Please, I use Honda 98 Accord (Baby Boy). I noticed that the colour of my ATF fluid is turning brownish, but not malfunctioning. What do you advise me to do and what type of ATF oil do you recommend?
+23480338180
My recommendation will be for you to replace the fluid. But I have to warn you that if the clutches inside the transmission are worn already (if the transmission fluid has gone dark brown or totally black and it is smelling burn), changing the fluid could expose or manifest any underlying fault that is already in the transmission. So, mechanics should warn vehicle owners before changing fluid in this kind of condition.
I trust your week has been great. I need you to clear the air about Honda cars with the way the front tyres ball joints get easily broken down. A lot of people say this is peculiar with Honda cars. I want your advice as I intend buying a 2003-05 model. Is this peculiar to the sedans alone or the jeep (Honda) is also prone? Thanks. Oloidi Olumide, olumiol@yahoo.com>
I believe the problem is peculiar to sedan cars and not the SUVs. And this is due to the way they are designed, not considering the condition of our bad roads and the impact of the damage the roads cause on the ball joints.
Sir, I have just changed my gear (ford widstar, 2002) but the OD off/on light keeps coming on. Please, what is the implication of that on the gear system? +2348081342929
The flashing of the OD light is an indication of faults in the transmission. You will need to run a scan on the transmission to find out what the problem is specifically.
I drive a Toyota Camry 2000 model V6. I realised that the ‘catalyst’ in the exhaust has been removed and I am made to believe that this causes excessive consumption of gasoline. I was advised to buy a second hand. What should I do?
Bamidele, Iju, Lagos, dede_ni@yahoo.com
The absence of the catalytic converter from the exhaust system will definitely affect the fuel consumption of your car. The O2 sensor will not be able to monitor anything from the exhaust by-product. If you can replace it with either new or used one, it will save you money down the line.
Please, I want you to advise me on what the problem could be with a Mazda (Ford) B3000 2000 model. The vehicle is not starting as appropriate, the anti-theft installed by the manufacturer keeps blinking when the vehicle is being started. The auto-electrician scanned the vehicle and said there was lost memory from the brainbox in recognising the ignition key. I bought another brainbox and even told the auto-electrician what I read in the vehicle manual that the vehicle’s anti-theft should be serviced by a technician before the vehicle could start. But he did not know where to locate the device. He has changed the fuel pump and the vehicle is yet to start and light has not got to the plugs. +2348033914525
The only way to get the vehicle started is to reprogramme the original ECU. But before you do that you can try to start the vehicle with a spare key if you have one. Sometimes keeping the key with any interference objects (such as phones, on TV and with computers) could distort the transponder signal from the chip in the key.
The fuel consumption of my Nissan Primeria is highly alarming. Efforts to correct this development have not been yielding any positive result. I discovered that my gear is also not selecting. Could this be responsible for the fuel consumption? Also, the check engine sign is on the dash board. Olayinka, +2347032418123, olayinkaolukoya@gmail.com
With the check light on, it is best to run a scan on the powertrain system, the result will guide the technician on what to do or go about in solving the problem.
I stay in Ado Ekiti and I drive Toyota Tundra 2001. It showed that the check light is on, and after scanning, the oxygen sensor set was said to be replaced. There is a steering rack leakage and exhaust seal leakage. I want to bring it down to Lagos. What is the financial cost? +2348028279273
The truck will have to get to our workshop in Lagos before we can make any assessment about the cost of repair.
Please what is the necessary maintenance caution I need to take before buying a Honda Baby Boy 2000 Model? My mechanic said I should not buy it due to its persistent auto gear problem. Is this true and is there any other thing you think I should know about the car before my buying it?
I would appreciate your candid advice because the car has been my dream ride for some time now. Deji Peters, dejipeters23@yahoo.co.uk
My advice before you buy the car is to do an inspection on it. If allowed, take it to a competent workshop and let them assess it electronically and physically. Any minor fault found on it, can be used by you as a leverage to bargain on the price of the car. Your mechanic’s fear I believe has to with the solenoid that acts up on it sometimes. But if you do pre-inspection you will know if there is any problem.
The ‘MAINT REQD’ light of my Toyota Camry 09 model came on and I intend servicing the car. How do I reset the light manually? Kolade Ipinmoroti, +2348034489619
Resetting the “MAINT REQD” is not what I can explain through this medium. It has to be practicalised.
I drive a Mazda mpv and recently after servicing the car, it began to shoot from the exhaust. The mechanic discovered that two of the three plugs were soaked with fuel and we have not been able to determine the cause of the leakage, +2348023293557
Please run a scan on it. Also make sure the technician did not mix up the firing order.
I am a regular reader of your column. My Mazda mpv 2001 model ran hot on me. My mechanic changed the gasket, water pump, belts that were broken, oil and oil the filter. When he tried to start the car, it would not start. It was not turning well even when new battery is used. Please what do I do? +2348039261853
I believe the mechanic did not set the timing belt right. If you get to my office, I will give you for free the manufacturer’s diagram on how to install the timing belt.
I drive a 2001 Toyota Camry. It always touches the ground when I climb a speed breaker or a small pothole. I suspect it is the shock. Please advise me on what to do. Alfred Ijah, 234-805-341-2983, alffi29@yahoo.com>
The problem is with the shock absorber’s strut spring. Replace the spring and you should be fine.
Thank you so much in enlightening the public. It will ensure safety on the road if the pieces of advice are adhered to. +2347030913587
Thanks for the compliment.
Do we have automobile training schools in Nigeria? I will love to enroll into one. Thanks. +2348070602347
Yes, we run a training school in Lagos.
I have a Toyota Rav4 2003 model. The car raves high sometimes without the gear shifting properly. Also, sometimes on speed, the car jerks as if one is starting a manual car. I was told the gear sensor is responsible. It has been worked on but the problem persists, jideogungbe@yahoo.co.uk
Please run a scan on the transmission and let me have the result.
Good day sir, thanks for all your replies to the questions asked. I drive a Nissan Primera 2003 model and it suddenly started smoking heavily. It would not run fast especially with the change of its gear. The airflow meter was changed all to no avail. What do I do sir? Thank you. Lemmy Ahgro, 08092347007, layiagoro@hotmail.com
The best option you have is to run a scan on the engine, the result will guide the mechanic on what to do.
Please, somebody wants to sell Chrysler Jeep 2000 model (direct used from USA) to me but people are saying the car is problematic. What do you advise I do? Chimex, +2348063148623
If the vehicle is in good condition and you have it inspected before you buy it, I do not know of any peculiar problem with the brand.
I must confess that you are good and highly intelligent. I marvel at the way you explain and instruct, you almost persuade me to become a grease monkey. Really, I appreciate you sir, God bless you! Long live Automedics. Morenike Jibowu, +2348098790900
Thank you for the compliment, yes we can use one more “Grease monkey” like you or me in country.
Good day sir. Please I do not know how to set up my car’s Bluetooth with my mobile phone. I drive a Lexus 2006 model, +234 803 820 7464
Please go through your manuals.