Oil Changes

Q: I have a mint condition 1983 Lincoln Mark IV. The wipers will not shut off unless I shut off the engine. Then they will not start again unless I touch the wiper lever. Once again the wipers will not stop although the speeds are under control. The...

Q: I have had experiences with Volkswagen dealers where I was told that oil and filter changes are due every 5,000 miles, but according to the factory manual, the oil and filter should be changed every 10,000 miles. My daughter has a 2007 VW Rabbit and...

Q: I just bought a 1998 Lexus LS400 with 170,000 well-cared for miles. The suspension seems soft. Lexus checked it by doing the "bounce" test and said it was fine. But I think 170k is beyond the lifespan of any coil/strut combination and am guessing I...

New or used? It's hard to remember a better time to buy either. With automakers selling hundreds of new models, and more used cars than there are people to drive them, there are plenty of good vehicles out there ready for an owner and driver....

Q: I have 125,000 miles on my 2004 Toyota Sienna and have not needed to replace the rear brakes. The pads still look good. I am worried that my front brakes are doing all the braking. Is this a problem and should I be concerned? — J.P., La Grange,...

Q: I own a 2010 Toyota Venza. My entire car floods from what the Toyota dealer tells me is caused by a spider crawling up into my A/C drain and building a nest. The nest blocks the so water overflows into my car. The water is rug deep 0.5 to 1 inch and...

When Helen Turner of Unionville took her 2004 Subaru Outback with 30,000 miles on the odometer in for an oil change, the last thing she expected was news that her car needed $1,600 in repairs. When she protested that she did not have $1,600 to spend on...

After finding a large amount of blood inside the store, a former employee of a Roanoke County oil change shop has been charged with breaking into the business. 29-year-old Ky Dietiker has been charged with burglary and grand larceny. Investigators...

Connecticut residents have become so accustomed to storm-related power outages that a portable generator is now a must-own piece of power equipment for many homeowners. First-time buyers already congratulating themselves for being ready for Hurricane...

Q: When is it best to check your motor oil on your car? I've heard after the engine is hot and you should let the engine cool down for a minute or two. Is that correct? — A.S., Hickory Hills, Ill. A: The most accurate reading on your dipstick will...

Q: Quite simply, can I use Simple Green to clean the aluminum wheels on my '87 Mustang GT and my '03 Monte Carlo SS? If it gets on the brake rotors and brake pads will this be a problem? — J.W., Suffield, Conn. A: You have the green light to go...

Q: Rotating your tires is a scam by the auto manufacturers, tire companies and auto dealers. If tires cost $125 each, replace one. At the most, just replace the two front tires and later the two rear ones. If you rotate, they all wear out at once, costing...