Q: I have a 2021 Honda HRV. This one is white with a light tan interior. Driver's seat has some stains. How can I buy a stain remover and how to use it? What are your thoughts on using vinegar and other homemade remedies?
A: Use a special car interior cleaner and a soft brush and dry with a clean white towel. Of course, test the cleaner on an inconspicuous area first to check the color fastness. Products I've had good results with are Meguiar's Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner and Tuff Stuff Interior Cleaner (foam cleaner and bargain price). As for DIY, a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water will do the trick. Some people mix a little soap with lemon. You can also mix it with dish soap and use just the foam. Even shaving cream may work on stubborn stains.
Q: I recently did an oil and filter change. I noticed another charge on the bill to "remove the oil filter". I wish he had buried that statement in the bill under Labor instead of spelling it out.
A: That's a bit of an odd statement since I went for an oil change which included the oil filter. Some cars (such as the Volkswagen, which require the removal of the large belly pan) may require a little more time as the oil filter and drain plug are difficult to reach.
call me obsolete But with all the add-ons and additional profit fees some stores have, will they also start charging for air?
Q: I have a 2015 Jeep Cherokee Limited 6 cylinder engine and a 6 speed automatic transmission. The car has 120,000 miles and is nearing the end of its extended warranty. Is it possible to replace the transmission fluid and filter to find out what is causing the transmission failure? I was told not to worry unless it looked anything other than red. what should i do?
A: Sometimes old fluid is the best fluid. But I agree with your reasoning to look for potential problems before the warranty expires. If this is my car and the fluid looks good, I do a quick drain, change the filter, and refill. Do not flush the transmission and only use Jeep approved fluids. Q: My 2017 Cadillac CTS with 30,000 miles had transmission vibrations when light acceleration was applied at speeds of 45 to 50 miles per hour. Powertrain warranty is still valid. There is a pending class action lawsuit regarding this issue. GM has issued Technical Service Bulletin Number: 18-NA-355 Date: August 2019. Could this be a permanent fix? Could there have been irreparable damage to the transmission? Also, repairing it under warranty could invalidate a ruling from a class action lawsuit. Do you have?
A: This is a very common problem on nearly all GM vehicles. As you pointed out, the fix is to flush out all the fluid and replace it with Mobil 1 synthetic transmission fluid. General Motors seems to have had transmission torque converter problems for decades.
Regarding class action lawsuits, in most cases, repairs do not change the outcome in the future, and in some cases, they even offer reimbursement for expenses, rental cars, etc. Q: I have a 2016 BMW X4. Purchased new and has been garage kept. The car has 64,000 miles. When I brought it in for normal maintenance, it was said that the oil pan seal needed to be replaced. I thought it couldn't be helped, but it cost over $2000. It seems a bit premature for this issue to occur. We appreciate your feedback.
A: I agree, it's a little early. The gasket costs $60, and it takes about 6 hours to replace, so it feels a little expensive. It's kind of crazy that BMW thinks oil seepage is normal and doesn't need repair by the factory. I wonder if the dealer was a little too aggressive in recommending repairs.
John Paul is an AAA Northeast Car Doctor. He is an ASE certified Master Technician with over 40 years of experience in the automotive industry. Write to John Paul, Car Doctor, 110 Royal Little Drive, Providence, RI 02904. follow him on twitter @John f Paul or on facebook.