Got Car Questions? Ask.cars.com Has Answers

Today, Cars.com is pleased to announce a new tool that aims to help answer the most common, or the not-so-common, questions about new cars. Our mailboxes routinely receive thoughtful questions from readers and we try to answer every one we get. We felt that these questions deserve to see the light of day on the Internet, and that’s where Ask.cars.com comes in.

You can search previously posed questions and, if we haven’t answered your question yet, you can then submit your own, which may be answered by a member of our editorial team. Readers can comment on each question, but rest assured that our answers have been researched and checked by an automotive expert. Eventually, we hope to have an encyclopedia of car knowledge that is easily searchable. Come help us build it.

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5-15-07 one dodge dealership told me to use the motor oil as stated in owner manual, 10W 30 for my 2.7 6 -cyl. engine in Dodge INtrepid, 1999. another dealership said they been advised to put 5W X 20 oil into the 2.7 engine of the dodge intrepid. My indep. mechanic of my city agrees with 10W x 30 and says the more thick oil or 5WX 20 is too thick given a special problem of that smaller dodge engine to accumulate sludge, and either burn oil or get a shorter engine life. what is the answer? cityjimmy@yahoo.com 5-15-2007

Jim
Please go to http://ask.cars.com and submit your question.

http://www.pera.org/CoreTalk/eb40430.htm

Skip the thin 5w-20 oils. Maybe for the LX Chrysler upsized the bearing to work with very thin CAFE oils.

I have a 1979 Ford Mustang (2.8L V6 Engine). It won't start and I don't know why. I had my friend jumps the car, and the car would get like electricty glitches. The ac and heat and lights, and horn would turn on the go back off in like two seconds. I found that the battery solenoid cable that connects from to the engine block starter to the negative battery cable was corroaded. So I replaced it with a new one. The car still won't start. The spark plugs, oil andeverything is good. My dad says the engine is frozen. But how can a engine be frozen. What can you suggest that might help me start the car up.

I'm no expert but when you go to turn the car on does the engine try to turn over? do you hear a clicking noise when you try to start? Here is what I suggest go to the store buy a spark plug just 1 pull off cylinder 1 spark plug wire and put it on the one just just bought lay it on something (don't hold it lol) try to start the car do you see a spark in the spark plug if not change the distributor or if you have a timing light clamp it on and use that.2 sound like all original wiring not good if you have access to a multimeter start tracing starter,ignition,power,ground and accessory back to make sure 12v or ground is good also doesn't sound like frozen engine quick test with a long neck socket and ratchet and turn the crank turn good no turn bad again no expert but good luck

I have a 1999 Hyundai Accent has the check engine light on I have paid to have it evaluated and the service center said that there is an emissions problem. Oil is also leaking and burning internally. I will have another evaluation through the Hyundai dealership however I would like to be as educated as I can. i have an appointment with Hyundai at 7:30 A.M. tomorrow.

Thank you in advance.

looking for a list of makes taht will last up to 200,000 plus miles.

I have a 2001 plymouth neon and a couple months ago i noticed a shaking when i was stopped anywhere...shaking got worse and now my engine light is on and my car shakes violently at any stop...it only shakes when im in gear and is not as bad when in neutral...if i have my air on however, the car will die whether in gear or not...i just replaced spark plugs and wires...any suggestions as to what to try next? im trying to eliminate all possibilities that i can have a friend do before i see a mechanic...

there is a model 1989 van seting out in the back yard that has a problem. the Engine block
wont turn. ive been promised this car for my first car is there any way i can get this cars block to turn.

I have a 79 Ford F150 and the distributor will not turn and I am no able to adjust the timing. How am I able to free the distributor.

I have a 1993 maxima, the engine turns on but when i put it in drive or reverse it doesn't move. Whats wrong with my car?

what happens when you add oil to transmission fluid?

can you put a 350 v8 from a 1995 Camaro in a 1991 Plymouth laser and if you can what all would you have to do to put it in?

can you put a 350 v8 from a 1995 Camaro in a 1991 Plymouth laser and if you can what all would you have to do to put it in?

