As Temperatures Drop, So Does Mileage

My 12-year-old Prius V hybrid makes a loud rattling sound when I start the car and then when I accelerate. It does go away after driving a while.

exhaust system in the car seen from below

Rattling Sound Could Lead To A Sad Answer

I just watched a movie called "Old Dads." In the movie, four guys get fired from their jobs because of a conversation they had while driving a rental car for work.

Don't Let The Internet Fuel Your Imagination

I recently discovered that the lens is missing on the center brake light on my wife's 2016 Lincoln MKX. 

DIY Fix is Possible If You're Patient And Careful 

I just purchased a 2024 car that uses premium fuel. Most gas pumps have a single hose for regular and premium fuels. The hose is usually about 8-feet long.

 Am I Getting All The Premium Fuel I Paid For?

I live in Brooklyn, New York, and I had my catalytic converter stolen. My mechanic put in an after-market converter because there were no Toyota ones available.

Problems Persist After Catalytic Converter Theft

I read your column about the guy who wanted to warm up his car in the garage with the garage door open. You recommended against it. 

The Fastest, Safest Way To Warm An Engine

I have a 2014 Toyota Tacoma. I cleaned the mass airflow (MAF) sensor with electronics cleaner and now the truck is running terribly. 

Easy Fix Hopefully For Accidental Cleaning Mistake

My next car purchase will probably be my last. I'm 72. And like my trade-in, I'm in great shape.

New Hybrid Toyota Fulfills All of Buyer's Wishlist

 Easy Fix, For Accidental Cleaning Mistake

I've been reading about a device called Fuel Save Pro that plugs into my car's OBD II port under the dashboard. It says I can save 15% to 35% on fuel costs by letting this device optimize my car's fuel settings dynamically while driving.

 Is Fuel-Saving Device Too Good To Be True?

According to my Chevrolet service department, the turbo charger on my 2016 Silverado 2500 HD Duramax needs to be replaced due to excessive carbon buildup. 

Appeal To The Dealer To Replace Turbo Charger

My husband tends to leave the cruise control on after driving my car (and who knows how often he does this with his own car?). 

On-off Safety Feature Means You Can Cruise

You had a reader write in recently about a 2002 Saturn with air only coming from the defroster vents.

Reader Offers a Good Tip, Unless You Own a Saturn

I have a 2011 Cadillac CTS, and my trunk will not open with the remote button inside the car or with the key fob. 

Keyless remote of luxury car on leather armrest

The Junk in Your Trunk Should Be an Easy Fix

Can you explain the physics and engineering for the concept of "un-sprung weight?" I see people who drive cars like mine (a 2006 BMW Z4) talking about how to "reduce un-sprung weight."

Don't Go Nuts With The Lighter-Weight Lug Nuts

In 2014, I bought a new Toyota Camry XLE Hybrid. It's the best car I've ever owned. It's got about 72,000 miles on it.

Hybrid's Battery Should Long Outlast Its Warranty

I recently went on a road trip to Yellowstone National Park in a rented 2022 Hyundai Elantra. My wife prepared the usual trail mix bag of assorted nuts and, of course, yummy peanut M&Ms, otherwise why hike?

M&M Theft Required Ninja-Like Precision

Car Talk Vehicle Donation is launching the 2023 Golden Wrench Awards for best vehicle donation of the year! Take a look at the exceptional lineup of this year's nominees!

clsoe up photo of a tire attached in a car

Vehicle Donation Golden Wrench Awards

I hope you can help me finish a do-it-myself repair. I took off an outer tie rod so I could replace it. 

DIYers Can Fill Up Their Bag Of Tricks

If I leave my car sitting for two or three months, do I need to do anything to protect my tires other than perhaps inflate them to maximum recommended pressure?

car is parked in an area with a lot of foliage

 The Wheels Of Modern Vehicles Stay Round

I have a 2017 Toyota Prius with 58,000 miles. Do I need to have the cooling fan motor cleaned periodically?

White Toyota Prius on autumn road in rainy day

Prius Has Two Cooling Fans

My 1995 Toyota Celica has 150,000 miles on it and still runs well. I don't drive it very much anymore -- less than 1,000 miles a year.

Keep A Car Hardly Driving But Always Ready

What should I do? I put water in the radiator of my 2000 Ford Ranger, then headed to the next town over (about 13 miles). I was flying along at about 60 mph, listening to Pink Floyd, and I suddenly lost power.

