Loud engine in GMC pickup is normal

December 20, 2017

DEAR DOCTOR: I recently purchased a 2014 GMC Sierra pickup with approximately 30,000 miles. I really like the styling, ride, and the quietness of the cabin. All is good with the truck except the noise from the 5.3-liter motor: It has more than enough power and runs very well, but it sounds like my mother's old wringer washing machine. The dealer told me that the noise is from the high-pressure fuel injectors and is normal. This seems correct, since other similar trucks sound nearly the same. I am the kind of owner who tends to keep vehicles to over 100,000 miles. What has your ...

Packard purchased in Warren performs flawlessly

May 11, 2017

During the 1999 celebration at the birthplace of Packard automobiles in Warren, Hal Hermann carefully looked over more than a thousand Packards from around the world on display. What he found most impressive was the quiet 356-cubic-inch, L-head engine introduced in 1940. The powerful ...

2017 Jetta: Sport-tuned sedan

April 13, 2017

UIf you want basic transportation from point A to point B, then the Jetta isn't your car. There's nothing boring about this compact sedan. The 2017 Volkswagen Jetta, a sporty little number with three turbocharged four-cylinder engine choices, has long been Volkswagen's best-selling vehicle in the United States. There are at least three pretty good reasons why: it has sporty European styling, an engaging drive, and good fuel economy. VW has simplified the model offerings to four: S, SE, SEL, and the performance-oriented GLI. Also new for 2017, all Jetta models get a standard rearview ...

Different for Volvo: 2017 S60 Cross Country

April 13, 2017

AUTO DOCTOR Dear Doctor: Have you driven the new Volvo Cross Country? The appearance is sporty hot and I'm thinking of putting it on my list of vehicles to test. — Eric Dear Eric: I agree, the new raised appearance on the body is hot-looking. I drove the 2017 Volvo S60 Cross Country with all-wheel drive. The 19-inch all-season tires fill the wheel wells nicely. Even the body design and style separates it from other Volvo vehicles. The 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged delivers 250 instant horsepower via a quick shifting six-speed automatic. Acceleration is instant from the ...

Trax gets new look

March 30, 2017

Chevrolet has given its popular Trax a more contemporary look, a new instrument panel and more safety features for 2017, and the early reviews are good, as it continues to set U.S. sales records in the fast-growing small SUV market. The five-seat Trax registered its best January and February this year, and the sales gains followed record U.S. sales of 79,016 for 2016. The 14-foot-long Trax is Chevrolet's smallest and most fuel-efficient SUV, with federal government fuel economy ratings of up to 25 mpg in city driving and 33 mpg on highways for a two-wheel drive model. It is also ...

Get an expert to fix car’s air flow issues

March 30, 2017

Dear Doctor: We have a 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis. It has low mileage and is well maintained. Our blower motor works; we have air conditioning and plenty of coolant. But there is no heat. I've done my research and narrowed it down to the "blend door actuator," which I see is a common problem. Is there a work-around without tearing apart the dashboard to restore heat? I also see that the passenger side airbag has to be taken into consideration, as to not deploy it while attempting to reach the actuator. Can you advise? –– Rick Dear Rick: Blend door actuators are a common problem ...