What do you think about a plug-in hybrid as an alternative to electric? | Car Doctor
Q: I am considering an electric SUV but I am concerned about range and available recharging. What do you think about a plug-in hybrid as an alternative to electric?
A: A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is a great choice. These vehicles can operate in electric mode — in some cases up to 50 miles — and then switch to conventional hybrids.
I recently road-tested a Hyundai Santa Fe with a 30-mile, all-electric range, which is more than my typical daily driving. It had a total range of 400 miles. I don’t have a charging station at home and just plugged into a 120-volt outlet and started the day on a full charge.
Others to look at are the Toyota RAV4 PHEV, with about 42 miles of range, and the Ford Escape PHEV, with 37 miles of range.
Check out AAA’s EV website: ev.northeast.aaa.com
How long will it take to perfect self-driving cars?
Q: I heard you on your radio program talking about autonomous vehicles. Do you think there will ever be a time when I can just tell my car to go somewhere and I won’t have to actually drive it? Also, how do these systems work?
A: Right now, we are focusing on advanced driver assistance features (ADAS). These ADAS features allow the technology to help the driver. Some examples are advanced emergency braking, rear emergency brakes, smart cruise control, lane correction/centering and even driver monitoring. These systems are, in some cases, quite good but not perfect.
The fully autonomous systems work using a combination of cameras, sensors and mapping. In fact, the autonomous car systems work a bit like a robotic vacuum cleaner.
Recently, I got a robotic vacuum that uses sensors and a camera as it learns to navigate my house. On its first trips out, it hit/bumped walls and furniture. Eventually, it learned where things were, and it now quietly cruises around the house mopping and vacuuming.
Based on a number of factors, it will be a very long time until you can get in your car, nap for 500 miles and wake up at your destination.
What is the best weight of oil for a very hot climate?
Q: I recently purchased a winter home in Arizona where I will keep a car. I will be, for the time being, flying there. My car recommends 5W-20 weight oil. Since it will be in a hot-weather state, should I use thicker oil?
A: Use the oil recommended in the owner’s manual. As an example, my wife’s car recommends 10W-30 year round in any climate. It also specifies synthetic oil.
For my car, there is a choice of 5W-20 in moist climates and 5W-30 in hotter climates. I only use synthetic oil for the added benefits, although it is not required.
If my car were in Arizona, and if your car has options similar to my car, I would use the 5W-30 oil for the extra protection from the hot weather.
Why does my fuel gauge always read empty?
Q: I purchased a 2018 Nissan truck. It was a great deal, because it had very high mileage (almost 180,000). It runs great, but the fuel gauge always reads empty. What is wrong?
A: You first need to start looking at the wiring and resistance of the fuel level sensor. It could be a broken wire coming off the tank. A full fuel tank should read around 50 ohms and an empty tank around 300 ohms.
If the reading — based on the knowledge of how much fuel is in the tank — looks normal and the wiring is OK, then the dash gauge is faulty.
My guess is that you will find a broken wire somewhere along the line to the cab of the truck.
Should I buy a Ford Thunderbird that went through a flood?
Q: I have a chance to buy a 2002 Ford Thunderbird. It looks good, seems to run strong and has some wear and tear. The real issue is that it has a salvage title. Apparently, it was flooded in 2008. The seller only wants $3,000 for the car. What do you think?
A: Flood damage can be some of the most difficult to repair, since the corrosion never seems to stop and you could have electrical problems forever.
There are a couple of positives: The flood damage happened a long time ago, and perhaps most of the electrical gremlins have been chased away.
The other is the price. The typical retail price of that car is north of $10,000. At a price of just $3,000, drive it and enjoy it.
If it were me, I would treat this car as a disposable toy. The Thunderbird was a great “boulevard-cruiser.” If and when the repairs get overwhelming, send it down the road or donate it to a charity.
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: How about a plug-in hybrid as an alternative to electric? | Car Doctor
