1985 Riviera is rare convertible

January 26, 2017

The speedometer on Paul Puff’s 1985 Buick can register speeds up to 85 miles per hour. Despite that indication, Puff says, “this car has never seen 85.” Puff explains that his Buick Riviera did not start out as a convertible, as Buick only manufactured Riviera coupes in 1985. However, due to the insistence of a small number of customers, a few were sent to a custom body shop for a professional transformation into convertibles. Where Puff’s Riviera spent the first 10 years is a mystery. What is known is that the front-wheel-drive Buick was never ...

Change brake, steering fluids and oil

January 26, 2017

Dear Doctor: My 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser has 26,000 miles. I went for a routine oil change and was told I should also have a brake fluid flush performed. Why would this need to be done? –– Richard Dear Richard: Brake fluid does attract moisture. At my shop, we recommend that when the brake pads are changed that we also remove brake fluid through the master cylinder fill hole. Compressing the brake calipers pushes the fluid into the reservoir. Flushing the entire hydraulic system should be done when contamination has entered the system. We also check the power ...

Buick drops Encore price

January 19, 2017

Buick has lowered the price on its popular Encore for 2017, all while updating its look and adding new connectivity features. The base price of a 2017 Encore with the destination charge included has been lowered to $23,915, saving buyers $1,075 off of last year's $24,990 manufacturer's suggested retail price. It comes with front-wheel drive, a six-speed automatic transmission and a 138-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine and is cheaper than some other popular small SUVs, including the 2017 Toyota RAV4 which starts at $24,910, and the 2017 Honda CR-V, which starts at ...

See diesel specialist for engine troubles

January 19, 2017

Dear Doctor: I have a 2006 Ford F-250 Super Duty with a 6.0-liter diesel engine. It’s been giving me a lot of trouble restarting after driving for only 20 to 25 minutes and turning off the engine. I have changed the battery, alternator, ignition sensors, computers, fuel pump and cleaned the fuel injectors, plus made sure the oil pressure was correct. Sometimes to start the truck a jump will work. It seems the truck needs time to sit before it will restart again. Please help. –– John Dear John: There are many possibilities that could be causing the problem that would not set a ...

2017 Fusion Energi is fuel-efficient, cheaper

January 5, 2017

Ford managed to make its plug-in Fusion Energi gasoline-electric hybrid more fuel efficient for 2017, even while lowering the base price. Federal government fuel economy ratings for this mid-size sedan are increased from last year and now are 42 mpg in combined city / highway travel on gasoline power, with up to 21 miles of travel available on electric power alone. The 2016 model got 38 mpg. The result is an impressive travel range of just over 600 miles on a tank of gas, enough to drive nonstop from Chicago to Kansas City, Mo., and to have enough fuel left over to tour the ...

Check gasket for coolant loss

January 5, 2017

Dear Doctor: I own a 2013 Ford F-150 with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine with 20,000 miles. The truck is losing coolant and I have to add more every couple of weeks. I visited two Ford dealerships and after running pressure tests they both told me there is nothing found. If there are no leaks found, then where is the coolant going? –– Joe Dear Joe: If you’re adding less that one quart a month, then have the dealer check and mark the coolant level, and then return in a month. If the coolant has gone down a half gallon or more and there are no signs of any leaks, then the engine ...