Switching from a sedan to an SUV or small pickup

Q. I have a 2014 Honda Accord with only 75,000 miles, but I think it may be time for a new car. At age 65, I’m finding the Accord a little low to get in and out of. I looked at the Honda HR-V and liked the higher seating position. I also enjoy gardening and frequently haul mulch and compost. I like the Ford Maverick, and my husband and I have also looked at the Kia Seltos. Which would you recommend?

A. All three are good choices, but each has a different strength. The Ford Maverick is the most versatile. If you’re regularly hauling mulch, compost, or garden supplies, the pickup bed is hard to beat. My only concern is that reliability has been somewhat less consistent than Honda’s. The Honda HR-V is a solid choice for long-term ownership. It is easy to get in and out of, has a good reputation for reliability, and generally holds its value well. The Kia Seltos feels roomier than the HR-V, offers good fuel economy, and provides a lot of features for the money. Kia has come a long way and now builds very competitive vehicles. Based on your needs, I would lean toward a small SUV. The higher seating position makes entry and exit easier and provides a better view of the road. My advice: drive all three. Usually, after a long test drive, the right vehicle becomes pretty obvious.

Q. How effective are fuel injector cleaners that you add to your gas? I have seen you mention Techron. Not that I doubt you, but are they a sponsor?

A. No, Techron is not a sponsor. In fact, I don’t have any sponsors or financial relationships with automotive chemical companies. A couple of times a year I add Techron fuel system cleaner to my family’s vehicles, and when possible I use Top Tier gasoline, which contains additional detergent additives to help keep fuel injectors clean. I recommend Techron because I have found it to be one of the more effective fuel system cleaners on the market. If I am spending my own money on a fuel-system cleaner, Techron is usually what I buy.

Q. I recently purchased a 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. I head to Florida for five or six months every winter and was planning to connect a battery maintainer to keep the 12-volt battery charged while I am away. The problem is that I keep finding conflicting information about where the 12-volt battery is located. Some sources say it is in the trunk, others say it is under the rear seat, and some claim there is no separate 12-volt battery at all. What is the correct answer?

A. Hyundai has taken a different approach with the Sonata Hybrid. Rather than a conventional 12-volt battery, it uses an integrated lithium-ion battery that is part of the hybrid battery system. As a result, there is no traditional battery in the trunk or under the hood that can be connected to a battery maintainer. The good news is that Hyundai designed the system to tolerate extended storage. Before leaving, I would make sure the hybrid battery is roughly 50% to 75% charged. If the vehicle does not power up after several months, Hyundai provides a 12-volt battery reset feature that uses energy from the hybrid battery to restore the 12-volt system. There are also jump-start terminals under the hood if needed. If the vehicle is stored in a secure garage, I would leave it unlocked. If the 12-volt system becomes completely discharged, you may need to use the mechanical key hidden inside the key fob to gain access.

Q. I have a 2012 Toyota Corolla with 226,500 miles and overall it is in great shape. The problem I’m having is that if it sits for about two hours after being driven, it takes longer to start than normal. It starts right up when cold and even after sitting overnight. My mechanic checked things over and didn’t find any obvious issues, and there are no trouble codes. This only happens after about a two-hour soak. Any ideas?

A. The fact that the problem occurs only after a specific hot-soak period is an important clue. One possibility is an EVAP system issue. On these Corollas, a leaking purge valve can allow fuel vapors into the intake manifold, creating an overly rich mixture and causing a hard start. A simple test is to disconnect and plug the hose between the purge valve and intake manifold, then let the car sit for its usual two-hour period. If the engine starts normally, you’ve likely found the problem. I would also look at live coolant-temperature data. A sensor that is drifting out of calibration can provide inaccurate temperature information during a hot soak and affect fuel delivery. If neither test reveals anything, the next step is checking fuel pressure after shutdown.

Q. I have a problem with the dashboard of my 15-year-old car. It has become sticky to the touch. I have tried different cleaners, but nothing seems to help. Any suggestions?

A. This is a common issue on older vehicles. Heat and sunlight can cause the dashboard’s soft-touch coating to break down, leaving a sticky surface. I would start by cleaning the dash with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth. If several cleanings don’t improve the condition, the coating has likely deteriorated beyond repair. At that point, the most practical and affordable solution is a custom-fit dash cover. They install easily, hide the sticky surface, and can also reduce windshield glare. Replacing the dashboard is usually too expensive to make sense on a 15-year-old vehicle, so a quality dash cover is often the best fix.

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 on Apple Podcasts or other popular podcast sites.