Car Talk

[El Guapo 8]

I have a 2006 Explorer. Its been colder than usual here and in the mornings I get a low tire pressure warning and my car does not start right away. It has never not started, it just turns over for a second or two more than usual. I have never really had that happen with a modern fuel injected vehicle.Is it just the cold, or could it be something else.Also, my Air Bag warning light is going on and off for some reason.Here is payment:

[Sal Paradise 57]

I... don't think that payment is going to work.I bet it's your battery going bad. get a new battery. and transmission. probably that too.

[brvheart 1,747]

I have a 2006 Explorer. Its been colder than usual here and in the mornings I get a low tire pressure warning and my car does not start right away. It has never not started, it just turns over for a second or two more than usual. I have never really had that happen with a modern fuel injected vehicle.Is it just the cold, or could it be something else.Also, my Air Bag warning light is going on and off for some reason.

Get a tune-up.

[El Guapo 8]

Get a tune-up.

It only has 50K miles and had a service like 10K miles ago

[brvheart 1,747]

It only has 50K miles and had a service like 10K miles ago

What was a 'service'?It sounds to me like you need new plugs and wires, which would get changed in a tune-up.

[El Guapo 8]

What was a 'service'?It sounds to me like you need new plugs and wires, which would get changed in a tune-up.

Not really sure. I bought it certified and they say the service it and make sure it's like new. I guess they prob would not change the plugs and wires.Fucking American cars, I never had to do a tune up before 100K on any of my other vehicles.

[brvheart 1,747]

Not really sure. I bought it certified and they say the service it and make sure it's like new. I guess they prob would not change the plugs and wires.Fucking American cars, I never had to do a tune up before 100K on any of my other vehicles.

Good news. Plugs and wires for American cars are about 1/4 of the price of a foreign vehicle, and you just bought a $3000 bed, so any money saved is good.

[El Guapo 8]

Good news. Plugs and wires for an American cars are about 1/4 of the price of a foreign vehicle, and you just bought a $3000 bed, so any money saved is good.

Ya, I know. I just prob won't take the time to do it myself, and I really don't want to pay for someone to do it. I am very yiddy when it comes to this stuff.

[SBriand 4]

Ya, I know. I just prob won't take the time to do it myself, and I really don't want to pay for someone to do it. I am very yiddy when it comes to this stuff.

How about you go make your pick so we can move this thing along like you bitched about yesterday!

[Acekob 0]

Whats the easiest way to remove foil from a buss? It's 18 degrees below zero and we are trying to rid an old buss of it's foil before laying a new layer of foil on it ourselves.We are currently just using basic tools and our nails, and it is taking ages.Any easier way to remove this ?Looking for a very swift reply!

[brvheart 1,747]

Whats the easiest way to remove foil from a buss? It's 18 degrees below zero and we are trying to rid an old buss of it's foil before laying a new layer of foil on it ourselves.We are currently just using basic tools and our nails, and it is taking ages.Any easier way to remove this ?Looking for a very swift reply!

no idea. I don't even know what you're talking about. Also, you didn't follow the rules from the OP.

[Acekob 0]

no idea. I don't even know what you're talking about. Also, you didn't follow the rules from the OP.

Sorry I had about 10 seconds to write that because we were going back to work at the bus, or else I would have included pictures etc.I don't have any of the information you ask for at hand right now, but I doubt it matters as foil has nothing(?) to do with what sort of car/bus you got.And to explain what foil is.. I don't know what it's called in English, but if you're going to customize a logo or something on a vehicle, instead of spray painting it (w/e u call it ugh I suck at English car talk), you can add some sort of Aluminum layer, which already contains the logo, on the vehicle. I found the two pictures below on the internet to show an example of what foil is. The third picture is the bus we are trying to get it off from.Thanks and sorry for the unfinished post earlier.

[qyayqi 11]

what possible causes are there for a car getting significantly lower gas mileage than expected?

[brvheart 1,747]

what possible causes are there for a car getting significantly lower gas mileage than expected?

Too much weight in the car/trunk.Reduced air flow: due to a dirty air filter or clogged PCV value.Clogged Catalytic Converter/muffler.Driving too fast.Car needs a tune-up.

[qyayqi 11]

Too much weight in the car/trunk.Reduced air flow: due to a dirty air filter or clogged PCV value.Clogged Catalytic Converter/muffler.Driving too fast.Car needs a tune-up.

i'll try this: http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Au...page_reviews_liplus i'll take the sandbags out of the trunk.

[Poppy_Hillis 11]

I need new front brake pads and rotors, as well as new calipers on a 1998 F-150. How much should this cost to do? They're calling me with an estimate in the morning, I don't need to be getting raped.

[brvheart 1,747]

I need new front brake pads and rotors, as well as new calipers on a 1998 F-150. How much should this cost to do? They're calling me with an estimate in the morning, I don't need to be getting raped.

You're going to get raped. Move to Iowa, and I'll hook you up.

[Poppy_Hillis 11]

You're going to get raped. Move to Iowa, and I'll hook you up.

Dammit. I feel like I am, but there's nothing I can do.

[El Guapo 8]

2006 For Explorer. ~60K miles. Wife got the oil changed today and Ford said the radiator is leaking. Without knowing where the leak is (it's apparently not a hose) do you think I need a whole new radiator or can It be patched?If I need a new radiator, how much will it cost, and what should the book hours for labor be?

