Brake light woes - what's wrong?Q: I own a '95 Buick Regal Custom and the brake lights on either side of the car do not work. The center high-mounted third brake light in the back window is working. I wonder if there is a relay or something between the third brake light and the other brake lights. I don't think it's the brake light switch since the third brake light works. What do you think?
What to do about excessive oil consumptionI own a 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan. Since the vehicle had 5,000 miles on
it, the engine has been consuming about one quart of oil per 1,000
miles. It now uses one quart of oil for every 900 miles of driving.
Fuel economy woes have owner blazin'I own a brand-new 2008 Chevy Trailblazer (2,000 miles) with a
six-cylinder engine and I'm only getting about 15 mpg with mostly
country driving. I asked the technician, and he said that Chevy
Trailblazers don't get good gas mileage.
Engine only starts by using remote starting systemI own a 2003 Chevy S-10 pickup truck. I had an aftermarket remote
starting system installed by Circuit City before they went out of
business and the vehicle sometimes won't start when starting with the
key.
Shifting to neutral won't hurt transmissionI own a 2004 Saturn Ion but my questions are about automatic
transmissions in general. If you are coasting towards a stop light and
shift the transmission into neutral, will this slow the car down?
Must have a reputable shop for wiring repairsI own a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier. The problem is that there's a problem
with some of the wiring under the hood. The dealer wants $1,000 to
replace the wiring harness in the engine compartment.
'Clicking' noise baffles Crown Victoria ownerI own a 2001 Ford Crown Victoria (38,000 miles). I've only had it for
about six months, but it makes a clicking sound from the passenger side
rear. The noise is a repetitive click-click noise and it comes and
goes. What do you think it could be?
Battery keeps going dead in Dodge DurangoI own a 2005 Dodge Durango SLT 4WD with the Hemi engine. I bought this
vehicle new in '05 and ever since it was new the battery goes dead
after it has been sitting for about a week or so.
Extensive idling has pizza driver concerned about engineI'm a pizza driver and I drive a '92 Honda Civic. Unfortunately, during
the winter, I idle the engine for about an hour and a half three nights
a week. Some say that I'm doing major damage to my engine by idling it
for so long.
Husband’s fuel-injected foolishnessIt drives me crazy that my husband, in his late 40s, floors the
accelerator pedal in our fuel-injected 2003-07 cars just before turning
off the engine after parking.
Does Astro van have a distributor?My friend's 2002 Chevy Astro van has a starting problem when it's humid
or wet outside. I believe there could be a problem with the distributor
cap or rotor, but I can't see the distributor when I open the hood.
Does timing belt need replacement?I've been reading how important it is to replace the timing belt, and
sometimes the water pump, at proper intervals to avoid major engine
damage. I recently purchased a 1997 Nissan Maxima and there was no
owner's manual or maintenance guide in the vehicle.
Ad for 1969 Camaro is way off 'Z' mark There was an advertisement in recent editions of the Wednesday
Journal newspaper, which covers the Oak Park area, for a 1969 Chevrolet
Camaro Z28 with "17 miles" on it in "excellent condition" with a manual
transmission for $12,400.
Steering sound could mean fluid leakMy 1996 Crown Victoria (90,000 miles) has begun to drip fluid on the
left front side. It appears to be power steering fluid, but I could not
find the source of the leak.
Brake noise not a worry, but inert auto is I leave my car parked from January through April when I go on
vacation. When I return, the brakes make a scraping noise for a few
days before the noise disappears. Should I be concerned about that
sound?
What's the knock ... on the knock sensor?I own a 2000 Nissan Maxima and my "check engine" lamp came on. My local
auto parts store plugged in a scan tool and found code P0325, which
refers to the knock sensor.
Blazer owner annoyed by intermittent ignition woesMy '96 Blazer with 161,000-plus miles on it runs great. ... I purchased the truck this
past February from a smart guy that had done all the work on the truck
himself. He replaced parts at proper intervals and took great care in
performing scheduled maintenance. One problem he could not figure out
was a problem starting the vehicle.
Squealing noise has Sportage owner frustrated I am the original owner of a 2000 Kia Sportage. Ever since we purchased
this vehicle it has made a continuous, very loud and annoying squealing
sound that seems to be coming from either the belts or the pulleys.
Delayed acceleration from CrossfireRecently, my 2005 Chrysler Crossfire with 30,000 miles has developed an
intermittent hesitation when starting from a stop. Sometimes, it takes
about three seconds before the engine will respond to my foot.
Cold start woesI have a Chevrolet Silverado with a 350 engine and it runs poorly when
first starting it up cold. When it first starts, it runs rough and it
coughs and spits. Once it warms up its fine and rungs good. What could
be wrong?
Emissions stations added to regionI heard the Illinois Air Team was going to be opening more vehicle
emissions test stations throughout the area. Do you know if there is
one in or near Tinley Park?
Will drivers return to gas guzzlers?What will automakers do if crude oil -- and thus gas prices -- keep falling? Domestic auto companies seem to be working hard to develop smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. But will lots of people return to larger, heavier, less-economical and more profitable vehicles if gas drops to, say, $3 a gallon?
1995 Civic gets 50 mpgI drove to Iowa in my 1995 Honda Civic four-cylinder with a
five-speed manual transmission and 83,000 miles on the odometer. It
provided 50 mpg. I drove at 65 mph and was always passed, but who cares?
Search goes on for origin of ticking noiseI own a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The problem is that there is a
ticking noise in either the transmission or the engine. I took it to
the dealer and they told me it needs to have the timing chain replaced.
Options to leasingWith automakers cutting back on leasing, what are people to do if they don't want to buy a new vehicle?
What's with the Volt?General Motors' small Chevrolet Volt hybrid battery-powered car has
gotten much publicity ... But why so much publicity about a car years away with unanswered questions?
Radiator fan leaves motorist hot in trafficThe radiator cooling fan in my ’93 Buick Century isn’t working and it’s
causing the engine to run hot in stop-and-go traffic. I tried replacing
the fan motor and the relay and the fan still won’t operate. I checked
all the fuses, too.
Baffled by borrowing Is there a "safe zone" in terms of months for affordability when financing a new vehicle?
