Q: My wife took delivery—after a long wait—of a new Toyota Sienna minivan from a dealer last June. The vehicle was delivered to us with only one key. We received an IOU for the second key. Now, eight months later, we still haven’t received the second key, and the dealer claims it is out of their hands, blaming a chip shortage. This seems outrageous, given we could probably go down the street to a key store and pay for one ourselves.
N.L., Chicago
A: Go down the street to the locksmith and buy a fob, keeping in mind that there will be a necessary programming charge. And then go back to the dealer and ask for reimbursement. Getting locked out of your car can be expensive and time-consuming if you have to wait for assistance to arrive.
Q: I have a 2004 Hyundai Sonata with 154,000-plus miles on it. The car creaks and squeaks when I go over bumps and potholes. Pretty loud. Is this something of concern with this old car? Is it fixable or should I wait until the suspension system just breaks?
C.C., Indian Head Park, Illinois
A: Don’t wait until the suspension breaks. You don’t want to be stranded beside the road, do you? I suspect that the sway bar bushings are the culprits. But there are lots more bushings in the suspension and your mechanic may be able to spot worn ones when the car is on his lift. Sometimes spraying the bushings with silicone lube will quiet them temporarily, if the problem is, indeed, the bushings.
Q: I have an ‘07 Cadillac CTS and ceramic pads were installed 3/27/22 and again on 12/22/23 at $53.49 for parts each time. I have very low mileage, about 75,000 total. They say I need pads so often because I ride the brakes. Is it normal to wear them out so frequently?
B.W., Las Vegas
A: Maybe you ride the brakes and maybe you don’t. They are only guessing that is the cause. It is not unusual for brake pads to go 75,000 miles or more, so you should not need a second set so soon. After all, the original pads lasted 15 years. But you did not mention any labor charge for the job. I would ask to see the old pads before paying. If they are truly worn, the calipers may be malfunctioning.
Q: There is a heating issue in my wife’s 2017 Ford Edge. When she is stopped, the air blows cold out of the vents, then as soon as she moves, it warms up and blows hot air. We’ve tried many different combinations of the settings. Nothing seems to work. What could be the issue?
J.F., Orland Park, Illinois
A: I suspect a problem with the blend door actuator. The blend door is a flap that moves back or forth to direct heated or cooled air to the cabin. This is an issue a professional technician can better diagnose.
Q: Is it safe to put the blend of gas and oil that was to be used in my snowblower in my car once the snow season is over?
G.R., Arlington Heights, Illinois
A: Yes, as long as it is a small amount that is then diluted by filling up the fuel tank. The blend in your gas can for the snowblower is probably 50 parts gasoline to one part two-stroke oil. It won’t harm your engine. It beats harming the environment.
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