Doug McAllister

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Doug McAllister of Douglas Automotive in Barrington writes a weekly Under the Hood column.

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items 1-10 out of 69


Nearly all oil is replaced when changed

Jan 25 2013 | 10:15 am - Q. My question is about engine oil capacity. The owner's manual states when changing the oil and filter it takes 7.7 quarts. I had my first oil change done by my Ford dealer. They replaced the filter and six quarts of oil.

Buy correct fuel for optimal performance

Jan 18 2013 | 10:25 am - Q. The owner's manual for my Jaguar says to use a minimum of 91 octane gasoline. The top gasoline at most stations is 93 octane, and 89 octane is also available. Would it hurt anything if I filled up with 93 octane and top it off with the 89 octane...

Cold weather freezes up cruise control

Jan 10 2013 | 4:21 pm - Q. I have been using the cruise control on my 2006 Grand Marquis on a regular basis. It works just fine except when temperatures get below about 40 degrees. Then I need to wait until the car warms up before it can be made to activate.

Winter tires increase traction for performance cars

Jan 04 2013 | 12:14 pm - Q. I bought four Goodyear Eagle GTs for my 2006 Pontiac G6 GT coupe. They do not perform well in snow. Do you think this is because the tires I bought are too aggressive for the car?

Car maintenance is also smart finances

Dec 28 2012 | 4:05 pm - One thing of which we can be sure is 2013 will be a more expensive year for most of us. I have talked about the advantages of good auto maintenance before but in these challenging economic times it is worth bringing up again.

Battery care is vital for stored cars

Dec 16 2012 | 7:49 am - Q. I purchased a new 6-year battery in January 2011. On average, how many weeks would a garaged 2002 Pontiac Bonneville's battery be OK before a trickle charger would be necessary?

Short trips still tough on engine

Nov 30 2012 | 4:17 pm - Q. The dealer recommended I have the timing belt changed at a cost of $489.95, transmission flush at $169.95 and coolant flush at $139.95. I keep my 2008 Elantra in the garage when not in use. It is in showroom condition and only has 22,000 miles on...

Biodiesel blends worry fleet owners

Nov 16 2012 | 10:54 am - Here's a follow-up to my Nov. 4 column on biodiesel fuel blends. Many diesel fuel suppliers in Illinois are switching from B5 (5 percent biodiesel) to B20 (20 percent biodiesel) fuel. One fleet technician says Mercedes-Benz requires buyers of its...

Make sure biodiesel won't void warranty

Nov 02 2012 | 2:49 pm - Q. Im looking at a new vehicle and like the idea of a diesel SUV. However, I've heard talk that Illinois diesel-fuel blends have caused many manufacturers to say they will void warranties if it's used.

Engine oil vapor may cause problem

Oct 12 2012 | 12:29 pm - Q. I own a 2008 GMC Acadia with a 3.6-liter engine. My mechanic noticed oil pooled underneath the air filter. He told me it appeared to come up the air intake hose from the engine to the air filter.

items 1-10 out of 69