Motor Mind

Thursday, March 1, 2001

Motor Mind by Mitch Kudler (NAPS)—Dear Mitch:I have a 1997 Ford Contour with a 2.0L Zetec engine and automatic trans- mission. My steering wheel vibrates excessively when I’m stopped at a light with the trans- mission in drive and my foot on the brake. Whenthis happens, the tachometer shows approximately 500 rpms. I’ve had it into the dealer and he says he can’t do anything about it. He has tried new engine mounts but they didn’t help. What gives? —Jani B. Answer: I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but vibrating Contours my /7 are pretty common. Before you resign yourself to a life of shaking Got a car question? E-mail it to master mechanic Mitch Kudler at Mitch @iMotors.com. recorder. Named after the black Mylecture aside, finding the complete records for your vehicle will while driving, ask your mechanic to install what we call a flight boxes made famousin airplanes, this device will record the reading on your vehicle when the vibrating be next to impossible. Try taking it to your nearest BMW dealer and through the VIN number, they happens. Your mechanic can look at should be able to tell you what work other BMW dealers have vibrating is a luxury massage fea- through the Carfax (www.car fax.com) or AutoCheck (www.auto the results on his diagnostic equipment. If this fails, just say the ture on your Contour and watch your friends turn green with envy. Dear Mitch: How do I find maintenance and repair records on my 1996 BMW 318iconvertible that I just purchased? —Holly A. Answer: I assume the person you bought it from didn’t have these records, so I hope you trust the seller enough to know that he or she didn’t stick you with a done to it. Also, run your VIN check.com) services to see if your beemerhas been in any majoraccidentsoris a salvage vehicle. Mitch Kudler, an operations manager at iMotors, has over 16 years of automotive repair experience and is a Certified Master Technician. Questions about car buying or repair can be e-mailed to Mitch@iMotors.com. For more information about buying a used vehicle, call toll-free 1-888- lemon. This is always a risk when buying a vehicle from anybody but IMOTORS (1-888-466-8677) or we een e nen e nen ween nen e eee e eee eee ee a well-respected dealer or company. visit www.imotors.com. Note to Editors: This is the third in a series about Mitch Kudler, expert on automotive repair.

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