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Q. I have heard a lot lately about top tier gasoline brands and read some positive comments from you about using top tier gas based on AAA testing. However, I would like to know if the brands BP and the SAM’s club brands would be considered top tier. My second question is, where I live the gas, all looks like it comes from the same terminal. How do I know I’m getting the gas I’m paying for?
A. To find is a gasoline is considered TopTier go to www.toptiergas.com. BP was once listed as TopTier gasoline but recently it looks like they are no longer on the list. All gasoline base stock is the same. The formula and quantity, of the additives are proprietary and this is what makes gasoline brands unique. These additives are installed when the tankers are filled with products.
Q. I have owned a variety of cars, from a “Bullet- Mustang” to Volkswagen GTIs and now a S-line Audi. I have been reading about the all-new Nissan Z. I owned a 240 Z when it was actually a Datsun and have loved most (not all) versions since then. What is your opinion of the latest iteration of the Z car?
A. I recently spent a few days evaluating one and found it to be fantastic. I also took it to a local car show to judge the reaction from attendees and all comments were very favorable. I think Nissan did a very good job with both interior and exterior design paying homage to the original 240 and 260 Z cars. The ride, handling and braking were superb and the 400-horsepower turbocharged V-6 engine especially when coupled with the six-speed manual transmission was superb. The cabin was a little cozy and I would have liked to hear a bit more exhaust note, but overall this latest Z-car is a winner.
Q. I own a 2018 Acura MDX that I take every year to Florida for the winter. Now that just about all of the exit numbers have changed my factory GPS isn’t as helpful as it once was. My question is, would the update to the factory GPS be covered under my warranty?
A. Yes, exit numbers will be changing as to comply with a 2009 mandate from the Federal Highway Administration for all states to have exit numbers of match mile markers. This new numbering will take a little to get used to but will allow motorists to know the distance between exits and will also allow for easier to locate motorists if they break down. Since the navigation system is operating as it was designed it would not be covered under the warranty. That being said, I have a portable Garmin navigation unit and they did provide an update at no charge. So perhaps Acura in the spirit of customer satisfaction may do something similar.
Q. I have 2010 Mazda Miata and the rear shock mount looks rusted. I plan to replace both strut cartridges, should I replace both rear mounts? The car has low miles and is only driven in the summer, and I do plan on keeping it for a while.
A. If this were my car, I would replace the struts with an entire assemblies. There are several brands, one is Monroe, and they offer a quick-strut, which includes a completely assembled strut with the spring, bushings and mount. This is an easier to install option and will also restore the ride height and handling.
Q. I recently had the left headlight burn out on my 10-year-old Chevy Malibu. A kindly police officer stopped me-no ticket. My last Malibu that was older the entire bumper needed to come off. Is this true on this car too?
A. There have been a little improvement in this design and on the 2013 Malibu the windshield washer tank needs to be removed. Once removed you will have access to the bulbs. My advice is to replace both low beams bulbs, the light will be evenly bright and no tickets.
Q. I have a question regarding my 1968 Pontiac GTO that I have owned for almost 20 years. It’s been restored and is a low mileage California born and bred car. My problem is that the car runs smoothly at normal in town speeds (up to 60 MPH but on the freeway, once you reach 68-70 MPH the car tends to shake as if the wheels are out of balance. I recently installed a set of expensive Firestone redline wide oval radial tires purchased from Coker Tire. When they were first installed by a local shop, due to the vibration, I felt that they were not balanced properly so I had a different shop rebalance them. Unfortunately, there was no change. I have disc brakes up front and drums in the rear. Both were replaced, including the drums, within the last 1000 miles. Most front-end components and suspension parts were also replaced. Could you suggest what the next step I should take to diagnose this issue. The issue only seems to be noticeable at high speeds. A friend of mine suggested that the drive shaft could be out of balance. I’m anxious to have this car run as good as it looks.
A. First off, I don’t believe it is a driveshaft balance issue. If it, were you would feel the vibration in the body of the car much more than the steering wheel. Back in the 60’s 70’s and even 80’s we would use a on-the-car wheel balancer. These balancers would not just balance the wheels and tires but the hubs, rotors and drums. With a little investigating you may find a shop with one of there balancers. The other possibility is that the tires, wheels and hubs need to be better matched to each other. Every tire, wheel and hub have a high and low spot. If the high spot of the wheel is mounted on the high spot of the hub, even if the wheel and tire is perfectly balanced you can get a vibration. At this point it will take some time with a dial indicator and runout gauge to get everything as close to perfect as mechanically possible.
Got a car question, email the Car Doctor for a personal reply. jpaul@aaanortheast.com
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