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| Dear Tom and Ray - Cartalk Newspaper Column |
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| Is two years on the lot too long, for a new car? |
(Thu, 20 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: I'm interested in purchasing a new, 2006 Dodge Sprinter with a 2.7-liter diesel engine. It has 75 miles on it, and has been on a dealer lot, unsold, for two years. The dealer offers a full three-year/36,000-mile warranty, and it is fully loaded with everything I need. I use an electric wheelchair and need an "accessible" vehicle. I have always used Ford Econoline vans. However, the Sprinter will cost less, give me double the mileage and is just a cool vehicle. Oh, it also can use biodiesel, according to the dealer. Should I buy a vehicle that's been sitting on a dealer's lot for two years? I love it; I just need an objective opinion. -- Katie |
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| When my brother turned 50, he started to rattle, too. |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: I have a horrible metallic rattling noise coming from my right front wheel area on a 50th anniversary Nissan 300ZX. Whenever I hit the slightest of road irregularities, it will sound off until the road smoothes out. It happens in all weather conditions. My mechanic has taken a look at it, and says everything seems to be normal. The only way I can get the noise to stop is by applying the brakes. Do you have any idea what's making the noise? Barry |
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| Is it OK to drive a car without the camshaft? |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: I have an '85 Buick Somerset Regal, and I was told that my camshaft has to be replaced at a cost of $1,000. Is it OK to drive the car without replacing the camshaft, or is it dangerous? That's a lot of money to pay. Thank you. Elaine |
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| How to divide the costs of a road trip: |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: Recently, my wife, two of her sisters, and I drove from Wisconsin to Oregon to visit their brother. Before leaving, the two sisters said they would buy all of the gas, which they did. I know this is not a mechanical problem, but it is a concern for people who share traveling expenses. We drove about 4,800 miles, and the gas cost $182, but I sense that they think they paid more than their fair share for the trip. I had the oil and filter changed in Oregon and again when we returned at a cost of $50. Would you have any idea as to what a passenger should pay for a long trip? $91 each on this trip seems reasonable to me. My car is a 1987 Oldsmobile. Jerry |
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| Just clobber the wheels! |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: My girlfriend has a '79 Mercury Cougar. The rear rims have seized to the hubs. The car was even driven with the lug nuts loose, but the wheels still wouldn't come off. The local Mercury dealer refuses to work on it. I've tried WD-40 and a 16 pound sledge hammer. My air compressor is worn out trying to keep air in the tires. What else can I do? Don |
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| Nouns of assembly. |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Where is the water coming from? |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: I have an '88 Toyota Camry LE. I bought it used, with 35,000 miles on it. My problem is small, but aggravating. Inside the trunk, on the left hand side, in the "well" next to the tires, water accumulates when it rains. My dealer has no idea where this water comes from. The seals are dry, as is the rest of the trunk. I park it outside, and have been doing a lot of bailing lately. Do you have any idea where the water is coming from? Pauline |
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| What is a transmission tune-up? |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: I often see specials for "transmission tune-ups." What is a transmission tune-up, is it necessary, and what is a fair price,? Danny |
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| What is a transmission tune-up? |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: I often see specials for "transmission tune-ups." What is a transmission tune-up, is it necessary, and what is a fair price,? Danny |
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| The question everybody's asking... |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: My wife and I need you to resolve a disagreement we're having. When we get into our '88 Dodge Caravan on a cold morning, my wife wants me to turn on the heater immediately. She says that way, the inside of the car gets warmer quicker. I say that the engine is cold, and allowing it to heat up a bit before turning on the heater will ultimately get us warmer faster. We know you'll resolve this difference with your lucid, irrefutable responses. Will |
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| The question everybody's asking... |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: My wife and I need you to resolve a disagreement we're having. When we get into our '88 Dodge Caravan on a cold morning, my wife wants me to turn on the heater immediately. She says that way, the inside of the car gets warmer quicker. I say that the engine is cold, and allowing it to heat up a bit before turning on the heater will ultimately get us warmer faster. We know you'll resolve this difference with your lucid, irrefutable responses. Will |
