12-17-2007
Dave: Since we are starting to get some rain I have noticed my sprayers for my windshield wipers don't work. My car is a 2006 and I find it hard to believe I would have problems on such a new vehicle. I raised the hood and had my wife try to squirt water onto the windshield but all I got was a whirring sound coming from the washer bottle. The bottle is full, in fact I use it a lot and have kept it full of water at all time. Any suggestions before I take it in to the shop? Dion, Rancho Bernardo.
Dion: There is not much left on your washer system that could go wrong except a clogged hose or nozzle. Most likely the nozzle that is mounted in the wiper arms, in the vent below the windshield or on the hood is clogged. You can take a straight pin and try to clean out any residue you may find or worst comes to worst disconnect the hose under the hood and try to adapt a air hose from an air compressor and blow gently into the hose to see if you can dislodge the debris in the hose or nozzle.
A word of advise, if you get it cleaned out don not use city water in your washer reservoir it carries a lot of mineral and that is what will clog your hose or nozzle. You can use distilled water or buy a gallon of pre-mixed windshield washer fluid and your problem should be eliminated.

Dave: I got a fix it ticket last week because my license plate light was burned out. I must admit I was outraged that a cop would waste his and my time to stop me for something so trivial. But the problem is a light bulb didn't fix the problem, my mechanic said it was in the wiring and would cost around $100 to repair the wiring. Well Merry Christmas! Is his ticket legit? Driving the other night I noticed another car with his license plate light out and I could see his license plate as if we were in daylight! Would you recommend I take the cop to court and fight it?
Thanks for letting me vent, everyone I have spoke to about this say, "fix it and move on". What do you say? Todd, Oceanside.
Todd: Well I guess I'm not going to stay on your Christmas list either. Get it fixed and get the ticket off your record. I agree license plate do not need a light to illuminate the numbers and letters but back in the day we didn't have the technology to illuminate plates with out lighting. Laws like that stay on the books so the police can stop vehicles at will and check out the occupants and vehicles. You would be surprised how many felons get caught by a silly stop for a bulb out or expired plates.

12-4-2007
Dave: I have been hearing rumors that a lot of the automotive manufactures are going to bring diesel technology to California. When is this supposed to happen and will diesel really be the answer to high fuel prices? I noticed the price of diesel is higher than super unleaded. Another concern of mine is who is going to be able to work on a diesel car? I know they will be under warranty for quit some time but since we don't have diesels cars in California now how hard is it going to be for our mechanic to address the problems diesel brings to the table. Sorry for being so long winded but I commute 75 miles a day and I'm considering a diesel car, most likely a Ford. Thanks again, Ralph, Temecula.
Ralph: Great comments and a very good question. Diesel cars should hit California either late 08 or early 09. You have the same concerns I have, diesel prices are higher than gas prices and diesel technicians will have a steep learning cure to deal with but they had the same problem with hybrid vehicles at least with the manufactures that offered hybrid vehicles. Commuting 75 miles is a stiff haul but there are some gas burners that will get you into the 40 mile per gallon range depending on your right foot. Plus these cars are rather small and less expensive. There is always the motorcycle but that is not for everyone, they get up to 70 miles per gallon but you take the risk of being a target on the roads, I know first hand I ride as well. Oh and not to ruin your day but Ford has no immediate plans to build a diesel car as of yet. What bothers me the most is the price of diesel, it is cheaper to make than gasoline but the demand is higher due to the fact that most of our goods are transported by diesel trucks. If we want to complain to our government we should complain about diesel prices, I know I do!

Dave: I wanted to put a trailer hitch on my Toyota FJ, but when I went to the dealership they wanted almost $1,000 to have one installed. Do you have any other ideas on where I could buy a cheaper hitch system? All I plan to tow is a single jet ski, nothing really big. Aida, Escondido.
Aida: You could shop around and check with U-Haul the leaders in towing or you could check with NAPA, Kragen, and Pep Boys to see if they have a hitch system you can install yourself. Kragen and Pep Boys could even install it for you if needed, a jet ski in the winter? Don't you just love San Diego!

11-27-2007
Dave: The gas door on my car will not open. The only way it will open is from inside the car, there is a lever on the floor, you pull on it and the gas door opens. Now it must be broken and I can't put gas in my car so there it sits on the side of my house. I'm on a tight budget and taking it to a mechanic shop that charges $85 to $100 to check it out is out of the question. Do you have any tricks I can perform myself other than ripping the gas door off its hinges. Don, Vista.
Don: I'm assuming your car has a trunk, first look for a gas door release cord; some vehicles install them just for situations you're in. If not go into the trunk and remove the inner panel on the side of the gas door and look for the cable that runs from the front of the car to the gas door. A slight tug on the cable toward the front of the car will usually do the trick. Once open try and see if you can adjust the cable so it will open the gas door on ever pull form the inside. If not disconnect the gas door from the cable and the worse case scenario is your gas door will flop in the wind.

Dave: Some kid must have come by my car and snapped off my radio antenna and all I have left is a little snub that give me no reception on AM which is all I listen to. But here is the problem on my car the antenna is in the roof just above the driver. I took it to the dealership and they wanted a fortune just to replace the antenna. I though about relocating the cable to an easier spot but I'm not that mechanically inclined, any ideas? Dale, Oceanside.
Dale: Your situation is not as bad as you would think even if you're not a mechanical type of guy. First buy the replacement antenna then go under the dash behind the radio and disconnect the antenna cable (It just pulls out). Now tape or wire a piece of heavy string or twine long enough to travel the distance of your antenna cable. Now attach it to the end of the antenna lead, now disconnect the antenna base at the roof and pull out the antenna slowly so as not to lose the twine or string you attached to the other end. Once removed transfer the string or twine to the new antenna end and pull the string or twine back down through the car until you have the antenna end back at the radio, remove the string or twine and plug it into your radio. Replace the screws in the roof that hold the antenna in place and remember when you park the car to slide the antenna shaft down out of sight so those little rascals won't put you through this task again!

11-20-2007
Dave: I have a question you might think is a little weird. My brother and I were talking the other night and we got to talking about towing. I just bought my first car with an automatic transmission and he said it can be towed from either end of the car and the drive shaft did not have to be removed because it had an automatic transmission and as long I left it in neutral it would be ok, plus it is a front wheel drive car and there is no drive shaft. He seemed rather convincing but he has always talked me into doing things that were either wrong or it hurt. I'm glad your back so I hope you can answer this question before I get either hurt or do something wrong. Ken, Temecula.
Ken: Don't you just love brothers! Well Ken your brother is off base again an automatic transmission equipped vehicle must be towed with the drive wheels off the ground unless it is equipped with a disconnect system as found on vehicles set up for towing behind a motorhome. Now some manufactures do build an automatic transmission that can be flat towed but they are very few. When in doubt when your vehicle needs to be towed when calling the tow company request a "roll back" which is a flat bed tow truck and all wheels are off the ground. Good question.

Dave: I just got a letter from my lease company that I owe then $4,345.56 for repair done to my lease returned Mustang. Before I call my lawyer I thought I would bounce this off you first. Am I being ripped off? I have never heard of such a thing. I admit I had a chip in the windshield and a couple of dents and I needed four tires but come on it was a leased vehicle. If I pay this outrageous bill then leasing was not worth it. Please respond as soon as possible they are starting to call me at home. Carlos, Escondido.
Carlos: If you still have you old lease paperwork look on the back page and you most likely will see a paragraph on what condition the vehicle should be in when you return it back to the lease company. Even though it is not your vehicle you must return it in the condition you got it minus mileage. You have the option to have the repairs done yourself and usually they can be done a lot cheaper than the lease company will charge you. Using a company like Bumper Doc will save you approximately ž of the lease repair bill depending on the damage. Another tip is to photograph the vehicle in question before you return it to the lease company and if you can get the shop manger who corrected all the problems to sigh off on the repairs that helps. Lastly don't drop the vehicle off without a lease representative inspecting the vehicle and giving you a signed receipt that the vehicle looks fine. Sorry this isn't the news you wanted!

