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What wiped out all the data in my SUV’s infotainment system?
John Paul, AAA Northeast's Car Doctor, answers a question from a reader who unexpectedly got a blank screen when they started up their vehicle.
Q. My Kia Sorrento, not yet two years old, exhibited an odd symptom. Upon starting the engine the other morning, all of my computer presets were wiped clean. The home screen invited me to create my own presets which I long ago did and all was working fine. All radio presets, GPS favorite destinations, safety alerts, preferences, and Bluetooth connections were gone. I even had to reset the time. It took me about an hour to reset all my preferences. The car runs fine. What happened? Is this likely to happen again?
A. The first place to start is to look at the battery and all the major electrical connections. From your description it sounds as if the car lost electrical power, although over the years I have seen infotainment systems randomly reboot and clear all stored memory. Is it going to happen again? It is certainly possible. Even though the battery is only two to three years old, checking the battery and connections is the first place to start.
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Q. There was an episode on your podcast where the guest said it was not necessary to rotate your tires. What is your opinion on that?
A. If you keep a constant watch on your tires, I agree, but most people do not do that. Also, tire rotation is a good excuse to check brakes and steering components as well as give the car a quick overall look. If you are someone who checks air pressure weekly, looks for uneven tire wear regularly, and drives reasonably, then it is not necessary – but that is not most people.
Q. I just found your column on car repair questions. I find it informative, but I did want to make a comment on one of your responses. There was one reader that had a problem with oil pressure dropping off at times. I used to always do my own oil changes but got lazy the last couple of years and went to a quick-change place. I started experiencing oil pressure drop off at about 2,800 miles for two oil changes in a row using extended-mileage full synthetic. So, I went back to doing my own, and I finally figured out that the oil filter the shop used had a weak bypass valve and would sometimes let the oil by and the oil pressure dropped from 40 PSI to 28 PSI at 1,500 RPM. I now do my own work and use Mobil One filters and have had no problems.
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A. Thanks for the tip, I also had some issues with after-market oil filters, even the popular name brand filters. In my own cars I use the factory filter or WIX/Purolator which are made by Mann+Hummel (who I believe make the Mobil One filter).
Q. I have a 2005 BMW 325cic with 170,000 miles and just love this car. The size is perfect, and it is fun to drive. The problem is starting it. When it is cold, it starts like it did when I got it with 20,000 miles. The engine starts, RPM comes up to about 1,000 and quickly settles back to 750 and a smooth idle. Shutting it off before it warms up and restarting it, everything is normal. If I drive the car for 20 minutes or more and let it thoroughly warm up before shutting it off, restarting it immediately will be normal but letting it cool off for 30 minutes before restarting, the engine will catch at about 500 RPM and slowly rise to normal idle or die. I took the car to BMW and they said the plugs were shot and changed them – no difference. I suspect a temperature sensor that resets the fuel injector computer to provide the proper fuel flow during the start sequence is slow to reset or failing. Any thoughts?
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A. The most common issue is usually a combination of contaminated throttle plates and excessive carbon build up in the combustion chambers. BMW generally recommends fuel injection/combustion chamber cleaning to take care of intermittent idle concerns. At the same time a technician will check temperature sensors, inspect vacuum lines, and the idle speed control valve.
Q. You say you answer every question, how about this one: I have been reading your columns in AAA’s publications, your weekly newspaper columns, and listening to your radio programs. I have seen you quoted in many stories and see you on television from time to time. It seems like you have been providing consumer information for ages. How long have you been doing this and how did you get started? You are a valuable resource, and I hope not, but do you see retirement in your future?
A. I started off as a mechanic (after private trade school) and back in 1985 I came to work for AAA and ran the Auto Diagnostic Center, Approved Auto Repair program, and ended up in the public affairs department. My job wasn’t all automotive, I also became a Child Passenger Safety technician and then an instructor and AAA Driver Improvement lead instructor. CPS and the driver improvement program built and fueled my knowledge for vehicle safety. All of this combined together seemed to lend itself nicely to providing unbiased information for AAA members/consumers. I have been hosting my own radio program on various stations just about nonstop since 1993, and writing weekly columns for more than 35 years. I have semi-retired, but I still work part-time for AAA Northeast. Today I write three different columns (under the AAA Car Doctor name) each week, host my radio program which later becomes a podcast, and I am still available to other media for interviews (Zoom makes it easy). Yes, I still answer every email.
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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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