Q. My 2007 Subaru Forester will lock the doors on its own. If you are sitting in the driver’s seat and hit the button to unlock all the doors, it will immediately lock them all again. If you manually unlock the driver’s door, you can get out but since the rest of the doors (including hatchback) are still locked you have no access to the rest of the car. Using the key to unlock driver door from outside is ok, since there are no electronics involved. But then you try to unlock the rest of the car using the same button as above and it immediately relocks everything. There are no other ways to unlock from the outside since the driver’s door is the only one that can be done by key. The hatchback/cargo space is useless since the hatchback cannot be opened. This has become a royal pain! We do not have any type of keyless remote. I have taken it to one repair shop, but since it did not act up while they had it, they said they could not do anything. Any thoughts on my renegade door locks.
A. I suspect a problem with the master switch or wiring to the switch. Although on some models there is a door latch switch, that basically tells the car is a door is ajar. If the switch is sticking the car thinks the door never opened it relocks the car. An easy check when all the doors are unlocked, see if the dome light comes on when you open each door. If the dome light does not come on that door may have a faulty switch.
Q. I have a 2019 Honda CRV, EXL with 29,300 miles. At 17,500 miles the maintenance minder had me change the brake fluid (code 7). Now, 11,800 miles later code 7 popped up again to change the brake fluid. I do mostly around the town driving and a recent brake inspection showed all four brakes to be at 7 mm. Is this normal or does the maintenance minder need maintenance?
A. Brake fluid is hygroscopic which means to absorb water. The moisture can lead to corrosion and can also cause the brake fluid to boil and reduce the cars’ ability to stop properly. Generally the maintenance reminder is designed to remind you to change the fluid every three years. Looking at your email, my guess is at 17,500 miles, the car was three years old and now it is six years old. If this is correct you did the right thing.
New project-filled year is expected on CT roads after busy 2025. Many are in the works; not for cars
Q. I have a 2008 Chrysler Sebring hardtop convertible. I was wondering if there is a specific hydraulic fluid I should be using. I am using a fluid Pentosin CHF 11 S power steering fluid. I have a friend who has a convertible Mercedes-Benz and said this is what he uses. I am just curious if there is something better or if this is just fine?
A. The factory fluid is ZH-M. This is a specific type of mineral-based fluid for hydraulic systems like those found in certain Mercedes, BMW, and other European vehicles. The fluid you are using is the same as the specified fluid in the Chrysler manual. Checking for a leak in the system with the hardtop convertible is not easy, since you need to remove the trunk lid, spare tire, and trim. Still if you are adding fluid on a regular basis you may want to look for a leak.
Q. My 2019 Acura MDX has 41,000 miles and the maintenance minder is showing a B1 code which I know is just oil change and tire rotation service. Last year I had the rear differential fluid changed based on the maintenance minder code. When I was at the dealer 6 months ago, they recommended transmission service, front differential service, and replacement of drive belts, all of which I declined because I rely on the maintenance minder. Is there a code for front differential service? I can only find online that a code 3 is replace transmission and transfer case fluid. Is transfer case fluid the same as differential fluid? When would front differential fluid need to be changed?
A. You are correct there is no Maintenance Minder code for front differential service since it is part of the transmission (transaxle). Perhaps the dealer words the service together, which is fine as long as they do not charge you for two separates services. Today we are seeing drive belts lasting 10 years or more. Unless the transmission fluid shows signs of wear, wait until the Maintenance Minder shows it is time for the transmission service.
Q. I have a 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage and when the gas light is blinking, and gas is getting low approximately how many miles do I have left till empty? Also what do you think of this car?
A. Typically, in most vehicles when the low fuel light comes on you have between 35-50 miles until you run out of fuel. A flashing low fuel light may be less, perhaps even 10 miles, until the car stops running. I would not make a habit of driving with the low fuel light on. The fuel pump is cooled by gasoline in the fuel tank, driving with very little fuel allows the fuel pump to get hot and shortens its life. The Mirage is a decent small car that at the time was inexpensive and the miles per gallon rivaled a hybrid due to its three-cylinder engine. The downside is the three-cylinder engine only made 78 horsepower and made highway merging a challenge. Also the handling was not great. But as a city car, it is easy to drive and park. Overall reliability is pretty good as long as you keep up with maintenance.
Happy new Year
Do you have a Car Question? Email the Car Doctor for a personal reply. [email protected]