11-13-2007
Dave: I have a question you might think is a little weird. My brother and I were talking the other night and we got to talking about towing. I just bought my first car with an automatic transmission and he said it can be towed from either end of the car and the drive shaft did not have to be removed because it had an automatic transmission and as long I left it in neutral it would be ok, plus it is a front wheel drive car and there is no drive shaft. He seemed rather convincing but he has always talked me into doing things that were either wrong or it hurt. I'm glad your back so I hope you can answer this question before I get either hurt or do something wrong. Ken, Temecula.
Ken: Don't you just love brothers! Well Ken your brother is off base again an automatic transmission equipped vehicle must be towed with the drive wheels off the ground unless it is equipped with a disconnect system as found on vehicles set up for towing behind a motorhome. Now some manufactures do build an automatic transmission that can be flat towed but they are very few. When in doubt when your vehicle needs to be towed when calling the tow company request a "roll back" which is a flat bed tow truck and all wheels are off the ground. Good question.

Dave: I just got a letter from my lease company that I owe then $4,345.56 for repair done to my lease returned Mustang. Before I call my lawyer I thought I would bounce this off you first. Am I being ripped off? I have never heard of such a thing. I admit I had a chip in the windshield and a couple of dents and I needed four tires but come on it was a leased vehicle. If I pay this outrageous bill then leasing was not worth it. Please respond as soon as possible they are starting to call me at home. Carlos, Escondido.
Carlos: If you still have you old lease paperwork look on the back page and you most likely will see a paragraph on what condition the vehicle should be in when you return it back to the lease company. Even though it is not your vehicle you must return it in the condition you got it minus mileage. You have the option to have the repairs done yourself and usually they can be done a lot cheaper than the lease company will charge you. Using a company like Bumper Doc will save you approximately ž of the lease repair bill depending on the damage. Another tip is to photograph the vehicle in question before you return it to the lease company and if you can get the shop manger who corrected all the problems to sigh off on the repairs that helps. Lastly don't drop the vehicle off without a lease representative inspecting the vehicle and giving you a signed receipt that the vehicle looks fine. Sorry this isn't the news you wanted!

11-6-2007
Dave: I have an old Chevy truck, a 1974 ˝ ton that I use for weekend projects. It has over 200,000 miles on it and I have decided it is time for a rebuild or a new engine. It does use oil and doesn't have the power it used to. My question to you is which would be a better way to go, rebuild the engine or buy what Chevy calls a crate motor? What I'm looking for is an engine that will give me the mileage this one did. Love your column! Dan, Rancho Bernardo.
Dan: The answer to this question is easy, go with the crate motor it comes with a better warranty than a rebuilder can give you and if you want to up the horsepower you can do that as well as long as the engine you chose was available in 1974. (Smog Laws). You may want to keep the old engine as long as the dealer doesn't want it for a core charge that way if you keep the truck long enough it may become a classic and having the original engine is a plus.

Dave: I noticed the other day Costco has put signs on their gasoline that stated that they have added additives that help keep the gas clean and they are monitoring some kind of filtering system that does an added cleaning. What is up with that? Jerry, San Marcos.
Jerry: I saw the same thing last weekend, it is about time. The filter system your speaking of has something to do with the flow rate of the fuel coming from the tanks to your vehicle, if they see a slow down of fuel flow then it is time to change the filter. I know of no other station monitoring fuel flow so I'm a little curious with the need for a filter that must be able to change. I'm looking into it and if I get any more information I will let you and the readers know.

Dave: I heard you on your radio show last week talking about SEMA having 30-inch tire and wheel package for today's cars and trucks. Why would the tire manufacturers do that? Or is it the rim companies just trying to get more money out of us. I love a good custom car but theses larger wheels are stupid in my opinion, what do you think? Carl, Oceanside.
Carl: Personally I'm not fond of this new trend but after asking Walter from Dub at SEMA his answer was "were only doing what are customers ask". These wheels and tires are for looks only so if you like the look, great, if not don't buy them. They do nothing for the ride and will cause you to modify the brakes and suspension. If the tire and wheel package gets to big then you will be in violation of the headlight height law, and Walter said there is a 36-inch package in the works!

10-30-2007
Dave: I just bought a 2007 Toyota FJ and love it a lot except it must run 91 octane fuel. I was not aware of that when I bought it, must I run 91 octane fuel? Will it hurt anything if I run 87 octane fuel? I traded in my old 4Runner and it ran fine on 87 octane, and I figured the FJ would be the same. I respect your advice and I hope you will allow me to run 87 octane gas. George, San Marcos.
George: Well I hate to give you bad news, but yes; you will need to run 91 octane gas. The FJ demands 91 octane fuel and anything less will affect the engine long term in longevity and performance. Look at it this way, pay the gas station now or the repair shop later but I will tell you the latter will cost you more than what you're paying at the pump. We are starting to see more vehicles demanding 91 octane fuel to meet emission standards so make sure that is one of the questions you ask your salesman before purchasing your next new vehicle especially if fuel cost is an issue.

Dave: I see new cars at Costco and was wondering will I get a better deal at Costco than at the dealership. My wife warned me that everything at Costco has a defect or problem and she said these cars and trucks must have something wrong with them, could this be true? I'm in the market for a new commuter vehicle and wanted to ask the expert before I made my final decision. Bill, Encinitas.
Bill: I must admit I try to look at everything I buy from Costco to see if there is a misprint on the packaging, a defective packaging, or what ever but I can assure you the vehicles sitting outside Costco are no different then what you will see at the dealership. Will you get a better deal at Costco? I don't really know, what I would do is get a price from Costco and see if the dealer will match the price, if so buy it from the dealer if not buy it from Costco but I'm willing to bet the dealer will meet the price. Good question, maybe I will look at those vehicles a little closer!

10-23-07
Dave: I had the weirdest thing happen to me the other day. I drive an old Toyota Corolla with only 87,123 miles on it. As I was driving to work I started to hear a screeching sound coming from my speedometer and all of a sudden the speedometer needle started to spin like a clock on steroids then all of a sudden it snapped off and landed in the bottom of the instrumentation pod. The noise continued and to date it still screams at me once I get over 10 miles per hour. I'm a starving student and was wondering if I should fix it and what would it cost? I was also wondering what caused it to do what it did. Not that it will make any differences. Hope your answer will fit my pocket book. Gail, Escondido.
Gail: First off the problem is due to lubrication or the lack of, and as far as the cost it could be pretty expensive since you may have to replace the speedometer head or the complete speedometer housing. You will need to take it to a shop, there are speedometer shops, an independent general repair shop or the dealer. Before you go to the dealer remember that Toyota never made parts to fix your problem they will want to replace the unit. My personal choice would be a wrecking yard, once you find the correct part take it to a speedometer shop and have it lubed real good before installation and that should take care of the problem. Oh your question, buying the part from a wrecking yard should fit your pocket book!

Dave: I have never read your column before but I was in Oceanside for a doctor's appointment and the paper was just laying there so I decided to read it and was a joy to find someone answering car related questions, why doesn't the Union Tribune have a great service like the North County Times? Well since I read it and you offer to answer questions I have one for you, I live in the Kearny Mesa area and have a nasty dent in my 2 week old Lexus. I'm sick about it and my wife is not real happy either. I have seen ads for these mobil guys that fix dents, the problem I have is the mobil part, once they do the repair and then their gone and something goes wrong their gone. Do you have any suggestions? I went to the dealer and they wanted around $1500 to fix it because they had to blend in the repair, whatever that means. I just subscribed to the North County Times and thank you for what you do! Jack, Kearny Mesa.
Jack: Wow, thanks for the kind words and thanks for the subscription! It just so happens there is a shop in your area that does fabulous work and it is guaranteed for the life of ownership. They are called Bumper Doc and they are at 3885 Convoy St. and you can call them and make an appointment at 858-505-0770. I have used them twice and was thrilled with the results, plus they do a whole lot more to your car from dent repair to a complete detain department.

