Q: In case of a disaster such as Hurricane Sandy what is the best way to get gas out of one's car for use in a generator?
— R.H., Hinsdale, Ill.
A: You're not thinking of sneaking over to your neighbor's place, are you? Unless it's an older vehicle, you are out of luck. Not only is there a flapper at the top of the filler neck, there is a check valve down at the tank. You can't get a siphon hose past that valve. If you are desperate, you will have to remove the fuel filler pipe from the tank, remove the valve (usually a spring-loaded ball), then insert your hose directly into the tank. This will no doubt awaken your neighbor.
Q: I have 125,000 miles on my 2004 Toyota Sienna and have not needed to replace the rear brakes. The pads still look good. I am worried that my front brakes are doing all the braking. Is this a problem, and should I be concerned?
— J.P., La Grange, Ill.
A: The front brakes handle about 80 percent of the work. Not only is the front of the vehicle heavier than the rear, but when braking, inertia shifts forward. That is why you see cars' noses dive under heavy braking. It is not unusual to replace the front brakes several times before the rear brakes are worn.
Q: I can't thank you enough for publishing my question (about the failing low-beam headlights on a 2006 Pontiac). I saw the article with a picture of the Grand Prix and said, huh, that looks like my car. I took the article and all my receipts to the dealership and was pleasantly surprised that they admitted incorrectly diagnosing and refunded me the total for the computer module of $358.99.
— D.V., Bartlett, Ill.
A: We hope other readers will follow your lead if they think they were wronged. We also salute the honest dealers and shops that make things right. This happens all the time, but we seldom hear about the good stuff they do. The adage: "Do something right and your customer will tell a friend; do something wrong and he will tell 10 friends" certainly applies.
Q: I get an indicator light on my driver's panel to "check gas cap" almost every time I start my 2003 Cadillac STS. The gas cap was OK. If this indicator light is not rectified a "check engine soon" light comes on. Eventually, both lights go out for about two weeks to a month and then it starts all over again. It does not affect the performance of the car or an emissions test.
I have changed the gas cap twice and have had the sensors replaced at a substantial cost, but I am right back where I started. Any thoughts?
— P.C., Orland Park, Ill.
A: We were glad when the "check gas cap" warning was instituted. Previously, the "check engine" light would come on if the cap was loose. Since some sensors were replaced, (the fuel tank pressure sensor was under recall) and you have had new gas caps, we would look at the sealing surface of the filler neck. Check for nicks or burrs that could damage the cap or prevent sealing.
Send questions to Motormouth, Rides, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, or with name and town to motormouth.trib@verizon.net.
