Q. My question is about towing a 17-foot trailer that weighs 3500 pounds and is 10 feet tall and 8.5 feet wide. I am towing it with a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz limited with the turbo-charged 281 HP engine. The truck is rated for 5000-pound towing capacity. I can typically get 28 miles per gallon at 73 miles per hour. Towing the trailer the mileage drops to 12 miles per gallon at 65 miles per hour. My question, is this truck working too hard? The speed limits are 70mph where I live. Should I slow to just 60mph? Is that much of a drop in fuel mileage to be expected? Thank you so much for your great column!
A. You have encountered how much aerodynamics effect fuel economy. A taller trailer presents a larger frontal surface area to the oncoming wind and creates more drag waves at the rear and sides of the trailer, requiring the engine to work harder and consume more fuel. A neighbor of mine has an enclosed box trailer about eight feet tall when measured from the ground. He found his Ford F-150 with a V-8 engine that typically got 20 miles per gallon on the highway, when towing the trailer dropped to 12 miles per gallon. Is your Santa Cruz working too hard, I would say no. The eight-speed dual clutch transmission should work to balance horsepower and torque to reduce strain on the engine.
Car Doctor: ‘My car was hit while parked and had damage on the front passenger side door.’
Q. I have a 2022 Subaru Outback. I have been looking for a new battery and have been told I need a flood enhanced battery. I have gone to other battery shops and been told a regular battery is all right to use. There is a significant price difference. My main issue is if my battery needs emergency replacement, it seems shops do not have the flood enhanced battery on hand, and from what I have been told it could take two days to get the correct battery. If a regular battery is used, are there any negative issues?
A. The standard battery is an enhanced flooded lead acid battery, but here at AAA we replace that battery with an upgraded AGM (absorbent glass mat) battery. We typically have the correct AGM batteries in stock and if you are an AAA member in the AAA Northeast club area the AGM battery is $259.00 installed at your home. I would not replace the current battery with a traditional flooded lead acid battery, unless it was an emergency.
Q. I have a 2016 RAM 3500 pickup with the Cummins diesel. The truck only has 27,000 miles on it. I am interested in installing a Fleece coolant bypass due to the fact I do a lot of RV towing. I have two concerns about it. Does it really make enough of a difference considering the work to install it and the bracket that bolts from the engine block to the transmission adapter bracket needs to be removed and not reinstalled to install this kit? My feeling is that this bracket is there for a good reason and removing it could, down the road could cause unwanted problems. I contacted Cummins and of course they do not think it is necessary. They also told me the bracket is a RAM designed part, and I would have to contact them. Any thoughts on this subject would be appreciated.
A. The idea of the Fleece coolant bypass is that it is supposed to balance cooling across the cylinders. Apparently, the rear cylinders can get hot and over time cause issues. I do not have any experience with this bypass kit, but on their website, it states: “use of this product may void or nullify the vehicle’s factory warranty. User assumes sole responsibility for the safe and proper use of the vehicle at all times.” This message and the idea of removing a structural support would cause me to pass on the installation.
Q. My 2014 Dodge Durango had a leak in the air conditioner suction hose from the Schrader valve. We purchased repair kit and low and behold the low side valve did not fit. My mechanic stated to get a kit from Dodge directly. The Dodge dealer did not have the part and told me to go to NAPA parts to get their kit since We picked up another kit from Napa and you guessed it did not fit. My mechanic stated to get a new air conditioner suction hose. We purchased a new aftermarket hose from local parts store; my mechanic installed hose and the Schrader valve on low side was leaking. Finally, mechanic got an OEM hose from Dodge, and it worked fine. Question, why are all the valves different and do not fit? Does Dodge make you buy the entire hose for their profit? I assume OEM parts are better than aftermarket parts. Your thoughts on this.
A. I do not think it is a profit issue, but rather the manufacturer considers a component serviceable. What you have encountered is something we see more often now that ever is poor quality aftermarket parts. Some are fine and some even are improved over the original equipment part, but some are just junk. Also keep in mind the Schrader valve cap on an AC system acts as the primary seal for the service port, preventing dirt from entering the system. While the valve core itself provides the valve function, the cap is essential for a complete seal.
Q. I was surprised when I was told at my recent service that they could not rotate my tires because they could not remove the lug nut. I have a Toyota Camry with 130,000 miles and this has never come up. The dealer’s solution was complex, costly ($200) and time-consuming. I did not have them do it and will get my tire place to check it out. Is this common?
A. Lugnuts can round over, strip out or just break off. Perhaps the dealer was afraid to force the lug for fear of breaking it. To me $200 is quite expensive even considering today’s high labor rates. Lug nuts/studs break all the time due to corrosion, over tightening and age. Usually the repair is simple, drive the broken stud out and pull the new one in place. Having your “tire place” check it out makes the most sense.
Do you have a car question? Email the Car Doctor for a personal reply. jpaul@aaanortheast.com
