Q: I am crafting on behalf of my 94-yr-outdated father, who has a 2000 Dodge Intrepid with 110,249 miles that has not been driven for about two several years. His neighbor would like to get the vehicle. Even so, he has heard that if a car has not been used for a long time, the cylinders are dry and really should be oiled before driving. Is that accurate? If so, how do we go about performing it, or would it will need to be towed to a garage? What would the value for some thing like that be?
J., Minneapolis
A: Unless the motor vehicle has been sitting in a corn subject for several years, the cylinders might not be dry. A garaged car or truck may perhaps even now have an oil movie. Prospects are, it is Alright. To be on the safe and sound facet, you could squirt a bit of oil into every single cylinder by removing the spark plugs. But I counsel supplying the automobile a contend the moment-more than by a professional. It may consider about an hour or close to $100. On the raise, the tech can check for leaks and improve the oil if needed. The oil will have to be clean. The air filter must not be a mansion for mice. The gasoline will be stale so incorporating clean things along with some gas conditioner is a great concept. The tires are most likely Ok. Once the motor vehicle is foundation-lined, the new proprietor can generate it with self confidence.
Q: I read through and get pleasure from your column each and every Saturday in the Las Vegas Review Journal. I travel my 2020 Toyota Camry TRD about 2 times a 7 days. If I were to use a battery maintainer, would it damage my electrical procedure? I question for the reason that of all the factors on the new autos. I use a single on my 1967 GTO, which helps me in maintaining the battery billed up.
V.T., Henderson, Nev.
A: No, a battery maintainer will do no hurt to neither a new, significant-tech vehicle nor your traditional, lower-tech “Goat.”
Q: Since relocating to the Twin Towns in June, I have been browsing for stations prominently displaying the Top Tier symbol. Each and every record of TT distributors I’ve discovered involves BP and Getaway (just two examples), but I have nevertheless to see any labeling or signage about Top Tier at any of these stations all-around in this article. Early on, I went to a BP station hoping to come across TT. No labels, no signage. I went inside of to ask and was not stunned at the blank stare I obtained. I feel Acura suggests my 2017 RD ought to burn only Top rated Tier. When I lived in California, I grudgingly compensated the premium at Arco, and religiously saved every receipt in circumstance I had a warranty claim and preferred to confirm that I was a Leading Tier apostle.
G.G., Eden Prairie, Minn.
A: You won’t see any neon indications saying, “We have Leading Tier gasoline.” But there is commonly a sticker on the pump stating so. Oil businesses concur to market only fuel that meets the Top Tier conventional at all of their retail outlets. You can come across the checklist of stations at the organization’s website (www.toptiergas.com), which states:
— All retail locations inside of the licensed state need to satisfy the superior specifications of the Top TIER application.
— All gasoline grades ought to be handled with an accepted Best TIER Detergent Gasoline additive at the appropriate concentration.
— The Top TIER logo need to be prominently shown.
— Major TIER accredited retailers agree to not use organometallic additives (these kinds of as MMT or Ferrocine).
Bob Weber is a writer and mechanic who grew to become an ASE-qualified Master Automobile Technician in 1976. He maintains this status by seeking certification every 5 a long time. Weber’s get the job done appears in qualified trade magazines and other consumer publications. His writing also seems in automotive trade publications, Customer Guideline and Buyers Digest. Send out inquiries alongside with title and town to [email protected].