Bob Weber – Page 10 –

At higher altitudes, you can get by with lower octane gasoline.

Motormouth: Altitude reduces need for octane in fuel

May 5, 2020 at 11:33 a.m.

Q: I want to ask a follow-up question regarding a recent column. I always use regular gas, except when I'm driving out West in high altitudes. If I'm driving through...

Jeff Hermsen, store manager of Just Tires in Deerfield, Ill., checks tread depth of a tire using the penny test on November 2, 2017.

Motormouth: Do the penny test to gauge tire wear

April 28, 2020 at 3:50 p.m.

Q: Would you please repeat the information about doing the penny test on your tires to determine if they have enough tread depth? My wife and I take walks and...

Low-cost brake pads often wear quicker and produce more brake dust than higher-priced alternatives.

Motormouth: Good brakes are worth paying more for

April 17, 2020 at 5:02 p.m.

Q: Based on my last inspection, I am due for new brake pads for my 2011 Cadillac SRX. Searching brake shops, I find a wide range of prices starting at...

Motormouth: Aftermarket backup camera’s a cinch

April 14, 2020 at 4:26 p.m.

Q: We have a 2006 low-mileage Mercedes-Benz. The car doesn't have a backup camera. Can you recommend anything to help us out in finding something to install to solve the...

Keyless ignition systems make it easy to forget to turn off the car, so keep your key fob close at hand and check to ensure the engine is off before you get out of your car and lock it.

Motormouth: Locking car with motor running: A problem for manufacturers to tackle?

March 31, 2020 at 4:25 p.m.

Q: I find it strange that I can get out of my car and lock it while it still is running. This is a safety factor. I have stated this...

When a lane-changer slows your adaptive cruise control speed, your brake lights signal the change to motorists behind you.

Motormouth: Yes, adaptive cruise signals slowdowns with brake lights

February 28, 2020 at 4:07 p.m.

Q: While using adaptive cruise control at highway speeds, any vehicle that cuts in front of me can cause my car to slow down rather quickly. I can see that...

Students at WyoTech in Long Beach run diagnostic tests on a car inside the automotive lab in this 2011 file photo. WyoTech is a unit of Corinthian Colleges. A new study has found for-profit graduates earn less than they did before entering school.

Motormouth: Fancy diagnostic tools of limited use to average driver

February 21, 2020 at 2:51 p.m.

Q: I have been reading about the "must haves" for 2020. Several articles have stated that portable car diagnostic tools are one of the must haves. When I go to...

To find out if your tires are fine, place a penny head first into the grooves of your tires. If you see the top of Lincoln's head, your tires need to be replaced.

Motormouth: Why do tires wear out at 20,000 miles?

January 31, 2020 at 1:01 p.m.

Q: In 2015, I purchased a 2015 BMW 328i. In 2019, during an oil change at 19,500 miles, the dealer recommended I replace the tires due to tread wear. I...

Man cleans car with brush during snow storm in New York.

Motormouth: In cold climes, keep the tank full

January 24, 2020 at 1:03 p.m.

Q: Is it still important for those of us in cold weather areas to keep the gas tank full? — J.A., Chicago A: Yes, it may be important to keep...

A vibrating or wobbling steering wheel likely indicates that the steering damper needs replacement.

Motormouth: At first sign of steering wheel wobble, fix the damper

January 17, 2020 at 2:33 p.m.

Q: I purchased a used 2019 Ford pickup with 11,000 miles on it. As I was driving on I-80 at 70 mph, suddenly the front end started to vibrate. I...

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