Q: With all manufacturers talking about switching to electric vehicles, I wonder how my neighbors, who have four SUVs in their driveway and garage full of things, and the people in town who park on the street every night, charge their vehicles become.
– FM, Darien, Illinois
A: Charging in the driveway shouldn’t be a problem if the cord is long enough. Otherwise, a public charging station might be the best option. They are being installed by other companies and shopping centers. Some homes and condos have chargers. Finally, charging stations are becoming more ubiquitous. In London, for example, there are lamppost stations.
Q: I’ve been told that in order to run even a small percentage of vehicles on batteries, you will need rare earth elements, which are currently in short supply and cannot be extracted to make this happen. If you can’t make the batteries, how can you expect to meet that agenda?
– CS, Chicago, Illinois
A: There is currently no shortage of lithium for batteries, but there is talk among experts that there could be a shortage by 2025 as automakers bring more electric vehicles to market. OilPrice.com recently reported that Tesla’s Elon Musk “claims that Nevada alone contains enough lithium to convert the entire US vehicle fleet to electric. Tesla has rights to over 10,000 acres of lithium-clay deposits in Nevada from which lithium is to be extracted. “
Q: My 2013 Nissan Altima SE only blows cold air when the car is moving. When the car idles at a traffic light or moves at low speeds in traffic, it blows warm air. Some mechanics couldn’t find anything wrong and they tell me it is most likely an electrical problem that could cost thousands of dollars! A mechanic thought it was a fuse and replaced it, but nothing changed. Have you heard of this problem before? Help! Summer is just around the corner here in South Florida!
– RW, Boynton Beach, Florida
A: The air conditioning condenser is located in front of the vehicle’s radiator in order to cool the compressed refrigerant gas into a liquid. An electric fan sucks in outside air. The fan is often not required at motorway speeds. If the fan does not turn on when the vehicle speed is low, the air conditioning system will suffer. It could be a wiring problem, a broken fan, or something that is controlling the fan.
Q: I have a 2004 Toyota Solara Convertible with 103,000 original miles. I love this car! Every time I take the top off, I feel like I’m on vacation! I’ve had the Toyota dealer service it well all these years and they are more than happy to replace things that are worn out. Seventeen years later, I plan to keep this soon-to-be classic vehicle. Why do they always refuse when I ask to exchange struts? The drive after all the Chicago winters tearing apart our streets is no longer like it was when it was new. Wouldn’t new struts make the ride better?
– AM, North Riverside, Illinois
A: New struts usually make a huge difference, not just for driving, but also for safer braking. It’s not uncommon to swap out the front struts, but there is something for the rear struts. The rear seat cushions and several panels must be removed to gain access to the upper strut mounting screws. Yeah it’s a hassle. The extra work will of course cost you extra money. Get a quote before approving the job.
Bob Weber is a writer and mechanic who became an ASE certified master mechanic in 1976. He maintains this status by applying for certification every five years. Weber’s work appears in trade magazines and other consumer publications. His writing also appears in automotive magazines, Consumer Guide and Consumers Digest. Send questions along with name and city to motormouth.tribune@gmail.com.
