Q: I am curious about whether the noise from roads will be quieter when there are more electric vehicles. That is, does the noise come from tire/road contact (so no change) or from the engines (great change)? Does the vehicle speed matter, as in highway noise vs. local connector road noise? Does size of vehicle factor into this discussion?
L.B., Wethersfield, Connecticut
A: Your neighbor to the east, the University of Connecticut, did a study on road noise several years ago and determined that tires are the major source. Noise increases with vehicle speed. You may have noticed noise-deflecting walls where some neighborhoods are close to highways. Larger vehicles with larger, multiple wheels are louder. It doesn’t matter whether the vehicle is powered by electricity or gasoline.
Q: I’ve enjoyed your column for several years and I’ve always wanted you ask you this question. I understand I should always consult the owner’s manual when a technician suggests a repair. But what do you do when the technician suggests a repair and my vehicle is in the shop and high in the air and I do not have access to the manual? I can’t imagine asking him to lower my vehicle so I can look at the manual, suggesting he might be trying to rip me off. Any suggestions
T.B., Chicago
A: Thank the tech and ask him or her to note the service suggestions for you. When your car is returned, compare the suggested services against your owner’s manual. Don’t be shy about asking why those services or repairs are required when you return. Next time, take the manual with you to the waiting area.
Q: My 2018 Volvo XC60 calls for 5.9 liters of oil. The oil that meets the specification stated by Volvo is sold in 1-liter units. Should I remove 0.1 liters of oil or should I simply pour in all 6 liters of oil? I am concerned about overfilling.
R.W., State College, Pennsylvania
A: The 0.1 liters equals about one third ounce. Just pour it all in. BTW, you should not recycle plastic oil bottles. Dispose of them in the trash.
Q: I have a question that I haven’t seen you address before. I bought a 2018 Ford Taurus with a V-6 a few years ago. The dealership said the oil should be changed every 5,000 miles or 6 months. I don’t drive that much, so it was changed every 6 months. I now have a Honda CR-V EX-L 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. Should I base the oil change on mileage or time?
R.W., Newport News, Virginia
A: Both. The oil change interval is 9,000 miles or 12 months. If you wish to use the same schedule as your Taurus, that’s fine. Over maintaining trumps under maintaining.
Q: I own a 2011 Honda Ridgeline RTL with 197,000 miles on it. I get anywhere from a slight to a more pronounced shimmy coming from the steering wheel starting at around 50 mph, increasing as the speed goes to over 70 mph. Going around curves seems to reduce the amount of shimmy. Any ideas as to what could be causing this and how to correct the problem? The tires only have about 20,000 miles on them.
M.B., Lino Lakes, Minnesota
A: The most common source of steering wheel shimmy at a certain speed is an unbalanced wheel — most likely in the front. An unbalanced wheel in the rear is often felt in the seat of the pants.
©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
