Q & A #34 With The Auto Specialist
I recently received an email from a reader who asked a great question. He wondered why we need to know about the parts and systems our vehicles depend on if we’re just going to have a mechanic fix them when they fail. Here’s the reason: cars are complicated machines. And while automakers are designing them with better parts, they still break down. Most people rely on their mechanics to fix everything for them. The thing is, a lot of folks do that because they’re completely mystified by the vehicles. They don’t know what’s wrong with them, what causes the failures, or whether the diagnoses they’re given by the auto shop are accurate.
In the Auto Specialist, I try to help readers learn more about their vehicles and the systems that make them operate. You would be surprised by how easily you can diagnose and replace parts with a little automotive knowledge. With that in mind, let’s jump into today’s questions.
Question: I bought a 2002 Honda Odyssey a few years ago and it has about 90,200 miles on it. About a month ago, it started to be sluggish whenever I accelerated. It also idled a little roughly. I didn’t think much of it because the problem wasn’t too bad. Well, it’s gotten a lot worse, so I took my van into the repair shop and had the mechanic look it over. He said the problem is with the fuel injectors. Two were plugged up and one wasn’t working at all. Well, I wanted to check with you before having them replaced. Does this sound right to you?
Answer: Thank you for writing in, Frank. Without seeing your Odyssey myself, it’s hard to tell for certain. Sluggishness and a rough idle can be caused by a few different things. Clogged fuel injectors are definitely one of the potential causes. Plus, with over 90,000 miles, it would not surprise me if your injectors were clogged, especially if you’re using cheap gasoline. Bottom line, I’d trust the mechanic’s recommendation.
Question: I drive a 2000 Plymouth Neon with 114,067 miles. A couple of days ago, I took it in for an oil change. The man that did the work said I should have my transmission flushed with new fluid put in. I had the fluid replaced about 25,000 miles ago. It seems too soon. Would you recommend that I follow his advice? The mechanics at this shop always try to sell me stuff whenever I get an oil change.
Answer: Thanks for your email, Jennifer. First, it is possible for the transmission fluid to need replacing after 25,000 miles. It depends a lot on the conditions in which you’re driving. Having said that, I’d recommend checking your owner’s manual. Just keep in mind the manual is only a guideline for fluids because driving conditions can vary wildly. As for the flush, I would say no. With over 114,000 miles on your Neon, the flush could do more harm than good.
That’s it for now. Thanks again to Frank and Jennifer for sharing their car problem with us. I’ll have a new batch of questions ready for the next edition of the Auto Specialist, so make sure to join me for that. Until then, drive safely.
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Tags: Car Q & A
