Extended Warranties Often a Good Thing
This weekly feature for Warranty Direct about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America’s Car Show on satellite radio. Below are some recent Q&A from the America’s Car Show email bag.
Dear Tom,
Should I buy the extended warranty for my 2003 Buick? I was just advised that I should have purchased the warranty when I bought the car. How important is it?
Pat from Johnstown, PA
Pat,
Extended warranties are well worth the money if you keep the car for longer than the factory warranty covers the vehicle. Why? Because auto repair gets quite expensive when you consider electrical component repair/replacement, transmission/engine repairs, etc. When buying an extended warranty, make sure you buy from a company that has a good track record when it comes to paying claims. Also, find out if they do business with a lot of car dealerships and if they have been in business for a lot of years OR that they have serious capital to back up their coverage/claims. I recommend Warranty Direct because they meet the criteria I outlined above.
Tom
Dear Tom,
How many miles over the recommended 5,000 miles can a vehicle endure before changing the oil? And what can possibly go wrong if the oil is rarely changed, as long as I continue to maintain the correct oil levels by monitoring the dipstick and adding oil as necessary.
Mannie from Miami
Mannie,
Why do you ask this question? Are you going for the Guinness Book of World Records for time lapsed between oil changes? Seriously, if engine oil is left in the engine too long, viscosity breakdown occurs (the oil loses its ability to lubricate the engine). Sludging will also occur due to the increased engine temperatures from friction caused by decreased lubrication. Stick to the recommended maintenance drain interval or, if you want to go longer between oil changes, switch to synthetic motor oil and change the oil every 7,000 miles. Good luck.
Tom
Dear Tom,
I own a ’92 Cadillac. I smelled a burning odor on the passenger’s side and the car started to drive in spurts for a minute, and then it stopped. I think it might have been the transmission or the carburetor. What do you think?
G.R. from Houston, TX
GR,
First of all, your car has electronic fuel injection (carburetors are a thing of the past since the late eighties). If the fuel delivery system were leaking, you would smell gas, so let’s rule out a fuel leak. It could be an engine oil leak, trans fluid leak, coolant leak, power steering fluid leak, or (most likely) a leak in the heater core. Start the diagnosis with a cooling system pressure test to see if the heater core is leaking. If it’s okay, then get the car up on a lift and check for a transmission or engine oil leak. Best to you.
Tom
Dear Tom,
I own a 2005 Chevy Equinox with 10,000 miles. When should the car have a tune up? I bought it brand new and have had the oil changes done as recommended.
Sandi from Maine
Sandi,
There is no specific tune up schedule for your car. As a matter of fact, if you check the maintenance schedule, it will probably suggest to change your sparkplugs at 100,000 miles. I do not subscribe to this suggestion. I would remove the plugs every 25,000 miles, inspect and clean them, and re-gap. Then re-install the plugs, applying never-seize compound to the threads (and torquing them according to manufacturer’s specs). Also, make sure to change the air filters and breather elements according to manufacturer’s specs. This regimen will keep your chariot in tiptop running condition. Success to you.
Tom
Dear Tom,
I own a 2003 Toyota 4runner with 43,500 miles. Do you think it’s time to flush the radiator, and change the transmission, brake, and power steering fluids? I also hear a humming sound like the differential, but it only makes the noise when I take my foot off the gas pedal and the vehicle is slowing down between 60 and 50 mph. Is this something to be concerned about? Also, when I first start the truck (and I walk to the back of the truck) it smells like rotten eggs. What’s causing this odor? Thanks.
Abdul from Salt Lake City, UT
Abdul,
Yes, I would flush the radiator, replace the thermostat, and refill with a fresh 50/50 mix of coolant and water. I would also flush the trans and replace the filter with an OEM quality one. Brake fluid and power steering fluid flushing are subject to condition. Check for the presence of rust or sediment in the brake master cylinder. If it’s clean, leave it alone. Check the power steering fluid for color and smell. If it’s clear and there’s no burnt smell, leave it alone. Using a gasoline with high sulfur content can cause the rotten egg smell. Try switching brands. Run a couple of tanks through and see if the smell goes away. If it doesn’t, have a diagnostic done because the engine is dumping more fuel into the engine than the catalytic converter can process (resulting in the rotten egg smell).
Tom
‘‘Til next time…Keep Rollin’
For more articles by Tom Torbjornsen, visit AMERICA’S CAR SHOW web site: www.americascarshow.com
Tom Torbjornsen is an automotive expert of 37 years. An automotive journalist in good standing with the IMPA (International Motor Press Association), Torbjornsen is the Repair and Maintenance Editor for AOL Autos, Edmunds.Com, At Home Portals and many other websites. Torbjornsen is the auto expert of record for Channel 4 WIVB TV, Western New York’s CBS affiliate. Hear his radio show AMERICA’S CAR SHOW, on the Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel – Stars Too – Sirius 108 and XM 139; Sunday nights – 10PM – Mid EST. Send your car questions to his website at: www.americascarshow.com
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Filed under: Americas Car Show, Auto News, Mechanical Breakdown Insurance, Warranty Direct, When & Why Buy Auto Warranty
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it
using amsoil you can change your oil 1 year or 25000 mile using amsoil filters under normal conditions. Be carefull what you say about oil changes. 7500 oil changes are the thing of the past.