Q. I change my own oil and would appreciate hints on what to use to lubricate the emergency brake cable.
Also should I use it every place the cable passes through? I have a 1992 and 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis.
G.A., South Holland
A. Yes, a little lube wherever the cable passes into the sleeve helps.
Though you could use a bit of engine oil, we prefer to use graphite. While you are under the car, put a dab of lube on the spot where the cable loops around that hook in the center.
Q. Approximately two years ago, I purchased a 1995 Cadillac De-Ville. With two people in the back seat, it would bottom out when crossing a speed breaker.
After three trips back to the dealer in two years, they did not correct the situation.
They tell us now that the struts are leaking and need replacing at our expense. Would you think this was the problem all along?
O. M, Mobile, Ala.
A. Yep.
Q. I have a ’99 Ford Taurus with about 61,000 miles on it. Concerned that it might be reaching the point of needing a new timing belt, I called a dealer who told me that it should be changed at 60,000. I found no reference to that in the owner’s manual so I called another dealer who told me the engine has a timing chain. Confused, I asked an independent mechanic who said some had belts and some had chains.
Can you give me an answer?
W.S., Crest Hill
A. Some Taurus engines did have timing belts, they were in the Taurus SHO, which Ford did not make in 1999. You have a chain.
Q. I have a 1999 Cadillac Sedan DeVille. When I put the right turn signal on, it flickers very fast, then regularly for a moment, then fast again. Can you tell me where the problem is?
S.P., Wood Dale
A. It may be a defective bulb. Switch the signals on and walk around the car watching for one that doesn’t glow. If that isn’t the problem, it could be the flasher.
Q. We recently purchased a used 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser with 28,000 miles on it. We love everything about the car except that it gets only 13 m.p.g. in city/highway driving.
Are you aware of any reasons for such low mileage? We get 20-25 m.p.g. on our 1998 Dodge Intrepid V-6 with the same driver.
M.C., Wilmette
A. The EPA fuel economy rating for the PT Cruiser is 20/25-m.p.g. city/highway. We don’t know the condition of the air filter or spark plugs and because they are easily changed, we suggest you do so.
If the fuel economy does not improve, have a technician scan the engine control system’s short-term and long-term fuel trim. If the numbers are bad, a sluggish oxygen sensor could be the culprit.
Q. In cold weather, what is the lowest temperature that is safe to run a car through a carwash?
J.M., Chicago
A. According to Mark Thorsby, executive director of the International Carwash Association, it is safe to take your car through a carwash–especially those where attendants dry the car–as long as it is open.
The same basically applies to the rollover washes found at many service stations because the attendants will shut them down if the equipment begins to freeze up.
If you prefer to use a coin-op, be careful of ice in on the floor and dry the doorjambs, door gaskets and locks carefully.
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Bob Weber is an ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician, having recertified every five years since 1978. Address your technical questions about cars and trucks to him in care of Motormouth, 17717 Silcott Springs Rd., Purcellville, Va., 20132. Send e-mail, including name and town, to motormouth(underscore)trib@verizon.net. Answers will be supplied only through the newspaper.
