a VW dealership that my radiator has a leak and they want to replace it for $685. Yikes! I went to another repair shop and they said the radiator looked fine and ran a test to check for a leak in the hoses. I will be bringing the car back tomorrow to see if cleaning the system out was effective. I don’t want to pay the high price of a radiator replacement if I can avoid it, so would you please enlighten me on this subject. Thank you.
Deb from Green Bay, WI
Deb,
How ‘bout them Packers huh?! Cooling systems can be checked with a pressure test. During this process, the tech applies air pressure to the system, trying to force a leak at the weakest point. If it’s the radiator, a leak will spring as soon as the pressure gets beyond the radiator’s capacity to hold it. It’s a pretty simple process. Get a second opinion and have a shop perform the test to see what they come up with. Good luck.
Tom
Til next time…Keep Rollin’
Find Tom’s new book, “How To Make Your Car Last Forever” in local Barnes & Nobel, Borders, and Walden booksellers. Find it online at Amazon.com.
For more articles by Tom Torbjornsen, visit AMERICA’S CAR SHOW web site: www.americascarshow.com
Tom Torbjornsen is an automotive expert of 37 years. An automotive journalist in good standing with the IMPA (International Motor Press Association) and MPG (Motor Press Guild), Torbjornsen is the Repair and Maintenance Editor for AOL Autos, At Home Portals, and many other websites. Hear his radio show AMERICA’S CAR SHOW, on the SSI Radio Network Saturdays at noon and on Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel – Stars Too – Sirius 108 and XM 139; Sunday afternoons – 5PM EST, listen to the show on the live stream during regular show times at www.americascarshow.com. Send your car questions to his website at: www.americascarshow.com.
