Doug McAllister/Under the Hood: “What causes engine ‘tick’

Q. When I first start my car in the morning, I hear a ticking noise coming from the engine. It’s a 2003 Ford Escape Limited with a V-6 engine and 70,000 miles. It goes away after 30 seconds or less and doesn’t do it upon subsequent warm startups, like after a visit to the grocery store. I’ve changed oil on a routine basis, but just to be sure I didn’t get inferior oil or the wrong weight put in on the last oil change, I had it changed again at the Ford dealer using their super blend oil. That didn’t help — it still does the “ticking” noise on cold starts.

Is this something serious to worry about? I’ve heard differing opinions. What could be the problem and how can I get it properly diagnosed?

A. Good question, John! It really depends on how severe the noise is and how long it lasts. It sounds, from your description, like you have a lifter or two that is bleeding down when the car sits over night. When you start it cold it takes a few seconds for the oil to build pressure and pump the lifter back up and that is when the noise goes away.

If that is all it is I don’t think you need to worry, the vehicle will perform fine indefinitely like that. If you want to try something to improve the situation, you could put a can of BG MOA in the oil; sometimes that will cure a lazy lifter. If nothing else it will improve the oil flow when cold.

Q. Why would the tire store have put two new tires on the back of my car when it is a front wheel drive vehicle? It seems to me you would want the better traction in the front of the car going into winter.

A. It does seem counter intuitive but they did the right thing. Whether it is front-wheel drive or not and you are only replacing two tires, you always put them on the back of the car. The reason they go on the back is for safety while stopping. If you have your best traction on the front and you go into a panic stop or a hard stop on slippery pavement, there is a possibility the front of the car could stop faster than the back causing a bad skid. So for safety and liability purposes, the tire manufacturers require new tires be put on the rear of the car.

Ÿ Douglas Automotive is at 312 S. Hager Ave., Barrington, (847) 381-0454, and 7218B Virginia Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-0440. For information, visit douglasautomotive.com. Send questions to underthehood@dailyherald.com.