document.write("" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "" + "

" + "Tue, Feb 9 2010 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "Today: find out why Tom put Filippo Berio Olive Oil on his windshield." + "

" + "Dear Tom and Ray: We had a big snowstorm this week. Not wanting to scrape the ice off my windshield, the night before the storm I looked around for something to put under my wipers to keep the ice off. Unable to come up with anything, I contemplated alternatives. Then it came to me: Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil! I smeared some Filippo Berio on the windshield and waited for the snow. The next morning, the snow slid off the windshield like a greasy zeppole. Great, I thought. When the snow ..." + "

" + "Mon, Feb 8 2010 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "Painting by Numbers" + "

" + "A painter tries to remember a prospective customer\'s phone number with some familiar reminders. But when he tries to reconstruct the number, he makes a mistake. What was it and why?" + "

" + "

-- sponsor --

" + "

" + "Sat, Feb 6 2010 - 5:20 PM" + "

" + "Independent Front Suspension | Car Problems | YouFixCars.com" + "

" + "Discover what independent front suspension actually means. Mechanic explains how to diagnose steering knuckle, control arm, and ball joint problems." + "

" + "Fri, Feb 5 2010 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "Is a block heater a must-have in extremely cold climates?" + "

" + "Dear Tom and Ray: I live in interior Alaska, and it gets cold. How cold, you ask? It\'s been -40 F (that\'s negative 40) for the past week or so. My husband and I go back and forth as to whether to keep the car\'s block heater plugged in all the time, or whether to use a timer and run it only some of the time. I\'ve heard that too much heat is bad for the oil. This morning I used the timer, and my car decided it was too cold for the transmission to engage. I was stuck. At -45 F, I don\' t have to go ..." + "

" + "Thu, Feb 4 2010 - 4:57 PM" + "

" + "Auto Air Conditioning Leaks | Diy Car AC Repair | YouFixCars.com" + "

" + "Air conditioning leaks, the most common cause of automobile A/C problems. Find Freon leak detectors and instructions on how to fix leaking refrigerant." + "

" + "Tue, Feb 2 2010 - 5:07 PM" + "

" + "Check Engine Light Reset | Diy Car Repairs | YouFixCars.com" + "

" + "The check engine light reset procedure explained. Master mechanic tells you how to clear diagnostic codes and reset the light without using scan tools." + "

" + "Tue, Feb 2 2010 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "Today: the case of the misaligned hub covers." + "

" + "Dear Tom and Ray: I live in New Hampshire, and have a 2002 Saab 9-5 Aero. About 10 weeks ago, after putting on the snow tires, I personally put the little blue \"hub covers\" with the Saab logo on the center of each wheel. Just for kicks, I put on the covers so they all were facing exactly the same way. The other day, I was walking up to the car and noticed that all the covers are now misaligned. I\'m thinking to myself: \"How did that happen? Did someone sneak into my garage at night and purposely ..." + "

" + "Mon, Feb 1 2010 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "Manny the Miracle Worker" + "

" + "Grandma comes into the shop with her aging Lincoln Town Car complaining of reduced mileage and a rough engine. Immediately after learning she drives on dirt roads, Manny diagnoses the problem. What did he learn?" + "

" + "Sun, Jan 31 2010 - 7:50 PM" + "

" + "Active Suspension Systems | Traction Control | YouFixCars.com" + "

" + "Active suspension systems and traction control scare some car mechanics. Should drivers buy new cars with these electronically controlled suspensions?" + "

" + "Fri, Jan 29 2010 - 4:05 PM" + "

" + "Automotive Steering Parts | Idler Arms Diy | YouFixCars.com" + "

" + "Automotive steering parts like idler arms are often up sold at auto repair shops during maintenance. Learn how to check and replace car steering parts." + "

" + "Fri, Jan 29 2010 - 3:56 PM" + "

" + "Car AC Compressor How to | Diy AC Repair | YouFixCars.com" + "

" + "Find car ac compressor replacement instructions and parts. Mechanic provides 10 steps needed to protect your new ac compressor. Avoid repeat failures." + "

" + "Thu, Jan 28 2010 - 3:42 PM" + "

" + "Car Steering Parts | Check Your Front End | YouFixCars.com" + "

" + "Car steering parts are often up sold at auto repair shops during an alignment special. Learn how to determine when front end car parts need replacement." + "

" + "Thu, Jan 28 2010 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "Should John the valet be warming up cars?" + "

