Q. I drive a 2006 Toyota Avalon and love it except for one thing. When the sun hits my windshield at a certain angle, I get a distracting reflection of the dash on the windshield. Can anything be done about that? I have seen the problem in rental cars, too.
A. About the only thing you can do is cover the dash with something non-reflective. A towel will do, but it looks tacky. The only product we know of, called Dashmat, is made of fabric shaped to follow the curves and openings of your dash.
Q. I own a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan, and the check-engine light came on several times. A parts store recommended changing the gas cap.
I took the old cap apart and found rust under it, at the very top. Where could this rust ave come from? Could there be moisture in the gas tank?
R.R., Hickory Hills
A. Moisture leads to rust, and there is moisture (humidity) in the air. Alcohol has an affinity for water (we know that bourbon certainly does), which can cause water to accumulate on fuel-system parts.
Fuels in our area contain up to 10 percent ethanol (alcohol).
Yes, there could also be moisture in the fuel tank, but the ethanol tends to surround it and carry it through the system and out the tailpipe.
Q. I recently took my car to have the tires rotated and spin balanced at my local tire store. When I saw my car taken in, I watched the mechanic through the window. When I saw him take tires off the front and immediately mount them on the rear, I poked my head in the door to remind him they were to be balanced also. He responded, “with front-wheel-drive, the rear tires don’t make a difference.”
I asked the manager to check this out. He completed the job while the mechanic started to clean the floor.
It doesn’t hurt to watch to see what they are doing.
G.A., South Holland
A. It never hurts to keep on eye on your car while it is being serviced. Some shops have viewing windows, others have windows on the garage doors, but with some you just can’t see into the shop.
Don’t ask to enter the shop to watch. Most prohibit this due to insurance regulations. It is a dangerous environment, even for someone who knows what he is doing.
All wheels should be in balance but if you have no wheel vibrations, you could save by declining balancing at each service.
Q. I own a 2004 Chevy Malibu with 25,000 miles. The last time I was in the dealership for an oil change, the service writer told me I should think about having the brake-fluid changed.
I have been driving for more than 50 years and have never been told I needed to do this. Does this need to be done or is he just trying to add to dealer profit? I have had no problems with the brakes.
A. We get this question so often, we feel compelled to answer it again. Yes, you should flush and fill your brake fluid occasionally. The wetter and more humid the environment, the more often. Test the fluid periodically with test strips called Strip Dip to determine the copper content, an indicator of water content.
Why? Brake fluid will absorb moisture from the air. That moisture can cause rust in the system.
Why is that a problem? In the past, it was no big deal. Though the rust could cause problems with the calipers or wheel cylinders, they are relatively inexpensive (a couple hundred bucks) and easily changed. But rust in the ABS modulator is another story as replacement can top over $1,000.
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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 motor mouth.trib@verizon.net. Answers will be supplied only through the newspaper.
