Classic car enthusiast installs Bluetooth in 1963 Lincoln Continental
A Detroit classic car enthusiast has installed a state-of-the-art Bluetooth infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in his 1963 Lincoln Continental.
- To properly store your vehicle for long periods of time, you must use a battery tender and fuel stabilizer.
- The cost of a Bentley oil change can range from $500 to $700 since it requires a lot of premium synthetic oil.
- Replacing parts such as caliper mounts may be more cost effective than repairing them due to labor costs.
question: I accepted your suggestion and purchased a battery tender for my 2019 Acura RDX. Can I use a clamp to connect the leads directly to the battery? What else should I do to the car? Stored in an unheated garage for 6 months.
answer: It is okay to connect the charger leads directly to the battery. An even better solution is to use direct connect leads. These are fuse protected and connect directly to the battery, making them easy to connect.
Basics of vehicle storage
- Add fuel stabilizer (STABIL is 1) then fill the gas tank. This will help keep the fuel fresh.
- I personally prefer to store my car with fresh oil changes and maximum inflation in the tires, as they lose air over time.
- Place a container of DampRid or other moisture absorbent in a disposable pan in your car.
- Keep windows open so the room can breathe.
- Remove the key and store it away from the car.
- In addition to washing and waxing your car, it’s a good idea to cover your car even in the garage to protect the paint.
- If you think critters might get in, remove all food (even bird seed) from your garage and block any potential entry points. Rats can easily fit through holes as small as a dime.
Honda Accord’s infotainment screen is strange
question: My 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid Sport (purchased new in November 2022) was fine until July 2025 when the poltergeist occurred. Apps on the infotainment screen started jumping around on their own. When you turn on the radio, the app switches to your phone and then to your watch. When I turned off the radio, it would sometimes turn back on. In some cases, physical buttons did not change settings.
I took it to the Honda dealer. They couldn’t find anything wrong, but replaced the touchscreen per Honda’s service recommendations. This worked for 10 days, but it happened again.
When I brought it in and investigated, I was told that the dealer didn’t find any problems, but that the Honda corporation was aware of the problem.
So I contacted Honda and they provided me with the incident number and extensive investigation. Their response was that they were investigating. Electronics/computers come with a 7 year extended warranty. Are you aware of this problem? How can I solve it?
answer: My first thought was to do exactly what Honda did, replace the touchscreen. However, there may still be a problem with the replacement part, module, or wiring.
Unfortunately, you may have to wait until the problem becomes more consistent or until Honda makes a fix based on other failures nationwide.
As a technician, it can be very difficult to fix something that has an intermittent failure. It’s a pain, but at least the electronics have a warranty until 2029.
Bentley oil change cost $400 – did I charge too much?
question: I recently had my 2009 Bentley serviced by the same mechanic I use on my wife’s Mercedes. Never had a problem.
The oil change on my Bentley cost over $400. Needless to say, I was a little surprised.
The mechanic used 14 quarts of premium oil at a very high cost. Once again I was charged an exorbitant 1 hour service fee. When I asked him why, he replied, “Because it’s a Bentley.”
In your opinion, is this correct? Is there any way to do it?
answer: The W12 engine uses 13.4 quarts of oil. This is correct. There is not much service information in the aftermarket for Bentley cars. Bentley is also not listed in AllData, Mitchell, or Motors manuals.
Yes, Mobil 1 full synthetic motor oil is the recommended choice for an oil change on all Bentley models. Retail/over-the-counter prices for Mobil 1 oil range from $12 to $16 per quart.
Here’s what I found after searching various Bentley dealer websites online. “An oil change is one of the most important services for any vehicle, and your Bentley is no exception. However, Bentley oil changes cost more than average because it requires high-performance synthetic oil and premium filters. Expect to pay between $500 and $700 for a Bentley oil change.”
Looks like you saved $100.
Do I need to adjust the valve when replacing the cover gasket?
question: I am the proud original owner of a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro pace car replica with a 350 cubic inch, 300 horsepower engine. Although we can’t do driveway maintenance anymore, there are good shops that will service your car. The valve cover gasket needs to be replaced. I’m wondering if it’s a good idea to adjust the valve at this timing.
answer: This falls into a category that is safe to check. If the engine is quiet, there is probably no problem.
Unless the engine is modified, this is still a hydraulic lifter engine and not a solid lifter design that requires more frequent valve adjustments.
Be sure to check if you have removed the valve cover.
Do you want to repair a broken caliper bolt or replace a caliper mount?
question: I had my car’s brakes replaced. One of the caliper bolts broke. The shop replaced the caliper mount instead of drilling holes. This seemed like a waste of money. What do you think?
answer: If you were doing a repair, then yes, it might have made sense to take the time to drill out the broken bolt. Once removed, the damaged tread must be cleaned with a tap or repaired using a thread insert kit.
Considering that time is money (labor costs seem to be approaching $250 an hour in some markets), it might have been cheaper to replace the caliper mounts rather than rework them.
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.
