Dimming headlightsDo most headlights just burn out or dim after time before going dead?

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.

Transmission flush leaves Chevy owner with remorseI recently had the transmission in my Chevy Impala power flushed at a local dealer. The technician told me ... the equipment they used would also clean the existing filter.

Older car, same make, gets better mpgHow can my son's 2001 Chevrolet Malibu V-6 get better fuel economy than the more sophisticated four-cylinder 2008 Malibu?

Are extended warranties really worth it?What do you think about extended warranties? I have a 1999 Cadillac DeVille (in excellent condition) with 65,000 miles and its extended warranty has expired.

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.

Faulty dimmer switch could be headlight problemI have a question about my ’97 Lincoln Town Car. The headlights will flash on and off intermittently. The headlight switch has been replaced and the problem is still there.

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.

Mystery car on market: Chrysler or Maserati? I saw a weird advertisement for a "Chrysler '91 TC Mazzerati." What is THAT -- a combination Chrysler and homemade car? The seller is asking $4,300.

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?

Climate control automatically switches to ‘Econ’ modeI own a ’92 Buick Roadmaster. The problem is that the climate control keeps switching to “Econ” mode. What has happened?

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.

It's Porsche -- again Is the Rolls-Royce considered the most luxurious car in America?

Car fails emissions test for owner, passes for dealerMy Buick Roadmaster failed its emissions test due to high hydrocarbons (HC). The dealer took my car through the emission test lane and it passed for them. Do you have any ideas?

Time to crunch numbers With higher gas prices, should I sell my SUV and buy a more economical small car?

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.

Navigation radio costly to replaceI own a Dodge Charger with the navigation radio. The joystick to control the cursor isn't working.

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.

Battery light illuminates intermittentlyI have a ’98 Mercury Grand Marquis. The problem is that the battery light on the dash illuminates periodically.

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.

Could cold fuel pump cause poor engine performance?I have a ’90 GMC Safari van with a 4.3-liter V-6 engine. The problem is that my van’s engine hesitates, runs poorly, and stalls, especially when it’s cold outside.

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.

Fuel gauge stuck on ‘full,’ leaves motorist strandedI recently borrowed my friends 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier. ... I ran out of gas, even though the fuel gauge indicated the tank was full.

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.

Cracked plastic intake manifold causes antifreeze leakI took my car in for service, and I was totally surprised when they told me that my engine’s plastic intake manifold was cracked and needed replacement.

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.

Poor Satellite radio reception could be faulty antennaI own a 2007 Ford Explorer with the Sirius Satellite radio. I’m having trouble with the Satellite radio reception. It keeps saying that it doesn’t have a signal.

Picking a service station How can I tell if an auto service facility will provide good service?

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?

Slipping first gear likely due to low fluid pressureI have a Hummer H3 with 7,100 miles. At 4,000 miles I had to have the transmission rebuilt. Now, it slips in first gear, but not all the time.

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?

Survey: Blades ignored What is the most neglected car part in winter? I say it's the engine coolant.

Intermittent no-start Corolla may need revised PCMI own a 2006 Toyota Corolla and occasionally the engine will not start. When the problem occurs, the engine turns over, but it will not catch.

Buy vs. lease dilemma Should I buy or lease a car? Tips?

Throttle body cleaning solves idling woesI own a 1999 Cadillac Seville with the Northstar engine. Sometimes when it’s cold, the engine idle will stay very high and it won’t go down.

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.

Defining front-wheel versus all-wheel drive I’d like to offer a rebuttal to your recent response regarding the benefits of all-wheel drive over front-wheel drive.

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.

Make it stop, please!

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.

Auto-dimming mirror has owner seeing dotsI have a 2006 Saturn Vue, 6 -cylinder, AWD, which I love, except for the rearview mirror. This mirror has an automatic dimming feature, which is a problem.

'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.

A device that locks brakes on?I have heard about a brake cylinder device that locks the brakes on. Have you heard of this device?

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.

You hurt Gremlin's feelings What are some of the worst-looking cars ever designed? I'd say the Yugo was among such autos.

Failed emissions could be faulty, wrong fuel pump relayI own a ’98 Kia Sportage, and it won’t pass the emissions test because of a trouble codes stored for the oxygen sensor heaters. A repair shop nearby replaced both oxygen sensors, but the problem is still there.

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.

'Low Coolant' light could be leaky intake manifold gasket I have a 2001 Buick Century Limited with about 63,000 miles. The “Low Coolant” light comes on at times. I have checked the coolant level both hot and cold and it appears to be at the proper level.

Does AC blower speed affect fuel consumption?Does a car use less gas if you put the air conditioning blower speed on its low setting, rather than its high setting?

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.

Do higher elevations require higher-octain fuel?I'm driving to Rocky Mountain National Park and wondered if I should use higher-octane fuel at higher elevations with my 2004 Toyota 4Runner. I've used 87-octane without a problem.

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.

When a business does damage to your car What recourse does one have if they suspect a business has scratched the surface of their auto, whether it's a car wash, mechanic, etc.

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.

Do more miles equal less performance on a 'Vette?I bought a Corvette with 55,000 miles in February. Is there a general rule that says a car won't perform as well when it hits a certain mileage?

‘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 mileage drop concerns Oldsmobile ownerRecently, the gas mileage went down from about 19- 21 mpg to about 16 mpg. What might have caused the decrease?

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.

Music for convertible cruising I'm buying my first convertible in years. What are some of the best convertible driving songs?

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.

Who invented the hot rod?There were Ford Model T hot rods in the 1920s, although the big hot rod movement began here in the late 1940s. Until the 1960s, most Europeans owned tiny, slow cars not worth souping up. Photo gallery: The $15K to $20K price point

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?

Reader longs for car to have 'auto show' finish I've never been able to get the mirrorlike paint finish to cars I see at the Chicago Auto Show. I've asked a number of people what is used and get evasive answers.

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.

Gas prices won't stop recreational vehiclesWill roads be less free of recreational vehicles, boats and travel trailers this summer because of higher gasoline prices?

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.

Stalling could be from poor electrical connectionI own a 1990 Cadillac Sedan DeVille with the 4.5-liter engine. The problem is that every once in a while the engine will turn off while driving.

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.

Mercury owner wants to solve bucking problemAbout one year ago, my car developed a bucking problem. It only occurs when the outside air temperature is cold and I have completed about four miles of driving.

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.

2007 CR-V will be lower, wider, more powerfulAny information on the new Honda CR-V? Honda dealers I've talked with are secretive about it.

Fuel additives burn up a lot of moneyHow do you feel about fuel additives, such as the Lucas brand? It's called a "tune-up in a bottle."

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?

Best handling on ice, snow requires special tiresMy 2005 rear-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz doesn't handle well on ice and snow. Do I need a front-wheel-drive car?

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.

Go with manufacturer's exact oil recommendation; tackling warning light woes The owner's manual for my Honda Civic says to use 5w20 oil, but a quick oil change facility recently used 5w30 oil instead. Should I be worried about that?

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?

Know what it'll cost for the best valet spot? What do valet parkers call their prime parking spot (which I never seem to get)? And what should I tip?

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