Q: Based on my last inspection, I am due for new brake pads for my 2011 Cadillac SRX. Searching brake shops, I find a wide range of prices starting at $99 per axle from a national chain to $199 from a Cadillac dealer. What should I be asking for?
_ F.K., Northampton, Pa.
A: Brake friction materials must comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. That said, many low-cost brake pads wear quicker than higher priced ones. They may also produce more brake dust that deposits on your wheels. I prefer to go with ceramic brake pads that tend to fade less than organic or semi-metallic pads.
Q: I have experienced a problem on several trucks with the outside of tires usually on the driver's side. A rust colored film, like dirt, will cover part of the tire and sometimes the whole tire. I do not hit curbs or potholes. It can't be cleaned with soap, water and a brush. I have to use a tire cleaner and scrub it until it disappears. It happens frequently. Any ideas?
_ J.F., Hugo, Minn.
A: Brake dust. It is tenacious. Soap and water seldom do the job. I suggest a good wheel cleaner. Avoid acid cleaners that can damage alloy wheels. Be sure to rinse the stuff off pronto.
Q: Regarding the question about cigarette lighter air compressors, you may want to suggest to readers that those inexpensive pumps draw a lot of power from the cigarette lighter outlet. Based on my experience, you want to turn off things like the headlights, ventilation fans, even the radio, to allow as much juice to be available for the air compressor.
_ A.K., Skokie, Ill.
A: Many new cars come without a spare. Instead, they have a kit containing a can of tire sealer and a 12-volt compressor. The compressors are much powerful and efficient than the cheap dollar store ones, otherwise the car companies would not rely on them.
Q: Several years ago I had the constant problem of one or two inches of water in the trunk of an Olds. My solution was to use a drift and punch a hole in the floor of the trunk. Worked perfectly.
_ W.M. Chicago
A: Back in the olden days, cars had drain holes with rubber plugs. But today, you must make your own holes. If you do, I suggest you put stoppers in them or you may find more water than you had expected after driving though a deep puddle. Better still, find and seal the original leak.
Q: I read your column about the cracked windshield problem and I have a solution. I own a 2006 Ford Mustang, and within a couple of months of owning it a small rock hit the windshield and made a little crack. I went to the car dealership and they used some kind of glue or whatever to fix it and charged me a hundred bucks, and it worked! The crack never got bigger.
_ S.C., Oak Park, Ill.
A: What you had was a bulls-eye chip. Chips can be filled with a UV activated resin that prevents a chip from becoming a crack. Auto glass companies offer this service. Some even charge less than $100. Insurance coverage often pays all of it.
