John Paul

1 week ago | boston.com | John Paul |Jack Pickell

Q. I have a 2009 Toyota Matrix, and my husband has a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. Both cars do sit in the sun in our driveway, mostly with windshield/dashboard shades. It is surprising to me that my older Toyota has an air conditioner that works great. The Subaru on the other hand is really not great. I think it might help if my husband also covers the hood in the hot weather. The mechanic said it was normal last year when he looked at it. He is a good, honest mechanic.

2 weeks ago | boston.com | John Paul |Jack Pickell

Q. We have a 2009 Toyota RAV4 with about 220,000 miles. We’re the original owners of the vehicle and it came with steel rims. The design of the rim is such that it can trap water, causing it to rust and leak. It has gotten so bad that it now has caused a slow leak in a couple of them. The soapy water test has proven this to be the case. The car that is worth less than $2,000 and doesn’t use more than a half quart every 5,000-mile oil change. What are the options to fix this?

3 weeks ago | boston.com | John Paul |Jack Pickell

Q. We have a 2019 Toyota Sienna with less than 50,000 miles, and have been advised to have the brake fluid flushed. Over the last 15 years we have owned six Toyotas and have never had the brake fluid flushed, even though some were driven over 180,000 miles. Is the brake fluid used in German engineered cars that different from that used in Japanese cars? My former Volkswagen never had the brake fluid changed. We take service very seriously and want to make sure the fluid flush is necessary. A.

1 month ago | boston.com | John Paul |Jack Pickell

Q. I asked you once about 2-door pickups. As a Toyota owner for many years, I wanted to purchase a 2025 2-door Tacoma as I have been happy with my previous Toyotas. For a month I have been corresponding with Toyota dealers as well as Toyota Corporate with no success finding one. So, I am considering purchasing the 2025 Nissan Frontier SV King Cab. It is exactly what I am looking for. The Nissan dealers have many on their lots and they cost about the same as the Tacoma.

1 month ago | boston.com | John Paul |Jack Pickell

Q. I am currently leasing a Honda HR-V. Recently, I received an email from the service department stating that I was due for a 12,000-mile service. I went down to Honda and asked what was in the service. I was given a written estimate for the following: oil change $69.99, tire rotation $39.99, wiper inserts $54.99, air/cabin filter $169.99, alignment $179.99, and rear differential flush $229.99. Over $700 for a car that is a little over a year old.