Doug McAllister
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Car maintenance is also smart financesDec 30, 2012 3:44 am - There has been a lot of talk about the fiscal cliff lately. Even if legislators are able to come to some sort of agreement in Washington — one thing of which we can be s...
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Battery care is vital for stored carsDec 16, 2012 4:00 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...
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Short trips still tough on engineDec 02, 2012 4:20 am - Q. I had a fuse replacement done at the dealer where I bought my new 2008 Elantra in October, 2007. I lost remote control, map lights and overhead lights, etc. After the...
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Biodiesel blends worry fleet ownersNov 18, 2012 4:09 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 bi...
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Make sure biodiesel won’t void warrantyNov 04, 2012 5:22 am - Q. Im looking at a new vehicle and like the idea of a diesel SUV ... high towing capacity with better fuel efficiency. However, the sales rep at the dealership we visite...
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Engine oil vapor may cause problemOct 14, 2012 5:19 am - 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 ...
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Autumn safety checks for your autoOct 07, 2012 3:43 am - The leaves are changing, the weather is cooling and the kids are back at school. Car safety might feel like a no-brainer all year round, but as another class of student ...
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Tough to compare phone estimates of car repairsSep 30, 2012 5:00 am - Q. My car has not been riding quite right lately so I started researching what might be the cause. From my research it seems I might need to have the shocks and struts r...
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Many factors contribute to a dead batterySep 16, 2012 4:58 am - We all have these scenarios that play out in our minds which we hope will never happen! I have one that I have thought about many times. I have this fear we will have on...
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Brake fluid moisture can cause failureSep 09, 2012 5:31 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 th...