10-16-2007
Dave: I drive a 1999 Dodge Minivan and lately it will start and run fine then if I stop for a couple of hours and then it will not start. I have it towed and when it gets to the repair shop it starts up fine. The mechanic said there were no codes in the computer and because I have 155,454 miles on the van and he said it may be the fuel pump which is in the fuel tank. He doesn't want to change out the pump without it failing but this puts me and my family in a touch situation. What would you suggest? Mechelle.

Mechelle: Well I must agree with your technician, if he replaces the fuel pump without proper diagnosis your problem may not be the fuel pump and you're broke down again and forking out even more money for the correct repair. I used to be a service manager for Chrysler and it is true that the fuel pumps on your minivan fails from around 120,000 to 160,000 miles so I have a trick you can try the next time it will not start, get a blanket, a rubber mallet put them in the van and the next time it will not start lay the blanket on the ground right at the gas door, have someone try and start the van and while it is turning over take the mallet and hit the bottom of the fuel tank in the middle a couple of times as hard as you can, if it starts don't shut it off and take it to your technician. Tell him what you did and then he can replace the fuel pump with confidences. The jarring of the fuel tank by hitting it with a mallet jars the fuel pump and it will work until you shut it off again.

Dave: I'm in the military and just shipped in from the East Coast and I have a question you may not be able to answer. I'm a big NASCAR fan and I can't find anyone who sells diecasts NASCARS. Back home there were shops everywhere. This is my first time reading your column and I enjoy it a lot. CPL. Phillips.
CPL Phillips: Your in luck, I'm a big collector myself (Dale Earnhardt Sr.), go to www.totallymotorsports.com and you will see a hugh selection of diecasts for NASCAR and NHRA plus clothing, hats, jackets all of the latest selections plus a large selection of older cars thanks to a diecast swap meet they put on the second Saturday of every month and it is free to attend and display. Call them at 1-800-480-7302.

10-9-2007
Dave: I have had a new Ford F-150 for about 2 years now and I have noticed since it was new it burns about a quart of oil in about 1,500 miles. I took it to the dealer when I noticed the problem and they said that it was normal. I find that hard to believe, I'm been driving for over 30 years and never experienced this kind of oil burning. One thing funny is I never see any smoke when I start the truck up or even while driving down the road. I have even stomped on it to see if I could see the smoke and there is nothing there. I use the correct oil as recommended by the factory and I even use a factory filter still every 1,500 miles I have to add a quart of oil. What is your take on this problem? By the way glad to see your back! Roger, Escondido.
Roger: I'm glad to be back as well, but concerning your F-150 you're not going to like my answer. As you may know I was a service manager at the dealership for 30 years and your problem as you call it is considered normal in the eyes of manufacturer thanks to the ruling of the California Air Research Board, National Highway and Traffic Administration. These government agencies feel oil burning is a normal by product of a combustion engine and that gives the manufacturer an out and the dealership can't do anything about it either especially under warranty. The reason you don't see any smoke is the catalytic converter burns it up before entering the atmosphere. If you wanted to pay to have the engine overhauled the dealership would certainly do it for you, but what is the cost of a quart of oil compared to an engine overhaul? I personally, I would opt for the quart of oil. It also forces you to look under the hood which we all neglect!

Dave: I moved to San Diego from Europe and was surprised to find you can't buy a diesel car unless it is used or it's a truck. What gives? Don't you folks know how good diesel power is? What about diesel mechanics, I did a little checking and the ones at the dealerships that sell diesel trucks don't really have good answers when it comes to diesel and as far as the independent mechanic they seem to understand it better than the dealership. I guess I'm going to have to by a gas burner! Pierre, Del Mar.
Pierre: have no fear the diesel is just around the corner. You should expect them in the dealerships by 2009 or 2010 at the latest and by the time they arrive all the dealerships will have their technicians well trained. I'm with you diesel is long over do but there are some gas burners out there getting 35 to 40 miles per gallon, Scion, BMW Mini Cooper, Chevy Aveo, Nissan Versa just to name a few. Other than that welcome to San Diego!

10-3-2007
Well folks due to popular demand I'm back continuing my Bumper To Bumper column, feel free to email me with any question you have concerning anything pertaining to the automotive world. If it has an engine or if it's a warranty issue I will try to answer all questions submitted. Send all questions to stalld@cox.net or call me at 760-715-5507.

Dave: I just read Chrysler has extended their powertrain warranty to lifetime. How can they do that? I have had Chrysler products in the past and the failure rate was higher than I was willing to accept. I now drive an import which only has a three year powertrain warranty, why is that. Phil, Vista.
Phil: Chrysler had to do something to get the consumer back into their showrooms and this was there way of doing so. You must be careful with their warranty, it only covers the engine, transmission and differential the rest of the vehicle still falls under the 3 year 36,000 mile basic warranty. My suggestion is if you're going to buy a new car or truck and keep it longer than the basic warranty then you should consider the factory extended warranty. Most people that don't regret it!

Dave: My wife and I have always wanted a motorhome but didn't feel we could drive something that big. Do you have to have a special license to own one? If so is there is size limit before you do? And where would you go to learn how to drive one. Sorry for all the questions but we didn't know where else we could ask. Lisa and Gil, Oceanside.
Lisa and Gil: Believe it or not there is no special license required to drive a motorhome for personal use. Kind of scary when you think of it. As far as learning how to drive a motorhome most owners rely on trial and error which could get costly. Most RV dealers will be happy to take you out and give you driving pointers on the freeway and in the city. The most important thing to remember is slow is better than fast, look around more than once and if needed have someone get out and help guide you but first make sure your ground guide and you understand the hand signals they are going to use to help you back your new motorhome on the side of your house instead of in it! Good luck.

6-1-2007
White lining by motorcycles is legal.
Dave: I've been living in California for the last year and a half and noticed when I'm driving down the freeway in heavy traffic, motorcycle riders split the lanes and really scare the "you-know-what" out of me and my family. Is that motorcycle practice legal? I would think not and isn't there a speed limit? We moved here from Salt Lake City and I never saw a motorcycle do what they do in California. Love your state, hate your motorcycles! Brad, Encinitas.
Brad: Well, get used to it as it is a legal practice. Due to the over abundance of motor vehicles on our freeways and the massive traffic jams, the state decided to allow motorcycles to do what the state calls "White Lining," which is going between traffic at a safe speed, usually about five miles above normal traffic and no faster than 25 miles per hour over normal traffic. This is because if you sit in traffic long enough sitting on a motorcycle, you could be affected by the carbon monoxide gasses. Plus, the majority of motorcycles are air cooled and sitting in traffic for a long period of time can cause the engine to overheat. So be courteous and let the two wheelers go.

Dave: I'm in the Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton. I was at Camp Lejune before I transferred out here. Where are all the racetracks? Back home, they're all over the place, running series between themselves. I haven't been able to find one track in San Diego. I would have thought that San Diego would have been a perfect place for a year-round race facility. If you have a listing of tracks, please let me know. SSGT Phelps, United States Marines.
SSGT Phelps: You have the answer and don't even know it - it is the weather. Where else can you find weather like we have in San Diego? Sure, it's great racing weather, but the powers that be could care less about motorsports. Instead, it's building homes and commercial parks that excite San Diego businessmen- not race tracks. Locally all we have is Barona Drag Strip, which is an 1/8th mile NHRA sanctioned track. Next door to Barona Speedway is a dirt track. If you choose to go indoor, there's Miramar Speed Circuit and KI-Speed which are indoor kart tracks. Other than that, there's nothing. Going north to the LA area, you'll find a few more tracks, such as Irwindale, Orange Show, Perris and California Speedway, but you need to travel.

5-25-2007
How many drivers does it take to change a light bulb? Just one!
Dave: While cleaning my car the other day, I noticed the dome light didn't come on when I opened the driver's door. I flicked the switch on the door on and off and nothing happened. So I figured I needed a new bulb or fuse. I found the fuse and it looked good but I can't figure out how to get the bulb out. The clear lens doesn't have any screws or clips to release it. How do I get to the bulb? Thanks, Kathy, Fallbrook.
Kathy: To remove the dome light lens, slip your finger under where the on/off switch is located, give a little tug and it should snap right off. Once you have the dome off, the bulb should snap out as well. Don't forget to clean the inside of the lens cover for better illumination once the bulb is replaced.