Know your wheelbases You mentioned that the Hyundai Azera is a mid-size car. It's a full-size car, like the Toyota Avalon. The
Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car. I own an Azera.
Perplexing 'sister cars' I grew up when there were "sister cars" that shared wheelbases
(distance between axles) and components, such as the 1984 Chevrolet
Cavalier and Cadillac Cimarron. Has the definition of sister cars
changed?
Hummer transmission slips in first gearI have a 2007 Hummer H3 with an automatic transmission that slips in
first gear. It’s still under warranty but the problem is sporadic and
the dealer wants me to leave it for a week to see if they can get it to
act up.
Finding damage I'm interested in buying a classic car to both enjoy driving and for
long-term financial gain. But some of the autos I've looked at are
really old and I suspect they have rust that's been "covered up" with
body filler materials.
That ever-elusive squeak! My 2001 Ford Crown Victoria emits an annoying intermittent squeaking
sound from the rear right wheel area. It makes the sound no matter if
it's wet or dry out.
Counting ways Escort, 'Vette differ My 1999 Ford Escort has been driven 120,000 miles and runs fine. The
purpose of a car is to get you from Point A to Point B, so I've often
wondered about the difference between my car and autos that cost more
than $45,000.
Overfilling fuel tank can cause odor inside carIn a recent column, you responded to a letter regarding a 1994 Mercury
Sable that sometimes emits a strong smell of gasoline. I have, over the
years, had numerous customers come to me with that same complaint.
Stepping to the plate I read your article on "creative" Illinois license plates and am motivated to send unusual plates I have on my
vehicles.
Will higher production hurt Aston 'mystique'? I enjoyed your article on the new Aston Martin V8 Vantage (July 19
AutoTimes) because I have great fun driving my 2007 V8 Vantage.
However, I'm concerned that Aston's high production goals for 2009 and
beyond may diminish the uniqueness of its cars.
Little help with Ghia It seems like I've been reading your column and reviews since I
could read. I just bought a 1971 Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia convertible in
Florida for my wife, Deborah, and the car needs some repairs, which we
are attempting to do ourselves.
Fuel economy tips can vary in effectivenessI own a 1994 Toyota Camry V-6 and I’ve done all the regular steps to
improve fuel economy. I’m also seeing about a 2 -3 mpg increase since
using synthetic motor oil and a high-flow K&N air filter. Are there
any other steps you would recommend to further improve my fuel economy?
Dealer won’t stand behind aftermarket alarmMy engine light comes on periodically on my 2006 Chevy Express Cargo
Van with approximately 10,000 miles. The dealer says ... it appears to be the alarm and
automatic start system that was installed by another vendor.
Hybrids not always answer to fuel costs Many people I talk with feel gas/electric hybrid cars are the best
solution to dealing with high gas prices. But there are plenty of
foreign and domestic cars that deliver pretty high fuel economy. Are
hybrids the answer?
Self-sealing tires wear out too soon The self-sealing tires on my 2005 Chrysler 300C
all-wheel-drive model with a 340-horsepower Hemi V-8 aren't lasting as
long as I expected, with the first set being replaced at 29,000 miles.
Pricing a non-matching-numbers CorvetteMy husband has a classic 1972 Chevrolet Corvette with removable roof panels. ... The Corvette is a "non-matching-numbers" car because it lacks an original V-8. ... We're asking $20,000, but only got some nibbles.
Taurus transmission trouble revisitedI’m responding to a previous column (April 20) in which E.N. from
Demotte, IN was having trouble with the transmission in his ’94 Ford
Taurus wagon. It had a harsh downshift when going from 3rd to 2nd.
Color for resale I'm thinking about buying a car but wonder what color I should select that will enhance its resale value.
Son from college with performance woes on vanMy son was borrowing my ’95 Dodge Caravan (2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine)
for the past semester while he was away at college. Now that he’s back
home, I went to use it and noticed a couple of problems.
Looking to preserve SUV I have an SUV I plan to keep because I owe too much on it and don't
feel like I'd get much in trade with current high fuel prices. It's
fairly new, but what can I do to keep it looking good until the day
arrives -- if it ever does -- when I can get a better trade-in because
of lower gasoline prices?
Talk about recklessness! I've been driving for years but find other motorists seem to be
getting more careless, and those are drivers of all ages, at least from
my observations. They ignore the rules of the road.
Why does battery keep going dead?The battery keeps going dead in my 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
(4.7-liter V-8 engine). The battery and alternator have both been
replaced to no avail.
Do-it-yourselfer creates transmission woesI recently replaced the automatic transmission pan gasket and filter on
my 1991 Toyota Corolla because of a small leak. Being the enthusiastic
beginner/do-it-yourselfer, I did the work myself and now I think
something has gone wrong.
Get to cause of problemMy 2004 Toyota Sienna all-wheel-drive minivan needs run-flat tires.
After two years, the original tires began making a thumping sound. A
tire dealer said they were "cupping" and replaced them with another
tire maker's run-flats, which are beginning to make the same sound two
years later. Who makes a good top-line, reliable run-flat tire?
Vehicles keep burning oilI have been following your responses to readers with oil
consumption concerns. I have the exact same problem with my 2005
Caravan, except mine started burning a quart of oil per 1,000 miles at
15,000 miles.
Looking out for the GTO My hobby/retirement car is a near mint-condition 2004 Pontiac GTO
with very low miles. However, I've seen any number of alloy wheels that
have been cosmetically damaged during tire replacement or servicing.
Coolant leak causes steamy exhaustI have a ’91 Cadillac Fleetwood FWD with a 4.9-liter V-8 engine. I noticed that there’s a large amount of steam coming out of my vehicle’s tailpipe.
Shows for rest of us, please I've found it very difficult to enter my car in an auto show and
compete with wealthy folks who hire professional restorers. It takes
the fun out of it.
Springing into action My 2006 Hyundai Sonata has 91,000 miles, with no breakdowns or
reliability problems. I just do routine maintenance. Any problems I
should worry about?
Oil consumption has Caravan owner perplexedI saw an article regarding a 2004 Chevy Silverado that was using oil
every 2,500 miles. You said according to a TSB bulletin TSB #
01-06-01-011D that one quart every 2,000 was acceptable. I have a 2004
Dodge Caravan SXT with the 3.8 engine. It was going 3,000 miles and not
using a drop of oil. Then, it started using a quart every 1,000 miles
at 44,000 miles.
