Dear Tom,

I own a '90 Toyota Camry sedan with 220,000 miles. Why does the oil pressure reading go down from 45+ to zero after driving a short distance? My car is quite old but engine compression is still good.

Cy from Houston

Cy,

The compression might be good but the oil pressure may be in the toilet. Hook up a mechanical gauge to the oil gallery where the oil pressure sensor is located and check it. If the pressure is good, you probably have a bad sensor. If it's low, the engine will have to be disassembled (partially) in order to evaluate internal wear. My guess? At this mileage the oil pump is probably wearing out, as well as the main/rod bearing. Let's face it, at this mileage the car doesn't owe you anything. Maybe a total rebuild or replacement is in order if the body is in good shape and the rest of the vehicle is in good working order. Have it evaluated. Success to you.

Tom

Dear Tom,

I've heard that the Prius requires maintenance work every 30,000 miles and it costs $3,000. Is this true? What do you think of the Prius? I drive 35 miles one way to work and would like a good MPG car. I am considering the Prius, but if it costs a lot to maintain I will have to pass.

David from Boston

David,

I checked the Toyota maintenance schedule as per ALLDATA for the Prius, and I see nothing that would indicate a cost of $3,000. I like the Prius as do the majority of the country's motor press core. So buy away!

Tom

Dear Tom,

For the past 30 years, I have always used the oil and fuel additive Slick 50 for my cars, both old and new. I own a 2001 BMW 325, a 2007 Lexus 350, and I still have my 1992 SX 240 with 117,600 miles on it. Should I continue to use Slick 50 in the BMW and the Lexus?

Evan from Ft Worth, Texas

Evan,

I see no reason to use this or any other oil treatment, especially in the engines of these thoroughbred cars. The BMWs have high performance engines, and if you change to synthetic oil such as AMSOIL you should be fine. Oil treatments such as Slick 50 throw off the delicate blend of the chemical fortifier packages in today's oils. This action sacrifices lubrication and rust inhibitor properties. Simply keep fresh oil in the engine according to the manufacturer specs and your cars will run well. Best to you.

Tom

Dear Tom,

I own a 2006 Hyundai Sonata with 73,500 miles. Last November I had the front brakes replaced. In March, as I was driving down the highway, the car started running rough (felt like a tire was flat). Then I smelled smoke. As I pulled to the side of the road, I could see smoke coming from the left rear brakes. The car was towed to the nearest Hyundai dealer and they told me the car needed rear brakes, so I had them installed. A month later the same thing happened! What's going on?

Abe from Ashtabula, Ohio

Abe,

Have the emergency brake cables checked to see if they're sticking in the "on" position. Quite often the cables freeze up due to rust and leave the rear brakes in the applied position, which wears out the rear brakes prematurely. Good luck.

Tom

Dear Tom,

I own a 2001 Z28 Camaro. On June of last year I took it to the dealer and they told me it needed an oxygen sensor and air pump for $814, so I had it done. Now the dealer says the same thing happened again! With 67,000 miles on the car, is it worth fixing? I didn't have this problem for six years, and now it happened twice within 15 months!

Lou from Burlington, N.J.

Lou,

The air pump keeps fresh air flowing to the exhaust system. This is a critical function because, without fresh airflow, the catalytic converter will overheat and clog up, and the catalyst baffles will be damaged. In addition, a faulty O2 sensor in the engine causes fuel delivery problems. Finally, your state has emissions laws and you won't pass state emissions inspection if you don't fix the car. On a side note, have the pulley alignment checked. Misalignment could cause shaft bearing failure in the air pumps.

Tom

Dear Tom,

I own an Acura CL-S. I hear a scrubbing noise while backing out of the driveway and turning the wheel left or right. After driving another 40 to 50 feet I hear the scrubbing noise again. Then I don't hear it anymore. Do you know what's causing this noise?

Melvia from Nashville, Tenn.

Melvia,

Have the inner fender wells inspected. It sounds like a tire might be hitting one of the wells. Also, a brake caliper could be seized, preventing the brake from retracting after the brake pedal is released. Thus, a brake inspection is in order as well.

Tom

'Til next timeKeep Rollin'

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Tom Torbjornsen is an automotive expert of 37 years. An automotive journalist in good standing with the IMPA (International Motor Press Association), Torbjornsen is a major contributor to AOL Autos, Edmunds.Com, At Home Portals and many other Web sites. Torbjornsen is the auto expert of record for Channel 4 WIVB TV, Western New York's CBS affiliate. Hear his radio show, AMERICA'S CAR SHOW with Tom Torbjornsen, on the Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel - Stars Too - Sirius 108 and XM 139; Sunday nights from 10 p.m. to midnight. Send your car questions to his Web site at: www.americascarshow.com.