Q. I’m experiencing an issue with my 2019 Toyota Camry SE 4-cylinder automatic transmission. I bought the car new and now it has 130,000 miles on it. When I drive off and accelerate and the engine is “cold”, typically in the morning, the car occasionally “slips” for a few seconds as if the transmission is not fully engaged. When this brief “slippage” occurs the tachometer usually shoots up / spikes – as high as a 4000 RPM’s – also for a few seconds, then things return to normal. Again, this usually happens the first time I’m driving the car during the day and only when the engine is “cold”. Once the engine is warmed up, things appear to be fine, usually for the rest of the day. Could this be something to do with the air intake process? The car’s been well-maintained. Gas mileage appears to be normal. Any thoughts?
A. The eight-speed transmission was a bit problematic in your year Camry. At this point I would have the shop check the fluid level and look for transmission codes. Generally, a 1-2 flare when cold indicates a sticking valve or perhaps a weak pump. A fluid change may help, but if all the tests are negative, then there may be a new transmission in your future.
Q. First, I want to say I enjoy your radio program. I have a chance to trade my 2017 Dodge RT Challenger for a 2017 Nissan 370Z. would you make this trade?
A. I like the Dodge Challenger a lot, it feels old school and solid. The Nissan 370Z is a great car but it to me doesn’t have the same ” American muscle car soul”. He is where I am skeptical, the two cars have substantially different values. If both cars are in good condition, the Nissan is worth $5-$7000 more than the Dodge. Before I considered this trade, I would have the Nissan carefully inspected, focusing on previous body and mechanical repairs as well as possible flood damage.
Q. I enjoy reading your column, and I finally have a reason to write in. I recently purchased a 2021 Toyota Tacoma. After the dealership air freshener smell dissipated, I discovered a lingering cigarette smoke odor from the previous owner. I have tried a few remedies including baking soda, leaving the windows open, and replacing the cabin air filter. The smell persists. What would you recommend I try as the next steps?
A. I would try renting a Ozone generator. These are the same machines they use in hotel rooms to eliminate odors. Ozone can be hazardous, so put the machine in the car let it work and then open the doors and let it air out. Once you are satisfied replace the cabin air filter with a charcoal/carbon impregnated filter. This type of filer will also filter out offensive smells.
Q. I need a trusted opinion, please, concerning a recent car repair bill. As an elderly female, I have been sometimes overcharged and/or sold services I later found I did not need. A recent bill struck me as higher than expected. When a tire shop broke one wheel stud on my 2012 Nissan Sentra, when swapping on snow tires recently, it caused loss of multiple lug nuts, and a scary ride on the interstate. After being towed to my auto shop, my repair bill for parts was $31.59 (1 wheel stud 3.99 and 4 lug nuts 27.60). But labor was $154.00 – for 1.40 hours, which included road test for noise. With a total cost of $187.56, I’m confused. This is a trusted shop for most labor costs (parts are high), but is 1.40 hours to be expected for this type of repair?
A. Your regular repair shop treated you fairly. The repair takes 1.6 hours to complete. the repair requires removal of the wheel hub to install the new wheel stud. So, the labor charge was correct. To me it also seems that the tire shop should have some responsibility for all of this. Even though one of the lugs broke when putting on the snow tires, the other four lugs should have held the wheel safety until the car was repaired. From your description it sounds as if the tire shop did not fully tighten the wheel.
Q. I have a 2100 Volvo XC90 with 194,000 miles. The car was running great on a highway trip and I got a P0011 code on the highway and I noticed I didn’t have the acceleration. I went to my mechanic, and he suggested I check my oil level first before I start to replace the camshaft oil control valves. His reasoning is that since the valves all run on oil pressure and if the oil is low or dirty, this could cause a P0011 code. The oil level was fine but I was due an oil change, so I changed the oil, cleaned all the camshaft oil control valves and checked for any frayed wires to the connectors. After about 175 miles the P0011 code came back on. My mechanic suggested I replace the control valves. After the repair the car ran fine, no problems. Then after about 300 miles I got a P0013 code, which indicates a variable valve timing component. Again my mechanic suggested cleaning the camshaft timing actuator sensors, which are also motor oil sensitive. After 200 miles, the P0013 code came back on. The car was running fine, I didn’t notice any difficulty in performance. We replaced the camshaft timing actuators. The car ran great. Now I just got a P0016 code that might be a worn timing chain or misaligned camshaft adjustment and the P0011 code came back on too. The car runs great. Now I’m looking at a new timing chain or adjustment. That looks like a big job. Since the car runs great, there are no accumulation problems. I’m wondering if a new timing chain will correct all these related codes.
A. The P0011 code leads me to the timing chain but if cleaning and replacing solenoids did not work it is more than likely the VVT (variable valve timing) units. The P0013 could be timing related but also could be an open or short in the ECM to VVT solenoid. I would also do a very close visual inspection of the wiring. I have seen multiple cases of wiring damage caused by rodents lately. There is no easy answer to this one. At this point a technician with a scope may be able to check the timing-the issue is this all has to do with the synchronizing of the crankshafts and camshafts (which could be a loose timing chain).
Q. We own a 2017 Chevy Suburban, and my son wants to install a defeat device for the cylinder deactivation system. Do these defeat devices cause any issues?
A. The engine in your Chevy and other vehicles can shut down up to half the cylinders to improve fuel economy. Depending on the device, if it plugs into the under dash (OBD) diagnostic connector it is possible that it could have a negative impact on the car’s computer system. The OBD connectors were never designed to have constant two-way communication. Also, the cylinder deactivation systems are emissions controls and using this device is technically tampering with emissions controls. If it were my truck, I would not use it.
Q. I read your column every week and learn something every time. What I enjoy most is that your column can be understood by everyone, not just the auto enthusiast. I have a 2022 Lexus ES350. Recently I lost the alternate car key, the smart card wallet key, and cannot find anyone other than the dealer who sells them. I see plenty of digital key fobs available but no smart card. Do you know of any companies that sell the card?
A. The vehicles that use a smart card style remote such as Tesla, Rivian, and Lexus up until now these cards and the programming was only available through the dealer. I did a quick internet search and after striking-out several times, I did find keylessexpress.com. According to their website they have the Lexus smart card key.
