Q–We have a ’96 front-wheel-drive car with anti-lock brakes. The owner’s manual states tire rotation every 5,000 miles using the “X” pattern. My national-chain tire retailer rotated my tires twice using the front-to-back, same side pattern. He said, “They don’t `X’ tires anymore, only on four-wheel-drive vehicles. Also, 70 percent of the tire wear is on the front.” What’s the scoop? S.M., Chicago
A–Because most of the weight is upfront and the front tires do all the work to pull your vehicle, they do wear faster than the rear tires. That is why you must rotate them regularly.
When it comes to the rotation pattern, it seems everyone has a different opinion. It took several years after the advent of radial tires to get people to stop doing a five-wheel rotation that included the spare. The new pattern became front to rear. Next came the front-to-rear rotation plus rears crisscrossed in front. Today, however, the accepted rotation pattern is just as it states in your owner’s manual. Show it to your tire dealer. Ask him to follow it. If he grumbles, remind him who the customer is.
Q–I just purchased a used ’95 Toyota Camry from a Mazda dealer. The car has power windows and door locks, and I’m interested in getting a power sunroof cut in. Should I take the car back to the Mazda dealer, to a Toyota dealer or to a reputable body shop? I am interested in a great price and great quality (guaranteed work). L.J. Glenwood
A–We would not take it to the Mazda dealer who simply sold you a used car. Nor would we take it to a Toyota dealer because they don’t install sunroofs. Car dealers farm out the work to body shops or sunroof specialists, add a percentage for themselves and collect from you.
Look in the Yellow Pages under Automobile Customizing and call around. Ask about the full cassette type in which the glass slides back beneath the original roof. These generally cost around $1,200. The other choice is the spoiler or slider type that opens (though only about three-quarters of the way) above the roof. These often look sportier and cost less, around $700-800.
Most good installers will offer a lifetime warranty against leaks as long as you keep the gaskets clean and the drainage channels open.
Q–I have an intermittent speedometer on my 1994 Plymouth Voyager and when the speedometer is not working, neither is the odometer. A Chrysler dealership has replaced the speed sensor, speedometer, circuit board and engine computer. Now they want to replace the same parts again. Do you have any suggestions? G.D., Lockport
A–We hate to make a guess that could result in costly parts replacements, but because your dealer has offered to replace some of the components again, let them do so at their cost. But keep your records. If this problem cannot be corrected under warranty, you still may be able to get it fixed when the warranty expires as long as there was an unrepaired, pre-existing condition.
Q–I have a 1990 Cadillac Deville that had the same problem (Motormouth, Aug. 31) as R.E. of Des Plaines’ Eldo has. My Deville would coast too far as though I was still giving it gas. I didn’t think much of it, but when my car was repaired for a lack of heat, the persistent coasting went away. It seems that replacing the thermostat did the trick. J.T. Elk Grove Village
A–We’re grateful for your input, J.T. It makes sense that, if the coolant never reaches operating temperature, the temperature sensor may be reporting to the computer that the car has not warmed up. The computer, in turn, would signal the engine to run at a higher idle. Because heaters aren’t used in warm weather, the underlying problem may not manifest itself.
By the way, you may enter self-diagnostics to get a read of all the sensor inputs by simultaneously pressing “off” and “warmer” on your climate control, then stepping through the information screens.
Q–I have a 1995 Ford Windstar with about 25,000 miles. The problem is the air conditioning. It seems to go on and off (blowing uncooled air) every few minutes. The mechanic couldn’t find anything wrong. Could it be the thermostat .H., Chicago
A–If you are referring to the thermostat in the cooling system, no. Though it could be responsible for a lack of heat, it does not affect the air conditioning. We suspect the orifice, or expansion, tube may be icing up from a trace of moisture in the A/C system or the evaporator is icing up because of a restricted drain in the housing. Ask your technician to inspect them.
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Bob Weber is an ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician. Write to Motormouth, 17717 Silcott Springs Rd., Purcellville, Va. 20132. Send e-mail with name and town to motormth1@aol.com. Answers are supplied only through the newspaper.
