Motormouth: Why are brakes shuddering?
T.O., Las Vegas
A: Since the oscillation happens when braking, it's probably not a wheel balance issue. One of the brake rotors may have gotten damaged, perhaps from hitting a pothole or other object. Bad suspension parts can't be ruled out. If you have had any wheel service like changing a tire, rotating tires or having a wheel alignment, a rotor may have been damaged by uneven lug nut torque. Personally, whenever I have service done, I double check the torque with my trusty Snap-on torque wrench even if they used torque sticks at the shop.
Q: I am a woman who gets work estimates even when coming in for recall work. My dealer wants to perform evaporator service, factory coolant service, fuel system cleaning, replace cabin filter … over $1,000. My car is a 2015 RAV4 with 30,000 miles, and garage kept, driving three miles twice a week on average. Are these services needed now?
P.L., Skokie, Illinois
A: No.
Q: I own a 2023 Kia Niro hybrid. Since I purchased it, there has been fluid leaking from the back of the vehicle. This seems to happen after using the heating/cooling system. The dealer's service department assures me that it is simply water and not harmful, but they do not know where it is coming from. They assured me it is not coming from the tailpipe. They say that it is a common problem with this model and that there is nothing they can do to stop it. Should I press this further or are they correct in saying it is not harmful?
E.M., Evanston, Illinois
A: You can relax. It is water and it's a result of running the HVAC system. The water is condensate from the air conditioning which, believe it or not, runs in the winter as well as the summer.
Q: I'm interested in a very simple external CD player for my 2023 Honda HR-V as the car has no player and I miss it very much! Is there such a thing? I'm not so technical, so simple is very important.
K.E., Minneapolis
A: Yes, there are lots of them out there. Just be sure that your car has a USB port to plug into.
Q: I read our local newspaper daily, and delight in seeing your column in the Home & Living section of our Virginian-Pilot. I am not a car aficionado, or mechanically inclined, but I have learned so much from your answers to readers' questions. It opens discussions about your column with my husband, who knows quite a bit about cars. Again, I learn more. Please keep up your great work. It is always an informative and helpful experience. I can at least change a tire and replace my air and cabin filters ... progress! ... especially for a 74-year-old female.
T.B., Virginia Beach, Virginia
A: As I type this, I am putting the finishing touches on another column. It is headed for the editor in about an hour. That hour will go much faster now. You just made my day.
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