Ask Pete

[#1]

Remember the days when you changed your oil every 3,000 miles, and you went to the corner mechanic for a “tune-up” every 12,000 miles? A tune-up back then included changing the spark plugs, points and condenser, cap and rotor, and occasionally the spark plug wires. Today’s technology allows cars to travel 100,000 miles or more before they need a new set of plugs, and if you mention “points” to most young technicians today, they look at you like you have two heads.

I remember my days as a young technician, when we would spend our paychecks on high performance parts to squeeze a few extra horsepower out of our hand-me-down cars. If we even got near 400 horsepower, we were the guy to beat. Some of today’s cars come off the production line with over 500 horsepower and all the creature comforts you can imagine, all while delivering 25 miles to the gallon or better.

I also can’t forget my “Mind Blower” speakers delivering the best my 8-track player had to offer. While it pales in comparison to today’s 10-speaker audio systems—complete with CD changer, MP3 and USB inputs, and an onboard computer that creates its own wireless hot spot—we felt we were light years ahead of the AM radios that were only able to tune in three stations…and those were crackly, at best!

I used to pride myself on checking all the fluids under the hood of all our family cars every Sunday morning, then adjusting the air pressure on all the tires, if needed. Today, we turn the key and go, and our dash tells us if our oil is low or needs changing, or if we have a tire that’s low on pressure.

To change an air filter used to require a couple twists of a wing nut and $4 for a new filter. Today, after you consult your owner’s manual (that’s the little book in the glove box) to find where the air filter is located, you discover a contraption that looks like it was designed by a NASA engineer requiring several tools just to open the cover, and about $15 or $20 later you have your new filter installed. And have you priced a cabin air filter lately?

Did you know your car even has a cabin air filter?

I will be the first to tell you I have enjoyed watching technology evolve over the last few decades, and I have embraced it with open arms. I see all the good it has to offer and how it can make our lives easier. The price? Well, everything is relative! My hand-me-down car had a MSRP of $2,280, and gas was around 35¢ per gallon. When I was 20 years old I bought my first house for $36,900. And my income? Well, let’s just say I got paid weekly…very weakly!

It sure is fun to reminisce about the good ol’ days! Now back to work!

[#2]

Pete: I need your advice.  I drive a 2002 Toyota Camry with 85,000 miles. Great car, never had any major problems. 3 months ago - for the first time ever - the service light lit up on the dashboard. I took it to the Toyota dealer. Tests showed it needs a new catalytic converter, at a cost of $900.00! They said it's not urgent, it can wait. A week or two later, the service light went off and has stayed off ever since. Does this mean my catalytic converter is OK now? Also, a friend said you don't really NEED to fix it - it just an environmental thing. It will not hurt the car at all if it's not fixed.  Your opinion please?  Thank you. 

[#3]

Unfortunately the catalytic converter will not heal itself! That said, I am a little concerned with the dealers initial diagnosis. I suspect you may have an oxygen sensor issue that may have looked like a converter issue. You may to consider getting a second opinion from a different place of repair. If the converter is indeed bad, I suggest going to an exhaust shop to get a price as they can source an aftermarket converter that has the same warranty as the OE converter at a fraction of the price. If the converter is bad, yes you will need to replace it or other things can be affected such as operating temperature, engine power, fuel economy,etc.

[#4]

I nstill change my oil every 3000 miles and I lift my foot off the gas asmy car shifts automatically.  Shifts smoothly!  What do these young people know!

[#5]

The paradox of car ownership through the years - When I was yonger and had to work on my cars to keep them running I seldom had all the right tools - now that I am (much) older and have most the right tools I now seldom need to work on my cars to keep them running.