Need car repair advice? Here are the most-read 'Car Doctor' questions and answers of 2023
John Paul, an ASE-Certified Master technician, has been answering readers' questions on their car troubles for The Providence Journal for several years.
We've put together this compilation of the most popular Q&As on our website in hopes of helping others with their auto issues.
Q: I have a 2008 Toyota Highlander V6-powered limited edition with 74,000 miles, which runs great. Can I switch to synthetic oil if I had used conventional oil since the car was new? Is there an advantage of switching oil at this stage of the vehicle’s age? If I do switch, I was told I couldn’t switch back. Is that true?
A: Synthetic oil has added benefits of improved lubrication, which helps minimize cold-engine wear. Also, synthetic oil will help with starting in cold weather and is more resistant to oil breakdown in hot weather.
Can I switch to synthetic motor oil and back to regular? | Car Doctor
Q: Is synthetic oil really worth the much higher price?
A: Synthetic oil provides greater protection against engine wear than standard oil. It is the oil I use in my family vehicles.
Is synthetic oil really worth the much higher price? | Car Doctor
Q: My wife showed me an old article you wrote that stated you shouldn’t warm your vehicle in the winter. Why is that the case? Will it do any harm to the car?
A: There is no need to warm up a modern car for more than a minute or so — even in very cold weather. Today, oil viscosities are lower and lubricate the engine much quicker than years ago.
Will warming my vehicle in the winter do harm? | Car Doctor
Q: I have been looking, with interest, at the Ford Maverick hybrid truck. I plan to tow a small pop-up camping trailer. What do you think?
A: The Ford Maverick truck, especially the hybrid trim, is a terrific little truck. It seats four, gets 40 miles per gallon and is capable of towing your smaller camper.
Can the Ford Maverick hybrid truck tow a small camping trailer? | Car Doctor
Q: I recently purchased an almost-new 2019 Subaru Outback (3.6 engine). I was disappointed to learn that the maintenance schedule was shortened by 1,500 miles from my previous 2013 Subaru Legacy (2.5 engine). The new car requires maintenance at 6,000 miles and the older car at 7,500.
A: I think you may be on to the answer. The 7,500-mile schedule may not have worked in the past as well as the manufacturer hoped. All vehicles use oil, and it may be that consumers were not checking the fluids as often as they should have.
If every 7,500-mile maintenance worked in the past, why change it? | Car Doctor
Q: Why does my 2007 Camry need synthetic oil added every 250 miles?
A: As good as some Toyota products are, some did indeed have problems.
Repairing your problem requires replacing the pistons and piston rings and the connecting rods and bearings — essentially an engine rebuild. The original warranty was for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever came first.
Why does 2007 Camry need synthetic oil added every 250 miles? | Car Doctor
Q: I am considering a hybrid sedan to replace my small SUV. I am retired and only drive about 5,000 miles a year. The car I have been looking at is the Honda Accord hybrid. What do you think? Is this a wise choice?
A: The Honda Accord hybrid is a genuinely nice sedan. Most people drive hybrid cars to save on fuel costs. According to published reports, the Accord Hybrid gets about 44 miles per gallon and has a base MSRP of $38,985.
Do you think the Honda Accord hybrid is a wise choice? | Car Doctor
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: 'Car Doctor' most-read Q&As of 2023 in the Providence Journal
