Q: I am composing on behalf of my 94-12 months-aged dad, who has a 2000 Dodge Intrepid with 110,249 miles that has not been pushed for about two a long time. His neighbor would like to buy the automobile. Nevertheless, he has read that if a vehicle has not been utilised for a lengthy time, the cylinders are dry and ought to be oiled right before driving. Is that correct? If so, how do we go about accomplishing it, or would it will need to be towed to a garage? What would the price for a little something like that be?
J., Minneapolis
A: Until the vehicle has been sitting in a corn area for quite a few many years, the cylinders might not be dry. A garaged car may perhaps nevertheless have an oil movie. Possibilities are, it is Ok. To be on the safe and sound side, you could squirt a little bit of oil into just about every cylinder by eradicating the spark plugs. But I suggest giving the car or truck a compete as soon as-in excess of by a pro. It may well acquire about an hour or close to $100. On the carry, the tech can look at for leaks and change the oil if required. The oil have to be cleanse. The air filter should not be a mansion for mice. The gasoline will be stale so including refreshing things alongside with some gas conditioner is a great strategy. The tires are probable Ok. At the time the auto is foundation-lined, the new operator can travel it with self esteem.
Q: I study and get pleasure from your column each individual Saturday in the Las Vegas Evaluation Journal. I generate my 2020 Toyota Camry TRD about twice a 7 days. If I were being to use a battery maintainer, would it damage my electrical program? I check with simply because of all the components on the new vehicles. I use one on my 1967 GTO, which assists me in preserving the battery billed up.
V.T., Henderson, Nev.
A: No, a battery maintainer will do no damage to neither a new, large-tech auto nor your traditional, low-tech “Goat.”
Q: Considering that shifting to the Twin Towns in June, I have been exploring for stations prominently displaying the Top Tier emblem. Each individual list of TT sellers I’ve observed involves BP and Getaway (just two illustrations), but I have however to see any labeling or signage about Best Tier at any of these stations all-around in this article. Early on, I went to a BP station hoping to uncover TT. No labels, no signage. I went inside to ask and was not shocked at the blank stare I got. I believe that Acura claims my 2017 RD really should burn off only Best Tier. When I lived in California, I grudgingly paid the premium at Arco, and religiously saved just about every receipt in case I had a warranty assert and wanted to demonstrate that I was a Major Tier apostle.
G.G., Eden Prairie, Minn.
A: You won’t see any neon symptoms asserting, “We have Prime Tier gasoline.” But there is ordinarily a sticker on the pump stating so. Oil corporations concur to sell only gas that fulfills the Best Tier conventional at all of their retail outlets. You can uncover the listing of stations at the organization’s site (www.toptiergas.com), which states:
— All retail destinations within just the licensed region need to meet the large benchmarks of the Top rated TIER system.
— All gasoline grades have to be dealt with with an approved Leading TIER Detergent Gasoline additive at the proper focus.
— The Top TIER emblem should be prominently exhibited.
— Top TIER licensed shops concur to not use organometallic additives (such as MMT or Ferrocine).
Bob Weber is a writer and mechanic who became an ASE-accredited Learn Car Technician in 1976. He maintains this status by trying to get certification every single five decades. Weber’s function appears in expert trade journals and other buyer publications. His composing also seems in automotive trade publications, Buyer Manual and People Digest. Send inquiries together with title and town to [email protected].