Articles filed under McAllister, Doug

• Tough to compare phone estimates of car repairs Sep 30, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. Why is it when I call around for prices to replace the shocks and struts on my minivan the amounts vary so much from shop to shop? Then to add insult to injury, I can buy these parts dirt cheap on the Internet.
  

   

• Many factors contribute to a dead battery Sep 16, 2012 12:00 AM
  We all have these scenarios that play out in our minds which we hope will never happen! I have one that I, as the owner of an auto repair shop, have thought about many times.
  

   

• Brake fluid moisture can cause failure Sep 9, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. Over the past few years, I've had an auto repair shop tell me the brake fluid needed to be flushed in the car since the oxidation level was high. Is this something that needs to be done, or is really unnecessary?
  

   

• After driver retires, car gets worse fuel milage Sep 2, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. I have a 1994 Dodge Spirit and for years I got 20 to 22 miles per gallon. I retired in June last year, and since then the mileage keeps going down. I know no longer driving 28 miles a day to work will drop the fuel mileage a little, but it is now down to 17 mpg.
  

   

• Parking brake only as good as the cable Aug 26, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. I have a 1996 Chevy S10 pickup truck. The parking break was used every day up until two weeks ago when, as I released it, the pedal came back slow. The next time I pushed the emergency brake pedal down to the floor, it would not release.
  

   

• Fuel gauge, fuel pump still not connectingAug 19, 2012 12:00 AM
  I recently received a follow-up question from the driver of a Pontiac Montana minivan whose fuel gauge was malfunctioning, always reading full. I had recommended he use a scan tool to measure the signal.
  

   

• Ice buildup can block air flow from A/C Aug 5, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. On a recent trip, the cabin of the car started to get warm. The air was cold and the fan sounded as if it were at full speed, but only a minimal amount of cold air was coming through the vents.
  

   

• Claustrophobic driver wants to avoid power windows, locks Jul 29, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. In the next year or two I will be in the market for a new car. Because I'm claustrophobic, I don't want power windows or the doors to automatically lock when I start the engine. Are there manufacturers that will make a car to a person's specifications?
  

   

• Fuel gauge malfunctions can be misleading Jul 22, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. When we turn the ignition on, the fuel gauge always reads full, no matter how much fuel is in the tank. While driving, it still reads full. However, when we come to a stop, about a minute later the gauge drops to empty and the low-fuel indicator comes on.
  

   

• Fuel pump barely outlasts warranty Jul 15, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. Thirteen months ago our local Ford dealer installed a new fuel pump in our 2003 Ford Windstar van. Last week that pump failed. The same dealer installed a second fuel pump for a grand total of $1,268. Safe to say I was not too happy.
  

   

• Oil debate continues on change intervals Jul 8, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. I'm a regular reader of your column and typically enjoy its content. But I believe you "missed the boat" regarding your cautionary response a reader who recently requested your opinion on synthetic vs. regular oil.
  

   

• Recycled oil should still be clean Jun 24, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. In your experience have you ever heard of recycled oil being used at dealerships for oil changes? Can you direct me to a place where someone can run a check and tell me if that is recycled oil?
  

   

• Directional tires shouldn’t be crossed when rotated Jun 10, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. In a recent article, you had a Q&A about tire rotations. While I agree with everything you said, I believe you forgot one important comment. What about car owners who have unidirectional tires?
  

   

• Faulty water pump sometimes hard to diagnose Jun 3, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. I have a Audi with a strange overheating problem that no one can seem to find. For the most part the car will run great with no problems at all and then randomly the temp will go way up and the car will overheat. Do you have any suggestions?
  

   

• Under the hood: Rust usually excluded from warranties May 20, 2012 12:00 AM
  A reader wonders if his 100,000-mile warranty will cover an excessive rust problem. Suburban auto shop owner Doug McAllister answers your car questions.
  

   

• Under the hood: Rotate tires diferrently on four-wheel and front-wheel drives May 13, 2012 12:00 AM
  For years, tires were rotated the same. But now, with all-wheel, front-wheel and rear-wheel drive vehicles, rotating tires is more complicated.
  

   

• Under the hood: Replace parts in pairs May 6, 2012 12:00 AM
  Auto repair columnist Doug McAllister recommends one habit he would like people to develop; that is to replace things in pairs. Whether it be a light bulb or a suspension part like a ball joint or a brake caliper, it is real good practice to replace both sides.
  

   

• Under the hood: Brake plates should be cleaned of rust Apr 29, 2012 12:00 AM
  Regular maintenance will help keep optimal rear brake performance, says shop owner Douglas McAllister, who sees rust conditions or braking plates that rust away on many trucks and SUVs.
  

   

• Under the hood: Shocks, struts often ignored Apr 22, 2012 12:00 AM
  Did you know April is Car Care Awareness Month? Its that time of year again when we all start thinking about taking some vacations or maybe some long weekends that requires putting a few extra miles on the car.
  

   

• Undeer the hood: Fuel tank should not rust prematurely Apr 6, 2012 12:00 AM
  Fuel tanks will rust out from time to time but this should not happen with a garage-kept car that is less than 10 years old, says local shop owner Doug McAllister.