[brvheart 1,747]

2006 For Explorer. ~60K miles. Wife got the oil changed today and Ford said the radiator is leaking. Without knowing where the leak is (it's apparently not a hose) do you think I need a whole new radiator or can It be patched?If I need a new radiator, how much will it cost, and what should the book hours for labor be?

I'll have to look it up for you when I get home, as I have a final in about 33 minutes. What's your zip code?

[Jeepster80125 0]

2003 Ford Explorer, 100k miles. I got rear ended at a stop sign the other day, very minor front bumper damage, very minor damage to the trailer hitch. No impact to any door or anything. The front quarterpanel wasn't impacted or damaged, so it didn't push the door back or anything like that.Since the moment of impact, my DOOR AJAR light came on and remained on for 3 days now.I don't see where the sensor is, so I can't tell which door is ajar/which sensor is messed up, or even what the sensor is. I met with the insurance adjuster today, and the insurance company won't cover this issue, because they say it wasn't a result of the impact. I am obviously not an expert, but this problem started precisely when the impact occurred, and it has never happened before now. Any advice?

[brvheart 1,747]

2003 Ford Explorer, 100k miles. I got rear ended at a stop sign the other day, very minor front bumper damage, very minor damage to the trailer hitch. No impact to any door or anything. The front quarterpanel wasn't impacted or damaged, so it didn't push the door back or anything like that.Since the moment of impact, my DOOR AJAR light came on and remained on for 3 days now.I don't see where the sensor is, so I can't tell which door is ajar/which sensor is messed up, or even what the sensor is. I met with the insurance adjuster today, and the insurance company won't cover this issue, because they say it wasn't a result of the impact. I am obviously not an expert, but this problem started precisely when the impact occurred, and it has never happened before now. Any advice?

Sue your insurance company. Otherwise, just ignore the light forever, or pay a dealer to fix it. It will probably cost less than $200 to fix it.El G, I'll look your stuff up tomorrow. Now that school is done, I'm gonna have more time.

[mrdannyg 274]

Well I just had a fun call. Had our car in out of town a while back, and he mentioned we should get one of the outer tie rods replaced when we were getting our summer tires on. We were in a hurry at the time.So I go to do that today, and the jerkbag says I need 2 lower ball joints and 2 outer tie rods replaced. This will cost $400, plus $70 for alignment.He also refuses to put on my winter tires, as a couple are past the wear bar.Questions:1) Is driving with the joints and tie rods needing a replacement very dangerous? Someone I actually trust said I should not drive with a tie rod needing replacement, though we've been doing so for a month or so.2) Is $400 reasonable for that job? Seems very high. How much should just the parts be?3) Tires - is that normal? They're not in great shape, but not that terrible either. I'm in Canada, so summer tires are only on for a few months. What an ass. This isn't really a question.Thanks.edit - It is a 97 Ford Escort. Got it from an old lady who only drove it to church and bingo (really! She was a family friend) - less than 85K km/50K miles.Sorry, can't answer the rest of the rules.

[SBriand 4]

Well I just had a fun call. Had our car in out of town a while back, and he mentioned we should get one of the outer tie rods replaced when we were getting our summer tires on. We were in a hurry at the time.So I go to do that today, and the jerkbag says I need 2 lower ball joints and 2 outer tie rods replaced. This will cost $400, plus $70 for alignment.He also refuses to put on my winter tires, as a couple are past the wear bar.Questions:1) Is driving with the joints and tie rods needing a replacement very dangerous? Someone I actually trust said I should not drive with a tie rod needing replacement, though we've been doing so for a month or so.2) Is $400 reasonable for that job? Seems very high. How much should just the parts be?3) Tires - is that normal? They're not in great shape, but not that terrible either. I'm in Canada, so summer tires are only on for a few months. What an ass. This isn't really a question.Thanks.edit - It is a 97 Ford Escort. Got it from an old lady who only drove it to church and bingo (really! She was a family friend) - less than 85K km/50K miles.Sorry, can't answer the rest of the rules.

3. Yes, any reputable garage will not put any parts on your car if they pose any danger for fear of the part failing and you turning around and suing him. You can go ahead and put them on but he sure as hell won't be liable for putting on bald tires.

[brvheart 1,747]

Well I just had a fun call. Had our car in out of town a while back, and he mentioned we should get one of the outer tie rods replaced when we were getting our summer tires on. We were in a hurry at the time.So I go to do that today, and the jerkbag says I need 2 lower ball joints and 2 outer tie rods replaced. This will cost $400, plus $70 for alignment.He also refuses to put on my winter tires, as a couple are past the wear bar.Questions:1) Is driving with the joints and tie rods needing a replacement very dangerous? Someone I actually trust said I should not drive with a tie rod needing replacement, though we've been doing so for a month or so.2) Is $400 reasonable for that job? Seems very high. How much should just the parts be?3) Tires - is that normal? They're not in great shape, but not that terrible either. I'm in Canada, so summer tires are only on for a few months. What an ass. This isn't really a question.Thanks.edit - It is a 97 Ford Escort. Got it from an old lady who only drove it to church and bingo (really! She was a family friend) - less than 85K km/50K miles.Sorry, can't answer the rest of the rules.

1) Yes. Your tires could literally fall off while driving down the interstate. Replacing both rod and ball joints seems very plausible on such an old and cheaply manufactured vehicle, like an escort. (You may just want to sell it. It probably can't be worth more than $500)2) Yes. I would have to look up the parts, but I would guess you could get them online for $60-$90. That is a very reasonable overall price.3) Yes. If it's below the wear bead, it's dangerous. If it's dangerous, then the shop could be sued for liability.