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87 Questions

Last Answer on October 20, 2013

Do you think cars are getting TOO technologically advanced? Do you and other mechanics wack nostalgic about how older cars may have had fewer bells and whistles but were built far better?

Asked by The Occasional Auto Purist over 13 years ago

GREAT question. Funny, it was something I was chatting with my boss about today. It is an interesting thing to analyze. One the one hand, the less bells and whistles, the less things that can break. But there is another side to it. The more advanced cars get, the easier mechanics can interact with it. We can use a scan tool and see exactly what the car sees. Air, fuel, and even compression can be seen. It can be seen live while a car is driving down the road. We do get nostalgic for older cars. Mostly because we knew how to fix them faster. The new stuff always has a learning curve.

1133 Votes

Why Does My 2000 Dodge Caravan Alarm comes on by itself when no one is around ?

Asked by Steve almost 13 years ago

Generally it is a failing sensor. It could be for any of the door sensors or the hood or trunk.

1128 Votes

How good is the city & highway mileage of the Aston Mini Cooper in general?

Asked by Steve almost 13 years ago

Steve, refer to the Maroni sticker. You can also get mpg from places like cars.com.

1125 Votes

we have 1995 vw cabrio, after putting in $2200 in parts and labor in this car we scheduled it to be aligned. Just to be told it would cost $94 because it would need to be shimmed. Now they say something is not lining up...wrong tie rods ends??

Asked by erica about 13 years ago

Hi Erica,

The part that would be shimmed would be the rear of the car. Do you know what will not line up? It could be the wrong tierods or tie rod ends. You may also have something else bent.
Please email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com. If you have a copy of the alignment sheet let me know. I will take a look at it.

1117 Votes

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do all tires have a temperature rating

Asked by pepe about 13 years ago

As far as I know, they do.

1116 Votes

this happened at a Toyota dealership. wouldnt I be able to sue for them telling me that the vehicle is good to go and they allow me to drive off the lot, when the vehicle was not to par w/ safety standards. They broke their service contract. Correct?

Asked by DADE almost 13 years ago

You could sue them. I was just saying that if you do, be sure it's worth it. If the dealer fixed your car(as they should with out question) what other obligation do they have?

If they are giving you a hassle about fixing it, then I would put the screws to them for sure.

I guess my big question is, What are you trying to get from a lawsuit?

Don't think that I am on the side of the dealer here. They messed up, and they need to make it right. I just don't see a lawsuit being worth the time, energy and money..

1109 Votes

Hello!
I hope you can help. I was driving up to the hill when suddenly my mercedes A class (170, fabric year 2000) stopped accelerating for some reason, so I stopped the motor and try again, it worked, but after I smelled some annoying smoke?

Asked by Betty almost 13 years ago

This could be anything from being starved of fuel to a failing spark plug. If it did it, then is fine, keep a close eye on it. If it still is acting weird, take it to a repair shop/

1100 Votes

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Auto Mechanic

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Do you think cars are getting TOO technologically advanced? Do you and other mechanics wack nostalgic about how older cars may have had fewer bells and whistles but were built far better?

Why Does My 2000 Dodge Caravan Alarm comes on by itself when no one is around ?

How good is the city & highway mileage of the Aston Mini Cooper in general?

we have 1995 vw cabrio, after putting in $2200 in parts and labor in this car we scheduled it to be aligned. Just to be told it would cost $94 because it would need to be shimmed. Now they say something is not lining up...wrong tie rods ends??

Also on Jobstr...

do all tires have a temperature rating

this happened at a Toyota dealership. wouldnt I be able to sue for them telling me that the vehicle is good to go and they allow me to drive off the lot, when the vehicle was not to par w/ safety standards. They broke their service contract. Correct?

Hello!
I hope you can help. I was driving up to the hill when suddenly my mercedes A class (170, fabric year 2000) stopped accelerating for some reason, so I stopped the motor and try again, it worked, but after I smelled some annoying smoke?

Auto Mechanic

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Do you think cars are getting TOO technologically advanced? Do you and other mechanics wack nostalgic about how older cars may have had fewer bells and whistles but were built far better?

Why Does My 2000 Dodge Caravan Alarm comes on by itself when no one is around ?

How good is the city & highway mileage of the Aston Mini Cooper in general?

we have 1995 vw cabrio, after putting in $2200 in parts and labor in this car we scheduled it to be aligned. Just to be told it would cost $94 because it would need to be shimmed. Now they say something is not lining up...wrong tie rods ends??

Also on Jobstr...

do all tires have a temperature rating

this happened at a Toyota dealership. wouldnt I be able to sue for them telling me that the vehicle is good to go and they allow me to drive off the lot, when the vehicle was not to par w/ safety standards. They broke their service contract. Correct?

Hello!I hope you can help. I was driving up to the hill when suddenly my mercedes A class (170, fabric year 2000) stopped accelerating for some reason, so I stopped the motor and try again, it worked, but after I smelled some annoying smoke?

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Hello!
I hope you can help. I was driving up to the hill when suddenly my mercedes A class (170, fabric year 2000) stopped accelerating for some reason, so I stopped the motor and try again, it worked, but after I smelled some annoying smoke?