I am restoring a MGA and I have a question about wiering the distributor to coil. The way I have it is from ACC to + of the coil from- of the coil to distributor contact. Alternator has a thin wire and a thick one thin goes to ACC and thick one to battery. Isthis corect?

I changed oil for my daughters friend and her oil smelled like it has gas in it. She just bought the car so I think it was jerry rigged just to sell. It is a 1988 Buick. Your help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Wade Deans

IS IT POSSIBLE TO EXCHANGE A 4-WAY PASSENGER SEAT IN A 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY LIMITED TO AN 8-WAY LIKE THE DRIVER SEAT?

I have a 2001 Honda Civic, the catalytic converter is a manifold mounted type and needs to be replaced. I would like to know if I can change the manifold mounted converter for a in line exhaust cat. converter, and install a header in place of the old manifold Catalytic Converter and still pass smog. We live in Solano County Calif.

i accidentally put oil in my transmission. What will this do to my car?

i accidentally put oil in my transmission. What will this do to my car?

what is overdrive,and what are the benifits,and when should,or shouldn't it be used

what gives a car balance

will a 99 civic front bumper cover fit on a 98, there is four bolts on each that hold the cover on, the only difference is the 99 has vents on each side that had the option of instaling driving lights(foglights)

Does Santa Claus really exist?

i took my car to a do it yourself car wash and sprayed down the engine and the sorounding area lightly with the engine cleaner that they had to offer after i was done i started the car and it sounded awful and it takes like a quarter mile to get up to speed. Whats going on?... i try to clean the engine and take care of it but now it dont want to run right.

I'm buying a 1991 Eagle Talon FWD, and I have 2.6 chrysler conquest engine, I'm wonderin if I can put that engine in there. It's a long block and has stock turbo on the engine. PLEASE LET ME KNOW. Vary curious. Thanks

I have a 2004 infiniti G35 with about 44,000 miles. is a fuel injector cleaner like STP recommended.

I have a 1969 Chevy Capice with the original 427-335hp. I can find the production numbers for the Caprice built in Doraville GA., but I would like to know where to find how many were produced with the 427/3spd-TH-auto. Any direction is appreciated.

Im thinking about buying a grey import from japan for australia. can anyone tell me if ezyimports.com is legit?

What is it called to find out the TOTAL cost to build & ship a particular car.

Another words,I find out how much profit is being made on a particular car if I know the total cost of the car to the dealer!

What is that called? Totl Cost? Total Invoice? Total overhead?

This sems to be a "TOP SECRET"!

I have a 1994 Honda Accord, 4 Cyl VTEC Auto trans, 210,000 miles. Today was
the first time this happened, but I just bought the car last weekend.
Replaced plugs, wires, and checked the Trans fluid. The D4 light is flashing
an 18 code. It doesn’t do it all the time, but today when I started it up to
go home from work, I put the car in gear and noticed reduced power; I then
noticed the D4 light flashing. I pulled over after a few miles and turned the
car off and when I restarted the D4 light was not flashing anymore and the
car ran fine. The speedometer works intermittenly also.

i have a 1989 custom cruser station wagon v8 engine .my question is how many fuel filters does it have, i know one is in front of the carb.

my question about the 1989 olds wagon fuel filters, when could expect some kind of an anser?also how do i get the anser? do you email it? or do i receive it here? thank you rich.

Rich,
Ask.cars.com is about new cars. I'd suggest you go to our friends at CarTalk to help with your answer.
Thanks!
http://www.cartalk.com/

david thank you,i will do that. rich

I have a 1996 Lincoln Town car with 200,000 miles on it. I was driving on the highway and felt a jerk, the engine shut off and the car coasted to a stop. I tried to cut the car back on but it wouldn't start. For about 10 or 15 minutes the lights and power still worked then shut off. I got a new battery and new battery clamps put in the car. It still would not start. When I try to start the ignition i hear a click sound and all the power shuts off. When i release it the lights and radio come back on but it still does not start. Also the smoke started coming from the battery clamps. What could the reason be?

I have a very narrow driveway. What is the safest narrow small car you know of?