Q: My 2008 BMW 328 with the six-cylinder engine and 82,000 miles runs beautifully. But once the temperature gauge reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit, the electric cooling fan comes on full and stays on, even given the cooler fall weather. Pulling into the garage, the whooshing howl of the fan is very loud. It takes 30 seconds for the fan to wind down from its stratospheric RPM. Is this normal operation?
E.W., Williamsburg, Virginia
A: Yes, Virginian, it is normal. The engine is happiest when running at the designed running temperature. In your BMW’s case that is about 200 degrees — even in cold weather.
Q: We have a 2013 Ford C-Max and a 2020 Ford Fusion. We usually burn 87-octane gas containing 10% ethanol. Lately I’m seeing 88-octane unleaded with 15% ethanol. I know we shouldn’t use E-85 but I’m wondering if we could use the 88-octane with more ethanol.
TC, Richfield, Wisconsin
A: As of the 2013 model year, Ford vehicles can use E15 gasoline, while prior model years are limited to E10. To see fuel requirements specific to your vehicle, check your owner’s manual. By the way, E15 has 85% gasoline, the opposite of E85 which has 15% gasoline. But increased alcohol provides decreased miles per gallon. For example, E85 that contains 85% ethanol has about 25% less energy per gallon than gasoline.
Q: I have a 2012 Hyundai Elantra with 87,000 miles and the idle is sometimes a little bit shaky. I brought it to the Hyundai dealer twice who replaced my engine under a class action suit for a piston slap noise. They found nothing wrong. I was told to use fuel system cleaner or super unleaded, but it hasn't helped.
M.F., Braintree Massachusetts
A: After a decade of driving, the idle air control valve may be getting dirty. When that happens, idle is often uneven, especially on a cold engine. A thorough throttle body cleaning may be all you need.
Q: I put a new set of Michelin Primacy Tour A/S 235/55 tires on my 2017 GMC Acadia. It seems like after 7,000 miles they are really riding hard. This tire is supposed to be quiet and smooth riding, but they are not. Can these tires get hard?
B.M., Portsmouth, Virginia
A: No, new tires don’t get hard. New tires typically feel different than the old, worn tires. Just be sure they are inflated to the pressures found on the car’s door. Some tire techs mistakenly inflate the tires to the maximum pressure figure molded into the tire’s sidewall.
Q: For the last year I've had an intermittent problem with my dome and other lights not coming on my 2011 Toyota Avalon. The 7.5 amp fuse blows each time. For a while I was able to just replace the fuse, and everything would work for many months. Recently the fuse is blowing in a day or less. I've had a Toyota dealer look at this and they did not charge me initially. They replaced the front ceiling console that has the door rocker switch and map lights. This was costly and unfortunately the problem was not solved. Since they guarantee their work for a year, they and Toyota will now work together to solve the problem. There are no TSBs on this problem.
S.P., Bartlett, Illinois
A: I am not sure whether there is a short circuit somewhere or if there is power surge when the lights come on. Try installing a 7.5 amp slow-blow fuse. If it does not blow, one or more lamps may be demanding too much current.
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