Q: I'm looking to get my Mustang repainted. Not sure whether to go for a regular paint job or a vinyl wrap for the car. It would be in a solid color. Don't know how the wrap would hold up as far as getting dings or scratches on it. Also, don't know if it would fade much from the sun. I would welcome your response as opposed to someone trying to sell me the vinyl wrap.
T.B., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
A: We think that vinyl wraps are way cool. At the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, we helped wrap a BMW with a carbon-fiber look and it was awesome. Wraps actually protect the original paint and make sense on new as well as used cars. When you get weary of it, the wrap is easily removed, reverting to your original paint. Wraps are durable and provide the graphics for many commercial vehicles.
Q: I have a 2015 Subaru Forester with continuously variable transmission. The owner's manual says to inspect the fluid every 30,000 miles. Various dealers have said either the transmission is sealed and needs no service for the life of the transmission or I can change the fluid if I want. Inspection of the fluid costs $200, as does the changing of the fluid. Past vehicles I have owned had regular automatic transmissions and I change the fluid every 30,000 miles. I have concerns about not changing the fluid in the CVT. What do you think I should do?
K.B., Elinda, Ohio
A: We suggest you follow the advice in your owner's manual. The CVT in your vehicle is expected to need no service for life unless you punish it by towing a yacht. It has a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty that just might be voided if a shop does a bad job of changing the fluid. Actually, there is more risk of damage from contamination during a fluid change than there is from leaving things alone.
Q: I have a 2005 Honda Odyssey with 83,000 miles. The dealer recommended changing the timing belt, tensioner and water pump at a cost of around $925. My manual says to change it at 90,000 miles. What to do?
J.W., Warminster, Pa.
