DRIVERS ASK, TOM ANSWERS:

LUBRICATION PROBLEMS SOLVED

Dear    Tom,

Q I own an ‘05 Honda Pilot. The manufacturer recently recommended

changing the oil at 7,500 miles. What do you think? I did not follow this
recommendation because I thought the manual said to change the oil at
15,000 miles. However, at about 13,000 miles the vehicle started making a
heavy groaning sound (coming from the rear). It only happened when I try to
move out of a parking spot at an angle. I took it to the dealer, and they
changed the differential oil and the problem is now gone! It’s hard to believe!
What do you think?

Sydney—New  York    City

Sydney,

A I believe it. Gear oil is critical to the proper operation of lock up and

limited slip differentials. When it wears out (gets contaminated with wear
material or gets overheated and breaks down), differential operation will be
hampered. Quite often carmakers will go to petroleum companies to engineer
a fix in their fluid for a drivability problem with transmissions, gearboxes,
transfer cases, or differentials.

Tom

Dear    Tom,

Q I own a 2001 Toyota Camry, and I change the oil every 3,000 miles. If I

use synthetic oil, do I need to replace the oil filter every change or every
other change?

Dave—District   Heights,    Ohio

Dave,