Why is there water below the door track on my Odyssey's side door? | Car Doctor
Q: After a heavy rain, my Honda Odyssey has water inside the driver’s-side sliding door below the door track. Any ideas?
A: From your description, it sounds like a seal in the door is leaking. It can be tested by just taking a garden hose (no nozzle) and just running water around the lower half of the door. If it leaks, either the door is out of adjustment or the door gasket has failed.
If no leaking is found, move up to the window and flood that area with water. If you see a leak, then one of the door drains could be clogged, forcing water inside the car rather than outside as designed.
Subaru radio and GPS navigation system failed
Q: I am the original owner of a 2019 Subaru Outback Touring Edition. The radio in the car started “bleeding,” according to Subaru. The radio continually beeps and tries to scan through all of the radio stations and map settings. The result of this is an unusable radio and GPS navigation system. The car is unsafe to drive.
I notified Subaru several times, and they advised that a replacement system would be $2,000. I felt I was being cheated and I called the Subaru customer advocacy line and was offered a $400 credit toward the repair. The issue is that Subaru could not get a replacement for me and had no timeline for a replacement.
I waited more than five months and finally purchased a used radio on eBay. With the help of a friend and YouTube videos, I replaced the radio myself. It now works fine. While I was at Subaru, I was told I was not the only one waiting for a radio, as it is now a common problem. I feel I should be reimbursed for the $1,000 I had to spend on a used radio. Subaru will not even discuss that with me. What can I do?
A: There are many technical bulletins for this model radio for a variety of reasons. There was also a class-action suit filed over the delaminating of the screen, a problem that has been widespread on several years and models.
I have found the best response to an issue comes from writing a physical letter, to Subaru or any company. Jeffrey A. Walters is the new president and COO of Subaru, replacing Tom Doll. You have nothing to lose but a little time and the price of a stamp.
Why is my Hyundai's paint peeling off?
Q: The paint on my white 2015 Hyundai Sonata is coming off in big flakes. Is there anything Hyundai would do to fix this problem? I see many cars the same way, and my car’s hood looks like a checkerboard.
A: This is quite common on many vehicles, not just Hyundai. The paint on a car is made up of layers, a primer/rust preventive, a color coat (sometimes several) and a clear coat. The primer coat chalks due to ultraviolet light and the color coat peels off. Hyundai did extend the paint warranty to six years, but, unfortunately, that time has passed by.
What's the best brand of synthetic oil?
Q: My car needs an oil change. Can you tell me what brand of synthetic oil you are using at your shop?
A: Sorry, my shop is virtual only.
For the last few years I have been using Pennzoil Ultra Platinum synthetic oil, which is made from natural gas rather than crude oil. Is it better than other synthetic oil? Overall, it does well in many tests and is favored on many automotive forums. I also use the factory oil filter on my cars if it is available.
What's the best way to maintain a car that's not driven for months?
Q: I live in Rhode Island and will visit my 96-year-old father every few months in Tennessee, where he is in an assisted living facility and does not drive.
We have kept his 2017 Toyota RAV4 for me to use when I am there. Between visits, it sits in the facility's parking lot. This trip will be the first time it will have sat for three months without being started. I will deal with what I find, but what should I do for the future? Also, it sits parked on a slope. Should I park it flat? What about the battery?
A: Even though the car does not get much use, you should check all the fluids and change the oil once per year.
As for the battery, three months of sitting unused will probably result in a partially discharged battery, and the car may not start. If this is the case, once the battery is recharged, have it tested.
If this were my car, I would invest in a solar charger to keep the battery topped off and perhaps a good car cover to minimize any environmental damage from birds, tree sap and other drivers. I would also park the car on a level surface with a full tank of fuel and add a gas stabilizer to keep the fuel from getting stale.
John Paul is the AAA Northeast Car Doctor. He has more than 40 years of experience in the automobile industry and is an ASE-Certified Master Technician. Write to John Paul, The Car Doctor, at 110 Royal Little Drive, Providence, RI 02904. Or email jpaul@aaanortheast.com and put “Car Doctor” in the subject field. Follow him on Twitter @johnfpaul or on Facebook.