Chris, Russ, and Shannon answer your questions on car and truck maintenance on their weekly radio show, “Under the Hood”. It can be heard on WTYM AM 1380 & FM 103.7 Saturdays from 10AM-Noon.
Dear Motor Medics,
I have a 2011 Honda Civic and it specifies that I use a fully synthetic oil of very low weight. I have never seen oil with this low of a weight rating so I worry about protection and it’s also very expensive as compared to regular conventional oil. My question is this, can I use conventional oil and go with a heavier weigh like a 5w30 and get the same protection at a lower cost? I want to protect my engine but also be as economical as possible.
Brad in Williamsport Pennsylvania
Dear Brad,
No, that’s about as easy as I can put it. The manufactures have gone to lower weight oil to increase fuel mileage through less drag and also reduce emissions due to stricter government standards and a demand for better fuel economy. When they changed to the lower weight oil they also engineered the engine to run with it. This means that the engine will not lubricate properly with heavier weight oil. As for the synthetic part there are many reasons that it is required, some of which are reduced friction for the mileage and emissions, better stability to protect at the lower weight ratings, and less sludge buildup in the engine. If you were to switch to higher weight oil or use non-synthetic oil you could risk damage to the engine that would not be covered by the warranty. Always use the manufactures recommended oils in your engine.
Take care, the Motor Medics
Dear Motor Medics,
I drive a 1994 Buick Regal with 110,000 miles and it felt just broke-in, but lately my feelings about the car are leaning more towards just plain broken. I have not had to do much more than general maintenance to the car, oil, coolant, transmission fluid changes and tires are about it. In the last six months it’s been bigger things like starters, alternators and wiper motors. I’m beginning to wonder where it will all stop. The latest failing item that has me writing to you because I can’t duplicate it for my local shop is smoke that comes from my steering column by the steering wheel. It has happened three times at random. I am worried that the car may catch fire. Do you have any ideas or should I just sell it?
Karen in Bennington, Vermont
Dear Karen,
We can help. Older cars can be great if they’ve been well maintained, but eventually all will need something. It sounds like you are just in a spell of breakdowns that hopefully will pass. As for the smoke I suspect that you have and issue with the turn signal switch. This was a common area for a breakdown of the contacts that causes a hotter than normal condition resulting in the grease that coats the contacts smoking. I have never seen one catch fire but you need to have it and the wiring checked right away. I hope this helps you out.
Take care, the Motor Medics