Dear Tom and Ray:

My wife went to a quickie oil-change place, and they told her that her radiator cap needed to be replaced because it wasn’t holding pressure anymore. She called me and asked if she should let them replace it. I asked how much, and they quoted $15. I said no, and that I would take care of it. I went to the auto-parts store and replaced it for $4. The next time she needed an oil change, they told her the same thing, and she agreed to it and spent the $15. Needless to say, I was annoyed; her radiator cap was only three months old. Then I went to the same place with my car, and watched them change my oil. They took my radiator cap, and stuck what looked like the ball tap to a mini keg on it. They pumped the thing a few times, and told me that my radiator cap was not holding pressure and that I needed a new one. I said I would take care of it, but I am convinced that this pressure check was a scam. Was this a true test, or just a way to add $15 to a customer’s bill? —Patrick
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Dear Tom and Ray:

I purchased a new 2010 VW CC, and the car has 5,000 miles on it. During a long weekend, I left the car unused for four days, and the battery died. There were no lights on or external power drains. On Tuesday I went to the dealer where I purchased the car and was told: “There is nothing wrong with the car — they just do that because there is a lot of power drain due to the computer.” I called another VW dealer and was given a similar answer. My question is, How can a car company design a car with a battery that lasts only four days? Shouldn’t a car be able to sit for more than four days without the battery dying? Thanks. — Tim Read the rest of this entry »