DENNIS O’SULLIVAN

ANSWERS TO YOUR CAR QUESTIONS

Our go-to mechanic has all of the answers you’ve ever wanted to ask about your automobile.

QUESTION

Dear Mr. O’Sullivan, Your column is full of interesting and useful information. Thanks.

My question is about tires. My 2011 Nissan Rogue SV has P225/55R18 all-season tires on aluminum alloy rims. Last November, the Nissan dealer installed 215/70R16 winter tires on new steel rims. I am currently negotiating to trade the Rogue in on a new Murano SL, which has P235/65R18 all-season tires on aluminum alloy rims. My question is this. Can I use the above winter tires and rims on the Murano?

I am reluctant to part with the winter tires since they are still nearly new. The Murano dealer “thinks” they will fit and has offered to test fit one wheel, but my concern is for the loading, safety and suitability of these winter tires on this larger heavier vehicle. Any advice?

Thanks. Stewart, Kitchener/Waterloo,

ANSWER

By dropping down a size in tires, you may be affecting your vehicle’s odometer and adding more miles than normal so consideration should be taken to make sure that the tires that you are replacing do in fact coincide with the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Your vehicle’s owners’ manual does specify the type of tire and the ply rating that should go on your vehicle. Not taking away anything from the dealer or their recommendation but I would go to a tire dealer and let them look at your snow tires to determine if they are rated for your new vehicle. If not then you would be at the perfect place to do a trade.

QUESTION

I have a 2001 Honda Civic with 47,000 kms. A year ago, I retired and since then have accumulated about 10,000 kilometers in one year and this should not change in the years ahead. I switched to Honda synthetic OW-20 last year from the regular 5w-20. I was told that I should have not upgraded to the synthetic but stayed with the regular Honda 5W-20. Do I stay with the synthetic or switch back? Regards Brian

ANSWER

Your driving habits most likely do not require the better oiling capabilities of the synthetic oil but it will not do any harm to your car’s engine. I suspect that you were probably told that you did not need to switch to the synthetic oil but could have stayed with the regular oil recommended by the manufacturer.

Your short driving habits most likely require two oil changes in the ten thousand kilometers but with the synthetic oil, you will most likely only need one oil change in the ten thousand kilometers so I do not see any harm in continuing to use the synthetic oil.

QUESTION

I suspect as always that you will take the side of the used car dealer but I will ask you anyways to see if you can assist me. About four months ago, I purchased this 2014 Buick from a used car lot in Hamilton. I was told that it was a used car that had been driven by the original owner since new and that it had been maintained properly.

I traded my older car in and I now wish that I had kept it.

This car, in the first three weeks, needed the AC to be repaired, a new alternator and I had to replace one tire as it had a bulge in it. Since the alternator went in the first two weeks, the used car dealer offered to reimburse me for that expense to which at this time he has not done.

So much for the word of a used car salesman! I cannot do anything about the AC or the tire but I would like the two hundred and thirty dollars that I paid for the alternator to be reimbursed as the dealer promised.

What can you do for me? Albert from Dunnville

ANSWER

You must have known what my answer to you was going to be based on your assertion that I always take the side of the used car dealer. Do you recall signing a paper that stated that the mileage on the car was correct and also that it had never been in an accident?

You knew and we all now know that you knew that you had falsified the information that you signed. The car had been in an accident and was written off by the insurance company. The collision repair was certainly not what one would call flawless.

The mileage on your old car, according to the ministry records, is only four hundred kilometers more than it registered when you purchased the car two years ago. The used car company has been trying to find you and is now asking me to now help them pursue you for the lost value of the car that you traded in.

Do you still want me to ask the used car dealer for the two hundred and thirty dollars or just keep your phone number and address to myself?