What’s the best vehicle to tow a boat?
Q. I just purchased a 185 Bayliner boat that has weight of about 2,500 pounds and the vehicle I tow it with seems to struggle. As it turns out it is about time for a new vehicle and my question is, what is the best tow vehicle to purchase? I do plan to tow the boat on weekends as much as possible, so I want something that will do a good job.
A. There are many choices; the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a great choice and can certainly tow this boat with ease. Some others to consider are the Toyota 4Runner, Ford Explorer and Chevy Tahoe. My choice would be the Jeep Grand Cherokee, it has plenty of power and is easy to maneuver and for several years has won the New England Motor Press official Winter Vehicle of New England award.
Q. I drive a 1999 Toyota Corolla and so far, I have spent $1,300 on this 16 year old car to cure a loud knocking or vibration noise under the hood. The money covered a new air conditioning compressor and a new power steering pump; however, the knocking is still there. The engine will run quietly for a period of time and then suddenly, the knocking will return. The noise will continue for a few days or a week or so and then it will suddenly stop. I do notice that when the knocking is going on more often when I turn the steering wheel to the left or right. I’m concerned it may be a safety issue but the car seems to run just fine, whether the knocking is going on or not. Can you please help?
A. Since the noise only happens when the car is in motion and changes when the wheels are turned, I would look at the front axle and constant velocity joints. Typically, when these parts are worn, they will make a knocking noise when turning and quiet down when driving straight. In addition, I would carefully inspect the front brakes for a worn or loose brake pad or caliper which could make a knocking noise. Before I spent any more money on this car I would want you and your mechanic to road test the car together so you both hear the same noise. Although the other parts may have needed replacement you and the technician at your repair shop may have been hearing different noises.
Q. I have a 2007 Hyundai Sante Fe with 150,000 miles on it and will drive it until late 2015. It has been perfect for my dog, camping, and getting me through New England winters. As I’m getting older I don’t go camping anymore but still need to go out in winter and still have my dog. Which SUV will have good reliability, gas mileage, winter driving, and visibility as good as this one?
A. The Kia Sorento and Hyundai Sante Fe sport should meet your needs and will feel somewhat familiar to the vehicle you are driving. I would also look at the latest Subaru Outback which in my opinion is still one of the best all-season vehicles on the market.
Q. I don’t have any choice an park under a tree, my question is how do you remove bird droppings from my car? I always parked in the same spot with my black Camry and never had a problem but for some reason the birds love my new red Mazda.
A. The trick with cleaning bird droppings is the sooner the better. There is acid in bird dropping and it is tough on paint. I have had good luck using club-soda. Pour the club soda directly from the bottle and let it sit for a minute or two and gently wash it off. A good coat of wax will also help protect the paint against future attacks.
Q. I have a Honda S2000 and it is in great shape and I love driving the car on weekends with the top down. I have owned the car for two years and continue to have problems with every battery I put in the car. If I don’t start the car for more than a week, it won’t start without a “jump’’. I have taken it to Honda and all they can tell me is to replace the battery (which I’ve done three times in the past two years of owning the vehicle). I’ve been keeping the battery on a trickle charge but I would like to get to the root of the problem.
A. The repair shop needs to check for parasitic electrical draw. There is some accessory that is not shutting down when the engine is shut off. When the car sits the electrical system should go into “sleep’’ mode to prevent the battery from discharging. Common items are interior lights, the radio and even the door locks. All of these items can cause the battery to lose its charge.
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