Q. Honda’s routine maintenance requires that the brake fluid be changed every three years. Is that something that should be done on all cars or is there some reason only Hondas need this?
R.A., Chicago
A. We feel all cars should get routine brake-fluid changes — especially if they have anti-lock brakes. Brake fluid attracts water, which can cause corrosion in the hydraulic system. Any bits that break loose may cause problems. If those bits get into the ABS valves, you are looking at a very expensive repair.
Q. Regarding your advice to press the gas pedal to the floor if the engine doesn’t start, I believe that in all OBD-II controlled autos, there is a safeguard that will not allow the car to start if the gas pedal is all the way to the floor while the key is turned. I believe the throttle position sensor tells the computer not to allow fuel to flow at that point. Maybe you ought to recommend putting the gas almost to the floor and then attempting to start. M.P., La Verne, Calif.
A. We advise drivers whose engines may be flooded to mash the gas pedal because, as you correctly point out, this prevents more fuel from being injected. We want to get the excess fuel that is in the engine to burn and to do that we need extra air, but no more gas.
Q. I have a Buick Park Avenue with the headlights out on the passenger side. Also on that side is the battery and coolant tank, which blocks access to the headlights for replacement. Is there another way to access the lamps without taking everything out?
B.L., Black Earth, Wis.
A. Believe it or not, the easiest way is probably to remove the components that are in the way, so you can access the lamp. You do not want to remove the headlight housing just to replace the lamp, which takes only a simple twist of the locking ring from the back. Besides, you won’t screw up the headlight alignment if you don’t mess with any screws.
Q. Can you explain the difference between AWD and 4WD? I have a lot of customers who ask this question, and it is rather difficult to answer in “English.”
J.H., Madison, Wis.
A. All vehicles, where power is applied to all four wheels, are four-wheel-drive (4WD), but not all 4WD cars are all-wheel-drive (AWD). Got it?
There are many 4WD systems and many names for them. We make the distinction based on whether the driver is involved in selecting the 4WD. If not, we say the car is all-wheel-drive, and all four wheels get power from the engine (more or less) all the time. If the driver moves a lever or pushes a button to switch from two-wheel- to four-wheel-drive, we call it 4WD or part-time 4WD.
We know we will probably get some arguments about this, but we are sticking to our guns.
Q. I have been considering buying an oil-change franchise. In two of your articles this year (Transportation, Jan. 18 and Feb. 22), you mention that oil-life monitors will become reality for all new vehicles in the not-too-distant future. With this in mind, do you foresee tough times for the business I’ve been thinking about getting into?
S.W., Morris
A. Buying a franchise is a big step, and we are pleased to see you are applying due diligence. Oil-change intervals will become longer as more cars come with oil-life monitors. That’s good for the environment, but not so good for the oil-change business.
We also feel that the quick oil-change market is saturated. New-car dealers also are offering increasingly competitive prices. Perhaps that is why so many quick lubes have a much broader menu of services.
———-
Bob Weber is an ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician, having recertified every five years since 1978. Address your technical questions about cars and trucks to him in care of Motormouth, 17717 Silcott Springs Rd., Purcellville, Va., 20132. Send e-mail, including name and town, to motormouth(underscore)trib@verizon.net. Answers will be supplied only through the newspaper.
