Dave’s Free Car Repair Advice

What about air pressure in your tires in the summer? We usually keep our tires at 32 psi. But with the sudden rise in the temperature this time of year its possible in a few days it could rise 40 degrees. Would it be a good idea to lower the tire pressure in the spring to help adjust to the heat or would you leave the pressure as is and just check it once in awhile as it gets hotter?

Samantha asks:

I have a problem with my 1999 Ford Taurus. My AC has had problems off and on lately. It has the automatic controlled system. It works fine for 30 - 40 minutes on a hot day and then starts to blow warm air. If I turn off the AC for a short time, like 5 minutes, sometimes the problem disappears and it works fine again. Do you know what’s going on? I checked for low refrigerant and it’s fine. Can you help me out, Dave?

Samantha, your car is equipped with EATC, meaning “electronic air temperature control” which is great until problems begin.

6 gas-saving myths

By Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNNMoney.com staff writer

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — With gasoline prices hitting record levels, it seems everyone has a tip on how to save fuel. Much of the advice is well-intentioned, but in the end, much of it won’t lower your gas bill.

Here’s a look at a few misconceptions:

#1. Fill your tank in the morning

You may have heard that it’s best to fill your gas tank in the early morning while the fuel is cold. The theory goes that fluids are more dense at lower temperatures, so a gallon of cold gas actually has more gas molecules than a gallon of warmer gas.

In a word, NO.

Have you received the chain email letter encouraging you to boycott gas companies Exxon and Mobil in order to “force” them to lower gas prices? It goes something like this:

With the price of gasoline going up more each day, we consumers need to take action.

The only way we are going to see the price of gas come down is if we hit someone in the pocketbook by not purchasing their gas! And, we can do that WITHOUT hurting ourselves.

How? Since we all rely on our cars, we can’t just stop buying gas.

Kia sedona 02 all of sudden brake pedal went solid and brakes stuck on for about 3-5 miles then released. Went further 20 miles then same happened, got home switched off car left 4 an hour then restarted, brakes normal…any ideas cheers

Alan, happy to see you made it home OK… That can be a scary way to be cruising down the road, with bad brakes… Anyway, I am sure you have checked your brake fluid level by now, also you may want to make sure your emergency brake is not on, which could make things act up. Also check the vacuum line going to the vacuum brake assist diaphragm right near your brake fluid reservoir. With the vacuum line leaking this would make your brakes ” hard ” to push. Check both ends of this line, it is usually quite thick and sturdy but may have vibrated loose. Good Luck Alan, Drive safe!

WD-40 has been around for 55 years! People use it for all kinds of things around the house as well as on their cars.

Invented by the Rocket Chemical Company of San Diego, California, the team of inventors were working on a line of industrial rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry. WD-40 literally stands for water displacement 40th attempt.

Some of the Uses for WD-40 on Cars and Trucks

These are only a few of the automotive uses for WD-40:

• Removes tar from chassis

• Removes decals from windows and bumper