Dave: About a week ago, my Toyota Tercel was rear-ended and the bumper cover came off. It was a mess, but with a little help from my friends we were able to remove all the foam and broken pieces. But now I have a rear area with no bumper parts. You won't believe what happened next: a police officer gave me a fix-it ticket to have my bumper repaired. I couldn't believe he was giving me a ticket. Who cares if I have a bumper cover? It's my car! I plan to take the police officer to court and fight this one. Don't you agree? Rally, Oceanside.
Rally: If you like going to court and losing, knock yourself out! The law states you must have a working front and back bumper to protect yourself and others in the event of an accident. My suggestion is fix the car and have a nice day!

Dave: I just bought a car with an after-market alarm system but I don't have the alarm fob and can't get the system to work. I don't have any papers on the alarm so I don't know where I should go to get an alarm fob. Any suggestions? Phil, Encinitas.
Phil: I would look in the Yellow Pages under "car alarms" to find a shop that does a lot of different alarms. Take your vehicle to the shop and the technicians there should be able to find the correct alarm fob.

5-18-2007
Trailer seems glued to owner's truck
Dave: I have a rather unusual situation. I bought a six-foot utility trailer to haul my riding lawn mower to the shop when needed. Plus, I was thinking about buying a few quads. When I bought the trailer, the guy at the shop took my truck around back, hooked up the trailer, gave me a few safety tips and sent me on my way. It towed beautifully until I got home. I tried to unhook the trailer and it wouldn't budge. I tried everything. So now my truck and new trailer are permanently joined at the coupler. It's a little embarrassing to have to tow my trailer everywhere I go. Any suggestions on what I should do next? Gil, San Marcos.
Gil: I would take it back to where you bought the trailer and ask the seller to explain why it won't come off the trailer ball. Or you could get a socket wrench and loosen the bolt under the trailer receptacle. Sometimes that bolt may be out of adjustment, either too tight or too lose. Yours is too tight. Trailer owners need to put that bolt in their rotation when checking wheel lugs for tightness. Most people don't even know it's there. Do you know the proper way to install the safety chains? Crisscrossed. Happy trailering!

Dave: What type of fluid should I put in my vehicle's washer bottle? I've been using tap water but my dad said that would eventually clog up the hoses and lines. He said to use distilled water and a cap full of Windex. Can't I just buy a jug of window cleaner and be done with it? Charles, Escondido.
Charles: Your father is giving you good advice, so take it.

Dave: Are there really any advantages to leasing a new car? I'm on the fence and can't decide. Cheryl, Oceanside.
Cheryl: The advantage is that once you've put down the first and last payment, your monthly lease payments are less that a "regular" payment. A lot of times maintenance is included, plus it's easy to trade in and get a new vehicle as long as you take very good care of the car (you will pay for tires and repairs, scratches, dings and dents). The downside to leasing is the mileage. We all are guilty of driving more than we should and with leasing, you pay around 10 to 20 cents for every mile over the limit - so beware.

5-11-2007
Which way should these lug nuts turn?
Dave: The other night my grandfather told me that Chrysler used to have lug nuts that tightened in different directions. For example, the one side was clockwise and the other side was counter clockwise. He didn't know why they were that way, he just knew this from changing tires back in the day. Is that true and if so, why did Chrysler do that? Kim, Escondido.
Kim: Chrysler did have lug nuts that tightened different from one side to the other because they would not vibrate loose. But now technicians use impact guns to remove nuts, bolts and lug nuts. They could loosen the side they intended to tighten. It was a very short-lived practice.

Dave: Every once in a while I get a film on the inside of my car's windshield that's very hard to remove. I smoke, so I'm assuming it comes from my cigarettes. What would you recommend to remove the film and maybe even keep it off the windshield? Chad, San Marcos.
Chad: Raw tobacco in a little cloth bag works the best. Rub it on the inside of the windshield and you'll be surprised how well it removes that haze. Just for your information, the haze is from the material in your dash. The cigarettes may help but most of it comes from the dash in very hot weather. It's not toxic, just a pain.

Dave: Do you know of a shop that applies side cladding like on the Aztec? It looks as if that material provides good protection. When I drive out into the brush to go hunting, the side of my truck gets pretty beat up. I have a new truck and want to protect the sides. Any ideas? Bill, Temecula.
Bill: I'd drive to Kearny Mesa and have Bumper Doc apply a 3M clear coating to the side of your truck. That should protect its paint from brush scratches. Bumper Doc will even come to you if needed. For more information, call Bumper Doc at (866) 372-8673.

5-4-2007
Classic car needs an old fashioned lube and filter service
Dave: I have a classic 1955 Chevrolet that I've owned for more than 20 years. Now that I'm getting up in age, I find it difficult to do a simple lube, oil and filter service. Do you know of any shops in the North County that will do lube, oil and filter service like they did back in 1955? I've been to many shops and had to bring it back because they forget to lube a grease zert somewhere on the car. I know you're the "Car Guy" and if anyone knows where I can go, you do. Thanks for all the help you give in the "North County Times." Harold, Fallbrook.
Harold: Funny you should ask that question. I have a friend who owns the Jalopy Shoppe in Escondido. He restores old cars and trucks and anything else that needs special attention. His crew is very talented. We were just talking about where could someone with a classic car get an old fashion LOF service, which he does all the time. He showed me the old lube charts that he has had for years and he only charges $19.95 for the complete service. Call the Jalopy Shoppe at (760) 740-2421 to make an appointment.

Dave: Do you have to buy paint sealant to keep a new car warranty active? I had a salesman tell me if I didn't buy the paint sealant, he couldn't sell me an extra warranty. The lot he owns is not really a new car lot. He goes to auctions to find good cars and sells them off his lot. I've never bought from him before but was surprised when he said I had to buy paint sealant to get a warranty. What do you think? Larry, Del Mar.
Larry: Time to go to a different car lot. Sure, he can make any kind of demands when it comes to buying his cars, but you don't have to give in to them. Go to a dealership or used car lot that will treat you right. If it sounds fishy, it usually is!

Dave: I want to put a locking gas cap on my 2007 Honda Civic, but my Dad said it was a waste of money. He said it is almost impossible to siphon gas from today's cars and trucks. Is that true? He also said a locking gas cap may fail during the smog inspection and then you're in real trouble. Is he telling the truth or trying to scare me? Linda, Rancho Bernardo.
Linda: I don't know if he is pulling your leg or not, but he is correct when it comes to locking gas caps. They do fail a lot of the time during a smog inspection (although your new Honda will not need a smog check for at least six years). Siphoning gas is a lot more difficult than it used to be and most new car owners don't have that problem.

4-27-2007
Classic car needs an old fashioned lube and filter service
Dave: I have a classic 1955 Chevrolet that I've owned for more than 20 years. Now that I'm getting up in age, I find it difficult to do a simple lube, oil and filter service. Do you know of any shops in the North County that will do lube, oil and filter service like they did back in 1955? I've been to many shops and had to bring it back because they forget to lube a grease zert somewhere on the car. I know you're the "Car Guy" and if anyone knows where I can go, you do. Thanks for all the help you give in the "North County Times." Harold, Fallbrook.
Harold: Funny you should ask that question. I have a friend who owns the Jalopy Shoppe in Escondido. He restores old cars and trucks and anything else that needs special attention. His crew is very talented. We were just talking about where could someone with a classic car get an old fashion LOF service, which he does all the time. He showed me the old lube charts that he has had for years and he only charges $19.95 for the complete service. Call the Jalopy Shoppe at (760) 740-2421 to make an appointment.

