How To

A reader contemplates a car-free life

John Paul, AAA Northeast's Car Doctor, answers a question from a reader considering getting by without a car.

The Car Doctor answers a question from a reader considering getting by without a car. Lane Turner/Globe Staff

May 21, 2024

Q. I know you’re a car guy, but can you really get by without a car? I am trying to weigh the options of life without a car. My car was an inherited Toyota Camry, but it’s 20 years old, needs work, and honestly, I really do not enjoy driving. I live in an area with pretty good buses, and I am healthy and in my mid-40s.

A. It really depends on your lifestyle. When I routinely went out to talk with seniors about driving, giving up a car was a difficult choice. Although when expenses were put down on paper it could sometimes make the decision easier. When you factor in fuel, repairs, insurance, and parking, living without a car can sometimes save money. Uber or Lyft once or twice a week can be economical compared to the cost of car insurance. Public transportation and even walking, when planned out, can work for many. Replacing your car with a bike can sometimes work. I have a Fiido Longtail electric bike (but we still have cars). It has good storage, rides well, and at my age a little less pedaling is okay with me.

Q. The airbag light on the dashboard of my daughter’s 2011 Honda Civic has come on and stays on when the engine is running. I checked some obvious things like blown fuses or loose connectors, but the light remains on. I have seen an airbag light reset procedure on YouTube which looks rather simple and in fact was shown on the exact model of my daughter’s car. However, with the sensitive nature of the airbag system, I am a little reluctant to try it. Can you confirm the procedure video in the YouTube video, or do you have a procedure to reset the light?

A. YouTube can offer plenty of tips, but I am not sure of this one. According to the websites AllData and ProDemand, Honda requires the use of a factory tool to reset the light. The procedure used in the video may in fact work, but I cannot recommend it since it is not approved by Honda. A bigger issue is why the light is on. Honda, like many vehicles, was affected by the massive Takata airbag recall. The light is illuminated because the computer has seen a problem with the airbag system. My suggestion would be, have the airbag system diagnosed and repaired, as necessary. Airbags save lives when used with a seatbelt. Do not take a chance with a malfunctioning system.

Q. I have a second home in Florida, and I am planning on buying a Ford Bronco to leave in the enclosed garage for five or six months while I’m not there. The car will just sit there without being started for up to six months. What is the best thing to do to prevent battery or computer problems when I return?

A. The best thing to do would have someone drive the car every three weeks or so. If that cannot be done, have the car serviced before you put it away. When doing this let the shop know the car will not be driven for six months. In addition, fill the gas tank and add a fuel stabilizer (STA-BIL is one product) to prevent the gas from getting stale. A device such as a Battery Tender or CTEK maintainer (a type of battery charger) will keep the battery fully charged and is designed for long term storage. These simply plug into a wall outlet and clip to the battery posts. Also, make sure there is nothing in the garage (bird seed) that could attract rodents. In the garage, leave the windows of the Bronco open a bit to allow air to circulate and prevent mildew.

Q. My 2003 Audi A6, which I hardly use but love, has a 3.0-liter engine and currently 82,000 miles on the speedometer. I keep getting conflicting reports as to when to have the timing belt changed. The dealer recommends I change the belt immediately even though the manual states 105,000 miles. A local foreign auto repair shop states that as long as there are no oil leaks under the engine, I can wait a little more, but not a long time before changing the timing belt. I would appreciate any clarification you could give to this issue.

A. Under normal service conditions, Audi recommends replacing the timing belt at 105,000 miles, but it does not list a time interval. Considering most vehicles are driven 12,000 miles per year and your car is 21 years old, it is the equivalent of 252,000 miles. Not really, but rubber belts do age with time. Conventional wisdom is to replace most timing belts at 10 years of age. If this were my car, I would replace the timing belt, drive belts, and coolant hoses in the near future to avoid the possibility of a very expensive breakdown.

John Paul is AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor. He has over 40 years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE-certified master technician. E-mail your Car Doctor question to [email protected]. Listen to the Car Doctor podcast at johnfpaul.podbean.com.