Q--In some recent columns, there's been a discussion about the procedure for resetting the service reminder for cars after an oil change. I think a better answer to his question would have been for you to have told him to look for that information in the owner's manual of his car.
I've been taking my Honda Civic to an independent garage and they failed to reset the service reminder light. So I cleverly thought to look in my owner's manual and there, much to my surprise, were the instructions for how to reset it! Who would have figured?
So before you resort to black tape or harassing your car's dealership service department (they probably won't know how, either) read the owner's manual. It's absolutely amazing what kind of stuff you'll find in it!
A--The owner's manual is one of the least read books in the English language. It is often the most lost book, too, as it seldom seems to go along with a used car when sold.
Oxygen-starved
Q--I have a 1997 Dodge Stratus with a 2.4-liter four and I have changed the oxygen sensor twice already in two months. It just went bad again. Every time I run diagnostics, it shows that the oxygen sensor is the only problem. Once it goes bad, the car drives fine, but gas usage increases by 37 percent, which is horrible. I have over 230,000 miles on this car, but I am not ready to buy a new one yet. Any ideas what is causing this problem?
A--Oxygen sensors do not usually die, they are poisoned. This can come from such things as silicone that is sprayed near the engine or from antifreeze in the coolant. A head gasket leak is a common culprit. Have yours checked out.
Big lugs
Q--I had my tires rotated and was told I needed a rear brake job, but I was told they were okay for a little while.
I had intended to do this myself. The day I went to pull off the wheels I had another unpleasant experience. I had to use a four-foot pipe to break loose the lugs. Could there be any damage to the rims for being overtightened the way they were?
I used a torque wrench at 140 pound-feet and found that info in my handbook on the Z71 pickup. Would the lug nuts have broken loose at the same setting to which they were tightened?
A--Although your rims could be damaged, particularly if they are alloy rather than steel, it is unlikely. Look for cracks or frets around the bolt holes.
It will probably take a little more that 140 lb-ft to break loose the nuts as there may be some light rust or corrosion between the studs and nuts, but it won't take a four-foot pipe for leverage. Smear a tiny bit of anti-seize compound on the chamfer of the holes on alloy wheels, but do not allow any on the threads of the studs or nuts.
Static and paint
Q-- I've always been under the impression that in order to ground yourself from static electricity that you have to touch unpainted metal, as the paint acts as an insulator just like the coating on electric wires. So, if you touch the painted body of your car, are you in fact discharging the static electricity?
A--The dielectric properties of wire insulation are much greater than a microscopically thin coat of paint. The electrical pressure (voltage) from the electrostatic discharge easily penetrates the paint. Just about any metal part of the car will dissipate the charge.
Security breach
Q--The security light is on in my 2000 Chevy 1500, and the truck will not start. Are there any tricks to fix this? We tried turning the key on for ten minutes then tried starting with no luck.
A--Leaving the key on for ten minutes probably won't help. It is better to remove the key for ten minutes. You might also try using your spare key. But if neither works, you will have to call a Chevy dealer for help.
Carbon handprint
Q--I have a 1988 Lincoln Town car. It recently started having a sort of knocking kind of problem. It does it only every now and then. It's mostly when you are pressing the gas pedal and it mostly happens between 30 and 45 mph. It may do it once or twice, sometimes more. If I take the pressure off the gas pedal, it stops and then it seems to be fine. Any ideas in what this may be and how to fix it?
A--The fix probably lies in cleaning the carbon from your combustion chambers. Not only does carbon buildup increase the compression to the point that knock can occur, any bits of carbon that glow will ignite the fuel mixture before it is supposed to ignite. You may want to try a chemical additive, but if that doesn't work, it might be necessary to remove the heads to clean out the carbon.
Sway back
Q--I have a 2002 Dodge Caravan Sport. When I am driving it, I notice a popping and creaking sound up front when I first start driving or going over rough surfaces. I thought it was my struts, but was told they were okay. What can cause this?
A--These minivans are known for having problems with the sway bar bushings and sway bar links. We suggest replacing the bushings first and, if that doesn't fix it, replace the links.
Ixnay on uidflay
Q--I was told one of the best things for cleaning the injectors is to pour a bottle of transmission fluid in the gas tank. Can u please advise if that's true?
A--Yikes. Don't do it. Automatic transmission fluid is nothing but a highly refined, petroleum-based oil. It may lead to injector clogging. Instead, use one of the fuel injector cleaning products such as Chevron Techron or Gold Eagle Fuel Injector Cleaner.
Due to the large volume, Bob Weber is unable to answer most questions sent to The Car Connection each month. Some may be answered directly, where possible, and others will be included in future columns if the topic is deemed interesting. Be sure to include your real name and full address (city, state, province, country, etc.) when sending your questions.
Weber, a self-proclaimed swell guy, is an ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technician, freelance writer, and former editor of Super Automotive Service magazine. His column, "Motormouth," appears weekly in the Chicago Tribune. He enjoys good tequila, good cigars, and good times. A chemistry school dropout, he still concocts compounds in the kitchen and makes a mean pot of chili. He and his wife live near the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
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