Four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive? They are not the same
Many people think all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are the same thing, but they are two separate drivetrains.
- When shopping for a hobby car, attend car shows and buy the most complete, running vehicle you can afford.
- To save money on replacing your old car’s windshield, consider shopping for prices at a professional glass company or buying a used item from a salvage yard.
- Some vehicles, like certain Hondas, may consume oil between changes, which the manufacturer considers normal within certain limits.
question: I’m currently retired and considering some sort of “hobby” car. Any ideas where to start? I’m not wealthy by any means, but I do have a small watertight barn for storage.
answer: Even though it’s late in the season, go to as many car shows as you can. Why not take a look at the vehicle you’re interested in and ask a lot of questions? Most people are happy to share their old car journeys.
Also, buy the most complete car you can afford. Having a car that runs and drives is a great start.
It depends on what you are looking for. Performance cars can be expensive, but a simple six-cylinder engine convertible is fun.
Old trucks are practical and fun to own.
How to cure a bad case of “curb rash”
question: I bought a used Audi. It looks like the previous owner used Braille to park it. Can my car’s wheels be repaired?
answer: Yes, “curb rash” can be repaired. In fact, many car dealerships have on-site repair workers.
Start by making a few calls to your local car dealerships to see which ones they use and recommend. Additionally, some paintless dent removal companies are branching out into this business.
Where to find an affordable windshield for a 25 year old Honda
question: I have a 25 year old Honda and it needs a windshield. When I called the dealer, I was shocked at the high price. Are there cheaper alternatives?
answer: Call your car windshield company and shop around for prices. You may also be able to find a used windshield in good condition at a repair shop. Using used parts can save you money on various repairs and often allows you to obtain genuine equipment parts rather than lower-quality aftermarket parts.
Is it a good idea to run the air conditioner from time to time to keep your car running while it’s dormant?
question: When driving a dormant car that will be left unused for several weeks, should you turn on the air conditioning, and for how long?
answer: We recommend running the air conditioner for 5 to 10 minutes to circulate the oil in the system and keep the seals lubricated.
When it’s very cold, most air conditioning systems stop working. If the temperature is above 35 degrees, it’s okay to periodically (sometimes) run your air conditioner for a few minutes.
How much oil does Honda CR-V use?
question: I have a 2015 CR-V with 86,000 miles. I purchased a used car with 34,383 miles from a Honda dealer in December 2017 as a Honda certified vehicle. I immediately realized that I was using oil.
I took it to a Honda dealer. They refilled it and told us to check again. The car was consuming about 1 quart every 2,000 miles. The dealer said this is within Honda’s specifications. I’ve lived with this for years.
The car currently has 86,000 miles on it. A friend of mine has the same car and doesn’t use any oil. why?
answer: Honda considers 1 quart of oil usage to be normal for 2,000 to 3,000 miles. If your engine consumes 1 quart of oil in less than 1,000 miles, it may need repair.
The reason why two cars with the same engine use oil at different rates can be as simple as how you drive your car and how often you check your oil.
If your car is 10 years old and has 86,000 miles, add oil as needed and change it at least once a year, or as indicated by the oil reminder light.
Do you have any questions about cars? Email John Paul jpaul@aaanortheast.com and enter “Car Doctor” in the subject field. Follow him on X @johnfpaul Or on Facebook.
