Hey All,

Having some issues with the Max, coming here for a little advice before I take her in. Everything was running solid when I made the road trip between TX and Cali. After a few days out here in California I took it out to a car wash (they hand wash the car and cleaned the wheels, perhaps that affected the brakes?), and on the way home filled up with 89 (before that I'd been running 93/91). From that moment on things just haven't been right. I immediately noticed a strange grinding noise from my front driver's-side wheel when I hit the brakes along with some rough feedback being translated through the gas pedal. In addition, the engine didn't feel as smooth and definitely sounds rougher than usual, particularly when idling. When driving about last night I noticed while parked that the engine actually seemed to be surging and you can visibly see the lights brightening and dimming. The braking issue has subsided a bit and only occurs intermittently now but it's not completely gone, and the engine issue continues. Any thoughts as to what the problem could be? The car was submitted to some pretty intense high-speed driving between TX and Cali so that might have something to do with it, and I find it hard to believe that the car wash and a slight downgrade in the fuel octane level could be responsible for all these issues. Any input you all have will be greatly appreciated...I just have the feeling this is going to cost me even more hard earned money