Has this happened to you? You go to your regular place for a simple oil change and the mechanic says, “By the way, you could use some new shocks and/or struts.” Your first thought is probably, “Really? I wonder what that will cost!” Your second thought may be, “How do I know if I really […]
Check Engine Light Series: Article #2 Did you know there are more than 1,400 reasons that can cause your vehicle’s “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” warning light to turn on? The light is part of your vehicle’s on-board diagnostics (OBD-II) system and can indicate anything from a quick fix like a loose gas cap to a major […]
Question: For the past couple weeks, I’ve been hearing a high-pitched squealing or whining noise in the engine area when I first start the car in the morning. It makes the noise on and off for the first few minutes I’m in the car–pretty much by the time I hit Milwaukee Avenue near Vernon Hills. […]
Question: Why does it seem like I have to replace my brake rotors every time I need new brake pads? You used to be able to machine or “turn” the rotors once or twice before they needed to be replaced. Answer: Great question, and it’s one we hear a lot. Until the last decade or so, machining […]
You probably don’t plan on racing down the white-capped Alps in your Audi or burning rubber at the top of frigid Mount Fuji in your Toyota, installing snow tires on your import automobile can be a hot idea for the cold weather. We understand the allure of “all-season tires”: No shelling out the bucks for four […]
Q. My college-age twins are heading off to college, and I am worried they might not recognize the warning lights on the dashboard or worse yet, just ignore them. Can you give me a crash course in how to educate them about dashboard lights? A. Remember flash cards? Many of us learned our three Rs—Reading, […]
Question: I was reading an article recently that said changing my oil every 3,000 miles is an outdated idea that costs me more money and is bad for the environment. According to the article, today’s oils can go 5,000 miles or more and I should look at my owner’s manual to see how often the […]
Question: I recently had my oil changed at a quick lube and was told I needed a brake fluid flush. I’ve never heard of that before. Is that legitimate car maintenance? Why would I need to change the brake fluid? Answer: Yes, flushing or changing the brake fluid is legitimate preventive maintenance for your car. […]
Question: I get my car’s oil changed regularly, but often skip the tire rotation. A mechanic recently told me that my tires will wear faster if I don’t rotate them. Is that true? Answer: The short answer to these questions is “yes” and “yes.” A tire rotation is indeed worth the time and money. When you […]
A Check Engine light isn’t cause for alarm but it could signal an important warning sign. Its presence could mean any number of under-the-hood snafus. Your vehicle’s Check Engine light can pop on for more than 1,400 different reasons–all related to your vehicle’s tailpipe emissions. Part of your vehicle’s on-board diagnostics system, the Check Engine […]
