Motormouth: Worn tires can cause sliding

March 29, 2009

QMy 2007, two-wheel-drive Honda CR-V did not handle well this winter.

Recent columns

• Motormouth: Worn tires can cause sliding

  March 29, 2009

  QMy 2007, two-wheel-drive Honda CR-V did not handle well this winter.

• Worn tires can cause sliding

  March 29, 2009

  QMy 2007, two-wheel-drive Honda CR-V did not handle well this winter. I didn't seem to have a problem the first two winters after I bought it new. This year, I couldn't seem to stop on slippery roads and had a few close calls.

• Flush with excitement

  March 29, 2009

  All you need to know about fluid flushes—and the Goodyear Blimp. For more Motormouth, log on to chicagotribune.com/autos

• Turbochargers add kick to small engines

  March 22, 2009

  We know a turbocharger is an air compressor.

• Motormouth:

  March 22, 2009

  Q At random times over the last two months, nothing happens when I turn the key. The lights and radio are OK in the auxiliary mode but no ignition. Try again a few minutes later, and it starts right up. Any alternatives if it just won't start up and I am hundreds of miles from home?

• Motormouth: Turbochargers add kick to small engines

  March 22, 2009

  We know a turbocharger is an air compressor.

• Need to find more juice?

  March 22, 2009

  There are better ways to generate household electricity than tapping into your Prius. For more Motormouth, log on to chicagotribune.com/autos

• Need to find more juice?

  March 22, 2009

  There are better ways to generate household electricity than tapping into your Prius. For more Motormouth, log on to chicagotribune.com/autos

• Motormouth:

  March 22, 2009

  Q I got a big laugh out of your column about the genius who "hooked" his car up to generate household power (Motormouth, Feb. 8). Of course, there was an easier and quicker solution. It's called a generator, and you can buy them at any hardware or home-improvement store. I bought mine about 30 years ago and have used it several times. It always starts on the first pull. My generator has a built-in inverter.

• Motormouth:

  March 18, 2009

  Q I am considering purchasing a 2003 Chevy TrailBlazer EXT. Everything is solid except for undercarriage rust. The SUV is used by its original owner. Is rust in the undercarriage a problem?

• Hard starting? Sounds like the air control valve could be going bad

  March 15, 2009

  QI own a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer with 83,500 miles. When it was extremely cold, I had a very hard time starting it.

• What's your question?

  March 15, 2009

  From oil changes to air filters to brakes, we already may have the answer for it. For more Motormouth, log on to chicagotribune.com/autos

• Faulty air control valve can cause hard starting

  March 15, 2009

  QI own a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer with 83,500 miles. When it was extremely cold, I had a very hard time starting it.

• What's your auto question?

  March 15, 2009

  From oil changes to air filters to brakes, we already may have the answer for it. For more Motormouth, log on to chicagotribune.com/autos

• Alignment game

  March 8, 2009

  For a high-tech wheel alignment, who would you choose: the grizzled veteran or computer-savvy kid? For more Motormouth, log on to chicagotribune.com/autos

• Better aligners

  March 8, 2009

  QA couple years ago I went to one of the chain tire shops for new tires. My old tires looked OK, but had 50,000 miles on them, and I wanted new rubber for a nicer ride. The shop told me I needed an alignment badly and, since it was on the rack, it would cost only $90. Since the truck handled fine and the old tires showed no strange wear, I said no. He then told me that his guys had nothing to do after my truck, so he would align it for $45. I still said no.

• Blimp dreams

  March 8, 2009

  QI rode in the Goodyear blimp (Motormouth, Feb. 1) 20 years ago at a Chrysler event in Detroit. Even have a card that makes me a member of the Goodyear Blimp Club and a signed black and white photo. Don't think I got to fly it but I do remember a huge wheel by the pilot's chair. Looked like something Capt. Nemo would like.

• Converting car to run on E85 can be tricky — and illegal

  March 8, 2009

  QIf E85 has higher octane than regular and premium gasoline, why don't performance vehicles use the ethanol blend? I want a Chevy HHR SS turbo but it is not E85 compatible.

• Converting to E85 use can be tricky — and illegal

  March 8, 2009

  QIf E85 has higher octane than regular and premium gasoline, why don't performance vehicles use the ethanol blend? I want a Chevy HHR SS turbo but it is not E85 compatible.

• Steering fluid flush not needed, but it won't hurt

  March 1, 2009

  QI read your article on fluid flushing (Motormouth, Jan. 11) with interest.

• Manual transmission

  March 1, 2009

  In all things maintenance, follow the owner's manual. For more Motormouth, log on to chicagotribune.com/autos

• Steering fluid flush neither necessary nor harmful

  March 1, 2009

  QI read your article on fluid flushing (Motormouth, Jan. 11) with interest. My Toyota dealer told me I needed a power-steering fluid flush when I had my oil changed. My 2004 Camry has 34,000 miles. Is this necessary?

