Page 23 - Consumer Guide News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Published January 02. 2021 12:01AM  By Bob Weber, Tribune News Service Q: I bought new a 2018 Mazda6, 4-cylinder turbo. The specs call for semi-synthetic oil. Everyone who I know with auto expertise thinks I should use full synthetic, even a former engineer friend from GM. The tech personnel at my local dealership, including the manager, tell me to follow the specifications recommended. I called the engineering department at Mazda Corp. and a technical representative said, "stick with what you are using.” Any opinions? — R.K., Glastonbury, Conn. A: Stick with what you are using. Although...

Motormouth: Faulty brake light? An anti-lock brake system provides significant safety, especially in slippery conditions, but under normal conditions, however, the ABS does not kick in. (Dreamstime/TNS) Published December 26. 2020 12:01AM  By Bob Weber, Tribune News Service Q: I have a 2002 Lexus ES300 with 185,000 miles on it. Some time ago, the ABS and brake light came on simultaneously. I took it to my local shop who diagnosed a faulty ABS sensor. They said that I did not really need to replace it since it would cost close to the value of the car and that, even with a faulty ABS system, i...

2021 Tahoe and Suburban Are Consumer Guide Best Buys Photo: General Motors Consumer Guide named the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2021 Chevrolet Suburban to its list of the 2021 Best Buys in the large SUVs category. The editors found that the SUVs were valuable options, thanks to their spacious designs, strong performance, and high-end trim offerings. Photo: Chevrolet Chevrolet redesigned the Tahoe and Suburban for the 2021 model year, adding new features and increasing their sizes. With the rear seats folded flat, the Tahoe offers best-in-class 122.9 cubic feet of cargo volume, and the Suburban p...

Motormouth: Spark plug problem Mechanics used to apply anti-seize compound to the spark plug threads (some still do), but most plugs are treated and no longer require the stuff. (Dreamstime/TNS) Published December 19. 2020 12:01AM  By Bob Weber, Tribune News Service Q: In a recent column you responded to R.W. from Minnetonka, Minn., that he should not need spark plug replacement of the platinum tipped plugs until the manufacturer recommended 60,000 miles. One thing that is often not considered is that over time, the dissimilar metals in the aluminum heads and the spark plug materials make re...

AG Utility Imposter Scams Have you ever received a call from a utility company claiming that your bill is overdue and if you don’t pay now, your power, heat or water will be turned off? That is the last thing you want in Michigan’s cold winters or hot summers. Scammers know this and will pose as utility company employees to trick you into providing money, personal or financial information.  Michigan consumers are targeted by Utility Imposter Scams every day and increase as we approach the holiday season. This year is even worse due to the ongoing financial impacts of COVID-19. At...