Q: We have a Chevy with 154,550 miles. With gas prices rising, we switched to a keyed gas cap, but all of a sudden, the engine light went on. I went to an Auto Zone store, and they did a Fix Finder report. It detected an Emission Control System Leak. I figured it was the new gas cap, which was not easy to put on, so I put the old one back and turned off the engine light, per instructions. But the light came back on, so I went back to Auto Zone and got the same diagnosis. They told me to inspect the fuel cap gasket. How worried should I be?
A: The error code that the Auto Zone folks got is most often a bad fuel cap or its gasket. But the cap is not the only source of problems. There is a charcoal canister designed to temporarily hold vapors, and then there are various vapor lines, solenoids and other stuff. Because changing the fuel cap didn't solve the problem, you will need a professional technician to examine the system with a computerized scan tool.
Window treatment
Q: I have witnessed many changes in automobiles since I bought my first one in the 1960s. One of them is how windows now have the property of rain beading on their surface instead of it running down and off. My rear window is completely covered with water during a rainstorm and it is impossible to see what is behind me. Am I imagining this, or are things different these days?
A: I am not aware of factory rain-repelling coatings on the car glass. You didn't say what car you are driving, but if it is boxy, eddy currents in the airflow could be creating a dead area or vacuum area in the back.
Stay inside the lines
Q: I check the oil level regularly on my 2014 Kia Soul Plus. I have it serviced regularly at the dealership, including having the oil changed twice a year to be on the safe side, because I average only 5,000 miles per year. I check the level myself between changes. When I checked it this time, the oil on the dipstick was halfway between the two marks. I went into the dealership. The service adviser told me this is right where it should be. I went online, and one site said "in the middle" between the two marks, and another site said, nearer the top mark. Who is right?
A: If you look closely at the two marks, the upper mark indicates full and lower mark indicates the need for a quart of oil to be added. In between is the safe operating area. By the way, you can forget the twice-a-year oil changes. Once a year is plenty.
Bob Weber is a writer, mechanic and ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician. His writing has appeared in automotive trade publications, Consumer Guide and Consumers Digest. Send automotive questions along with name and town to motormouth.tribune@gmail.com.
