Q.  I have a 2003 Ford Explorer with a 4.0-liter, six-cylinder engine; the mileage is 94,000. On several occasions, the dealership has recommended power flushing the power-steering fluid. The owner’s manual makes no mention of any scheduled interval for changing power-steering fluid and I don’t recall changing this fluid on any other car. Does this make sense, or is it just a way for the dealer to cover the cost of the flushing equipment? Also, the antifreeze has never been changed. The owner’s manual calls for the first change at five years/100,000 miles. Should I get it done?

A.  I’m a big believer in following the advice in the vehicle owner’s manual. Since your manual doesn’t have an interval for changing the power-steering fluid, does that mean this service never needs to be performed? Yes and no. If the power-steering fluid is clean, I don’t believe there’s any need to change it. If the fluid is contaminated, changing the fluid could help extend the life of the power-steering system. Regarding the cooling system, it is overdue. The coolant should be drained, the system flushed, and new Ford- style “green” or “gold” coolant should be installed.

Q.  Am I wasting money when I use premium or super-octane gas in my 2006 Ford pick-up? The truck requires regular gas but from time to time I like to give it a treat.

A.  If your vehicle requires only regular fuel and you refuel it with higher octane gas, you are, in my opinion, wasting your money.

Q.  I had a weird experience with my 2008 Dodge Charger yesterday. It’s the base model and has 50,000 miles. I was driving approximately 30 mph on a suburban road when suddenly the car lost power. I slowed the car to the side of the road, put the transmission into park and turned off the ignition. I then turned the key to start the car and it started right up. I drove it for the rest of the day without issue. I checked the battery cables and they appear tight. Do you have any ideas? This is the only time this has happened and the car has had no previous issues or accidents. 

A.  There are many things that could cause this type of symptom. The biggest problem is diagnosing a problem that currently doesn’t exist. Unless there’s a computer fault code stored or something that can be spotted visually, testing and looking for a one-time problem could become very expensive.

Q.  I have an Infiniti M35 that I really enjoy and it’s time to replace my wife’s Mercedes ML320. Since I’ve had such good luck with the M35, I was thinking of the Infiniti EX35 as a replacement for the ML320. We try to ski most weekends and the Mercedes is great in the snow. What do you think?

A.  The Infiniti EX35 handles great, rides well, has a luxurious interior and is loaded with hi-tech features. With its optional all-wheel drive system, this vehicle should be more than able to handle your trips to the slopes. Depending on passengers and ski equipment, you may find limited rear seating and cargo area an issue. 

Q.  I’ve noticed that many cars on the road have headlights out. This is a safety problem since you don’t know if it’s a motorcycle or something else coming toward you. Why do so many cars have headlights out?

A.  You’re correct that driving with only one headlight is a safety problem, and it’s actually a “ticket-able” offense in many states. Years ago, I was involved in a AAA car-care survey and we found that one of every five cars on the road had a lighting issue. The average life of a headlight is about five years, and as the fleet of vehicles on the road gets older it’s not unusual to see more lights out. A driver should periodically check all the car’s lights. In addition, if you notice a blub is out, replace it with a good-quality part. There are many inferior-quality bulbs available today that cost less but have a short life and provide poor lighting.