Q-I have a 2004 Chevy Silverado pickup. About a year ago, the gauges started failing, first the speedometer, then the oil pressure and sometimes the fuel gauge. I was told by other Chevy truck owners that there was a silent recall. Is this true or will it come out of my pocket?
— B.H., Willington, Conn.
A-GM issued a “special coverage adjustment” to cover that problem under warranty for 7 years or 70,000 miles, whichever came first. Your truck is near the end of that coverage so get it in as soon as possible, or it will come out of your pocket. If you have already exceeded 70,000 but not 80,000 miles, they will cover the instrument cluster, but not the labor.
Q-The transmission in my 2007 Ford F150 4X4 pickup feels like it is skipping between 40 and 55 mph, especially when going up a hill. It has 67,000 miles on it and I had the transmission fluid changed at 62,000, but the problem still exists. The dealer says it is the motor and the spark plugs should be changed. I say it is the transmission. Who’s right?
—J.P., New Britain, Conn.
A-An engine miss occurring under load may be due to spark plugs. They are getting close to that 100,000-mile replacement point so it may be wise to replace them anyway. But we can’t take sides in this debate without seeing, and driving, the truck ourselves.
Q-When I have my 2005 Buick LaCrosse in park, it is very had to get it out when I am on an incline. Is there anything that can be done to get it out easy? The dealership says “no.”
—J.M., Ottawa, Ill.
A-We disagree with the dealer. All you have to do is apply the parking brake before you release the brake pedal. This keeps the car from moving and causing the parking pawl to bind in the transmission. Here is the procedure: Put the selector in park, apply the parking brake, and then take your foot off the brake pedal.
Q-I have a 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis with a digital dashboard. When it is dark or cloudy, there is no problem. When the sun comes in the back or side, you can’t tell how fast you are going. Do you have any idea what it could be?
— K.J., Wauconda, Ill.
A-We think it could be around 70 mph.
Q-I have a 2008 Mazda CX9 with a thump that sounds like it is coming from the right front. It increases as I speed up. My Mazda tech took it out and said it may be a wheel bearing. When I picked it up he said everything looked OK. He rotated the tires and said to run it for 1,000 miles and check it again. It still thumps. Now what?
— J.P., Elmhurst, Ill.
A-Some 2007-08 vehicles were built with no grease between the axle flange and wheel bearing where they touch. Usually the noise occurs when starting from a stop, but your CX9 seems to be getting worse. The axle flange must be cleaned and moly grease applied.
Q-I own a 2001 Chevy S10 Blazer. It is comfortable and dependable, but the gas mileage stinks. A GM service manager I know can’t get more than 13 mpg out of his and another person I know only gets 13 mpg after having the truck completely gone over. I am one of the lucky ones with 15 and sometimes 16 mpg. I can’t afford a $20,000-30,000 upgrade. Any ideas for improvement?
— C.F., Tamaqua, Pa.
A-Not in the foreseeable future. The economy is not improving very quickly so your chances of a better paying job may be poor. Oh, wait, do you mean fuel economy improvement? Then, the answer is still no.
Bob Weber is an ASE-certified master automobile technician. Send questions to Motormouth, Rides, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, or email with name and town to motormouth.trib@verizon.net.