Cross Your Fingers And Do A Compression Test

I have two automatic transmission questions that have plagued me for over 50 years. 

There's Only One Way To Tow An AWD Vehicle 

Years ago, the difference in price between different grades of gasoline was 10 cents a gallon. Now there's a dollar difference between regular and premium where I live.

When Something Sounds Too Good To Be True

I bought a used Volvo for my wife. I didn't know it had locking lug nuts on it. The car did not come with a key to remove them.

Locking Wheel Nuts Can Be A Useful Feature

I have a 2010 Chevy Tahoe approaching 125,000 miles. It runs great.

Older Cars Need Regular Check-Ups

I have a Honda CR-V with all-wheel-drive. I'm curious about how frequently I have to change the rear differential oil. 

Certain Cars May Require More Diligent Maintenance

I have a 2020 Honda Pilot. I will occasionally use the remote starter to warm up the car in my garage, with the garage door wide open.

Even If CO Danger is Low, It's Not Worth The Risk

I just put new tires on my truck, and there are no wheel weights on any of my wheels. Is that normal?

Luck Probably Doesn't Extend to Four Perfect Tires

I love your advice, and now, I need some. I have a 2007 Toyota Avalon V6 with 106,000 miles in excellent condition. It runs great. 

Driving With an Oil Leak Requires Some Vigilance

What is the most memorable road trip that you have ever taken?

Ray Shares His Most Memorable Road Trick -- Trip

I have a 2015 Honda Fit that has been losing antifreeze for about two months. It started with a very small amount, then got much worse. 

 Don't Blow a Gasket About Leaking Antifreeze

I have a 2002 Saturn L200. The control knob that directs the air for the heat and air conditioning doesn't work anymore.

Luxury car air vents and air conditioning

No Cheap Fix, Best Option May Just Live With It

My 1992 Volvo 240 sedan was broken into and attempted stolen in Washington state.

Unapproved Work Leads to A Good Deal

I retired last month and my husband passed away unexpectedly shortly afterwards. Now I own two vehicles.

Close up of Toyota logo on brand Toyota Hybrid model

No Bad Choices When You Have Good Taste In Cars

I have a 2015 Mazda 3 sedan with 43,400 miles. I took the car to the dealer for a routine oil change and tire rotation and was told I needed three things.

Professional manual workers repairing car

Find a Mechanic You Can Really Trust

Is there a simple, easy way to remove considerable moisture from the headlight assembly of my 2014 Nissan Titan?

A Bit of Moisture Can Lead To a Big Price Tag

I accidentally put diesel in my gasoline engine. I drove about 50 miles before bad things began to happen. 

Greatest Casualty of Fuel Faux Pas is Your Wallet

I have a 2015 Dodge Durango with a 3.6L V6 engine. The SUV has 75,000 miles on it, and I plan to keep it for a long time.

Opt For The Longer-Lasting Part

Back when I was married, my ex-husband got upset when I turned on the car's air conditioner while he was accelerating onto a freeway. 

Good Riddance To The Ex And His AC Complaint 

We have a 2021 Subaru Forester that we bought new, and the local dealer keeps recommending all kinds of services that aren't on the maintenance schedule. 

Two Mechanics in a Service are Inspecting a Car

Suggested List, Unnecessary or Hogwash

I bought a 2023 Honda CR-V hybrid sports touring car last month. 

Each EV Car Maker Decides On Their Annoying Sound

Your column is always mandatory reading for me, and I look for it first thing. I own a 2016 Nissan Murano with 69,000 miles on it. It is serving my family well. 

man driving through wilderness on dirt road

Your SUV May Require More Visits To The Car Wash

My daughter's 2018 Honda Pilot LX's warning light came on, so she took it to the dealer. They said there were metal shavings in her transmission fluid so they flushed it. 

A Dealership's Priority is Not To Save You Money

My son's car has tires inflated with nitrogen. I'm curious about the pros and cons of that option.

Is it a Scam or an "Unnecessary Upsell"?

Around 2015, the power-window controls on my Dodge Durango stopped letting me control the front passenger window. I can move the other windows up and down, but not that one.

