Letters: Car needs permanent fix for spider infestation

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Updated: October 11, 2011 11:12AM

Q: The check engine light came on in my 2003 Chevrolet Impala and I took it in for service to a local mechanic. I was charged $170 and it did not fix the problem. The emissions testing facility did not pass my car and gave me a printout saying the car has to be fixed.

I took it to a dealer and they got the light to turn off for $150. That repair lasted for about one month. The light came back on and I brought it back to the dealer. They fixed it again, saying that spiders were building a nest in the vent valve on top of gas tank. They fixed it again and one month later the light came back on.

My wife drives this car very rarely. We are thinking about just driving it with the check engine light on until it needs to be emissions tested again. Then we’ll get it fixed for the test. What do you think? – E.O., Park Forest

A: I’d suggest a more permanent repair. It seems silly to keep cleaning the nest without preventing it from recurring. Earlier this year, Mazda recalled a number of cars to address a similar concern with spiders and the fix was to install a spring that would prevent spiders from getting into the vent line. You may consider having someone fabricate something along those lines for you or look for other ways to keep the spiders away, such as using pesticides.

Q: I have three questions. Do the brakes on today’s cars still get adjusted when backing up? Does running the air conditioner on low or high make a difference on fuel economy? What is this new inflatable spare tire that some of today’s new cars have? – V.P., Chicago

A: All drum-type brakes require a mechanism to maintain proper adjustment as the lining material wears. Disc brakes, except for some rear disc units, automatically adjust themselves during regular operation. Backing up the car only adjusts certain drum-type brakes. Some drum-type brakes require regular use of the parking brake to maintain adjustment.

Running the air conditioner, whether on low or high, doesn’t make a difference on fuel economy.

The inflatable spare found on some of today’s cars is not a new idea. They’ve been around for some time. They take up less space, providing more room for cargo.

Q: I recently purchased a 2002 Chevrolet Corvette. I’m planning on changing the oil and oil filter and was wondering how you reset the oil life monitor. Do you know how? – J.M., Chicago

A: Yes, turn the ignition on without starting the engine. Then press the trip button until the oil life percentage is displayed. Next, press and hold the reset button for about two seconds, until the oil life percentage changes to 100 percent.

Q: I’m getting ready to tune-up the Hemi engine in my 2006 Dodge Ram. I was told that there are two spark plugs in each cylinder so I would need 16 spark plugs. Is that true? – A.M., Oak Forest

A: Yes, that’s true.

Questions for Ira Siegel? Call the Auto Advisor Hotline at (708) 633-6839 or e-mail autoadvisor.irasiegel@gmail.com. Siegel is an automotive instructor and an automotive service excellence-certified master auto technician.