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| My '77 Volare is a GREAT CAR!!! |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: Recently, a reader wrote in about a problem with his '76 Volare which he described as a "great car." Although you answered his question, I beg to differ with some of the remarks you made. You warned him not to drive any other car while his was being repaired. Otherwise, you said, he might "never again use the words "'76 Volare' and 'great car' in the same sentence." I have been driving a '77 Volare since it was new, and find it to be just as comfortable and driveable as any newer car I've driven through the years. My '77 Volare is a GREAT CAR!!! With 135,000 miles on it, I hope it will last another 100,000 at least. It's also been very economical and trouble-free, and it LOOKS GREAT! Carol |
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| Beginning to wonder if my son has sense... |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: I always thought my son had some sense. I am now beginning to wonder. He has a Honda Prelude with 55,000 miles on it, and it still has the original tires. He says the tread is good. He has three plugs in one tire, and drives quite a distance to and from work; this is freeway driving and he says he goes 70-75mph. Now, I say one would have to have suicidal tendencies to do such a thing, and that he should buy new tires. This is no kid--he is 43 years old. I think he is an accident looking to happen. What do you have to say? Donna |
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| Do you drive by any abandoned nuclear test sites on your way to work? |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: Some unusual happenings occur on the instrument panel of my 1987 Mercury Topaz. The red battery light intermittently comes on while driving. This can occur for a short second or two, or for two or three days, and then weeks can go by before it happens again. I've been averaging a new battery every two years. Also, the tachometer occasionally goes in reverse (the needle actually goes counterclockwise), and both the gas and temperature gauges periodically move to the far right past the "full" and "hot" marks respectively. Your expertise would be appreciated. Al |
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| I like to raise the hood and see a clean engine. |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: Here's another stupid question for you. I have a 1989 Ford Crown Victoria. I'm also one of these old geezers that likes to raise the hood and see a clean engine. Here's my question. Can I just turn my hose on the engine, or will that screw up half the electrical system? A couple of service managers have told me it's fine. But I recently read in the paper that you shouldn't do it. I would appreciate your advice. Robert |
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| This is a clear case of testosterone poisoning. |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: My brother-in-law has a male superiority problem about driving, and we have a long-standing argument concerning down-shifting standard shift cars when approaching a stop. I don't down shift. I was taught otherwise. My brother-in-law, however, says I'm stupid and I don't know what I'm talking about. He recently brought another male driver into the discussion, and I was greatly outnumbered, and, I might add, laughed at. The other driver wanted to know, if I didn't down shift from 5th to 4th to 3rd to 2nd, how did I start up again? In 5th gear? He couldn't understand that after I stop, I merely go into first gear. Am I wrong? Carolle |
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| When the oil light comes on, stop the engine immediately. |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: First of all, you have a great column. It's thoroughly enjoyable, even for a mechanical nerd like myself! Here's my problem. My son has a 1988 four-wheel drive Ford Tempo which he took to a local service station for an oil change. About a mile from home, the oil light went on, and unfortunately, he drove the rest of the way home. We had the mechanic come down to the house, and he found that the oil filter had fallen off!! There was no oil in the car. The mechanic put on a filter and put in four quarts of oil. The car runs well now, but I am concerned that the engine has been damaged. What should I do? Mel |
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| What useful function does the ingnition button serve? |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: Whenever I rent a car that has a button that must be pushed before the ignition key can be released, I become curious. What useful function does this button serve? Jan |
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| You can not only feel the jerk...if you look in the driver's seat, you can see him, too. |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: We have a car with an automatic transmission. My husband has several habits I'd like you to comment on. While backing out of a parking space, he'll shift the car from Reverse to Drive before coming to a complete stop. When going forward, he'll put the car in reverse before stopping. He says it has no effect of the transmission, but I can feel the "jerk." What do you think? Miriam |
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| Since three new carburators haven't solved anything, the problem may not be with carburetor. |
(Wed, 19 Nov 2008)
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| Dear Tom and Ray: At the age of 80, the transportation love of my life is a '79 Cadillac that runs like a jewel after it gets two miles from home. The car starts perfectly, and runs fine until you stop or make a turn. Then it dies a quick death. It won't restart until it's allowed to cool off. Once it's completely warmed up, the problem ceases. The mechanics have checked everything--the gas tank, fuel lines, fuel pump, the works! We are now awaiting our fourth carburetor. We've had two rebuilts and one new one--all with the same results. For safety reasons, at the age of 80, I don't want to start fumbling around with a new car. Do you have any insights? Wally |
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