Can the Ford Maverick hybrid truck tow a small camping trailer? | 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.
Since it is front-wheel drive, I’m not sure it would do well on a slippery boat ramp. For camping, it should do just fine.
Based on my road test of the hybrid Maverick, I'd say if you can find one, buy it.
How did John Paul become the Car Doctor?
Q: You also say you answer every question. How about this one? I have been reading your columns in AAA’s publications, your weekly newspaper columns, listening to your radio programs, and have seen you quoted in many stories and on television. It seems like you have been providing consumer information for ages. How long have you been doing this? How did you get started?
A: Yes, I answer every question and appreciate every reader and listener.
I started off as a mechanic. In 1985, I came to work for AAA and ran the Auto Diagnostic Center and the Approved Auto Repair program and ended up in the public affairs department.
My job wasn’t all automotive. I also became a child passenger safety instructor and a AAA driver improvement lead instructor, which built and fueled my knowledge of vehicle safety.
All of this combined seemed to lend itself nicely to trying to provide unbiased information for AAA members and consumers.
I have been hosting my radio program on various stations just about nonstop since 1993 and writing weekly columns for more than 25 years, and today you can find the Car Doctor Q&A in more than a dozen papers and websites, including this one.
Will the electrical grid be able to provide enough power as EVs become more common?
Q: I'm confused. Over the summer — in certain states — we were asked to limit air conditioner use to prevent “brown-outs,” but we're also told it would be better to buy an electric car. Can you explain this?
A: I have spoken with people who are responsible for the power grid here in the Northeast, and they tell me that the grid is capable of suppling enough electricity. That is not to say that once electric cars become more than the 6% of the market, there may not be an issue — especially in the Northeast, where we have some very old infrastructure.
To help mitigate this potential issue, electric cars using a combination of smart metering and programable charging can charge the battery during off-peak/low-use hours.
In addition, electric cars may be able to act like a storage device for electricity to help manage the peak electrical demands.
Is the Ford F-150 Lightning a good buy?
Q: Have you driven the new Ford F-150 Lightning electric truck yet? If so, what do you think?
A: I did drive the Lightning truck, although just for a short test drive. So far, it exceeded my expectations.
Like all new electric vehicles, it is fast, smooth and powerful.
Ford also did a great job of utilizing the space in the truck. This includes the front trunk (frunk), which adds more enclosed lockable storage.
During my limited test drive, the handling was very good and the ride was firm but comfortable.
Electric vehicles are not for everyone, but this one is quite good.
As a side note: At AAA, we are going to be using Ford Lightning trucks for road service.
Are there any drawbacks to the Honda Accord Sport hybrid?
Q: I am looking at the latest Honda Accord Sport hybrid. I really like it, but I wanted your opinion. I couldn’t find anything wrong with it. It has great fuel economy, plenty of pickup and a nice ride. Am I missing something?
A: The Honda Accord is a very good car for all the reasons you mentioned. There were only two things that I found wrong. Tuning the radio requires the touch screen (no knob), which is distracting. Also, there is no spare tire. I found the lack of a spare a bit odd, since the space under the trunk floor certainly looked like it could fit a temporary spare tire, jack and lug wrench.
Why does my Buick's blower fan run so slowly?
Q: I have a 10-year-old Buick in which the blower fan only turns slowly at all settings. I know from reading your column that if it only ran at high speed, it would then be a blower motor resistor. Why does it only barely work?
A: I would start with powering the blower motor directly with 12 volts and see how it acts. If the blower fan spins fast, the issue is the wiring or the speed selector switch.
If the blower doesn’t spin at high speed, it could be that the motor is binding up and needs replacement.
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: What do you think about the Ford Maverick Hybrid truck? | Car Doctor