Here a car, there a car When is the annual big classic car cruise and auto show taking place in downtown Chicago? I missed the one last year and hope the event hasn't been cancelled.
A Trans Am for $12,500? I want a classic 1977 to 1981 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am but wonder what I should pay for a nice one.
Is premium worth it? I read your advice in the March 19 AutoTimes about the use of regular and premium gasoline, and I agree with you.
Regular fill-up no big dealI accidentally put regular unleaded gasoline in my 2006 Acura, which
requires premium fuel. It’s the only time I’ve done this and am
wondering about the consequences.
Nitrogen works, some say You asked in the (Feb. 27) AutoTimes if readers cared to comment on
the use of nitrogen, instead of regular air, to inflate tires. Nitrogen
is supposed to keep tires inflated properly longer.
Transmission only shifts when car is warmed upMy husband and I have a ‘94 Chevy Corsica. It drives beautifully but
it does have one problem. It won’t shift until the vehicle is warmed up
for about five minutes. After that, it shifts fine and drives fine.
'Autostick' figures puzzle I recently bought a 2000 Dodge Intrepid with an automatic
transmission that has an "Autostick" feature and noticed a number "1"
through "4" readout near the steering column. What do those numbers
mean, and how am I supposed to use them?
200,000 miles? What do you think of a 1998 Jeep Cherokee with 120,000 miles in good condition with lots of options, including heated seats? The dealer says this vehicle is good for at least 200,000 miles.
Hesitation could be ignition system, coilsMy 2004 Lincoln Aviator hesitates when accelerating from about 40
mph. It has good power from a dead stop and gets up to speed quickly.
It feels like the engine has enough power for all other operating
conditions, just not when accelerating moderately from about 40 mph.
Reader: Beetle was fab I read your remarks about the original Volkswagen Beetle in your
list of subpar cars (Jan. 28 AutoTimes) but was happy with a bright red
1968 Beetle I bought new.
Where's the Le Car? I enjoyed reading your "Dirty Dozen" column about subpar cars in the
(Jan. 28) AutoTimes. But what about cars I think you missed?
Fear of flying into dealer I'm a 42-year-old woman and have never bought a vehicle on my own. I
prefer the Honda Element or Dodge Caravan but want a fair deal.
Thumping noise still prevalentI have a 2000 Olds Intrigue which had started to bang or thump every time I drove over cracks or expansion joints in the road.
A slippery situation My 2002 Buick once used one quart of oil every 3,500 miles but now
uses one quart every 1,500 miles. I'm afraid the situation will worsen.
Rusty coolant, high idle have Taurus owner perplexedI acquired a 1998 Ford Taurus with a 3.0-liter V-6. There are two
problems. The first problem is that there is a lot of rust in the
cooling system. ... The second problem is that the RPM seems to be idling too high.
2,000 ZR1s to be built What are my chances of getting a new supercharged Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 coupe this year? --E.S., Chicago
A: Not very good, even if you're related to a Chevrolet dealership owner. The approximately 600-horsepower ZR1 goes into production this summer and it's expected that only about 2,000 will be built annually.
Finding the hard-start culpritI have a 2004 Ford Escape that sometimes will crank and crank, and
finally start, but not until 4 - 6 tries. I have had this problem since
I got the car brand new. It seems to be getting worse.
Mileage pretty ghastly My 1998 Mercury Tracer with 35,000 miles goes through three-quarters
of a tank of gasoline during trips of up to 35 miles. I've regularly
maintained the car ... but to no avail.
Tips for replacing Honda timing beltI’m going to be replacing the timing belt on my mother’s 2000 Honda
Civic. It has a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. ... Is there anything you would
suggest before I tackle this repair?
Upgrading for $12.50 Are owners of regular versions of autos trying to make them seem
like sexier cars by adding emblems and such from higher-priced models?
Poor acceleration likely due to restricted exhaustI have a 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada with 69,000 miles. It won’t accelerate
past a crawl until about a minute after starting. I tried restarting it
after the engine was heated and the problem was still there.
En-gauging oil worries The oil pressure gauge indicator in my 2000 Ford Explorer V-8 with
136,500 miles on it stays below the "low" mark until the engine is
warmed up. The indicator then jumps to the middle of the gauge between
the low and high marks.
Check Engine light is still onI own a 1997 Nissan Sentra GXE and the “Check Engine” light comes on.
The dealer has worked on it several times and even though they have
changed the canister and canister valve the problem is still there.
They can’t seem to solve my problem and I need your help.
Porsche rival just $70K I hear Nissan will introduce a sports car as fast as a $122,900
turbocharged Porsche 911 for about half the price. I love my Nissan
350Z sports car, but it has a rather old design.
Pulling to the left when brakingI own a 2000 Ford F-250 4x4 pickup with a 7.3-liter diesel engine. The truck pulls to the left whenever the brakes are applied. ... Do you have any suggestions as to what might be causing the pulling?
‘Swirling’ noise concerns Mustang GT ownerI own a 2004 Ford Mustang GT with 88,000 miles. When idling or whenever
you release the gas pedal, I can hear a swirling sound from under the
hood. It seems to go away when driving.
Aging safe-fully I'm an aged baby boomer, like many others. How can I keep my driving abilities sharp?
Drive or fly getaway? I've often found extended family holiday road trips to be stressful,
although they're cheaper than flying, which is a hassle. I wonder how
many people feel the same way.
Smoke will help find vacuum leaksI own a 1990 Lincoln and the problem is that the vehicle accelerates
from 6 – 12 mph without stepping on the gas pedal. Do you know what’s
causing this?
Should X mark spot? I'm looking into buying a used SUV for my 17-year-old son. He's very
interested in the Nissan Xterra. He's a responsible young man and
doesn't have an adventurous nature.
Driving with power steering belt disconnectedI’m having problems with my daughter’s ’91 Plymouth Acclaim (4-cyl.).
Her car’s power steering lines are rusted, and she doesn’t want to put
much money into it. Is it possible for me to just disconnect the belt
and drive the car without the power steering?
