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IN THIS CASE, CONVERTER REPLACEMENT IS WORTH IT Updated: Fri, Apr 13, 2012 Dear Tom and Ray: I love your show. I recently got a 2001 Audi A8L that now has 130,000 miles on it. The only other owner was my dad, and he took extremely great care of the car. Recently, the check-engine light has been coming on, saying that my catalytic converter's efficiency is too low. My mechanic tested... Read More
WHAT COULD BE CAUSING CAR'S POWER BRAKES NOT TO WORK? Updated: Fri, Feb 17, 2012 Dear Tom and Ray: I love your show, and I desperately need your help. I am presently the "keeper" of my 25-year-old daughter's 2004 Nissan Maxima. It has a serious problem, which she also has mentioned. On any cold (34 F or below) winter morning, the power brakes are NONEXISTENT. Like, GONE for the first five... Read More
LEAKY STRUT ISN'T AN EMERGENCY, BUT IT'S NOT GOOD Updated: Fri, Jan 13, 2012 Dear Tom and Ray: We have a 2009 Toyota Camry. When our local mechanic was checking the brakes, he noted that the left rear strut was leaking fluid. He informed us of the issue, and since the car was still under warranty, I took it to the dealer. The dealer noted that it is normal for Camry struts to leak, and... Read More
START WITH NEW GAS CAP WHEN TRYING TO SOLVE THIS MYSTERY Updated: Fri, Dec 16, 2011 Dear Tom and Ray: I drive a 2005 Honda Accord. Recently, I started getting a "check fuel cap" message on my dash. When I checked it, it was properly tightened, but the message kept appearing. I went so far as to remove the cap completely to check and make sure everything looked normal, at which time I noticed... Read More
WHAT COULD BE THE CAUSE OF DISAPPEARING FIRE? Updated: Fri, Nov 18, 2011 Dear Tom and Ray: Driving down the road in my '89 Nissan pickup, I smelled smoke. I assumed it was outside and rolled up the driver's-side window and turned off the fan. Immediately, smoke came out of the heater vents. It was so thick that I could not see out of the windshield. I pulled over, stopped and put on... Read More
WATER IN GAS TANK LIKELY DUE TO RUSTED FILLER NECK Updated: Fri, Sep 30, 2011 Dear Tom and Ray: I have a 1996 Subaru Legacy L wagon. Four mechanics in and around Boston can't figure out how (twice now) in excess of three gallons of water has gotten into my gas tank. The first time, it stalled out on the highway. After lots of attempts to fix it, we took a gas sample. It was water! After... Read More
Pickens: OSU is smart and won’t be left "high and dry" in conference realignment Updated: Fri, Sep 16, 2011 BROKEN ARROW – Because of Oklahoma State’s Bedlam rivalry and political connection with the University of Oklahoma, and because of his donations to the University of Texas and personal relationships with UT decision-makers, billionaire OSU booster T. Boone Pickens says his alma should be positioned favorably in... Read More
HOW OFTEN TO CHANGE OIL ON DIFFERENTIALS? Updated: Fri, Sep 2, 2011 Dear Tom and Ray: I have a general maintenance question for you guys. Every time I go to get the oil changed on my 1998 Toyota Tacoma, the service man always tries to sell me an oil change for the differentials. I always decline, because I don't want to pay the money and Inot sure if the truck needs it. So, how... Read More
Football season marks the time for car care Published: Wed, Aug 31, 2011 As the leaves fall and the cold weather approaches, everyone begins to feel a little football fever. Just like the greatest coaches check their starting line-ups each year, make sure that your vehicle's most important parts and systems aren't corroded, empty, deflated or worn out. With kick-off around the corner,... Read More
Now is a good time to get your vehicle prepared for fall Published: Mon, Aug 29, 2011 In many parts of the country, the leaves have started to fall, and parents have sent their children back to school. Before the weather takes a turn, Firestone Complete Auto Care would like to offer the following car maintenance tips to get vehicles ready for the damp, cold road ahead. Take your vehicle for a... Read More
A CRASH COURSE IN CONTAMINATED CYLINDERS Updated: Fri, Aug 26, 2011 Dear Tom and Ray: I'm an idiot. I just poured synthetic motor oil into my master cylinder. Am I destined to crash? -- Lisa RAY: Well, not unless you drive the car, Lisa. If you leave it parked, you should be fine. TOM: It's a tricky problem, Lisa. We checked with the brake engineers at Bosch, and they... Read More
READER DISTRUSTS MECHANIC Updated: Fri, Aug 5, 2011 Dear Tom and Ray: I just paid more than $1,000 for a major 60,000-mile service on my 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse (4-cylinder), which included, among other things, replacing the timing belt and water pump. I assume I actually got all of the work listed on the service order, but is there an easy way to verify that... Read More
Stay on track to your destination with regular tire maintenance Published: Wed, Jun 22, 2011 When the rubber meets the road this summer, will you be prepared? Summer heat can be tough on tires, which makes regular tire checks a critical part of your general vehicle maintenance schedule. Heat combined with improper tire pressure, uneven wear or damage and poor alignment can cause potentially dangerous... Read More
Yes, You Can Use Less Fuel Without Vehicle Downsizing Updated: Fri, Apr 1, 2011 For those who drive a lot, or have a relatively thirsty vehicle, and tend to live paycheck to paycheck, the 40-cent jump in gas prices over the past month could be a pretty big deal. But it doesn't have to be. Just by more following just a few easy-to-remember pieces of advice, it's likely that you could see a... Read More
WHY IS EXCESSIVE IDLING CONSIDERED SEVERE DUTY? Updated: Fri, Mar 25, 2011 Dear Tom and Ray: Why in the world is "excessive idling" defined as "severe duty" in all owner's manuals? I read in one column that idling is harder on the valve train than running at red-line is! What's the explanation? Lower oil pressure? Hotter oil? I'm crossing my fingers for an answer, as I've asked this... Read More
Independent inspection is never a waste of money Published: Fri, Jan 14, 2011 Dear Tom and Ray: I love your show and column, and am a longtime listener and reader. After all these years, I finally have a question for you. I know you guys recommend having a used car inspected by a trusted mechanic prior to buying it. But what about buying one from a dealer? I'm considering the purchase of... Read More
Reader needs advice about oil change interval Published: Fri, Jan 14, 2011 Dear Tom and Ray: I have a 2009 VW Passat with about 6,500 miles. I called to set up an appointment to get the oil changed, and the dealership said it only changes the oil at 10,000 miles. My late husband took excellent care of all of our cars, and never would let a car go 10,000 miles before an oil change.... Read More
For oil changes, hot is better - but be careful Published: Sat, Dec 25, 2010 BY TOM AND RAY MAGLIOZZI Dear Tom and Ray: I always change my own oil on my cars. I let the car sit overnight and change the engine oil the next day. My daughter said that it would be better to change the oil when the engine is hot, like when I get home from work. So ... which is the preferred method? --... Read More
Reader may be allergic to tune-ups Updated: Mon, Nov 29, 2010 I have a 2003 Subaru WRX that has recently been "sneezing" at irregular intervals. The sneezing sound is accompanied by what feels like a loss of power. The sound seems to be coming from the driver's side, under the gas pedal. It is quite audible from outside the car as well. Sometimes it occurs when I'm just... Read More
Is this the first sentient car? Updated: Fri, Nov 5, 2010 Tom and Ray talk about why a car has "mechanical outbursts" when the owner's husband is in the car. Read More
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