At 3mm, should I have the brake pads replaced right away? | Car Doctor
Q: I have a 2018 Toyota Camry with 89,000 miles on it. I recently had an oil change done, and they said the pads on the front and rear brakes were down to 3 millimeters. Should I have them replaced right away? Could I do the front first and then do the rear at a later time? This is the first time either set would be replaced. Would it make sense to change the brake fluid at the same time?
A: New brakes pads are generally about 10 to 12 millimeters thick. At 3 millimeters, the brakes are just about worn out and should be replaced. Replacing the front and rear brakes at the same time may save a little money and, certainly, your time without a car.
Replacing the brake fluid is a great idea when servicing the brake system. Additionally, if you are keeping this car, replacing the brake rotors is money well spent.
How to diagnose faulty lights on snowmobile trailer
Q: I was working on my snowmobile trailer, which I use only in the winter months, and I noticed the lights are not working. Some work and some don’t. Where can I start?
A: The first place to start is to see if the trailer or the tow vehicle wiring is an issue. A simple 12-volt test light is about all you need. Depending on the plug (flat four or round seven), the troubleshooting is about the same. Use your test light and see if the wiring will light the test light at the connector. If it does power the test light, move on to the trailer wiring. The most common issues are related to corrosion of the lamp sockets due to moisture, road salt and other ice-melting chemicals.
What to do about water pump problems with Ford Edge and Explorer
Q: It is my understanding that the 3.5L V6 engines in the early Ford Edges or Explorers (mine is a 2011) have a water pump issue. When the pump goes bad, it ends up destroying the engine.
Since the pump is internal, it's costly to replace and not a job for a home mechanic. Is the water pump issue only on some of the V6 engines (i.e., the range of date the engines were built)? If so, how can I find out if my car is one of them? What is the best maintenance to prevent the pump from failing?
A: You are correct that the repair is a 12-hour job, due to the location and the timing chain arrangement. The water pump can leak, and that was common for many years on this model. The timing chain tensioners/guides can also break.
The water pump is chain driven, and when the bearing wears, the seal leaks and coolant ends up in the engine oil. On newer models, Ford switched to a more robust design. At this point, change the coolant and oil on a regular basis and periodically inspect the pump for leaks and noise.
What are the drawbacks of hybrid vehicles?
Q: When people talk about hybrid cars, they mention only the positive things. What about the negative things that most buyers are unaware of? Could you enlighten us about some negatives of owning a hybrid vehicle?
A: Hybrid vehicles can cost more than their non-hybrid counterparts, so it will take a bit longer to pay off the initial investment with higher fuel economy.
Hybrid vehicles are a bit more complicated, and not all repair shops are fully up to speed on hybrid-specific repairs. Also, as a hybrid car gets older, the resale value can suffer, due to the uncertainty of the hybrid battery life.
Cars are a personal choice, and the right car needs to fit your needs, wants and budget.
Recently, I was talking with a motor press friend who lives in Maine who wanted to buy a new vehicle and was considering an electric. After some research and the lack of charging infrastructure in Maine, he settled on a Hyundai Tucson hybrid. So far, he has been getting about 36 miles per gallon, a 30% improvement over his previous SUV.
To compare driving costs of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrids and battery electric cars, go to aaa.com/autorepair/drivingcosts.
What makes John's favorite cutting pliers better than others?
Q: I heard you on your radio program talking about a fancy pair of cutting pliers. You said they are handy for cutting cable ties. What makes them different from other cutters?
A: What makes these cutting pliers different is that they are flush cutting. So, when you cut a wire tie wrap (zip-tie), it does not leave a sharp edge. If you bundle wires under a dash or other spot where you might need to reach in again, it's nice to remove all the sharp edges. The biggest problem with this tool is that my wife keeps taking it for seasonal crafting, cutting florist wire and making wreaths and other flower arrangements. The cutters are made in Maine by Xuron Corp.
John Paul is the AAA Northeast Car Doctor. He has more than 40 years of experience in the automobile industry and is an ASE-Certified Master Technician. Write to John Paul, The Car Doctor, at 110 Royal Little Drive, Providence, RI 02904. Or email jpaul@aaanortheast.com and put “Car Doctor” in the subject field. Follow him on Twitter @johnfpaul or on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: At 3mm, should I have the brake pads replaced right away? | Car Doctor
