How To
John Paul, AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor, hears from a reader offering tips for restoring headlights that have become foggy over time.
The Car Doctor hears from a reader offering tips for restoring headlights that have become foggy over time. Russ Rader/Insurance Institute for Highway Safety via AP
February 17, 2026
4 minutes to read
Q. You advised the owner of a 2012 Toyota Camry that he could have his foggy headlights cleaned up for about $100. That is correct, but there is an issue that many people are unaware of. When those headlight covers were manufactured, they had a protective layer similar to a clearcoat that protected the plastic from damage due to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Over time, constant bombardment by tiny particulates while driving wears away this protective coating, and the clear plastic itself clouds up. The process of cleaning up the foggy plastic removes any remaining protective coating. To fix one car’s headlights I got Turtle Wax headlight cleaning pads. They looked nearly new after only about 15 minutes of work. Unfortunately, they fogged up within 3 months. So when I re-did the job, I purchased Meguiar’s Keep Clear Headlight Coating. It is a ceramic coating that supposedly prevents re-fogging for up to a year. It has been 6 months, and the headlights still look nearly new with no evidence of re-fogging.
A. Thanks for the tip. Headlight cleaning is starting to be a routine part of preventive maintenance. AAA studies have shown that badly fogged headlights can block up to 90 percent of light. Also in testing we have found that the restored original headlights can sometimes work better than some poorly made aftermarket replacement lenses.
Q. I purchased a new Volkswagen Jetta and have maintained the vehicle with the local Volkswagen dealership. They have performed all required maintenance according to the VW schedule. Last month, I noticed the check-engine light, so I took the car to VW where it was diagnosed with a faulty oil pressure regulator valve. The repair cost nearly $700. I did a bit of research as it seemed odd to have such an issue with a perfectly maintained, low-mileage car. Using AI, I found VW was aware of this issue with the 2019 VW Jetta and had extended the warranty for such. Alas, when I phoned VW customer service, I was advised that my specific vehicle was not part of the warranty extension. I asked if there was an appeal process, and was tersely told no. Should I pursue this further? What are the odds that VW was remiss and my vehicle should be covered? Who can I pursue this with up the VW corporate ladder?
A. I have checked various sources and found no information on a service campaign on a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta with the 1.4-liter engine. I checked with VW’s website, AllData, and Mitchell Pro – these are all repair databases that I use – and found nothing. Artificial Intelligence programs can be useful but also frequently wrong on some issues. Although your car may be perfectly maintained, that does not mean a specific part cannot fail. Unfortunately doing all of the required maintenance does not mean that some electromechanical part will not fail. Could you try to get assistance? Yes. What I found is most effective is an actual letter, not email. I would send it to the CEO of Volkswagen of America in Herndon, Virginia.
Q. I have a 2015 Honda Accord with push-button start. In the fall of 2024 when starting the car, I would get a grinding sound like you would get if you tried to start the car when it was already running. This would happen only occasionally. In December the car would not start at all. I had it towed to a local shop where the starter and battery were replaced. The car still occasionally makes the grinding sound but starts on the next try. My wife had the car and it would not start, but by the time I got to her, the car started for me. As of now, a year after the new starter was replaced, it still has this issue. The local shop cannot give me a reason. Any thoughts?
A. If the replacement was an aftermarket starter, that could be the issue. Today we are seeing many aftermarket parts that are substandard. The other possibility is the flywheel is damaged, and periodically the worn spot on the engine gear (flywheel) lines up with the starter and you get gear clash. Inspecting both the starter and flywheel ring-gear would be the next step.
Q. I just moved to the area and have not found a mechanic shop yet. We own a 2018 Nissan Murano platinum with 75,000 miles, and to the best of my knowledge, it has the original battery. I am not sure what battery I should buy.
A. If you are a AAA member we can test and install a new battery with a three-year warranty at your home for $220. If you opt to shop around for a battery, the original battery is a Group 47-H5 and was rated at 550 CCA (cold cranking amps). You want a battery that meets or exceeds that rating. As an example the AAA battery is rated at 650 CCA. As for finding a good shop, check with your neighbors, a local parts store, or go here for a AAA shop near you.
Q. I bought a small utility trailer from a local home improvement store five years ago. After two years, I had to repair a portion of the wiring that had been eaten by rodents. Two years later, the whole wiring harness was damaged. While looking into replacing the wiring harness, someone said that the insulation on most inexpensive harnesses is soy based, which rodents go after. Is this correct and if so, do you have a suggestion for a new harness?
A. The wiring insulation may be soy based, although it is not a food product, so it should not attract rodents. Now perhaps older petroleum-based wiring insulation did not taste good. I do know that rats chew to sharpen their teeth and they chew on just about anything. You can buy a foil tape that you can wrap around the wiring harness. This tape is impregnated with capsaicin pepper which has been shown to deter rodents.
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.
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