" + "Dear Tom and Ray: I am a valet at a local country club in Wisconsin. As you well know, it gets very cold here in the winter months, and that leads to my question. As a favor to the members who choose to valet park with me, I like to warm up their cars before they leave. I let the cars run anywhere from two to 15 minutes, depending on how long they take to get ready to leave, get their coats, finish conversations, etc. So my question is: Am I doing any damage to these automobiles? Would they be b..." + "

" + "Tue, Jan 26 2010 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "Today: Technical Service Bulletins, explained." + "

" + "Dear Tom and Ray: I\'ve heard you refer to \"bulletins\" (\"maybe there\'s a bulletin on it\") in addressing repair problems. My question is this: If there is, in fact, a bulletin out on a repair, does that mean the dealership cannot (or ought not) charge full price for the repair? My Saturn wagon just had a transmission pressure-control solenoid replaced, to the tune of $800. As I was writing out the check, I noticed a bulletin that the technician had clipped to the bill, and I asked the serviceman i..." + "

" + "Tue, Jan 26 2010 - 2:33 AM" + "

" + "Car Repair Help | Car Questions Answered | You Fix Cars.com" + "

" + "Car repair help from certified mechanics and the you fix cars website. Learn why a standard auto repair questions forum may do more harm than good." + "

" + "Mon, Jan 25 2010 - 4:14 PM" + "

" + "Starters and Alternators | Diy Car Repair | YouFixCars.com" + "

" + "Starters and alternators can fail leaving you stranded. Find replacement parts and learn how they work with your automotive battery for engine starting." + "

" + "Mon, Jan 25 2010 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "Uncharted Waters" + "

" + "How did the sailor, alone and miles out on the ocean, find a substitute for a feeler gauge?" + "

" + "Sat, Jan 23 2010 - 7:41 PM" + "

" + "O2 Sensor Codes | Diy Check Engine Light | YouFixCars.com" + "

" + "O2 sensor codes are often misdiagnosed and good oxygen sensors replaced. Master mechanic gives you an example where o2 codes lead to a cheap repair." + "

" + "Fri, Jan 22 2010 - 7:04 PM" + "

" + "Automotive Air Conditioning Diy | Car AC | YouFixCars.com" + "

" + "Automotive air conditioning is a troublesome system. Car mechanic explains theory of operation and the most common problems found in automobile AC units." + "

" + "Fri, Jan 22 2010 - 6:47 PM" + "

" + "Charging Car AC | YouFixCars.com | Diy Auto Repair" + "

" + "Charging car ac correctly can not only provide the coldest air output but can protect the system from damage. See the problems with just adding Freon." + "

" + "Thu, Jan 21 2010 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "today: How would you price car sharing?" + "

" + "Dear Tom and Ray: I\'m living with a bunch of poor, just-out-of-college/sometimes-in-grad-school folks who are planning to share my car. I don\'t want to sell it. I\'d like to come up with a way to let everyone contribute based on how much they use the car and how they use it. How does highway driving compare with city traffic for wear and tear on the car? It obviously has an effect on gas, but what about the engine and other parts? -- Dan" + "

" + "Wed, Jan 20 2010 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "Today: an airbag answer that\'s \"no charge.\"" + "

" + "Dear Tom and Ray: I recently purchased a 2009 Chevy Traverse. My wife, who is a vertically challenged 5 feet 1 inch, likes to sit on a cushion to gain greater visibility. However, when she sits in the front passenger seat with a fabric material cushion, the warning light indicates that her seat\'s air bag is off. So, currently, in order to ride as safely as possible, she does not use the cushion. Is the air bag really turned off when she sits on the cushion? If it is, please explain to this non-a..." + "

" + "Tue, Jan 19 2010 - 4:19 PM" + "

" + "Wiring Diagrams | Diy Car Repair | You Fix Cars.com" + "

" + "Automotive wiring diagrams for your specific vehicle. And a video that shows you how to use them for diagnosis and repair of common electrical problems." + "

" + "Mon, Jan 18 2010 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "A Tale of Two Cars" + "

" + "Ray\'s cousin Vinnie bought two American-made cars at an auction. One was made in the early 60ￂﾒs and the other was manufactured in the mid 70ￂﾒs. He bet Ray that Ray wouldn\'t be able to tell which one was which. What were the cars?" + "

" + "Sun, Jan 17 2010 - 4:18 PM" + "

" + "Blower Motor Problems | Diy Diagnosis | YouFixCars.com" + "

" + "Find replacement blower motors and resistor blocks. Learn to diagnose and repair common blower motor problems. Component locations and repair diagrams." + "

" + "Sun, Jan 17 2010 - 4:14 PM" + "

" + "Smart Car Mileage" + "