Dave: Do you have to buy paint sealant to keep a new car warranty active? I had a salesman tell me if I didn't buy the paint sealant, he couldn't sell me an extra warranty. The lot he owns is not really a new car lot. He goes to auctions to find good cars and sells them off his lot. I've never bought from him before but was surprised when he said I had to buy paint sealant to get a warranty. What do you think? Larry, Del Mar.
Larry: Time to go to a different car lot. Sure, he can make any kind of demands when it comes to buying his cars, but you don't have to give in to them. Go to a dealership or used car lot that will treat you right. If it sounds fishy, it usually is!

Dave: I want to put a locking gas cap on my 2007 Honda Civic but my Dad said it was a waste of money. He said it is almost impossible to siphon gas from today's cars and trucks. Is that true? He also said a locking gas cap may fail during the smog inspection and then you're in real trouble. Is he telling the truth or trying to scare me? Linda, Rancho Bernardo.
Linda: I don't know if he is pulling your leg or not, but he is correct when it comes to locking gas caps. They do fail a lot of the time during a smog inspection (although your new Honda will not need a smog check for at least six years). Siphoning gas is a lot more difficult than it used to be and most new car owners don't have that problem.

Keep your vehicle's repair records up to date
Dave: I went into my favorite dealership for a few problems, but I didn't get any paperwork. I dropped off my vehicle before the dealership opened, put the key in a blank envelope and wrote on the outside what needed to be done. When I picked up the car, it was also after hours and I got the key from the phone receptionist. She told me there was no cost or paperwork. Should I have paperwork? I would think so. Now what? Darin, Temecula.
Darin: Simple, either call or drive down to the dealership, speak to the service manager and have him generate a repair order that shows your list of complaints and corrections so you have it for your records. If a technician got paid to fix your car, there was a repair order written. So it should be simple. Even if the repairs were minor, you should still have a repair order to help keep your records straight.

Dave: I took the front hubcaps off my car the other day and noticed that the front wheels have a small cap in the center. On one side there's a pin of sorts and a little grease around the pin and flat washer, but on the other side the cap is dented. How important is that cap and does my car really need it? Why wasn't there one on the rear wheels and what's behind the cap? If I decide not to put a cap on the wheel, will the hubcaps do the same job as the little cap? Jason, Escondido.
Jason: The little cap you're referring to is called a dust cap. Behind that cap is a set of wheel bearings that the wheel hub rides on. It must stay clean and dry, so that's why the cap is necessary. Otherwise, the bearing will get rusted and you'll end up paying for a new hub and bearing set. That pin and flat washer you saw are there to hold the bearing set in place. The hubcap does not provide the same protection the little cap will. Plus, these caps are not that expensive and are easy to install.

4-20-2007
Turn signal lenses are turning colors
Dave: I know this may seem like a stupid question, but I've noticed turn signal lenses that are either red or amber. Why the two different colors? Does one illuminate better than the other? Is there a law stating which colors can be used? Can you use another color and get away with it? Geoffrey, Rancho Bernardo.
Geoffrey: My brother loves amber turn signal lenses. Different manufacturers feel one is better during the day than the other. As far as laws go, you must have tail lights, brake lights and turn signals and you must use a lens that illuminates enough light to warn the vehicles in the rear you are about to stop, turn or backup. Right now, the two brightest lights that do not offend are red and amber. White is too blinding and could cause an accident. You must repair all broken or cracked lenses so the white light doesn't cause an accident.

Dave: A few issues back, you mentioned a company that repairs plastic bumpers. What is the company's name and will it come to you? Thanks! Carl, Oceanside.
Carl: The name of the company is Bumper Doc. The phone number is (866) 372-8673 and the company is at 3885 Convoy St., in Kearny Mesa. Come by on April 21 when Bumper Doc is having a customer appreciation party and all services will be discounted that day. I will be doing a two-hour radio show on KCEO AM 1000. Stop by and say "hi!"

Dave: With the "smog monsters" going after motorcycles next, does that mean all the custom exhaust pipes will disappear? Will we finally have quiet Harley Davidsons cruising our streets in harmony? I can't wait. Don't get me wrong. I love Harley Davidsons, but I hate the noise they make. Clyde, Temecula.
Clyde: Sorry to hear that. I think they sounded pretty cool. Right now, after-market exhaust pipes on any motorcycle are illegal, even the ones you buy from a dealership. It's like any law: it's on the books, so if a police officer wants to stop you, he has 100 reasons to do so. Be careful!

4-13-2007
Camry's strange noise is driving owner crazy
Dave: I am having problems with my car dealership. I bought a brand new 2006 Toyota Camry last year and I loved the car for the first month or so. Now it's developed a noise that is driving me crazy. I have taken it into the dealership three times and all three times they could not duplicate the noise. I want to file for Lemon Law consideratin, but a lawyer told me that since no parts have been replaced or any real attempt has been made to fix it, I don't have a leg to stand on. I've read your column for years and thought you might be able to help me. What would you recommend I do to correct this problem? I can't afford to sell the car, so that's not an option. Carol, Encinitas.
Carol: The urge to tell you to turn up the radio is overwhelming, but that would be the old Dave trying to be funny. What you need to do is get someone in the dealership to go for a ride with you so you can point out the noise that annoys you. Once someone in the dealership hears the noise, then it will be a lot easier to get them to correct the problem. Once the dealership says they fixed it, go for another road test with the same person who heard it the first time just to make sure your problem is corrected. Be sure you get paperwork on this repair for your records.

Dave: I went into my favorite dealership for a few problems, but I didn't get any paperwork. I dropped off my vehicle before the dealership opened, dropped the key in a blank envelope and wrote on the outside what needed to be done. When I picked up the car, it was also after hours and I got the key from the phone receptionist. She told me there was no cost or paperwork. Should I have paperwork? I would think so. Now what? Darin, Temecula.
Darin: Simple, either call or drive down to the dealership, speak to the service manager and have him generate a repair order so you have it for your records. If a technician got paid to fix your car, there was a repair order written. So it should be simple.

4-6-2007
Vehicle owner likes fishing in the dark
Dave: I'd like to install a back-up camera on my truck so when I hook up a boat, I can do it alone. Are the cameras in catalogs any good and how hard are they to install? How well do they work in the dark? I go fishing early in the morning and sometimes it's very dark. Thanks for your time and keep up the good work. Gary, Temecula.
Gary: I've tried the factory installed and aftermarket cameras and they work quite well. Of course, money plays a big part in clarity and sharpness in the dark as well as in the light. As far as installing one yourself, I suggest downloading the installation instructions off the internet to see if you're up to the task. I personally like someone else installing a new product. That way, if anything doesn't work, it's up to the installer to find and fix the problem. Plus, you get a warranty on installation along with the product. The only problem I can see depends on the placement of the taillights on your vehicle while backing up and applying the brakes. You might find a bright glare from the taillights blocks out the trailer receiver. I've run into this on a unit that was designed to shine on the trailer hitch. I would go to a few large boat dealers and pick their brains. They might even have one set up so you can test it.

Dave: I've heard illuminating the underside of a vehicle keeps rats and rodents away. Is that true? I spent about $1,000 on rat damage to my truck last month. The truck sits in a field and is only used sparingly. I can't put Decon down because there are animals running lose on the property. Thanks. Beverly, Escondido.
Beverly: I've heard of the light system working but the best way to protect your vehicle is to move it around and inspect the engine and trunk area on a regular basis for rodent building materials and droppings. Try the lights and let me know if it works!

Dave: How hard is it to put a reserve gas tank in the bed of my 2006 Silverado? I use my truck a lot and need as much fuel on board as possible. Where would you recommend taking it for the conversion? George, Vista.
George: Take it to the dealer and ask for the fleet manager. He is used to modifying trucks and will do it right so that you won't have problems in the future.

