Q: There is a little display on my dash that tells me the speed limit of whatever road I’m on. It is amazingly accurate, changing at the very moment I pass a sign with a new limit. But it also knows the speed limit on roads I enter where there is no sign. How does my car receive this information?

C.M., Chicago

A: You are being followed by GPS. It is the same technology by which your phone knows where you are if you ask for a nearby gas station. We are not alone.

Q: This is in regard to the question asked by J.G of Chicago. I am a retired mechanic of 15 years now and love your excellent articles. Your answers are always great, but this time when J.G asked about using cruise control in the rain, you said it was fine, and it is not. Unlike going downhill when it slows the car down, the tires lose traction with the road and actually speed up and could send you into a spin or off the highway.

R.R., Morton Grove, Illinois

A: AAA says: “Using cruise control in the rain is generally not recommended, as it can increase the risk of hydroplaning and loss of vehicle control. It's safer to manually control your speed in wet conditions to maintain better traction and responsiveness.” Thanks, R.R., for your input.

Q: I have a 2024 RAV4 XLE Premium and the engine is louder than my previous RAV4. I heard there are hood insulation pads that can be installed to cut down on engine noise. Do they work and are they safe?

R.B., Orefield, Pennsylvania

A: You can get a factory hood pad at any Toyota dealership that fits perfectly. Since it is made to fit your car, there are also holes and the retainers that hold the pad in place.

Q: I have a 2018 Ford Explorer that, when using the heater, only blows heat on the driver’s side and blows cold air on the passenger side. Thoughts on the issue and a fix?

J.G., Simsbury, Connecticut

A: You probably need an air door actuator. If it were me, I would opt for the complete kit of actuators including the one for the blend door.

Q: The driver's side door on my newer model Toyota sticks with the least bit of cold weather. What do you cite as the reason for this phenomenon and more importantly recommend as a solution?

J.D., Boston

A: Moisture collects on the door seals and freezes, forming a layer of ice between. To prevent this, I use a thin coat of silicone grease on the seals. But the word on the street is that 303 Aerospace Protectant found in most parts stores works well.

Q: I had issues with a relatively new battery installed in our 2017 VW Jetta. Mid-December the battery was dead, and the Jetta had to be jumped. A month later the battery was dead and had to be jumped. It turns out the battery had never been “registered" with the car. I never heard of such a thing. I contacted a local garage, and they were able to register my battery. I learn something new every day.

J.S., Brookfield, Illinois

A: Although it sounds weird, systems may misbehave if they lose complete power, such as when the battery is removed. For example, the power windows may stop working. Most shops have devices that supply auxiliary power while swapping the battery.

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