Ask Pete - Page 2

Like many of you, I had the—ahem—pleasure of driving in the torrential rains that soaked Central Florida last week. As a cold front moved through the state, motorists were plagued with dodging debris on the road, flooding in some areas, and high winds that turned the shortest drive into a white-knuckle event.

If you have reason to call AAA because of any type of mechanical breakdown—such as a dead battery, flat tire, etc.—the first thing the call counselor will ask is if you are in a safe location. Our members’ safety is paramount in all we do, and by asking this question our counselors can get a better understanding of the situation at hand.

On my way to the office the other morning, I was traveling behind a driver who was obviously a morning person—much more so than me. The driver was bopping and swaying to a tune on the radio (at least I hope that was it), and she appeared to be really enjoying her moment.

Even though AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities have been performing a free 24-Point Vehicle Maintenance Inspection service for members for almost a decade, I am still routinely asked, “What does the inspection include?”

I remember a time when I would go out to my car about 15 minutes before my journey, start the engine, wait until it sounded like a purring kitten, then go about my day. Remember the day when you had to “set the choke” with a carbureted engine to get it going? Ahhh…those were the good ol’ days!

As we look forward to exciting times in 2011, it’s important to glance in the rearview mirror at some numbers directly related to automotive maintenance (or the lack thereof) that occurred in 2010. I recently suggested making a New Year’s resolution that may be different from resolutions you’re used to making—specifically, to be more tuned in to your vehicle’s maintenance in 2011. Here are some interesting factoids that really drive home my point.

Sometimes, I just have to shake my head and wonder, “What are people thinking?” In past blogs, I’ve shared with you some of the things I’ve observed during the several thousands of miles I travel on the road each month. I am astounded when I see drivers eating a sandwich (or a banana split!) as they talk on the phone and steer with their knees—all while doing 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit in the left (passing) lane. Worse yet, I have witnessed that same scenario…but with a pet on the driver’s lap!

As we wind down 2010, I can’t help but look at industry trends on vehicle maintenance. It looks like motorists are keeping their cars longer, but are putting off routine maintenance more. From the perspective of a repair shop owner, the number of vehicles serviced is down, but the number of major repairs is up. This indicates there is a direct correlation to lack of maintenance, which can lead to catastrophic failures. This year, why not resolve to take better care of your car so it, too, can last longer and provide better, trouble-free service? 

As some of you may know, over the past few years my significant other and I have been restoring a 1968 Camaro. This cool family project has been a labor of love, not to mention a pretty neat investment. To show how much of a car geek I really am, over the years it has not been uncommon for me to ask for car parts for Christmas presents. Trust me, I have enough socks and neckties to last a lifetime…but a Magnaflow exhaust system? Now THAT’S what I’m talking about!

Have you ever wondered why it is that when you check your oil level, it always seems like you need to add from half a quart to a quart, but yet you never see anything leaking on the ground? It’s like the oil is magically disappearing! Where does it go?

I’d like to use this week’s blog to address a response from “Swimmy10” to my previous blog about drivers’ lack of courteousness when merging. Swimmy10 suggests we launch a campaign to “bring back the wave” when another driver allows you to merge, turn or perform another maneuver on the road when you are at that other driver’s mercy. A simple one-hand wave to say “Thank you!”…Is that so hard?

merge (mərj) verb 1. to become combined into one; 2. to blend or come together without abrupt change: merging traffic

While there are two primary definitions of the word “merge,” it is an intransitive verb (Definition 2) as it relates to merging into traffic, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. I’d like to add this to my list of pet peeves in that it seems many drivers have lost their sense of courtesy when it comes to merging.

In my 20 years of helping AAA members with their automotive concerns, one thing that has always been a big value for members is their using a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility instead of a shop not affiliated with AAA. With a AAA-approved shop, if a member has a problem or a concern with a repair, AAA can investigate the dispute, look at both sides, and make a determination that is fair and reasonable for both parties.

Back when I was a technician working for a major oil company (and then for one of ‘The Big Three’), it never ceased to amaze me how many times people would come into my shop and ask to have their vehicle checked out from bumper to bumper—and they wanted it done yesterday. Why? Because they were leaving to go on a cross-country trip…the next morning!

I recently had the opportunity to ride in a neighbor’s car, and as soon as he went around a corner I heard “click click click click!” I knew exactly what it was, so I nonchalantly asked him, “Um, how long has that noise been around?” My neighbor, somewhat embarrassed, replied, “Oh, it’s been there for a while.” Further questioning revealed that he had not had it looked into and, in fact, he thought it would just “go away”!