3-30-2007
Adjusting headlight leaves vehicle owner in the dark
Dave: I had to replace the headlight on my Toyota pickup since it burned out on high beam only. I've never done this before and I accidentally removed the adjusting screws instead of the removal screws. So when I put the new headlight in and replaced the adjusting screws, the headlight is way out of whack. I checked with a bunch of repair shops to see what they charge for headlight adjustments and because I'm a student, I can't afford to have them adjusted. On the other hand, I can't drive this truck with a headlight this messed up. Do you have any suggestions? My grandfather reads your column religiously and he said you could help. Shane, Temecula.
Shane: I've done the same thing before and it was a pain. If you can't take it in, the best way to adjust the headlights is get the correct screwdriver, wait until night and pull the truck up to a garage door on flat ground. Park the truck about 15 feet away from the garage door and turn on the headlights. Put them on low beam and look to see where they shine. There are two adjusting screws on your headlight bucket, one at the top for up and down adjustments and one on either the left or right side for side-to-side adjustments. If the light is off to the right, turn the side screw until it comes into the center. You can base your adjustments off of the left light you didn't touch, run black tape on a level across the garage door for guidance. It should only take a minute or two to get the proper adjustment. Good luck.

Dave: Is it true you can automatically adjust a parking brake by backing up and applying the brakes? If this is true, why doesn't the handbrake on my vehicle work? It's located between the driver and passenger seat and when I pull it all the way up, it doesn't hold. I have a feeling it is broken. What is my next step? Jeff, Lecuadia.
Jeff: In a perfect world, your vehicle's handbrake would adjust when backing up. You need to see if your vehicle has that option, as some vehicles do and some don't. Ask the service department of your dealership to look up your vehicle and ask them the proper way to adjust the handbrake. Even if your vehicle will adjust when backing up, the system could be defective. I haven't known them to be very reliable. I always recommend having the handbrake adjusted at least once a year, no matter what type of emergency braking system you have. That way, you're assured that the emergency brake will hold when you need it to.

3-23-2007
Car winner wants to keep car in prize-winning form
Dave: It's been more than 30 years since I've had a new car. I didn't buy this car - I won it. I've maintained all my own vehicles, but as I looked around and under the car I couldn't find a place to grease the ball joints or drive shaft. In fact, it didn't have a drive shaft. The dealership told me it was a front-wheel drive vehicle that doesn't need lubricating. What can I do to the vehicle to keep it in good condition? Why do garages and dealerships still advertise lube, oil and filter service? Love your column. Keep up the good work. Harold, Lake Elsinore.
Harold: Grease fittings have been eliminated because of advancements in the components that need lubrication from time to time. Most ball joints and tie rod ends are sealed from the factory with products, so they don't need servicing. As far as the drive shaft goes, if the vehicle has one - and a few do- it still needs to be lubricated, so don't throw away your grease gun. When a shop or dealership advertises a lube, oil and filter service, this refers to hinges, locks, wiper arms, filling the washer bottle and checking and topping off all the fluid levels. The best way to maintain your new vehicle is to follow the maintenance section of the owner's manual to see if you're in the normal or severe driving section. Congratulations on winning a new vehicle!
Dave: My husband just bought me a new Lexus with a key fob instead of an ignition key. I hate the key fob! Can I replace it with an ignition switch so I can get my key back? Gloria, Escondido.
Gloria: I'm surprised you don't like the key fob. It's the latest in technology and allows you to open a locked door with your hands full just by having the key fob in your pocket or purse. You cannot change it to a key system. It's all incorporated into the wiring harness and on-board computers, plus it would ruin the value of the car. My suggestion is to give the car to your husband and drive his or get an older car with an ignition key.

Dave: When coming to a stoplight, is it better to put the transmission in neutral or leave it in gear and apply the brakes?
Jeff: Leave the transmission in gear, apply the brake and let the engine compression help stop the vehicle. By doing it that way, your vehicle's brakes will not overheat and will last longer.

3-16-2007
Sagging headliner has car owner sagging as well
Dave: I have an older car with a sagging headliner. It sags so badly that it actually lies on my head like a scarf. I'm too embarrassed to take anyone with me in the car. I was told by a buddy to stick thumbtacks in the ceiling to hold it up. Also, it doesn't hang down as far if it's cold outside but when the temperature gets above 70 degrees it really drops. Do you have another suggestion other than thumbtacks? The car is in perfect shape other than the headliner and I want to keep it as a classic. Phil, San Marcos.
Phil: You do not want to use thumbtacks, which could be dangerous or at least painful. Take the car to an upholstery shop to have the headliner repaired or replaced with a hard compound liner. Depending on the make, model and year, you could even get the original replacement so the vehicle keeps its original condition for classic status.

Dave: Because you talk about Transmasters in the paper and on the radio, I thought you were just doing commercials for them. But I just wanted to say that I went to the Encinitas shop because I thought my vehicle had a transmission problem and it turned out to be a fuse. Just wanted to say thanks and you're right - Transmasters really does the right thing! Scott, Oceanside.
Scott: Thanks. I will send the message on to the folks at Transmasters. I don't advertise any product or service on either of my radio shows unless I check them out thoroughly. If they ever cross the line, I drop them. All I have is my reputation and I value it more than money. Just ask anyone.

Dave: Would you buy a used hybrid vehicle and if so, which one? I like the Toyota Prius but the Honda would be OK as well. Sally, Del Mar.
Sally: If you must have a hybrid then you must first look at where you're going to drive. If you do more freeway driving, then choose either the Honda Civic or Toyota Prius. But if you do more city driving, the Toyota will get better mileage. Before you buy a hybrid, I'd look at a lot of other cars that get great mileage, such as the Mini Cooper, Volkswagen Jetta or Toyota Yaris, just to name a few. If the battery on a hybrid dies, you're talking more money than the vehicle is worth and extended warranties do not cover the battery pack. So beware!

3-9-2007
Wobbly steering has car owner shaking his head
Dave: When driving slowly through a shopping center the other day, I noticed that when I let go of the steering wheel, the wheel rotates right and left again and again. It kept this up as long as I was moving. I thought that was pretty strange so I took the car on the road and took it up to 55 miles per hour, let go of the wheel and the switching back and forth disappeared. I thought it might be the parking lot surface, so I went home and tried driving it slowly on my street and it did it again. Do you have any idea what could cause this to happen? I'm not too concerned, since it goes away at highway speeds. Love your column, so keep up the good work. I hope my question hits your column. Richard, Vista.
Richard: You may have a bigger problem than you realize. It sounds as if a belt inside one of the front tires has either broken or separated. This could be caused by hitting a curb, chuckhole or even a parking block. The reason you don't feel it at 55 miles per hour is due to centrifugal force, as the broken or separated belt is being pushed against the rest of the belts so the wobble disappears. You need to have the bad tire replaced. Take it to a tire shop to have all the tires inspected and tested. If you don't, that broken or separated belt will get worse and eventually come apart - most likely on the freeway. Thanks for the kind words. I like the fact you are in tune with your vehicle.

Dave: I can't believe I did what I'm about to tell you! I just bought a brand new Ford diesel truck last month and accidentally put about ˝ gallon of gasoline in the tank. It has been a month since I did this stupid thing and everything is running fine. Should I take it to the dealer and tell them what I did? My friends said I killed the longevity of the diesel motor by doing this. What do you say? Monty, Escondido.
Monty: Sounds as if you didn't hurt anything if it has been a month since you did it. Tell your buddies to take a hike. No reason to take it to the dealer as long as it runs fine today. If you would have filled it full with gasoline and drove it, then you would have had a problem but a ˝ gallon in a full size Ford should not be a problem. I would throw in an injector cleaner just for good measure.

3-2-2007
Dave: Should I buy a can of fix-a-flat to keep in my car for emergencies?
I have been told that that stuff is bad on alloy wheels and if you use it you should take your tire into a tire shop and have all that goop removed and replace or repair the tire, what is your take on that? George, Temecula.
George: I got a photo mailed to me about 5 years ago showing how a flat repair product ate away a set of very expensive alloy rims, it seems the owner thought it would be proactive to add the product to his tires before he had the problem and sure enough the product ate away the rim and eventuality leaked out all the air. If I get a flat I will change it or call AAA, why take a chance, just make sure you can change a flat tire (practice at home) or at least join AAA.

