Q. I am considering trading in my 2022 Corolla LE for a new Corolla Hybrid LE (you seemed to have liked it), mostly due to the better MPG’s. Since my city driving numbers are so low, I figure I would see a big improvement with a hybrid (and have to fill up less often). So, my question is, do you have any thoughts about the long-term maintenance costs of a hybrid car vs. non-hybrid, as well as general wear and tear over the years of those two types of cars? This could be a factor in my decision.
A. The Corolla hybrid is a great car, comfortable and fuel efficient. Conventional hybrids as well as plug -in hybrids (PHEV) are for many drivers a better alternative than battery electric cars. This is especially true if you cannot charge at home. This could be because you live in an apartment, condominium or your current electrical service will not support the additional electrical load. I would say during the first 5-10 years the maintenance costs are the same. After 10 years then the hybrid battery comes into question. Before jumping to a hybrid, I would calculate the cost of the new car with the trade of the old one. The last hybrid Corolla I drove was all-wheel drive and was close to $32,000. A mid-level hybrid might be in the $26-$28,000 range. Your current Corolla has a solid value, but it will take many years to make up what could be $4-$6000 in cost with gas savings.
Q. Hope you can help me with selling our 2017 Subaru Outback and my daughters suggested going through Carvana, CarMax, AutoNation, or another to get a way better offer from the dealer since we are buying a new Forrester. We have never used that service and wanted your opinion or advice if it is safe, secure, and how do you get the money. Do you like some of the companies better than others?
A. I have known people who have used CarMax, Vroom and Carvana and it is pretty simple they ask for lots of pictures and either give you a check or do an electronic funds transfer. A year ago, I had someone who tried all of the major names and found CarMax (they did need to deliver the car to them) who had the best price. I think you will find they all use the same methods to estimate price, so they will be close. Also keep in mind that when you trade to a dealer if you are buying another car that trade in value comes from the new vehicle price which lowers the sales tax. So, if the car were worth $15,000 with Carvana and the dealer trade in price was $14,000 the prices would be the same since trading the car in would save you a little over $1000 in sales tax-just something to consider.
Q. I own two Honda Accord EXL 4-door sedans. One is a 2013, the other is a 2018. I noticed the 2013 air conditioner cools much more quickly in hot weather than the 2018. The 2018 had the condenser replaced by Honda under warranty after being punctured by a stone. Honda refilled the system to capacity and pressure. I did some snooping under the hoods and discovered that the two cars use different refrigerants. 2013 uses HFC-134a (R-134a), while 2018 used R-1234 yf. Could the newer refrigerant be the cause? The newer car takes longer to cool off until it reaches the correct level of cooling. Thanks for your always informed answers.
A. These newer safer refrigerants all have different characteristics. In older cars with Freon-R12 when people changed to R134a they found the same issue, longer times to cool and slightly higher temperatures. Although factory air conditioner systems are optimized for the type of refrigerant, results can vary. Studies show that R1234yf system has a 5-25% lower cooling rate, and in many cases uses a smaller compressor which helps save fuel. Depending on the vehicle, cooling may also be limited when the “ECO” mode is selected. There is likely nothing wrong with the air conditioner on your newer car, just different.
Q. have a 2021 Honda CRV with a sunroof. Recently while the car was turned off and parked in my driveway, all four windows opened all the way and the sunroof also opened. I live on one of the approach paths to JFK airport. Could a passing aircraft have somehow triggered this action? I am concerned that this could happen while parked outside in a rain or snowstorm.
A. I have not heard of tower or jetliner communication interfering with a car’s electrical system. Some Honda vehicles do have a little-known function where if you push the lock button once, then unlock button twice and hold it then all the windows and sunroof open. Perhaps you mistakenly did this?
Q. I recently read about a device that you put in your car that uses Electromagnetic Molecular Interference to keep snow and ice from building up on your car. The website looks impressive. What do you think?
A. I never heard of this, so I searched Electromagnetic Molecular Interference ice melter and to me based on reading what I found, it looks like scam. The website has poorly written copy/typos and not much history. There are lots of very scientific sounding principles but is also looks like a very similar solar powered air freshener. I will put it this way, I would not spend my money on it.
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