Pilot versus Liberty After looking at vehicles for my teenage boy and girl to replace
the family's high-mileage Dodge Durango, I'm down to the 2007 Honda
Pilot and 2008 Jeep Liberty. I also considered a Saturn Vue, but my
17-year-old son feels its body style is more for girls than guys.
Insects on windshield have owner bugged-offUpon returning from a trip to Wisconsin last summer, I tried to
remove some stubborn bug bodies off my windshield by using an abrasive
pad. That proved to be a bad idea. It scratched the glass.
A (Mc)Queen's ransom I read that actor Steve McQueen's 1963 Ferrari 250 GTL Lusso
Berlinetta coupe sold in August for $2.31 million at a Monterey,
Calif., classic car auction, although my collector car price guide says
the 1962-64 Lusso is worth about $420,000 in excellent condition.
The difference between AWD and FWDMy wife and I will be in the market for a new car next year. One big
debate we are having is all-wheel drive vs. front-wheel drive,
specifically as it relates to safety in the Chicago winters.
Sportage’s 4WD system washed awayThe 4WD system in my wife’s Kia Sportage doesn’t feel like it’s
working properly. We noticed the problem ever since we took it to one
of those drive-through car washes.
Sky is the limit in winter Should I buy snow tires for my wife's turbocharged Saturn Sky for
winter? Her friend insists that her Saturn will need such tires, along
with different wheels on which to put them.
'Anything but a bad car' I was happy to see Ford's 1958 Edsel named a collector car in your
Sept. 17 AutoTimes article about driving a different collector car each
month of the year, although I was surprised to see the underpowered
1980s DeLorean also mentioned.
Monitoring tire pressureI own a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan, and it has a tire pressure monitoring
system. I recently brought it in for an oil change at one of those
quick oil change places, and the technician noticed that all my tires
were low by about 3 PSI.
More than just a pretty face I read in your letters column about a survey regarding the
worst-looking cars designed (Aug. 29 AutoTimes). But the Yugo mentioned
in it ran fine if properly maintained. People knew they weren't getting a Mercedes.
Do I really need to flush fluids?I am getting recommendations by service managers at my Toyota dealership to have a "brake fluid flush" and/or "power
steering flush" on my Toyotas. I had never been asked about these in
previous cars.
Ford legends, and other questions I grew up in the back seats of
Ford station wagons. We had the less-expensive ones, as the costly Ford
Country Squire wagon was out of our range. I'm glad Ford is using the
Taurus name again for 2008.
Ford pumped up Taurus Ford should have put the Taurus name on its mid-size Fusion sedan
instead of on the full-size 2008 Ford Five Hundred sedan. That would have preserved the idea of keeping the Taurus in
the mid-size class it always occupied.
Solenoid pack may be causing transmission woesI have a ‘96 Dodge Intrepid ES with a 3.5 liter engine with an auto
stick. Just recently, I started hearing a lot of whining noise.
Sometimes it will not shift out of second gear. It even starts off in second gear.
Resale value of hybrids What about the resale value of hybrid gas/electric cars or trucks? I
know many people have been buying them because of higher gas prices, but will they get burned when it comes
time to resell them?
Low gear may be causing buckingI have a 2002 Mercury Sable with about 60,000 miles on it. A month
ago whenever the car went into passing gear, it would buck uncontrollably.
Is it still harder for a woman to buy a car?Is it still harder for a woman to buy a car? I'm ready to buy a car but had a bad experience six years ago when I bought my last one and feel it largely was because I'm a female.
Short-trip driving likely causing carbon buildupAt 23K miles my car started to idle rough on occasions and if the
engine died, it would require that the accelerator pedal be placed to
the floor to restart the engine. I took my car to the dealer and they
diagnosed the problem as the EGR valve.
Bad radiator fan causes soaring engine tempsThe temperature gauge in my 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee (6-cylinder
engine) started reading higher than normal, especially when stopped in
traffic. A friend suggested that the radiator cooling fan may be the
trouble and I noticed that it does not operate at all as the engine
temperature soars to a dangerous level.
Will fuel additive save the village money?I am a Village Trustee in a local community and recently received an
e-mail suggesting using a fuel additive in our vehicles to get better
mileage. I would like your opinion on the value and whether it would be
good for our use.
The '57 Belvedere buried in a vaultWhat happened to the sleek '57 Plymouth Belvedere buried in a vault
that year with a time capsule containing artifacts under the Tulsa,
Okla., County Courthouse lawn as part of a time-capsule project to mark
Tulsa's Golden Jubilee? I heard the car was unearthed in a ceremony
June 15 but have seen no information.
Intermittent performance trouble could be carbonI own a 1998 Jeep Cherokee that has a 4.0 Liter six-cylinder engine
with 47, 000 miles. I purchased this vehicle used several years ago
with 11,000 miles on the odometer. My Jeep has always started up fine,
but after driving for a very short distance (perhaps 1/10 of a mile),
the engine rpm starts fluctuating on its own.
Keeping cool on fuel economyI have found that I get better fuel economy driving with my windows open than when turning on the air conditioner and keeping them closed.
To fix or not to fix?I took my car into the dealer for an oil change, and I was informed
that my engine is leaking oil from the lower intake manifold gasket and
the valve cover gaskets.
Head gasket, engine damage likely causeI own a 1993 Mazda Protégé. The radiator developed a leak while I
was driving on the highway, and the engine lost most of its coolant.
After ... filling the
radiator back up with water, I limped my car home.
‘Check Engine’ light can be diagnosed without scan toolI own a 1993 Honda Civic. Recently while driving my car, the “check
engine” light came on for some time and then turned off. I didn’t
notice any changes in the way the engine ran while the light was on.
What can I do to find out why the light came on? Should I be concerned?
Will people actually use fuel tips?We're encouraged to improve economy by reducing air conditioning use,
inflating tires correctly, etc. How likely are
people to use such tips?
Fuel-saving tipsI've never saved fuel-saving tips offered in AutoTimes because the
price soon drops again. This time, though, with ridiculous prices, I
regret not saving the tips. Have a few?
