Q: I have a 2019 Nissan Maxima in excellent condition. I am considering adding a blind side monitor. What system should be installed and who should do the installation?
A: I have only tested a couple of systems and found they all worked, kind of. I found that, for the most part, the aftermarket systems didn't have the long range of the factory systems. In other words, if the car was right on your bumper or in a blind spot it would go off. Where these systems seemed to fail was with motorcycles and speeding vehicles. In some cases, I have found that a good add-on convex mirror was sometimes better. Now it has been a couple of years, and I'm sure systems might have improved.
As for installation, I have found that any good auto stereo/alarm store has the expertise to install these systems.
Toyota Prius headlights are very dim
Q: I have a 2012 Toyota Prius V. I’m noticing the headlights being exceptionally dim, to the point where it’s tough to drive at night. I replaced the passenger headlight after it died very recently. I also used the 3M brand headlight cleaner to defog them. But still, it’s very dim. A shop quoted me $400 to just diagnose the issue, but I figured you might have some ideas.
A: I would start with the basics of power and ground. Depending on when this vehicle was manufactured, it could have halogen or LED lamps. In both cases, the circuit needs 12 volts and a good ground.
In the past, some Toyota Prius models had issues with the headlight harness to the point where the manufacturer extended the warranty to 10 years or 100,000 miles. This is where I would start.
Is the engine really blown on my Ford Transit van?
Q: My 2015 Ford Transit van has 240,000 miles and the 3.5 EcoBoost engine. While starting one morning, it stopped in mid-crank and the whole van shook. I know it is an interference engine. I immediately feared a timing chain failure and total engine destruction. I used a breaker bar at the crank, and the engine didn’tmove. My mechanic said the motor was gone.
Should I get another opinion? If not, will the regularly aspirated 3.5l or the 3.7l engines drop right in? My personal thought was that it happened at low RPM, so it might be salvageable, although a pricey fix. Your opinion is appreciated.
A: I suspect your mechanic is correct. Although, the only real way to tell is to pull the valve covers and look for valves that are stuck, then take a borescope and check the cylinders for damage. Chances are, if the chain broke, it did some serious damage.
As for a second opinion, it makes some sense to just make sure it isn't something weird, such as an A/C compressor locked up, a stuck starter or even a engine flex plate that broke.
If it is the chain, and by some chance only the valves were damaged, you are still looking at a set of heads, a new chain set, a water pump and, considering the mileage, a new set of turbos.
As far as using a non-turbo replacement, you would need to change the harness and computers and maybe some brackets.
If it were me and I liked the truck, I would try to find a low-mileage engine as a replacement.
Does CR-V need a new exhaust system, or can I just replace certain parts?
Q: With my 2010 Honda CR-V I was told that the exhaust – from after the exhaust manifold to the exhaust tip – is rusted and cracked with holes and will need to be replaced. Is it possible to just replace certain parts and not the entire exhaust system? I was told the cost would be $3,100 to $3,500.
A: Some custom exhaust shops can try to save usable parts, but in a 14-year-old car, it is not likely there is much to save. I am guessing the catalytic converters are the biggest cost of the repair.
It certainly couldn’t hurt to get a second opinion and ask about using a high-quality aftermarket catalytic converter to save some money.
How vehicles end up in movies, games and TV shows
Q: I recently watched the movie "A Man Called Otto" on Netflix. There was a Chevrolet electric pickup truck in the movie. The truck did not exist when the movie was made and certainly not in that time frame. How does that happen?
A: Many vehicle manufacturers will use product placement in movies and television. What you saw was an early preproduction model all-electric Chevrolet Silverado.
Automakers work with production companies to tease new models and gauge reactions. It could be the Audi E-Tron in "Ironman," the Nissan GT-R in the Gran Turismo video game or the Fisker Ocean that made a cameo appearance in the series "The Lincoln Lawyer."
John Paul is the AAA Northeast Car Doctor. He has more than 40 years of experience in the automobile industry and is an ASE-Certified Master Technician. Write to John Paul, The Car Doctor, at 110 Royal Little Drive, Providence, RI 02904. Or email jpaul@aaanortheast.com and put “Car Doctor” in the subject field. Follow him on Twitter @johnfpaul or on Facebook.