Dave: I have a car that has had its "check engine light" on for the last six months. The problem is I need to get it smogged and a good friend of mine who smog's cars said he won't smog it until I turn the light off. I don't understand his position? The car drives great and the fuel mileage is not bad either. Do you know a shop that will smog my car with the light on? I appreciate any help you can give me. Clyde, Temecula.
Clyde: There may have been a time when a crooked smog technician would have done it for a hefty price but today you must fix the problem with your car and then have the light turned off. Even though the car runs fine and you think the fuel mileage meets your standards there is a good possibility that your car is polluting the air. Your problem could be a simple fix like a bad gas cap! If you're financially challenged the state has a program that will help you fix your car, you pay an amount and they pay an amount. Go to the state's website, www.smogcheck.ca.gov.com for more information.

2-23-207
Fender bender breaks new car owner's heart
Dave: My wife and I bought a new Nissan a couple of weeks ago and we love the car. But while at the movies the other night, someone must have backed into the rear of the car and pushed in the bumper. I took it back to the dealer where I bought it and asked what it would cost to have it repaired. The representative said the bumper cover would have to be replaced and painted to match our car. The cost would be around $1,500! I almost fainted. Even with my insurance deductible, that's out of my price range. I've seen ads for companies that fix damaged bumpers but I've been skeptical because they charge only a fraction of what dealerships do. What is your feeling about these bumper repair shops? Do you have a recommendation we could use without the fear of doing more damage to our new Nissan? Mel, Oceanside.
Mel: There is nothing worse than walking out and seeing your pride and joy damaged, especially when the person who did it doesn't have the nerve to stand up and take responsibility. They probably don't have insurance. If you've been reading my column, I'm always on the look out for companies that do the right thing and in your case I found just the company. Bumper Doc is a mobile service or you can go there. Call (866) DR-Bumper or go to www.bumperdoc.com. Depending on the amount of damage, you could be looking at as little as $250 to repair your Nissan's bumper. Keep your fingers crossed!

Dave: When driving, does it hurt the automatic transmission if you slip into neutral before coming to a stop? I've always done this in cars with manual transmissions and so far had no damage. You're probably wondering why I do this. My car was rear ended a couple of years ago and the police officer said if I had been in neutral when I was hit that I and my vehicle would have sustained a lot less damage. So now I practice putting the transmission in neutral. But a co-worker has been riding with me when I slip the transmission into neutral and he said I could do damage it if I keep it up. Is he right? Bill, Vista.
Bill: If done right, it won't damage a thing. But you're wearing out your vehicle's brake pads sooner than needed. You could overheat the brakes, depending on the speed you're traveling or if you're on a downgrade. The transmission drag while in gear helps stop your vehicle and there's less wear on the brakes. Plus, if you slip up, miss neutral and engage "Park," it could get financially ugly.

2-16-2007
What's with these odd cars on the road?
Dave: Every once in a while I see a Chevy that doesn't look like something from a Chevrolet showroom. Where does this car come from? I've seen Nissans and Volkswagens with weird looking license plates I don't recognize. I've even seen a little pickup that resembled a Chevy El Camino, but a lot smaller. Any idea as to what I've seen? Bill, Del Mar.
Bill: Funny, I've seen the same thing (because I drive all day long). What you're seeing are vehicles that have been imported to Mexico from all kinds of brands and they can drive into the US for business or pleasure. Can you buy one? No! They don't meet Federal safety and emission standards, as they are all smaller vehicles. We seem to be the only country that must have a vehicle slightly bigger than a small house to move around town. It's kind of fun trying to find and describe what just went by. It's like the car games we played when we were kids.

Dave: I've heard that the government may eventually start smogging motorcycles. How could this be? I've never seen a motorcycle belching smoke. It's bad enough they make me wear a helmet, but now they want to smog my hog. If that happens, I will sell my bike and take rapid transit. "Dog," Oceanside.
Dog: Don't get into a panic. The law hasn't passed yet and most likely this new smog law will only pertain to new bikes. So that older bikes may not be tested. But if the law is applicable to older bikes, I'm sure the standards will be a lot less than what's required on new bikes. If you remember, they were after lawn mowers, weed whackers and leaf blowers but they're still out there belching blue smoke on occasion. I'm all for clean air but let's look at the real cause and you all know what I mean. I'll keep riding my lawn mover until it dies and I'm sure when I replace it, I'll get a more smog-friendly one that will it work as good as my old one. So don't panic until I do!

Dave: Should I buy a can of fix-a-flat to keep in my car for emergencies? I've been told that this stuff is bad for alloy wheels and if you use it, you should take the tire into a tire shop to have all that goop removed. Then you need to replace or repair the tire. What's your take on that? George, Temecula.
George: About five years ago, I had a photo mailed to me showing how a flat repair product ate away a set of very expensive alloy rims. It seems the owner thought it would be proactive to add the product to his tires before he had the problem and sure enough, the product ate away the rim and eventuality leaked out all the air. If I get a flat, I change it or call AAA. Why take a chance? Just make sure you can change a flat tire by practicing at home or at least join AAA.

2-9-2007
New car owner wants to take good care of his vehicle
Dave: I just purchased a new 2007 Toyota Camry. Do you recommend any of the products that keep a dash shiny? This is the first time I've bought a new car and I want to keep it for as long as I'm driving, so I want to take really good care of it. Do you have any other suggestions to keep my new car "new" all the time? I love your column. It's because of your review that I bought the Camry and I love it! Thanks. Ken, Oceanside.
Ken: You bought a great car and to keep it in tip-top shape you need to follow the maintenance guide in the owner's manual. There's a section on exterior care in the book as well. I don't like putting chemicals on dashes or door panels because they can have a tendency to dry out when you lose the enthusiasm of having a new car. I would buy a good car cover from a company like Coast Car Covers, (call 800-231-5180 and if you mention either of my radio shows, you'll receive a nice discount). Also, stay out of automated car wash systems. Either wash it yourself or have it detailed by hand. Lube all the door, trunk, and hood hinges once a year with good lithium grease, keep tire dressing on tires as it will help to keep them from cracking, try and park away from other vehicles and only wax the car when it needs it (your detailer will help you there), use nothing but factory parts and the road should be long and rewarding. One more thing - stay away from cheap gasoline.

Dave: My Lincoln LS just got hit in the bumper and now there's a big dent, although it didn't break the paint. The dealer wants more than $1,000 to repair and paint it. Do you trust any of these bumper doctors that advertise around town? My insurance said it would pay for the repair. What are your thoughts? Lois, Escondido.
Lois: I would opt for the bumper repair. Just pick one in your area and drive by to see how busy it is. Or call the used car manager at your dealership and ask who he'd recommend to repair the bumper (and make sure to tell the repair shop the dealer recommended it). The only other problem that may occur is if something inside the bumper itself was damaged during the impact, which may require replacing the inner parts of the bumper, which will send you back to the dealership. Remember, that bumper is designed to take up to a five MPH impact. Any damage can make another accident even worse than the first, so repair it correctly!

2-2-2007
Tightening bolts can lead to exhaust gasket blow out
Dave: It sounds as if my 1987 Toyota 4X4 has a slight exhaust leak at the header pipe. When this happened before I tightened the header pipe bolts and everything was fine for six months. But last weekend when I tightened the bolts nothing changed, so it still has an exhaust leak. What would you recommend as my next step? Chad, Escondido.
Chad: Most likely the exhaust gasket has blown out from the last loosening because when tightening the bolts, you probably broke the old gasket. You need to replace the old header pipe gasket and don't forget to lock tight the old bolts so they don't back out again.

Dave: Is there a law that you must have mud flaps on a pickup truck? My buddy and I have a bet on whether it's the law or not. Do you know? Bill, Oceanside.
Bill: The only law I know that mandates mud flaps is if the tires stick out beyond the fenders of the truck or if you have oversized tires on the truck. If the truck is running stock tires and wheels, there's no law I'm aware of that says you must run a certain size mud flap. However, it's a courtesy for other drivers as it present the tires from flinging a rock up into their windshield.

