Dr. Gizmo Column

 

“Dr. Gizmo”

By Phil Arendt

 

New Car Education

Question 1

Will I need to relearn how to drive an electric car as opposed to a common gasoline car?  R.D.O., email

 

Answer 1

The good news is all vehicles are manufactured to government standards requiring identical main control positions for steering wheel, accelerator and brake pedals and turn signals, etc.  You shouldn’t have trouble identifying and using these common controls.     

As with any new vehicle you will need to learn how it drives and handles and how all accessories operate.  Also, it doesn’t hurt to revisit the rules of the road.  There is a learning curve.  It is important to read the owner’s guide to learn about battery charging, battery electrical consumption, travel range, vehicle controls, accessory controls and operation and preventive maintenance intervals. 

Also, presently some pure electric vehicles offer one pedal operation giving a vehicle operator the option to slow a vehicle to a complete stop with the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal.  It takes a little practice to learn this technique but in the process the battery pack receives a little charge via regenerative braking and the vehicle comes to a complete stop.

 

Collision With Deer Causes Trouble

Question 2

Recently, I was driving my 2015 Toyota Highlander when a deer jumped out and I hit it.  I pulled to the side of the road.  I did not shut off my engine.  The deer was dead and my car suffered minor damage to the bumper, grille, right fender and right headlight.  The police wrote a report and I was able to drive home without any trouble. 

The next day, I was going to take it to a local body shop my insurance company suggested.  I went to start the engine, but it would not start.  The lights turn on and all the accessories work, but the engine does not crank to start.  The battery seems fine.  I called my repair shop.  They will have it towed.

The damage seems relatively minor.  The vehicle has never let me down.  It has 105,000 miles.  I have taken great care of it with oil changes every 3,000 miles.  I love it.  It’s in great condition.  Do you think there is a major problem in the electrical system?  Do you think I should consider buying another vehicle?  G.R.P., email

 

Answer 2

It’s a little premature to consider replacing it.  Your body shop technicians need to evaluate needed repairs.  Your insurance company needs to provide authorization to the body shop before repairs can proceed.

Part of determining what needs repair is to diagnose why it won’t start.  Certainly, there is an electrical problem causing the condition.  Your shop will diagnose the cause of the trouble.  Once that is determined and all repairs are considered you will be able to make the decision whether to keep or replace the vehicle.

From the information you provided it is likely electrical conductors behind the damaged headlight might have suffered damage as well.  Since there are numerous control modules in a vehicle any damage to a wire might cause the condition you encounter.  Repair might be as simple as splicing a wire or repairing a plug.  Be patient.  Your beloved vehicle might need a minor electrical repair.

 

Labor Cost Raises Concern

Question 3

I have a 2011 Toyota Tundra with a 5.7-liter engine and a leaky power steering rack.  I’m constantly adding fluid to the reservoir and the leak is making a mess anywhere I park. 

I went to my local shop that been servicing it.  They found a leak at the steering rack.  They tell me it’s a big job to replace it requiring about 13 hours of labor.  They told me in all the years they have been in business they have only replaced one steering rack in a Tundra.  It’s not very common for them to develop a leak. 

The replacement part is not what I consider expensive, but the labor is.  I can pour many gallons of fluid into the reservoir for that kind of money but I’m tired of my kids tracking oil into my house.  Is there any way to fix this without spending a lot of money?  P.K., email

 

Answer 3

Your shop labor quote coincides with an industry standard labor estimating guide.  It is a laborious task that according to a manual requires removal of the engine and more.  Be this as it may, experienced technicians discover shortcuts to reduce labor time.  Do your due diligence by calling other shops.  You might find a shop that can do the work in less time and not charge the standard labor guide time.  And, if your shop really wants your business and you have a good relationship with them, they might do some research to find a way to cut the labor time.

 

Salvage Yard Replacement Part Optional

Question 4

I have a 2008 Chrysler 300 LX with a 2.7-liter engine.  Recently, the check engine light turned on, the dash gauges were not reading correctly and the engine intermittently stalled.  I went to a trusted repair shop.  They found problem codes and determined the trouble was caused by a failed TIP power module.  They could not find a new replacement part.  They suggested using a used part from a junk yard. 

I know that car manufacturers are supposed to make new replacement parts available for at least 10 years.  I can’t believe there isn’t one sitting in an auto supply company inventory shelf, but my shop says no.  Will the used part work for many years?  M.D., email

 

Answer 4

There is no guarantee a new part will work for many years as designed, but I understand your concern.  The Totally Integrated Power Module is a computer module that directs electrical power to several circuits.  It does not have a good reputation when it comes to reliability and most technicians are aware of its history. 

As for manufactures producing new replacement parts for a decade for each make and model year vehicle they produce, they are not required to manufacture new replacement parts.  During the factory warranty period it is likely a new replacement part might be installed to fix a vehicle, but often remanufactured parts are used.  Their obligation during the factory warranty period is to repair verified failures in a vehicle.  Fortunately for you there are companies that remanufacturer this part so that’s another option you and your shop might consider.

As for the salvage yard part your shop wants to install, the salvage yard likely offers a warranty.  If it fails within the warranty period, you should not pay to replace it.  Also, since it is a used part from another vehicle your repairing technician will need to program it and the vehicle for all systems to function as designed.

 

Fuel Consumption Under Scrutiny

Question 5

Recently, I read H.B.’s question about fuel economy.  My car’s dash display switches from miles per gallon when moving to gallons per hour when stopped.  At a stop, with all accessories off, it is 0.2 gallons per hour and with the air conditioner and most accessories on, it is 0.5 gallons per hour.  How about explaining miles per gallon versus gallons per hour?  E.L., email

 

Answer 5

The mpg standard is set by our federal government and some states set their own fuel economy standards.  Fuel economy has always been measured in miles per gallon, but your vehicle has one feature that measures how much fuel is consumed per hour when it is parked or at a stop.  Both measures relate to how much fuel an engine consumes. 

Since the standard measure is miles per gallon when a vehicle is parked or stopped for a traffic light with the engine running it is not traveling any distance.  The fuel economy or miles per gallon is zero miles traveled per gallon.  And your vehicle demonstrates with accessories on the engine consumes more fuel when stopped.  It also consumes more fuel when traveling with accessory loads on the engine and such use reduces miles traveled per gallon or mpg.       

 

Oops! Wrong Fuel

Question 6

I am a clerk at a convenience store gas station.  On a particular day, a customer came in stating that his son may have put diesel gas in his car by mistake.  He wanted to know if the car could stay until a tow could be arranged.  My question is, assuming the kid didn't run the car after filling, what kind of damage could this do to a car and what would the remedy be?  Could they get away with syphoning the gas from the tank?  A.A., email

 

Answer 6

This is a dilemma that happens often. 

The vehicle will need a tow.  If the engine was not started the gas tank should be drained, removed from the vehicle, and thoroughly cleaned.  If the engine was started, the entire fuel system will need cleaning.  Also, it’s possible in the process the fuel injectors and fuel pump module sustained damage requiring replacement.

 

Have a healthy and safe motoring day!

Phil Arendt is a columnist, consultant and A.S.E.-Certified Master Technician.  Readers may send questions to Dr. Gizmo at his e-mail address drgizmo@drgizmo.ws  01/03/2022 ® DR. GIZMO © 1989 – Present.