Mazda hybrid system needs special battery
Q: I recently purchased a used Mazda with an i-ELOOP system. I asked the salesman about it (not a Mazda dealer) and he just said it was a type of hybrid. My concern is when the battery fails. Is this some expensive hybrid battery or is it a more conventional type?
A: The Mazda i-ELOOP system continually recovers kinetic energy as the vehicle decelerates and reuses it as electricity (think of it as a mini-hybrid). The energy is used to power voltage-hungry systems in the vehicle to save fuel. The energy is stored in specially designed capacitors and unlike most cars that charge the battery with an alternator that has voltage limited to 16 volts, the alternator in these cars can charge up to 25 volts. The battery is a 12-volt battery but specifically designed for this type of system. The battery is referred to as an enhance flooded battery and not a conventional/typical lead acid battery or AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery. This is a specific battery for this vehicle and available on a limited basis. An AGM or conventional battery should not be used as a replacement.
Q: I have a chance to buy a 12-year-old Honda Civic. It is in really good shape and has only 60,000-miles on it. The engine runs on natural gas. What do you think of these cars?
A: I did drive a CNG Honda Civic a few years back and found it to be a pretty ordinary car. The engine was a bit down in power compared to the regular gasoline version. Unlike gasoline stations, CNG stations are somewhat limited so you need to see that filling up with CNG fits your driving lifestyle. The range of the Civic that I drove was about 200 miles and there was a CNG station slightly off my commute, but certainly doable as a commuter vehicle. Refilling with CNG is pretty quick and reasonably expensive and the overall emissions are generally lower than a gasoline engine. If all of this fits what you need from the vehicle, it’s in good shape and it is a great deal, it would be worth taking a chance on the car.
Q: I have a 2005 Toyota Corolla with 220,000 miles. I have noticed a squeaking sound (intermittently) when I apply the brakes. I brought the car to my garage, but, of course, the squeaking noise does not happen when they take it for a test drive. They examined the brakes and say they are fine. Also, when I back up, I hear a knocking noise. I am not sure if the two sounds are related. Both are coming from the rear of the car.
A: The knocking noise and the squeak may not be related. I would start with a thorough inspection of the rear suspension system, looking for any signs of wear. If the car has rear disc brakes, the rotors should be removed, and the parking brake should be inspected. It is possible over the years the parking brake shoes have worn out. Additionally, Toyota has had many updates to their vehicles to eliminate brake noise. These include installation of updated brake springs and clips. Depending on who was servicing the car, these clips may have been eliminated. This wouldn’t cause a safety issue but can cause brake noise.
Q: I just had the oil changed yesterday on my 2014 Volkswagen Jetta and was wondering a few things: What would happen if I just had the oil itself changed and not the filter each change but every other oil change? What would happen if conventional oil is put instead of the required synthetic?
A: As cheap as I have been accused of being, I would always change the oil filter with each oil change. The filter traps dirt and contaminants and is critical for the longevity of the engine. It is mandatory with your Volkswagen to use the correct oil. Using conventional oil will cause sludge build up and engine wear. Volkswagen calls for an oil and filter change once per year or every 10,000 miles. Use the correct oil and filter, check the oil level at least monthly and the engine should last a long time.
— John Paul is the AAA Northeast Car Doctor. He has more than 30 years of experience in the automobile industry and is an ASE-Certified Master Technician. Write to John Paul, The Car Doctor, at 110 Royal Little Drive, Providence, RI 02904. Or email jpaul@aaanortheast.com and put "Car Doctor" in the subject field. At 8:30 Saturday mornings, tune in to John Paul, The Car Doctor, at wrolradio.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnfpaul or on Facebook.