Automatic headlamp woesWhen in the automatic mode and the headlights change from
low beam to high beam or reverse, sometimes the headlights will go out
completely and stay off for a time and then come back on.
Heavy key rings can cause damage to ignitionYes, it’s true, extra heavy key rings can cause premature wear on the
ignition cylinder/switch. The advantage to a large key ring with lots
of keys is that it’s easy to find and difficult to lose.
Is rental car insurance worth it?Call your insurance agent and the credit-card company you probably will
use to pay for the rental car. The coverage and deductibles you have on
your car usually apply when you rent an auto.
Did E85 damage my non-E85 vehicle?I own a 2003
Honda Civic, not a flex-fuel vehicle. However, on one occasion I did
make the mistake of filling it up with E85 (kicking myself for that
one).
Looking for fuel efficient, small SUVI'm buying my daughter a small SUV when she graduates from college. She
has no car and has never wanted one in school. During summers we shared
one of two cars we own. I want one that's safe, reliable, has good fuel
economy and low maintenance costs.
Is solenoid pack to blame for erratic shifting?My 1993 Dodge Grand Caravan has a problem with the 4-speed automatic
transmission. It shifts into 2nd gear on an erratic basis. The dealer,
and a transmission shop, both said (after testing) that it was the
“solenoid pack.”
What was the biggest car?What was the biggest stock production car in terms of size,
length, width and weight? I'm guessing it would be a 1960s Cadillac or
Chrysler Imperial.
Mass air flow sensor is likely culpritMy 1998 Subaru Forester has been dying out, roughly 30 times since early January
in a 520-mile span. This occurs when the car is moving, stopped at a
light, or idling in Park.
How long should brakes last on Sienna?I was wondering, how many miles should someone expect to get out of
their brakes on a 2002 Toyota Sienna? Is it true that a Sienna owner
should get more miles from the original brakes? What about each brake
job thereafter?
Is battery that keeps going dead a lemon?I bought a brand new
2005 Lincoln Town Car Signature Edition in January 2005. I barely put
9,000 miles on it when it was recalled. I was also experiencing a dead
battery problem, and it was assumed that this would be taken care by the
recall repair.
Mysterious electrical woesMy mom is 80 years old and was on her way back from
Naperville in her 1997 Ford Crown Victoria when her car completely died
at the stop light at 161st and Harlem in Tinley Park. Nothing
electrical worked.
Smart Car to arrive Stateside in 2008Smart USA plans to begin sales of DaimlerChrysler's
ultracompact-but-roomy Smart ForTwo vehicle, which resembles a giant
styled egg, early next year through 50 to 60 dealers, with
DaimlerChrysler dealers given priority.
Demand created long wait for deliveryI ordered a Saturn Sky during the first week of May last year and got a
fax from the dealer showing my order wasn't accepted by GM for 15
weeks. I finally got the car in August.
Rattling noise could be from worn timing chain There’s a rattling noise coming from the front of my 1997 Dodge Ram
Van’s 3.9-liter V-6 engine (90,000 miles). I thought the noise might be
coming from the serpentine drive belt ... so I removed it.
How often should you run a not-often-used car?I own three cars, but two aren't used as much as my primary car.
Thus, how long can you let engines sit without being run before there
may be a danger of rust forming on the valve seats or cylinder walls? All engines have fuel injection and use Mobil 1 synthetic oil. I assume
the engines should be run to operating temperature after they're
started.
Remote starters keep you warm, waste gasAn engine warms up in a normal amount of time when a car is driven several miles. A remote starter generally is used to warm up a cold
engine in a stationary car in cold weather while its driver waits in
his home while eating breakfast or such.
Time to look for a new service departmentMy regularly serviced 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier has been driven 27,000
miles. But each time I've taken it for service since it hit 17,000
miles a year ago, I'm told I must consider having this work done:
throttle body ($80), General Motors injector flush ($140), Bilstein oil
system flush ($140) and brake, power steering and transmission flushes
(all expensive).
The advantages of using flex fuelI have a 2000 Ford Ranger with the 3.0-liter Flex Fuel engine. Are
there any advantages with using E85? It’s a little cheaper at the pump,
but the gas mileage is not as good.
Accident quandry: Pay or return the car?I gave a dealer a $1,000 down payment on a car. He let me leave with
it, promising he would find a finance company for me. I had the car for
two days when the brakes began failing.
Intermittent stalling has owner perplexedI own a 2002 Monte Carlo SS with the 3.8 naturally aspirated motor
(41,000 miles). Recently the car began to die at idle, typically during
long lights. It progressed to stalling while slowly decelerating as
well.
Puncture proof possibility?Why can't they inject tires with a chemical substance that will prevent them from going flat when punctured?
Volkswagen void: Used car goes kaput after purchaseI bought a 2003 Volkswagen Passat, which overheated shortly after we
left the dealership and stranded us. ... [The dealership manager] said there was no return policy,
but that he'd put me in another car, giving me the Passat's trade-in
value if there was a price difference.
Saturn's dent-free body panels say good-byeOne attraction of Saturn cars for me was their dent- and rust-resistant
plastic body panels. Are the plastic panels gone for good? And what about the future of Saturn's "down home'' Spring Hill, Tenn., assembly plant?
Civic hits glitch after 176K milesMy 1991 Honda Civic has an automatic transmission and 176,000 miles. I never had problems with it until ... I took it to a franchise outfit for an oil change,
where I was talked into having the transmission flushed.
Finding the value of a 1983 Mark VI My 84-year-old dad, who no longer drives, has a 1983 Lincoln
Continental Mark VI in his garage. Bought new, it's in mint condition,
with 180,000 miles on the odometer. Is it a "classic." What's it worth?
Why is synthetic oil a superior lubricant?What is synthetic oil made from? Some say it’s made from plants. Why is
it such a superior oil? I’ve been using it for years and have never had
any engine problems. ... The engine
always lasts longer than the deck it’s mounted to. Could you please
explain?
The rules of left-foot brakingDuring a recent driver's license test, I was told to use my right foot for both braking and accelerating. There is nothing in the Illinois Rules of the Road book that says a driver must brake with the right foot, is there?
Too many models leave buyer overwhelmedI bought a new car years ago when there weren't so many models. I'm in
the market again for an auto but am confused by the number of vehicles
offered. I can't be the only one who feels this way.
