Cars.com

Dear Tom and Ray:

My four-cylinder 1997 Dodge Caravan has 20,000 miles on it. The dealer says I need new plugs ($60), plus I need to have the "throttle body" cleaned ($80). This sounds like the old gag from Mad magazine about replacing the "thelman wire." Is this throttle-body cleaning really necessary? Why isn't it recommended in the owner's manual? -- Eleanor

Tom: Ah, spring is here, Eleanor. Leaves on the trees, birds chirping and car dealers taking their boats out of storage.

Ray: And I'm afraid this dealer's boat must need some work. That must be why he's hitting you up for some unnecessary maintenance.

Tom: After one year and 20,000 miles, you shouldn't need anything done to this engine. An oil and filter change every 5,000-7,500 miles should be plenty.

Ray: At 30,000 miles, you can consider changing the spark plugs. And at some point, you can clean the throttle body if it gets gummed up with deposits -- which they do. But I find it hard to believe you need either of these procedures done now.

Tom: So I'd just take this incident as a sign, Eleanor -- a sign to look for another mechanic, before you get a bill for a new "thelman wire."

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© 1998 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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