Q: I have a 2013 Acadia that has a vibration with the steering wheel at 55 mph and stops at 65 mph. I had all wheels balanced, new brakes and rotors. When I rotated the tires to the back the vibration stopped. Do I just have a bad tire?

J.E., Chicago

A: Yes, one tire may have a belt separation issue. The symptoms will eventually get worse and become unsafe. Hope you still have warranty left on the tire.

Q: A recent column caught my attention. I have used Superzilla in removing tight lug nuts where moisture is a problem. It sometimes takes a few minutes for penetration and a bit of tapping, but I have had success in these cases.

H.F., Skokie, Illinois

A: Superzilla is much like WD-40 in that both help remove stubborn nuts and bolts. WD-40 has a petroleum base, Superzilla has silicone. Bottom line, however, is that once you get those lousy lug nuts off, replace them.

Q: After the front end of my 2019 Jeep Compass was squeaking, my local car repair shop replaced the sway bar links. Now after a year, the same problem is acting up. Do I need new links? Someone told me they just need greasing. What say you?

K.P. Wood Dale, Illinois

A: I advise against greasing them. The links have rubber bushings, which make the noise, and petroleum products could soften the rubber. Silicon is safer, but the squeak will soon return. The links are not a critical safety issue.

Q: Pardon me for being ignorant, but what are those red hunks of junk I am now seeing in car wheel wells? They ruin the appearance of the fancy hubcaps they are behind and look plain ugly.

E.M., Chicago

A: I have a hunch you are describing the brake calipers. Red is the Brembo brand color. Brembo calipers are among the best. Performance car buyers prefer them. Unfortunately, some basic performance wannabes paint their regular calipers red to look cool.

Q: I recently leased a 2025 Honda HR-V Sport. Love the vehicle. It has “full LED headlights.” The lights are phenomenal for me to see while driving at night. However, oncoming cars are constantly flashing their high beams at me because I can only assume they think my high beams are on. Help! I don’t want to be that jerk who blinds everyone at night!

S.D. Bridgeport, New York

A: You, and thousands of other motorists, are not jerks, just the victims of technology. Oncoming drivers, especially older drivers, are also victims.

Q: My 2021 Toyota Avalon has always had oil changes at a Toyota dealership. I've noticed the oil level on the dipstick is always showing about a quarter-inch above the full mark. I check my oil when the engine is warm and sitting for about 5 minutes. Is my engine over filled?

J.R., Burnsville, Minnesota

A: Your car takes 4.8 quarts of oil. But oil usually comes in full quarts. When it is poured in, you get an extra 0.2 quarts. A little bit above is not a problem any more than a little bit below the full mark. Dipsticks are not the most accurate measuring devices.

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