Car Talk

November 2004

Dear Tom and Ray:

I have a 2000 Honda Civic that is making a thunking noise. It is slow -- thunk ... thunk ... thunk -- when I start from a stop, but then it picks up speed as the car does. It has gotten worse over the past month or two. I commute about 45 miles each way to work daily via interstate. Is it hurting the car to delay the repair? What is the matter? (Struts, wheel bearing or what?) Am I taking my life in my hands when I drive it? I am waiting till payday to take it in for repair. How much is it likely to cost (I'm a poor single mom)? Do I have to take it to a dealer, or can a regular mechanic help? Thanks! -- Marylynn

TOM: Sounds like you have a grapefruit stuck in your tire. Have you been driving by any citrus farms?

RAY: Actually, I think it's a bad tire, Marylynn. And yes, you are taking your life in your hands -- especially on the highway.

TOM: While it could be something more serious (so you DO want a mechanic to check it out), these are classic symptoms of a bad tire. One of your tires is probably suffering from the heartbreak of tread separation. It could blow at any minute. And if it blows while you're going 65 mph, it's going to be very exciting.

RAY: So I wouldn't wait until payday. This is what credit cards are for, Marylynn. This is something that has to be fixed now. Any decent mechanic or tire store can handle this for you. You don't have to go to the dealer.

TOM: Once the diagnosis is confirmed, we recommend that you replace at least two tires together so the tires that share an axle have matching tread, and behave the same way in terms of handling and stopping. Otherwise, you can get unpredictable handling, especially in wet weather or in emergency maneuvers. But if you're really strapped for cash, replace the bad one now with your credit card, and then go back on payday and get another one. You might even need all four by now if these are your original tires, so be prepared.

RAY: But you have to do it, Marylynn. You say you're a single mom -- that means your kids can't afford to lose another parent!

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