AUTO DOC: Warning lights hint at speed sensor trouble

April 18, 2008

DEAR DOCTOR: I am the original owner of a 1991 Honda Accord. It suddenly developed an intermittent operation of the speedometer. The "check engine" light will come on for a few seconds and then go off. My mechanic said not to worry because the car seems to operate fine. Ed

Recent columns

• A rough engine idle indicates a misfire

  April 11, 2008

  DEAR DOCTOR: I own a 2002 Ford Ranger pickup with a 4.0-liter V-6 engine. The truck has more than 100,000 miles on it. There is a No. 6 misfire, and the engine idles rough. I replaced all the tune-up stuff and checked for a vacuum leak and took a compression test. What am I missing? Ray

• AUTO DOC: $177 not excessive cost for a BMW oil change

  April 4, 2008

  DEAR DOCTOR: I own a 2002 BMW 330ci with 10,000 miles. I recently went to the dealer for an oil change. I have it changed only once a year because of my low mileage. The cost was $177, which I thought was too high compared to my new Cadillac at just $34. The dealer also wanted to perform an inspection at a cost of $800, which I refused. I think the oil change charge is excessive. What are your thoughts?

• AUTO DOC: What to do when paint bubbles on the hood?

  March 28, 2008

  DEAR DOCTOR: I own a 2003 Ford Explorer with more than 100,000 miles. The paint on the hood is bubbling in spots. The dealership told me that unless it rusted through the metal, the repair would not be covered by Ford. A body shop told me it was an aluminum hood and, if repaired, the problem would most likely happen again. What course of action do you recommend?

• AUTO DOC: Gas filter change doesn't affect mileage

  March 21, 2008

  DEAR DOCTOR: I am the original owner of a four-cylinder 1999 Subaru Legacy Outback with 55,000 miles. I change the oil every three months and take very good care of the car. When they changed the gasoline filter, I started getting poor gas mileage. The dealership cleaned everything that should make me get better gas mileage. They said it wasn't that bad and I should see a slight improvement. Now I am getting horrible mileage. What can I do to get better mileage? I use the 89 gasoline - the regular octane is much worse. Is it just the age of the car or can I do something to improve the mileage?

• When replacing spark plugs, check wire, coil boots

  March 14, 2008

  DEAR DOCTOR: I own a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis with 85,000 miles. When I step on the gas, the car bucks, and the traction control light comes on and then goes off. I have changed the eight plugs and last month put in a new fuel pump. Also, when I start the car

• AUTO DOC

  March 7, 2008

  DEAR DOCTOR: I own a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan full conversion van. My wife is in a wheelchair, and the lift is on the passenger side. The van rides poorly, especially hard over bumps. I spoke to the dealer, but he said there is nothing they can do. Do you have any suggestions?

• Check temperatures for anitfreeze problem

  February 29, 2008

  DEAR DOCTOR: I own a 2005 Pontiac GTO. On two occasions the antifreeze has boiled over. The temperature gauge did not read high. I hear a bubbling sound coming from the engine compartment. The loss of coolant is minimal. The dealer has checked the car twice and could not find any problems. What's the cause?

• Northstar engines have appetite for oil

  February 22, 2008

  DEAR DOCTOR: I am the original owner of a 2001 Cadillac Eldorado with the V-8 Northstar engine with 54,000 miles. I have always changed the oil every 3,000 miles. And I have to add a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. My dealer said this is normal for the Northstar engine. It doesn't seem right for the top-of-the-line car from GM. What do you think?

• Test alternator at home, check battery at the shop

  February 15, 2008

  DEAR DOCTOR: Is there any way to check an alternator at home while it is still in the car? The alternator is 2 years old, and if the car sits for a week, the battery is dead.