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Dave Redinger's The Neighbourhood Mechanic 4/26/06


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Dave Redinger who transitioned to his Heavenly home on February 7, 2022 was a licensed auto mechanic with over 40 years in the trade. He operated Dr. H. Honda Specialists in Etobcoke (Toronto). Dave was heard here on The Auto Channel, RIP Dave your knowledge and helpfulness will be welcome by concerned motorists forever.




DAVE

REDINGER

ASK THE NEIGHBOURHOOD MECHANIC

the Neighbourhood Mechanic” is available on “1050 CHUM”

Listen to: “1050chum.com” Saturdays@ 9 am EST, join us on air, 866 444 8326 toll free

Rough asphalt, pot-holes and gravel-surfaced roads can increase fuel consumption up to 35 percent” This is a direct quote from the Transport Canada. In the 15 years I spent as a New Car Service Manager “what’s wrong with my mileage” was the biggest concern voiced by owners. As gas prices continue to rise mileage concerns are a fact of life. Don't get depressed...no one ever reaches advertised fuel mileage figures.

Last July we purchased a 2005 Dodge SX2.0. The rated gas mileage for this vehicle 42 hwy and 36 city. To date we only get 28 hwy and 20 city. We have repeatedly taken the vehicle back to the dealer where we purchased it. The car has 8300 KM on it already. They have done a fuel study on the car and confirmed our findings. And still they have done nothing. The latest report from them was that they were waiting for new soft wear to come in, that was a month ago. With the price of gas always rising we find that this is unacceptable. Linda

No one ever reaches the advertised fuel mileage figures. Fuel mileage ratings are designed to allow purchasers to compare vehicle efficiency on a level playing field...Mileage irregularities are due to environment and driver variables. In short where do you drive and how's your driving. http://www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/fuelpgm/guide/page4.htm" target="_blank">www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/fuelpgm/guide/page4.htm size="2" face="Arial"> is the government site explaining these issues. If you are suspect of mechanical issues, ask your dealer to run it on an emission’s machine. The tail pipe will prove or disprove any fuel mileage problems.

I am a confused at what is considered high mileage in a used car. I have seen you write about taxis that have gone close to a million kms if well taken care of and then I read in your article in today's paper that 120,000 kms was a lot of wear. We are looking to buy a used truck and the trucks in our price range or 1999's and 2000's that generally have around 130,000- 150,000 kms on them. Many of these trucks drive and handle as good as a new truck but now I am wondering if we buy a vehicle with this many kms on it if we are just buying a worn out vehicle that is going to cause us a lot of problems. I realize that an older vehicle is going to need some repairs. Are we just asking for trouble?

George.

When I mention 120,000 kms is high mileage I mean it in terms of devaluating a used car. If the speedo creeps much over the 100,000 kms mark the value of the vehicle plummets. As far as the mechanical condition of the vehicle, well that’s purely reliant on it's service history. If properly serviced a car should be capable of operating indefinitely....although it's commercial value at best is minimal.

Dave Redinger a mechanic with over 40 yrs of experience. Dave operates his shop “DOCTOR H HONDA SPECIALISTS in Toronto for the last 25 yrs.



Email : davidredinger@rogers.com ( we respond to every email) LISTEN TO DAVE ON 1050 CHUM EVERY SATURDAY @ 9:00 AM OR ON THE WEB LIVE “1050 http://CHUM.COM" target="_blank">CHUM.COM



Dave's Past Columns

July 14, 2005

July 22, 2005

July 29, 2005

August 12, 2005

August 19, 2005

August 24, 2005

August 31, 2005

October 12, 2005

October 19, 2005

October 25, 2005

November 5, 2005

November 16, 2005

November 23, 2005

December 4, 2005

December 11, 2005

February 14, 2006

January 3, 2006

January 11, 2006

January 18, 2006

January 25, 2006

February 1, 2006

February 8, 2006

March 1, 2006

March 8, 2006

March 15, 2006

March 22, 2006

March 28, 2006

April 4, 2006

April 17, 2006

April 26, 2006

May 2, 2006

May 23, 2006

May 28, 2006

June 27, 2006

July 11, 2006

July 24, 2006

August 8, 2006

August 15, 2006

August 29,2006

September 13, 2006

September 20, 2006