Simple Hack To Keep Pup From Power Windows

The owner's manual of my car -- an Audi A6 -- says to use 91-octane fuel. But the pump near me has 87, 89 or 94. Since then, I've noticed that a lot of cars require 91-octane. 

Don't Stress About Mixing Octanes

Twenty-two years ago, I bought a completely disassembled 1953 MG TD. The same car your late brother used to own, and wax poetic about (ad nauseam, as you'd say) on your radio show.

Chill Out While Installing Freeze Plugs

I bought a used car and had it for one day. I noticed that the steering wheel was shaking when I stepped on the brake, so I took it to a Mavis Tire shop. 

Moron Insurance Covered By Mechanic's Incompetence

I'm curious about the location of disc brakes vis-a-vis the wheel. I've seen the caliper housing mounted on top of the wheel, in front of the wheel, and to the rear of the wheel.

Location of Calipers are Up to Designers

I just purchased a new Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric car and love it.

Accelerometer, Triggers Brake Lights in EV Hyundai

I recently purchased a 2013 Toyota RAV4 LE. After a few days of in-town driving, it began to make a high-pitched whining sound from the back end -- definitely not coming from inside the car. 

Disc brakes and calipers original system of car

Brake Calipers May Be Whining for Some Grease

I went to my Toyota dealership to get my 2021 Tundra's oil changed. They use synthetic oil.

Mechanic Repair Vehicle Laying Under Vehicle

Gas And Oil Conditioners Deserve Some Questioning

I have an Emily Post question that falls into the category of appropriate customer behavior when visiting your mechanic's place of business.

How To Avoid Royally Annoying Your Mechanic

Being an octogenarian, I am all into the safety features of the new cars, especially the blind spot monitoring. 

Rely On Your Blind Spot Monitor, But Do Your Part

I recently took my 2015 Honda Civic in for an emissions inspection so that I could renew my registration. The car has 34,000 miles on it.

Get Driving To Get Ready For Emissions Inspection

Please settle a bet: Which is more taxing on shocks -- a 6-inch bump in the road or a 6-inch pothole? I say they're equally taxing

The car passes near the pit on an asphalt road

Are Bumps And Potholes Equally Taxing?

After five years, I'm finally used to the auto start-stop feature on my 2017 Cadillac XTS. When I got him (yep, a him) home after a long stay at a body shop (sad story), the auto start-stop didn't engage for two weeks.

 Intermittent Auto Start-Stop Need a Full Charge

I have a 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The emergency brake will not hold the vehicle.

Closeup of young woman pulling handbrake lever

Emergency Brake Issues May Be More

I am a longtime fan of your Car Talk podcast, writing and humor! I will be turning 70 soon and plan to retire sometime next year.

Take Baby Steps Toward Your Next Great Adventure

My mom loves your column in the newspaper and reads it all the time! You answered a question from a reader who wanted the most comfortable possible seat for his wife without spending a fortune, and you suggested buying a used luxury car. 

Prepaid Services Can Buy Peace of Mind

Am I a chump? I went for my oil change and free inspection at my Honda place.

Shop's Transparency Raises Questions Than Answers

I love your column and your NPR show. I have a 1973 Ford Mustang convertible (I am the original owner). 

 To Add or Not to Add (Lead Additive)

I have a 2017 Chevy Volt that I bought in May 2016. It only has 36,000 miles on it.

Mechanic changing a wheel of a modern car

Do Your Research Before Heading to The Tire Shop

Hello I am Tahsin from Bangladesh! I have a question regarding my car. It's my first car, and I don't know much about cars. 

Asian man open car hood and check up his car

Mystery Lever Benefits From a Two-Step System

I have a 2020 Toyota Avalon. I recently put new Michelin tires on the car and immediately noticed a 10% decline in mileage, coinciding with the arrival of fall temperatures.

Tires And Changing Seasons Can Impact Your Mileage

Some weeks ago, you published a letter from a reader about excessive oil use in their 2012 Equinox four-cylinder. 

Same Name And Car But Different Kinds of Luck 

I have a 2012 Honda Accord. It was driving fine until recently when it started hesitating and then jerking (like a manual transmission that goes too slow in a high gear). 

Young african american girl working at car service station

Relay Delay Could Account for Slow Restart

My mileage drops in the winter. I understand this has something to do with winter, but my question is: What is it about winter that makes mileage drop?

