There’s Little to Do to Extend Car’s Life
Question: I have a 1980 Toyota Corolla in good condition with 150,000 miles on it. I want the car to last another one to two years. What key items can I check to prevent major problems? The car has been trouble-free so far.--H.L.
Answer: I am frequently asked what a car owner can do to help preserve an older car. Fortunately, there isn’t much you have to do or that you can do.
One of the beauties of motoring in an old car is the economy. With its 150,000 miles, your Toyota is fully depreciated, and it is no longer losing any resale value as you continue down the highway.
Of course, you should follow the regular service that Toyota recommends for the Corolla, including important items such as inspecting the brakes, hoses, belts and tires. And you want to keep the valves and clutch properly adjusted. The engine oil needs to be kept clean, but you should have been doing that since the first mile.
You may have already replaced some items, such as belts and hoses. If not, these are items you want to carefully monitor. But many experts do not suggest replacing these items if they do not appear to be deteriorated.
Typically, a car runs through an entire service cycle every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. That means all of the regular inspections have been done once by 50,000 miles and at least three times by 150,000 miles.
Your interior upholstery is probably a little worse for wear, and the paint may be faded. It won’t keep your Toyota running any better, but you may feel better if you refurbished the appearance.
Q: I own a 1986 GM Safari Van that eats front tires, especially on the outside edges. The alignment and balance have been checked numerous times, but the condition persists. Is this a special problem with this model? Has there been a recall that I missed? Any help will be greatly appreciated.--R.C.S.
A: GM has not issued any recalls for the problem you cite. When you say that the tires are wearing on the outside edges, I assume you mean both edges of each front tire. In that case, the vehicle may be suffering from a high caster angle, which causes what is called a camber roll on turns. This means that the tire tends to roll on turns so that it rides partially on the sidewall. If that’s the case, there isn’t much you can do.
If it is only the extreme left edge of the left tire or the right edge of the right tire that is wearing, then you are quite likely to have an alignment problem. Such wear is typical of a front end with a camber that is out of adjustment. If you are unable to have the problem corrected, you should contact GM’s factory representative. You might also consider switching to an alternative tread design or tire size.
Q: I have a 1985 Honda Accord that emits a foul odor. I assume it comes from the catalytic converter. The dealer tells me nothing can be done. Is this true?--T.J.
A: This is one of the most frequent problems that car owners have. The odor, from hydrogen sulfide, is caused by a rich condition, normally during cold-weather starts and during wide-open throttle operation.
All gasoline has a certain amount of sulfur in it. The car’s catalytic converter, which is designed to convert harmful engine emissions into less toxic gases, can emit hydrogen sulfide gas.
If the odor is occurring at other times, then something is probably wrong. You should find a Honda dealer with the computerized diagnostic equipment that can check for problems.
Ralph Vartabedian cannot answer mail personally but will respond in this column to automotive questions of general interest. Do not telephone. Write to Your Wheels, You section, The Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.
