What do you think of these new diesel vehicle models?

Q: I don’t see you write much about diesel. What do you think of these new models? Years ago, I had one of the General Motors diesels. Although the engine failed, when it was running it had decent power and great fuel economy.

To: Diesel engines are still something we see in midsize and full-size trucks, but rarely in passenger cars. There was a time when I thought one of the best vehicles would be a diesel with a manual transmission. Today the focus is on hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric cars. Diesels are dirty and fuel is more expensive.

Many European countries are in the process of banning the sale of diesel vehicles where they were once the engine of choice.

What is the least expensive way to remove hail dents?

Q: A recent rainstorm produced small, quarter-sized hailstones. The storm lasted between five and ten minutes. I didn’t think much of it, but after the storm, I discovered a lot of small dents in my cars. They are about the size of a dime or nickel. What would be the best way to remove them? One suggestion is to warm the tooth and then apply something cold. Others say this doesn’t work. Taking it to a dealer would be expensive, and the deductible would probably apply. Any thoughts?

To: I’ve also watched the YouTube videos but never had any luck with the heat and cool method of removing the dents. I’ve also tried the sticky bag remover tools and had marginal success at best.

I would try to find someone who does paintless dent removal, sometimes called PDR. I have done this on two of my cars; one had significant damage after a hurricane in Florida; the other car, when it was almost new, was hit by a shopping cart. In both cases, when the PDR repairs were done, the dents were completely removed and no paint repairs were necessary. It’s a little expensive, but depending on the car, it’s probably less than the deductible.

The Mazda3 and Sport’s cigarette lighter fuse continues to work

Q: I have a 2008 Mazda3 i Sport. The cigarette lighter fuse has been blowing. The negative battery connector sparks when the negative terminal is reconnected. what’s up

To: I suspect the plug itself is faulty. The electrical diagram shows that the 12 volt socket is the only element of this fuse. The ignition switch supplies power to the fuse in the accessory or on position.

When should transmission fluid be replaced?

Q: Should I have my 2013 Mazda2 with 76,000 miles on the odometer serviced (fluid, gaskets, filter change)?

To: According to Mazda, the fluid should only be changed when a major transmission component or the entire transmission needs replacing. If the transmission fluid is full, has a nice red color, and doesn’t smell bad, it should be fine. If the fluid smells burnt, it would be a good idea to change it.

Is the Land Rover Defender a good buy?

Q: I have been driving jeeps for years. I’m thinking of upgrading. What do you think of the Land Rover Defender?

To: I spent some time in one this year and found it capable (especially off-road), reasonably fuel efficient and generally comfortable. Some controls were awkward and the infotainment system was distracting.

You have to watch the options; they can quickly increase the price. The rear-mounted spare tire blocks visibility (the camera-style rearview mirror helps). Also, the tailgate is hinged to the right, which makes unloading awkward on the sidewalk.

Water leak is causing mold in Toyota RAV4 interior

Q: My 1998 Toyota RAV4 keeps getting water on the driver’s side floor. I can’t find any leaks and it’s always very wet. Now I have mold and the whole car smells. Also, my sunroof no longer opens, even though I can hear the engine running. How do I fix this without spending a fortune?

To: I would start by checking to see if the A/C evaporator drain is clear. You should see water dripping under the car with the AC running.

The sunroof may also be part of the cause. The sunroof seal doesn’t completely seal out the elements, and there are drains that allow water to run off the car onto the ground. If these drains are clogged, water will seep into the car. You will need to remove some trim pieces from the sunroof mechanics to open the sunroof to inspect the drains.

As for the mold, the carpet will need to be removed to dry out the interior and possibly replace the pad under the carpet. Unless you’re willing to take on this job yourself, it’s going to be expensive.

John Paul is AAA’s Northeast Car Doctor. He has more than 40 years of experience in the automotive industry and is a Master Technician certified by ASE. Write to John Paul, The Car Doctor, at 110 Royal Little Drive, Providence, RI 02904. Or email [email protected] and put “Car Doctor” in the subject field. Follow him on X @johnfpaul or on Facebook.

This article originally appeared in The Providence Journal: What do you think of these new diesel vehicles? | Car doctor