Maintenance & Repairs - October 2007

Early yesterday morning, while traveling on the I-469 at 65 mph, a tire "blew" and virtually was stripped from my Ford Taurus like someone was peeling an orange. Pieces of the tire flew everywhere, damaging the underside of the car and also marring the rear quarter panel with 'remnants' of rubber all over the car's body. How can I remove this without damaging the paint?
The motor club tow truck driver, my mechanic, and a local tire dealer all told me (independently) that Ford intentionally put cheap Continental tires on the '02 Taurus models, and that the tires have a history of exploding. The car only has 42,000 miles on it, and - until this damage - was in perfect condition. Will rubbing compound take the black marks off? Or should I take it to a professional body shop or auto detailer? Thanks in advance for any worthwhile advice!

2007-10-16 05:57:06 · 4 answers · asked by -RKO- 7

I have a 1999 Ford Taurus and the last place that changed the oil crossed the threads on the oil plug, and now it leaks about 3 drops a day. Any ideas on how to fix it? Can I replace the plug? Is there a sealer I can put on the threads? Help!

2007-10-16 05:52:20 · 6 answers · asked by Greg A 2

hello i was giving a new car. 1999 Olds Alero V6 3.4L Auto. i was just told that their was some work that had to be done on the car. i needed to replace the rotors and brake pads because they had been rusted from not being used. Their was a leaking gasket. The gasket i am having a mechanic fix and possible the rotors and pads. i have no clue about cars and my roommate said he could put on the pads and the rotor. I still am going to purchase them and most likely have the mechanic put them on. Do you think my roommate could put the rotors and pads on without messing up the car? Would buying OEM pads and rotors good or bad? i am not truly sure if i should buy different kinds or look to purchase OEM. They are much cheaper then some of the other 's i have seen and i was wondering what to do. Links to websites with them would be greatly appreciated also. Thanks

2007-10-16 05:29:22 · 9 answers · asked by Keith G 1

2007-10-16 05:05:46 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous

I have a 98 mazda 626 front wheel drive car. I have had to replace the right front axle 3 times in the last 3yrs and am wondering what could cause this. I have also replaced the Lf axle once in this time

2007-10-16 05:02:59 · 7 answers · asked by big cec 1

harder than normal what can i do to make ride more smoothe when at a stop sign. It sounds like it is loose or something iam thinkig about changing the engine mounts

2007-10-16 04:46:30 · 6 answers · asked by sonny t 1

I Just replaced the flywheel and got a new fuel line

2007-10-16 02:50:49 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-10-16 00:56:50 · 4 answers · asked by Bruce B 1

2007-10-15 20:38:37 · 7 answers · asked by Jose elmo D 1

i have an audi a4 quattro and the ac is works fine the car warm up fine but the heater wont heat up.. any ideas??
the antifreeze is fulll

2007-10-15 19:05:56 · 9 answers · asked by washington m 2

i have a 1977 gremlin x. it will crank, and idle just fine. it only has a problem when it has a load ont he engine. (going up hill, or fast acceleration) it will even idle uphill, so i know it's not that. what's wrong with it?

2007-10-15 18:44:25 · 7 answers · asked by JUSTIN W 1

2007-10-15 18:39:46 · 10 answers · asked by Allie 1

I bought a 2004 Monte Carlo SS Supercharged car new in 2004. The owner's manual suggests running only PREMIUM grade gas in it. I have run mid grade since day one. Is there really any difference in performance? I have never had any problems with the engine and have never heard and "knocks" as the manual says you might hear if running less than PREMIUM grade fuel. Thank you for all your answers.