Stick to scheduled maintenanceIs it really necessary to bring your car in for scheduled maintenance
called for in the owner's manual? I
skipped one scheduled maintenance, and now my "check engine" light has
come on at 60,000 miles.
Flat spotting on tire could cause wheel shakeI have a 1995 Firebird convertible with 46,000 miles. The car (steering
wheel) shakes whenever I'm driving 50 miles per hour. I had the wheels
balanced; nail fixed in one tire which I did not know about until I
balanced the wheels. It still shakes at 50 to 58 miles an hour. What's
next?
What's colors are easy, difficult to maintain?I can't decide on a color for a car I want to buy. I've narrowed it
down to white or silver. Which color is easier to maintain and keep
clean? I don't have time to wash a car every other day.
New steering shaft and wheel balance could cure problemsI own a 1996 Dodge Ram pickup truck with about 140,000 miles on it.
There's a clunk noise in the steering system when turning the wheel
back and forth. There's also quite a bit of play in the steering and I
notice a vibration at highway speeds. A friend said it might be the
fault of the steering gearbox. I found a replacement gearbox for $200
but don't want to replace it if it's not the culprit. What do you think?
It's time to replace 13-year-old spark plugsMy 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood with 59,000 miles runs great with its
original spark plugs. Should I replace them and the spark plug wires
now or wait until they cause the "check engine" light to come on? I've
heard that my car's engine is a 5.7-liter Chevrolet V-8. How does it
compare to the Cadillac Northstar V-8?
Stored fault codes will direct 'Check Engine' diagnosisI own a 1999 Dodge Durango with a 5.2-liter V8 engine. My Durango has
144k miles and the "Check Engine" lamp is on constantly. Also, the
engine will keep stalling until operating temperature is reached. I
must keep my foot on the gas pedal to prevent the engine from surging
and stalling. Sometimes the engine starts and runs without any trouble.
The idle speed motor and throttle position sensor seem to be working
okay. I heard that there is a possible problem with the routing of the
spark plug wires. What do you think?
Avalon won't be moving up and downI'm in trouble with my wife because the power front passenger seat in
our 2007 Toyota Avalon just moves back and forth -- not up and down, as
was the case with our 1996 and 2001 Avalons. I assumed the passenger
seat operated the same way with the new Avalon and thus didn't check
it. Is there an outfit that can provide a satisfactory four-way seat to
make my wife happy?
Brake dust buildup on front wheels is annoyingI own a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. I have noticed black soot that appears
on my front wheels. I have to wash it off about every two days and then
it reappears. New rotors and brake pads were recently installed. What
do you think could be causing this soot to appear on my wheels?
Hot wheels look coolWhy are fancy wheels so popular? And why are they usually fitted with wide high-performance tires that provide a rough ride?
Fuel gauge reads full all the timeThe fuel gauge in my 1993 Honda Accord reads 'F' all the time. I never
know how much fuel is actually in the tank. One mechanic said it could
be a faulty sending unit in the fuel tank and another mechanic said it
could be a problem with the gauge. How do I know which one is bad and
needs replacing? Is there anything else that might be causing this?
Hood release cable is easy do-it-yourself repairThe hood release cable broke on my 1993 Honda Civic and I couldn't get
the hood open to check the oil. A friend of mine helped me open the
hood by pushing a long, skinny screwdriver up against the latch
mechanism from the bottom of the grille area. I was wondering how
difficult it will be to replace the hood release cable. Do you think
this is something that my friend and I can do ourselves? Are there any
tricks involved in replacing the cable?
Owner frustrated with MX6 that dies, races intermittentlyMy dad enjoys reading your column and suggested I email you with my car
issues. I have a '93 Mazda MX6 V6 automatic. Last week my car died a
couple times while sitting at a stop light. Twice it restarted without
hesitation. Last Thursday, however, my car died in the intersection
while I was waiting to turn and it was difficult to restart it.
'Service Engine Soon' light means car won't pass emissions testI have a couple of problems with my 1998 Ford Taurus. First, the
'Service Engine Soon' light keeps coming on. I've replaced the EGR
valve and the light still comes on. I need to take it in for its
emissions inspection and I think if they see this light on they won't
pass my car. The other problem that concerns me is with the temperature
gauge. After about fifteen minutes of driving, the gauge rises from the
middle range to the hot range. No warning lights illuminate, but when
this occurs, the A/C starts blowing warm air instead of cold air. What
could be causing this?
Vibration could be from flat-spotted tiresMy mother's 2005 Saturn Ion was parked for several months while she
recovered from surgery. Now it has a vibration while driving, that she
says wasn't there before. Could something have happened while it sat in
the garage? What should we do?
Strange noise from climate control system at startupI have a 1990 Cadillac Sedan DeVille. By my climate control, there's a
strange noise like the closing of a door when I start my car. In the
winter time, the noise is louder and makes a banging sound. I was
wondering if there is something that can be done to fix this problem.
Can the climate control system be reset to eliminate this noise?
What's the biggest pet peeve among drivers?What are the major pet peeves of drivers? Motorists (jerks?) who refuse
to use turn signals and who tailgate me in the fast lane, when I'm
driving plenty fast, are among my major pet peeves, but I'm sure there
are many others.
How much weight can I tow?I'm so confused with GVWR and GVW. Could you help me out? I need a
simple answer. I would like to buy a camping trailer, a pop-up or
travel trailer. I drive a Ford Escape with a towing package and class
II hitch. What is the GVWR on a trailer I should be looking for? I've
read the dry weight shouldn't go over 1900 lbs. Does this seem right?
Driving through water can knocks off serpentine belthave a 1997 Dodge Caravan with 3.8 liter engine. The van has 73,000
miles on it. Recently, I was driving home in the rain and drove through
a small puddle along a curb. There was a splashing of water and
suddenly I had no power steering, the engine started overheating, and
the alternator light came on. Fortunately, I was only two miles from
home and drove there with the heater on to cool off the engine.
Audi owner questions high repair estimateI have a 2001 Audi S4 which is leaking coolant. The dealer told me it
was nothing to worry about, just normal condensation from the air
conditioner. When the problem worsened I took the car to a local shop.
