Q: I have some scratches on the bumper of my 2017 BMW 440xi. I’m skeptical of the products I see on social media and commercials. Do you have any suggestions for products that help to hide or cover up bumper scratches?
C.C., Deerfield, Illinois
A: Have you tried duct tape? Not knowing how severe the scratches are but assuming that they are significant, I suggest a new bumper cover. Yes, a bumper cover, not a cover-up. It is the part you see that covers the real bumper assembly underneath. It may cost you around $500 plus installation.
Q: Wondering if you could help me with a debate my wife and I have been having since, well, forever. When our CR-V is parked in the garage, my wife puts on the parking brake. To her credit, she did grow up in Seattle where there are actual hills. However, as a Midwestern boy I don't put the parking brake on unless parked on a hill. Is using the parking brake good for the car or does it really matter?
A.R., Glenview, Illinois
A: Until the 2017 model year, the Honda CR-V had a parking brake cable. Now, the parking brake is electrically activated. Why does this matter? With lack of use, cables were prone to corrosion and when needed, they may have failed. If they did apply, they may not have released. Regular use kept the parking brake system in working order. Flatlanders need not use the electric parking brake, but it is still a good habit to do so. Let’s call this one a draw.
Q: I have a 2007 Sebring with about 30,000 miles on it. I keep it garaged in Florida. A couple of times a month a friend of mine starts the vehicle and lets it run about 20 minutes. Due to COVID and my age (88), I have not been able to get down to Florida. Should my friend drive the car when he starts the engine or is it OK to just start it ? (The car has not been driven for over a year.)
M.F., Bloomingdale, Illinois
A: Just like us, your car needs occasional exercise. Starting and idling the engine is like sitting in a rocking chair. It’s fine, but not enough. Let your friend take it out for about 20 minutes or more a couple times a month.
Q: I have a 2012 Chrysler 300 with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The manual does not recommend a change for the transmission. I now have 110,000 miles on it, and it continues to run great. Should I leave well enough alone, change it, or change and flush it?
G.M., Lisle, Illinois
A: The transmission fluid is supposed to last the life of the vehicle. Leave it alone. If you must change it, the stuff costs roughly $50 per gallon.
Q: You recently responded to a reader stating that his Hyundai steering would resist corrections while traveling. We had the same experience with our ’17 Sonata. I took it to the dealer and was told that this problem related to the lane keeping software. We were told that the best solution is to just shut the cruise control off for a minute or two. We tried this on the next road trip and found that the dealer was exactly correct! Far less expensive than replacing a rack and pinion.
J.L., Plymouth, Minnesota
A: Thanks for passing that along. I am doing the same. However, I wonder why the carmaker has not issued an update to the software.
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