Why does my front passenger door make a loud banging noise? | Car Doctor

Q: I have a 2023 Honda Pilot Touring edition with 12,000 miles. When I push the reverse button first thing in the morning, the front passenger door makes a loud banging noise. It usually happens every time get into the car. I took it to the dealer, but they said they could not duplicate the problem. What could the problem be and what do you suggest?

A: From your description, it sounds like a door lock solenoid/actuator. Since you can get it to do it with some consistency, is it possible to take a video with your phone and share it with the dealer? This way at least both of you are on the same page.

Should Honda help with peeling paint on 13-year-old Odyssey?

Q: have a 2011 Honda Odyssey. About three years ago the paint on the roof began to peel. I found many similar cases with Odyssey owners. After much arguing with the Honda dealer, they agreed to split the cost of the repair.

Now the same thing is happening to the hood of my car. Is there any recourse for owners of older Hondas, such as myself?

How much should I expect to pay to have the hood painted at a body shop?

Do you have any experience with "wrapping" on body parts? I have seen this done on boat hulls, and it is quite effective.

A: At 13 years old, it is unlikely that Honda will help unless there is some kind of class action lawsuit concerning paint failure. This paint peeling is fairly common on many cars these days, due to the more environmentally friendly paint/primer. Ultraviolet light causes the primer to chalk and the color coat to peel away.

As for the cost to strip the paint, apply primer and color and finish with a clear coat, I would guess $900 to $1,200.

When properly applied, vinyl wrap will last three to five years before it cracks. People use wraps often for color changes on sports cars or advertisements on commercial vehicles. Vehicle wraps can cost $1,500 to $5,500. As an alternative, perhaps wrap the hood in flat black to add a little style and cut down on glare.

Low battery warning on Mazda key fob

Q: My 2021 Mazda CX-30 intermittently shows a low battery key fob alert even though I have replaced the battery twice with a fresh battery. Since the alert does not come up every time I use the car, I do not know if there’s really a battery issue.

A: Mazda uses two warnings, one for the car’s battery and one for the key fob. If it is a low battery warning, Mazda did a software update for this reason, which is seen on cars with low miles.

If it is the key fob warning, start with testing the battery. Most are 3 volts but should test at about 3.5 volts.

Also check the contacts in the fob and make sure they are clean and tight. If you have two key fobs, switch to the other fob to see if you get the same warning. If there is no warning, replace the first fob.

Concerned about high rpms on Honda CR-V

Q: My wife has a 2023 Honda CR-V hybrid that she loves, except for the high rpms it turns when it is going up hills. I have seen it jump to 7,500 rpms, which causes some concern. I'm kind of used to my truck, which might turn 2,500 rpms going up a steep hill. Is this normal? Will it cause any damage to the engine? Anything else we should know about this car?

A: The Honda CR-V hybrid is a great car with a nice ride, good use of interior space and great fuel economy. The engine should never see 7,500 rpms, even going up steep hills. The engine is very robust, although it was never designed to rev above 5,000 rpms.

Why is PCV valve for VW Beetle so expensive?

Q: I was told the PCV valve in my 2012 Volkswagen Beetle needs to be replaced. The dealer quoted $1,600, which also included replacing the valve cover. Years ago I replaced the PCV valve in my Chevy Nova and it was less than $5. Why is it so expensive with this car?

A: Unlike your old Chevy, Volkswagen uses a PCV/oil separator system. The oil separator is about $400, and the valve cover is nearly $500. The valve cover can sometimes get clogged with sludge, which is the reason for the replacement. With labor rates nearing $200 an hour in some locations, it is easy to see how the cost could be $1,600.

John Paul is the AAA Northeast Car Doctor. He has more than 40 years of experience in the automobile industry and is an ASE-Certified Master Technician. Write to John Paul, The Car Doctor, at 110 Royal Little Drive, Providence, RI 02904. Or email jpaul@aaanortheast.com and put “Car Doctor” in the subject field. Follow him on Twitter @johnfpaul or on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Why does my passenger door make a loud banging noise? | Car Doctor