Q–After parking my wife’s ’96 Buick Skylark with 10,000 miles in the church parking lot at 9:45, we forgot to turn off the engine. Church let out at 12:30, which means the car was left idling for about three hours. Will this create a problem in due time? She drove it home without anything indicating a problem. L.P., Palos Hills
A–We have seen engines running on laboratory dynamometers 24 hours a day, for days without failing, so we think your Buick has not suffered. You are just lucky it was not stolen. Maybe it has a guardian angel.
Q–I purchased a new Chevrolet Malibu last month and enjoy it very much, but General Motors’ maintenance plan was a surprise: First tuneup at 100,000 miles, cooling system flush and fill every 150,000 miles and automatic transmission fluid and filter change every 100,000 miles. Naturally, I’ll change the oil every 3,000 miles, rotate the tires, replace the air filter and inspect the belts and fluids regularly, but what does your experience and expertise have to say about the GM maintenance schedule? J.L., Oak Forest
A–We won’t argue with the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual. By the way, it warms our cold heart to know that you read yours.
Remember, though, that you cannot ignore problems until your clock ticks off 100,000 miles. Today’s computers are wonderful at compensating and can often mask a problem.
You may not notice any change in performance unless the check-engine light comes on. Just like more frequent oil changes, we like to err on the conservative side.
Q–My husband has a 1995 Dodge Ram (1500) truck that thuds shortly after coming to a stop. He has had the rear end, transmission and torque converter replaced. The noise sounds like a bowling ball rolling from the far end of the truck bed to the back of the seat. Any ideas what it could be? D.R., Glenview
A–Can it be that all those times he said he was going off to see his mistress, he was sneaking off with the boys to go bowling? Nah. We didn’t think so.
Aside from the possibility that someone, playing a practical joke, put a ball between the cargo box body panels, we would suspect a problem with a shock absorber or leaf spring shackle.
A bad bushing on a shock (probably the rear) may allow it to bind and creak. Then, when it releases, cause a thud. The same could apply to a rear spring shackle. If all else fails, advertise the truck for sale to an old pin boy.
Q–I own a ’95 Subaru LS wagon. Every time I take it for service and oil change, it is overfilled by about a quart.
Is this a common practice? Would this hurt the engine? Are these flat engines, similar to the ones on Porsches, any different that they can be overfilled with oil? I keep draining the excess oil, but it is a real pain. G.M., Chicago
A–Who is doing your oil changes? Your dealership technicians should know exactly the amount your car takes. Have you discussed this matter with the service manager?
Assuming they are putting the right amount in, you may have gotten an engine with the wrong dipstick so the reading shows it’s overfilled. Overfilling can lead to oil foaming and possible oil pump cavitation, which can lead to engine damage. Keep the oil level between the add and full marks on the dipstick.
Q–I’ve noticed that remote keyless entry has become much more common and is now available on many models. How unique is the radio frequency to each individual unit? What are the chances of my popping the trunk of an adjacent car when I press the button in an airport or shopping mall parking lot? J.B., River Grove
A–In theory, you could open a neighboring car’s trunk, but in reality, the probability is pretty low.
You may have better luck by trying your key in every car on the lot than by pressing the button on your transmitter. It happens. My father once went out for some Chinese carry-out and returned in a different car. What’s even weirder is that the other guy’s key didn’t work in my dad’s Buick.
Recently, thieves have been intercepting codes as car owners hit their remote lock buttons. The thieves then dial in the frequency and gain access to the vehicle. More recently, some car companies are installing scrambling systems that change the code every time the system is operated. We have a hunch you are more concerned with someone else opening your trunk than you opening theirs. Don’t lose any sleep.
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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 hometown to motormth1@aol.com. Answers are supplied only through the newspaper.
