Answers to your car questions

QUESTION

Dear Dennis, I am a senior woman, recently widowed for the second time. I had the greatest husbands but they both died of cancer. My Honda CRV 2002 is obviously getting old but I hear that they last to 400 thousand kilometres. Mine has 260 thousand kms and is having some maintenance problems. I just paid $1000 for repairs and the mechanic is now saying that the whole muffler system will soon need replacing. The cost is around $2000 or more which I cannot afford on a senior’s pension. Would it be worth it to borrow and do that repair or look for a newer car like a 2011 because those cars are still a bit smaller? Cars that are newer are much bigger, which I do not like. I love the size of my 2002. I have to borrow either way but I’m not sure how to pay back. I do need a car. I would appreciate your feedback.

Thank you Madeleine

ANSWER

It is very difficult to answer your question with any authority because I do not know the overall condition of your car. I can tell you however, that a complete exhaust system for your vehicle is not going to cost you two thousand dollars so we can begin from there. What I would like you to do however is to email me again with the city or town that you live in and I will have someone look at the car to assess whether it would be advisable to fix the car or as you have said, find another one of a similar size.

QUESTION

Hi Dennis, I always enjoy reading your column in the Hamilton Spectator and your common-sense approach to solving reader’s problems. I am looking for advice regarding my headlights that have developed a hazy & foggy appearance. I own a 2008 Toyota Highlander with 270 thousand kms that runs well and still looks good, except for the headlights. I have tried different cleaners & techniques, which don’t last very long and the internet is full of suggestions. What would you recommend that I do to clean and maintain a vehicle’s headlights clear appearance? Thank you for your help.

Darcy from Hamilton

ANSWER

There are two scenarios with headlight casings that can greatly affect the illumination of the headlights. One is that the casing can have the sandblasting effect and the other is the oxidation of the casing. The first thing that chemicals do when used on the headlight casings when cleaning is to remove the protected coating that the manufacturers put on the headlight casings. If you do remove some or most of the oxidation, you will have also removed any protected coating that was factory installed and the headlights casing will not stay clear for long. I have seen at trade shows headlight casings that were buffed out to look almost original but as I said, you will then have to use wax or some other similar compound to protect the headlight casings or in a couple of months, you are back to square one. There have been many frustrated readers in the past who solved the hazy headlight-casing problem by visiting the auto recyclers and finding headlight casings that were clear. There are places that claim that they can buff the casing to look like new and I do not dispute that. If you choose that option however, weigh that cost against a couple of good casings from the auto recyclers.

QUESTION

Hi Dennis, I would like your expertise advice on my vehicle. I am a senior without any other income other than my pensions so there is not any money for purchasing another vehicle. The catalytic converter is gone and there is a crack in the manifold and I need four tires. The car is burning oil. If I had the converter fixed, would that solve the burning oil problem? If so, then I would take care of the manifold and tires. I could afford a payment on my credit card. I very much respect your opinion and read your column every Friday in the Hamilton Spectator. Thank you.

Patricia from Hamilton,

ANSWER

Is the car burning oil or is it leaking oil? It makes a big difference as to what you should do or can do. Either way, if it is burning oil or leaking oil, replacing the catalytic convertor will not help the oil loss. You say that the catalytic convertor is gone. Do you mean that it has a hole in it or has the oil burning destroyed its usefulness? Catalytic convertors very seldom rust out but they can be contaminated by poor engine performance or by burning oil. If the car is burning oil and you can see that blue type of exhaust coming out of the tail pipe, the police will stop you and have the car removed from the road. If the oil loss is a leak that could be repaired for far less money, you then can look for four used tires at tire outlets that sell used tires. After-market convertors are far less expensive but be absolutely sure that you actually need it to be replaced. Get a second opinion.

To my readers: Please indicate the town, city or village that you live in. Be advised that unfortunately not all emails can be answered. Send your questions (including address) by email to: dennis.osullivan@cogeco.ca