Punishment due for abusing new car

Dear Tom and Ray: Recently, I purchased a new Honda Accord coupe with a four-cylinder engine and manual transmission. This is the first nice car I've owned, and I baby it so it will last forever. In fact, in the first 8,000 miles, it has never seen 75 mph or gone over 4,000 rpm. Recently, my brother visited during the holidays. He wanted to drive it, and I obliged. As I handed him the keys, I said, "It's never been driven hard." He then proceeded to back the car out and hit the rev limiter twice! We drove another mile to the highway, and he did it again. I don't think a thief would've driven it that hard if the cops were in pursuit. I was very upset, to say the least, but I didn't say anything. The next morning, I swear it took forever to warm up, and then made a funny clicking noise that hasn't gone away. I hope it is my imagination! I know the rev limiter is there for a reason, but what kind of damage could have been done? I'm mainly concerned because the first time he did it, the car had been sitting in 15-to-20- degree weather for hours. Should I take it to the dealer, or will they give me the runaround? I still haven't forgiven him, and he'll never drive my car again.

Tim

Ray: Let's start with the family portion of the therapy, Tim. Then we'll get to the car.

Tom: You need to learn to speak up, buddy. When your brother hit the rev limit once, you should have said: "Hey, hey, hey ... easy there, big fella. This is my brand-new car. Cut it out or we're parking it right now."

Ray: And your brother needs to explore why he's an unparalleled jerk. It's YOUR car, so your wishes should be respected. You asked him to drive it gently, and yet he drove it like it belonged to Joe Stalin.

Tom: Now, having said all that, you've clearly learned an important lesson here, Tim: Never, ever trust your brother when it comes to cars.

Ray: As for your car, Tim, we don't know what the clicking sound is. But we can give you some possibilities. It could be something relatively simple, like a valve that's sticky or out of adjustment.

Tom: Or it could be something awful, like bearing damage or piston slap.

Ray: Fortunately, I don't think your brother did anything to void your car's warranty. This car's computer physically prevents you from exceeding the rev limit. And I don't think Honda can refuse you warranty service for simply going UP TO the rev limit, not over it.

Tom: Although, for your information (and the information of our readers), what your brother did was mind-achingly stupid. When it's freezing cold outside and you've just started the car, and the oil is cold and thick, that's the absolute worst time to rev up the engine. Absolutely the worst.

Ray: So, I would take the car to the dealer and fess up. I think you'll find it cathartic to see them shaking their heads in disgust as you describe what your brother did to it.

Tom: Of course, if it were me, I wouldn't even give them a chance to blame me for it and try to void my warranty. I'd just tell them, "It started making a clicking noise," and let them figure it out.

Ray: Tim, he's my older brother. Remember what you just learned about older brothers?

Tom: OK, you do what you think is best, Tim. But once it's fixed, keep your brother far away from it. And call Dr. Phil the next chance you get.