They looked, eliminated some obvious causes and believe it's the water
pump.
Sable owner needs to find new repair facilityI have a 2001 Mercury Sable that has a starting problem. About once
every week or two it won't start. I try and try and then after about
half an hour I try it again and it kicks right over. They need it in
the shop when it won't start but how can I do that? If I get it towed,
it will take at least a half hour and it will start when it gets
there.' Mechanics have guessed - the starter or the ignition switch but
cannot seem to find a problem when it starts for them. I am afraid to
drive anywhere because I know one of these days it won't start when I
am in Timbuktu and won't get home. What can I do?
Less than favorable fuel economyI have a 2006 Buick LaCrosse CX and the fuel economy is very poor. I
was told that the mileage should improve after 2,000 miles and I now
have 4,500 miles on it. I'm supposed to be getting 19 ' 30 mpg and the
most I've gotten is about 16 ' 17 mpg. I'm wondering if you can help or
tell me what's wrong with the vehicle.
Aveo's ignition is too hot to handle for new owner The ignition gets so hot on a Chevrolet Aveo I bought that I can't even
remove the ignition key. The heat also is affecting the compact discs
in the CD player. I brought the car back to the Chevy dealer, who
temporarily fixed the problem, but it's returned. What's happening and
what can I do?
Do-it-yourselfer creates transmission woesI recently replaced the automatic transmission pan gasket and filter on
my 1991 Toyota Corolla because of a small leak. Being the enthusiastic
beginner/do-it-yourselfer, I did the work myself and now I think
something has gone wrong.
Vehicle gets rejection at emission laneOur 2001 Chevrolet Blazer (with 42k miles) failed the emissions test
due to a problem with the secondary air pump system. We replaced the
faulty component, reset the computer, and now the emissions test people
told us that the computer is "not ready." They told us to drive the
vehicle for a while and return. The computer is still showing "not
ready." What can we do?
Smoke machine useful to find EVAP leaksI own a 2002 Ford Crown Victoria with a V8 engine. The check engine
light came on and I took my car to a local auto parts store to have
them check the code stored in the computer. They found a code P0455,
which means that my evaporative emissions system has a leak. The
service manual listed possible causes as damaged or loose vacuum hoses
to the evaporative emissions components and I couldn't find anything
myself.
Scan tool may help find intermittent backfiringI have a 2002 Dodge Dakota pickup with a 3.9-liter V6 engine. The
problem is that the truck backfires for a short period of time when the
engine is cold. The engine starts up okay and runs fine for about two
blocks. Then the engine starts to run rough, sputter, and backfire.
That goes on for about two blocks and then, like someone flipping a
switch, the engine smoothes out and everything is okay. Do you have any
ideas as to what might be causing this to happen?
Brake repair leaves pedal pulsatingThe front brake pads and rotors were worn out on my '98 Pontiac Grand
Prix. A neighbor helped me replace those items and now the brake pedal
pulsates whenever I'm stopping. It seems worse at higher speeds. We
took the wheels off and inspected everything and can't find anything
wrong. Do you have any ideas?
Owner worried about Intrepid's 2.7-liter V6I own a 2000 Dodge Intrepid with a 2.7-liter V6 engine. I just had the
oil changed the other day and the guy at the shop suggested that I get
rid of this car before it reaches 80,000 miles because that's when the
engine self-destructs. I remember seeing something on television
regarding problems with the 2.7-liter V6, but Chrysler denied any
problems, as long as the oil was changed at the recommended intervals.
Metallic noise could be faulty starter motorSometimes when I start my 1992 Pontiac Bonneville there is a metallic
noise that occurs just as the engine starts up. It doesn't happen all
the time, but when it does, the noise goes away shortly after the
engine starts. A neighbor who knows a bit about cars heard the noise
and suggested that the starter motor could be at fault. I thought that
if the starter were failing, it would prevent the engine from cranking.
What do you think?
Mysterious gas odorMy daughter's 1994 Mercury Sable (3.8-liter) sometimes emits a strong
smell of gasoline when exiting the vehicle. I have looked everywhere
and found no fuel leaks. Do you have any ideas as to what might be
causing this?
More E85 fuel questionsWhat happens if you put E85 in a 2004 car like the 3.8-liter Chevrolet
engine, or any other type of engine? What modifications have to be made
to the engine to accommodate E85? I hear there is a kit out (costs
about $500) that allows the use of E85. Is it because E85 is corrosive?
I'd like to use E85 if possible. What do you think?
Power window needs wiring, motor checkedI have a 2001 Buick Century and the passenger front window won't go up
or down. I've tried operating it from both the passenger switch and the
master switch. It's the only window that doesn't operate. Is there a
fuse or something causing this problem?
Steering wheel shake could be warped brake rotorsI have a '98 GMC Yukon. Whenever I apply the brakes while going over 10
mph, there's a pulsation in the pedal and the steering wheel shakes
violently from side-to-side. I'm wondering if it might be the calipers.
I replaced the gearbox and the brake pads and the problem is still
there. What do you think is wrong?
Front-end noise frightens driverThere's a popping or knocking noise coming from the driver's side front
on my wife's 2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. It's only noticeable
after several miles of driving and it has my wife so worried that she
refuses to drive it. I've taken it to the dealer and they can't find
anything wrong.
Burning E85 still costs motorist more moneyRecently, I was watching the news and there was a segment on the rising
gasoline prices. During this segment, they interviewed a motorist
filling his car with E85. The TV anchor correctly explained that some
vehicles are built to run on E85, but gave the viewers the impression
this motorist was actually saving money by filling with E85 and that's
not true. Here was a motorist filling with E85 ($2.79/gallon), priced
just $0.20 cheaper than gasoline ($2.99/gallon). But what the TV anchor
didn't explain is that there is a substantial loss in fuel economy when
burning E85. So, there really isn't a savings.
Warped intake manifold common in the Ford 3.8-liter engineMy 1999 Ford Windstar (3.8-liter engine), which I purchased new with an
extended warranty, is leaking coolant. In June of this year (at 58,000
miles) I took my Windstar to the dealer and they replaced the intake
manifold gaskets under warranty. Now, with 62,000 miles, it again has a
coolant leak.