• Manual transmission

  March 1, 2009

  In all things maintenance, follow the owner's manual. For more Motormouth, log on to chicagotribune.com/autos

• Oil additives

  February 22, 2009

  Q Your recently responded that "the times, they are a-changing," regarding extending the length of an oil change past 3,000 miles (Motormouth, Dec. 28). But that leaves me with some questions regarding the additive package.

• Fluid flush can slam brakes on problems

  February 22, 2009

  Questions arising from the need for an engine flush (it's generally not) cast a shadow on the brake-fluid flushing. As an engine differs from brakes, so do the services. And the need for the latter can be summed up in one word: ABS.

• (Oil) life changing event

  February 22, 2009

  Oil's better, making the

• 5, 6, 7, 8 ways to more m.p.g.

  February 15, 2009

  Most of us can't recall a time without automatic transmissions.

• The doctor is always in

  February 15, 2009

  Having trouble with your tranny – or other mechanicals? See what Motormouth has to say at chicagotribune.com/autos

• Cold remedies

  February 8, 2009

  Q During cold snaps, should a person start and warm the car over the weekend or wait until Monday?

• Cold remedies

  February 8, 2009

  A snow blanket may help warm your car if it sits outside in winter, but there's no need for a windbreaker. More from Motormouth at chicagotribune.com/autos

• Your car as a mobile powerplant

  February 8, 2009

  The forecast calls for sleet and snow, mixed with freezing rain, making travel hazardous and power outages likely.

• Trouble codes

  February 1, 2009

  Q I have a 1999 Honda Accord 6-cylinder with 173,000 miles.

• There's no substitute for blimp

  February 1, 2009

  When readers ask about whether they can substitute Dunlop tires for Goodyears, we remind them that's hardly a blip – Dunlop being a division of Goodyear.

• Baby, that's cold

  February 1, 2009

  Brake rotors treated at 300 below do last longer but mere mortals rarely need them. More from Motormouth at chicagotribune.com/autos

• Racing rotors

  January 28, 2009

  Q BMW rotors on the 1980s cars I own and service are too thin after only one set of pads. Fortunately, the rotors are replaced without the hubs and are relatively cheap.

• M.P.G. drop

  January 25, 2009

  Q I have a 2003 Hyundai Sonata GLS V-6 with a little less than 103,000 miles. I drive mostly on the highway to and from work and average about 24 m.p.g. After a recent oil change, my m.p.g. has dropped to 19-20.

• Oil, fuel economy don't mix

  January 25, 2009

  An oil change is not likely to be causing that big drop in m.p.g. See what is. More from Motormouth at chicagotribune.com/autos

• Analysis to oil: This is your life

  January 25, 2009

  K.Z. of Morton Grove recently asked about adding an aftermarket oil-life monitor (Motormouth, Nov. 9) to a 2006 Subaru Outback. Readers suggested K.Z. instead send a sample for oil analysis to determine change intervals.

• Morning stiffness is not arthritis

  January 18, 2009

  Just when you thought the worst was over, morning sickness is back. More from Motormouth at chicagotribune.com/autos

• Knock-out guide to octane

  January 18, 2009

  Premium unleaded recommended.

• Morning sickness

  January 18, 2009

  Q I have a 1997 Ford Thunderbird with 124,000 miles. It runs great, but the steering has become stiff. The condition seems to get worse in colder temperatures. Could something in the steering column or linkage need lubrication? I know this is reaching, but something must be causing the stiffness and my mechanic can't find it.

• All in the timing

  January 11, 2009

• It's the mileage, not the years

  January 11, 2009

  All recommendations for changing a timing belt are based on the odometer. More from Motormouth at chicagotribune.com/autos

• Proper care is the best way to save

  January 11, 2009

  In these trying economic times, we're all looking for ways to save a few bucks—even when caring for our cars. And there are ways to do that.

• Light it up

  January 4, 2009

  Q Are new vehicles equipped with LCDs for the instrument panel and dash? The new instrument lights seem to last forever.

• How to shop the plus sizes

  January 4, 2009

  In response to a reader who wanted to replace the 16-inch wheels on his Ford Escape with 17-inchers, we said:

• Who needs Heloise?

  January 4, 2009

  Sanitizer will clean more than your hands and other helpful hints. More from Motormouth at chicagotribune.com/autos

• Your 10 cents worth

  October 3, 2008

  Q The differential between the cost the three grades of gas is 10 cents per gallon though the price is now over $4. When gas was 50 cents per gallon the differential between grades was also cents, so the percentage increase now is much less than it was when gas was less expensive. Do you get better mileage with the higher octane levels, and if you do is it more economical to purchase premium gas, since the cost penalty percentage is much less?

• No more sticky situations

  April 6, 2008

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