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<strong>The</strong> Car Doctor<br />
John Paul is AAA Northeast’s Car<br />
Doctor. He has over 40 years’ experience<br />
in the automotive business<br />
and is an ASE certified master<br />
technician. He will answer reader’s<br />
questions each week You can find<br />
the Car Doctor podcast at www.<br />
johnfpaul.podbean.com or other<br />
popular podcast sites. Email your<br />
car questions to jpaul@aaanortheast.com<br />
Follow John on Twitter @<br />
johnfpaul and friend him on facebook<br />
mrjohnfpaul<br />
Q.<br />
I have a 2002 Toyota Camry with 307,000 miles on<br />
it. I have never changed the transmission fluid. I<br />
checked the fluid yesterday and it was still full, but<br />
the color has changed from a strong red color to a more<br />
red/brown color. Should I do anything at this time with the<br />
fluid? <strong>The</strong> car is running okay.<br />
A.<br />
Changing transmission fluid on a high mileage car<br />
can be risky. Sometimes what happens is, when you<br />
change or flush transmission fluid the varnish and<br />
other debris will wash away and cause additional problems<br />
as this varnish gets into the transmission valve body. New<br />
transmission fluid is not a cure for transmission problems<br />
such as slipping and flaring between shifts. I would only<br />
change the fluid in your 20-year-old Camry if the transmission<br />
is performing properly.<br />
Q.<br />
A.<br />
Over the past few days when I turn the air conditioner<br />
on in my car, I see a mist or fog coming<br />
out of the vents. Is this the Freon leaking out and<br />
what should I do?<br />
In some cases, this can be from an air conditioner<br />
system that is slightly undercharged with refrigerant.<br />
Although, more than likely what you are seeing is a<br />
result of high humidity, coming in contact with the cold dry<br />
air. This can be more likely if the air conditioner is set in<br />
recirculate rather than fresh air. Also, if the air conditioner<br />
evaporator drain is clogged, this extra water will cause fog.<br />
According to weather science, if the air temperature is near<br />
the dew point air will condense and cause fog.<br />
Q.<br />
We purchased a new 2020 Kia Sportage in December<br />
of 2019. It did not have the usual new car<br />
smell, but instead a very strong offensive rubber,<br />
industrial smell. We were assured by the dealer<br />
that this would go away, usually in few months. It has subsided<br />
some, but after 10 months, the car just is a sick, unhealthy<br />
smelling vehicle and nothing has fixed this. I have<br />
tried everything and just the had cabin filter replaced with<br />
no effect. <strong>The</strong> dealer recognizes the smell and tells us we<br />
need to contact KIA ourselves. Doing research, we found<br />
that in 2012, Kia Sportage was one of 10 worst for VOCs, but<br />
can find no further information. Can you shed light on this as<br />
it makes us feel ill every time get into car.<br />
A.<br />
Years ago, Kia as well as Hyundai vehicles had some<br />
odd smells that were certainly different than typical<br />
new car smell. I haven’t noticed that odd smell in<br />
many years. In my own car, a Hyundai Santa-Fe, it had a<br />
very strong smell and it was the dealer/port installed cargo<br />
tray. Once I removed the tray, cleaned it and let it sit in the<br />
sun for a few days the smell disappeared. To minimize the<br />
smell, always keep the air setting on the fresh air side rather<br />
than recirculating the cabin air. At this point 11 months later,<br />
any smell should have dissipated. Certainly, calling Kia customer<br />
service is a good start. Readers have you had a similar<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Yankee</strong> <strong>Xpress</strong> • www.theyankeexpress.com • <strong>September</strong> <strong>24</strong>, <strong>2021</strong> 21<br />
experience with odd new car smells, I would like to know.<br />
Email me at jpaul@aaanortheast.com<br />
Q.<br />
I have a 2010 Escalade Hybrid with a 6.0-liter engine.<br />
<strong>The</strong> motor has a loud tapping sound from the<br />
top end of the motor. Do you know of a shop that<br />
can repair this problem?<br />
A.<br />
<strong>The</strong> engine in this vehicle uses cylinder deactivation<br />
to save fuel. <strong>The</strong> engine itself has a history of<br />
faulty valve lifter which produces a distinctive ticking<br />
noise. At 11 going on 12-years-old that is at least one of<br />
the possibilities that could cause a noise like what you are<br />
experiencing. Regarding getting the car looked at and repaired,<br />
any competent repair shop should be able to at least<br />
give you an idea of what could be wrong. For a list of AAA<br />
approved repair shops near you go to www.aaa.com/repair.<br />
Reader Tip: Regarding finding body parts for an old Subaru<br />
Mike W. suggested Subie Savers https://www.subiesavers.<br />
com/impreza<br />
Your source for business and<br />
community news and advertising.<br />
ads@theyankeexpress.com - news@theyankeexpress.com<br />
Ron Moscoffian<br />
Appr. #9537<br />
Scott Milner<br />
M&M Auto Body<br />
7 Industrial Park West, Bldg. 2<br />
Oxford, MA 01540<br />
508-987-7070<br />
mm.auto@verizon.net<br />
R.S. #3926<br />
“Guaranteed Fast Service, No Matter How Long It Takes”<br />
SCRAP METAL<br />
FREE<br />
DROP-OFF!<br />
NO CHARGE<br />
FOR DROP-OFF!<br />
ACCEPTING ALL METALS!<br />
Washing Machines • Dryers<br />
Water Heaters • Dishwashers<br />
• Air Conditioners •<br />
Cars & car parts - NO tires<br />
Phone Equipment •Much More!<br />
FARRAR AUTO BODY, INC.<br />
204 Main Street • Oxford, MA<br />
508-987-0022
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