Tag: maintenance

Should you stick with your dealership or look for an independent mechanic? Pablo wants to know his options for his Avalon.

Thirty five percent of us put off auto maintenance until tomorrow, even though it ends up costing more in the end. It helps if you trust your local dealer or garage.

Today, Dave is storing his daughter's Nissan Altima and wants to know how often he needs to drive it to keep it running. Tom and Ray explain why the occasional short drive is the best way to maintain the battery and exhaust systems. 

Dann gets his oil and filter changed regularly, but he wants to know if he should get the car lubed too. Are all those squeaks and squawks coming from the undercarriage just his imagination? Tom and Ray explain why most cars don't need lube jobs anymore, and have some alternative uses for their now-idle grease gun. (Toilet seat on April Fool's Day, anyone?)

Joe's daughter wants to learn some car repairs and she wants her dear old dad to teach her. The problem? Joe's worried that if she gets injured, he'll feel guilty for the rest of his life. Tom and Ray offer some basic safety tips but will it be enough to set Joe's mind at ease?

Bill's Subaru needs a new timing belt, and the dealer is asking twice what his local mechanic wants for the job. Tom and Ray say there may be more to this story than meets the eye. 

Rick, a self-identified geezer, has reached the age where he just wants to pay someone else to check his car's pressure and fluids for him. But he's had no luck finding a gas station that offers this service. Tom and Ray think these services are less important than they used to be. Find out why and whether they have any advice for Rick, all right here.