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Counterman.com has a crack team of past Counter Professionals of the Year, editors and
and technicians at the ready to answer your technical and general business queries.
Our experts will tackle your questions and post the answers online.
Want to participate? If you have what it takes to be an Ask A CounterPro board member,
please email editor Mark Phillips, mphillips@babcox.com and tell him.
Ask the Counterpro isn't for questions that need immediate answers. (i.e. If someone's at the counter or on the telephone with you, we won't be able to respond that quickly.)
Recent Questions
Displaying 1 to 10 of 103
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after researching engine oils im more confuse. is there a superior brand and additive that should be combined. i know my dodge recommends 5w-30 but would a different grade be better?
Different people will tell you one brand is better than another. All oil is the same to a certain point. After that, manufacturer's try to make them better. They put their own blend of additives in to withstand heat better, clean, etc. So, pick the one you like.
As far as viscosity, stick with manufacturers recommended viscosity. The tolerances in engine bearings are a lot smaller than they used to be and a thicker oil could cause damage. Plus, it will void your warranty If it's a new vehicle.
Matthew Vaughn
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After about a year I was told they were warped. What may have caused this and what can be done to prevent this from happining again.
There are a lot of variables at play here. What is the quality of the pads and rotors that you used. Did you even change the pads? What are your stopping habits? Is the truck empty or loaded? All this comes into play. Sometimes all at once. But probably the biggest thing is breaking habits. A ton of folks like to wait till the last possible second to apply their brakes and try to stop in ten feet. What they should be doing is gradually slowing by gently applying the brake. Give yourself a lot of room to stop. Your brakes and your wallet will thank you.
Matthew Vaughn
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i have replaced the starter, both battery cables, the alternator, the battery, and most of the fuses. does this leave me down to the ignition lock cylinder and the ignition switch?
Sounds more like a fuel problem than an electrical.
Matthew Vaughn
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The air only blows when I turn the switch to the 2 highest levels and doesn't work at all at the lower 2 levels. I have been told that it might simply be the blower motor. Any ideas?
Also, my passenger window is having problems. It will roll down a little bit, but then stop. It then takes a few minutes to "recharge" before it has the power to go any further. Is that just the motor having problems? And my driver's window is starting to do the same thing. Is there a connection?
The blower motor is most likely bad. Could be the switch, but not likely.
As far as the windows, you need to look at the regulator first. Make sure It's in good shape, then go to the motor.
Matthew Vaughn
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Even though my heat works it takes a very long time to get hot..my coolant guage on the dash says very low, never get into range and usually by the time i get to work about a 15-20 min. drive i have heat....do you think i need a new thermostat...This car has automatic climate control. I've never really messed with these systems before, they sure are a pain. You set your temperature and the heating and cooling are automatic around that temperature.
thanks john
Sounds like the thermostat is stuck open. Replace it.
Matthew Vaughn
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On my 98 Taurus, I only get strong air thru the defrost vents. Very weak thru the floor and top ones. My mechanic says he can't figure out why. Any answer except find a different mechanic?
Your HVAC has gone into "default" mode, which sends all output to the
defroster if the switching controls fail for any reason. This is done to
make sure the car is safe to drive, you can see out the windshield.
First check for a vacuum leak to the HVAC controls or vacuum motors.
Jim O'Neill
Chino Autotech Inc.
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on lifetime rotors when you have them turned does that void the warranty?
There is no such thing as "Lifetime Rotors" the manufacturer does not warranty them against wear or warping as that is normal wear. They only cover manufacturing defects. So turning does not void warranty.
Gerald Wheelus
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I have a customer that is constantly giving me the wrong vehicle information and blaming me for sending the wrong parts. What can I say to him that won't upset him?
This is an age old question and what the Ask the Counterpro program was started for to help counterpeople become better at what they do.
In one of these cases where customer are wrong, well you just have to eat the crow. However, most of our systems are capable of including the VIN code on them. Also, it is not out of reason to ask the customer what the made on date in the door jamb says.
Customers are not always right but they are always the customer.
However, this customer may be scamming you in some way so watch this one closely.
Gerald Wheelus
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I have a 2001 Chevy Malibu 3.1 Base, and it keeps throwing the P0420 code, I
have replaced the Vent Solenoid, Vapor canister w/filter, EGR Valve, vacuum
lines, PCV Valve and fuel filter, the cars runs rough when it first starts
and the gas mileage is lower than normal. Anything I am missing?
The P0420 DTC is generated by the rear (downstream) HO2 Sensor when it
senses too much leftover oxygen after the catalytic converter does its job.
This causes the sensor to "switch" high-low just like the upstream HO2
sensor. Sometimes there may be a misfire or a lean condition like a manifold
leak which causes this DTC. More often we find the catalyst is just worn,
coated or deteriorated from long use and having had the above-mentioned
upstream defects at one or more times in its life. That's one good reason
why it is so important to promptly fix any misfires, rich or lean
conditions!
If you are satisfied the upstream problems are repaired, it's time to
replace the cat.
Jim O'Neill
Chino Autotech Inc.
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WHAT IS A 1\2 PINION WEDGE?
This is an alignment shim used with leaf spring suspensions. The "1/2" refers to one-half degree of adjustment, which is the amount the installation of this wedge will affect the pinion angle of the rear differential.
Tom Dayton
JS Auto Supply
Jamestown, NY
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