I know I’ve talked in the past about the importance of your car’s windshield and its function in an accident. We know how important it is to get little cracks and blemishes fixed, and how it could save you more than just money. But here’s something windshield-related that has me burned up to no end!

A couple weeks ago one of my kids was going out to her car and when she pulled on the door handle to open it, the handle broke off in her hand. You can imagine her frustration having to climb in from the passenger side. Needless to say “her” problems now became “my” problems!

It’s no small wonder that during the summer months, things like your cooling and air conditioning systems are strained due to additional loads. As ambient temperatures climb daily to the mid to high 90s, these components are working their hardest. With that additional work can come additional failures, which then lead to a strain on your wallet.

Drivers frequently ask me about a pulsation they get while braking, but no problem is found on a visual inspection. I have seen some cases so bad that not only is there a pulsation in the brake pedal, but the steering wheel as well.

A few days ago my TPMS (or Tire Pressure Monitoring System) light came on my dash and I immediately thought, “That can’t be…I just looked at my tires and they all looked fine!” Taking a second look at my tires, I confirmed I wasn’t going crazy. All my tires were perfectly inflated, and I even took out the tire gauge to triple check myself. Then it dawned on me—the spare! What about the spare all tucked up underneath the vehicle? You know…the tire that receives the least amount of attention. That is, until one of the others let’s you down. (Get it? “Down?”…never mind.)

Routinely, I get asked about servicing transmissions that are late in life—high mileage—beyond their years! ...What’s a person to do?

There is no real rule-of-thumb answer when it comes to making the decision to service a high-mileage transmission. The manufacturer will almost always recommend a service, but that is under the assumption that the previous, routine services have been done.

Having spent most of my life in the automotive industry, I’ve pretty much seen it all. But on the road, there are some things I see that I just can’t get over. Here’s a list of my Top 10 Pet Peeves that I encounter on the road.

Here in Central Florida, there are few things to complain about during spring and fall. Cool evenings, pleasant afternoons! Since this past winter was unseasonably cold for us, spring certainly was a welcome change. Inevitably, though, you start to see the indications that summer is on its way. The occasional afternoon shower, kids back in swimming pools, BBQ grills getting fired back up, and everyone’s favorite—love bugs!

So I’m driving west on I-4 through Central Florida, and I notice a vehicle in the middle lane going approximately 20 mph slower than the surrounding traffic. After a couple of minutes, I realized why. I noticed that when the slower vehicle hit a dip in the road or a slight bump, the car would continue to bounce for several hundred feet. I’m not talking just a little—I’m talking full suspension extension!

Or more specifically—Is it new or rebuilt? I recently had the need to purchase a water pump for a vehicle I was working on. Not wanting to spend a whole lot of money, I figured I’d go to a parts store instead of the dealer for the part.

That was the only way I could ever get my daughter to remember what direction to turn a bolt or screw when putting it on or off. It seems like foundational household information to me. Whether you are installing vertical blinds or changing a tire in your driveway, with few exceptions the saying holds true.

Remember the days when cars had actual headlamps on them? The lamp was about six inches or so in diameter and was made of glass. With car manufacturers’ quest to make their vehicles lighter, stronger and more fuel efficient, in came the use of more and more plastics.

If you are "fortunate" enough to have a teen driver in the household, then you know how nerve-racking it can be when they are out on the road. You wonder, you worry and you pace! Here are a few tips for them that will hopefully keep them safe and keep you from pulling your hair out. Some are based on common sense and some are drawn from personal experiences! 

I got a call from a former associate who told me the story of how he and his family went away for a 10-day vacation. When they arrived home, one of their vehicles had a dead battery. Being the loyal AAA members that they are, they promptly called for Emergency Road Service. Our Battery Service technician came out, boosted the battery, and checked the battery and charging system. After the battery was recharged for a while, it was determined that the battery was recoverable, the charging system was fine, and there were no electrical draws. Then why did the battery go dead?

I recently had the opportunity to take one of my vehicles into a dealership for routine service and to handle a recall notice I had received from the manufacturer. I knew from the start that it was going to be a trying experience. As soon as I parked my vehicle, the service consultant ran his hands on one of my front tires and stated, "You need a wheel alignment." I thought to myself, "Okay, here it comes!"