Q: It’s very difficult to remove the key from the ignition of my 1991 Honda Civic when the car is cold. As the car warms up, this issue seems to go away, and there is no problem removing the key when the vehicle is not running. These are factory keys I am using. I have tried Lock-Ease and other lock lubricants to no avail. Do I have to replace the ignition key cylinder, or is there an easier (and less expensive) way to deal with this?

A: If your Civic has a manual transmission and the concern is solely removing the key, not turning it, the fault is likely being caused by the lock cylinder. If rotating the key is a problem, the steering lock mechanism could also be a cause, perhaps due to wear or dried out lubricant. This is the housing the lock cylinder inserts into. The ignition switch also attaches to it. It sounds like you’ve done a good job attempting to lubricate the lock cylinder, so additional remedies are called for.

Renewing a manual transmission Civic ignition lock cylinder is pretty simple and the replacement part can be readily found for about $50. Once the dashboard lower cover, knee bolster and steering column covers are removed, the lock cylinder is removed by depressing a pin (button) on the steering lock unit (key is inserted before this, and turned to position 1) and pulling outward. The new cylinder simply locks into place upon insertion.

Automatic-transmission Civics are another matter. With these, a more likely cause may be that the cable mechanism from the shifter is sticking, affecting proper ignition switch function. Try jiggling the shifter as it is placed in park or perhaps shove it home more briskly. A change in symptom confirms this as the cause. Due to the awkward nature of this mechanism on seasoned vehicles, many folks simply disconnect it. According to Honda service literature, on automatic-transmission vehicles, the lock cylinder and steering lock is serviced as an assembly.

Should the steering lock assembly need to be replaced, this isn’t a pleasant prospect as the part runs about $300 and is retained with break-off head bolts that must be drilled out or chisel-rotated to remove. Due to the finesse and vocabulary required to remove these, the job may be best left to a pro. In both of the above cases you’ll have a new ignition key. The original will still be needed for the door locks.

Q: I’ve been smelling a sweet, citrus-like odor from the outside front of my car after parking it. Any ideas what it could be?

A: I’m thinking coolant leak. Is there evidence below the front of the car of colored fluid dripping? It’s possible the leak is small and is pocketing somewhere or boiling off rather than dripping to the ground. Check the coolant level (engine cold) and top off with tap water as needed prior to seeking service. A pressure check and careful visual inspection should determine the cause. With luck it may be something as simple as a split hose or loose hose clamp.