" + "Reader Question: What can I expect the average smart car fuel mileage to be? Dan H. Allentown, PA Dan, If you are referring to one of those real small shoe box looking cars then the fuel mileage can be as high as 90 MPG. I personally have not driven one of those small cars and honestly would NOT feel comfortable driving one of them here in Texas with all the big trucks on the road with me. I WOULD how ever drive a Toyota Prius any day of the week and with a fuel economy in the 40 MPG range it..." + "

" + "Thu, Jan 14 2010 - 5:46 PM" + "

" + "Auto Repair Videos | Diy car repairs | YouFixCars.com" + "

" + "Auto repair videos help you fix cars at home. Master mechanic provides short videos about a wide variety of auto repair subjects for diy car mechanics." + "

" + "Thu, Jan 14 2010 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "Can kids really wear out power window switches?" + "

" + "Dear Tom and Ray: When I was a kid, my siblings and I loved to play with the power windows -- up a little, down a little, up some more, down some more, all the way up. Our elders always told us to cut it out because we\'d wear out the switches. Now that I have kids of my own who love to do the same thing, I find it annoying, so I tell them to cut it out because they\'ll wear out the switches. But it makes me wonder -- can you really wear out power-window switches, or were my elders fibbing, just t..." + "

" + "Wed, Jan 13 2010 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "Which is better for the frozen north: an SUV or a lower-riding car?" + "

" + "Dear Tom and Ray: I am a doctor living in an area that typically can get 6 to 8 inches of snow on the ground at some point in the winter. Snow plows are not always out on the roads when I drive. For this reason, I need a four-wheel-drive vehicle; however, I don\'t know if SUVs, like the Honda CR-V or BMW X3 or X5, are superior in snow to lower-riding all-wheel-drive cars, like Audis or Subarus. Do I really need to be higher up in an SUV, or could I get through snowdrifts in a sedan? I get concern..." + "

" + "Tue, Jan 12 2010 - 4:43 AM" + "

" + "Wheel Alignment Facts | You Fix Cars.com" + "

" + "Wheel alignments are often misunderstood. Discover why it is so hard to get a quality wheel alignment and how to increase your chances of good service." + "

" + "Mon, Jan 11 2010 - 7:05 PM" + "

" + "Auto Repair News | Service Bulletins | You Fix Cars.com" + "

" + "Auto repair news for do it yourself car mechanics and vehicle owners. Find auto repair articles from insider trade publications and service bulletins." + "

" + "Mon, Jan 11 2010 - 6:27 PM" + "

" + "Repairing ABS Problems | Diy Diagnosis | YouFixCars.com" + "

" + "Repairing ABS problems on older cars. Review of a bulletin for a 95 Bonneville abs light. These diagnostic tips can be applied to many older vehicles." + "

" + "Mon, Jan 11 2010 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "Tommy\'s Tomatoes" + "

" + "Tommy has harvested 100 pounds of tomatoes, and he and the tomoatoes weigh 248 pounds. After a week in the sun drying out, what would the scale read?" + "

" + "Sat, Jan 9 2010 - 3:17 AM" + "

" + "Automotive Repair Advice | Car Repair Resources | You Fix Cars" + "

" + "Automotive repair advice, car repair manuals, special tools and service bulletins. Learn to fix cars with a mechanics internet tool box full of resources." + "

" + "Thu, Jan 7 2010 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "Why do European cars get better MPG than their US equivalents?" + "

" + "Dear Tom and Ray: Can you explain why equivalent cars sold in Europe get much better fuel economy, compared with those sold in the U.S.? As an example, I was looking -- I suppose out of boredom -- at the Honda U.K. Web site. It shows the mileage for the Honda Jazz (which is called the Honda Fit here) at around 50 mpg, just as is, off the showroom floor. It\'s not a hybrid version, just the regular car! The equivalent base model in the U.S. comes in somewhere in the 30s for mpg. What\'s up? And yes..." + "

" + "Tue, Jan 5 2010 - 9:31 PM" + "

" + "Car Repair Safety Tips | Diy Auto Repairs | YouFixCars.com" + "

" + "Car repair safety tips from a mechanic that has seen too many avoidable injuries. Review these health and safety tips before performing diy auto repairs." + "

" + "Tue, Jan 5 2010 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "Ever wonder: do hubcaps serve any purpose?" + "

" + "Dear Tom and Ray: I am having a philosophical debate with my father that I hope you can offer some closure on. About two years ago, my 2007 Toyota Matrix lost a hubcap during a 220-mile drive. Immediately, my father told me to go to the dealership to get the hubcap replaced. The next day, I went to the dealership, paid 70-odd bucks and off I went. Within a week, another hubcap fell off. And again, my father was quick to say it NEEDED to be replaced. I made the argument that it was too expensive,..." + "