2007-10-15 15:51:30 · 19 answers · asked by Peter North 1

If you put bigger tires on your car/truck than what they came with originally will/can that cause your speedometer to show incorrectly? I am arguing with my husband about this :-)

2007-10-15 15:44:44 · 12 answers · asked by Lacy R 1

2007-10-15 15:07:20 · 5 answers · asked by baglady52005 1

I have a 2001 Ford Escort that just developed a loud, power sapping (hahah i know) exhaust problem. A shop looked at it and told me I needed the ? resonator maybe? pipe replaced. It was the longest piece before the muffler....didn't name it for me tho. Then told me the cost of the part was 299!!!! Im not sure the car is worth the total estimate he gave me for the work. I found a resonator pipe on AZ for 136, is it possible that this is not the piece that I need to replace? Thanks for the advice.

2007-10-15 15:04:26 · 1 answers · asked by Jen G 1

replacing my thermostat

2007-10-15 14:31:27 · 3 answers · asked by Tom S 1

2007-10-15 12:14:21 · 4 answers · asked by Kurt S 1

I just bought my car in August and ALREADY I am having problems with it, not bad ones, I mean I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my car...but....I had to take it in today because it is idling weird. They don't know what is wrong. Has anyone else ever had this problem?

2007-10-15 12:10:18 · 1 answers · asked by bodeebabe 2

When it's cold outside, my car has a hard time starting. Also when driving and I come to a complete stop, it has a hard time accelerating. It "chugs" so to speak. If I let my foot off the gas, and put it back on, it USUALLY gets going again. Does anybody know what could be wrong?
Also, when I turn on my AC the car over heats.
HELP!

2007-10-15 12:08:33 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous

and when I fill it, it usually empties out again within two days. How much am I looking at if i fix it. It is a 96 chevy tahoe.

2007-10-15 12:08:20 · 10 answers · asked by Kurt S 1

I drove the car home, reversed it and now it's stuck in reverse. I can move the shifter around but the car still just goes backwards. Any help?

2007-10-15 11:12:18 · 1 answers · asked by Shauna F 2

Ok my car will be driving just fine and all the sudden it will just stop NOT DIE put I can't go anywhere I push the pedal all the way down and the car won't move so I have to shut it off and start it again. What's wrong?

2007-10-15 11:11:03 · 2 answers · asked by C T 2

my car remote starter had a 30A fuse. but i only have 40A fuses. can i use that ? thanks

2007-10-15 10:57:57 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous

If I jiggle it in Park, it will start most of the time. I need to step on the gas immediately or it will not start. Also, it seems to be more responsive the faster I turn the ignition. The problem seems to be getting worse and I have to try multiple times. The car won't start in Neutral. How do I know if the problem is with my Safety Switch or with my Starter? If I do need to replace the switch, what would a reasonable price be?
4 minutes ago - 3 days left to answer.

2007-10-15 10:21:34 · 5 answers · asked by PC Doc 1

2007-10-15 10:14:10 · 13 answers · asked by tony s 5

My car is a mitubushi eclispe (smaller car)

2007-10-15 09:44:14 · 5 answers · asked by blondie 1

Hey,
I just got a flush and fill and brand new hoses, there was a ton of old orange gunk dripping everywhere, the hoses were filled with holes---my car was over heating---I was wondering how long it will take for all the new fluid to work through the car. When I was driving home it seemed to get hot again, but not as bad. Thanks

2007-10-15 09:08:41 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous

I have a 2000 Hyundai Tiburon. I recently had Pep Boys replace the bank 1 & 2 oxygen sensors......twice, because the check engine light keeps coming on. I took my car back for a 3rd time and now they want to do a $95 diagnostic test and said that they still might not figure out the problem. What the hell!!! I don't have the time or money to keep f-ing around with this car! What else could possibly be wrong with it? Help, please.................

2007-10-15 08:59:06 · 6 answers · asked by smalls 2

I have a 2000 cavalier and the engine light lit up.I don't know what is wrong with it.It had a tune up like a month ago.I think it might be something wrong with the engine or has something to do with fuel.When I go at speeds like 15 to 45 it would stumble and act like it don't wanna go.

2007-10-15 08:52:36 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous