In search of a vehicle with a smart parking feature

Q. I’ve gotten no response from several local dealerships in trying to locate a Sportage (or any vehicle) that has remote smart parking. Kia America was not helpful at all in answering our inquiries. We have rather narrow garage door openings, and this feature would be a welcome addition if we can find it. What do you think of this feature? 

A. I have driven several different Hyundai and Kia models with this feature and only once did I really have a use for it. I was parked at a restaurant, and someone parked six inches off my driver’s door. I pushed the button, started the car, and backed the car up to get in. The other times I used this system was more of a novelty, just showing off. Looking on Kia’s website, it appears that the Smart Parking Assist is only available in the premium trim of the Sportage hybrid or plug-in hybrid. The Hyundai Tucson, which is very similar to the Sportage and according to Hyundai’s website does have Smart Park available in non-hybrid models, but in the top-of-the line trim levels. 

Q. I know you have answered this before, but I am looking to purchase a decent OBD code reader or perhaps a scan-tool. What would you recommend for a brand at a reasonable price point?

A. Currently in my toolbox, I have two bi-directional scan tools. One is the Xtool D8, which is a bit pricey at $500, but is as close as you can get to a professional, all make and model scan tool at a competitive price. The other is the Innova 5610 at $400 (there are various models and price points). What is nice about the Innova tools is the compatibility with their Repair Solutions2 app. Once you have the code you can look at real world fixes. For a basic code reader/scan tool I keep a Bluetooth compatible tool from BlueDriver in my car. The BlueDriver is more than a code reader; it can display live data, emissions readiness monitors, and confirmed fixes, all for about $100. TOPDON also makes a Bluetooth code reader scan tool ($60), which I will be testing out in the near future. 

Q. I have a friend that has a Volkswagen that is only a few years old and uses oil at about one quart per 2,500 miles. The dealer has offered no answers. I have owned many cars and never added oil between oil changes. What advice can you offer to my friend? 

A. Volkswagen and Audi have had issues with oil consumption, but consider one quart of oil use in 1,200 miles normal. Since her car is well above that number, there is nothing that Volkswagen will do. Realistically, all engines will use some oil during the normal combustion process, some more than others. Volkswagen has a very long oil change interval of once per year or 10,000 miles, and it is critical especially on this model to check the oil periodically. 

Q. My daughter and I want to do an automotive project together. I’m pretty handy and she is a great student. We have extra space in the garage and a good assortment of tools. We were thinking of something custom (maybe a Mustang or ‘60s sedan) but not overly expensive. Any thoughts? 

A. Go to as many car shows as possible and ask questions about some of the cars you like. Do a little research on YouTube. In fact, teenage carburetor rebuilder RileyRebuilds is on social media building a Ford Fairlane with her dad. The other option is to look at Smyth kit cars. These are kits that can turn a VW Beetle, Dodge Charger, and a few others models into a Ute (pickup truck of sorts). I was at a car show, and someone had a Volkswagen version, and it got more attention than the Porsche 911 parked next to it. Good luck and send me pictures of your project. 

Q. I recently purchased a used Range Rover. It is beautiful inside and ran great until the check engine and temperature lights came on. I limped back home and after a bit of struggling bled some air out of the system. Right now, the engine seems fine. Should I worry? 

A. Probably, unless the cooling system was serviced and the system had trapped air in it. I suspect the air in the system is from the start of a cylinder head gasket leak. Head gaskets can leak both oil and coolant externally, but also coolant can leak internally and be burned up during combustion. As the coolant is sucked into the engine it will create air in the cooling system and cause an overheating situation. At this point buy or rent a Block-Check combustion leak tester. This is a simple test that will look for the presence of hydrocarbons in the cooling system which would indicate a possible head gasket leak. 

John Paul is AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor. He has over 40 years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE-certified master technician. E-mail your Car Doctor question to [email protected]. Listen to the Car Doctor podcast at johnfpaul.podbean.com.