The Wall Street Journal-20080130-Me - My Car

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Me & My Car

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[Columnist Jonathan Welsh answers readers' questions about automobiles]

Q: The original tires on my 2005 Toyota 4Runner need to be replaced. What resources are there for selecting a new set?

-- Harris Weisman, Elmira, N.Y.

A: Many tire makers and retailers have online guides to tell you which tires are compatible with your vehicle. Typically, you type in your vehicle's make, model and year to find the sizes and types of tires that will fit. A few examples of manufacturer sites are: bridgestonetire.com, goodyear.com and michelinman.com. Some of the larger online tire retailers can also help you find the right tire, such as discounttiredirect.com and tirerack.com.

Q: I have a 2004 Nissan Murano AWD I am thinking of trading in on the 2009 Murano. Honda is also coming out with a redesigned Pilot. What are your thoughts on these or other midsized SUVs?

-- Joel Kassiday, Kensington, Md.

A: Some have described the redesigned Pilot as boxier than its predecessor, but it does get away somewhat from the original's plain- vanilla blandness. The Honda is a larger, roomier SUV with three rows of seats, so if you need to carry more than five people on occasion you might consider the Honda, the GMC Acadia and its sister ship, the Saturn Outlook, over the Murano. European three-row crossovers like the Volvo XC90, Audi Q7 and BMW X5 are costlier but worth a test drive if they fit your budget.

If you don't need the extra passenger space, you'll probably be happy with the new Murano, which represents an upgrade but isn't a radical departure from the old model.

Q: The dealer recommended "major maintenance" for my 2002 Honda Accord, with 90,000 miles, that will cost about $330. Jiffy Lube can do almost everything (oil change, transmission service, radiator flush, rotate tires) for about $225. Is it worth the extra to go to the dealer? I don't have an extended warranty. Also, the dealer is quoting $920 to replace the timing belt at 105,000 miles. Do you agree with this?

-- Bill Jones, Pasadena, Calif.

A: I think you're safe going to the local quick-service shop for fluid changes, tire rotation and other basics. You could even save a few dollars by skipping a service with "flush" in its name. Draining and replacing fluid is fine, but there's rarely a need to flush anything. Regarding the timing belt, though, it's worth paying more to have the dealer do the job because the belt is a critical engine part.