Dave: Does it hurt a rear window defogger if you put heavy limo tint on top of the wires that run through the rear glass? I have been told it does and doesn't. What's your take on this subject? Linda, Temecula.
Linda: The problem with putting any kind of tint on a back window with a defroster is that if you leave the defroster on too long, it will burn the window tint and could short out the window defroster itself. People who use rear window tint either don't use their defroster again or keep a close eye on how long they leave it on. Window tint companies do not warranty their tint if you have a rear defroster.

Dave: How hard is it to add power door locks to a car that doesn't have them? Rachel, Vista.
Rachel: I just "Googled" power door locks and came up with a company that has a wide variety. They cost around $250 plus installation and that would depend on your vehicle. I'm guessing around $500 should get you locked and unlocked with a push of a button!

1-26-2007
Electric cars really do work
Dave: The other day on KUSI you had on these little electric cars. They're kind of ugly but seemed to fill a need. Why do they have three wheels? Can you drive them on the freeway? What's their range? Do you need a 220 charger? I work only a few miles from home and I'm trying to decide whether I should walk or ride (I could use the exercise). Great segment. I'd like to see you do more. Dale, San Diego.
Dale: Electra-City Motors carries the Zap Xebra, which is a four-door car, as well as the Xebra PC, the only electric pickup truck. They can be charged at a 110-watt outlet, travel a distance of 40 miles at a top speed of 40 miles per hour. No, they can't go on the freeway but for what you need, it would be perfect. They cost around $10,000, which will pay for itself with the way gas prices are rising. Electra-City Motors is at 738 West Washington Ave., Suite D, in Escondido. For more information, call (760) 670-3388 or you can check out www.electracitymotor.com.

Dave: I'm sure this question has been asked a million times, but my wife and
I just bought a new car that requires 91 octane gasoline. If we don't use 91-octane fuel, will it void our powertrain warranty? We've been burning 87 octane and haven't seen any difference in performance other than fuel mileage. What gives? Bill, Temecula
Bill: You should be burning 91-octane. Yes, the manufacturer could void your powertrain warranty if it discovers that burning inferior fuel is the cause of a failed part or clogging of a fuel injector. You see, cheaper fuel doesn't have all the additives the other fuels have, so it could do damage over the long haul. Try Chevron, which seems to keep its prices reasonable and has additives such as Techron, the main cleaning agent in all fuels.

1-19-2007
Is a rocket scientists required to install a car stereo?
Dave: I want to upgrade the sound system on my new Nissan Xterra. I got a stereo system for Christmas but can't figure out how to remove the old radio to install the new one. Once I looked at the new sound system, I noticed that the ends of the wires have no connectors to connect to the Nissan wire harness, so it looks as if I need to cut and splice. Will I have a problem with the installation? Jerry, Temecula.
Jerry: There are not a lot of things I don't know about but one of them is installing any type of sound system. I once blew up a perfectly good AM/FM stereo with only two speakers. I hooked it up according to the instructions, re-connected the battery, turned on the radio and a large plume of smoke came from under the dash and the stereo never worked. So with that being said, I'd go back to where the stereo was purchased and see if it offers installation. If so, have a technician do it. It's worth the money you spend, as you get an installation warranty and it keeps the stereo warranty alive as well. One pitfall to installing electronic equipment is where do you pick up power? Connect the system wrong and you will mess up ABS brakes or air bag function, just to name a few.

Dave: You ranted and raved about the San Diego International Auto Show being the best it could ever be. I attended the show and it was as good as ever, but it wasn't as good as you said it would be. There weren't as many concept cars as I expected, the cars display was pitiful and I never found my way up to the sail room. I will continue to attend the show because it allows me to look at all the new vehicles in one place without the hassle of the salesmen. But I'm disappointed in your preview of the show. You should have known what was coming. Blair, Encinitas.
Blair: All I can say is I just reported what was going to appear. I was a little disappointed as well, but all-in-all the show succeeded in what it set out to do -to give the San Diego community an opportunity to come down and kick some tires and put as many butts in the seats as possible. As far as upstairs goes, you missed a pretty exciting display. Oh well, better signage next year, get a map or call me and I will take you on a tour so you don't miss a thing.

1-12-2007
Bumping cars can provide a quick jump start
Dave: I came out of a club the other night to find my car battery dead. A friend said we should bump start it, which we did and the car started right up. But could the bump do any damage to the starter or engine drive train? I didn't know you could do that with a stick shift vehicle. However, my car still won't start. It has been sitting for about a week now waiting for me to come up with the money to fix it. Hope you have some good advice that's cheap. Walter, Vista.
Walter: Back in the day, it wasn't uncommon to bump start a car with a dead battery or a bad starter. If you had enough friends, you could go forever before fixing the car. As far as any damage to your car, I've never heard of any damage done while bump starting (except for the time I tried to bump start my buddy's car, it got away from us and crashed into a fence). Most likely your car battery is dead. Turn on the lights and turn on the ignition key to try to start the vehicle. If the lights dim out during starting, it's the battery. If they stay bright, it may be the starter or ignition switch. And, depending on the year of the vehicle, it could be in the electronics. Good luck.

Dave: You've mentioned the proper way to use jumper cables when starting a car with a dead battery. Could you go over the process again? I had my battery jump started and the tow truck driver hooked the red cable to the red cable but took the black cable and hooked it to the metal part around the radiator - and then the car started. I thought you had to put the black cable on the black cable? Happy New Year and keep up the good work! Greg, Escondido.
Greg: Either way works, as all you're doing is looking for a good ground. So you can clamp onto a piece of metal under the hood or just clamp onto the negative battery post. Don't forget to remove any hand or wrist jewelry, make sure the area you're in is vented and that you have a good, heavy-duty pair of jumper cables. Happy New Year to you as well!

Dave: I'm sure this question has been asked a million times but my wife and I just bought a new car that requires 91 octane gasoline. If we don't use 91 octane fuel, could it void our powertrain warranty? We've been burning 87 octane from Costco and haven't seen any difference in performance other than fuel mileage. What gives? Bill, Temecula.
Bill: As long as your vehicle is burning 87 octane from Costco, then you should be OK, although its mileage may suffer. Yes, a manufacturer can void your warranty if you don't follow the warranty and a component is damaged. They will claim negligence on your part.

1-5-2007
Is it a bad time to get a car with a timing belt?

Dave: The cars I used to drive had a timing belt that needed to be replaced or the engine would self-destruct. Then, I had a Mitsubishi and the belt broke, costing me over $5,000 to put it back on the road. I sold it right afterwards and swore off timing belt-equipped cars. I'm thinking of getting myself a new car but how do you find out if the car has a timing belt? Hope you have a happy new year and keep up the great work you do. Karl, Escondido.
Karl: Some vehicles still using timing belts and others have timing chains. The timing belt connects the camshaft, which opens and closes the valves to allow fuel and air into the combustion chamber. Then the fuel and air goes to the crankshaft, which controls the pistons that compress and explode the fuel air mixture. When the belt breaks, the camshaft/valves and piston get out of sync and collide with each other (usually at freeway speeds) and there's a massive explosion in the combustion chamber and usually a rod goes out through the engine block. This doesn't happen all the time but the internal damage usually requires a complete engine replacement. There are other engines that use timing belts so if the belt breaks, there's no internal damage. These are called non-interference engines. The best way to find out whether the car you're dreaming about has a timing belt is to contact the service manager of the dealership you're going to buy from and ask. Don't forget that chains break too, so find out the replacement intervals before buying and ask the cost of replacing the belt or chain. You may find the car of your dreams has a timing belt.

Dave: Is it me or are manual transmissions going out of style? I read your column every week and you seem preoccupied with manual transmissions. Do you know something we don't? I hope the manual transmissions stay because I enjoy shifting myself and I'm 82 years young! Keep up the good work. Constance, Lecuadia.
Constance: You're a woman after my own heart. Glad to see you're with me on transmissions. No, I don't have any insight on transmission futures but I hope the manual stays around at least as long as I do. I enjoy shifting and in heavy traffic I just throw it into neutral. Shifting seems to keep you in touch with your vehicle.

To all my readers: Have a happy and safe new year. Remember to "keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down" and to be respectful to your fellow drivers.