Q. I have a 2015 Hyundai which is still like new. However I get a rumbling noise, I think from my tires. It is most noticeable if the road is not perfectly smooth. Do you agree, or could the sound be from something else? I am ready to replace the tires. Any suggestions?
A. The tires could certainly give you a rumbling noise when driving on smooth roads. If you run your hand over the tires and the tread feels slightly scalloped, it is likely the noise. Also, if the tires are the original, at 10 years old it is time for replacement. The other possibility is the suspension is starting to age. It is possible the struts or strut mounts are wearing and making a rumbling over uneven roads.
Q. I just purchased a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. It is my first non-American vehicle. I was wondering about your opinion of the car. I probably should have asked before I purchased it. Also, what are your suggestions for maintenance? The manual indicates there is no maintenance required for the transmission, which I find a little strange. In the past I always changed the transmission fluid at 30,000-mile intervals and the AWD transfer case at 35,000 miles. Is there anything on which I should focus?
A. The Hyundai Santa-Fe is a very good vehicle, with styling that is somewhat polarizing. Some people love the Land Rover Defender look, some think it is too boxy. But overall, a very good vehicle with a great warranty. The vehicle is well designed with a full complement of advanced driver assistance technology. Regarding maintenance, follow the suggestions in the owner’s manual which requires servicing every 8000 miles.
Q. I have two new questions: My wife set up an app to start her new to her 2021 Lexus RX 350. Although it seems to work to heat up the car, when she goes to open the car door, the engine stops, and she has to restart it. Is that normal for some safety reason? Second, the steering wheel has the ability to warm up in cold weather. However, it only warms up across the two sides: not around the entire wheel. Is that normal? It seems rather foolish since the hands go from warmth to cold when turning the steering wheel.
A. Many vehicles with remote start will shut off when the door is opened, so yes normal. Regarding the heated steering wheel it can vary, generally with most cars the heat grid is made into the leather of the steering wheel cover and most of the wheel is heated. This may also be Lexus’s attempt to get you to place your hands in the proper driving position which is 3 and 9 (numbers on a clock). I looked at a Lexus forum and most owners commented that the entire wheel is not heated.
Q. I inherited a John Deere garden tractor that has not run in a decade. Where do I start to get it running? You once said you answer every question, even lawn tractor questions?
A. Getting an old tractor to start is pretty similar to rescuing any old vehicle. The fuel system is usually the biggest issue. Drain the fuel tank, replace the fuel filter, and clean out the carburetor. Depending on the condition, you may find the carburetor needs rebuilding. Drain and replace the oil and spark plug(s). When the spark plugs are out, add some light oil to the cylinders. Check the engine turns over and there is spark. On the first attempt to start the tractor I would use premixed two-stroke fuel. The little bit of oil in the fuel will help lubricate the engine. Once it is running, let it fully warm up and then shut it down. Check the oil and belts and look for loose bolts, brackets and wire connections. Yes, I do try to answer every email, usually within 24 hours.
Q. I have a 2023 RAV4 plug-in hybrid which I drive about 9,000 miles a year – at least half of that is with the electric motor. I would think that oil life would be longer than a fully gasoline engine. I have been having the oil changed every 6 months but is this necessary?
A. Toyota recommends a 5000-mile service which it nothing more than a series of checkups. Every 10,000 miles or once per year-whichever comes first, the oil and filter should be changed. Changing the oil and filter as directed in the owner’s manual will maintain the car’s warranty.
Q. In April of 2022, I wrote you about ghosting on my 2017 Mazda 6 navigation system. You were kind enough to send me TSB No. 09-037/21, which addressed the problem. While the factory would not fully cover the touch screen repairs, it helped me to get them to cover part of it. Now we have the same problem with my wife’s 2019 Mazda CX-5. We love these cars, but this issue is maddening. I wonder if you have any updated information that might help resolve this problem with her car. Thanks for all you do. You’ve helped me more than once and I’m sure thousands of others feel the same way.
A. Similar to your Mazda 6, the navigation screen is faulty. Mazda published a technical service bulletin 09-003/22 titled center display peeling or scrolling, which is described as ghost-touch. It appears that now there is a screen replacement procedure (similar to a phone screen replacement) which may help with the overall repair cost.