A/C repair costs seem excessiveI have a '92 Mercedes-Benz S320. I took it to the dealer to have the
air conditioner checked and they told me that the evaporator core needs
to be replaced. The dealer told me it's a big job that requires the
removal of the dashboard. They said it would take a whole day to remove
the old evaporator and another day to install the new one, at a cost of
about $2,500. I was wondering if that seems a bit steep. Please advise.
Reader knows more than mechanicI'm having trouble with my '93 Chevrolet Beretta. When I accelerate,
there is a jerking feeling. It doesn't happen all the time, but it is
noticeable when you first begin to press the accelerator pedal. My
mechanic noticed it, too and he thinks it's something to do with the
brakes. I don't think it's the brakes and I told my mechanic it seems
more like gas, gas filter or dirty fuel injectors.
Electrical problem causing A/C malfunctionI'm an 85-year old widow and know nothing about cars. I have a 1998
Ford Escort that has a problem with the air conditioner. Last summer my
A/C went out and when I took it in for service it was working
perfectly. A couple of days later it went out again. I again brought it
in for service and the technician turned it on and it was working. Just
recently, we had a warm day and I turned on the A/C only to find hot
air coming from the vents. What could cause this to happen?
Is my car worth an engine replacement?I bought my daughter a 1998 Hyundai Sonata in April 2004 from a private
party. The motor went bad in August, 2004. The car sat in storage for
some time before I could come up with the money to replace the motor. I
called around and found a guy who said he'd put a motor in the car for
$750. By the time he totaled up the bill, it came to $1,649. Three
months later, the motor went out again.
Failed blower resistor keeps fan set on highI have a question regarding my 2002 Chrysler Sebring. The blower fan
only works on HIGH. It doesn't work on any of the other three speeds.
Is this something that can only be fixed by the dealer or can I have it
fixed by a friend who owns an independent repair facility? Or, do you
think I can fix it myself?
Leaky air conditioning evaporator in DurangoI was told that the air conditioning evaporator in my 2002 Dodge
Durango was leaking and needed to be replaced. The repair shop said
that it's a big job and would cost around $750 to replace it. That
sounds awfully expensive. What do you think?
Do stored trouble codes erase automatically?I have a question regarding my 2002 Dodge Durango with 38,000 miles. My
"Check Engine" light came on and after about ten restarts it went back
off. Does the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) stay in the computer, or
will it be erased automatically? I brought my Durango into the dealer
and they said that the DTC gets erased and therefore they couldn't find
a problem. Is that true?
Excessive fee to fix Jeep's heaterI have a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It has dual heat and air
conditioning controls. At the end of last winter the vents on the
passenger side started blowing cold air all the time. The driver's side
works fine. The dealer said that the motor that operates the air
exchange door had spun out. The price to fix this was just under $1,000
because they said they had to take out the entire dashboard. Is there
someway I can just wedge this door open? I'm not going to spend that
much on a vehicle that is 6 years if I can help it.
Is worn engine causing excessive oil consumption?I have a 2002 Chevrolet Venture minivan. I changed the oil and took a
trip to St. Louis. Upon my return I noticed that I burned a quart of
oil. During the trip I drove around 700 miles. I have 59,000 miles on
this van. I had my mechanic check it out and he didn't find any leaks
or have any answers as to where the oil had gone. I was just wondering
what could be done or if there's a problem in the engine?
Bad fuse possible cause of radio problemsI have a '95 Dodge Van and the clock/radio work intermittently. When
the clock is not illuminated, the radio won't work. Could it be a
problem with the fuse? I'd like your advice.
Foggy windshield leaves Jeep owner frosted I bought a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the summer. As soon as the
weather changed, I started having major problems trying to defrost the
front and side windows. The defroster blasts the air, hot or cold, but
it doesn't seem to do anything but clear two little peep holes!
Extra 5 percent on repair bill has consumer seeing redI have a question about an additional 5 percent charge (for cleaning
supplies) that is added to my repair bill at a couple of the repair
shops I frequent. I was wondering if this fee is common at other repair
shops. When I inquired about the charge I got a vague answer. It seems
similar to a company tax that they put on your bill for themselves. If
it is for cleaning supplies, maybe I could bring them a roll of paper
towels when I bring my car in for service. The 5-percent adds up
quickly. What do you think?
Spark plug replacement goes awryMy son was replacing the spark plugs in his 1991 Toyota Corolla and he
accidentally stripped the threads in one of the cylinders. A handy
neighbor came by to help and he couldn't get the spark plug reinstalled
after many attempts. He said that the spark plug hole would need to be
rethreaded and that would require removing the cylinder head because
pieces of metal might fall into the cylinder during the rethreading
process and damage the engine once it starts running. Do you know of
any methods to fix the spark plug hole without removing the cylinder
head?
Front brakes wear out too fastThe front brakes on my 1992 Ford Taurus only last about 5,000 to 10,000
miles. In contrast, I get about three times more service out of the
front brakes on my 1994 Ford Crown Victoria. My technician told me not
to be concerned as front-wheel drive cars are harder on their front
brakes than rear-wheel drive cars.
No-start condition eludes several mechanicsMy 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 truck has performed very well except when the
temperature drops below freezing. When that happens, the truck will not
start. We've taken it back to the dealer several times and they haven't
been able to find anything wrong. Most recently, we took it to a local
mechanic who was also unable to determine the cause. Our mechanic even
towed it to another mechanic and the problem is still not resolved.
Bet on a Porsche if you want to win the raceWhat is the highest-performance car you drive on the street and still
win races with on a track? I've got a bet that racing has become so
sophisticated such a car hasn't existed for decades
Who should install my remote starter?My son was recently shopping at a local department store and he
purchased one of those remote starter systems for his car. It came with
a video on how to install it along with a website and 800-number for
technical support. He's installed his own car stereo and he's pretty
good with his hands, but I wonder if the installation might be better
left to a professional. What do you think?
Bad switch could prevent high beams from workingI'm having trouble with the high beam headlights on my 2002 Chevrolet
Impala. When I turn the high beams on, they'll stay on for a few
seconds and the lights will turn off. If I turn the high beams off, the
headlights will come on again. What do you think is wrong?