Q & A #9 With The Auto Specialist
As automakers incorporate more advanced technologies and systems into their cars, trucks, and SUVs, diagnosing problems under the hood becomes more difficult. In the old days, you could lift your vehicle’s hood, identify the problem, and fix it yourself. Today, even car aficionados are often left scratching their heads.
Our goal with this column is to continue building a foundation of car-related knowledge. Over time, you’ll learn to diagnose certain problems without the help of your mechanic. You may even be able to troubleshoot and replace a few parts yourself. In this segment, we’ll address a reader’s question regarding how to get better gas mileage. We’ll also help a gentleman figure out why his car’s engine keeps overheating.
Question: I have a 2005 Ford Expedition with 72,000 miles. My round trip commute to the office is just under 100 miles and I’m spending over $200 each month on gas. Is there anything I can do to my Expedition to get better mileage? Are there inexpensive parts I can replace or upgrade?
Answer: When fuel prices hovered over $4 per gallon last year, I imagine you were spending a lot more than $200 per month to feed your Expedition. That said, there are a number of things you can do which will make your vehicle more fuel efficient. First, make sure the pressure in your tires matches the manufacturer’s recommended settings. Second, consider replacing your air and oil filter. When debris collects in both, it can hamper your engine’s performance. Third, if your engine is misfiring or seems sluggish, have an auto technician fix the problem.
One last thing: large vehicles (for example, Expeditions) guzzle gas if you accelerate quickly from a full stop. Take your time and accelerate slowly. You’ll improve your gas mileage.
Question: A few years ago, I bought a used 2003 Mitsubishi Galant. It’s a smooth drive and hasn’t given me any problems until recently. Now, every time I drive it for more than a few minutes, the engine overheats. I know I should probably take it into the shop, but I have a feeling it’s going to cost a bundle. Any ideas about what’s causing it to overheat?
Answer: Without inspecting your car personally, I can only guess at the root cause. But, we can still narrow it down. First, check the level of coolant in your radiator. You should be able to pop the cap off (don’t do it while your engine is hot!) and see the fluid inside. If it’s low, that may be the problem. Put more coolant in and watch the level over the next week. Second, the fan that sits next to your radiator to increase airflow may not be working properly. You may need a mechanic to check this for you.
The bottom line is that you need to take your Galant to a mechanic. Even if the problem is just a coolant deficiency, there may be a leak. If you don’t fix it, you’ll be adding more coolant perpetually which is expensive and inconvenient. If there’s a bigger problem with your engine, neglecting it can lead to severe damage. And that’s even more expensive.
In the next installment, we’ll help a reader figure out why her car is backfiring. We’ll also explore a problem that a driver is having with his 4 X 4′s transmission. If we have time, we’ll take a look at a question regarding a car’s sputtering problem. Until then, drive safely.
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