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Even cars that sit idle in winter should get oil changed

Question: I have a 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T with a Hemi engine. I have only 30,000 miles on it. I take it to the dealer yearly for the state inspection and the mechanic wants to change the synthetic oil every year. What is your opinion on this?

Question: I have a 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T with a Hemi engine. I have only 30,000 miles on it. I take it to the dealer yearly for the state inspection and the mechanic wants to change the synthetic oil every year. What is your opinion on this?

- J.F., Bensalem
Answer: We have a hunch you don't drive this car much in the winter. It just sits in your garage, where any contaminants in the oil may do damage. Yeah, synthetic oil is expensive, but it is a whole lot cheaper than internal engine work. Spend the money. Your car is worth it.

Q: The owners manual for my son's Ford Fusion suggests a spark plug change at 100,000 miles, which it has passed. The transverse-mounted engine puts the left-side plugs easy to reach, but the right-side plugs are next to the firewall and require removing a lot of piping and the intake manifold! The Ford dealer says that's about four hours of labor and almost $500. Can I just change the left-side plugs for now and do the others when the weather warms, or just leave them alone? The plugs are platinum.

- A.L., Glenwood, Ill.
A: You can probably wait for a while. The spark plugs will not suddenly fail. However, the wear they have suffered will likely contribute to reduced fuel economy. If one of the plugs does fail, the engine will have a noticeable miss and the "check engine" light will illuminate.

Q: I am seriously considering a 2017 Toyota Highlander. However, I am afraid of the stop-start engine. I know the technology works in a golf cart, but I am not sure it is a good idea in a car. I know I can turn it off, but why pay for something you won't use?

- H.F., Havertown
A: Stop-start technology has been with us for several years and any bugs have been eliminated long ago. Do not disable it. It saves gas. When sitting still, idling, you are getting zero mpg. You will find that the transition from the engine off and then on is seamless.

Q: Here is my automotive issue: On Nov. 12 I leased a new 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo E 4X4. Since then, it's been to the dealer three times for analysis of a condition signaled by the "check engine" light. In a progressive manner, the Jeep's shifting became more and more erratic with the third incident resulting in "limp mode" condition. First resolution was a software update. Same for second incident. Now a third time has happened with me limping to the dealer eight days ago with no apparent resolution. I have been using a loaner in the interim. The Jeep has 800 miles on it. I have submitted the lemon law arbitration process form as prescribed by Connecticut law. Is there anything else you can recommend to me to get a replacement vehicle?

- J.G., East Windsor, Conn.
A: There is not much more you can do until you get a reply to your lemon law request. Hang in there.

Bob Weber is a writer and mechanic. His writing appears in automotive trade publications, Consumer Guide, and Consumers Digest.

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