In a recent article about a tire pressure warning light that wouldn't turn off, you didn't mention checking the spare tire. 

Be Prepared, Don't Ignore The Spare

My neighbor has a 1994 Toyota Camry with only 28,500 miles on it. The car has been garage kept, serviced according to schedule, and is in perfect condition.

Well-kept Camrys Good Option For New Teen Drivers

Car Talk writer, Nicole Wakelin, gets a first look at the stunning new offering from Alfa Romeo, the 2024 Tonale, and a tour around the incredible Alfa Romeo facility in Milan, Italy. 

2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale

I have a 2017 Lincoln MKZ with a 2.0 Hybrid Engine (72,000 miles). I love this car! I do NOT love the whining noise the car makes when the gas engine kicks in.

Luxury Car's Whining Noise is Impossible To Ignore

When I start my 2004 Ford Ranger, it makes a high-pitched squealing noise for a few seconds. Then it goes away. 

Tightening Belt May Give You Some Peace And Quiet

I was recently in a bad car accident when our rental car collided with a bison at the north rim of the Grand Canyon. We were very fortunate to walk away from a totaled car with all the airbags deployed. 

Evolving Safety Tests Mean Safer Cars

I had my Kia Sorento warming up and decided to add some windshield washer fluid before driving away. I accidentally poured it into the antifreeze container. 

Be Careful When Refilling Fluids

A question about electric vehicles! How is an EV cooled and heated?

Range is Affected When Heating And Cooling Your EV

Help! My wife and my adult daughter have taken up a practice that I'm concerned about. In the hottest part of the summer, they like to turn on the car's air conditioning AND roll down the window!?! 

Little girl looking out to the windows open with smile

It's OK to Give Up Some Efficiency For Comfort

I have a 2020 Honda CR-V with 18,000 miles on it. The maintenance minder says I need to have the rear differential fluid and the brake fluid replaced now.

Factor in Mileage And Time For Maintenance

My 2010 Ford Taurus now shows more than 415,000 miles on the odometer. I've had the car since 21,000 miles.

Well-maintained Taurus had a Good Run

I have a 2001 Toyota Tundra. I take it to remote places and try to keep it well maintained.

Aerial view of an off road vehicle descending slopes

 Be Prepared for Car Failures

I have a 2013 Kia Optima with 144,000 miles on it. It runs great, and I've only had one problem with it.

Not All Aftermarket Parts are Created Equal

Car Talk writer, Nicole Wakelin, gets a first look at the new Kia EV9, and the small big city of Seoul Korea.

First Look at the Kia EV9

In a recent column, you answered a question from a guy named Jerry who had problems with his 1947 Plymouth with a 6-volt electrical system. You suggested upgrading the electrical system, along with the wiper motor and other stuff, to 12-volts. 

front view of a 1947 Plymouth Special Deluxe Sedan

Vacuum-Powered Wipers Needed Upgrading as Well 

My husband, sentimentally, drives a 2000 Toyota Tundra pickup truck with suicide doors that once belonged to his dear, departed father. The mileage is below 100,000.

Vehicles With Age Should Be Inspected Regularly 

I grew up in the 1950s, in a place where winters were quite cold. My dad was an auto mechanic, and we had a neighbor who would start his car outside on a cold morning.

Even Modern Engines Need a Little TLC

Car Talk sits down with up and coming Pro-AM drift driver, self-taught mechanic and popular influencer, Stephanie Rodriquez, also known as Stephanie Drifts. 

Spotlight on Stephanie Drifts

I removed the cross bars on my 2019 Toyota RAV4. My beloved queried, "What for?" I said to eliminate the jet propulsion din, if we open the moonroof AND to get better mileage.

Improving Car's Aerodynamics Will Improve Mileage

I bought a 2019 BMW 540Xi brand new. I love the car. But here is the problem: The car comes with run-flat tires and no place for a spare or jack.

Low Profile Tires, Lousy Driving Combination

Can you explain how the thermometers in cars (the ones that show the outside ambient temperature) avoid being influenced by the heat coming off the engine?


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Rattling Sound Could Lead To A Sad Answer

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Am I Getting All The Premium Fuel I Paid For?

Problems Persist After Catalytic Converter Theft

The Fastest, Safest Way To Warm An Engine

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New Hybrid Toyota Fulfills All of Buyer's Wishlist

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