" + "Mon, Jan 4 2010 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "High Speed Chase" + "

" + "How could Ned tell that the yellow convertible he was chasing was the wrong car?" + "

" + "Sun, Jan 3 2010 - 7:55 PM" + "

" + "Learn Auto Repair | Automotive Training | You Fix Cars.com" + "

" + "Learn auto repair with a Certified Master Technicians approved resources. Perfect for the do it yourself car mechanic or automotive trades student." + "

" + "Sun, Jan 3 2010 - 7:30 PM" + "

" + "ASE Study Guides | Preparation Materials | YouFixCars.com" + "

" + "ASE study guides provide the best shot at passing the tests the first time. Finding preparation manuals with the latest information is also important." + "

" + "Fri, Jan 1 2010 - 6:39 PM" + "

" + "Check Engine Light Solutions | Diy car repair | YouFixCars.com" + "

" + "Check engine light help from master mechanics and the you fix cars website. Straight answers to why service engine lights come on and how to repair them." + "

" + "Wed, Dec 30 2009 - 5:38 PM" + "

" + "Chevrolet Fuel Pump Failures Explained | YouFixCars.com" + "

" + "Chevrolet fuel pump failures on 1996 and up General Motors trucks is a common repeat failure. Mechanic shares a bulletin to solve the problem for good!" + "

" + "Wed, Dec 30 2009 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "How do Cubans keep those 50-year-old cars so beautiful?" + "

" + "Dear Tom and Ray: I have often wondered, when I see a street scene in Havana, how they\'ve managed to keep those \'50s vintage cars operating all these years. Of course, we are conditioned to replace a car because of a full ashtray or if a bird defecates on the hood. But still, wouldn\'t 50-plus-year-old cars be increasingly expensive to maintain? I would think the majority of those cars would be not only mechanically challenged, but very unsound structurally. And how do they obtain replacement par..." + "

" + "Wed, Dec 30 2009 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "Mary discovers she\'s the wife of an incorrigible cheapskate." + "

" + "Dear Tom and Ray: I just got married, and last week my new husband and I got into our first disagreement in the car! He doesn\'t put his blinker on when he\'s stopped, waiting to turn. He waits until he gets INTO the intersection. At that point, he will turn the blinker on for just a moment, until he completes the turn and it automatically clicks off. When I asked him about this, he says that he doesn\'t want his blinker bulb to burn out prematurely, so he uses it only when it is a safety concern. ..." + "

" + "Mon, Dec 28 2009 - 4:00 PM" + "

" + "Car Repair Manuals Online | Diy auto repairs | YouFixCars.com" + "

" + "Paper car repair manuals are not what professional mechanics use. Fix your own car with the same inexpensive web based auto repair manuals they use." + "

" + "Mon, Dec 28 2009 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "Matchstick Mathematics" + "

" + "Use 16 matchsticks to remake an equation using Roman numerals to equal 4." + "

" + "Sat, Dec 26 2009 - 6:22 PM" + "

" + "Automotive Special Tools | Diy Car Repair | You Fix Cars.com" + "

" + "Automotive special tools more than a convenience. They may be required to complete specific auto repairs. Mechanic shows you where to get them cheap." + "

" + "Thu, Dec 24 2009 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "Today: can Tom and Ray help Margi get her brake lights working?" + "

" + "Dear Tom and Ray: I have a 1997 Plymouth Breeze with 110,000 miles on it. I changed the brake-light bulb in the passenger-side taillight, and now none of the lights in that taillight works. When I turn on my right blinker, the indicator on the dashboard blinks very fast. I think I may have blown a fuse, but I don\'t know which one to look at. Any suggestions before another kind policeman pulls me over to give me a warning? -- Margi" + "

" + "Wed, Dec 23 2009 - 7:46 PM" + "

" + "Ford ABS Light Problems Solved | You Fix Cars.com" + "

" + "Ford abs light common problems. Auto repair technician reviews diagnosis and repair of common failures that can turn on your abs light on any vehicle." + "

" + "Tue, Dec 22 2009 - 5:00 AM" + "

" + "Is it ever right to tip your mechanic?" + "

" + "Dear Tom and Ray: So, should you tip your mechanic? Would it be insulting? Would it be appreciated? How do you know how much you should tip if, indeed, you should tip at all? I ask because recently I went to a mechanic I found in The Mechanics Files on your Web site (www.cartalk.com/mechanics). I had two problems. No. 1: I had a nail in my tire (turns out it had not created a leak, but they spent some time searching to be sure). No. 2: My engine was dying at awkward times, and they discovered th..." + "

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