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Is it too early to replace the timing belt on my SUV?
John Paul, AAA Northeast's Car Doctor, answers a question from a reader wondering about a recommendation from a Honda service representative.
Q. I own a 2015 Honda Pilot with just over 44,000 miles. It runs great and looks great, so I have no practical reason to replace it. Today I had a state inspection performed at a local Honda dealership. The results showed that all inspection points were “satisfactory,” except the external drive belts and radiator hoses which were checked off as “Requires Immediate Attention.” The customer service representative recommended that I seriously consider replacing the serpentine belt for $250 and timing/water pump belt for $2,350. No pressure was applied to have this service performed today, except to say that if the timing belt fails, the engine will be destroyed. My question is, should this service be performed on a vehicle with 44,000 miles? It does not seem that a service that expensive should be necessary at this mileage, especially when vehicles these days are delivering far more mileage with just regular oil changes. What do you think?
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A. When the service is required, the onboard maintenance reminder will show “service 4.” This typically happens around 110,000 miles. Honda recommends timing belt change at 60,000 miles if driven in very hot or cold conditions. If it were my car, I would wait until you see “reminder 4” displayed. At this age it will probably happen closer to 60,000, just due to age. There was a time when we were lucky to see radiator hoses and fan belts lasting three or four years. Today we are seeing a 10-plus-year life span on those. Since your car is getting close to that age, I would consider replacing the drive-belt and the upper and lower radiator hoses and carefully inspecting the other coolant hoses. Whenever in doubt, get a second opinion.
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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. We purchased a certified pre-owned 2021 GMC Sierra Denali. When you brake and hit around 13 miles per hour, it feels as if you are driving over a rumble strip. I brought it in for service, and they said it was the tires. They said this is a characteristic of off-road tires. I then brought it to my mechanic, and he said it’s either the drivetrain or tires. What are your thoughts?
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A. At this point I would have the dealer swap out another set of tires from another vehicle and see how the car reacts. The Denali option is a luxury trim package that provides high-end features, and a quiet, smooth ride. So even “off-road” tires should be smooth and quiet when slowing down. If the dealer temporarily swaps the tires and the feeling goes away then it is the tires. If it does not (and I do not think it will) then I would be looking at other problems. This could be an issue with the anti-lock brakes or the driveline.
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. Typically, 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 a rebuilding. Drain and replace the oil and spark plug(s). When the spark plugs are out, add some light oil to the cylinders. Check that 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.
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Q. I have a 2021 Honda CR-V. I am having trouble with the temperature setting inside the car during winters. Anything above 62 degrees on the dial blows hot air. Anything less than that blows cold air. The settings function normally and as expected during summer when the weather is warm outside. I had the dealership check it, but they said this is normal behavior as the temperature sensor is outside the car and not inside. All other cars I have been in function like an air conditioner in all seasons. Is something wrong with my car?
A. I did a bit of research to see if there were any Honda technical service bulletins that would apply and did not find anything. Regarding the temperature sensor, there are actually three — an external sensor, an internal sensor, and a solar sensor. The system, since it is computer controlled, has some diagnostic capabilities. I am wondering if the dealer actually tested anything or just wrote it off as normal. If the dealer truly considers it normal, I would look for another 2021 CR-V and compare them. I suspect you will find a difference between the two vehicles.
John Paul is AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor. He has over 40 years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE-certified master technician. E-mail your Car Doctor question to [email protected]. Listen to the Car Doctor podcast at johnfpaul.podbean.com.
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